PV Audio's Playtest Thread

pvaudio

Legend
I figure that since I string for a fair number of people here on campus and thus stock a lot of strings, I'll post up a review of whenever I try out a new string setup. Three categories: Stringing, Playability, Durability with subsections for each. Each post will be a different string. I'll start with what I've got in my bag now and therefore have hit with then will constantly update on what I'm playing with by the day. First off, intrinsic information for each playtest:

Stringer: PV Audio aka ME!
Stringing Machine: Silent Partner Aria w/ Opus clamps (newest Aria)
Frame: Head IG Prestige Pro (stock)
Grip Size: 4 1/2
Overgrip: Wilson Pro Overgrip
Dampener: none

Playing Style

As some general information, my forehand is my groundstroke weapon, my backhand is my consistent side and is becoming a weapon having switched from 1H to 2H. My serve, however, is my main weapon and gives me the most free points. It sets up my other strokes, and I tend to S&V if serving out wide. I do not have or give myself a NTRP rating as the system does not, in my opinion, reflect playing ability below 5.0. Instead, please view the videos below to compare your playstyle to mine so you may make your own assessment.

Serving warmup: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtfYGIiHVdY

Hitting: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMv2I2bA6RM


Table of Contents

String reviews are listed in chronological order rather than alphabetical order. This is intentional as my thoughts on the same string setup have sometimes changed as I have altered my game. Therefore, if a setup seems very similar to another posted later, click both and see the different characteristics. Likely a difference in tension is present.

Also note that these reviews are my opinion and my opinion alone. Take all of my words with a handful of salt. I am only one 20s aged player, likely using a different racquet than you, and likely hit the ball differently. I have never suffered from elbow problems either, so no string in here I would call arm-friendly as I never have issues there. I have, however, torn my rotator cuff in high school and therefore have limited RoM. It is for this reason that in my serving videos, you will never see me hit a flat serve as it causes too much internal and external rotation. In other words, my main serve is a 100-105 spin serve. Use my setups at your own discretion.


Signum Pro Tornado 1.23 / Technifibre NRG 1.18
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=5204521&postcount=2

Topspin Cyber Twirl 1.27 / Technifibre NRG 1.18
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=5204525&postcount=3

Weiss Cannon Mosquito Bite (Blue) / Laserfibre SNGPS 17
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=5204532&postcount=4
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=5283683&postcount=172

Weiss Cannon Scorpion 1.22 / PerforMAXX Whisper Touch 1.20 Natural Gut
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=5205070&postcount=8
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=5468720&postcount=453

Initial
Polyfibre Hexablade 1.18 / WhisperTouch
WeissCANNON Scorpion 1.22 / WhisperTouch
Polyfibre Hexablade 1.18 / Mantis Comfort Synthetic
WeissCANNON Scorpion 1.22 / Mantis Comfort Synthetic

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=5270952&postcount=140

Final Verdicts
Polyfibre Hexablade 1.18 / WhisperTouch
WeissCANNON Scorpion 1.22 / WhisperTouch
Polyfibre Hexablade 1.18 / Mantis Comfort Synthetic
WeissCANNON Scorpion 1.22 / Mantis Comfort Synthetic

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=5273660&postcount=144

Genesis Typhoon 16L / Technifibre NRG2 1.18
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=5287998&postcount=210
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=5289921&postcount=234

WeissCANNON Black5Edge / WhisperTouch
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=5298876&postcount=262

WeissCANNON Black5Edge vs. WeissCANNON Scorpion 1.22
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=5299665&postcount=265

PerforMAXX WhisperTouch Pro / WeissCANNON Scorpion 1.22
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=5444028&postcount=417
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=5446114&postcount=427

PerforMAXX WhisperTouch Pro / WeissCANNON Black5Edge
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=5444030&postcount=418

WeissCANNON Black5Edge / WeissCANNON 6Star Supercharged
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=5468743&postcount=455

WeissCANNON Silverstring / PerforMAXX WhisperTouch Pro
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=5478797&postcount=494
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=5479686&postcount=508

