A couple string tests

RyKnocks

Semi-Pro
Well, fxp tour is...interesting.

I'm going to hit with it again because I'm not sure what I think about it.

It's not stiff or soft, maybe a 5 on my sitffness scale.

I'll write a review tonight.

Seems to be the consensus but not much more that what you've said. I'll finally have a hit with it tonight so I'll chime in as well, though I'm really itching to get this Pacific Classic Gut/MSV Co-Focus strung up as well.
 

Up&comer

Hall of Fame
Fxp tour full bed at 54

Stringing- super easy. It has enough stiffness it isn't hard to weave, but it's also soft enough to weave easily.

Groundstrokes- now I'm not sure wether to compare it to a poly or multi, but it says it's supposed to be an all in one string, so...

They really didn't impress me. At all it has moderate power (similar to a poly main hybrid) and it had below average spin. Incredibly muted.
Overall- 6/10

Serves- again, not good. Not much spin, and not enough power.
Overall- 6/10

Volleys- iffy. Again, really muted, and didn't have very good feel. Hard volleys were decent.
Overall- 7/10

Durbility- higher than a multi, lower than poly or gut.
Overall- 7/10

Softness- 1 being the softest, 10 being the stiffest
Overall- 5/10

My least favorite string I've tried so far in these tests. It basically took all the bad properties of polys and multis and combined them.
Overall- 5.5/10.
 

RyKnocks

Semi-Pro
Fxp tour full bed at 54

Stringing- super easy. It has enough stiffness it isn't hard to weave, but it's also soft enough to weave easily.

Groundstrokes- now I'm not sure wether to compare it to a poly or multi, but it says it's supposed to be an all in one string, so...

They really didn't impress me. At all it has moderate power (similar to a poly main hybrid) and it had below average spin. Incredibly muted.
Overall- 6/10

Serves- again, not good. Not much spin, and not enough power.
Overall- 6/10

Volleys- iffy. Again, really muted, and didn't have very good feel. Hard volleys were decent.
Overall- 7/10

Durbility- higher than a multi, lower than poly or gut.
Overall- 7/10

Softness- 1 being the softest, 10 being the stiffest
Overall- 5/10

My least favorite string I've tried so far in these tests. It basically took all the bad properties of polys and multis and combined them.
Overall- 5.5/10.

Yikes!! I might as well cut this stuff out now and go straight to this gut/poly hybrid that's sitting in my closet. With the rain coming in and the number of days available to play dwindling down, I'd hate to waste my time on such a string.
 

JackB1

G.O.A.T.
It sounded really good.

Didn't live up to expectations.

Personally, I don't think its that bad and I would rate softness 7/10.
This is sort of a niche string. Someone who can't use poly but wants a soft and durable controllable string. Much like the regular FXP string.
 

Up&comer

Hall of Fame
Personally, I don't think its that bad and I would rate softness 7/10.
This is sort of a niche string. Someone who can't use poly but wants a soft and durable controllable string. Much like the regular FXP string.

It's definitely softer than any co poly I've used.

It's not reallly durable, and it doesn't play any better than strings priced like it and even below it.

It's just not worth the money.
 

COPEY

Hall of Fame
I find it interesting that someone would cut out a set of strings already installed based on another person's opinion lol. That's certainly not to say that U&C's word isn't reliable or that his tests are skewed, flawed in some sense - nothing of the sort. His impressions/opinions are just that - "his". A person with a completely different playing style, mechanics, etc. might have a different take...just as JackB1.

Don't get me wrong - I think the guys doing string reviews are awesome, and I find the reviews informative, but only to the point of "am I interested enough to try these strings?". I've agreed with some of the assessments, others...not so much. Again, it had nothing to do with being right or wrong, but rather my personal opinion based on my game and the racquet I use.
 
^^^ I was thinking the same thing. At least take the racquet out for one hitting session to see how you like the string. Based on U&C's review I would not buy the string to try it but if it was in my racquet I would at least try it to see if my experience resembles that of U&C. It's all good though if you don't mind cut it out :)
 

Up&comer

Hall of Fame
Yeah, don't take my word as the final say. I'm going to try it out again but string it lower.

