Mamba Tennis
- Thread starter davedomart
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mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
right on with your assessment...
BTW, Darkhors, since you have a Stringway, have you tried stringing using the JayCee method?
Power Player
Bionic Poster
I should have strung the hexa tighter..I am going with 54#s next time. tons of spin from this string...real, real nice.
My only issue is lack of ball feel really affects my confidence and I get tentative to swing out. Is this due to the low tension, or will stringing tighter also improve the feel?
My only issue is lack of ball feel really affects my confidence and I get tentative to swing out. Is this due to the low tension, or will stringing tighter also improve the feel?
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
is this Hexa 1.25? i'm getting loads of spin from 1.20 already, but i believe i would get even more from 1.25 since it'll be a bit stiffer than 1.20.
i'm a bit surprised by the lack of feel. i get way more feel from Hexa than I ever do from Tour Bite 16L. Tour Bite feels thuddy in comparison whereas I can feel the ball and the pocketing w/ Hexa. you may want to try 54 lbs because the 6.1 is just so powerful.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Yes, 1.25.
I get more ball feel with Silverstring and also TB as well.
I may have just strung it up too low. I am hoping so because I really liked the spin I got from this string and I like the comfort.
Is a black version of this coming out soon? I am wondering that will play more "plasticy" or crisp and enhance the feel.
Mamba is right near me, and the price is right, so if I can get a setup that I love, then I will be buying a reel.
I get more ball feel with Silverstring and also TB as well.
I may have just strung it up too low. I am hoping so because I really liked the spin I got from this string and I like the comfort.
Is a black version of this coming out soon? I am wondering that will play more "plasticy" or crisp and enhance the feel.
Mamba is right near me, and the price is right, so if I can get a setup that I love, then I will be buying a reel.
I just got my reel of Iontec Hexa 1.25 today. I looked at the string...even looked at it under a magnifying glass and could not see much of the six sided angle (looks round to me). But as long as it plays well, I won't really care.
I guess that it was silly that I was expecting to see distinct shapes on a 1.25 mm string.
I guess that it was silly that I was expecting to see distinct shapes on a 1.25 mm string.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
I want this stuff to work so bad..you will see how much spin you get. At one point, I was hitting no pace balls and still got so much spin that they were tough to attack.
It is like tour bite in which it is shaped enough to grab the ball extremely well but it's not as visible to the naked eye.
It is like tour bite in which it is shaped enough to grab the ball extremely well but it's not as visible to the naked eye.
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
the edges are subtle not as defined as a 4 or 5 sided string like Tour Bite or Black Mamba Penta. if you had the regular Iontec to compare with you'd feel the difference. Hexa is definitely edgier than Iontec.
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
it's because Iontec doesn't have that "plasticky, thuddy, crunchy" feel that makes it so appealing to me. if you're looking for a stiffer string, maybe try Black Mamba Penta. It's stiffer than Iontec and has more of that "plasticky" feel. It's even less expensive than Iontec, but it doesn't last as long. Still a very good string though. or check w/ Ray to see if he's got a string that's stiffer than Iontec Hexa in feel but maintains all the play characteristics you like about it.
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
if they made a 5 sided version of Iontec, they'd call it Iontec Penta. just a wild guess.
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
i know what you meant, i was just having some fun. :mrgreen:
dunno, hexa generates alot of spin already. but good question.
Larrysümmers
Hall of Fame
if they ever do come out with iontec that is spinner, i would def by a reel of it. it gave me some great spin, and awesome power; it was great for defensive play but i got nervous when i attacked.
MADDOG1-have you hybrided the iontec with any other of mambas strings? im thinking this spring im going to try iontec mains with tri3volution, and their gut in the crosses...
MADDOG1-have you hybrided the iontec with any other of mambas strings? im thinking this spring im going to try iontec mains with tri3volution, and their gut in the crosses...
Power Player
Bionic Poster
I hear you..i just want a small element of that so i can feel the ball a little more. But the comfort and durability of the iontec is not present in the penta, which i have tried, so im just going to keep messing with the hexa and seeing if i can dial it in better.
