Mikeler's Multis

mikeler

Moderator
BTW- My full mantis comfort synthetic string job broke last night. It lasted about 7.5 hours roughly.


So did your impression of the string change at all? KCraig just e-mailed me that he busted his X1 on a shank after 2 sets last night. This is what happened to me when I played with Tecnifibre DuraMix and Tecnifibre MultiFeel. Hopefully he'll post about his experience with the string here but his impressions of the string were similar to mine.
 
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Kcraig

Professional
X1 Initial Impressions

Well had a chance to get out last night and play some 4.5 dubs with the full X1 16g setup strung Tues at 56#--so the strings had 24hrs to settle a bit which is always nice. Temps were a little cool last night and we were playing on damp clay, so I started with the full xcel setup at 56# which currently has about 2+hrs on it. Warmed up and then switched over to the X1--didn't go back. NOTE: I have tried X1 one time before but had it strung too tight at the time (60# in the winter of 2009) so the drop in tension definately made this a better feeling string than my initial test drive.

The extra bit of pop and crispness, control and spin was very noticeable. Keep in mind I play a VERY low powered frame (Prince Diablo MP) so the extra power from X1 can be a welcomed addition, especially on off-balance stretching defensive shots/returns. Really started to dial in my shots after about an hour and was just plain having FUN:) Ended up playing 6 sets of dubs and am paying for it today!!!

All in all I was pretty dang impressed with this string. Definitely a
little crisper/stiffer than Xcel--BUT I still had tons of spin and lots of
pop--but all was controllable as I don't really remember a bad rocket launcher flyer all night. I was really digging the string and my game UNTIL POP-- shanked a FH return right at the top of the hoop--2 mains gone!!! I literally have not done this in over 3+years!!!! I ended up playing about the last 1/2 set with Xcel and was I definately missing some spin and effortless pop--especially on my 2BH. Keep in mind by this point it was around 52* and a "few" beers in as well:twisted: My FH was literally on FIRE last night and could really feel the extra power/pop from the X1. Volleys and touch was really good, and my 2hb return down the middle was low, dipping and nasty! Really really hate that it popped as it was really starting to "break in" and feel great. Can't wait to give it another go, especially in some warmer temps.
 
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mikeler

Moderator
Well had a chance to get out last night and play some 4.5 dubs with the full X1 16g setup strung Tues at 56#--so the strings had 24hrs to settle a bit which is always nice. Temps were a little cool last night and we were playing on damp clay, so I started with the full xcel setup at 56# which currently has about 2+hrs on it. Warmed up and then switched over to the X1--didn't go back. NOTE: I have tried X1 one time before but had it strung too tight at the time (60# in the winter of 2009) so the drop in tension definately made this a better feeling string than my initial test drive.

The extra bit of pop and crispness, control and spin was very noticeable. Keep in mind I play a VERY low powered frame (Prince Diablo MP) so the extra power from X1 can be a welcomed addition, especially on off-balance stretching defensive shots/returns. Really started to dial in my shots after about an hour and was just plain having FUN:) Ended up playing 6 sets of dubs and am paying for it today!!!

All in all I was pretty dang impressed with this string. Definitely a
little crisper/stiffer than Xcel--BUT I still had tons of spin and lots of
pop--but all was controllable as I don't really remember a bad rocket launcher flyer all night. I was really digging the string and my game UNTIL POP-- shanked a FH return right at the top of the hoop--2 mains gone!!! I literally have not done this in over 3+years!!!! I ended up playing about the last 1/2 set with Xcel and was I definately missing some spin and effortless pop--especially on my 2BH. Keep in mind by this point it was around 52* and a "few" beers in as well:twisted: My FH was literally on FIRE last night and could really feel the extra power/pop from the X1. Volleys and touch was really good, and my 2hb return down the middle was low, dipping and nasty! Really really hate that it popped as it was really starting to "break in" and feel great. Can't wait to give it another go, especially in some warmer temps.

I have to agree with the bolded parts.
 

JRstriker12

Hall of Fame
So did your impression of the string change at all? KCraig just e-mailed me that he busted his X1 on a shank after 2 sets last night. This is what happened to me when I played with Tecnifibre DuraMix and Tecnifibre MultiFeel. Hopefully he'll post about his experience with the string here but his impressions of the string were similar to mine.

