Mikeler's Multis

mikeler

Moderator
We hit one evening and played a set. The next night it snapped while warming up. I'd forgot how full multi's felt and played and was enjoying it.

I only had 2 sets of singles and 1 set of doubles on it. Strange that yours broke in the warm up too. I can only think of 1 or 2 other matches where I've broken a string in the warm up.
 

mikeler

Moderator
Hit for about 1 minute in the warm up with Dunlop DNA. I'm not sure about this one. Very unique for a multi but time will tell.
 

mikeler

Moderator
I hit with the DM last night to try and break out of a slump I'm having. The plan did not work but I tore up the DM enough that it was ready to break. So I cut it out and put in Gamma Pro. It was another string that was super easy to install. Feels like a lot of other multis just bouncing balls off of it.

I cut my sets of Ashaway Dynamite Tough 16. I'm very curious to try this one out. Not only does it have the gluey smell that I adore, but it is VERY rough. It seems like rough strings and profiled strings get more spin, so I'm hoping this one puts some good action on the ball. If I did not know better, I'd think this string is a soft poly. It is kind of wiry like Head RIP Control but seems like it will be easier to work with than RIP.
 

sstchur

Hall of Fame
I hit with the DM last night to try and break out of a slump I'm having. The plan did not work but I tore up the DM enough that it was ready to break. So I cut it out and put in Gamma Pro. It was another string that was super easy to install. Feels like a lot of other multis just bouncing balls off of it.

I cut my sets of Ashaway Dynamite Tough 16. I'm very curious to try this one out. Not only does it have the gluey smell that I adore, but it is VERY rough. It seems like rough strings and profiled strings get more spin, so I'm hoping this one puts some good action on the ball. If I did not know better, I'd think this string is a soft poly. It is kind of wiry like Head RIP Control but seems like it will be easier to work with than RIP.

Gamma Pro is a joy to string. I wouldn't call myself a super fast stringer, but last week, I needed to get one of mine strung quickly, and including removing old strings, mounting, stringing, and unmounting, I was 19 min with Gamma Pro.

What tension did you string it at? You using the 16g?
 

mikeler

Moderator
Gamma Pro is a joy to string. I wouldn't call myself a super fast stringer, but last week, I needed to get one of mine strung quickly, and including removing old strings, mounting, stringing, and unmounting, I was 19 min with Gamma Pro.

What tension did you string it at? You using the 16g?

Gamma Pro 16g at 50 pounds. I'm doing all my multis at that tension in the Exo Tour although I might drop the Ashaway to 45 since they recommend going 10-15% lower than other strings and it does seem rather stiff just handling it.
 

sstchur

Hall of Fame
Gamma Pro 16g at 50 pounds. I'm doing all my multis at that tension in the Exo Tour although I might drop the Ashaway to 45 since they recommend going 10-15% lower than other strings and it does seem rather stiff just handling it.

constant pull?
 

sstchur

Hall of Fame
Lockout. RacquetTune said 47.5 using the standard string factor directly after stringing.

I'll hit a few balls in the warm up with it and then switch back to Tier One.

Man, that is really low. But I guess I can't bad-mouth it too much. Back when I used my Fischers, I used to string Gamma Pro on a lockout at around 49/47.

However, I saw that light, and now know that GPro plays MUCH better at higher tensions. My recommendation to others would be mid to high 50s at least, and I would make this recommendation regardless of frame flex.

Interested to hear how it works out for you though.
 

mikeler

Moderator
Man, that is really low. But I guess I can't bad-mouth it too much. Back when I used my Fischers, I used to string Gamma Pro on a lockout at around 49/47.

However, I saw that light, and now know that GPro plays MUCH better at higher tensions. My recommendation to others would be mid to high 50s at least, and I would make this recommendation regardless of frame flex.

Interested to hear how it works out for you though.

With the cooler winter weather, I like to go down some in tension. Of course, we are in a heat spell and will hit 80 for the next week or so. :)

When I tried the DM at 54 in the Exos, my serve was a creampuff. Just not enough pop. Keep in mind the Exo has a flex rating of 52 which is very low.