WeissCANNON Black5Edge / PerforMAXX WhisperTouch Pro
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=5478798&postcount=495
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=5479699&postcount=509

WeissCANNON Turbotwist 1.18 / PerforMAXX WhisperTouch
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=5527523&postcount=615
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=5533846&postcount=629
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=5554659&postcount=701

Tourna Poly Big Hitter Blue Rough 17g / PerforMAXX WhisperTouch
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=5527525&postcount=616
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=5533935&postcount=630
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=5554682&postcount=703

Signum Pro Hyperion 1.24 / PerforMAXX WhisperTouch Pro
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=5527530&postcount=617
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=5533984&postcount=631
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=5554666&postcount=702

Volkl Cyclone 17g
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=5527533&postcount=618
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=5534072&postcount=632
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=5554710&postcount=704

Topspin CyberTwirl Black 1.27 / Babolat VS Team 17
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=5608012&postcount=796
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=5667574&postcount=834

Tourna Big Hitter Blue Rough 17 / Performaxx Touch 17
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=5615657&postcount=812
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=5667574&postcount=834

Genesis Black Magic 17g
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=5745888&postcount=941

Genesis Black Magic 17g / WhisperTouch
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=5756050&postcount=945

WeissCANNON B5E / Prince Recoil
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=5780311&postcount=995

Tourna Poly Big Hitter Blue Rough 17g / Prince Recoil

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=5780324&postcount=996

Tourna Poly Big Hitter Blue Rough 17g / WhisperTouch Pro
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=5780332&postcount=998

Discho Black Mamba 1.23

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=5835005&postcount=1043

WhisperTouch Pro / MSV Hepta-Twist 1.25

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=5851399&postcount=1067
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=5855072&postcount=1094
 
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pvaudio

Legend
Dunlop Aerogel 4D200 Tour Review, Strung with B5E / WT Pro
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=5851416&postcount=1068

WT Pro / MSV Co Focus 1.23 Midnight Blue

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=5875251&postcount=1162

Performaxx Light Touch / Scorpion 1.22

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=6027183&postcount=1300

Performaxx Light Touch / ThunderStrings Storm 1.25

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=6059883&postcount=1369

WeissCANNON B5E / Genesis Thunderblast 16g
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=6194402&postcount=1606

Tourna Big Hitter Black 7
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=6220893&postcount=1664

2012 Wilson Prototype Blue String
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=6254655&postcount=1696

Signum Pro Tornado 1.23 / Babolat Xcel French Open 17g
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=6315966&postcount=1807
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=6381704&postcount=2020 (update)

Solinco Tour Bite 18g / Genesis Thunderblast 16g
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=6315999&postcount=1808

Discho Iontec Salmon 1.25mm
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=6354689&postcount=1883

Polyester Comparison: WC Scorpion 1.22, WC Silverstring 1.20, Discho Iontec Salmon and MSV CoFocus 1.23

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=6359679&postcount=1932

Solinco Barb Wire 16L / WeissCANNON Mosquito Bite

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=6381740&postcount=2021

L-Tec Premium Pro / L-Tec Premium 5S
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=6388897&postcount=2124

Isospeed Baseline Spin 1.20mm / Gosen OG Sheep Micro 17g Natural

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=6424598&postcount=2332

Luxilon Adrenaline Rough 1.25mm / Yonex Tour Super 850 1.30mm

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=6444810&postcount=2419

SP Tornado 1.23mm / WC Explosiv! 1.30mm

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=6527089&postcount=2662


All images in this thread are my property. If you would like to use one, please ask me first.

Stringing: Stringing of the mains is fairly easy. Just make sure to not set the clamps too tightly as the Tornado is highly textured and you can shred the strings fairly easily if you're not careful. This is especially important if you do a full bed. Stringing the NRG is butter, nothing needs to be said there. All Pro knots on racquet. Tension: 57/60

Playability: Great racquet setup here. The NRG provides just enough softness and responsiveness to what is otherwise a pretty dull feeling string. The spin that the Tornado produces is phenomenal as its reviews state. Control is excellent as well, but is more of a function of the spin instead of actual directivity as with a string like Silverstring where you can pinpoint a spot and hit it. Great combination here.

