Mikeler's Polys

OK, here is my full review of WeissCannon Black5Edge (B5E) 17 Mains/Genesis Thunder Blast (ThB) 16 crosses. Update: Genesis now has white Thunder Blast which is softer than the black and does not leave black marks on the ball. I like it better.

Stringing the B5E in just the mains is pretty easy. Thunder Blast is fairly stiff for a multi which makes it easy to work with as well.

Tension it is strung: 52# mains/56# crosses on a lockout machine
Your regular string set up: This has been it the last few months
String pattern of your racquet: 16 x 20 (Pro Kennex 7G)
Power (or lack there of): Low/Medium powered
Feel: Great feel considering it is partially a poly
Tension maintenance: Terrific all the way to breakage (15 hours)
Price: $11.90/set or $125/reel for B5E and $10/set for ThB or $100/reel
Overall comments and feedback: See below

General: This setup just works perfect for my game. The B5E provides the spin and control while the ThB seems to have this nice controlled power to it.

Serve/Return of Serve: My first serve is pretty good with this setup. The 2nd serve is getting plenty of kick when I hit it properly. Return of serve is the weakest part of my game and I think this setup is the best for me when coming over the ball on a return. Normally I'm content to just chip balls into play.

Strokes: Lots of spin on both wings. Depth control is good. Flattening out balls is where this beats any other setup. If I hit it in the sweet spot, I know exactly what the ball is going to do. Slices are very good with this setup even when the ball gets behind me.

Volleys: This is the best string setup I've ever tried for volleys. Too bad I'm not more of a net player. Guess I need to try and change my mentality.

Touch shots: My drop shots usually work pretty well with this setup. Depends on the day more than the strings.

Softness: This setup is soft enough for my elbow. It helps that I now use the Pro Kennex 7G which is very arm friendly. Not sure if I could handle this setup long term in my old PSTs.

Tension: As the colder weather is slowly filtering down here, I could see myself dropping the tension a few pounds to get some more power.

Durability: I only played with the setup one time until breakage and that was around the 15 hour mark. Most times I'll cut it out after the 12 hour mark when the strings look good and beat up.

Movement: The mains and crosses do move. Not good for the anal retentive types (cough, cough KCraig).

Color: All black looks good in the PK 7Gs. The ThB leaves black lines all over the balls throughout the life of the string. It will turn white at the wear locations which is cool because it allows you to see where you hit the ball on the string bed.

Conclusion: This is an excellent string setup that I've been enjoying for months now. It got me to stop testing other string setups. Now if I could just actually hit the strings every time and not the frame. :sad:

^^^ Forgot that I never reviewed the setup I've been using the last 4 or 5 months.

Hmmm. Just read this review on rpm.


Comments: Comfortable string for my golfers elbow. When I dropped the tension to 58lbs from 60lbs the ball pocketing dramatically increased. I can also cut loose with confidence on a flat serve and the ball drops right in. For my backhand I have to really close the face to keep it in.
From: Paul, Fullerton, CA, USA, 03/11
Level 4.0


Apparently when you string it in the high 50s, it's super comfortable for golfers elbow. In a full bed. Even if you are at a 4.0 level.






Kidddddddinnnnngggg.

^^^ That 2 pounds is such a big difference.

mikeler said:

^^^ That 2 pounds is such a big difference.

Click to expand...

I think you mean dramatic difference.

^^^ Better choice of words.

So I strung up B5E/Unifibre gut last night. It was my first ever attempt at stringing natty gut. Man, doing the gut crosses was a chore with trying to keep the string from kinking and doing the weaving while not tearing up the string which did not slide well over the edges of the poly. The final 2 or 3 crosses, there were times where I could see through the middle of the string as it was starting to separate. I was not sure if the final knot was going to hold but it did.

I let it settle in overnight and then just bounced some balls off it and compared it to B5E/Thunder Blast. Did not seem much different just bouncing balls off each setup, perhaps just slightly more pop with the gut. I'll hit with it tonight and report back.

I played 2 sets of singles last night in some fairly warm (high of 85) and humid conditions. When I got there, it rained for about 2 minutes. Within minutes we were hitting Har Tru mud balls. I decided to slice most of my backhands since the balls were heavy and my opponent hits a hard flat ball. It worked pretty well.

