mikeler
Moderator
Technically was an 8 AM start time which turned into 8:15 after the first set of courts we visited were soaked by a sprinkler.
Mikeler's Multis
- Thread starter mikeler
- Start date
Technically was an 8 AM start time which turned into 8:15 after the first set of courts we visited were soaked by a sprinkler.
Ronaldo
Bionic Poster
Wow, forget you are playing outdoors. Getting three inches of snow tomorrow, may need a shovel.
Ronaldo
Bionic Poster
And what state do all of the older folk retire to? Curious where mikeler lives
Okay I'll stop, but I am jealous that I'm going to have to hack through ice tomorrow just to see my car frozen to the ground.
One way to ease those achy knees and elbows, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrEgrX7BRek
Up&comer
Hall of Fame
Up&comer
Hall of Fame
And what state do all of the older folk retire to? Curious where mikeler lives
Okay I'll stop, but I am jealous that I'm going to have to hack through ice tomorrow just to see my car frozen to the ground.
Pretty sure Mike is in Florida.
Indiana tends to be cold in the winter (haha)
Ronaldo
Bionic Poster
May need at least two thin layers of Thera-gesic, especially tomorrow.
Ronaldo
Bionic Poster
Had to wear both a shirt and shorts?
mikeler
Moderator
Contemplated wearing a T shirt instead of my Dri Fit shirt. It was actually good multi weather since there was some dense fog. The conditions were very heavy so my elbow thanked me.
Ronaldo
Bionic Poster
Use this on elbow now before playing. Just have to find a plug, http://www.necksolutions.com/images/moist-heat-pad.jpg
mikeler
Moderator
Ronaldo
Bionic Poster
Used gelpacks and therabeads that can be frozen or microwaved at work for years. Found that a proper warm-up was as effective as Motrin and safe.
mikeler
Moderator
OK, here is my review in the TW format of the Genesis Thunder Blast 16.
Strung it up a few days ago. The string feels limp but plays much stiffer than you would think. Has that gluey smell that I adore. It can be a little tricky keeping the string from tangling up out of a reel. Stringing it was a breeze, I forgot how fun full multi string jobs are. Gave it Ye Olde ball bounce test. It was very muted and felt great in the sweet spot but there were some vibrations outside of the sweet spot. Coming from poly hybrids, I could tell it has less spin potential
Tension it is strung: 60 pounds on a lockout machine full bed
Your regular string set up: Weiss Cannon Black 5 Edge 17 Mains(52#)/Genesis Thunder Blast 16 Crosses(56#)
Racket: Pro Kennex 7G (this is different than the others tested in the Babolat PST+)
String pattern of your racquet: 16 x 20
Power (or lack there of): Low/Medium powered multi
Feel: Terrific
Tension maintenance: Held fine according to RacquetTune for the 4 sets I played with it. I ended up cutting it out to try some softer setups.
Price: $9.95/set or $99.95/reel
Overall comments and feedback: See below
General: I could tell on the first few hits that I was going to like this even though I was playing in heavy overcast conditions. The string has a roughness to it that allows it to provide pretty good spin for a multi. This string was pretty good for just about every shot.
Serve/Return of Serve: Serves were good with this but I could not get enough pace to generate any aces. The previous 2 matches I was getting close to double digits in the ace count so this was a little disappointing but the conditions were very heavy. Returns were hard to gauge as my opponent was having a good serving day and I was forced to chip quite a few serves back. I did blast a few weak 2nd serves though so I'd have to say it is a pretty good string for returns.
Strokes: Good spin on both wings. Depth control was OK definitely not as good as poly strings. I'm not really used to full multis anymore, so I had to dial back my strokes a little bit. The slice backhand was decent but I seemed to be floating a few back because my opponent was getting me out of position quite a bit.
Volleys: Volleys are money with this string. I think Up&Comer said it best, these stiffer multis just seem to volley really well.