Durability: Played with for 3 hours so far, minimal fraying of the NRG. String movement is decent, but it's a multifilament cross, so the crosses moving really isn't a big concern.

Overall: 8/10

tornadoi.jpg


tornado2a.jpg


In the end:

Cut out due to boredom.

Overall: 80/100
 
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pvaudio

Legend
Topspin Cyber Twirl 1.27 / Technifibre NRG 1.18

Stringing: Easy peasy to string the CT. Less coil memory than the Tornado. Again, NRG strings like butter so as long as you're careful, you should be fine. Tension: 57/60

Playability: Read the review of the Tornado above. These strings play almost identically except that the Cyber Twirl trades some spin potential for more feel. It's your choice. Personally, I can't pick between the two. I guess more play time will have to determine which is superior based on durability and longevity of the great playing characteristics.

Durability: Same as Tornado, a little less fraying of the T-Fibre.

Overall: 8/10

ct1v.jpg


ct2d.jpg


In the end:

Cut out due to boredom.

Overall: 80/100
 
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pvaudio

Legend
Weiss Cannon Mosquito Bite (Blue) / Laserfibre SNGPS 17

Stringing: No coil memory whatsoever with the MB. Strung up like PSG with just slightly more stiffness. The laserfibre, however, is even easier to string, but not as easy as NRG. Overall, no problems. Tension: 58/60

Playability: Jaw dropping. The feel that this setup provides is unparalleled. As I've stated many times, I feel that SNGPS is the best multifilament that money can buy and plays far superior to any of the budget natural guts out there. I'd put it just below Tonic because if you close your eyes, you can't tell the difference. The MB is a perfect match. It is a super responsive poly thanks to its gauge and construction, and the resiliency of the Laserfibre just enhances that. Spin? Look elsewhere, but the control is still top notch. You won't find a better net player's setup for the money unless you choose a cheaper multi.

Durability: This is the longest lasting setup that I have, and the Laserfibre is just starting to fray ever so slightly. Tension hasn't dropped either, so no complaints on that end.

Overall: 9/10

mb1i.jpg


mb2k.jpg


In the end:

WeissCANNON MosquitoBite 1.16 Vein Blue / Laserfibre SNGPS

Power: 8/10

Control: 8.5/10

Feel: 9.5/10

Spin: 7/10

Durability: 7/10

Tension Maintenance: 9.75/10

Total: 49.75/60

Final Total: 83/100
 
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jmhs

Rookie
Stringing: Stringing of the mains is fairly easy. Just make sure to not set the clamps too tightly as the Tornado is highly textured and you can shred the strings fairly easily if you're not careful. This is especially important if you do a full bed. Stringing the NRG is butter, nothing needs to be said there. All Pro knots on racquet. Tension: 57/60

Playability: Great racquet setup here. The NRG provides just enough softness and responsiveness to what is otherwise a pretty dull feeling string. The spin that the Tornado produces is phenomenal as its reviews state. Control is excellent as well, but is more of a function of the spin instead of actual directivity as with a string like Silverstring where you can pinpoint a spot and hit it. Great combination here.

Durability: Played with for 3 hours so far, minimal fraying of the NRG. String movement is decent, but it's a multifilament cross, so the crosses moving really isn't a big concern.

Overall: 8/10

Thanks muchly for this. Eager to hear what you think of this setup beyond 3 hrs.
 

pvaudio

Legend
Weiss Cannon Scorpion 1.22 / PerforMAXX Whisper Touch 1.20 Natural Gut

Before I delve into the categories, a little background on this natty since many of you may not be familiar with it. This is the bumf from the e.Bay seller's page, so I didn't write this:

PERFORMAXX Natural Gut Strings are made by a company with long experience in producing natural gut strings for medical sutures, musical instruments and OEM racket strings for many of the top racket & string manufacturers. A product of the EU and USA, the quality is outstanding. Many of the top pros that do not stencil their strings use them. More information about them can found below.

