PV Audio's Playtest Thread
- Thread starter pvaudio
- Start date
That's so strange. I don't know why their CS is so sporadic. I have never once had a single issue. I've always gotten everything within a week.
Well, I have some interesting news. I have been trying tirelessly to find a frame that I love as much as the AG100. I still remember the first time I hit with it. I had been using the AG200 for about a year previously, so I decided to demo the 100 and the new 4D 200 (at the time). Didn't like the 4D. The moment I hit my first backhand with the AG100, I couldn't put it down. Ever since then, I haven't even considered anything else.
Now, unfortunately, it's getting to be an issue since having been discontinued for a while, models in my spec (4 1/2) are very hard to find. So, I started demoing frames and hated all of them. The AG100's stiffness is what I absolutely love, and no racquet could match the feel. So what did I do? Yesterday I realized that the demo that I used years ago was a 4 3/8 like all demos. So I now have four used AG100s in 3/8 grip size on the way at the moment. I'll have to get used to it, but unlike when I tried the 4 5/8 size, I can easily play with a size 3 grip.
So, ladies and gentlemen, I effectively have eight frames to choose from now. So, if there's any combinations that you want to see, I've got plenty of sticks to use haha. Do please try to keep to things which come in reels and not very much natural gut as it is very expensive (obviously). My string list is listed above, and so far the only setup that is going to happen is Scorpion 1.22 / Mantis CS. Someone wanted Klip and Blue Gear but didn't specify which way the hybrid would be done. So, please, if you're requesting something, tell me exactly what you want to see!
Now, unfortunately, it's getting to be an issue since having been discontinued for a while, models in my spec (4 1/2) are very hard to find. So, I started demoing frames and hated all of them. The AG100's stiffness is what I absolutely love, and no racquet could match the feel. So what did I do? Yesterday I realized that the demo that I used years ago was a 4 3/8 like all demos. So I now have four used AG100s in 3/8 grip size on the way at the moment. I'll have to get used to it, but unlike when I tried the 4 5/8 size, I can easily play with a size 3 grip.
So, ladies and gentlemen, I effectively have eight frames to choose from now. So, if there's any combinations that you want to see, I've got plenty of sticks to use haha. Do please try to keep to things which come in reels and not very much natural gut as it is very expensive (obviously). My string list is listed above, and so far the only setup that is going to happen is Scorpion 1.22 / Mantis CS. Someone wanted Klip and Blue Gear but didn't specify which way the hybrid would be done. So, please, if you're requesting something, tell me exactly what you want to see!
parasailing
Legend
That sucks kiteboard that you still haven't gotten your strings. I still can't believe a company would treat their customers like this.
I always err on the side of caution with them. One of my 6 sets was NOT pro stock, and I could tell that it wasn't because it didn't look the same. Upon reading the marking on the string, I was right. So you can get your products, you just have to be conscious that they aren't the shiniest penny in the bank.
parasailing
Legend
Pvaudio - came across performaxx strings and they have several products in their lineup. Which one did u test, was it uthe touch version and did u try both coated and uncoated version?
So on the laserfibre, did u ask them to send u the correct one?
So on the laserfibre, did u ask them to send u the correct one?
Muah ha ha! Look what England just delivered:
Hi pvaudio.
Sorry for being off topic here, but was just wondering - in what time did "England" (I assume you ordered from stringers world) deliver those? The thing is, I have an open order, which they sent on 03/12, today is 17/12, and still no item and no info from the carrier - all this time when trying to track the order with the number "England" provided I get "Information on your item is not yet available. If the International Signed For® item was posted today please note that the majority of items are tracked during the night. Please try again tomorrow" message from Royalmail web-site.
I assume it takes time as I don't want to think that there's a problem with my order. Please let me know how it worked out at your end.
Again, apologies for being off-topic.
Thanks,
Irakli
parasailing
Legend
Which one plays closest to VS Touch and did you opt for the coated or uncoated version and why?
Neither plays like VS. I prefer the P.Maxx to any other gut aside from VS Team, however.
I chose to go with the coated version to make it easier to string and to allow the mains to slide a bit more easily without shredding the thin string. I don't know if Whisper is available in the Pro designation, but I can ask Fred and see.
