Back in Black (Widow)

db10s · Feb 12, 2013

After a stint with Dunlop ICE, I'm back to Black Widow at 35 lbs. I have nothing against ICE, but I'm going back to low tensions for the benefits I get on serves and ICE doesn't perform as well as Black Widow at low tensions
IMO. I'm going to tinker with ICE at low tensions (again...). The only drawback of Black Widow at low tensions is my 1hbh slice tends to get a little too much air underneath it, where as with ICE at 52lbs (+- 3lbs) my slice is Federesque.

PS: Anyone need tickets for the Delray ATP 250... For free? Email me. Supplies limited. No guarantees.

Ross K · Feb 12, 2013

What are the main traits of Black Widow? What kind of frames do ppl think this string works particularly well with (i.e., stiff tweener, more player's frame spec racs, etc)?

tennis_pr0 · Feb 12, 2013

I absolutely love black widow. I use it in my prestige pro at 5 lbs and it feels great. The bite, the comfort, the feel, it's all there. I will use this string forever.

kdang · Feb 12, 2013

How good is the tension maintence of the black widow? How does it compare to RPMs?

scotus · Feb 12, 2013

tennis_pr0 said:
I absolutely love black widow. I use it in my prestige pro at 5 lbs and it feels great. The bite, the comfort, the feel, it's all there. I will use this string forever.

5 lbs, seriously?

Do you pull it by hand?

maxpotapov · Feb 12, 2013

Ross K said:
What are the main traits of Black Widow? What kind of frames do ppl think this string works particularly well with (i.e., stiff tweener, more player's frame spec racs, etc)?

It works paricularly well with Prestige Mid
It grabs the ball like no other and has that perfect controlled power. In 5 hours it fades away because sharp edges wear out and elasticity drops. But again, it still works better than 5-sided stiffer string such as WC B5E, as it is softer which helps to pocket and grab the ball when you brush it.
This is my go to string for mains if I feel like cheating, but I would only use it fresh and crossed with something crisp and slick (Gosen OGSM is way underpowered, especially after a hitting session or two)

maxpotapov · Feb 12, 2013

kdang said:
How good is the tension maintence of the black widow? How does it compare to RPMs?

If you are a top spin player, you will get addicted to those 7 sharp edges. But they wear out fairly quick, like with any shaped poly. So tension maintenance will not be a problem anyway as you will want to restring it in 5-8 hours just to get original sensation back.

Greg G · Feb 13, 2013

So max, what are you using for a cross? Gotta restring soon, found deep notching on the stringbed of 2 racquets, after about 6 hours of play each. Thinking of pairing it up with N.Vy

maxpotapov · Feb 13, 2013

Greg G said:
So max, what are you using for a cross? Gotta restring soon, found deep notching on the stringbed of 2 racquets, after about 6 hours of play each. Thinking of pairing it up with N.Vy

I heard a lot of good things about N.Vy when I inquired about smoother syn guts for a cross. Please try it and report how it was

Ross K · Feb 13, 2013

These posts are selling it for me! I'll check it out for sure now.

kdang · Feb 13, 2013

maxpotapov said:
If you are a top spin player, you will get addicted to those 7 sharp edges. But they wear out fairly quick, like with any shaped poly. So tension maintenance will not be a problem anyway as you will want to restring it in 5-8 hours just to get original sensation back.

Well thats gonna hit the bank for me.

Do you know any shaped polys that performs well at tension maintenance?

maxpotapov · Feb 13, 2013

kdang said:
Well thats gonna hit the bank for me. Do you know any shaped polys that performs well at tension maintenance?

From those that I tried, PolyStar Turbo is probably the best. It feels even better as it ages. But the star shaped profile wears out too and it is not as arm friendly as Dunlop BW.

Hominator · Feb 13, 2013

By far the best poly I've ever used. This is the first poly I can use in a full bed and not have any arm issues at all. Incredible bite and spin and very, very forgiving.

Ross K · Feb 13, 2013

Hominator said:
By far the best poly I've ever used. This is the first poly I can use in a full bed and not have any arm issues at all. Incredible bite and spin and very, very forgiving.

High praise indeed.

mikeler · Feb 14, 2013

I tried BW as a main and every ball was landing way short. Guess I needed to string it much lower. It was very soft.

tennis_pr0 · Feb 14, 2013

scotus said:
5 lbs, seriously?

Do you pull it by hand?

Haha I totally meant to say 52 pounds, the 2 button much have been stuck.

Automatix · Feb 14, 2013

Very soft, extremely spin friendly. Love it!

Ross K · Feb 14, 2013

Anyone know how Black Widow and the yellow Yonex string - Poly Pro Tour compare?

I tried BW as a main and every ball was landing way short. Guess I needed to string it much lower. It was very soft.

Hmmm... right, wonder how low then?

mikeler · Feb 15, 2013

Ross K said:
Anyone know how Black Widow and the yellow Yonex string - Poly Pro Tour compare?

Hmmm... right, wonder how low then?