It is hard to really review a string under those conditions so I'll just post some initial thoughts. I think the sweet spot does feel bigger with gut and there is slightly more pop. The biggest improvement was responding to hard hit balls. Most of the time I'd reply with a blocked defensive shot but still I was able to keep it deep most of the time. Serves still seemed to get some decent kick even with the heavy balls so I'm looking forward to hitting in dryer conditions next time. Only hit two volleys but the 2nd one I felt like a pro for 1 shot.

Initial impression: I would not switch from Thunder Blast to Unifibre for the marginal improvement but let me hit under normal conditions before passing final judgment.

mikeler said:

So I strung up B5E/Unifibre gut last night. It was my first ever attempt at stringing natty gut. Man, doing the gut crosses was a chore with trying to keep the string from kinking and doing the weaving while not tearing up the string which did not slide well over the edges of the poly. The final 2 or 3 crosses, there were times where I could see through the middle of the string as it was starting to separate. I was not sure if the final knot was going to hold but it did.

I let it settle in overnight and then just bounced some balls off it and compared it to B5E/Thunder Blast. Did not seem much different just bouncing balls off each setup, perhaps just slightly more pop with the gut. I'll hit with it tonight and report back.

Click to expand...

Yea, Unifibre is a chore to string, especially in crosses.

Having strung all the major Gut brands, and some of the cheaper ones, Unifibre definitely wins the Most Difficult Gut To String award.

Glad you got through it without them snapping! Those last few weaves are a nightmare, and why I won't use that stuff in crosses anymore.

Once strung though, the stuff really does play nice for the price. And as long as you didn't kink it, it should hold up pretty well.

JT_2eighty said:

Yea, Unifibre is a chore to string, especially in crosses.

Having strung all the major Gut brands, and some of the cheaper ones, Unifibre definitely wins the Most Difficult Gut To String award.

Glad you got through it without them snapping! Those last few weaves are a nightmare, and why I won't use that stuff in crosses anymore.

Once strung though, the stuff really does play nice for the price. And as long as you didn't kink it, it should hold up pretty well.

Click to expand...

That is good to know. I think I detected an evil laugh from PVAudio as I described how tough the string was to work with! When you actually start seeing through the middle of the strings on the last few crosses, you begin to wonder what went wrong since I was going very slow and being careful.

mikeler said:

That is good to know. I think I detected an evil laugh from PVAudio as I described how tough the string was to work with! When you actually start seeing through the middle of the strings on the last few crosses, you begin to wonder what went wrong since I was going very slow and being careful.

Click to expand...

Good sir, it was not evil, per se

Boricua said:

Black5Edge or Turbo Twist. TT is more powerful and comfy, B5E more control and pretty soft for a copoly

Click to expand...

WC SilverString, 125 on the mains, and 1.20 on the crosses. 5BE is good for people who need help with spin. At 4.5, I'd imagine spin is not a problem. With heavy topspin hitters, the arc with 5BE is just too great because its edges are very sharp (unlike RPM which has rounded edges on its "gears"). Test both, and you'll see. TurboTwist used to be one of my favorites - my regular string during the Spring and Summer of 2010. I stopped using it because it is simply too lively, particularly in warmer weather. The texture is great, however. It's a round twisted string, not an extruded shaped string, so there are no major edges, just very, very tiny ones perhaps. They are all nice strings, though, and it's worth testing them all!

Up&comer said:

Hmmm. Just read this review on rpm.


Comments: Comfortable string for my golfers elbow. When I dropped the tension to 58lbs from 60lbs the ball pocketing dramatically increased. I can also cut loose with confidence on a flat serve and the ball drops right in. For my backhand I have to really close the face to keep it in.
From: Paul, Fullerton, CA, USA, 03/11
Level 4.0


Apparently when you string it in the high 50s, it's super comfortable for golfers elbow. In a full bed. Even if you are at a 4.0 level.






Kidddddddinnnnngggg.

Click to expand...

I'll tell you, though, I've been experimenting a great deal with this string, and yes, it is harsh at high tensions, but at 46 with thicker RPM on the mains (16) and thinner (17) on the crosses, it is beautiful!

Boricua said:

Long time ago I used RPM Blast. Found Weiss Cannon B5E to be similar, maybe a tad more control and less power.