I'll see how it goes.
 

mikeler

Moderator
I would be curious to hit with any new setup, even if I know I'm not going to like it. Since U&C and I tend to agree on almost every string setup, this thread is great for me but I realize others may feel the opposite way due to all the variable Copey mentioned.
 

RyKnocks

Semi-Pro
I find it interesting that someone would cut out a set of strings already installed based on another person's opinion lol. That's certainly not to say that U&C's word isn't reliable or that his tests are skewed, flawed in some sense - nothing of the sort. His impressions/opinions are just that - "his". A person with a completely different playing style, mechanics, etc. might have a different take...just as JackB1.

Don't get me wrong - I think the guys doing string reviews are awesome, and I find the reviews informative, but only to the point of "am I interested enough to try these strings?". I've agreed with some of the assessments, others...not so much. Again, it had nothing to do with being right or wrong, but rather my personal opinion based on my game and the racquet I use.

Yea, I kinda felt bad cutting it out, but I was REALLY REALLY anxious to try the gut/poly hybrid that had been sitting on my desk for over 3 weeks. I was able to take the FXP Tour strings out for a couple of serve practices and was able to draw some conclusions about it.

I took my gut/poly hybrid out last night and just from serves alone I can see why U&C wasn't too impressed with the FXP Tour. The gut/poly hybrid is just mounds better in terms of feel/power/spin/etc. Also, I don't feel soreness in my arm/shoulder where I was feeling it the next day after service practice with the FXP Tour. So after that I didn't feel as bad for cutting out the FXP Tour early
 

JackB1

G.O.A.T.
Yea, I kinda felt bad cutting it out, but I was REALLY REALLY anxious to try the gut/poly hybrid that had been sitting on my desk for over 3 weeks. I was able to take the FXP Tour strings out for a couple of serve practices and was able to draw some conclusions about it.

I took my gut/poly hybrid out last night and just from serves alone I can see why U&C wasn't too impressed with the FXP Tour. The gut/poly hybrid is just mounds better in terms of feel/power/spin/etc. Also, I don't feel soreness in my arm/shoulder where I was feeling it the next day after service practice with the FXP Tour. So after that I didn't feel as bad for cutting out the FXP Tour early

Ry...do u need any more IG Instincts?
 

RyKnocks

Semi-Pro
Ry...do u need any more IG Instincts?

Not sure...If I can't harness the power of this stick then I may just sell it and move back to a Radical or try out an EXO 3 Tour 18x20. Basically I'm finding it hard to control right now and I can't swing through with it like I can with a weaker control racquet like a Radical.
 

JackB1

G.O.A.T.
Not sure...If I can't harness the power of this stick then I may just sell it and move back to a Radical or try out an EXO 3 Tour 18x20. Basically I'm finding it hard to control right now and I can't swing through with it like I can with a weaker control racquet like a Radical.

Well you have yours strung with natural gut at 52 lbs...what did u expect? String it up at 58/55 and report back. I have no control issues with the IG Instinct and think it's a perfect blend between power & control.
 

RyKnocks

Semi-Pro
Well you have yours strung with natural gut at 52 lbs...what did u expect? String it up at 58/55 and report back. I have no control issues with the IG Instinct and think it's a perfect blend between power & control.

I can understand that, but I'm hesitant to go over 50 with the poly since I have shoulder issues. Maybe I'll try 57/50 with the other half set of gut/poly.
 

RyKnocks

Semi-Pro
Well you have yours strung with natural gut at 52 lbs...what did u expect? String it up at 58/55 and report back. I have no control issues with the IG Instinct and think it's a perfect blend between power & control.

Also, 57lbs is the top end of the tension range on this racquet. Is it safe to go over the recommended range?
 

Posture Guy

Professional
Can anyone compare Pacific Gut/MSV Co Focus versus Pacific Gut/B5E?

U&C/et al..... I asked this above, wondered if you or anyone else had any basis to compare these two setups. I know you're a fan of the Pac Gut/B5E, don't know if you tried the MSV as a cross with it, too.
 

Posture Guy

Professional
JackB1....you selling your Instincts? Did you decide to settle on the V1 or going a different direction?

I've got mine setup with NRG2 right now, next up will be one of the hybrid setups I mentioned immediately above. Stoked to try it.

Loving this stick.
 