The two upcoming experiments I'm most curious about are the Ashaway Dynamite test and prestretching X1 combined with low tension.
 

mikeler

Moderator
Any more news on DNA?


Last night I pulled the racket with the Gamma Pro out of the bag for a minute or two and then went back to the Tier One Triumph the rest of the night. The Gamma seemed to lack pop. DNA is up next. I should be playing both days this weekend against hard hitters so the Tier One may be a goner by Sunday.
 

Muppet

Legend
Last night I pulled the racket with the Gamma Pro out of the bag for a minute or two and then went back to the Tier One Triumph the rest of the night. The Gamma seemed to lack pop. DNA is up next. I should be playing both days this weekend against hard hitters so the Tier One may be a goner by Sunday.

Thanks for the update.
 

mikeler

Moderator
Picked up DNA down 6-4, 4-1 today. I was not playing great up until that point. The next 3 games I was hitting quite a few winners. The final 2 games I framed everything. So DNA seems decent.

I'm pretty sure Tier One will be toast tomorrow. I played 1 set of dubs with it against some hard hitters too.
 

mikeler

Moderator
OK, here is my review in the TW format of the Tier One Triumph 16. Thank you to Tier One for sending me a sample to test.

I have to mention a few caveats in this review. I bought a used Exo Tour last month and I just cannot seem to get the weighting to match the other 3 I bought from TW a few months ago. Combined with a healing wrist injury, I've not played well since using this racket and that definitely has soured me on all the strings I've playtested the past month. Just keep that in mind as you read the review and assess the ranking I give this string.

This was really easy to string up. If I had to guess, I'd say this is Micronite with a different coating.

Tension it is strung: 50 pounds on a lockout machine full bed
Your regular string set up: Discho Microfibre 16
Racket: Prince Exo3 Tour 16x18
String pattern of your racquet: 16 x 18
Power (or lack there of): Medium powered multi
Feel: Great
Tension maintenance: The string lost 12.3% tension over the life of the playtest.
Price: $12.95/set, $179.00/reel.
Overall comments and feedback: See below

General: This string feels very similar to Micronite/Microfibre my favorite multi to date. The coating is a little different and I'm guessing that is the reason I did not like this string quite as much but it could be due to a slump I'm in too

Serve/Return of Serve: I did not seem to any aces with this string which is kind of strange. Second serves were nothing special. Returns were OK.

Strokes: Average spin on both wings. Depth control was my big downfall with this string. I just could not seem to get it dialed in. Slices are pretty good with this string.

Volleys: This string is better than average at net.

Touch shots: Excellent! Drop shots and drop volleys were consistently finding the mark.

Softness: The string feels pretty soft.

Tension: I'd probably string this a few pounds tighter if I could do it over. We are experiencing temperatures in the 80s during this warm spell and I think that has something to do with my control issues.

Durability: I think I got about 7 sets of singles and 2 sets of doubles of playtime with it. The string has not broke yet (it is very close to breaking), but I think I'm going to retire my racket.

Movement: String movement was about average.

Conclusion: This string looks a lot like my favorite Discho Microfibre in terms of construction. I'm pretty sure I would have liked it a lot better in my stock racket. The feel when you hit the sweetspot is outstanding but when you mishit every other shot, the strings can't bail you out. So that is why this string is getting a higher ranking than you might think based on my review.
 
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mikeler

Moderator
I strung up Dynamite Tough 16 last night. Man is that a rough string. They should have called it Dynamite Rough. Pulling the crosses it sounded like I was trying to start up a lawn mower!

I ended up going with 50 pounds tension but may end up regretting not going lower. The ball bounce test told me that it does not have much pop but loads of spin (at least until the roughness wears off). It feels like any other multi when you hit the sweet spot.

It had the most clear signal on RacquetTune that I've ever seen. Even though it is not a nylon string, it read 50.2 pounds on RacquetTune right off the stringer using the default string factor for nylon 1.3mm.

I plan on just hitting balls Sunday so I'll try out the Gamma Pro and the Ashaway for a few minutes each then.
 

mikeler

Moderator
Careful, I put in about 7 hours with a set of ashaway dynamite at 56 lbs and after about the 4th hour it started hurting my arm.

