Ashaway MonoGut ZX & MonoGut ZX Pro (black) Playtest!

TW Staff

TW Staff

Administrator
Attention Talk Tennis Members:

Ashaway is releasing a black color of MonoGut ZX (1.27mm) & ZX Pro (1.22mm). We have a very limited number of samples for a playtest. This playtest is only for U.S.A Talk Tennis members. We are not taking requests for which gauge you will receive.

The sign up period has ended. We will email the selected playtesters and update this thread once the samples have shipped.

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 Due by Monday May 26 **

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

NO Hybrids. Please install as full set

Include the following in your review:

String Received (MonoGut ZX or MonoGut ZX Pro)
Tension(s) 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
Compare to the string you use most often
Tension recommendations (after hitting it, would you recommend a different tension? If yes, why?)
List any additional thoughts (optional)

Important: this string has a low tensile strength, so do not over-pull knots or they may snap. To learn more about tension strategies, you can read through this thread.
 
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Signed up and hope I get selected. I really think that Ashaway is onto something with the monofilament zyex material. It's like en entirely new category of strings.
 
Since I've already tried this string (not in black), I'll let others jump in to try it. It's very unique and a high quality offering.
 
Does Ashaway make black color for ZX (16 g) only?
I hope it makes for ZX Pro (17 g) as well.
 
TW, can this be strung up in hybrid setups or is a full bed of MonoGut ZX the requirement for this playtest? since i participated in the recent Ashaway MonoGut ZX Tour playtest, i'll let others try this. i agree with mikeler's comments that it's unique and very high quality.
 
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mad dog1 said:
TW, can this be strung up in hybrid setups or is a full bed of MonoGut ZX the requirement for this playtest? since i participated in the recent Ashaway MonoGut ZX Tour playtest, i'll let others try this. i agree with mikeler's comments that it's unique and very high quality.
Click to expand...

Please install as full set.

TW
 
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TW Staff said:
Same exact formula, but with a black pigment.

TW Staff
Click to expand...

In this case please remove me from the play test. I have already played monogut zx (16 and 17) in a full bed and hybrid. I thought maybe the black was a different gauge/formulation. Let someone else have a chance...
 
Email sent. Would like to try this in a full bed. Have strung 3 frames with the ZX as a hybrid (1x in the mains and 2x in the crosses)
 
SJSA said:
Does Ashaway make black color for ZX (16 g) only?
I hope it makes for ZX Pro (17 g) as well.
Click to expand...

Yes, they are coming out with the 1.22 in black as well. We have decided to send out both gauges for this playtest, but we are not taking gauge requests.

Thanks,
Jon
 
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I already play-tested this string. I was very intrigued initially, and then I played with a full bed and could not hit a lob or a touch shot to save my life. It is an odd string and has some great characteristics, but I can't see any player using this string effectively.
 
SCRAP IRON said:
I already play-tested this string. I was very intrigued initially, and then I played with a full bed and could not hit a lob or a touch shot to save my life. It is an odd string and has some great characteristics, but I can't see any player using this string effectively.
Click to expand...

was it too "springy"?
 
JackB1 said:
was it too "springy"?
Click to expand...

I've strung up MGZX in 4 hybrids (2 multifilaments, 1 poly and 1 NG). The first setup was ZX mains/RPM Blast crosses. Second was Prince Lightning XX mains/ZX crosses. Third was RIP Control mains/ZX crosses. Fourth was NG mains/ZX crosses.

It's an extremely lively string! When pre-stretched too much or strung too tightly, it turns 'boardy' and hurts the arm.

I've yet to try it in a full bed.
 
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Bud said:
I've strung up MGZX in 4 hybrids (2 multifilaments, 1 poly and 1 NG). The first setup was ZX mains/RPM Blast crosses. Second was Prince Lightning XX mains/ZX crosses. Third was RIP Control mains/ZX crosses. Fourth was NG mains/ZX crosses.

It's an extremely lively string! When pre-stretched too much or strung too tightly, it turns 'boardy' and hurts the arm.

I've yet to try it in a full bed.
Click to expand...

So which combo did u like best? Funny how you never tried Poly mains w/ Zx crosses. That would have been my first choice.
 
Bud said:
I've strung up MGZX in 4 hybrids (2 multifilaments, 1 poly and 1 NG). The first setup was ZX mains/RPM Blast crosses. Second was Prince Lightning XX mains/ZX crosses. Third was RIP Control mains/ZX crosses. Fourth was NG mains/ZX crosses.

It's an extremely lively string! When pre-stretched too much or strung too tightly, it turns 'boardy' and hurts the arm.

I've yet to try it in a full bed.
Click to expand...

It might feel boardy but doen't hurt the arm.
 
JackB1 said:
So which combo did u like best? Funny how you never tried Poly mains w/ Zx crosses. That would have been my first choice.
Click to expand...

So far, liking the Gut mains at 60#/ZX crosses at 55#

I strung the other MF hybrids too low and experienced too much power and not enough control.