Hmmm.... Not really.

It's a good string. Good control and good pop. I swear the first 3 hours are almost poly like in terms of control and power. Overall play characteristics of the string stayed fairly consistent up until breakage, but it got a little trampoline like towards the end.

I did string it lower than recommended - next time I try, I'm going to string aroung 60 lbs probably.

I think durability is the main issue. Honestly, I'm getting great play and durability out out of a gut / isospeed hybrid and seeing as I mostly play indoors, I'll probably stick with that as my main set up, but try other strings.
 

mikeler

Moderator
Hmmm.... Not really.

It's a good string. Good control and good pop. I swear the first 3 hours are almost poly like in terms of control and power. Overall play characteristics of the string stayed fairly consistent up until breakage, but it got a little trampoline like towards the end.

I did string it lower than recommended - next time I try, I'm going to string aroung 60 lbs probably.

I think durability is the main issue. Honestly, I'm getting great play and durability out out of a gut / isospeed hybrid and seeing as I mostly play indoors, I'll probably stick with that as my main set up, but try other strings.


Which Isospeed?
 

Boricua

Hall of Fame
Mikeler- Micronite

I was reading about Signum Pro Micronite. They sell it in Guts and Glory Tennis and in a Blog they have, somewhat limited but interesting, they talk about this multifilament string. It supposedly won an award given by a Tennis magazine in Germany, last year. It competed against strings from Technifibre, Babolat and others.

I sent an email to GG Tennis and asked how it compares to Xi Biphase and they say it is similar, a crisp multi. I did not check the price but I am almost sure its cheaper. If it is good as X1, cant say yet.:)
 
I sent an email to GG Tennis and asked how it compares to Xi Biphase and they say it is similar, a crisp multi. I did not check the price but I am almost sure its cheaper. If it is good as X1, cant say yet.:)

I tested this string out and wasn't impressed with it. It plays no where near X1 lacks pop and isn't as crisp in my view.
 

mikeler

Moderator
Isospeed professional classic - I think it's 16 gauge, have to look when I get home. This hybrid was recommended by a friend who's really into strings and racket tech.

So a multi-gut setup.


I was reading about Signum Pro Micronite. They sell it in Guts and Glory Tennis and in a Blog they have, somewhat limited but interesting, they talk about this multifilament string. It supposedly won an award given by a Tennis magazine in Germany, last year. It competed against strings from Technifibre, Babolat and others.

I sent an email to GG Tennis and asked how it compares to Xi Biphase and they say it is similar, a crisp multi. I did not check the price but I am almost sure its cheaper. If it is good as X1, cant say yet.:)

Try it out and report back. :)


I tested this string out and wasn't impressed with it. It plays no where near X1 lacks pop and isn't as crisp in my view.

Pass.......
 

JRstriker12

Hall of Fame
So a multi-gut setup.
QUOTE]

Gut Mains @ 55
Isospeed Crosses @ 60

The Isospeed loses tension really fast so you have to string tighter to make sure it settles in the right tension range. However, it seems to work well as a cross with the gut. Durable and firms up the bed a little bit.
 

mikeler

Moderator
Off to the courts in a few minutes. I think I'll do a set with the Yonex Tour Super 850 and a set with Wilson NXTC. This was the guy I ate alive last week with X-one so I'll give him a break this time. :twisted:
 

mikeler

Moderator
OK, here is my review in the TW format of the Yonex Tour Super 850 16.

It looks like a standard 16g string. Very easy to string. It reminds me of stringing synthetic gut. Bounced it off the racket a few times and it felt muted right after stringing.

Tension it is strung: 60 pounds on a lockout machine full bed
Your regular string set up: Mantis Comfort Synthetic 60 pounds full bed
String pattern of your racquet: 16 x 20
Power (or lack there of): Medium powered multi
Feel: Average feel
Tension maintenance: Questionable around the 4 hour mark
Price: $8.95/set
Overall comments and feedback: See below

General: A local TTWer BobFL had good things to say about this string. I was hoping this might be the surprise value multi out there. After the very first forehand, I actually said "Wow". When I tested it in battle, the wow factor left and I felt I had a middle of the road multi in my hands.

