PV Audio's Playtest Thread
- Thread starter pvaudio
- Start date
No inside but due to the cold weather and the cheap club owners sometimes it can be 50 degrees inside!
levy1,
thank you for your response. seems to be a truly interesting string, specially for the players that don't break strings so often. once they become available in europe i might give them a try too, although they are really very expensive. since i break strings quite quick it simply adds up.
Your right about the cost. It is higher then most polys.
mikeler
Moderator
That temperature seems to be the magical mark where the strings start to feel much different than in warmer temps.
In addittion at 55 degrees balls loose bounce.
Had another couple of hours of singles with the Natural Gut / Silverstring 1.20 hybrid. With Silverstring there just doesn't seem to be much spin - its a much flatter ball that's produced - and not much adjustability. Its almost like Silverstring is locking down the gut and not allowing it to move much.
Co-Focus as a poly cross definitely works ALOT better in my 6.1 18x20.
Maybe Silverstring is simply more suited to larger, open patterned sticks, but for whatever reason, it just doesn't work for me in my setup.
Co-Focus as a poly cross definitely works ALOT better in my 6.1 18x20.
Maybe Silverstring is simply more suited to larger, open patterned sticks, but for whatever reason, it just doesn't work for me in my setup.
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I used 1.23mm.
That is what I have coming in as well. Going to setup Pacific Classic
16L/Cofocus 1.23 at 54/50 in EXO3 Tour 16*18 :twisted: Will probably be a week or two before I can give it a run. The 1.18 just seems too thin to use in such an open pattern.
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Had good success w klip legend/big ace 1.22 in similar frame a few years ago (prince diablo mp 16x18). Always surprised how good durability and playability is w gut mains/smooth poly cross. Thx for the input
Tourna Big Hitter Black 7
Tourna Big Hitter Black 7
Stringing: Not bad. As far as textured polys go, this doesn't have that kinking memory. It is, however, rather sharp. In that regard, it reminds me very much of Polyfibre Hexablade. It's got that feeling that if you're not careful, you may cut your fingertips. Luckily, that didn't happen. Strung in full as shown, tension of 47/47.
Groundstrokes: This is a fantastic baseliner's poly string. It has a very, very unique feel to it that lets you know that you are generating spin. While not as much as it's blue brother, BHBR, it is still well above average. This is a baseliner's poly for those with high RHS and who employ a slice. While slices do tend to float more than with other spin polys (even for a large amount of pace, you tend to get more RPMs than you expect), this same feature is great for those with large forehands and backhands. It lets you hit heavier shots than your stroke would otherwise produce. I do not mean more spin: I mean heavy. I define heavy as the intersection of pace and spin whereby the speed of the ball appears to be amplified as it loses little speed upon bouncing. Some strings create spin which tends to have the ball float (i.e. Spiky Shark, Cyclone, Blue Gear). There are then those select few which create the heavy spin I am describing (BHBR, Tour Bite, Barb Wire). BHB7 falls into the latter category, coming second only to Tour Bite in this aspect. Tour Bite's downfall is where BHBR and not surprisingly BHB7 take the step ahead: they only impart the spin when you desire. In short, this is a poly for the baseliner or all-court player who is able to control what sort of action they want to put on the ball.
Overall: 9.5/10
Serves: If you hit flat first serves, then please continue on to the volleys section. If, however, you employ spin on all serves, then continue as this may be the string for you. I never was without pace with this string. More importantly, it produced incredibly heavy serves. If you put the ball within a foot of either the T or the sideline, it will kick off the court and make the serve seemingly faster. I typically hit first serves in the low 100s since I rarely serve flat anymore. I did hit a flat serve or two while testing, and it really wasn't my cup of tea. Then again, you likely wouldn't be using this if all you do is bomb flat serves with full polyester. So for me, this string fit my serving needs. It does fall short in power compared to BHBR and other similar strings which shine on serves. If this had a bit more pop along with the action it produces, it'd be a lethal combination.
