2015 Blade 18x20 String Recommendation

[bbslurp413]

Just picked up a 2015 Blade 18x20. One of the nicest racquets I’ve ever felt. Currently has Hyper G Mains and Gosen Comfort in the X’s. Both at 45 lbs.

My problem is these strings feel like a trampoline. I hit a hard flat shot and don’t use as much top spin as most people. I’m looking for a comfortable string that will launch a bit lower with a bit more spin. Should I keep the strings but raise the tension? Or go a different route all together? I’ve never had TE but still want comfortable strings.

 

[anhtuanngo]

String project magic or Yonex poly tour pro

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[jered]

I started out with this racquet and still use it from time to time. I have a topspin game so take that into consideration.

For a multifilament, I like Tecnifibre Multifeel 17 at 55lbs which is comfortable but very controlled. Lasts a good while in an 18x20.

For a poly, a full bed of ALU Power Rough 16L at 52lbs felt great for the first 5-6 hours. Then it does the typical poly thing and starts to decline and go dead. Very controlled and great spin access. Felt very confident with this setup, it just got expensive.

I didn't like any synguts in this racquet.

 

[bbslurp413]

I started out with this racquet and still use it from time to time. I have a topspin game so take that into consideration.

For a multifilament, I like Tecnifibre Multifeel 17 at 55lbs which is comfortable but very controlled. Lasts a good while in an 18x20.

For a poly, a full bed of ALU Power Rough 16L at 52lbs felt great for the first 5-6 hours. Then it does the typical poly thing and starts to decline and go dead. Very controlled and great spin access. Felt very confident with this setup, it just got expensive.

I didn't like any synguts in this racquet.

Thanks. Any hybrid stringing you recommend?

 

[bbslurp413]

String project magic or Yonex poly tour pro

Sent from my Pixel 3a XL using Tapatalk

Never tried either. These strings have a sweet spot for tension?

 

[anhtuanngo]

Never tried either. These strings have a sweet spot for tension?

String project magic has tension recommended on the package; if I'm not mistaken it's about 44-46lbs.

Yonex poly tour pro is a soft poly that I usually string at 48/50 lbs

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[jered]

Thanks. Any hybrid stringing you recommend?

The only hybrid with this racquet I've tried is Grapplesnake Neon Hybrid set and it was ok. Very comfortable and good spin but not as much control. That hybrid is great in a 16x19 though.

 

[2ndServe]

The only hybrid with this racquet I've tried is Grapplesnake Neon Hybrid set and it was ok. Very comfortable and good spin but not as much control. That hybrid is great in a 16x19 though.

Hybrid it with what? I'm using kevlar with cyclone or kevlar with cheapo pros pro, Or Vokl cyclone with pro pros

 

[jered]

Hybrid it with what? I'm using kevlar with cyclone or kevlar with cheapo pros pro, Or Vokl cyclone with pro pros

Grapplesnake Neon Hybrid is a hybrid set of two polys: a stiff, cube edged poly and a soft cross. If you’re a spin fiend who also wants comfort, this is a great set. It has a buttery feel. Is not good for flat hitters or low RHS though.

 

[berneology]

Volkl cyclone 17. Decent price and feels great on a blade

 

[Firepandas]

Easy answer. Just look at my signature.

Power ALU Mains and Head Velocity crosses. Just feels amazing.

Kirschbaum Super Smash in the mains and Velocity crosses also work well. Full Velocity bed is good as well, I just needed something with a little bit more control.

 

[2ndServe]

Volkl cyclone 17. Decent price and feels great on a blade

what tension are you using? are you playing it full bed or with a different cross?

 

[berneology]

what tension are you using? are you playing it full bed or with a different cross?

55pounds full poly.

 

[McGradey]

Bump

I'm going to nudge this thread as I continue to test new strings in my '15 Blade 18x20s.

The story so far:
(All strings are 17g unless otherwise stated; tension is mid-high 40s mains and crosses)

• Luxilon Element: Fantastic. Lovely feel, great control, great spin. Trampoline effect comes into play and it tends to get a bit wild towards the end. One of my go-to options.
• Luxilon ALU Power: Another go-to, basically a less soft Element experience. Not much new to say other than in the 18x20 you can get decent life from it, 12-15 hours and still feels fine to me, and the pop and playability are hard to beat.
• Luxilon 4G: Dead, stiff, not very enjoyable at all. The only string I've had elbow concerns with in this frame. Excellent control, no pop.
• Yonex PTP yellow: Soft, powerful, spinny. Gets a bit lively after a while but a great all round option.
• Solinco Tour Bite: Basically the not-as-nice ALU, similar characteristics, feels harsher.
• Volkl Cyclone black: Another good all rounder, though it's been a while since I played this in my Blade as I like the round strings more it seems.
• Wilson Sensation (pre-strung): Garbage. Comfortable garbage.