Our premium Natural Gut string is designed specifically for players with an “All-round” game. A power and control balanced string designed for players with a smooth “Natural” swing and moderate racket head speed, it is comparatively soft and balances control and power making programming difficult shots easy while providing the feel and great shock absorption required to minimize stress and strain on your body. You will be surprised to find that Natural Touch can be strung at significantly lower tensions for better feel and durability while maintaining outstanding control and exceptional comfort. Great power, control, feel and comfort.

This is the description for the Whisper Touch string. I also have their string in 1.25 gauge, but have not used it.

The natural guts that I carry for stringing are the following:
Babolat Tonic 15L
Babolat VS Team 17g
Global Gut 17g
Klip Legend 17g
Pacific Prime 17g

I have used VS, Klip and Global in the mains, and those three plus tonic in the crosses (all as hybrids). In the mains, VS is the best by a long shot. In the crosses, VS is the best simply because it does not fray as badly, but the feel is better than Global and Tonic which are tied.

Since I cannot link to the Bay page, I'll describe the string's appearance. They say that they use a polyurethane coating like on furniture which gives it a glossy appearance and helps with stringing. Now, as is evident from my username, I have a strong basis in audio and thus in loudspeaker building and have used polyurethane to finish speaker cabinets many a time. Therefore, I know its properties: dries hard, dries clear and yet is flammable. The string that you receive is so clear, and I mean so transparent, that I did not believe for one second that it was natural gut. It looked like a natural colored version of Pro Supex syn gut original: it was that transparent. So, I figured that if they're telling the truth, that I could literally light the string on fire, which should make the polyurethane coating go up in flames quickly and reveal the gut below which should expand immediately. So.....that's what I did! I cut a 1" section off of the string, took a Bic to it, and immediately the entire thing burst into flames and quadrupled in size. There was a definite smell of polyurethane/lacquer and of burning flesh: this stuff truly is natural gut despite the crystal clear appearance.

Onto the actual playtest:

Stringing: Scorpion, like all WC strings, is a breeze to string. No coil memory, easy to tie off, easy on the fingers. Since it was just in the mains, no problems whatsoever. Now comes the interesting part: the crosses. The gut, when woven, is about as hard to weave as a low coil memory poly. Therefore, I'd put its ease of stringing in between a stiff multi and a soft poly, but definitely easier to weave than any of the other Babolat or Klip guts let alone the rope, I mean, Global gut. What's interesting is that the string looks crystal clear while weaving, but the moment you pull tension on it, it literally transforms before your eyes into a cloudy string where you can see the individual sinews and takes on an appearance identical to VS. You really need to see this to understand it: it looks crystal clear, to the point that I stepped on it multiple times because i saw right through it while it was on the carpet while I was doing the mains, but when tensioned, the fibrous nature is immediately apparent. Tension: 56.5 / 58.5

Playability: This is, without question, the best playing string setup that I have ever used in my entire life. Nothing else even compares. Honestly, not even VS crosses compare. I am not putting it to either string, but rather the combination of a crispy yet soft poly main and a natural gut cross. It just so happens that both strings happen to be the best of their respective breeds. The power is EFFORTLESS. Wrist flick shots are dime a dozen. You can modulate the amount of power simply by how much force you put behind each shot, OR, you can accelerate your racquet more quickly for more spin. Oh, the spin. This setup generates spin levels on par with some of the top textured strings. Why that is, I don't know, but the harder you hit (assuming you have a topspin generating stroke), the more the ball dives into the court at the last second. It only goes long when you flatten it out for no reason. Feel at the net is incredible, but then again, just about all natty setups are great at the net. I took off the rubber band and felt no increase in feel, but that'd be pretty difficult since the touch possible with this setup is pretty much untouchable, no pun intended.