Overall: 8.75/10
Volleys: Not much feel at the net, unfortunately. You rarely get a "solid" feel when blocking back hard shots and the lack of power makes reaching volleys more difficult. It does, however, allow you to hit great mid-court pickups or half volleys that are difficult to return. Unfortunately for me though, I just didn't have the confidence I like when up at the net.
Overall: 8/10
Durability: So far so good. Strings are still aligned with the crosses moving slightly. These shaped strings in particular (twisted ones don't suffer as much) tend to wear down their sharp edges over time. I didn't see that here, but then again, I haven't played it until death.
Overall: 8.5/10
I am not a full polyester player anymore by any means. I do, however, appreciate a good poly when it comes along. I think this could be an astounding string if used in a hybrid with a lively multi. Gut here would be a waste (you don't often hear me say that) since it'd be shredded as the string is sharp, but doesn't notch. Syn gut would simply soften the stringbed, but this is soft already. What I'd cross it with is a 16g lively multi with fairly good tension stability. I will try next (if I can get another set) with Thunderblast crosses and can then compare head-head with B5E.
Overall: 9.15/10
Tourna Big Hitter Black 7
Stringing: Not bad. As far as textured polys go, this doesn't have that kinking memory. It is, however, rather sharp. In that regard, it reminds me very much of Polyfibre Hexablade. It's got that feeling that if you're not careful, you may cut your fingertips. Luckily, that didn't happen. Strung in full as shown, tension of 47/47.
Groundstrokes: This is a fantastic baseliner's poly string. It has a very, very unique feel to it that lets you know that you are generating spin. While not as much as it's blue brother, BHBR, it is still well above average. This is a baseliner's poly for those with high RHS and who employ a slice. While slices do tend to float more than with other spin polys (even for a large amount of pace, you tend to get more RPMs than you expect), this same feature is great for those with large forehands and backhands. It lets you hit heavier shots than your stroke would otherwise produce. I do not mean more spin: I mean heavy. I define heavy as the intersection of pace and spin whereby the speed of the ball appears to be amplified as it loses little speed upon bouncing. Some strings create spin which tends to have the ball float (i.e. Spiky Shark, Cyclone, Blue Gear). There are then those select few which create the heavy spin I am describing (BHBR, Tour Bite, Barb Wire). BHB7 falls into the latter category, coming second only to Tour Bite in this aspect. Tour Bite's downfall is where BHBR and not surprisingly BHB7 take the step ahead: they only impart the spin when you desire. In short, this is a poly for the baseliner or all-court player who is able to control what sort of action they want to put on the ball.
Overall: 9.5/10
Serves: If you hit flat first serves, then please continue on to the volleys section. If, however, you employ spin on all serves, then continue as this may be the string for you. I never was without pace with this string. More importantly, it produced incredibly heavy serves. If you put the ball within a foot of either the T or the sideline, it will kick off the court and make the serve seemingly faster. I typically hit first serves in the low 100s since I rarely serve flat anymore. I did hit a flat serve or two while testing, and it really wasn't my cup of tea. Then again, you likely wouldn't be using this if all you do is bomb flat serves with full polyester. So for me, this string fit my serving needs. It does fall short in power compared to BHBR and other similar strings which shine on serves. If this had a bit more pop along with the action it produces, it'd be a lethal combination.
Overall: 8.75/10
Volleys: Not much feel at the net, unfortunately. You rarely get a "solid" feel when blocking back hard shots and the lack of power makes reaching volleys more difficult. It does, however, allow you to hit great mid-court pickups or half volleys that are difficult to return. Unfortunately for me though, I just didn't have the confidence I like when up at the net.
Overall: 8/10
Durability: So far so good. Strings are still aligned with the crosses moving slightly. These shaped strings in particular (twisted ones don't suffer as much) tend to wear down their sharp edges over time. I didn't see that here, but then again, I haven't played it until death.
Overall: 8.5/10
I am not a full polyester player anymore by any means. I do, however, appreciate a good poly when it comes along. I think this could be an astounding string if used in a hybrid with a lively multi. Gut here would be a waste (you don't often hear me say that) since it'd be shredded as the string is sharp, but doesn't notch. Syn gut would simply soften the stringbed, but this is soft already. What I'd cross it with is a 16g lively multi with fairly good tension stability. I will try next (if I can get another set) with Thunderblast crosses and can then compare head-head with B5E.
