Ronaldo
Bionic Poster
Ty for the clarification.
Mikeler's Multis
- Thread starter mikeler
- Start date
Ty for the clarification.
mikeler
Moderator
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Mikeler,you went through full gut in 12 hours right?
This is still my dream setup..it's just the price that sucks. Once you get used to the power of it your stroke gets better IMO. after 6 months of gut I could not hit without a high powered setup anymore. I'd love to just use full gut, but it seems low tension poly is the only realistic option for me so far. It seems like synthetic or poly strings in the 50s or higher is what bothers my arm more than anything else.
This is still my dream setup..it's just the price that sucks. Once you get used to the power of it your stroke gets better IMO. after 6 months of gut I could not hit without a high powered setup anymore. I'd love to just use full gut, but it seems low tension poly is the only realistic option for me so far. It seems like synthetic or poly strings in the 50s or higher is what bothers my arm more than anything else.
mikeler
Moderator
Yes that was about the time I got from the Wilson gut. It was in the winter when strings typically snap quicker for me but it was so warm this year that I don't think weather was much of a factor. At $43/set, I'd need it to last much longer. Nothing beats gut on serves, overheads and drop shots. I did not like the power on approach shots since I felt like I could not flatten out the ball. I always had to hit a looper that gave my opponent time to setup for a passing shot.
I think the quality of gut is going to vary more than a synthetic. Also, gut is more prone to weather than synthetics. If I have gut on a racquet, I always keep it dry and store it at room temperature. I keep my bag open when it's inside so there's ventilation. My racquets never go in the trunk of a car. If it feels dry, I rub oil on it. I was probably lucky this time around. Maybe my gut came from a tough old bull with an iron stomach, but maybe next time around it will come from a pampered cow who gets sick if you don't feed her the right grass.
I have the Pro's Pro variant of this string and would be interested in thoughts on a suitable cross to firm up the string bed to make volleying easier. I am guessing a poly cross but open to suggestions?
Not a good idea! If it lasts less than 5 hours on a full bed, it might not even go 1 hour with a poly cross. If I ever use this string again, it will be as a cross string. A better idea might be to use a stiffer main and use MCS or HiTec Multi as a cross to soften it up.
mikeler
Moderator
Agree with all this. MCS/HiTec should only be used as a full bed if you are not a string breaker or as a cross if you do break strings. If you are a severe string breaker then I would not even tough this string for any purpose.
D
Deleted member 120290
Guest
I'm guessing gut > Microfibre in spin, power and comfort. If gut has a base value of 100 for spin, 100 for power and 100 for comfort, what values would you give MF for spin, power and comfort? I'm thinking of ordering MF to replace gut (if it plays close enough to gut) or at least have it as a backup for gut-unfriendly conditions. Also if I like full gut at 57lbs, what tension should I use for full MF?
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Microfibre will give you spin that's typical of multifilaments you've probably already used. That might include popular strings like NXT or Premier. I'm going to go with 70 spin, 70 power, and 90 comfort. Whether or not you like it enough to replace gut will depend on your playing style. If you like gut at 57, I think you can probably start at 54. As a backup, it's a good choice, but personally, I think I'll go for cheaper choices once my stash of multifilaments runs out. I might go with a cheap syngut so I won't feel too bad about cutting it out if I don't use it at all.
mikeler
Moderator
MF versus gut:
Spin -90 versus 100
Power -70 versus 100
Comfort - 95 versus 100
I used gut at 60# and would absolutely not go below that on my lockout machine. I'm currently using Microfiber at 54# after trying it at 50#, 54#, 57# and 60#.
D
Deleted member 120290
Guest
Thanks, Ramon and Mikeler. It looks as if MF is close enough to at least use as a backup. Since I use a dropweight CP, I'm thinking of starting at 50.
mikeler
Moderator
Microfiber was pretty good at 54#, 57# and 60# for me. At 50# it was a little springy. You may want to go just a tad bit higher to start out with.
D
Deleted member 120290
Guest
Ok, 50 might be a little crazy even on a CP. I'll string up one at 52 and another at 54, and adjust accordingly.
mikeler
Moderator
KCraig had it strung up at 52 on an electronic constant pull back in July. He was playing in 100 degree plus temperatures and said 52 had too much power for him. I'm sure it is cooler where you live in Cali so I think 52 to 54 might be a good starting point.
