Pro's Pro Strings!?

esm

Legend
I've used 95" racquets with Kirsch SG 1.25/RD 1.19 @53/49 with great results. It gave me a neutral feel that was very quiet. Using RD in the crosses gives you much better spin than using it in the mains. 345g 18x20 racquet.
Good info. Thank you. I will use PP RD in the cross and see.
 

esm

Legend
sorry one more question - a mate of mine is interested on the PP Black Out for his Txt Warrior 107. it is 16x19 and the recommended tension range is 55 +/- 5.
With a fb of PP BO, what should he try first? Would 50lb be "too much" or should be safe to go with 48lb to start with on this 107 frame?
He suggested that he wouldnt mind having it on the firm side, but not too firm. Thanks.
 

ron schaap

Hall of Fame
First, May I suggest buying sets instead of reels?

Do you like RPM BLAST? If yes, try this, PP istring soft, it's identical to it. I've tested it yesterday (16g, full bed, 50lb) on my Pro Staff 6.0 85, and I've tested the rpm blast once before, same racket but higher tension (55lb) which felt like "iron" board.

Even on 50lb, the istring soft, was too springy, slick, crazy spin, POP, uncontrollable power should be strung higher (≥53lb) but even on 50 (and despite the elasticity) felt like iron board (100% same feel as rpm blast) strangely, my elbow feels great unlike 2 days ago when I had an old hybrid (nat on main), I have a "golf" elbow injury.

As any other co-poly for advanced players (powerful game/rally), and as the rpm blast, it loose it's magic after 1/2 - 1h, for recreational players it will remain playable for a very long time.

This string will be great on hybrid with nat/multi/syn.

I've tested the pp red devile, same racket, same tension, same gauge. Felt like "plastic" board (not iron board), very harsh on elbow, but when I strung it again on 43lb, felt much better, great control with good power, wasn't elastic still gives the plastic board feel, but better for elbow.
Interesting.
I have a few questions:
I thought Strategem 8 was close to Rpm blast and istring soft is only available in 1.25 mm gauge not 1.30? And istring is round while blast has little ridges?
I think control comes mostly from tecnique instead strings. If istring soft is like blast than its spin potential should be enough for controlling the ball?
Have you tried istring super soft too, because that might be even more comfy for you if what the name suggests is right?
I dont understand the plastic and iron board comparisons. Do you mean there is no cupping? Strings except gut are made of plastic anyway, but people tend to forget it.
 

Pistol10

Professional
I have a few questions:
I thought Strategem 8 was close to Rpm blast and istring soft is only available in 1.25 mm gauge not 1.30? And istring is round while blast has little ridges?
I haven't tried Strategem 8, but I've heard many posters here and from the web claiming that you can't tell the difference between them (Strategem 8 & Blast).

Despite it says 1.30 on the reel (as my friend, the stringer, told me) it feels thinner for sure. Not sure why is that?


Yes, it's round. But I was comparing between the both regarding the playability. I've used once last year the blast 1.25, on the same racket. This string gave me the same feel.


If istring soft is like blast than its spin potential should be enough for controlling the ball?
Crazy spin on 50lb, very lively.
As what I've said, I strung it on 50lb, and I do recommend a bit higher (53-55lb).


Have you tried istring super soft too, because that might be even more comfy for you if what the name suggests is right?
No. But I wish. Anyway, these strings not my type as full bed. In hybrid as cross for a multi, haven't tried it yet.


I dont understand the plastic and iron board comparisons.
If you string your racket with both on the same tension (≥50lb) you'll understand :giggle:.
Hit the ball with a plastic board, How does it feel? That's exactly the RD. The istring soft, as the blast.

RD (1.30), on 50lb:
soft but not elastic, dead, unless you string it on low tension (≤43lb), then you get the best results.

istring soft (1.30 that's mostly 1.25), on 50lb:
As in my previous review. Too springy, slick, crazy spin, POP, uncontrollable power should be strung higher (≥53lb) but even on 50 (and despite the elasticity) felt like iron board (100% same feel as rpm blast).
 

letplaytennis

Semi-Pro
For those that are looking to try the shaped poly's from Pro's Pro: they're great, but they're a pain in the rear to string! I bought a reel to string for a buddy, and after stringing 2 rackets, I told him no more.
 

ron schaap

Hall of Fame
I haven't tried Strategem 8, but I've heard many posters here and from the web claiming that you can't tell the difference between them (Strategem 8 & Blast).