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
hey Larry, Iontec Hexa generates more spin than regular Iontec. I tried hybriding Iontec w/ Gosen OG Sheep Micro 17 crosses before. it plays ok, but doesn't last as long as a full bed of Iontec. also, because Iontec is very comfortable in a full bed already and plays fantastic, i haven't been motivated to experiment further w/ hybrids.
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
funny you should ask...my friend, icorp, gave me a set ot BHBR to try out and that is the string i am intending to try in my BC20 after my Tour Bite dies. i use my BC20s to compare strings. currently my BC20 has Tour Bite vs the Wilson Prototype Blue string which I'm going to cut out as soon as TB dies. then I'll restring one w/ Hexa and the other w/ BHBR. icorp had a BC20 w/ BHBR that i tried briefly and i thought it felt similar to Black Mamba Penta Twist, but i don't know how old that BHBR was in his stick.
ericsson
Hall of Fame
Take the string in your hands and rub it with your fingers , then take a normal round string and do the same, you will feel the difference...
AC Tennis
Rookie
Got some of the Mamba cheeper gut, Premium, 16g and have had it on my VCore 98D for about a month. I like it! It has good power and great feel. I'm a first time gut user, so have nothing to compare it to in the gut strings relm. But the spin is good and touch shots are amazing. It actually has too much power so next time I will either string it tighter (though with the cheep gut Mamba recommends not going above 55#) or hybrid it with a poly. But for $15 how can you go wrong?
Dennis Chan
Hall of Fame
Hi Mamba natural gut users,
I know the (Premium 16g) package says "55 lbs max". But has anyone successfully strung yours at 60 lbs? I only use NG on the mains, and hybrid it with poly.
Thanks in advance.
I know the (Premium 16g) package says "55 lbs max". But has anyone successfully strung yours at 60 lbs? I only use NG on the mains, and hybrid it with poly.
Thanks in advance.
I have strung rackets using the JayCee method and have actually spoke to him (via a different message board) about the process because I'm using the ML100 with T-92 clamps (single action). I ended up using a modified version of his method in which I only up the tension 4lbs on the last two strings of each part. However, one thing that I do consistently now after talking with JayCee is that after I string my mains, I will go through and push on the strings 4 times for each string. Starting on the outside mains, I push once at the top and then once more towards the middle. Then I do the same thing on the same string only at the bottom. Once I do this for each main string, I then move on to the crosses. I feel that doing this and with the small increase on the last two strings of each part provides a very consistent string bed every time. I can definitely tell the difference between the jobs if I don't do this in between the mains and crosses.
DH
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
thanks DH. i've been experimenting w/ the JayCee method and have gotten great results. for whatever reason, the strings hold tension better and just remain playable for longer using this method vs others i've tried. i just strung my BC20 w/ Iontec Hexa at 52# using the JC method. previously had strung the BC20 w/ Outlast at 52# and it remained playable for 5 wks until it finally went dead. i also have another BC20 strung w/ Tour Bite 16L at 44# that is almost 7 wks old. i haven't played as much w/ this one, but i've easily exceeded the 10 hr life that most people agree is max and it's still playing well. the mains are just starting to move a bit. Iontec Hexa at 52# w/ the JC method feels really good so far. hit for about an hr with it tonight and it was quite a treat. will see how long Hexa lasts w/ the JayCee method.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
I have the stringway too but I just string it normally. The iontec still seems to last forever. I am just trying to get the right feel out of it. For me feeling the ball really gives me confidence on the court. Unfortunately, I have never hit with a poly setup that has feel,heavy spin,durability past 8-10 hours and comfort. the iontec hexa is the closest I have come to this, so I am going to give it another go.
I may just need to use gut/poly, but I live in Florida and the humidity is probably not conducive to this setup.
I may just need to use gut/poly, but I live in Florida and the humidity is probably not conducive to this setup.
mikeler
Moderator
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
i'm using a full bed. i also tried OGSM in the crosses but like you, i only got ~10 hrs before the mains started to move. you should try a full bed. iontec is very comfy. i didn't feel much difference in comfort btwn the hybrid vs full bed but the perform was better with the full bed.