Here is what I wrote after using BW with MCS:

Played 2 sets of singles last night with Dunlop Black Widow 17 mains and Mantis Comfort Synthetic 16 crosses at 48/52. This is the softest setup I have tried to date. It is also the spinniest setup I've used in my tennis life.

Should be my new favorite right? While the spin wreaked havoc on my opponent, depth control was an issue. I don't think I had a single cross court winner off either wing. I had no confidence going for my shots. Volleys were OK. Serves and overheads were good.

I may try this setup again and bump the tension up at least 4 pounds or I may just give the string to Bad_Call to let him test it out.

PKfan1 · Feb 15, 2013

Try BHB7, same spin and comfort, just a little more pop.

fortun8son · Feb 16, 2013

mikeler said:
Here is what I wrote after using BW with MCS:

Played 2 sets of singles last night with Dunlop Black Widow 17 mains and Mantis Comfort Synthetic 16 crosses at 48/52. This is the softest setup I have tried to date. It is also the spinniest setup I've used in my tennis life.

Should be my new favorite right? While the spin wreaked havoc on my opponent, depth control was an issue. I don't think I had a single cross court winner off either wing. I had no confidence going for my shots. Volleys were OK. Serves and overheads were good.

I may try this setup again and bump the tension up at least 4 pounds or I may just give the string to Bad_Call to let him test it out.

Perhaps it was the low power of the MCS that wrought havoc with the setup?

BHiC · Feb 16, 2013

I really like playing with Black Widow too. I have tried several different string combinations, but keep on coming back to Black Widow in the mains and Hexy Fiber in the crosses.

Relinquis · Feb 16, 2013

why do you guys use poly in mains and the softer string (gut, multi) in the crosses when most top pros have the poly in the crosses and the softer string in the mains?

mikeler · Feb 16, 2013

fortun8son said:
Perhaps it was the low power of the MCS that wrought havoc with the setup?

I doubt it. B5E is low powered and I tried MCS with it and did not have the same issue.

mikeler · Feb 16, 2013

Relinquis said:
why do you guys use poly in mains and the softer string (gut, multi) in the crosses when most top pros have the poly in the crosses and the softer string in the mains?

I feel like I get more spin with poly mains and definitely get better control and durability.

Tennusdude · Feb 16, 2013

tennis_pr0 said:
I absolutely love black widow. I use it in my prestige pro at 5 lbs and it feels great. The bite, the comfort, the feel, it's all there. I will use this string forever.

It may not be as comfortable for everyone, I have seen it cause arm pain in several who used it. I guess if you string it low enough it may be more comfortable, but given its weak rating in tension stability category that may not be a good idea.

Relinquis · Feb 16, 2013

interesting. when you do a hybrid set up, do you leave the poly in for long?

i've never used poly, but am curious about using it in crosses paired with a soft string or natural gut in mains. the thing is, i'm not sure i can be bothered to restring often as i'm not a string breaker.

BHiC · Feb 16, 2013

Relinquis said:
why do you guys use poly in mains and the softer string (gut, multi) in the crosses when most top pros have the poly in the crosses and the softer string in the mains?

Because I string my own racquets, and if I put a synthetic in the mains I would be restringing my racquet every night. The pros do not have to worry about durability, where I want strings that will last me at least a few days.

PKfan1 · Feb 16, 2013

Relinquis said:
why do you guys use poly in mains and the softer string (gut, multi) in the crosses when most top pros have the poly in the crosses and the softer string in the mains?

Gut mains yes, but if you have the strokes for playing with poly putting a multi in the mains would kill the benefit of the poly as well as have horrible durability.
Some pros string poly mains gut crosses anyway.

kdang · Feb 16, 2013

Black Widow compared to Volkl Cyclone?

maxpotapov · Feb 16, 2013

Tennusdude said:
It may not be as comfortable for everyone, I have seen it cause arm pain in several who used it. I guess if you string it low enough it may be more comfortable, but given its weak rating in tension stability category that may not be a good idea.

If you use it long enough it will hurt your arm just like any other poly.
It works best first 5 hours and then edges wear our anyway

Pro Staff Pete · Mar 9, 2013

Been playing with BW for over a year now and I think it's a great string on the arm. On my K-Blade Tour it always took like an hour to settle in and from then on it was perfect for a couple of hours. This season I will use it on my Prestige mids.

Can anyone compare BW with MSV Focus Hex? And maybe Kirschbaum Pro Line No. II?

sundaypunch · Mar 9, 2013

Pro Staff Pete said:
Been playing with BW for over a year now and I think it's a great string on the arm. On my K-Blade Tour it always took like an hour to settle in and from then on it was perfect for a couple of hours. This season I will use it on my Prestige mids.

Can anyone compare BW with MSV Focus Hex? And maybe Kirschbaum Pro Line No. II?

I find them to be very similar and really like both. This is the main difference-

Black Widow - $170
MSV Focus Hex - $77

Pro Staff Pete · Mar 9, 2013

Wow.. TW Europe charges (converted):

BW - $90
MSV FH - $85

Back in Black (Widow)

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