One of the many great things about this frame is it plays fairly well with most strings in my experience. The level of feedback is in that sweet zone where it works with both crisp, stiffer strings and soft or muted strings. I would not describe it as a string sensitive racquet.

What are some other good options to try from the main brands? Lux/Wilson, HEAD, Babolat, Solinco, Tecnifiber, Volkl, etc (my stringer doesn't carry all the latest US-market stuff that is discussed on here) ...

 

[Mircat]

Bump

I'm going to nudge this thread as I continue to test new strings in my '15 Blade 18x20s.

The story so far:
(All strings are 17g unless otherwise stated; tension is mid-high 40s mains and crosses)

• Luxilon Element: Fantastic. Lovely feel, great control, great spin. Trampoline effect comes into play and it tends to get a bit wild towards the end. One of my go-to options.
• Luxilon ALU Power: Another go-to, basically a less soft Element experience. Not much new to say other than in the 18x20 you can get decent life from it, 12-15 hours and still feels fine to me, and the pop and playability are hard to beat.
• Luxilon 4G: Dead, stiff, not very enjoyable at all. The only string I've had elbow concerns with in this frame. Excellent control, no pop.
• Yonex PTP yellow: Soft, powerful, spinny. Gets a bit lively after a while but a great all round option.
• Solinco Tour Bite: Basically the not-as-nice ALU, similar characteristics, feels harsher.
• Volkl Cyclone black: Another good all rounder, though it's been a while since I played this in my Blade as I like the round strings more it seems.
• Wilson Sensation (pre-strung): Garbage. Comfortable garbage.

One of the many great things about this frame is it plays fairly well with most strings in my experience. The level of feedback is in that sweet zone where it works with both crisp, stiffer strings and soft or muted strings. I would not describe it as a string sensitive racquet.

What are some other good options to try from the main brands? Lux/Wilson, HEAD, Babolat, Solinco, Tecnifiber, Volkl, etc (my stringer doesn't carry all the latest US-market stuff that is discussed on here) ...

Head Lynx Tour.


Also, you managed to milk 12 hrs from ALU?!

 

[fundrazer]

Bump

I'm going to nudge this thread as I continue to test new strings in my '15 Blade 18x20s.

The story so far:
(All strings are 17g unless otherwise stated; tension is mid-high 40s mains and crosses)

• Luxilon Element: Fantastic. Lovely feel, great control, great spin. Trampoline effect comes into play and it tends to get a bit wild towards the end. One of my go-to options.
• Luxilon ALU Power: Another go-to, basically a less soft Element experience. Not much new to say other than in the 18x20 you can get decent life from it, 12-15 hours and still feels fine to me, and the pop and playability are hard to beat.
• Luxilon 4G: Dead, stiff, not very enjoyable at all. The only string I've had elbow concerns with in this frame. Excellent control, no pop.
• Yonex PTP yellow: Soft, powerful, spinny. Gets a bit lively after a while but a great all round option.
• Solinco Tour Bite: Basically the not-as-nice ALU, similar characteristics, feels harsher.
• Volkl Cyclone black: Another good all rounder, though it's been a while since I played this in my Blade as I like the round strings more it seems.
• Wilson Sensation (pre-strung): Garbage. Comfortable garbage.

One of the many great things about this frame is it plays fairly well with most strings in my experience. The level of feedback is in that sweet zone where it works with both crisp, stiffer strings and soft or muted strings. I would not describe it as a string sensitive racquet.

What are some other good options to try from the main brands? Lux/Wilson, HEAD, Babolat, Solinco, Tecnifiber, Volkl, etc (my stringer doesn't carry all the latest US-market stuff that is discussed on here) ...

I think the textured polys do really well personally. I really like Diadem Solstice Black in mine and Solinco Revolution has been decent. Prefer the Diadem setup though.

As a ~4.0, helps me with some spin but not messing up the launch angle too much (lower trajectory on my shots typically).

 

[McGradey]

Head Lynx Tour.


Also, you managed to milk 12 hrs from ALU?!

Thanks. And yeah I did milk it for sure, haha. But that’s mostly been doubles and not a lot of heavy hitting singles, as that’s just what I’ve been playing lately. It definitely fell off a bit in that time but took longer to go completely dead than I expected.