Durability: All good things must come to an end: PerforMAXX does not lie or hide anything back in their descriptions. The WhisperTouch is definitely meant for those with a moderate swing speed with a flatter trajectory on most balls. Scorpion is not textured, and yet, after an hour and fifteen minutes of serving drills, the crosses are frayed more than all of the previously mentioned setups combined. I expect that in a match, the crosses are going after about a set if you're lucky. I think that the 1.30 or 1.25 is more appropriate for a modern topspin stroke...and they say as such in their advertising. I wanted the ultimate in playability so I chose the thinnest gauge and paid the price. So, expect to see me using the 1.25 as my next playtest cross string.

Overall: 9.25/10

scorp1f.jpg


scorp2.jpg


Well, the gut finally broke on me. Sorry, no pics as I dont' have a camera here. Either way, here's how it stacks up:

In the end:

WeissCANNON Scorpion 1.22 / PerforMAXX WhisperTouch 17L Natural Gut

Power: 8.5/10

Control: 9/10

Feel: 9.5/10

Spin: 8.75/10

Durability: 8/10

Tension Maintenance: 9.75/10

Total: 53.5/60

Final Total: 89/100

This one will certainly be hard to beat. The poly had long gone dead, but yet the gut just did its job and kept the feel to the point that it played like a low-feel poly setup. I honestly cannot see myself finding a better setup.
 
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pvaudio

Legend
Great thread. Can you comment on the softness of Laserfibre SNGPS 17?

SNGPS is as soft as VS Touch 16, regardless of what the stupid stiffness ratings say. I'm telling you, it is a cheap natural gut hidden as a multifilament. How Laserfibre did it, I don't know. Oh, and just so that you (the forum, I mean) don't think I'm biased towards them for some reason, I only learned about them a year ago when I joined here asking about the best multi and someone mentioned SNGPS. I scoffed at it being over SEVENTEEN DOLLARS!!! But, I bit the bullet once, and said it was the best string I'd ever used. At that time, I'd never played with natty before. Having now played with numerous natties, SNGPS is superior, IMO, to any budget gut by far, and is a closed-eye substitute for a good quality one.

pvaudio - can u comment on which cross string lasts the longest and still acceptable in other attributes?
I can do that! I have had years of experience with NRG 1.18. I've been using it since I was, hell, 15 years old maybe? It doesn't last long, but it frays so beautifully :D :
img0057b.jpg


SNGPS, which I have obviously used in the past, frays slightly then breaks compared to NRG's hairdo-like fraying above. I will update on which breaks first, but at this point, it seems pretty obvious as to which one that will be :-?
 

pvaudio

Legend
I have a reel each of Mantis Comfort and Power Synthetic coming across the Atlantic this week (stupidly low price), so each of those will get a workout. Any polys you guys want to see play tested? Perhaps a full bed of a multi?
 

bad_call

Legend
Scorpion 1.22 is one of my faves and typically cross with Gosen OGSM 17 for the price/performance. my experience has been that the multi crosses notch and somewhat "lock" the poly mains which i don't care for. curious if other synthetics or multis offer better performance (whilst keeping price reasonable). :)

btw - thanks for asking and sharing your stringing experience.
 

pepka

Professional
Silverstring, SPPP or Energy hybrid with one of the Mantis strings please. Im a bit curious about "arm-friendliness" of such a setup
 

pvaudio

Legend
Silverstring, SPPP or Energy hybrid with one of the Mantis strings please. Im a bit curious about "arm-friendliness" of such a setup
I have a reel each of Silverstring, SPPP, SPPHEXtreme and Polystar Turbo, so if you wanted, I could probably do that for you (turbo plays almost identically to energy; 16 ridges is far too many to increase ball bite). What one would you like first?
 