RyKnocks

Semi-Pro
JackB1....you selling your Instincts? Did you decide to settle on the V1 or going a different direction?

I've got mine setup with NRG2 right now, next up will be one of the hybrid setups I mentioned immediately above. Stoked to try it.

Loving this stick.

Which stick do you have, the Instinct or V1? I'd like to know what string setups people are having success with on the Instinct.
 

Up&comer

Hall of Fame
U&C/et al..... I asked this above, wondered if you or anyone else had any basis to compare these two setups. I know you're a fan of the Pac Gut/B5E, don't know if you tried the MSV as a cross with it, too.

I haven't tried co focus crosses yet. That'll be later.
 

Posture Guy

Professional
I demoed the Instinct and the V1 at the same time. Didn't like the Instinct, too powerful and didn't like the feel of it.

fell in love with the V1 Classic MP and that's what I've got now.
 

COPEY

Hall of Fame
Great thread, U&C - The time and effort guys like you, Mikeler, & PVAudio put into testing strings (and testing strings that people request!) is truly admirable (gross understatement actually). I don't post a lot where testing is concerned, but I'm always lurking in the background, taking it all in. ;-)

fell in love with the V1 Classic MP and that's what I've got now.

Ditto - had the Volkl Catapult 3 F.I.R.E. a few years back - loved it, didn't think I'd find another Volkl stick I liked as much...until I demoed the V1 Classic MP. Much to my surprise, I like it better than the Catapult, so I picked up three of 'em.
 
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Up&comer

Hall of Fame
You mean, that will be in the next week (waves hand gently in front of the keyboard).........

Dang. These Jedi mind tricks NEVER work over the Internet.

Looking forward to it when you get to it.

Haha. Ill do it whenever I finish with all the other tests I said I would do.
 

Up&comer

Hall of Fame
And I hit with the fxp tour again with the lower tension.

It helped a little, but it's still a pretty lackluster string, especially for the price. It had a little more spin without much more power, which makes me think it would be better in the lower tension realm.

Next up is whatever I said earlier (b5e/gut?)
 

mixedmedia

Professional
Haha, thanks. Since three of those seem very similar, it would be nice to know your take on them compared with each other and your current favorite of B5E.
 

JackB1

G.O.A.T.
Great thread, U&C - The time and effort guys like you, Mikeler, & PVAudio put into testing strings (and testing strings that people request!) is truly admirable (gross understatement actually). I don't post a lot where testing is concerned, but I'm always lurking in the background, taking it all in. ;-)



Ditto - had the Volkl Catapult 3 F.I.R.E. a few years back - loved it, didn't think I'd find another Volkl stick I liked as much...until I demoed the V1 Classic MP. Much to my surprise, I like it better than the Catapult, so I picked up three of 'em.

Could u use another? I got 2 in the F/S section :)
They are very unique and perfect for more traditional strokes
 

JackB1

G.O.A.T.
Also, 57lbs is the top end of the tension range on this racquet. Is it safe to go over the recommended range?

Sure. Most people that use guts mains stay around 60. Try 57 if you are worried about the range and prestrech before stringing.
 

JackB1

G.O.A.T.
JackB1....you selling your Instincts? Did you decide to settle on the V1 or going a different direction?

I've got mine setup with NRG2 right now, next up will be one of the hybrid setups I mentioned immediately above. Stoked to try it.

Loving this stick.

Yes, got 2 in the F/S section. It's a great stick but I just play better with the Becker Pro. Its also got a heavier swingweight which suits me better. Could y use another one?
 

eidolonshinobi

Professional
Never tried Scorpion because B5E is supposed to have better spin potential.

Yep I heard that conclusion as well. I just wanted to try it myself and see if the results matched. I personally loved Cyclone 17 for the first 2 hours, I hope B5E or scorpion can match cyclone's initial amazingness but with better tension maintenance so it can fill the #1 spot in my book.
 

KoaUka

Rookie
Has anyone tried a setup of B5E mains/X-one biphase crosses?
Or other good syn gut cross? I'm too cheap for natty gut.
Also, I usually string my full poly setup at 45lbs. Is that too low for Syn guy?