Overall: 9.15/10
Up&comer
Hall of Fame
Oh no, don't knock the Mikeler setup off the top of the mountain so soon.
He's already trying to replace the thunderblast with xcel French open.
mikeler
Moderator
Up&comer
Hall of Fame
mikeler
Moderator
Whew. That was a close one.
polytheist
Rookie
Is B5E/gut still the grail? Or was it B5E/TB?
Up&comer
Hall of Fame
No, the gut is still the grail. Unfortunately, the grail is no longer affordable
Me too.
10 potatoes
ChicagoJack
Hall of Fame
The grail was Gut/Co-Focus, then that was trumped by Gut/Scorpion, and now the new grail is B5E/Gut?
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mikeler
Moderator
Doubles
Legend
True, B5E/Gut is awesome, but for the price, I prefer MCS.
ChicagoJack
Hall of Fame
Tru dat. But I do enjoy following the recent discoveries as best I can. One of my favorite threads. Btw... what is MCS and ThB?
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Doubles
Legend
Mantis Comfort Synthetic and Genesis Thunder Blast.
ChicagoJack
Hall of Fame
^^^ Thanks
mikeler
Moderator
polytheist
Rookie
Considering how popular Tour Bite is, yeah GTB is a better acronym.
polytheist
Rookie
Ok so in review:
Mikeler Grail = B5E/gut
Mikeler Affordable Grail = B5E/GTB
Mikeler Affordable AND Gimpy Grail = B5E/MCS
Do i have this right?
Mikeler Grail = B5E/gut
Mikeler Affordable Grail = B5E/GTB
Mikeler Affordable AND Gimpy Grail = B5E/MCS
Do i have this right?
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polytheist
Rookie
Ok so what's the Mikeler Gimpy Grail? It can't be full gut.
mikeler
Moderator
Most multis.
Xcel? Oh, and I did end up getting some Xcel FO. Got it for 10.95/set; too good to pass up
Sweet!
I replaced the Co-Focus crosses with Scorpion keeping the NG mains but made a bit of faux pas in that I forgot to drop the tension of the crosses to try and maintain a constant SBS. Must have had a brain fade due to tiredness after work or something.
The stringbed doesn't feel right at all. The stringbed feels a bit dead and I can't feel the mains as much as when it was originally strung. Can't remember the last time I did this but it would be just pure guesswork as to what tension to string the crosses at to provide a consistent SBS.
Originally it was 54/50lbs, then whatever the gut now is/50lbs with the Scorpion. That 50lbs was a mistake. Should have dropped maybe 3lbs or 4lbs lower.
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mikeler
Moderator
2012 Wilson Prototype Blue String
Stringing: This is not a particularly amazing string to string up. It has a very...basic feel. Dare I say cheap? It actually strings like a thin and slicker version of Alien BD. Plus, if you cut the tips at an angle, they are stupidly sharp. Unlike softer polys or even stiff polys which string easily, this string seems to be fairly stiff. However, it was easy to string. In fact, I got my best time ever for stringing a poly when doing this on my frame. It also required zero straightening afterwards. I would expect this from very stiff strings, but not to this degree. Nonetheless, in an hour, I will begin to see if it was worth stringing. Strung at 46.5/46.5 lbs.
Groundstrokes: This string is absolutely, positvely, perfect. In no single category but one: mediocrity. Seriously, I have not played with a more "mild cheddar" string. A get-you-from-a-b poly. There really isn't much to say, just as Up&Comer said. I agree with his opinion almost exactly. This string does absolutely nothing for your game. It will not change it, assuming you're already playing with poly, but it will not augment it. This is the polyester world's Prince Synthetic Gut w/ Duraflex. There is no added power, no added spin, no added control, no added feel, nothing. At the same time, it isn't per se low powered, not spinny, unwieldy or dead feeling. It's just polyester to fill the space in your racquet hoop. Reminds me exactly of a more comfortable version of Super Smash. Absolutely nothing to report but perfectly generic in all aspects.