Despite it says 1.30 on the reel (as my friend, the stringer, told me) it feels thinner for sure. Not sure why is that?


Yes, it's round. But I was comparing between the both regarding the playability. I've used once last year the blast 1.25, on the same racket. This string gave me the same feel.



Crazy spin on 50lb, very lively.
As what I've said, I strung it on 50lb, and I do recommend a bit higher (53-55lb).



No. But I wish. Anyway, these strings not my type as full bed. In hybrid as cross for a multi, haven't tried it yet.



If you string your racket with both on the same tension (≥50lb) you'll understand :giggle:.
Hit the ball with a plastic board, How does it feel? That's exactly the RD. The istring soft, as the blast.

RD (1.30), on 50lb:
soft but not elastic, dead, unless you string it on low tension (≤43lb), then you get the best results.

istring soft (1.30 that's mostly 1.25), on 50lb:
As in my previous review. Too springy, slick, crazy spin, POP, uncontrollable power should be strung higher (≥53lb) but even on 50 (and despite the elasticity) felt like iron board (100% same feel as rpm blast).
Tnx i have tried some Pros pro strings myself. Concept is more of a control string but not too stiff. Maybe you like that. According to your experience 1.30 Istring soft plays like 1.25 gauge? Then i may try it because in my home country not all gauges are available. Furthermore prestretching might help in reducing springingness.
 

1HBHfanatic

Legend
For those that are looking to try the shaped poly's from Pro's Pro: they're great, but they're a pain in the rear to string! I bought a reel to string for a buddy, and after stringing 2 rackets, I told him no more.

I think you provably got one of the stiff ones!!,, PP does have a few that are difficult to string, but not most
most of the PP polys are on the softer side, even for polys, IME
pp.devilspin
pp.(gear-shaped) would be others I don't like to string

do you recall what string you got??
 

1HBHfanatic

Legend
The thickness seems 1.25 not 1.30!!! I've compared it to RD 1.30, and it's noticeably thinner!

I wonder if its because it stretches too much while stringing??
I don't like to buy too thin a gauge of cheaper polys, like pp.red.devil (17g or 18lg is my minimum), because it never stops stretching on my machine,,
it just keeps going and going until it snaps,, too soft
when it comes to cheaper polys (which tend to be softer), Ive seen this happen a bit more,
kirschbaum 19g poly did this to me also
 

letplaytennis

Semi-Pro
I wonder if its because it stretches too much while stringing??
I don't like to buy too thin a gauge of cheaper polys, like pp.red.devil (17g or 18lg is my minimum), because it never stops stretching on my machine,,
it just keeps going and going until it snaps,, too soft
when it comes to cheaper polys (which tend to be softer), Ive seen this happen a bit more,
kirschbaum 19g poly did this to me also

It was Lethal 5 that was difficult to string. It kept wrapping around itself constantly.
 

1HBHfanatic

Legend
Probably this is the reason (y).

Is the RD 17g elastic? The 16g on 50lb felt like plastic board!

I got the 18g one time, and that one stretched abit too much for me
I usually get the 17g, and it works out well for me
i also got the 16g a time or two (packs),, and it felt good, even though its thicker it still played well and comfortable,
because of the thicker material, the stretching was noticeably less on the thicker strings of the pp.RD..
 

1HBHfanatic

Legend
It was Lethal 5 that was difficult to string. It kept wrapping around itself constantly.

yeah, its a 5 sided, mildly twisting string,,
I would suggest releasing the coil after 3 or 4 crosses,,
this should minimize the coil twisting your experiencing
I focus more on this towards the end of the racquet
 

speedysteve

Legend
Oh I wish I would know such a string. I would immediately buy 15 reels of it ... and move away from syn/poly ^^
I'm using Ashaway Monogut ZX in the mains as an arm friendly wet clay court alternative to nat gut.

I hated it as a full bed, but crossed with Head Rip Control I'm really liking it and have 2 racquets strung up one 5lbs tighter to suit conditions.

