Nostradamus
Bionic Poster
Mike, what do you think about this L-tec Premium gut ? looks expensive, only 1/2 set is $13.95. Is this similar to other premium multis like NRG2 or babolat Xcel power ?
Mikeler's Multis
- Thread starter mikeler
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mikeler
Moderator
Posture Guy
Professional
Can't remember which thread I was on where I mentioned my experiment with X1 Biphase. Prestretched it, double pulled it, all in the hopes of eliminating the dreaded tension loss issue.
Didn't work. Hit with it once for about 2 hours, it felt pretty good. Next time out, it was significantly less controllable. Started hitting with it the third time out and it was a joke. I was spraying balls all over the place. Came home and cut it out.
The first match, it was ok, nothing great. Still like the gut/poly hybrid I'm using a LOT better than any multi I've tried yet. That said, I haven't tried many. Just not sure any of them can seriously compare in terms of blending power, control and spin to a gut/Co-Focus hybrid.
Didn't work. Hit with it once for about 2 hours, it felt pretty good. Next time out, it was significantly less controllable. Started hitting with it the third time out and it was a joke. I was spraying balls all over the place. Came home and cut it out.
The first match, it was ok, nothing great. Still like the gut/poly hybrid I'm using a LOT better than any multi I've tried yet. That said, I haven't tried many. Just not sure any of them can seriously compare in terms of blending power, control and spin to a gut/Co-Focus hybrid.
Posture Guy
Professional
I'm happy to be of some small measure of service, sir.
rofl_copter3
Professional
I have not played the Weiss 6 star yet, but my experiences with the Weiss explosiv was not good. It had a ton of string movement and very poor durability. It's ok for control and power but spin was also very lacking. There are many multis out there that are cheaper and better. The explosiv was very comfortable though as its major upside.
mikeler
Moderator
It smells like MCS but it does appear to be thicker. Maybe I'll just stick with the 6Star.
*breaksracquet
Semi-Pro
been a while since I talked multis... have a few to try out in a hybrid setup. both are dunlop...
Dunlop DNA 17 1.22mm paired with Yonex Pro Poly Tour 17 1.25mm.
Dunlop Hexi Fiber 17 (1.22) haven't decided yet to go full job or hybrid.
Dunlop DNA 17 1.22mm paired with Yonex Pro Poly Tour 17 1.25mm.
Dunlop Hexi Fiber 17 (1.22) haven't decided yet to go full job or hybrid.
mikeler
Moderator
Full bed of Hexy gave me about 4 sets of play. Have not tried DNA.
Playing tonight if the weather cooperates. I'm thinking the XR1 will break tonight and then I'll test Prince Premiere Attack next.
mikeler
Moderator
Here is my review in the TW format of the Tecnifibre XR1 16.
Strung it up last week. Nothing memorable to report on stringing. I did the old ball bounce test and it felt like a soft multi.
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): Medium
Feel: Not great
Tension maintenance: It does not last long enough to worry about this. RacquetTune (RT) showed a 13.5% tension loss before I cut it out.
Price: $12.00/set
Overall comments and feedback: See below
General: This is an average multi.
Serve/Return of Serve: Served OK with it. Second serves were vulnerable at times because this is not the spinniest multi out there. Couldn't be too aggressive on returns without making errors.
Strokes: Average spin on both wings for a multi. Depth control was OK and at times I could flatten out strokes successfully. Slices were pretty good with it. There were times when I would hit the ball well long which did not please me.
Net Game: It's good for volleys but not great.
Touch shots: Not so good. I'd say I lost about 80% of the points where I attempted drop shots.
Softness: The string is definitely one of the softer multis I've tried. My elbow was happy.
Tension: Perhaps a pound or two higher may have been better to prevent fly away balls.
Durability: I cut the string out after 5 sets. The last set I played with it, the string just did not feel quite as good. Plus it was fraying like crazy and appeared close to breakage. See the pic below.
Movement: The strings do not move much for a multi. The mains really dig into the crosses and lock the mains in place. In the pic below, you'll notice almost all the string damage is on the crosses.