What racket? I'm hoping the Exo Tour will compensate for extra string stiffness. If I feel any arm pain, the scissors will come out.
 

mrmike

Semi-Pro
I strung up Dynamite Tough 16 last night. Man is that a rough string. They should have called it Dynamite Rough. Pulling the crosses it sounded like I was trying to start up a lawn mower!

I ended up going with 50 pounds tension but may end up regretting not going lower. The ball bounce test told me that it does not have much pop but loads of spin (at least until the roughness wears off). It feels like any other multi when you hit the sweet spot.

It had the most clear signal on RacquetTune that I've ever seen. Even though it is not a nylon string, it read 50.2 pounds on RacquetTune right off the stringer using the default string factor for nylon 1.3mm.

I plan on just hitting balls Sunday so I'll try out the Gamma Pro and the Ashaway for a few minutes each then.


I will be really interested in what you think about this stuff. Just posted to a TW staff C10 pro thread yesterday asking Chris what he suggested for a dead non-poly string, and this is the one he suggested. He didn't make any tension recommendations though.
 

mikeler

Moderator
I will be really interested in what you think about this stuff. Just posted to a TW staff C10 pro thread yesterday asking Chris what he suggested for a dead non-poly string, and this is the one he suggested. He didn't make any tension recommendations though.


The C10 Pro is pretty flexible like the Exo so hopefully my experience will help you get the tension close to ideal.
 

JackB1

G.O.A.T.
Mikeler, please forgive my laziness to search the thread, but what are your thoughts on Thunderblast? Ever tried a full job with it? I know some like it as a cross with multi mains. How is power compared to multis like NRG and Xcel?
I found a good deal on a reel and wanted so info before taking the plunge. Thanks!
 

mrmike

Semi-Pro
The C10 Pro is pretty flexible like the Exo so hopefully my experience will help you get the tension close to ideal.

Yes, that will help for sure. I usually string the C10 up at the high limit of 60 for multis, so I was wondering if Dynamite will need to really go as low as -10% as Ashaway recommends. Its interesting since the stiffness number in the 2012 RSI string guide for this string is 168, which is on the low end of the spectrum. Even biphase 16 is listed as 192.
 

mikeler

Moderator
Mikeler, please forgive my laziness to search the thread, but what are your thoughts on Thunderblast? Ever tried a full job with it? I know some like it as a cross with multi mains. How is power compared to multis like NRG and Xcel?
I found a good deal on a reel and wanted so info before taking the plunge. Thanks!

I have links to all my reviews in post #1 of this thread. The new white version of ThunderBlast is softer than the older black version so I like the white version better plus it does not leave black marks all over the balls. The string is a lower powered multi that gets decent spin for a multi. It is great as a cross string for polys as well. I don't like the lack of spin potential of NRG. Xcel is better for me but not enough to justify the price if I had to decide between Xcel and ThunderBlast.


Yes, that will help for sure. I usually string the C10 up at the high limit of 60 for multis, so I was wondering if Dynamite will need to really go as low as -10% as Ashaway recommends. Its interesting since the stiffness number in the 2012 RSI string guide for this string is 168, which is on the low end of the spectrum. Even biphase 16 is listed as 192.

If somebody told me that Dynamite Tough 16 was a soft poly and just handed me the pack of string, the only way I would not believe them is because of that gluey smell.
 

rdis10093

Hall of Fame
since you like multis so much I would guess that you like feel over control from polys, thus I would guess that you like to play at net mroe than the baseline?
 

mikeler

Moderator
mileler, will you indulge us and tell us a little more about your playinf style and ntrp history.

bests

I've played 4.5 level singles for the last 10 years. I bought the Exo Tour a few months ago to help with arm issues and I play a little more defensively with that racket waiting for unforced errors and trying to cause forced errors. I switched back to a 2 handed backhand this summer to help with TE and I'll probably stick with it.


since you like multis so much I would guess that you like feel over control from polys, thus I would guess that you like to play at net mroe than the baseline?

I don't like full multi jobs as much as poly/multi jobs but with arm problems I don't have many options that will allow me to play. I'm more of a baseliner but I can hold my own at net.
 