Serve/Return of Serve: I can hit first serves normal now but not my normal kick 2nd serve. I did not find anything special about this string related to serves or returns.

Strokes: Spin was decent, nothing special. Depth control was good for the most part but this string definitely has the rocket launching characteristic at times. When I missed long, there was no "Can you check the mark" because it was closer to the back fence than the baseline. My slice backhand was good except when I was stretched out. In those situations, I felt like I had little control of it.

Volleys: It feels pretty average on volleys.

Touch shots: It is OK for drop shots. I hit a few good ones and a few really bad ones (the kind where you think the ball has wings).

Softness: The string feels like a medium stiffness multi.

Tension: If I were to try this string again, I might up the tension a few pounds to see if I could get rid of the trampoline effect.

Durability: After almost 4 sets, there is significant fraying mostly on the cross strings. The mains look to be in decent shape. I cut this out after 4 sets of singles and 1 set of doubles. I took the scissors to the weakest cross string and it was like cutting butter with a knife. I think it might have broken on its own fairly soon had I not cut it out.

Movement: String movement was not bad for the first 3 sets, but it started moving significantly more after that. It feels like the string is losing some tension.

Conclusion: This string is like the PSGD of multis. It is a good value and probably a decent starting point for somebody wanting to try out a multifilament string. It is fairly average in most areas but I did not feel like it had any negatives.
 
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JackB1

G.O.A.T.
I think next you should review Weisscannon Explosive. A guy who runs a local tennis shop swears it's the best multi out there. He says it doesn't lose tension like most multi's and is super arm friendly.
 

mikeler

Moderator
I think next you should review Weisscannon Explosive. A guy who runs a local tennis shop swears it's the best multi out there. He says it doesn't lose tension like most multi's and is super arm friendly.


Quite a few people think that string is the same as Mantis Comfort Synthetic.
 

JT_2eighty

Hall of Fame
Doubtful. WC doesn't resell their strings like many others out there. But, it may be very similar due to those comments; although MCS has been reviewed as low-power multi, while WC Explosiv is supposedly a power string.

Perhaps it is more durable than MCS, justifying the extra $4 cost?
 

Boricua

Hall of Fame
Doubtful. WC doesn't resell their strings like many others out there. But, it may be very similar due to those comments; although MCS has been reviewed as low-power multi, while WC Explosiv is supposedly a power string.

Perhaps it is more durable than MCS, justifying the extra $4 cost?

What other multis besides MCS Comfort Synthetic are low powered?:)
 

mikeler

Moderator
Doubtful. WC doesn't resell their strings like many others out there. But, it may be very similar due to those comments; although MCS has been reviewed as low-power multi, while WC Explosiv is supposedly a power string.

Perhaps it is more durable than MCS, justifying the extra $4 cost?

You are just trying to cost me more money! :)


Mike, I've lost track. Would you post your top three as of now and include your cost per set index. Thanks much.

I'm not going to calculate a cost per set on every string I've tried especially since I've cut half of them out before they broke. If you go to the first post of this thread you can see the latest string rankings by playability.


What other multis besides MCS Comfort Synthetic are low powered?:)

Quasi Gut is low powered but is has no spin which is why I did not care for it.
 

mikeler

Moderator
KCraig shot me this link yesterday. Anyone try Dunlop DNA yet?

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Dunlop_DNA_16_String/descpageACDUNLOP-DDNA16.html


DDNA16-1.jpg
 

Kcraig

Professional
Doubtful. WC doesn't resell their strings like many others out there. But, it may be very similar due to those comments; although MCS has been reviewed as low-power multi, while WC Explosiv is supposedly a power string.

Perhaps it is more durable than MCS, justifying the extra $4 cost?

I used Weicannon Exlposiv when it first came out and found it pretty low powered. When compared to MCS, my first thought was they were VERY similar--right down to the gluey smell and feel. MCS may be a shade lower powered, but all in all very similar to each other in most respects.
 

JackB1

G.O.A.T.
Quite a few people think that string is the same as Mantis Comfort Synthetic.

