Tennis Warehouse: Babolat Origin Playtest

TW Staff

Administrator
Attention Talk Tennis Members:

We are no longer taking requests for this playtest.

We will be sending out a very limited number of Babolat's Origin 16 string for a playtest. This playtest is only for U.S.A Talk Tennis members.

Given the very limited quantity of strings for this playtest we will not be able to satisfy the majority of requests. However, we have many string playtests on the "runway," so keep trying if you don't get selected for this one. We select playtesters based on a number of factors.

In order to participate you must post your findings in this thread by the deadline.

** Reviews are due 2/14 **

If you do not post a review, or if your review is clearly lacking effort, you will be excluded from future playtests.

** No Hybrids **

Include the following in your review:

Tennis experience/background:
Describe your playing style (i.e. serve & volley):
Current racquet/string:
Tension used for playtest
Regular string set up
Racquet brand and model used for test
Power of test string
Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp?)
Spin
Comfort
Durability
Playability Duration (share thoughts on if/how the playability changed over time)
Control (predictable trajectory? Easy to control depth? performance on different strokes and swing speeds?)
Compare to the string you use most often
Tension recommendations (after hitting it, would you recommend a different tension? Why?)
List any additional thoughts (optional)

TW Staff

PS: We request you not post "Email Sent" posts to this thread. All of those posts will be deleted. Feel free to post questions or comments.
 
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TW Staff

Administrator
Attention,

We have sent out emails to all participants selected to participate in this playtest. Congratulations to those who are selected. For those who were not selected, fear not. We will have plenty more playtest opportunities coming up in the next couple months.

Brittany, TW
 

BLX_Andy

Professional
Attention,

We have sent out emails to all participants selected to participate in this playtest. Congratulations to those who are selected. For those who were not selected, fear not. We will have plenty more playtest opportunities coming up in the next couple months.

Brittany, TW

I'm very eager for these upcoming 2014 playtests!
 

McLovin

Legend
I missed out on this one. Must have been hiding amongst 10 threads about who the GOAT is.

Yeah, I was wondering how I missed it as well. I thought I had been checking the top of the categories recently. Was it posted here?
 

SteveI

Legend
Hello All,

It was posted for a few hours before I sent off my e-mail. At that time there was maybe 125 views. The post that they had enough play testers came about 24 hours after that. I guess it filled up fast.

There will be many more to come. TW is great about letting us help in this process. It is great fun and you get a free set of strings.. in this case a pretty expensive set.
 

McLovin

Legend
I did not see it until the 2nd post bumped it.
But...its a 'Sticky''. Those are always supposed to be at the top, aren't they?
Hello All,

It was posted for a few hours before I sent off my e-mail. At that time there was maybe 125 views. The post that they had enough play testers came about 24 hours after that. I guess it filled up fast.

There will be many more to come. TW is great about letting us help in this process. It is great fun and you get a free set of strings.. in this case a pretty expensive set.
I guess my question is...I have been checking the racquet & string sections daily ever since I missed out on the Babolat playtest. I'm not blaming anyone but myself, but I was thinking this morning when I saw the thread "Jan 3rd? How the hell did I miss it?". Then I saw mikeler's post and realized I wasn't the only one who missed it.
 

mikeler

Moderator
But...its a 'Sticky''. Those are always supposed to be at the top, aren't they?

I guess my question is...I have been checking the racquet & string sections daily ever since I missed out on the Babolat playtest. I'm not blaming anyone but myself, but I was thinking this morning when I saw the thread "Jan 3rd? How the hell did I miss it?". Then I saw mikeler's post and realized I wasn't the only one who missed it.

Stickys are always at the top. We must have both been liquored up last Friday.
 

jim e

Legend
To TW: The Babolat rep on the racquet section commented on this string and called it a monofilament. Would you recommend stringing this approx. 10% lower in tension like a poly string, or string it at tension of normal synthetic gut?
 
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TW Staff

Administrator
To TW: The Babolat rep on the racquet section commented on this string and called it a monofilament. Would you recommend stringing this approx. 10% lower in tension like a poly string, or string it at tension of normal synthetic gut?

Hi Jim!

We tested this in the lab and the stiffness value puts it closer to a solid core nylon or medium-firm multi. We have to run more tests to confirm this, but I'd say you are safe using your nylon reference.

Thanks,
Jon
 

djNEiGht

Legend
Got my batch today. I'm am flattered! Thank you TW for setting up a place for us geeks and enthusiasts have a voice to such companies as Babolat.

Will consider stringing this up similar to a firm multi/synthetic string. Mid tension.
 

mikeler

Moderator
Hi Jim!