Conclusion: Just an average multi for me. Nothing really stood out.
Strung it up last week. Nothing memorable to report on stringing. I did the old ball bounce test and it felt like a soft multi.
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): Medium
Feel: Not great
Tension maintenance: It does not last long enough to worry about this. RacquetTune (RT) showed a 13.5% tension loss before I cut it out.
Price: $12.00/set
Overall comments and feedback: See below
General: This is an average multi.
Serve/Return of Serve: Served OK with it. Second serves were vulnerable at times because this is not the spinniest multi out there. Couldn't be too aggressive on returns without making errors.
Strokes: Average spin on both wings for a multi. Depth control was OK and at times I could flatten out strokes successfully. Slices were pretty good with it. There were times when I would hit the ball well long which did not please me.
Net Game: It's good for volleys but not great.
Touch shots: Not so good. I'd say I lost about 80% of the points where I attempted drop shots.
Softness: The string is definitely one of the softer multis I've tried. My elbow was happy.
Tension: Perhaps a pound or two higher may have been better to prevent fly away balls.
Durability: I cut the string out after 5 sets. The last set I played with it, the string just did not feel quite as good. Plus it was fraying like crazy and appeared close to breakage. See the pic below.
Movement: The strings do not move much for a multi. The mains really dig into the crosses and lock the mains in place. In the pic below, you'll notice almost all the string damage is on the crosses.
Conclusion: Just an average multi for me. Nothing really stood out.
I played with PPA for about 5 hours now. It seems to be durable. No signs of wear at this point, but it's still early to tell. My balls seem to be going longer, but I don't know if it's the string or if I just sucked. It's still losing a little tension but it's nothing terrible. I'm amazed at how it still doesn't move much compared to other multis. If you don't like straightening out your strings, this one is worth a try. It's the most comfortable string I've played with that seems to be durable as well (although I might change my tune if it breaks in my next match). I have a set of MCS, which I think is going to be more comfortable, but my guess is that it would be ready to break at this point. PPA doesn't have that gut-like feel, but if you can get over that, I think it's fine. The feel isn't muted like RIP Control or Hexy Fiber, it's just different. So that's my case for keeping the price at $9.50. It doesn't feel like gut, so don't charge more for it!
I'm interested in seeing what you think about this string and how it compares to the others you tried. It seems to be a good match for my APDGT, but I'm not sure if it will be the best match for a more flexible, comfortable racquet that I might switch to. I might want a stiffer string or a poly hybrid for that.
I'm interested in seeing what you think about this string and how it compares to the others you tried. It seems to be a good match for my APDGT, but I'm not sure if it will be the best match for a more flexible, comfortable racquet that I might switch to. I might want a stiffer string or a poly hybrid for that.
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mikeler
Moderator
Got a few poly/multi hybrid reviews linked in post #1 of this thread. B5E/ThB is the first one:
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=373884
When I went from the PST+ with a stiffness of 62 to the PK 7G with a stiffness of 66, I also had to go up 4 pounds in tension with B5E/ThB. I think your stick is around 70 but you strung 2 pounds less than me. So maybe it will be a decent comparison. Just from the minute I hit with PPA, it seemed quite powerful.
mikeler
Moderator
Put your running shoes on because I'm going to be jerking you all over the court tomorrow.
Posture Guy
Professional
Ouch. Get will soon.
Cherry juice?
Cherry juice?
mikeler
Moderator
I saw Ollinger recommend it in another thread here on TTW. So I did some Googling and it seems to have a positive effect for many people. Only $12, if it doesn't work then not a big loss.
Really looking forward to what you think about the Premier Attack. Played my first match with it last night in my men's doubles league, and really liked it.
Now, I am curious to see how you liked it compared to all the multis you've tried. I definitely like the Premier Attack better than Babolat Addiction.
Now, I am curious to see how you liked it compared to all the multis you've tried. I definitely like the Premier Attack better than Babolat Addiction.