Thanks
 

mikeler

Moderator
Has anyone tried a setup of B5E mains/X-one biphase crosses?
Or other good syn gut cross? I'm too cheap for natty gut.
Also, I usually string my full poly setup at 45lbs. Is that too low for Syn guy?

Thanks


My current setup is B5E/Genesis Thunder Blast. I have a feeling this is close to B5E/X-one but cheaper. I just can't justify paying that much for a cross string unless it is natty gut which I have yet to try.
 

Up&comer

Hall of Fame
^^^ here you go buddy

B5e mains/pacific classic crosses 53/55

Alright, so I had a day off today, so I went out for a hit this morning with the aforementioned setup

Stringing- pretty easy. The crosses scraped a little, but no real issues. Timed myself and did it in 19 minutes.

Groundstrokes- just...phenomenal. No doubt in my mind it is my favorite setup of all time for groundstrokes. Power, placement, spin, it's all there. Nice, big sweetspot, and a really nice feel it. Redirection was as easy as taking command of a point. Great.
Overall- 10/10

Serves- like the addiction version, but with more pop. Again, it just really clicked on serves. Easy to hit spots with all manner of different spin, as well as the ability to hit flat serves.
Overall-10/10

Volleys- really good. Not like serves and groundies, but it was very good. Touch shots were a little iffy, but attacking volleys were great as well as knifed volleys.
Overall-9/10

Durability- it won't be bad at all. I'd say it's pretty comparable to the b5e/addiction, maybe a little longer.
Overall-7.5/10

Softness- This is a tough one, as I really didn't pay much attention to it. Definitely softer than the addiction version.
Overall- 4/10

This is definitely my favorite setup. It just has so much spin and power as well as feel. I guess it's just the complete package. It doesn't have perfect volleys, but everything else is as close as you can get.
Overall- 9.7/10
 
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RyKnocks

Semi-Pro
^^^ here you go buddy

B5e mains/pacific classic crosses

Alright, so I had a day off today, so I went out for a hit this morning with the aforementioned setup

Stringing- pretty easy. The crosses scraped a little, but no real issues. Timed myself and did it in 19 minutes.

Groundstrokes- just...phenomenal. No doubt in my mind it is my favorite setup of all time for groundstrokes. Power, placement, spin, it's all there. Nice, big sweetspot, and a really nice feel it. Redirection was as easy as taking command of a point. Great.
Overall- 10/10

Serves- like the addiction version, but with more pop. Again, it just really clicked on serves. Easy to hit spots with all manner of different spin, as well as the ability to hit flat serves.
Overall-10/10

Volleys- really good. Not like serves and groundies, but it was very good. Touch shots were a little iffy, but attacking volleys were great as well as knifed volleys.
Overall-9/10

Durability- it won't be bad at all. I'd say it's pretty comparable to the b5e/addiction, maybe a little longer.
Overall-7.5/10

Softness- This is a tough one, as I really didn't pay much attention to it. Definitely softer than the addiction version.
Overall- 4/10

This is definitely my favorite setup. It just has so much spin and power as well as feel. I guess it's just the complete package. It doesn't have perfect volleys, but everything else is as close as you can get.
Overall- 9.7/10

In terms of comfort, how does having poly in the mains differ from gut in the mains? Also, what tension are you stringing at when putting poly in the mains? I can't imagine this type of setup lasting as long as gut main/poly cross since the poly is the more "active" string here. What would you say about that?
 

Up&comer

Hall of Fame
In terms of comfort, how does having poly in the mains differ from gut in the mains? Also, what tension are you stringing at when putting poly in the mains? I can't imagine this type of setup lasting as long as gut main/poly cross since the poly is the more "active" string here. What would you say about that?

Sorry. It was 53/55.

The other way around, it lasted me about 6 hours (which is average) whereas this will probably last 8-10 hours.

I get pretty comparable spin, but less power with the poly mains.
 

mikeler

Moderator
Sorry. It was 53/55.

The other way around, it lasted me about 6 hours (which is average) whereas this will probably last 8-10 hours.

I get pretty comparable spin, but less power with the poly mains.


I figured this was going to be the new GOAT setup for you. Give me a few more months when the weather cools some more and I'll try it too. The Thunder Blast is gut like but I know having the real thing in there will probably be the ultimate setup for me as well.
 
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