Touch shots: I had to dial myself back NOT to try so many drop shots. This string just lends itself to hitting them.
Softness: This is not a multi I'd recommend for sore arms. Since I'm using a different racket now, I can't make a direct comparison with other multis but I'd say it is around the stiffness of Babolat Addiction. I've got a little bit of elbow soreness this morning.
Tension: If I had to try it again, I might up the tension to 62. When I hit the ball long, it was not by much.
Durability: After 2 sets, I'm seeing little fraying. The string looks thick for a 16g so I'm guessing durability would be pretty good. Not sure if I'll keep playtesting this or cut it out due to the elbow issue I mentioned just above this. I ended up cutting this out after 4 sets just to be proactive.
Movement: String movement was very little for a multi. The anal retentive type would be happy with this string (cough cough KCraig).
Conclusion: This is probably the best mid-priced multi along with Mantis Comfort Synthetic for those that prefer low powered multis. Both play great but they are at opposite ends of the stiffness spectrum. UPDATE: I wrote this before I tried Prince Premiere Attack (PPA) 16 which is superior to both Thunder Blast and Mantis Comfort. PPA is similarly priced by the set but much more expensive in reel form though.
UPDATE ON NEW WHITE VERSION OF THIS STRING:
I played 5 sets last night with the new white Genesis Thunder Blast 16. The first 2 sets were singles against a left hander on clay in the wind. The last 3 sets were doubles with all right handers on a hard court under the lights at a different club with light wind. So I got to test it under 2 very conditions. BTW, I strung it at 60 pounds for an apples to apples comparison with the black version.
The white version is definitely softer than the black. It still has that crisp feel though. I don't think it is quite as good as net as the black version but I liked it better on all other shots. The strings do move around like crazy but that is the case with most multis. This is another string that could benefit from a slightly lower tension I think since it is low powered with lots of control. I have 1 more set left. If Bad Call does not take it, I may try stringing it up at 54# to compare it with the DM at the equivalent tension.
Strung it up a few days ago. The string feels limp but plays much stiffer than you would think. Has that gluey smell that I adore. It can be a little tricky keeping the string from tangling up out of a reel. Stringing it was a breeze, I forgot how fun full multi string jobs are. Gave it Ye Olde ball bounce test. It was very muted and felt great in the sweet spot but there were some vibrations outside of the sweet spot. Coming from poly hybrids, I could tell it has less spin potential
Tension it is strung: 60 pounds on a lockout machine full bed
Your regular string set up: Weiss Cannon Black 5 Edge 17 Mains(52#)/Genesis Thunder Blast 16 Crosses(56#)
Racket: Pro Kennex 7G (this is different than the others tested in the Babolat PST+)
String pattern of your racquet: 16 x 20
Power (or lack there of): Low/Medium powered multi
Feel: Terrific
Tension maintenance: Held fine according to RacquetTune for the 4 sets I played with it. I ended up cutting it out to try some softer setups.
Price: $9.95/set or $99.95/reel
Overall comments and feedback: See below
General: I could tell on the first few hits that I was going to like this even though I was playing in heavy overcast conditions. The string has a roughness to it that allows it to provide pretty good spin for a multi. This string was pretty good for just about every shot.
Serve/Return of Serve: Serves were good with this but I could not get enough pace to generate any aces. The previous 2 matches I was getting close to double digits in the ace count so this was a little disappointing but the conditions were very heavy. Returns were hard to gauge as my opponent was having a good serving day and I was forced to chip quite a few serves back. I did blast a few weak 2nd serves though so I'd have to say it is a pretty good string for returns.
Strokes: Good spin on both wings. Depth control was OK definitely not as good as poly strings. I'm not really used to full multis anymore, so I had to dial back my strokes a little bit. The slice backhand was decent but I seemed to be floating a few back because my opponent was getting me out of position quite a bit.
Volleys: Volleys are money with this string. I think Up&Comer said it best, these stiffer multis just seem to volley really well.