A string specialist told me that RPM Blast tension maintenance is very bad and that B5E is excellent. Any comments about this?

Click to expand...

At lower tensions, I have found RPM blast tension maintenance to be good. Higher tensions kill it. I have used 5BE extensively, too. A roughly equivalent tension with 5BE, to try to approximately match the feel of RPM (16/17) at 46 is 49 or 50 lbs. Tension maintenance on 5BE is excellent, however. For me, the deal breaker on 5BE are the supersharp edges, which are so "grabby" that the balls trajectory is too arched if one naturally hits with lots of topsin. RPM simply has more control, while 5BE beats it in tension maintenance.

Well, in just a short while I have manged to make several comments about 5BE and RPM. Last night I strung one of my PSTGT2011s with RPM 16 on the mains and Bab NVY 16 on the crosses. As I've mentioned, I like RPM at 46, but in hybridding poly with softer strings, I have found that one must go up in tension, so I went with 48 (which still might not be high enough but I like to be careful with high tensions for poly). And I went +4 lbs on the NVY crosses, so they are at 52. I will test this out on Friday when I play and will post comments on this setup at some point afterwards.

Casco said:

At lower tensions, I have found RPM blast tension maintenance to be good. Higher tensions kill it. I have used 5BE extensively, too. A roughly equivalent tension with 5BE, to try to approximately match the feel of RPM (16/17) at 46 is 49 or 50 lbs. Tension maintenance on 5BE is excellent, however. For me, the deal breaker on 5BE are the supersharp edges, which are so "grabby" that the balls trajectory is too arched if one naturally hits with lots of topsin. RPM simply has more control, while 5BE beats it in tension maintenance.

Click to expand...

I know what you are talking about with the ball coming down too soon. I experienced that with Black Widow mains, but do not have that problem with B5E. I'm also considering trying N.Vy as a cross since it seems to get so much love on the boards.

pvaudio said:

Good sir, it was not evil, per se

Click to expand...

Got my 2nd outing with it tonight if the courts are dry.

Curious to hear about poly/twine pt. 2

pvaudio said:

Curious to hear about poly/twine pt. 2

Click to expand...

It seems like I've awakened from my 2 week slump with this setup. Not sure if it is actually the string job or that I just have my head screwed on straight again. Probably the latter. I want to play 1 more time in normal conditions before putting a full review up. Seems to be holding up pretty well so far.

mikeler said:

It seems like I've awakened from my 2 week slump with this setup. Not sure if it is actually the string job or that I just have my head screwed on straight again. Probably the latter. I want to play 1 more time in normal conditions before putting a full review up. Seems to be holding up pretty well so far.

Click to expand...

Yes, despite it's brittle feel out of the package, and the way it seems to unravel when it's woven, it is surprisingly durable. I've never used it with poly mains so I'll be curious how much time you get from it before it breaks. I have noticed that once it is tensioned, it becomes nice and soft, just like gut should be.

JT_2eighty said:

Yes, despite it's brittle feel out of the package, and the way it seems to unravel when it's woven, it is surprisingly durable. I've never used it with poly mains so I'll be curious how much time you get from it before it breaks. I have noticed that once it is tensioned, it becomes nice and soft, just like gut should be.

Click to expand...

It is fraying all over but I don't notice any particular weak spots. Seems pretty thick for a 16g string which I'm sure helps. Toying with the idea of trying it in the mains with B5E crosses next time. If I do that, do you think I should bump up the tension to 58/54 for Uni/B5E?

Decided to pull my B5E/Thunder Blast setup out of the bag today. Just wanted to compare it with B5E/Uni. I think the Thunder Blast setup actually feels softer. Either way, both setups are fairly close. The gut is a little nicer on serves/ground strokes while the ThB is better on volleys.

mikeler said:

Decided to pull my B5E/Thunder Blast setup out of the bag today. Just wanted to compare it with B5E/Uni. I think the Thunder Blast setup actually feels softer. Either way, both setups are fairly close. The gut is a little nicer on serves/ground strokes while the ThB is better on volleys.

Click to expand...

My sentiments exactly. You could try gut mains, but beware the power once that stuff softens up.

Up&comer said:

My sentiments exactly. You could try gut mains, but beware the power once that stuff softens up.