I play Microfibre at 53 lbs on a yonex ezone xi and it feels great......I think 53 is one lb below mid on this frame.
Correction one lb over mid. Tension range is 45-60lbs
mikeler
Moderator
Nostradamus
Bionic Poster
what is more similar to X-1 biphase without the tension loss ? Babolat Xcel, Xcel blue or Xcel power ?
mikeler
Moderator
Check out post #1 for all the multis I've tried. Xcel Blue and Power are not on that list...yet. If you like X-1, the Discho Microfibre is worth a shot. It is not as stiff and probably not quite as good as X-1 those first few hours but it retains playability much longer.
D
Deleted member 120290
Guest
Mikeler, I should be getting my 2 MF sets today. If it's not too late I'll string it up full bed and play it along with full gut. Being that you are a 4.5 heavy spin player, you don't really miss the spin that full or hybrid poly gives you? Or is it that you have no choice because you arm just cannot handle poly? My concern if I can't use poly is lack of spin but even more so, loss of control.
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Nostradamus
Bionic Poster
Definitely i am buying the Discho string tomorrow. i will get it next week, probably. Does it have good predictable control ? I had issues with X-1, just lauching the ball over the baseline by 3-4 feet once on a while with no reason.:???:
mikeler
Moderator
There are only a few strings I've used (Quasi Gut 16 and NRG2 16 come to mind) where I felt spin production was lacking. It seems like I get a decent amount of spin from the DM.
It will only get unpredictable if you string it too low.
For me, Discho Microfibre was all about control and comfort. If you can't control the ball with Microfibre, you're just not a multi guy and you'll have to stick to poly if your arm can take it. Spin and power are average for a multi, but when you're confident that your shots are coming in, you tend to supply your share of spin and power. I like gut because my shots have a little extra juice added to them that I can't get with any multi.
mikeler
Moderator
Nostradamus
Bionic Poster
What is too low ? i was stringing it at 58-60 lbs. and it was launching the ball once on a while. i was using the 18G.
Also if this mamba discho string is so good, why doesn't TW carry it ?
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mikeler
Moderator
For me, too low was 50# on my lockout machine. The 17g multis are generally much "springier" than 16g. I have to imagine 18g is even worse than 17g but I won't be testing out that theory anytime soon. As for why TW doesn't carry it, maybe they do but it is named something different.
vergica
Rookie
Can somebody tell what it will be the equivalent of 50# of the lockout machine for a dropweight machine ( I am using the Klipper one). Thanks
mikeler
Moderator
The general rule I see is constant pull comes out about 10% tighter when set at the same tension.
Nostradamus
Bionic Poster
Is Mantis power synthetic same string ?
http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Mantis_Power_Synthetic_17_String/descpageACMANTIS-MPSSS.html
Otherwise, i can't find it on their webste
mikeler
Moderator
I've never tried it so I'll take your word on that one. TW has some Signum Pro strings but they do not carry Micronite which seems like the same string to me.
vergica
Rookie
Thanks Mikeler. Would be the dropweight machine similar with constant pull machine?
mikeler
Moderator
D
Deleted member 120290
Guest
I played 2 hours of singles today with MG Rad Pro strung with gut/poly at 55/50 and full bed DM at 52. Gut/poly as usual was sweet with plenty of pop and spin. I played ~30 mins with DM. The control was unbelievable for a multi. I used to play with NXT Tour a long time ago but I don't recall getting that type of depth control. Compared to full gut, DM did not move much which was another big surprise.
The only real drawback was spin. DM had decent spin but not the type you can get with gut/poly or full poly. It is more for flat to moderate spin players. You can really smack the ball thru the court without worrying about the ball sailing long. For a little more spin and pop, I think I can go with either a 17g at 52lbs or stay with 16g and drop 2 lbs to 50lbs on my CP dropweight. I'm going to use DM as my backup.
The only real drawback was spin. DM had decent spin but not the type you can get with gut/poly or full poly. It is more for flat to moderate spin players. You can really smack the ball thru the court without worrying about the ball sailing long. For a little more spin and pop, I think I can go with either a 17g at 52lbs or stay with 16g and drop 2 lbs to 50lbs on my CP dropweight. I'm going to use DM as my backup.
mikeler
Moderator
I have not used poly since last December so I've probably forgotten about the extra spin it gives.
maxpotapov
Hall of Fame
Well, let me remind you then: you can hit a running forehand offensively, relying on the poly mains to grab the ball and forcefully "roll" it back over the net.