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
PP, you ought to give the JayCee method a try. it does take a few tries to get it right. when i got it right, i could feel the difference in the string bed. w/ the JayCee method, Tour Bite and Outlast remained been playable for longer than it has before. Iontec Hexa feels really good so far, too. i'll monitor how many hrs i get out of the latest string job.
if you go gut mains, you'll have to take the tension up 10%. it's got a lot more power.
Maddog, can you give a brief summary on your thoughts and comparison of the following strings (RPM, Tour Bite, Iontec, Iontec Hexa). I currently use RPM and have just ordered some Iontec Hexa to try.
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
i've written lots comparing TB, Iontec and Iontec Hexa already. you might want to go back and read my previous posts in this thread. haven't tried RPM and most likely won't as it's way more than i care to spend on a string.
Previous posts suggest to string the Mamba stuff all pretty low compared to what I am used to. Anyone have any suggestions for me to start off when I string the Iontec Hexa tonight. Typically I string RPM or TB at 59 pounds with sensation in the crosses at 57. Perhaps I should try and drop the Iontec Hexa 5 pounds?
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
i string my Vantage BC20 w/ TB 16L at 44#s. in the same racquet i string Iontec Hexa 1.20 at 52#s. i feel i can drop Hexa 1 or 2#s. i was stringing Iontec 1.25 at 51.5/49.
TB is alot stiffer than Iontec Hexa. Both Hexa and regular Iontec are very comfortable and offer excellent control for me at the tensions i've been stringing it at in the BC20 which is a flexy, lower powered stick. there's no way my joints can deal w/ TB strung as high as you've got it strung. also don't you lower the tension for the poly mains? if you're stringing at 57 for the multi, i would normally expect you to be stringing your polys 10% lower. something like 54 for the mains and 57 for the crosses. if you're doing a full bed of Hexa i would start w/ 54# for both the main and crosses depending on the racquet u're using. what stick is it?
Power Player
Bionic Poster
I strung the Hexa too low and it did not work well. I would second the 54/57#s suggestion.
No I do 59 mains 57 crosses. Why do you suggest lower mains than crosses? I use Prince EX03 Tour 16*18 version.
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
general rules of thumb. the more dense the string pattern, the lower you string it relative to a racquet w/ a more open pattern. also the bigger the headsize, the higher the tension. string poly strings 10-15% lower than you string syn gut, multis, or natty gut. stiff polys you'd string ~15% lower. soft polys ~10% lower.
the exo3 tour is a low powered open string pattern racquet. if u're doing a full bed of hexa, i'd recommend 54# for both mains and crosses to start. if you like the general characteristics of the string, you can tweak your tension up or down as necessary.
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
Iontec hasn't worked particularly well for me in a hybrid. i tried it a few times w/ Iontec mains & Gosen OGSM crosses. it's not bad, but a full bed of Iontec plays better and lasts longer. YMMV.
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mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
first off, i've never been a big fan of shaped or twisted shaped strings. i've generally found them to be either too stiff, lacking in feel and/or lacking control. Iontec is one of the few shaped strings that i find very comfortable and offers great feel and control.
i have 2 Vantage BC20s. one is strung with Iontec Hexa 1.20 at 52# and the other is strung with Big Hitter Blue Rough at 50#. since BHBR felt stiffer, i strung it 2# lower. i probably should have gone 4# lower instead because BHBR at 50#s feels stiffer than Hexa at 52.
BHBR has less power than Hexa. Ball pocketing and feel isn't particularly good w/ BHBR. One of Iontec Hexa's big strength is control. i get great control in part because the string bed is honest - the ball goes where i intended to hit in and does what i expect it to. with BHBR, there were many times where i was wondering what had happened because the ball did not go where i hit it. interestingly, i had the same issue w/ Black Mamba Penta Twist as well when i tried it. i tried Penta Twist in the mid 40# range and recall the string bed to be ok as far as comfort was concerned, but i had no control. i had less control issues w/ BHBR because the tension was higher, but still experienced numerous occasions where i would spray the ball unexpectedly. hitting with BHBR reminded me alot of my playtest of Black Mamba Penta Twist because the same issues i had w/ the Penta Twist, i had w/ BHBR. spin levels were great when i was able to catch the ball just right except i didn't know when or if i would catch the ball just right.
to sum it up, BHBR just doesn't work for me. less control, less feel, less comfort and an unpredictable string bed response compared to Hexa.