Click to expand...

I probably will try gut mains just to see what it is like. Something tells me poly mains are best for our games like you said.

Underestimate the glory of gut/poly at your own loss!

pvaudio said:

Underestimate the glory of gut/poly at your own loss!

Click to expand...

KCraig has been telling me it is great. How high can I go on tension for the Whisper Touch you sent me? I just worry about the high power level.

In my trials of gut/poly versus poly/gut, I've noticed that spin and power are better with gut mains. However, directional control, especially redirecting shots, suffers.

The spin is actually too much for my liking with gut/poly, except I do like it on serving kickers. My issue, is that I am still too much of a flat-hitter. For that end, neither setup has ended up being my personal choice.

However, for those looking for comfort and spin, gut/poly is worth a few tries (it may take a couple to dial in proper tension).

I'm stringing WT in the low 50s. It's really not a high powered gut.

JT_2eighty said:

In my trials of gut/poly versus poly/gut, I've noticed that spin and power are better with gut mains. However, directional control, especially redirecting shots, suffers.

The spin is actually too much for my liking with gut/poly, except I do like it on serving kickers. My issue, is that I am still too much of a flat-hitter. For that end, neither setup has ended up being my personal choice.

However, for those looking for comfort and spin, gut/poly is worth a few tries (it may take a couple to dial in proper tension).

Click to expand...

I like the sound of too much spin although I'm flattening more balls out than I used to as my legs slow down.

pvaudio said:

I'm stringing WT in the low 50s. It's really not a high powered gut.

Click to expand...

Ok good. That should work perfect.

I'm playing with PHT+Excel in 52/54 on mu Wilson Pro Open right now but planning to try the B5E+Thunderblast hybrid. Would you recommend going with same tension on this setup?

I have never used that racket, so I would just compare both setups at the same tension.

I never knew there was a mikeler poly thread! :shock: Mike, so what was your fav one or two poly/multi combos?

Ross K said:

I never knew there was a mikeler poly thread! :shock: Mike, so what was your fav one or two poly/multi combos?

Click to expand...

Check out post #1 and the first one listed is my GOAT setup...so far.

He's cornering the entire string market. Next up, natural gut thread .

parasailing said:

He's cornering the entire string market. Next up, natural gut thread .

Click to expand...

I do have a gut/poly thread I recently started.

I see a lot of love for the thunderblast as a cross. I will try it out w/ my fav poly, the beast. Anyone ever tried this setup before?

KoaUka said:

I see a lot of love for the thunderblast as a cross. I will try it out w/ my fav poly, the beast. Anyone ever tried this setup before?

Click to expand...

I hope to try NVY soon as that seems to be the favorite cross string of most here. PVAudio has tried ThunderBlast and NVY. He likes both but prefers NVY slightly more.

My tennis elbow is almost gone again for the 2nd time this year. Thank you Prince Exo Tours and natural gut! I've got a pack of that Solinco Tour Bite Soft sitting in my office. It looks so thin and soft. Initial reviews seem good. Probably will try it with NVY crosses. Thinking 52/56. Anyone try this yet?

mikeler said:

My tennis elbow is almost gone again for the 2nd time this year. Thank you Prince Exo Tours and natural gut! I've got a pack of that Solinco Tour Bite Soft sitting in my office. It looks so thin and soft. Initial reviews seem good. Probably will try it with NVY crosses. Thinking 52/56. Anyone try this yet?

Click to expand...

I have not, sorry. But, this seems like a good setup to try to get good spin and a soft setup, considering its poly mains. Hope to see your review soon! May try it myself depending on your review. What string gauge will you use? There is even a 19 gauge! Too thin I guess, I would go for the 17.

TW just put up a review of B5E and they seem to really like it. I hope there will be a written review too. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7YdDHZkxSU

I'm trying a full bed of B5E and have put in 3hrs or so and it's ok but I found it below average for spin. I think it's too soft for me to get great spin as I get much more spin with stiffer strings. I'll try it for one more session and see how she goes. Maybe I'll lube her up!

can you test the pro hurricane feel next ?

mikeler said:

My tennis elbow is almost gone again for the 2nd time this year. Thank you Prince Exo Tours and natural gut! I've got a pack of that Solinco Tour Bite Soft sitting in my office. It looks so thin and soft. Initial reviews seem good. Probably will try it with NVY crosses. Thinking 52/56. Anyone try this yet?