Alrighty gentlemen, here are the upcoming play testing frames:
1. WeissCANNON Scorpion 1.22 / P.MAXX WhisperTouch
2. WeissCANNON Scorpion 1.22 / Mantis Comfort Synthetic
3. Polyfibre Hexablade 1.18 / P.MAXX WhisperTouch
4. Polyfibre Hexablade 1.18 / Mantis CS or WC Explosiv! (haven't decided)
Any other choices?
1. WeissCANNON Scorpion 1.22 / P.MAXX WhisperTouch
2. WeissCANNON Scorpion 1.22 / Mantis Comfort Synthetic
3. Polyfibre Hexablade 1.18 / P.MAXX WhisperTouch
4. Polyfibre Hexablade 1.18 / Mantis CS or WC Explosiv! (haven't decided)
Any other choices?
Already have done it! Not that good. Even did VS Team / SS. The SS mutes the multi far too much. You actually get a lot better performance as a poly main. Did the same thing with NRG/Turbotwist and the results were the same. My sister can attest to this as she tried this as well. She's on here somewhere, iTennis2609.Can't wait for Your opinion (looks like hexablade might be a wicked string). I have another one if it's not to much. NRG2 mains, WCSS crosses. I never saw anyone with this reversed hybrid, might be good
Never going to order anymore from them. I would advise anyone else not to as well..
Yes, it did take much longer than usual. It's usually within a week, but it was closer to two this time. Apparently there are HUGE back ups across the Atlantic. I've ordered from Stringer's World countless times and this is the only time it was delayed.Muah ha ha! Look what England just delivered
Hi pvaudio.
Sorry for being off topic here, but was just wondering - in what time did "England" (I assume you ordered from stringers world) deliver those? The thing is, I have an open order, which they sent on 03/12, today is 17/12, and still no item and no info from the carrier - all this time when trying to track the order with the number "England" provided I get "Information on your item is not yet available. If the International Signed For® item was posted today please note that the majority of items are tracked during the night. Please try again tomorrow" message from Royalmail web-site.
I assume it takes time as I don't want to think that there's a problem with my order. Please let me know how it worked out at your end.
Again, apologies for being off-topic.
Thanks,
Irakli
pepka
Professional
I see, ok than, good to know. How long the hybrid lasts with SS in mains? Do they saw thru the NRG2 or do they become dead first?
Good question actually, without an obvious answer! Silverstring has an incredible amount of feel for a polyester, and I think that it's the elasticity of the string that gives it the feel. In my experience, the string would go dead before you completely saw through the NRG. Then again, I didn't particularly like the setup so I ended up cutting it out prematurely.
WC Explosiv! should be a nice cross.
-Bobo-
Semi-Pro
Hey pvaudio, based on your review of performaxx gut i figured i'd give it a try and bought a set of touch 16. Haven't used gut in more then a decade can't really remember what its like and all that, but I'm wondering what to string it at and whether i should hyrbid. I was going to put it in the mains and put SS in the crosses but after reading your post on SS with gut mains it seems to mute the feel?
I've never tried SS before so I'm wondering if you or anyone can tell me some strings it plays like. I've tried SPPP and hated it, i've heard they have a similiar feel, is this true?
It occurred to me that racquet and usual tension would be useful. I play with a blx 90 with full poly in the high 40's to low 50's, usually 47, been having some arm issues so figured gut would be the way to go.
Cheers,
Bobo.
I've never tried SS before so I'm wondering if you or anyone can tell me some strings it plays like. I've tried SPPP and hated it, i've heard they have a similiar feel, is this true?
It occurred to me that racquet and usual tension would be useful. I play with a blx 90 with full poly in the high 40's to low 50's, usually 47, been having some arm issues so figured gut would be the way to go.
Cheers,
Bobo.
klementine
Hall of Fame
Thread of the Year !!!!!!
Great info and .... and thank you very much PVAudio!!, for the effort and care!!!!
The Mods need to 'sticky' this one.
Great info and .... and thank you very much PVAudio!!, for the effort and care!!!!
The Mods need to 'sticky' this one.
I should now have eight new to me, AG100s:
2x E Bay
2x dcjtenn
3x rabbit
1x Another TW member whose name I haven't figured out yet
I think I'm going a bit overboard
Either way, I'll get my AG100s, put in the Scorpion/MCS, Hexablade/P.MAXX, so what else! I decided I will not be play testing until I get all of my new 4 3/8 racquets which should be in on Monday at the earliest.