Touch shots: I had to dial myself back NOT to try so many drop shots. This string just lends itself to hitting them.
Softness: This is not a multi I'd recommend for sore arms. Since I'm using a different racket now, I can't make a direct comparison with other multis but I'd say it is around the stiffness of Babolat Addiction. I've got a little bit of elbow soreness this morning.
Tension: If I had to try it again, I might up the tension to 62. When I hit the ball long, it was not by much.
Durability: After 2 sets, I'm seeing little fraying. The string looks thick for a 16g so I'm guessing durability would be pretty good. Not sure if I'll keep playtesting this or cut it out due to the elbow issue I mentioned just above this. I ended up cutting this out after 4 sets just to be proactive.
Movement: String movement was very little for a multi. The anal retentive type would be happy with this string (cough cough KCraig).
Conclusion: This is probably the best mid-priced multi along with Mantis Comfort Synthetic for those that prefer low powered multis. Both play great but they are at opposite ends of the stiffness spectrum. UPDATE: I wrote this before I tried Prince Premiere Attack (PPA) 16 which is superior to both Thunder Blast and Mantis Comfort. PPA is similarly priced by the set but much more expensive in reel form though.
UPDATE ON NEW WHITE VERSION OF THIS STRING:
I played 5 sets last night with the new white Genesis Thunder Blast 16. The first 2 sets were singles against a left hander on clay in the wind. The last 3 sets were doubles with all right handers on a hard court under the lights at a different club with light wind. So I got to test it under 2 very conditions. BTW, I strung it at 60 pounds for an apples to apples comparison with the black version.
The white version is definitely softer than the black. It still has that crisp feel though. I don't think it is quite as good as net as the black version but I liked it better on all other shots. The strings do move around like crazy but that is the case with most multis. This is another string that could benefit from a slightly lower tension I think since it is low powered with lots of control. I have 1 more set left. If Bad Call does not take it, I may try stringing it up at 54# to compare it with the DM at the equivalent tension.
Last edited:
Rozroz
G.O.A.T.
oh. yea baby.
you can add almost an exact impression from me.
sure, i have less string experience than mikeler, but roughly he expressed my same emotions.
i'll definitely string at 60-62 next time. my arm is fine with it.
i played a third time today.
get it while you can. it's a great buy. i can even cautiously say i prefer it over Xcel.
you can add almost an exact impression from me.
sure, i have less string experience than mikeler, but roughly he expressed my same emotions.
i'll definitely string at 60-62 next time. my arm is fine with it.
i played a third time today.
get it while you can. it's a great buy. i can even cautiously say i prefer it over Xcel.
mikeler
Moderator
They only make it in 16g as of now but they are thinking about making it in 17g in the near future.
sphinx780
Hall of Fame
Ditto on Addiction, which, is keeping me from trying TB out too. I may have to put HF on the list down the line.
Ronaldo
Bionic Poster
Elbow soreness with your hybrid?
mikeler
Moderator
Yeah, my elbow was slightly sore yesterday with full TB. So I'm going to have dump the B5E mains for the winter. Only have 1 job with B5E mains but it is brand new so it will have to get the scissors.
Starting my club tournament tomorrow and plan to play Unifibre gut mains with B5E poly crosses. I tried that setup out and had no issues the next day. Got a set of VS Gut for Xmas that I plan to try out soon.
Up&comer
Hall of Fame
It's a pretty stiff multi.
Yeah, my elbow was slightly sore yesterday with full TB. So I'm going to have dump the B5E mains for the winter. Only have 1 job with B5E mains but it is brand new so it will have to get the scissors.
Starting my club tournament tomorrow and plan to play Unifibre gut mains with B5E poly crosses. I tried that setup out and had no issues the next day. Got a set of VS Gut for Xmas that I plan to try out soon.
Gut mains play better after some break in.
mikeler
Moderator
That it is.