Overall: 7.5/10
Serves: Need I continue? If you're going from synthetics to poly, then you'll hate it. However, people doing that wouldn't likely care about the fact that it's generic since they want the advantages of polyester more than that of a synthetic string. This gives you nothing on the serve that you cannot already do.
Overall: 7.5/10
Volleys: Not dead, but no feel. Seriously, are you seeing the pattern?
Overall: 7.5/10
Durability: Here is the only area that this string is good and it's only good if compared to synthetics. If you are switching from PSGD to polyester to get more durability, here is your string! It is seriously the polyester for people who simply want polyester. For that reason, it will be more durable than any synthetic, but compared to other polys, tension stability is below average and it is notching slightly. So, I will give this two ratings (which is a first).
Overall vs. synthetics: 9/10
Overall vs. poly: 7.5/10
I really don't want to waste any more of your time with this review. This stuff looks cool, sure, but it plays like the earliest poly strings just as Up&Comer said. There is nothing here. It's simply a string made from polyester which is used in tennis racquets. It is seriously that mediocre. Do not misunderstand: I am not calling it bad. It is not bad. It does not let down in any area at all. It simply just does nothing above average. So, for that reason, it gets a perfect C grade. Good enough. Passing level. Average.
Overall: 7.5/10
Stringing: This is not a particularly amazing string to string up. It has a very...basic feel. Dare I say cheap? It actually strings like a thin and slicker version of Alien BD. Plus, if you cut the tips at an angle, they are stupidly sharp. Unlike softer polys or even stiff polys which string easily, this string seems to be fairly stiff. However, it was easy to string. In fact, I got my best time ever for stringing a poly when doing this on my frame. It also required zero straightening afterwards. I would expect this from very stiff strings, but not to this degree. Nonetheless, in an hour, I will begin to see if it was worth stringing. Strung at 46.5/46.5 lbs.
Groundstrokes: This string is absolutely, positvely, perfect. In no single category but one: mediocrity. Seriously, I have not played with a more "mild cheddar" string. A get-you-from-a-b poly. There really isn't much to say, just as Up&Comer said. I agree with his opinion almost exactly. This string does absolutely nothing for your game. It will not change it, assuming you're already playing with poly, but it will not augment it. This is the polyester world's Prince Synthetic Gut w/ Duraflex. There is no added power, no added spin, no added control, no added feel, nothing. At the same time, it isn't per se low powered, not spinny, unwieldy or dead feeling. It's just polyester to fill the space in your racquet hoop. Reminds me exactly of a more comfortable version of Super Smash. Absolutely nothing to report but perfectly generic in all aspects.
Overall: 7.5/10
Serves: Need I continue? If you're going from synthetics to poly, then you'll hate it. However, people doing that wouldn't likely care about the fact that it's generic since they want the advantages of polyester more than that of a synthetic string. This gives you nothing on the serve that you cannot already do.
Overall: 7.5/10
Volleys: Not dead, but no feel. Seriously, are you seeing the pattern?
Overall: 7.5/10
Durability: Here is the only area that this string is good and it's only good if compared to synthetics. If you are switching from PSGD to polyester to get more durability, here is your string! It is seriously the polyester for people who simply want polyester. For that reason, it will be more durable than any synthetic, but compared to other polys, tension stability is below average and it is notching slightly. So, I will give this two ratings (which is a first).
Overall vs. synthetics: 9/10
Overall vs. poly: 7.5/10
I really don't want to waste any more of your time with this review. This stuff looks cool, sure, but it plays like the earliest poly strings just as Up&Comer said. There is nothing here. It's simply a string made from polyester which is used in tennis racquets. It is seriously that mediocre. Do not misunderstand: I am not calling it bad. It is not bad. It does not let down in any area at all. It simply just does nothing above average. So, for that reason, it gets a perfect C grade. Good enough. Passing level. Average.
Overall: 7.5/10
And what would that music be? Considering your generation, am I to assume it's some Genesis or Doobie Brothers?
mikeler
Moderator
And what would that music be? Considering your generation, am I to assume it's some Genesis or Doobie Brothers?
The crying game?
Err...the movie?
mikeler
Moderator
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