Low power soft string for stiff racquets?

JackB1 · Apr 23, 2012

I have been researching soft strings that are lower in power than most soft multis. Strings that will soften up a powerful stiff racquet like a Pure Drive, APD or Head Extreme.

Here are some ideas I came up with. Please let me know if you agree with my choices and if there are any I missed.

Head Rip Control

Head FXP

Head FXP Tour

Wilson NXT Control

Isospeed Proff Classic

Mantis Comfort Syn

Head Intelligence

TF Multifeel

I am currently experimenting with strings in my Pure Drive 2012, since I don't want to risk poly in such a stiff frame. I currently have it strung with Xcel mains and Evolution copoly crosses and its pretty good. Next I will try FXP Tour and then NXT Control.

fortun8son · Apr 24, 2012

Pretty good choices, overall.
FXP Control is not all that soft.
MCS is the softest and least durable.
RIP is the most durable and plays the least like a multi.
FXP Tour and NXT Control are fine all around strings, but rather pricey.
Another option is Intellitour. Kinda like a hybrid of RIP and Isospeed.

kimbahpnam · Apr 24, 2012

isospeed baseline

Valjean · Apr 24, 2012

Tecnifibre's Multifeel and XR1.

JackB1 · Apr 24, 2012

fortun8son said:
Pretty good choices, overall.
FXP Control is not all that soft.
MCS is the softest and least durable.
RIP is the most durable and plays the least like a multi.
FXP Tour and NXT Control are fine all around strings, but rather pricey.
Another option is Intellitour. Kinda like a hybrid of RIP and Isospeed.

thanks . I added intellitour to the list on my 1st post.

FXP Tour is pretty cheap at $12 a pop. But yes NXT Control is rather pricey at nearly $20 a pack.

JackB1 · Apr 24, 2012

Valjean said:
Tecnifibre's Multifeel and XR3.

good ones! I forgot multifeel.. Good budget multi without the power of X1 or NRG. Never tried XR3....any info on it?. I believe XR3 was discontinued.

on a related note, anyone try XR1? Its supposed to be the update for Multifeel.

mikeler · Apr 24, 2012

JackB1 said:
good ones! I forgot multifeel.. Good budget multi without the power of X1 or NRG. Never tried XR3....any info on it?. I believe XR3 was discontinued.

on a related note, anyone try XR1? Its supposed to be the update for Multifeel.

I'd add Klip Venom to the list. Definitely soft and lower powered. Better durability than MCS. XR1 was nothing special.

JackB1 · Apr 24, 2012

mikeler said:
I'd add Klip Venom to the list. Definitely soft and lower powered. Better durability than MCS. XR1 was nothing special.

You think Klip Venom is better than Multifeel?

mikeler · Apr 24, 2012

JackB1 said:
You think Klip Venom is better than Multifeel?

It is definitely softer.

bsandy · Apr 24, 2012

I've recently found Mantis Comfort Synthetic, but it doesn't get a lot of love around here.

. . . Bud

mikeler · Apr 24, 2012

bsandy said:
I've recently found Mantis Comfort Synthetic, but it doesn't get a lot of love around here.

. . . Bud

It is in the same category as Head RIP Control. People either love it or hate it.

Valjean · Apr 24, 2012

JackB1 said:
You think Klip Venom is better than Multifeel?

Not a chance Even though the "low-powered" category the OP is in means none of these strings is going to blow your mind, Venom's stiffness rating is the equivalent of a solid-core, single-wrap synthetic and it plays like it, which is how it came to have so little love to start with.

Power Player · Apr 24, 2012

I will be trying red alert this week,which may fit the bill as well.

mikeler · Apr 24, 2012

Valjean said:
Not a chance Even though the "low-powered" category the OP is in means none of these strings is going to blow your mind, Venom's stiffness rating is the equivalent of a solid-core, single-wrap synthetic and it plays like it, which is how it came to have so little love to start with.

According to RSI, there is only a 5 point increase in Venom over Multifeel in the 16g. I can tell you this, Venom is much softer on my arm than Multifeel.

Valjean · Apr 24, 2012

mikeler said:
According to RSI, there is only a 5 point increase in Venom over Multifeel in the 16g. I can tell you this, Venom is much softer on my arm than Multifeel.