pepka

Professional
^ As long as You're willing to sacrifice some of Your time and test it, i don't care for a particular order ;) But lets start with WCSS:)
 

finalfantasy7

Semi-Pro
hi pvaudio, just wondering on few strings you could help me with (i use a k factor tour 90, 16x19) in your opinion what tension rating i should try and go for in these strings:

solinco tour bite 16L or 17?
mosquito bite 1.16?
signum pro tornado 1.23
gona use these as full bed, thanks


you asked what other strings you want to test with, heres a few:
isospeed control 1.30
solinco revolution
Polyfibre TCS 1.30
Kirschbaum Pro Line No. II 1.30
Polystar Strike 1.25
 

pvaudio

Legend
hi pvaudio, just wondering on few strings you could help me with (i use a k factor tour 90, 16x19) in your opinion what tension rating i should try and go for in these strings:

solinco tour bite 16L or 17?
mosquito bite 1.16?
signum pro tornado 1.23
gona use these as full bed, thanks


you asked what other strings you want to test with, heres a few:
isospeed control 1.30
solinco revolution
Polyfibre TCS 1.30
Kirschbaum Pro Line No. II 1.30
Polystar Strike 1.25
Since I don't own that racquet and don't particularly like the feel of Wilson racquets (I've only ever played Dunlop since I was in 5th grade, seriously), I can't actually tell you what tension works best, only that Tour Bite (which I only have in 18 ) works well in the mid-high 50s for me, MB in the same and I like Tornado a bit higher, maybe 57-58. Tornado isn't soft, but it's not supposed to be and I like the extra crispness at a slightly higher tension.

Honestly, string them all at the same tension, and see which one you like best.If you had a Dunlop 100, 200 or 300, then I'd actually give some real advice since I've owned all of those frames :)

I don't have any of those other ones you listed there aside from pro line 2 and I have it in 1.15 and it is my least favorite poly. It launches balls, feels like pudding and IMO is a disgrace to the Kirschbaum name which I think is second only to Weiss Cannon for overall great string products.
 

mikeler

Moderator
I have a reel each of Mantis Comfort and Power Synthetic coming across the Atlantic this week (stupidly low price), so each of those will get a workout. Any polys you guys want to see play tested? Perhaps a full bed of a multi?


If you could string up a full job of Mantis Comfort and compare it to your favorite Laserfibre multi that would be interesting to compare the softness of those two.
 

finalfantasy7

Semi-Pro
ok, thanks as ive just getting my tornado strung at 54lb- as i find my wilson lack power compared 2 babolat rackets -briefly used
 

pvaudio

Legend
could you test some synthetic gut, as most people on this forum just talk about poly's > natural guts > multi's
What ones in particular? Aside from the two Mantis I mentioned, I have the following:

Forten Sweet 17
Gosen OG Sheep Micro 17
PSGD Blue 16g
PSGD White 18g
PSGO Black 15L
PSGO Gold 17
PSGO White 17
Prince Topspin Plus 16
Pro Supex FT Ruff 17
Pro Supex Spiral Flex 16
Pro Supex Titan 17
Pro Supex SynGut 18
 

pvaudio

Legend
Since I only (only????) have four racquets, we'll have to wait until I get bored with one of them (most likely the Tornado or CyberTwirl setup which loses tension quickest since I hit with a large amount of topspin and both provide such in spades). In the mean time, here's just a selection of photos I took at Cincinnati this year:

feda.jpg


rafa3t.jpg


dent7.jpg


fed8x.jpg
 

pvaudio

Legend
Alright, that's enough tennis photos, wait until the next playtest. If someone is dead set on some combination, I'll do that. Whoever seems to want it the most, just post it and I'll do it next.
 
Pvaudio - can you send me the link you got the reel of the Mantis from for a good price? I will give this string a shot based on all the good reviews on this board.
 

pepka

Professional
You can order it from Mantis UK site. Funny thing is that shipping to the US is 7 days, while for Europe 14 ;)
 
Pepka - I noticed in your signature you are using Kirschbaum Touch Multifibre. How would you compare it against Mantis Comfort?
 

pvaudio

Legend
Pvaudio - can you send me the link you got the reel of the Mantis from for a good price? I will give this string a shot based on all the good reviews on this board.
Can't post it here, but let's just say that they are in the UK and it's a "world" of fun to be a "stringer"! ;)

The string was on sale when I bought it, I don't know if it's gone to normal price or not.
 

trade

New User
pvaudio: request please

PV Audio: Sorry to poach this question here, but I'd like your opinion of what string I should try. I'm 17, ranked in the top 25 in my USTA region, use a Head Youtek Mid+. I've a shot at playing at an okay D1 program...more likely top 10 D3. I like taking big cuts from the baseline.