2x E Bay
2x dcjtenn
3x rabbit
1x Another TW member whose name I haven't figured out yet
I think I'm going a bit overboard
Either way, I'll get my AG100s, put in the Scorpion/MCS, Hexablade/P.MAXX, so what else! I decided I will not be play testing until I get all of my new 4 3/8 racquets which should be in on Monday at the earliest.
Dominik
Rookie
I should now have eight new to me, AG100s:
2x E Bay
2x dcjtenn
3x rabbit
1x Another TW member whose name I haven't figured out yet
I think I'm going a bit overboard
Either way, I'll get my AG100s, put in the Scorpion/MCS, Hexablade/P.MAXX, so what else! I decided I will not be play testing until I get all of my new 4 3/8 racquets which should be in on Monday at the earliest.
Wow, you must really not like the 4D's/biomimetics! Maybe I should try an original AG100.
Just wondering, have you ever tried a thin gauge kevlar crossed with a soft multi?
parasailing
Legend
I should now have eight new to me, AG100s:
2x E Bay
2x dcjtenn
3x rabbit
1x Another TW member whose name I haven't figured out yet
I think I'm going a bit overboard
You definitely getting there but I used to have 7 Prostaff KPS so I am not far behind plus with that many racquets, it allows you to test out all the different string setups.
Ah my friend, but I already have four in use AG100 4 1/2s and 2 not in use AG100 4 5/8s, so that's 14 AG100s in totalYou definitely getting there but I used to have 7 Prostaff KPS so I am not far behind plus with that many racquets, it allows you to test out all the different string setups.
StringingPro
New User
Hello, I am the manufacturer of Performaxx strings, and hope my generic comments are welcome in this forum.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:
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
Thank you for your thoughtful review of WhisperTouch.
I would like to make one suggestion. Be very careful inhaling the smoke from any plastic or other chemical; in the case of polyurethane, the smoke contains cyanide which is not at all good for your game - or you life expectancy.
The meat smell is burning protein and is indicative of both natural gut and "protein like materials such as nylon (polyamide).
All "coated" natural gut that I have ever seen uses some form of polyurethane or polyurea finish on it; some is isocyanate with a polyol to cure it, some are moisture cured PU, others are pre-reacted poly urethanes and others are less expensive mixture of acrylics and PU. The best are cured (also know as thermoset) coatings which are more resistant to heat after curing, the lesser are "thermoplastic" which means they soften with heat. Most synthetics use extruded thermoplastic coatings.
I hope this is of interest.
A question, are the notches in the frayed string shown above in the mains?
StringingPro
New User
Hello, I am the manufacturer of Performaxx strings, and hope my generic comments are welcome in this forum.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:
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
Thank you for your thoughtful review of WhisperTouch.
I would like to make one suggestion. Be very careful inhaling the smoke from any plastic or other chemical; in the case of polyurethane, the smoke contains cyanide which is not at all good for your game - or you life expectancy.
The meat smell is burning protein and is indicative of both natural gut and "protein like materials such as nylon (polyamide).
All "coated" natural gut that I have ever seen uses some form of polyurethane or polyurea finish on it; some is isocyanate with a polyol to cure it, some are moisture cured PU, others are pre-reacted poly urethanes and others are less expensive mixture of acrylics and PU. The best are cured (also know as thermoset) coatings which are more resistant to heat after curing, the lesser are "thermoplastic" which means they soften with heat. Most synthetics use extruded thermoplastic coatings.
I hope this is of interest.
A question, are the notches in the frayed string shown above in the mains?
mikeler
Moderator
Hi Fred, this is perpetualvision. I just have a different screenname on here.
hoodjem
G.O.A.T.
You should! It plays the closest to a PS 85 of any modern racquet IMO.
One day it will regarded as a classic frame.
All frames are strung:
Partial review now, simply on stringing:
WC Scorpion: Already covered.
WhisperTouch: Already covered.
Polyfibre Hexablade 1.18: Although this string is only being used in the mains, I cannot deny that my finger tips are sore. The edges of that string are seriously sharp and rough. I mean, I've strung up Tornado, Spiky Shark, Blue Gear, MSV Hex, SPPHEXtreme, and God only knows how many other textured polys in full beds as well. None of them have felt this sharp. I'm not too confident that the crosses are going to last too long based on the string's feel in hand. I think the WhisperTouch is not going to last long at all considering it frayed significantly with the Scorpion, and this feels like a razor in comparison. We'll see tonight.