Can not do it with full multi, no way. Natural gut/ poly seems to be the only reasonable compromise for those who want freedom to "grab" the ball in critical situation, not just bump it to the other side.
Ronaldo
Bionic Poster
Or save their elbow from using full poly.
Up&comer
Hall of Fame
Interesting. I've found that regardless of string, I can still hit all the shots I can with poly, except the big looping topspin I get with low tension poly.
Nostradamus
Bionic Poster
Mike, i had a chance to try some Babolat Addiction string the other day. it was in a demo, looked new. It played fine for 2 hours, decent power and good control. but then after 2 hours, it stiffened up like it was dead. very weird feeling, it was like dead body. then no power and no control. Useless.
Nostradamus
Bionic Poster
I am very confused about the Babolat Xcel Power. the description saids, it has less power than Xcel. is that true ?
Babolat XCel Power 16 String
Offering a slightly firmer, more low powered response than Xcel, this one is packed with comfort and playability. It is suitable for players who want the incredible comfort and responsivness of the orginal XCel, but who could use a tad more control. Power Baeliners will find that they can swing faster with this one and add more of their own power. Our playtesters noted a great mix of touch and control from all areas of the court. This 16g version offers a little more durability and control than the 17g version.
•Gauge: 16 (1.30mm)
•Length: 40 feet (12.2m)
•Composition: Multifilament synthetic
•Available colors: Natural
Babolat XCel Power 16 String
Offering a slightly firmer, more low powered response than Xcel, this one is packed with comfort and playability. It is suitable for players who want the incredible comfort and responsivness of the orginal XCel, but who could use a tad more control. Power Baeliners will find that they can swing faster with this one and add more of their own power. Our playtesters noted a great mix of touch and control from all areas of the court. This 16g version offers a little more durability and control than the 17g version.
•Gauge: 16 (1.30mm)
•Length: 40 feet (12.2m)
•Composition: Multifilament synthetic
•Available colors: Natural
You're not the only one who thinks that way. For a while, I thought I was the only one who got a bad set of Addiction. For me it felt dead from the beginning and just got worse and started shooting pain into my elbow. RacquetTune told me it kept losing tension constantly even though it felt stiff the entire time. They must have injected this string with a very bad poly or something! :lol:
Xcel and Xcel Power are probably very good strings, but they'd better be for $18-20. I doubt that they could stack up to lower end gut when you consider price in relation to durability and performance. I think $15 is as high as I would go for multi. I tried NXT and Premier LT, but that was only because they came with big discounts along with my new racquets. They were good enough to keep but not worth the price.
Nostradamus
Bionic Poster
Good to hear. Addiction for first 2 hours, i thought it actually had decent power and control. before completely going Dead. maybe i am just too powerful for my own good.
What multi do you like the best ?
mikeler
Moderator
mikeler
Moderator
I just strung up the white Genesis Thunder Blast. If this is the same exact string without the black coating, then it does seem to be fairly different. First, Genesis claims it is softer. Just doing a ball bounce test, that seems to be the case. Second, it seems thinner. It says 1.30mm but it looks about as thin as Mantis Comfort and it has almost as much of that lovely gluey smell. Hmmmmmm. Just stringing it up, I'd say Polyfibre Gutex appears to be the closest cousin. Finally, the ball bounce test felt REALLY good. Looking forward to breaking my months of non playtesting to try it out sometime in the next week or so.
My favorite multi is Kirschbaum Touch Multifiber (#15A LOL), and then the next 2 are a tie between Discho Microfibre and PPA depending on my mood. It's weird. I didn't like KTM the first time out (24 hours after stringing, strings moved, little spin), but after that it settled in and had very good bite for a multi and I noticed the strings didn't move.
Since I'm probably going to stick to natural gut in the $26-30 price range (believe it or not, the economics seem favorable), I'll probably go with a cheap syngut as my backup after my stash of multis is done.
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Up&comer
Hall of Fame
And it has the smell? They're on to something here.