Posture Guy
Professional
Yeah, I did some research a few years ago on behalf of a client with intermittent gout attacks. Best we could come up with was to completely eliminate red meat from his diet (if not kosher, has a reasonably high supply of uric acid), eliminate alcohol and add cherry juice. He responded well to those changes.
Hope you find something that helps.
Hope you find something that helps.
sphinx780
Hall of Fame
I hope to never get Gout if this is the case :shock:
mikeler
Moderator
I eat red meat maybe 4 times per year, so that is easy. Cherry juice is tasty so no problem there. Apparently beer is worse than wine but still best to abstain from alcohol. Considering one of my most popular threads is a beer thread, this will be the toughest to give up; however, when you can barely walk all of a sudden you don't give a rat's you know what about drinking.
mikeler
Moderator
Attack feels very unique to me. So I'm definitely disappointed about the delay in using it.
Posture Guy
Professional
I don't drink much, but when I do, I like a nice dark belgian ale.
Hmmmm.
Oh wait, I mean, um, gross, it's so gross!
Hmmmm.
Oh wait, I mean, um, gross, it's so gross!
mikeler
Moderator
Right. Beer is gross. Girls are gross too. That last phrase helps prepare the younger guys for long term marriage.
Ronaldo
Bionic Poster
Right. Beer is gross. Girls are gross too. That last phrase helps prepare the younger guys for long term marriage.
Chelada over ice for this crowd
polytheist
Rookie
Belgian ick. Always has that signature aftertaste that reminds me of the "cherry" goop they used for fluoride treatments at the dentist.
IPA on the other hand...
IPA on the other hand...
Posture Guy
Professional
You're drinking the wrong Belgians, then, my friend.
mikeler
Moderator
Speaking of cherries, I was introduced to a gout helping tart cherry concentrate today. Tastes good with water. Yeah better than IPAs. That's right. Who am I kidding.
Up&comer
Hall of Fame
Overheadsmash
Professional
We should play a set - I might have a chance of winning:mrgreen:
My sister lives in Melbourne on the east coast there.
mikeler
Moderator
Not healed this AM, but no throbbing pain. I will be trying NXT 16 probably end of March.
mixedmedia
Professional
We all wish you all the best and a speedy recovery!
Hey mikeler,
I know you're out of commission at the moment, but when you were 100%, after having tested all these strings, what would you finally say is your "official" setup of choice for your 7g?
I'm looking for something to try for my first outing with the 7g.
I mostly used soft multis and sometimes gut in my Fischers, but occasionally I would hybrid with Big Ace Micro as well.
I'm thinking of trying a hybrid (main multi / poly cross) for the 7g, but not sure.
I have access to Gamma Syn Gut, Gosen Sheep, Gamma Pro, Gamma TNT, Big Ace Micro, Mantis Comfort, Volkl Cyclone, Maxim Touch, Ashaway Dynamite Soft, and Forten Sweet.
Suggestions?
I know you're out of commission at the moment, but when you were 100%, after having tested all these strings, what would you finally say is your "official" setup of choice for your 7g?
I'm looking for something to try for my first outing with the 7g.
I mostly used soft multis and sometimes gut in my Fischers, but occasionally I would hybrid with Big Ace Micro as well.
I'm thinking of trying a hybrid (main multi / poly cross) for the 7g, but not sure.
I have access to Gamma Syn Gut, Gosen Sheep, Gamma Pro, Gamma TNT, Big Ace Micro, Mantis Comfort, Volkl Cyclone, Maxim Touch, Ashaway Dynamite Soft, and Forten Sweet.
Suggestions?
mikeler
Moderator
Official non-winter setup is Weiss Cannon Black 5 Edge 17 Mains(52#)/Genesis Thunder Blast 16 Crosses(56#). I prefer poly mains for more control and durability.
If you are not a string breaker, multi mains with poly would probably work well in the frame. I've not used Big Ace Micro or Cyclone so I can't be much help with hybrids. The only full multi I've tried in this frame in your list is Mantis Comfort. It was better in the PSTs than the PK 7G but still pretty good.
Are your tensions constant pull or lock out?