Mantis Comfort Synthetic: Very easy multi to string. Extremely floppy like Maxim Touch, but as it's a 1.30mm string, it's more difficult to get through grommets. Weaving it though, is like butter like it is with most soft multis. In hand, it feels almost identical to WC Explosiv!, but I haven't used Explosiv! in any of these tests, so I can't compare playability. Either way, we'll find out how well the MCS plays tonight.
Partial review now, simply on stringing:
WC Scorpion: Already covered.
WhisperTouch: Already covered.
Polyfibre Hexablade 1.18: Although this string is only being used in the mains, I cannot deny that my finger tips are sore. The edges of that string are seriously sharp and rough. I mean, I've strung up Tornado, Spiky Shark, Blue Gear, MSV Hex, SPPHEXtreme, and God only knows how many other textured polys in full beds as well. None of them have felt this sharp. I'm not too confident that the crosses are going to last too long based on the string's feel in hand. I think the WhisperTouch is not going to last long at all considering it frayed significantly with the Scorpion, and this feels like a razor in comparison. We'll see tonight.
Mantis Comfort Synthetic: Very easy multi to string. Extremely floppy like Maxim Touch, but as it's a 1.30mm string, it's more difficult to get through grommets. Weaving it though, is like butter like it is with most soft multis. In hand, it feels almost identical to WC Explosiv!, but I haven't used Explosiv! in any of these tests, so I can't compare playability. Either way, we'll find out how well the MCS plays tonight.
StringingPro
New User
We don't understand you comment
Thank you for your interest, but I carefully checked our *Bay messages and there were none from you. However, there were several on that date re a request by a TW stringer asking for free or low cost string, all of which were answered promptly.
Thank you for your interest, but I carefully checked our *Bay messages and there were none from you. However, there were several on that date re a request by a TW stringer asking for free or low cost string, all of which were answered promptly.
Alrighty, update time!
Played for two days now with all of the setups. The most that I learned is this: I cannot play with a 3/8 grip. It's just not meant to be. I know that the pros use smaller grip sizes these days, but my hand is just meant to play with a 1/2. With that said, I did play test all of the string combinations and here's what I've got:
Hexablade/WhisperTouch: Very lively. In fact, too lively for the relative lack of feel. I had heard that Hexablade was very soft, but I did not find that at all. I also noticed that it wasn't destroying the gut as much as I was expecting. I think this is a function of the string's edges biting into the soft gut and making it notch, thus not allowing the string to create spin the natural way: snap back. Overall: 8.5/10
Hexablade/MCS: Honestly, this played exactly the same as the gut except with far less power. MCS seems to be (I don't want to speak fully without having played a full bed) a low powered natural gut clone because the feel was exactly the same when coming off of the stringbed. Something in between the power of the gut and MCS might make the Hexablade a good main, so perhaps I'll try Hexablade/Power Synthetic. Overall: 8.5/10
WC Scorpion / MCS: Along the same line as the review above, this setup feels nearly identical to the natural gut version, albeit with less power. Unfortunately for it, it just doesn't give enough pop when compared to the gut. So I really can't rate it as highly as the natural gut variant hybrid. Overall: 9/10
WC Scorpion / WhisperTouch: This is interesting because I played this same setup on a 3/8 grip and a 1/2 grip. On the 3/8 grip, the racquet tended to spin around in my hand which honestly was to be expected since I'm not used to playing with the smaller grip. Even then, it was head and shoulders above the hexablade setup. I think it's going to take me some time to find a setup that I like better than this even though the gut isn't going to last much longer. I ended up playing most of today with the 1/2 grip after having used the 3/8 grip all of yesterday, and it's glorious. Serves, groundstrokes, and volleys most of all are just fantastic. Overall, I'll increase its rating for its consistency: 9.5/10
Played for two days now with all of the setups. The most that I learned is this: I cannot play with a 3/8 grip. It's just not meant to be. I know that the pros use smaller grip sizes these days, but my hand is just meant to play with a 1/2. With that said, I did play test all of the string combinations and here's what I've got:
Hexablade/WhisperTouch: Very lively. In fact, too lively for the relative lack of feel. I had heard that Hexablade was very soft, but I did not find that at all. I also noticed that it wasn't destroying the gut as much as I was expecting. I think this is a function of the string's edges biting into the soft gut and making it notch, thus not allowing the string to create spin the natural way: snap back. Overall: 8.5/10