Is there a Pros Pro string like Ashaway Monogut ZX? I'm guessing not as it's pretty unusual.
Or Head Rip Control for that matter?
 

Binatang

Rookie
Probably this is the reason (y).

Is the RD 17g elastic? The 16g on 50lb felt like plastic board!
Yes. RD 17g stretches a lot & I have to re-pull. If you looking for something softer. Try Cyber Power 1.20mm. It stretches a little but play much softer then RD. Please note I have only tried it in 1.20mm & it's my go to cross string now.
 
I've just finished up a reel of Hexmulti and need recommendation on a more PP multi than Hexmulti.

I find Hexmulti very soft and muted. Good for my arm but it took me a while to get used to. I think I am ok trying something just a bit stiffer and not quite as muted, but most important of all, need to be much more durable than Hexmulti.

If such multi doesn't exist in the realm of PP, please recommend alternative. Thanks!
 
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WYK

Hall of Fame
For those that are looking to try the shaped poly's from Pro's Pro: they're great, but they're a pain in the rear to string! I bought a reel to string for a buddy, and after stringing 2 rackets, I told him no more.

Many of the stiff polys, regardless of brand, are a huge pain to string. I occasionally try to go 2 rows ahead to see if it helps(it mostly is just as much pain). What impresses me is how easy it is to string BBO, ALU, and Hurricane by comparison. Too bad they are hugely expensive for a roll of plastic string.
 

tomato123

Professional
What would you guys recommend as a cross string to RPM Blast 15L mains? I'm hoping to have a "budget RPM" setup that can retain most of the performance of full bed RPM by keeping it in the mains and going with one of the Pro's Pro strings on the crosses. The Stratagem 8 seems like the obvious choice since it looks like a direct copy of RPM, but Black Force also looks interesting since it's round and slick so it might seem like a better option as an exclusive cross string. And I'm not sure if I should be concerned at all with Stratagem 8 supposedly having "sharper" edges than RPM, and using that as its cross string.

I'm open to any other options since I don't have any experience with these strings, and I'd most likely go with the 16 gauge. If there are multiple good options, I'd probably want to go with the one that is stiffer/crisper. Not expecting much in terms of tension maintenance, but I'd also be interested to know which of them has "better" tension maintenance. Thanks!
 
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JOSHL

Hall of Fame
What would you guys recommend as a cross string to RPM Blast 15L mains? I'm hoping to have a "budget RPM" setup that can retain most of the performance of full bed RPM by keeping it in the mains and going with one of the Pro's Pro strings on the crosses. The Stratagem 8 seems like the obvious choice since it looks like a direct copy of RPM, but Black Force also looks interesting since it's round and slick so it might seem like a better option as an exclusive cross string. And I'm not sure if I should be concerned at all with Stratagem 8 supposedly having "sharper" edges than RPM, and using that as its cross string.

I'm open to any other options since I don't have any experience with these strings, and I'd most likely go with the 16 gauge. If there are multiple good options, I'd probably want to go with the one that is stiffer/crisper. Not expecting much in terms of tension maintenance, but I'd also be interested to know which of them has "better" tension maintenance. Thanks!
Isospeed baseline.
 

ron schaap

Hall of Fame
What would you guys recommend as a cross string to RPM Blast 15L mains? I'm hoping to have a "budget RPM" setup that can retain most of the performance of full bed RPM by keeping it in the mains and going with one of the Pro's Pro strings on the crosses. The Stratagem 8 seems like the obvious choice since it looks like a direct copy of RPM, but Black Force also looks interesting since it's round and slick so it might seem like a better option as an exclusive cross string. And I'm not sure if I should be concerned at all with Stratagem 8 supposedly having "sharper" edges than RPM, and using that as its cross string.