I definitely played better with it starting in the 3rd set of play.
polytheist
Rookie
Gut/B5E 54/50 was still a little bit twingy for my TE. Problem was the results were so good i couldn't help but keep playing it. B5E and me definitely have a love/hate thing going. It feels plasticky (hate the feel) and kills my arm but rewards me with winners.
mikeler
Moderator
I started my warm up tonight with B5E/Thunder Blast. My elbow told me to put that sucker back after the third backhand. So I played another 2 sets with full Thunder Blast.
Rozroz
G.O.A.T.
so, how come you used the B5E hybrid and it was fine for a pretty long period?
seasonal changes?
so even Thunderblast keeps making you TE?
this means you're off hybrids for the time being?
Last edited:
For me poly seems to have an accumulative effect on my joints. I used Gosen Polylon for 2 years (very stiff) without an issue; then started having shoulder and wrist issues. Switched to a soft multi for 6 months, never had any joint pain. Poly is stiffer than Multi's or synthetics and puts more shock on your joints. Cold weather made it worse for me. I think poly is great string, but sooner or later expect to have some joint issues. Recently switched to Tourna Big hitter blue 17 and played great with the string, but 2 weeks later (playing 4 times a week) my wrist was sore.
Bottom line, I would rather play tennis than have joint pain, so am back to synthetic gut and so far my game has not suffered at all. Plus I have decided to pick one string and learn to play with it. We all know the more constants in your game the less variation in your play.
mikeler
Moderator
The clay courts I play on have been over watered lately. The balls get wet and heavy and put much more stress on the joints. A recent cold blast has not helped either.
mikeler
Moderator
The PK 7G is pretty arm friendly but it is extended length. Soft multis are my first choice for the next few months.
mikeler
Moderator
I would prefer $100/reel or less. Since I want to test a few more multis, I'll find enough to try that I spend $75 at TW to get free shipping.
Ronaldo
Bionic Poster
Waiting for TW to get a mini-reel of NG under $100.
Ronaldo
Bionic Poster
One and only. Never found a full reel either.
Ronaldo
Bionic Poster
No, no mini-reel either. Shirley, there must be one.
ethebull
Rookie
Read up on how it is made. It's amazing they get 40' lengths, given the process. Don't hold your breath for a mini reel.
http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/LC/NaturalGut.html
http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/LC/NaturalGut.html
Ronaldo
Bionic Poster
Ty, but there is a 530 meter long sausage, why not a 1500 ft reel of gut?
Rozroz
G.O.A.T.
stop it with this GUT & sausages talk
while i respect gut users and understand why they have to use it,
i still find it strange they still didn't stop making NG,
or find a good enough replacement.
these days it really seem almost primitive.
(hell, in my mind i imagine a "future racquet", with just a frame and no strings, and by choosing a different "force-field" we could change every parameter to produce our perfect "energy string")
while i respect gut users and understand why they have to use it,
i still find it strange they still didn't stop making NG,
or find a good enough replacement.
these days it really seem almost primitive.
(hell, in my mind i imagine a "future racquet", with just a frame and no strings, and by choosing a different "force-field" we could change every parameter to produce our perfect "energy string")
Ronaldo
Bionic Poster
stop it with this GUT & sausages talk
while i respect gut users and understand why they have to use it,
i still find it strange they still didn't stop making NG,
or find a good enough replacement.
these days it really seem almost primitive.
(hell, in my mind i imagine a "future racquet", with just a frame and no strings, and by choosing a different "force-field" we could change every parameter to produce our perfect "energy string")
No Keilbasa and Kraut? What's next, no race? http://blog.northwoodsleague.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/klements.jpg
You might try some NXT Max for performance and longevity. You could get some AlphaGut for future hybrid crosses, but as a full bed it won't last long in a 7G so it probably wouldn't be worth it for that.
Ronaldo
Bionic Poster
I was the only upset victim of the seeds in my annual club tournament in the first round today.
Elbow, strings, or DF 120 minute IPA on changeovers.