It's rare--in fact I think Venom might be the lone exception for this--to find a multi breaking the 200 lb./in threshold, putting it in this category. And, personally, for that and the way it felt when I last played with it, I wouldn't even just term it "low-powered"; I'd call the feel I experienced "brittle" though.

Valjean · Apr 24, 2012

mikeler said:
....XR1 was nothing special.

I would to some extent agree, if we were supposed to be discussing a different question, one about multis in general. And you made this comment then, too.

For the purpose of this discussion of low-powered strings, I've found that XR1 does add softness to the Multifeel effect, and still holds its tension, as claimed by Tecnifibre.

mikeler · Apr 24, 2012

Valjean said:
It's rare--in fact I think Venom might be the lone exception for this--to find a multi breaking the 200 lb./in threshold, putting it in this category. And, personally, for that and the way it felt when I last played with it, I wouldn't even just term it "low-powered"; I'd call the feel I experienced "brittle" though.

Wow, 2 totally different experiences with the same string. I used 16g by the way. It was pillowy soft to me.

Valjean said:
I would to some extent agree, if we were supposed to be discussing a different question, one about multis in general. And you made this comment then, too.

For the purpose of this discussion of low-powered strings, I've found that XR1 does add softness to the Multifeel effect, and still holds its tension, as claimed by Tecnifibre.

I agree it is softer than Multifeel but control was lacking for my game.

JackB1 · Apr 24, 2012

just to add...I will be testing some of these in my PD in the upcoming weeks and I will report my findings...

Strung up some FXP Tour last night...did a full job at 58 lbs.. Definitely one of the most difficult to handle multis I have ever experienced. Very wiry feeling and coils like a snake. And the rough texture makes pulling crosses harder than it should be. The string wasn't as elastic or stretchy as most multis when pulling tension, so I hope that translates into lower power and less springy-ness than most other multis. I will report back how it plays soon.

JackB1 · Apr 24, 2012

tried the FXP Tour tonite....

Definitely wasn't TOO powerful at all, strung at 58 lbs. Next time I will try 56 or 55 to get a little more pop.

The FXP Tour works in the PD, but I am just not crazy about how it feels. Its very muted and mushy feeling and not crisp at all IMO. Softness and lower powered criteria are met, but there is just something about the feel of this string that turns me off and I can't get past it. The power level was not as much as my Xcel/Evo hybrid, which surprised me a little. Not sure I will try this one again...really wasn't crazy about it, even though it did soften up the Pure Drive considerably and it did tame the power. It just seems to sap too much energy and feel from the ball.

Next up...NXT Control.

ATL Jack · Apr 30, 2012

JackB1 - If you string your PD with NXT Control lets go hit so I can demo your racquet.

I like Attack, but am curious to compare it to NXT Control.

Up&comer · Apr 30, 2012

JackB1 said:
tried the FXP Tour tonite....

Definitely wasn't TOO powerful at all, strung at 58 lbs. Next time I will try 56 or 55 to get a little more pop.

The FXP Tour works in the PD, but I am just not crazy about how it feels. Its very muted and mushy feeling and not crisp at all IMO. Softness and lower powered criteria are met, but there is just something about the feel of this string that turns me off and I can't get past it. The power level was not as much as my Xcel/Evo hybrid, which surprised me a little. Not sure I will try this one again...really wasn't crazy about it, even though it did soften up the Pure Drive considerably and it did tame the power. It just seems to sap too much energy and feel from the ball.

Next up...NXT Control.

I didn't care for it either.

KFwinds · May 1, 2012

mikeler said:
Wow, 2 totally different experiences with the same string. I used 16g by the way. It was pillowy soft to me.

I agree it is softer than Multifeel but control was lacking for my game.

Guys, your experiences probably had more to do with the types of frames you use and your tension. I'm sure we've all tried plenty of frames and strings that played completely different depending on the tension.

mikeler · May 1, 2012

KFwinds said:
Guys, your experiences probably had more to do with the types of frames you use and your tension. I'm sure we've all tried plenty of frames and strings that played completely different depending on the tension.

My tensions were the same but the rackets were different. Specs on both rackets are fairly close though.

southend · May 15, 2012

I haven't played with many multi's but recently came by some Eagnas Feeling string. Relatively low cost if you can find someone that is a "member". Surprisingly soft....
I usually play Nat gut mains with poly crosses, but I just recently tried a poly main with the Feeling cross. Surprisingly great feel.

Low power soft string for stiff racquets?

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