Click to expand...

I have tour bite soft 16 installed right now in one of my C10's. Used 55 lbs, and it feels pretty nice. Not harsh on the arm at all, but only have about 2 hrs on it so far. After the 2nd hit racquet tune says its down 11.5%.

Sander001 said:

TW just put up a review of B5E and they seem to really like it. I hope there will be a written review too. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7YdDHZkxSU

I'm trying a full bed of B5E and have put in 3hrs or so and it's ok but I found it below average for spin. I think it's too soft for me to get great spin as I get much more spin with stiffer strings. I'll try it for one more session and see how she goes. Maybe I'll lube her up!

Click to expand...

Seems like the TTW consensus is that B5E is best in a hybrid as a main.

Nostradamus said:

can you test the pro hurricane feel next ?

Click to expand...

Send me a pack.

mrmike said:

I have tour bite soft 16 installed right now in one of my C10's. Used 55 lbs, and it feels pretty nice. Not harsh on the arm at all, but only have about 2 hrs on it so far. After the 2nd hit racquet tune says its down 11.5%.

Click to expand...

Full poly or hybrid? I have the 17g which should be even softer.

mikeler said:

Full poly or hybrid? I have the 17g which should be even softer.

Click to expand...

I have it in a full bed. My other frame has has a gut/DM hybrid right now. Quite a contrast, but they are both great setups for different reasons. Played a doubles match today and for that I preferred the gut setup. The tour bite is great in singles when you want to put a little more mph into your groundstrokes.

mrmike said:

I have it in a full bed. My other frame has has a gut/DM hybrid right now. Quite a contrast, but they are both great setups for different reasons. Played a doubles match today and for that I preferred the gut setup. The tour bite is great in singles when you want to put a little more mph into your groundstrokes.

Click to expand...

I'm currently playing with Wilson gut 16 crossed with DM 16. Can you compare the softness of your two setups? The full poly has more power???

mikeler said:

Seems like the TTW consensus is that B5E is best in a hybrid as a main.

Click to expand...

I see. Any consensus on tension? Forgot to mention that I like to string a bit higher and a lot of polys don't like this. Strung mine at 63/61lbs on a 98sq" frame though it's not uncomfortable at all.

Sander001 said:

I see. Any consensus on tension? Forgot to mention that I like to string a bit higher and a lot of polys don't like this. Strung mine at 63/61lbs on a 98sq" frame though it's not uncomfortable at all.

Click to expand...

I went anywhere from 48-52.

mikeler said:

I'm currently playing with Wilson gut 16 crossed with DM 16. Can you compare the softness of your two setups? The full poly has more power???

Click to expand...

I have Pacific tough gut 15L crossed with DM 16 and it's still much softer and plush compared to the TB soft 16. I guess I should restate that the TB is better when you want to swing with more MPH and keep the ball in the court. The gut hybrid is much better for touch and feel and has more power on tap. For blocking shots and quick exchanges in doubles I definitely prefer the gut setup. The TB gives you an extra measure of confidence to hit out on your shots and of course more spin.

mrmike said:

I have Pacific tough gut 15L crossed with DM 16 and it's still much softer and plush compared to the TB soft 16. I guess I should restate that the TB is better when you want to swing with more MPH and keep the ball in the court. The gut hybrid is much better for touch and feel and has more power on tap. For blocking shots and quick exchanges in doubles I definitely prefer the gut setup. The TB gives you an extra measure of confidence to hit out on your shots and of course more spin.

Click to expand...

Awesome, that is the comparison I needed. I'll probably try Tour Bite Soft with a multi cross then to increase the softness and power level.

mikeler said:

Awesome, that is the comparison I needed. I'll probably try Tour Bite Soft with a multi cross then to increase the softness and power level.

Click to expand...

That is a good plan. This is the first poly I've tried in a while. Last time It was a full bed of B5E and a full bed of standard TB and they gradually started getting to my arm. TB soft is definitely a step in the right direction and easier on the arm but make no mistake, it's still a poly. I have a feeling If I stick with poly it will be some type of hybrid also.