I'm open to any other options since I don't have any experience with these strings, and I'd most likely go with the 16 gauge. If there are multiple good options, I'd probably want to go with the one that is stiffer/crisper. Not expecting much in terms of tension maintenance, but I'd also be interested to know which of them has "better" tension maintenance. Thanks!
Why not use a durable sgut? that way more power and tension stability. Or a poly like Plus power thay has tension stability too which should be even higher at thicker gauges but you have to experiment yourself.
 

esm

Legend
Strung up an Angell K7 Red with fb of RD 1.18 at 33lb (main) and 31lb (cross). This is after reading a few pages of Chris at TW’s thread about low low tension setups.
what can I say - it was strangein the beginningbut about about 5 mins, the pocketing feel was amazing and it gave decent control I was able to find the corners, mid court angles and angle drop shots. Played two sets and it felt amazing.
I have a reel of 1.24 BO too, so I am tempted to sting it up in low tension too. I think BO is stiffer, so maybe I should do 30lb mains and 28lb crosses. I am think to do it on an Angell TC95 16x19 and see what happens.
Can I ask for other soft/softer PP co-polys that is worthwhile trying. Thanks.
 

OldschoolKIaus

Hall of Fame
Strung up an Angell K7 Red with fb of RD 1.18 at 33lb (main) and 31lb (cross). This is after reading a few pages of Chris at TW’s thread about low low tension setups.
what can I say - it was strangein the beginningbut about about 5 mins, the pocketing feel was amazing and it gave decent control I was able to find the corners, mid court angles and angle drop shots. Played two sets and it felt amazing.

Very interesing review of RD and low tension.
 

Jouke

Professional
What is the general opinion on Red Devil? What are its greatest attributes and downsides? I just strung it up for a friend. It seems pretty stretchy on the stringer
 

1HBHfanatic

Legend
@Jouke
the thinner gauges stretch a lot, ime - 18g and thinner a bit too much,,
I like best in 17g
ive used the 16g version and its pretty good, soft
you can deduce from that, not as much stretch,
the 16g wont have the same spin as a 17g
cool red color when you need that :)
 

Muppet

Legend
@Jouke
I like the 1.19 RD the best. It doesn't notch as quickly as the 1.24. It's best either in a full bed or as a cross string. In the mains it doesn't produce much spin. For me, I got spin from the full bed mostly on serves. As a cross it is just great. It's very slick and has a neutral feel. So it can be used with different main strings without making you too confused. It is stretchy, but not beyond my machine'e range. The distributor compares it to Tecnifibre Pro Red Code, and that may be true, but I find it to be softer.
 

esm

Legend
Very interesing review of RD and low tension.
really please with it. Just realised the typo. The RD should be 1.19mom lol.
anyway, waiting on the delivery of Eruption 1.18, so I think it will go on the TC95 16x19 at low tension as well. Maybe 33lb/31lb.
I am also tempted to string a fb of 1.24 BO on the TC100 at low(er) tension and see how it goes. Maybe 30lb/28lb.
 

Jouke

Professional
For stiffness, I would rate them like this:

BO 1.24 > RD 1.19 > Eruption 1.18
Is eruption really such a soft string?

strung my clash up with red devil, looks great. Felt very interesting. Didnt feel like poly at all. Will have to test longer.
 

Muppet

Legend
Is eruption really such a soft string?

strung my clash up with red devil, looks great. Felt very interesting. Didnt feel like poly at all. Will have to test longer.
BO feels firmer than Eruption. Eruption feels comfortable because it is very slick. The Eruption strings don't get in the way of their movement. OTOH, RD gets quite soft after it breaks in. And it's quite tension sensitive. It feels like a different string depending on how tight you string it.
 

chic

Hall of Fame
Been stringing my racquet up with hexaspin mains @40-42# and intense heat @38-40# for a while now and generally enjoyed the setup (both 1.25)

More recently learned on here that twisted strings don't really impart any extra spin so I'll probably be looking to switch out the mains out for a different PP. Is blackout the general consensus for best PP mains string/ has anyone tried pairing it with intense heat?
 

b_ad

New User
I tried Black Force 1.19 full bed in a weighted up Prestige Touch Tour at 21/20 kg. I didn't like it at all. Power and control was good, but it felt stiff and very uncomfortable even at low tension. It didn't feel that it had lost much tension after 2 hours of heavy hitting, then I cut it off. Maybe it is better in thicker gauges.
 

esm

Legend
After the Angell K7 Red last week, I strung up an Angell TC100 63RA with fb of Eruption 1.18 at 33lb/31lb a couple of days ago.

Had a two hour session today and won a two set local leagues match.