SVP
Semi-Pro
Gout
Long time gout sufferer here. The bad news is that now that you've experienced your first gout attack, you're more suceptible.
The natural cures are preferable. Cherry juice is good, but it has to be 100% pure cherry juice and not a cherry juice blend. Pure cherry juice doesn't taste so good. I know you said you rarely eat red meat, so that's a good thing. Rich, organ type meats (tongue, ox tail, liver, kidney) are the worst. Too much bean product, including tofu, can cause gout attacks. Unfortunately, alcohol causes gout.
The natural cures are better as preventative solutions and don't do that much for acute gout attacks. If you experience a severe gout attack, there are prescription meds that address the problem immediately. There are also preventative drugs that are quite effective. Good luck.
Long time gout sufferer here. The bad news is that now that you've experienced your first gout attack, you're more suceptible.
The natural cures are preferable. Cherry juice is good, but it has to be 100% pure cherry juice and not a cherry juice blend. Pure cherry juice doesn't taste so good. I know you said you rarely eat red meat, so that's a good thing. Rich, organ type meats (tongue, ox tail, liver, kidney) are the worst. Too much bean product, including tofu, can cause gout attacks. Unfortunately, alcohol causes gout.
The natural cures are better as preventative solutions and don't do that much for acute gout attacks. If you experience a severe gout attack, there are prescription meds that address the problem immediately. There are also preventative drugs that are quite effective. Good luck.
mikeler
Moderator
All tensions in this thread are lock out. I do tend to pull for a few seconds before clamping the strings.
Everything I'm reading jives with what you wrote above. Another cause of it is stress which I've had a lot of the last few weeks. It's no fun that is for sure.
Hi I'm Ray
Professional
@ mikeler:
Out of the multi's you've tried, is there one you would recommend for use as a cross with a poly main? Spin & comfort are what I'm after.
My main set up is MSV Focus Hex 1.18 & Forten Sweet 17ga @ 53lbs. I'm getting good spin & comfort so far but if I can keep the same level of spin & squeeze in a little extra arm protection from a multi in the cross, I'm in.
Thanks
Out of the multi's you've tried, is there one you would recommend for use as a cross with a poly main? Spin & comfort are what I'm after.
My main set up is MSV Focus Hex 1.18 & Forten Sweet 17ga @ 53lbs. I'm getting good spin & comfort so far but if I can keep the same level of spin & squeeze in a little extra arm protection from a multi in the cross, I'm in.
Thanks
mixedmedia
Professional
I'm pretty sure his favorite is Genesis Thunderblast.
mikeler
Moderator
Unfortunately, this won't give you much more comfort over a solid core synthetic gut. It is one of the stiffest multis out there. I'd try MCS for comfort, spin is mostly going to be controlled by the mains anyways. Hexy Fiber might also be a good compromise with more spin than MCS plus better comfort than Thunder Blast.
Gout update: It sucks still.
mixedmedia
Professional
Yeah, definitely. Missed the comfort specification in the post.
I just played my first match with my new stick, the Pro Kennex Ki 5x (the update to the 7G) strung with Wilson NXT 16 (the string was discounted $5 when I ordered it with the racquet).
Honestly, I can't think of one bad thing to say about NXT or the Ki 5x for the first 1.5 hours. If I remember from past experience, NXT does fray so I'll be watching out for that. The Ki 5x is definitely a better fit for my game and my arm than the APDGT. The power of the Ki 5x is lower but I can take a full swing with more confidence. It's hard for me to compare NXT to other strings because I'm switching to a new frame, and it's very early to say anything about durability and continued playability, but so far I think it's a great combination.
Honestly, I can't think of one bad thing to say about NXT or the Ki 5x for the first 1.5 hours. If I remember from past experience, NXT does fray so I'll be watching out for that. The Ki 5x is definitely a better fit for my game and my arm than the APDGT. The power of the Ki 5x is lower but I can take a full swing with more confidence. It's hard for me to compare NXT to other strings because I'm switching to a new frame, and it's very early to say anything about durability and continued playability, but so far I think it's a great combination.
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