Hexablade/MCS: Honestly, this played exactly the same as the gut except with far less power. MCS seems to be (I don't want to speak fully without having played a full bed) a low powered natural gut clone because the feel was exactly the same when coming off of the stringbed. Something in between the power of the gut and MCS might make the Hexablade a good main, so perhaps I'll try Hexablade/Power Synthetic. Overall: 8.5/10
WC Scorpion / MCS: Along the same line as the review above, this setup feels nearly identical to the natural gut version, albeit with less power. Unfortunately for it, it just doesn't give enough pop when compared to the gut. So I really can't rate it as highly as the natural gut variant hybrid. Overall: 9/10
WC Scorpion / WhisperTouch: This is interesting because I played this same setup on a 3/8 grip and a 1/2 grip. On the 3/8 grip, the racquet tended to spin around in my hand which honestly was to be expected since I'm not used to playing with the smaller grip. Even then, it was head and shoulders above the hexablade setup. I think it's going to take me some time to find a setup that I like better than this even though the gut isn't going to last much longer. I ended up playing most of today with the 1/2 grip after having used the 3/8 grip all of yesterday, and it's glorious. Serves, groundstrokes, and volleys most of all are just fantastic. Overall, I'll increase its rating for its consistency: 9.5/10
Yep, just took out the racquets and inspected them (don't have a camera with me here, so no photo updates like usual). The Hexablade/PMAXX racquet has almost zero gut fraying. Interestingly, I think my theory was right because I noticed that two of the mains were seriously notched into the gut almost as though it was a full bed of multi which needs straightening. I really had to yank on them to put them straight. The Scorpion/PMAXX racquets are both frayed, with the 1/2 obviously far moreso than the 3/8.
Having used these setups, I'm curious to see what would happen if I switched them around: WhisperTouch/Scorpion. That would be an interesting one to try out and I think I'll do that next round.
Having used these setups, I'm curious to see what would happen if I switched them around: WhisperTouch/Scorpion. That would be an interesting one to try out and I think I'll do that next round.
I asked you for a reduced price, as each set of your gut with shipping was at least $27.50, and you agreed to that with this email to me. I then sent you an email to pay for the string, for two sets at $15 each, plus shipping. No response. I waited. No response. I sent another email. Nothing. Then I posted here saying that you did not respond to my request very quickly, and you told me that you would not sell the gut to me at all, based on that comment I made here! I would not deal with this guy: slow response, and then did not keep his word to me in this email:.
The first time I emailed hit it took about a week for him to reply. He said he was sorry for the slow response. And again, no response once I had a price:
He said: "Thank you for your interest in our strings, it is
sincerely appreciated.
Unfortunately, I am very low on stock of this
string, but more is expected soon. Reviews are a
two edged sword, but the product is a good one so
I am willing to offer you one or two sets below my
cost, $15.00 plus shipping.
Please understand our strings are different than
either our competition, or other company's strings
which I designed and developed over the years.
WhisperTouch is as it's name implies, not a "power
string". However, many top level players are
asking for it because of the advantages of a thin
string. Please keep in mind that it comes at the
price of requiring more care in stringing, and
reduced playing life."
AFter dealing with Laserfibre, and waiting 5 weeks for one set to arrive, and only after I filed a paypal claim, I've learned to be careful who to deal with buying strings...
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Alrighty, I'm cracking open the ball machine tomorrow and am determined to break some strings. I think the Mosquito Bite and SNGPS is going to go, and I'm fairly confident that I can shred the WhisperTouch in the 4 1/2 stick as well. Will report on what they feel like right at the end of their lives!
I got my sister some Hexablade and Scorpion (and T-Fibre PRC) for Christmas, and I know that she's stringing up one of the three for tomorrow, so I'll ask her to post her feedback. She actually plays with the new Biomemetic 200, so I guess it'll be interesting to see how the same string plays in that stick. She was using full Barb Wire previously.
nvottennis
Semi-Pro
JW, but does your sister know of a string that has the spin equivalent of barbwire, but better tension maintenance?
No idea, I'll tell her to just post in this thread instead of me relaying messages haha.
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