I felt it played well from the start (warm up). FH/BH, volley and servers were great. The pocketing feel was there, as well as the power and directional control. I enjoyed it very much.

The next experiment will be with TC95 16x19 63RA. I will do one with fb of RD 1.19 and one with fb of Eurption 1.18 - both at 33lb/31lb. Looking forward to see how these plays in TC95.

question - a mate of mine has a 2015 Pure Drive and he is keen to have a hybrid setup. I am suggesting PP Syn Gut 1.30 for the mains and PP BO 1.24 for the crosses. What tension would be a good starting point, as I am aware the Pure Drive is quite a stiff racquet. Thanks.
 

JOSHL

Hall of Fame
After the Angell K7 Red last week, I strung up an Angell TC100 63RA with fb of Eruption 1.18 at 33lb/31lb a couple of days ago.

Had a two hour session today and won a two set local leagues match.

I felt it played well from the start (warm up). FH/BH, volley and servers were great. The pocketing feel was there, as well as the power and directional control. I enjoyed it very much.

The next experiment will be with TC95 16x19 63RA. I will do one with fb of RD 1.19 and one with fb of Eurption 1.18 - both at 33lb/31lb. Looking forward to see how these plays in TC95.

question - a mate of mine has a 2015 Pure Drive and he is keen to have a hybrid setup. I am suggesting PP Syn Gut 1.30 for the mains and PP BO 1.24 for the crosses. What tension would be a good starting point, as I am aware the Pure Drive is quite a stiff racquet. Thanks.
Does he hit hard? That setup won’t last long in a pure drive.
 

1HBHfanatic

Legend
@esm
some more factors are needed to give you a good tension recommendation
level, age, injuries, etc
but not knowing I would provably go with mid tension on the syngut mains and 3-6lbs less on the cross poly
 

esm

Legend
@esm
some more factors are needed to give you a good tension recommendation
level, age, injuries, etc
but not knowing I would provably go with mid tension on the syngut mains and 3-6lbs less on the cross poly
Cool thanks. I understand.
meh is about lower intermediate level, mid 20’s and no injuries. Decent FH and serve when he is in the mood otherwise can be abit unpredictable....
 

esm

Legend
On a separate note - is it worthwhile to experiment hybrid poly of RD/BO/Eruption at low low tension also (33lb/31lb-ish range... lol)? These are the only PP poly strings I have. Which combination would work better?
 

JOSHL

Hall of Fame
Sometimes when he is in the right frame of mind.
which other hybrid would you recommend? Is that because of the shape ploy of the BO?
Poly is much stiffer than syn gut so the poly crosses will saw through the syn gut mains pretty quick. The shape of the BO doesn’t help matters either but it’s not a sharp string.
 

esm

Legend
Poly is much stiffer than syn gut so the poly crosses will saw through the syn gut mains pretty quick. The shape of the BO doesn’t help matters either but it’s not a sharp string.
Thanks for that. Does that mean it should be better to have the BO as the main and the syn gut as the cross?
 

chic

Hall of Fame
On a separate note - is it worthwhile to experiment hybrid poly of RD/BO/Eruption at low low tension also (33lb/31lb-ish range... lol)? These are the only PP poly strings I have. Which combination would work better?
I haven't tried any of those three strings in particular, but the pp strings I do use I've liked much more in the 30-45 range than higher.

Personally I'm a big fan of the textured mains smooth crosses approach and would definitely try out using RD as a cross for each of the others and see how you like it.
 
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Galdust

Rookie
This might have been discussed previously, but how does Eruption compare to Blackout? Softer, more slick and less pronounced edges?
 

ChimpChimp

Semi-Pro
This might have been discussed previously, but how does Eruption compare to Blackout? Softer, more slick and less pronounced edges?

I tried
Eruption main, other poly as cross
vs
Blackout, yet another poly as cross

This comparison may not be valuable as the crosses are different. Anyway I found Eruption softer, less pronounced edges, not able to bite and spin the ball well. Blackout gives much more spin. Slick, I am not sure.

I don't like Eruption. Luckily I bought only a set instead of a reel. So bad, there is no have thinner gauges for Blackout, 1.24mm being the thinnest.
 
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