JackB1

G.O.A.T.
I have links to all my reviews in post #1 of this thread. The new white version of ThunderBlast is softer than the older black version so I like the white version better plus it does not leave black marks all over the balls. The string is a lower powered multi that gets decent spin for a multi. It is great as a cross string for polys as well. I don't like the lack of spin potential of NRG. Xcel is better for me but not enough to justify the price if I had to decide between Xcel and ThunderBlast.

Thanks. So I should tension Thunderblast a few lbs lower than my usual multis? Is it as low powered as say, NXT Control or FXP Tour?
 

Ronaldo

Bionic Poster
Reason many c10 pro users string taut is to control that pop from 16 mains and the weight of the racquet. It is like an arm-friendly PS 6.1, an awesome serving stick IMHO.
 

mrmike

Semi-Pro
Reason many c10 pro users string taut is to control that pop from 16 mains and the weight of the racquet. It is like an arm-friendly PS 6.1, an awesome serving stick IMHO.

You are right, I came from using an 18x20 MG Prestige previously, but love the Volkl feel and additional heft and softness of the C10. Serves great, but at times I will tend to spray the ball long on groundstrokes. I wish Volkl made a C10 Pro 18x20. Trying to find the right non-poly setup to reign it in a little bit.
 

Ronaldo

Bionic Poster
You are right, I came from using an 18x20 MG Prestige previously, but love the Volkl feel and additional heft and softness of the C10. Serves great, but at times I will tend to spray the ball long on groundstrokes. I wish Volkl made a C10 Pro 18x20. Trying to find the right non-poly setup to reign it in a little bit.

There is the Power Bridge 10
 

mikeler

Moderator
Thanks. So I should tension Thunderblast a few lbs lower than my usual multis? Is it as low powered as say, NXT Control or FXP Tour?

Use same tension as NXT Control.


Just as I thought. You know, there is a term for this style and it is not very manly.

I said "a little". Pushers don't hit 3 aces in 1 game. :) You were pushing yourself in that wind yesterday but it was a good strategy considering I could not even hit a string half the time on my forehand. :(
 

mikeler

Moderator
I measured the Dynamite Tension loss tonight after a little more than 24 hours. Only 5% tension loss, that is the lowest I've seen with any string since I got RacquetTune.
 

Francis27

Semi-Pro
What is the difference between babolat xcel and premier attack? and overall which one would you choose?

Im looking for a cross with rpm team on the mains to put on my PD2012. Any other suggestions are great too :)
 
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mikeler

Moderator
What is the difference between babolat xcel and premier attack? and overall which one would you choose?

Im looking for a cross with rpm team on the mains to put on my PD2012. Any other suggestions are great too :)


Xcel is softer and has better touch. Attack has more spin and is quite a bit cheaper.
 

mikeler

Moderator
I hit a few balls with the Dynamite. It is definitely low powered at 50 pounds in the Exo. Felt pretty good though.
 

JackB1

G.O.A.T.
I have to say, I don't understand all the love for Attack? I think it makes a good cross string that adds comfort and pop to a poly mains hybrid, but by itself is not really anything special.
 

Ramon

Legend
I have to say, I don't understand all the love for Attack? I think it makes a good cross string that adds comfort and pop to a poly mains hybrid, but by itself is not really anything special.

I guess that's why so many different people prefer different strings. For playability, Premier Attack works as well for me as natural gut (same thing goes for a few other multis I like). It just doesn't last as long or have the tensile strength to hold up to a bad shank. I think "feel" is subjective to an extent, so it will click with some people more than others. I don't even mind the stiffening over time so much because it just starts to feel more like a poly without the arm-numbing effect.
 

mrmike

Semi-Pro
Dynamite is the firmest multi I've tried in the Exo to date.

Another multi you may find fairly stiff is the Volkl Power Fiber II. It definitely is stiffer than DM. I am finding DM to be more arm friendly, but the Power Fiber had a little better control for my C10.
 

mikeler

Moderator
Another multi you may find fairly stiff is the Volkl Power Fiber II. It definitely is stiffer than DM. I am finding DM to be more arm friendly, but the Power Fiber had a little better control for my C10.


I cut my sets of this yesterday. Seems like a normal multi just handling it.
 
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