I don't care for poly mains. My normal setup is RIP Control (or NG) mains/RPM Blast crosses. I prefer the more powerful string in the mains and the smoother/less powerful string in the crosses.

SJSA said:
It might feel boardy but doen't hurt the arm.
Click to expand...

I disagree. The ZX mains (60#) with the poly crosses (50#) made my arm uncomfortable. I could definitely feel it later that evening.
 
To TW:

Once the string reviews are over and all the comments are posted, where does TW store all those reviews, as they are taken down from this section?
After testing and also reading string reviews after a while I have a tendency to forget what a particular string played like and I would like to look up the reviews.
 
jim e said:
To TW:

Once the string reviews are over and all the comments are posted, where does TW store all those reviews, as they are taken down from this section?
After testing and also reading string reviews after a while I have a tendency to forget what a particular string played like and I would like to look up the reviews.
Click to expand...

I've always been able to go back and dig up these play tests with the search function. Another option is to create a new Jim thread and link to all the reviews in the various threads so you can see them all in 1 place.
 
jim e said:
To TW:

Once the string reviews are over and all the comments are posted, where does TW store all those reviews, as they are taken down from this section?
After testing and also reading string reviews after a while I have a tendency to forget what a particular string played like and I would like to look up the reviews.
Click to expand...

hey jim, after the reviews are in, the playtest thread remains but is no longer a sticky at the top of the first page. it's demoted to the same status as all other threads. you can use the search function to dig them up.
 
Thanks for response guys. I did not know that.
Would be nice if TW just placed them together in one section so all can see the different playtests reviews in one area.
 
I agree that an aggressive prestretch makes monogut feel boardy. Used it as a cross with 4g and it's like a full poly bed. I'm gonna prestretch the mains though when I string my playtest set up.
 
String Set Received

Monogut ZX Pro 1.22 17g :grin:

Looking forward to stringing this up and hitting with it!
 
I got the Monogut ZX Pro 17.
Which tension should I string it at and should I pre stretch it or just pull tension twice when I string it?
I normally use Cyclone 17 at 52#s in my Pro Staff 90 :)
 
Got the 1.22mm pack -

Any guess how long these will last in a Steam 99S ?

Seems like a better option to hybrid as a cross, but I will follow the rules and go full bed.

Thanks TW for the chance to try these
 
YarikA99 said:
I got the Monogut ZX Pro 17.
Which tension should I string it at and should I pre stretch it or just pull tension twice when I string it?
I normally use Cyclone 17 at 52#s in my Pro Staff 90 :)
Click to expand...

I'd string it at 50# in a 90.

On what type of machine are you stringing it?

I stringing on a dropweight and just let it pull and pull until the weight no longer moves at the desired tension. No early clamping.
 
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YarikA99 said:
I got the Monogut ZX Pro 17.
Which tension should I string it at and should I pre stretch it or just pull tension twice when I string it?
I normally use Cyclone 17 at 52#s in my Pro Staff 90 :)
Click to expand...

Go for the tension for your multi string setting.
It should be higher than your poly setting.
 
10313980_748531648502154_7392220646066097166_n.jpg


Strung up last night and think I got lucky with my settings. Excited to see how this plays throughout the next couple of weeks.

54# CP x2 piece on slowest pull speed. 10% pre-stretch. roughly counted to 10 after tension head beeped before clamping.
 
SteveI said:
About 2-3 hours... :-)
Click to expand...


That is why I wish TW would give me permission to use if as a Hybrid with a smooth co-poly-

1.22 mm mains in a Steam 99S :(

When I am breaking 16g Cylone & Cyclone Tour/ Yonex PPT 130 in 10-12 hours tops

if it snaps early, at least it was free -

Going to strung it on a Wilson Baiardo - and hold the tension 10 sec after the beep- thanks for the tips -
 
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I received Monogut ZX. I am a bit confused though. Packaging says "For Natural string 10-15% less than nylon. For Pigmented string 15-20% less than Nylon." So because this demo string is Black pigmented, do I string it up 15-20% less? Please clarify, thanks.
 
tennisinoc said:
I received Monogut ZX. I am a bit confused though. Packaging says "For Natural string 10-15% less than nylon. For Pigmented string 15-20% less than Nylon." So because this demo string is Black pigmented, do I string it up 15-20% less? Please clarify, thanks.
Click to expand...

It is a powerful string. Keep that in mind.

My suggestion would be to string it pretty close to what you would normally string nylon. Also, I think pre-stretch is worth the effort with this string.
 
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tennisinoc said:
I received Monogut ZX. I am a bit confused though. Packaging says "For Natural string 10-15% less than nylon. For Pigmented string 15-20% less than Nylon." So because this demo string is Black pigmented, do I string it up 15-20% less? Please clarify, thanks.
Click to expand...

spinovic said:
It is a powerful string. Keep that in mind.