I like a full bed of poly, especially at the low tensions. My wrist has been bothering me some...technique is sound...not sure if it's just the poly (mostly Cyclone and Spiky Shark, two that I really like in a full bed) or just a hint to lay off for a couple of weeks.

I'm looking for a spin friendly setup that allows me to swing big that won't hurt my arm. I work on weekends at a tennis club and get a discount on string, but budget is still a factor. Haven't tried hybrids because I don't know enough about what to combine without breaking my budget without having to buy reels (I need 21' feet for my mains). Would appreciate as much info as you are willing to provide. Thanks in advance.
 

trade

New User
Spiky shark mains, forten sweet crosses, 46/50lbs.

Thanks. That combo comes to about $13.38 a set (21 feet of 40 feet of SS in the mains (19 feet that I can't use) and 18 feet of Sweet for crosses would be $1.38 (kewl!), with another 18 feet of Sweet for the next round of crosses). $13.38 a set is doable if it works for me.

Hope your elbow is coming around. I'm not hitting for a week to rest my wrist--missed a big tournament this weekend. Argh.
 

nickarnold2000

Hall of Fame
Can't post it here, but let's just say that they are in the UK and it's a "world" of fun to be a "stringer"! ;)

The string was on sale when I bought it, I don't know if it's gone to normal price or not.

They had a reel of Tornado on special there 2 weeks ago at $80 US! Shipping is also very reasonable.
 

kiteboard

Banned
Thanks. Good thanksgiving for the nice comment! Forten sweet is a sweet syn gut, soften the ss, which is a soft poly to begin with. Tour bite also feels soft, and would be another one to try in the cross. $49/reel for forten sweet.
 
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pepka

Professional
Pepka - I noticed in your signature you are using Kirschbaum Touch Multifibre. How would you compare it against Mantis Comfort?
Both are very comfortable strings (and i mean VERY), but nothing i tried can beat Mantis in that department (not gut related). Kirsch has more power which in my case is a con. Both have a nice feel but looks like Kirsch is providing a slightly better control (which is strange cuz i feel like the ball is sitting longer on a Mantis string). Mantis has more spin potential and looks like it will be more durable, (way more in my case). I played 4 hours with Kirsch (i know it has 1500+ fibres) but it looks worse than Mantis at the 10-12 hrs mark. Still a realy nice string, worth a try
 

dadozen

Hall of Fame
pvaudio, not sure if you're looking to playtest a co-poly hybrid, but the one I'm using right now( see sig ) has a great feel, is super comfortable for a poly stringjob and offers suberb spin, power and control, even though they are not textured.

Whoever wants a soft co-poly stringjob, can't pass this one.

Cheers,

EDIT: Btw, great work!!!:)
 

pvaudio

Legend
Yeah I'll try it out.

The Mantis reels have come in, but due to Thanksgiving break, they're locked up at the post office since I wasn't here on campus to get them :(

Only update that I have is that the Tornado and Cyber Twirl setups aren't being used that much haha. The Scorp/gut hybrid is so much better feeling than both. Interestingly, my sister prefers the MB/Laserfibre hybrid which she's actually stringing up now in her own shiny new Biomemetic Dunlop 200s (finally converted her :D ). I'll let her comment on that.
 
You mentioned mid 50s, high 50s etc. Can you clarify what tensions you're stringing the poly and the multis at?

Also how long (hours) are you playtesting these strings for? Would be useful to get some info what sort of loss of control or feel you get with each string setup and over what timeframe.
 

pvaudio

Legend
I've posted in each test what the tensions are my friend :)

Also, the strings haven't really been hit with since then aside from the scorp setup which has more fraying on the gut after another hour.
 
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