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mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
just hit a 2nd time w/ the Big Hitter Blue Rough. it's lost quite a bit of tension and feels a bit more comfortable now. the feel and ball pocketing was considerably better. spin was very good but not Tour Bite like. i still had issues w/ directional control. the string bed just isn't as honest and as predictable as Tour Bite or Iontec. after about 30 mins of hitting, i felt a twinge in my wrist like my tendonitis acting up so i switched over to the Iontec Hexa strung BC20. much more comfortable and much more predictable. the ball was going where i was aiming. BHBR is ok, but just doesn't work nearly as well for me as Iontec, Hexa or Tour Bite. Again, it reminded me so much of my experience w/ Black Mamba Penta Twist. I like Penta alot, but the Twist just didn't work well for me like BHBR. Not a fan of BHBR.
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mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
actually, i need to add my experience w/ Iontec in hybrid jobs. previously i had been using Iontec in the mains and didn't find it to be great - good, but not great. this time i decided to try Iontec in the crosses instead. i just strung up my PS85 w/ Global Gut 16 mains and Iontec Hexa 1.20 crosses at 52/47. man, this is a really good set up. hits a heavy ball w/ a good amount of spin. directional control was excellent. power was easy and fantastic touch and feel. while hybriding Iontec in the mains was ok, not great, hybriding Iontec in the crosses is quite stellar. i plan to continue experimenting some more w/ Iontec crosses. may try my next hybrid w/ Gosen OGSM mains and Iontec crosses. so far, i'd highly recommend hybriding Iontec in the crosses.
So I ordered some Iontec Hexa 1.25mm. Nice string. I strung it at 55 mains and wilson sensation crosses at 57.
I was pretty impressed with it.
I am going to order some regular Iontec. Has anyone both and can compare the Hexa to the regular version. I am guessing the regular version being a rounded string has more power? That was the only thing I found lacking in the Hexa. But I could still drop it a few pounds.
I was pretty impressed with it.
I am going to order some regular Iontec. Has anyone both and can compare the Hexa to the regular version. I am guessing the regular version being a rounded string has more power? That was the only thing I found lacking in the Hexa. But I could still drop it a few pounds.
mixedmedia
Professional
Has anyone compared the Iontec to Scorpion? Sorry if I missed it here or elsewhere. I wasn't quite sure where to post, and I'm not quite sure if they compare very well, but Iontec caught my eye, and I'm currently playing gut/Scorp. The Iontec would be as a cross in gut/poly as well. Thanks!
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
go back and read thru my old posts in this thread. i started off w/ Iontec 1.25 before trying Iontec Hexa 1.20 and shared my opinions on how the two compare.
the thinner string definitely has more power.
Iontec is not a high powered string. i find it to be a medium powered string that offers great control, feel and comfort. it's soft without feeling too mushy.
i love this stuff. will probably just settle on Iontec and Hexa 1.25 although the 1.20 stuff makes for a super cross string in hybrids.
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
sorry, i haven't tried scorpion yet, and most likely won't because i stumbled across Iontec and have fallen in love with it. i'm already on my 3rd reel of this stuff. i recommend giving it a try. it's very affordable at $7.00 in sets and $70 in reels.
mixedmedia
Professional
True, it's a pretty cheap one to demo. I just don't want to waste a 1/2 set of gut on it if I don't like it. Maybe someone else around here has?
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
i tried Global Gut in the mains at 52#s w/ Iontec Hexa 1.20 in the crosses at 47# in the PS85 and it felt great the first hit. but Global absorbs moisture and as soon as i went over to hit w/ a fellow TW member who lives near the beach, the Global lost a lot of tension and became way too powerful. i liked the setup enough that i'm planning to order to some better quality gut to try hybriding again.
i do find that w/ the thinner 1.20 gauge Iontec Hexa, i have to bump up tension a few lbs because it's more elastic and it's softer than the 1.25 version so that the string bed isn't too soft.
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