It's not. How is it even possible? WC is a German company. Where is Mantis based?
Also, the Mantis has a lighter color and the Explosive a more "buttery" color. They also
seem to have different characteristics:

Mantis: low powered control oriented with low durability and high tension loss

Expl: high powered with excellent tension retension and durability
 
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hoodjem

G.O.A.T.
I used Weicannon Exlposiv when it first came out and found it pretty low powered. When compared to MCS, my first thought was they were VERY similar--right down to the gluey smell and feel. MCS may be a shade lower powered, but all in all very similar to each other in most respects.
I tried WC Explosiv. It is the weirdest string I've ever tried. Very low-powered and dull feeling, and it made the strangest sound when the ball hit the strings
 

mikeler

Moderator
It's not. How is it even possible? WC is a German company. Where is Mantis based?
Also, the Mantis has a lighter color and the Explosive a more "buttery" color. They also
seem to have different characteristics:

Mantis: low powered control oriented with low durability and high tension loss

Expl: high powered with excellent tension retension and durability

Did you string them both yourself?


most Dunlop strings are pretty run of the mill and don't stand out to me.

better choices out there IMO.

I was impressed with Hexy Fiber for the price.
 

Hewex

Semi-Pro
OK, here is my review in the TW format of the Yonex Tour Super 850 16.

It looks like a standard 16g string. Very easy to string. It reminds me of stringing synthetic gut. Bounced it off the racket a few times and it felt muted right after stringing.

Tension it is strung: 60 pounds on a lockout machine full bed
Your regular string set up: Mantis Comfort Synthetic 60 pounds full bed
String pattern of your racquet: 16 x 20
Power (or lack there of): Medium powered multi
Feel: Average feel
Tension maintenance: Questionable around the 4 hour mark
Price: $8.95/set
Overall comments and feedback: See below

General: A local TTWer BobFL had good things to say about this string. I was hoping this might be the surprise value multi out there. After the very first forehand, I actually said "Wow". When I tested it in battle, the wow factor left and I felt I had a middle of the road multi in my hands.

Serve/Return of Serve: I can hit first serves normal now but not my normal kick 2nd serve. I did not find anything special about this string related to serves or returns.

Strokes: Spin was decent, nothing special. Depth control was good for the most part but this string definitely has the rocket launching characteristic at times. When I missed long, there was no "Can you check the mark" because it was closer to the back fence than the baseline. My slice backhand was good except when I was stretched out. In those situations, I felt like I had little control of it.

Volleys: It feels pretty average on volleys.

Touch shots: It is OK for drop shots. I hit a few good ones and a few really bad ones (the kind where you think the ball has wings).

Softness: The string feels like a medium stiffness multi.

Tension: If I were to try this string again, I might up the tension a few pounds to see if I could get rid of the trampoline effect.

Durability: After almost 4 sets, there is significant fraying mostly on the cross strings. The mains look to be in decent shape. I'm guessing it will pop in another 3 or 4 sets.

Movement: String movement was not bad for the first 3 sets, but it started moving significantly more after that. It feels like the string is losing some tension.

Conclusion: This string is like the PSGD of multis. It is a good value and probably a decent starting point for somebody wanting to try out a multifilament string. It is fairly average in most areas but I did not feel like it had any negatives.

Love this review and completely agree. Did you have any arm issues with it? I had an older set that the guy I bought from my racquet put in. I loved it so much that I order some and my stringer put it in at the tension I like, 56, But, it was killing my arm. So, I cut it out and had VS put in. I'm looking forward to hitting with gut for the first time since my wooden racquet days. BTW, my pro said Wilson made this string for Yonex and it was crap. But, as I said, I liked it.
 

JT_2eighty

Hall of Fame
What other multis besides MCS Comfort Synthetic are low powered?:)

Head's Intellitour and RIP Control are both low powered from my experience. Pretty durable too, and the feel of Intellitour is very muted and soft; so many either love it or hate it. It's the lowest powered multi I've tried, but I've not tried MCS or nearly as many as Mikeler.
 

mikeler

Moderator
Love this review and completely agree. Did you have any arm issues with it? I had an older set that the guy I bought from my racquet put in. I loved it so much that I order some and my stringer put it in at the tension I like, 56, But, it was killing my arm. So, I cut it out and had VS put in. I'm looking forward to hitting with gut for the first time since my wooden racquet days. BTW, my pro said Wilson made this string for Yonex and it was crap. But, as I said, I liked it.

I did not have any arm issues with it.