We tested this in the lab and the stiffness value puts it closer to a solid core nylon or medium-firm multi. We have to run more tests to confirm this, but I'd say you are safe using your nylon reference.

Thanks,
Jon

Sounds like Babolat is trying to sell the world's most expensive synthetic gut. Still curious though… :)
 
Did everyone else get three sets???? Babolat rocks!!!!

I didn't receive an email from TW but I got 3 sets.

Strung it up tonight while watching the Pats vs. Colts game. Initial thoughts - seemed thinner than a typical 16g, had to tighten my clamps alot, even after i cleaned them with alcohol. Interesting finish, very smooth. The outer layer feels like it is powder coated or something.

Gamma floating clamps + X-2 stringer.
 

SteveI

Legend
Stop rubbing it in :). I also didn't get to playtest this string but would love to hear feedback on how it compares to say X1 Biphase or Natural Gut hybrid with copoly.

If I get 3 sets like the others I will try to do more than one frame.. and do some hybrids. The instructions from TW are no hybrids.. but I think it would be safe to do one with the other sets once the main results are in.
 

Out?

Rookie
I didn't receive an email from TW but I got 3 sets.

Strung it up tonight while watching the Pats vs. Colts game. Initial thoughts - seemed thinner than a typical 16g, had to tighten my clamps alot, even after i cleaned them with alcohol. Interesting finish, very smooth. The outer layer feels like it is powder coated or something.

Gamma floating clamps + X-2 stringer.

was there anyproblems with stringing?
 
was there anyproblems with stringing?

I had some problems stringing but I attributed it to replacing the grommets on my racket. Once I tightened my clamps, this string was as easy or easier to string than others.

Played 4 sets of doubles today. Spoiler alert! this string is pretty good.
 

mikeler

Moderator
I had some problems stringing but I attributed it to replacing the grommets on my racket. Once I tightened my clamps, this string was as easy or easier to string than others.

Played 4 sets of doubles today. Spoiler alert! this string is pretty good.

Worth $22 good? :)
 

djNEiGht

Legend
I had some problems stringing but I attributed it to replacing the grommets on my racket. Once I tightened my clamps, this string was as easy or easier to string than others.

Played 4 sets of doubles today. Spoiler alert! this string is pretty good.

What set up do you normally use (racquet/strings/tension) and how did you set up the origin?

cheers
 

Brocolt

Rookie
Mikeler: If you would like I would be happy to send you a set to try. they sent me three sets and I appreciate your threads.
 

mikeler

Moderator
Mikeler: If you would like I would be happy to send you a set to try. they sent me three sets and I appreciate your threads.

Thanks for the offer, I may take you up on it. I'm curious as to why they sent out 3 sets versus offering a single set to a larger test group.
 

TW Staff

Administrator
I didn't receive an email from TW but I got 3 sets.

Strung it up tonight while watching the Pats vs. Colts game. Initial thoughts - seemed thinner than a typical 16g, had to tighten my clamps alot, even after i cleaned them with alcohol. Interesting finish, very smooth. The outer layer feels like it is powder coated or something.

Gamma floating clamps + X-2 stringer.

texastornado,

You should have received an email as you were on the list. I have emailed it to you again. Please confirm that you have received this email so I know we have your correct email address on hand.

Brittany, TW
 

TW Staff

Administrator
Attention playtesters,

Yes, you will receive three sets to string up at different tensions or in different racquets during your playtest.

Brittany, TW
 
texastornado,

You should have received an email as you were on the list. I have emailed it to you again. Please confirm that you have received this email so I know we have your correct email address on hand.

Brittany, TW

I received it, thanks again for a chance to playtest this string.
 

McLovin

Legend
And I just replied! Sorry McLovin, but I'm in now. :)

Hopefully I am as well. djNEiGht was kind enough to offer up one of his sets if allowed (meaning unless TW requires three reviews to satisfy the requirement).

And thanks again for the offer, djNEiGht.
 

mikeler

Moderator
Hopefully I am as well. djNEiGht was kind enough to offer up one of his sets if allowed (meaning unless TW requires three reviews to satisfy the requirement).

And thanks again for the offer, djNEiGht.

Unless we have to return the sets due to TW's guidelines.
 

lynnbart

Rookie
I hate that I missed this play test ! I'll try to watch closer.

With some recent elbow pain and the season cranking up I will be following this string. 3 sets is a deal!
 

TW Staff

Administrator
djNEiGht,

No, you only need one review. However, we would like you to try it a couple different ways whether it be tension or in different racquets.

Brittany, TW
 
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