You would call MCS "dull feeling"?

Muted more than dull.


Head's Intellitour and RIP Control are both low powered from my experience. Pretty durable too, and the feel of Intellitour is very muted and soft; so many either love it or hate it. It's the lowest powered multi I've tried, but I've not tried MCS or nearly as many as Mikeler.

It's weird, even though both of those strings felt muted and low powered, I had issues with balls going long.


[/B][/I]

Just wondering--how can you say in one post "Explosiv is high powered" and then state you haven't tried it???:confused:

I'm guessing he meant stringing Explosiv versus playing with it.
 

Boricua

Hall of Fame
Head's Intellitour and RIP Control are both low powered from my experience. Pretty durable too, and the feel of Intellitour is very muted and soft; so many either love it or hate it. It's the lowest powered multi I've tried, but I've not tried MCS or nearly as many as Mikeler.

Is there a general standard in terms of what time of multifilament is better for a heavy topspin hitter? For example, should they low powered as these ones or crisp and rough as X1 Biphase, etc.? or is it just a matter of persoanl choice?:)
 

Boricua

Hall of Fame
I did not have any arm issues with it.




Muted more than dull.




It's weird, even though both of those strings felt muted and low powered, I had issues with balls going long.




I'm guessing he meant stringing Explosiv versus playing with it.

The power of clairvoyance or seeing the into the future...:)
 

mikeler

Moderator
Is there a general standard in terms of what time of multifilament is better for a heavy topspin hitter? For example, should they low powered as these ones or crisp and rough as X1 Biphase, etc.? or is it just a matter of persoanl choice?:)


The power level and the spin potential are independent. I don't think there is much correlation between the two at least when it comes to multifilament strings.

For anyone interested in how strings are made, the RSI has a great article on it this month:

http://www.racquetsportsindustry.com/issues/201103/index.html
 

JackB1

G.O.A.T.
[/B][/I]

Just wondering--how can you say in one post "Explosiv is high powered" and then state you haven't tried it???:confused:

Sorry - I was going by how others have described it to me. One of my friends that recently tried it (whom I usually agree with) said it's "medium powered....not as much as X1 or NRG, but not low either".

p.s. just picked up a pack of Gamma Proff'l and TF XCode.
 

Kcraig

Professional
Sorry - I was going by how others have described it to me. One of my friends that recently tried it (whom I usually agree with) said it's "medium powered....not as much as X1 or NRG, but not low either".

p.s. just picked up a pack of Gamma Proff'l and TF XCode.

No worries--just thought I was totally missing something. I tried it about 2yrs ago when first came out (before TW carried it) and enjoyed it, but was definately missing the "pop"--very similar to MCS. Almost exactly---
 

mikeler

Moderator
Sorry - I was going by how others have described it to me. One of my friends that recently tried it (whom I usually agree with) said it's "medium powered....not as much as X1 or NRG, but not low either".

p.s. just picked up a pack of Gamma Proff'l and TF XCode.


Let us know how those 2 strings play. I can get XCode at my local shop.
 

mikeler

Moderator
I'm thinking that I'll probably cut out the Yonex unless I break the Tecnifibre tomorrow. Want to try out Prince Recoil after work one day next week.
 

JRstriker12

Hall of Fame
For anyone interested in how strings are made, the RSI has a great article on it this month:

http://www.racquetsportsindustry.com/issues/201103/index.html

Holy ****! Gamma strings are hit with radiation?

From the RSI Article: Perhaps the most involved post-processing occurs with Gamma strings, which undergo bombardment by gamma radiation to split the long chain polymer molecules so they connect to one another at the molecular level through covalent bonds.

I though Gamma was just kind of a cool brand name, didn't think they went David Banner/Hulk on their strings. :)
 

mikeler

Moderator
Holy ****! Gamma strings are hit with radiation?

From the RSI Article: Perhaps the most involved post-processing occurs with Gamma strings, which undergo bombardment by gamma radiation to split the long chain polymer molecules so they connect to one another at the molecular level through covalent bonds.

I though Gamma was just kind of a cool brand name, didn't think they went David Banner/Hulk on their strings. :)


The radiation is probably what makes their strings crappy except of course their vanilla synthetic gut which I liked. Pretty cool article though.
 
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