My suggestion would be to string it pretty close to what you would normally string nylon. Also, I think pre-stretch is worth the effort with this string.
Click to expand...

I strung it up 10% less than what I would for some of the softer/more powerful nylons/multis. This is my 1st go around with this string as I missed out on the previous string tests. I did a very slow pull and also a pre-stretch.

On the 1st page, TW posted that it's the same string, just different color. That had some TT users opt on the play test to give others a chance.

That insert with the strings did have me a bit confused.
 
djNEiGht said:
I strung it up 10% less than what I would for some of the softer/more powerful nylons/multis. This is my 1st go around with this string as I missed out on the previous string tests. I did a very slow pull and also a pre-stretch.

On the 1st page, TW posted that it's the same string, just different color. That had some TT users opt on the play test to give others a chance.

That insert with the strings did have me a bit confused.
Click to expand...

I strung mine at 45 per those instructions and it is pretty springy. It is a good string, but in a full bed it transmits annoying vibrations to the handle. As a cross in a hybrid is where ZX greatest potential lies for my preference.
 
Strung up tonight on dropweight, no pre-stretch, long wait prior to clamping (no discernible weight movement).

Mains 60#/Crosses 55#

This string has crazy stretch! I had nearly 10 feet remaining after stringing a 100 sq. in. PDR with a 16x19 pattern. If you purchase this string by the reel, it's about $12 per set as opposed to $15 in the package - since most frames will take much less than 36' to string.

The mains used about 15.5' and crosses about 15'
 
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Thanks again TW and Ashway for this playtest. (I apologize if my feedback may not be favorable, but I am trying to be as honest as a playtester and for my style of play.)

I chose to only go down 10% to 53 lbs., due to my last Ashway hybrid playtest feedback, even though the package recommends 15-20% less. And I am glad I did. More to come later in my formal review.

But right now I want to touch on how this went while stringing it up. First, because I know it has CRAZY stretch, I decided to pre-stretch it by hand like I do sometimes with Gut. I wrapped the string around a pole and pulled slowly to get most of the coil memory out of the string. But even with this pre-stretch, the string still stretches like crazy when stringing. I really do not prefer stringing this string because it takes much longer time to complete the job due to the wait of each string to stretch out.
It is more difficult and sensitive than stringing Gut. But the worse thing about it was that I had a premature breakage on the second to last main string as I was tensioning off the last main!
This has NEVER happened to me with the many other strings I have strung besides the cheap brand Econo Guts (Global, Mamba, etc.) All that time wasted, and I had to start over again. Luckly it broke at the second to last main and I was able to salvage the rest of the string for a restring due to its crazy stretch! So that was a plus in this case. I was able to complete the full job the second time around. But it was not fun and took a long time.
I was able to take it for a short 1 hour test hit afterwards and will give a short feedback on it and give a more detailed one after more hours of play. Right off the bat, I was glad I only strung it up 10% less than the 15-20% less as recommended because this string is VERY lively and has a lot of power. So I do not know why they recommend the lower tensions. I would actually prefer stringing it up another 2 lbs higher next time to help control and tame it better. On moderate rally strokes, I got ample spin and depth to my shots. It plays consistent at moderate, medium strokes. But like my past Ashway playtest, this string still possesses multiple personalities. When I amped up my swing speed, I could feel the string "swallow" the ball and "spring" off the racket to launch it very deep out past the baseline. And because of this, I had to be more conscious of hitting more topspin and slowing down my stroke a bit to try to keep the ball in play. Likewise, this same effect would happen on short, slow strokes as well. The ball would launch/trampoline off the stringbed out pass the baseline.
CRAZY responses from this string. Maybe a higher tension is necessary for my style of play. But what ever it is, consistency changes too dramatically on swingspeed. More to come later…
Last thing I want to say is that I agree with spinovic, "it transmits annoying vibrations" to the racket and pings a lot even with a dampener.
I told my hitting partner I was playtesting a new string. And when I changed over rackets with my Gut/Poly hybrid during the last few minutes of play, he mentioned that he could not hear the sound from my racket anymore from across the court. That's how noticeable the ping and vibration was! And my arm agreed! I would not agree with this string being a Gut-like string as they market it. It has a play and feel of its own that still feels synthetic and doesn't simulate gut in anyway to me. More to come…
 
SJSA said:
No bleeding at all. Amazing:)
Click to expand...

No bleeding at all....not too bad to string. It did stretch some but not any more than say IsoSpeed Baseline Spin 17L. The worst ever for me was Gamma ProPlus 17L.

I strung mine at 54/52. I also strung a test frame of Gosen OG 17G at 58/56 for comparison as they indicated that we use a tension less than Nylon.. 10% or so. Just some light hitting so far...more intense play-testing this week.

Note: I have the Pro Version.
 
Monogut ZX Pro

I have tested and hit with many different combinations of Ashaway's monofilamant zyex strings. 16, 17 in "natural" and red on different frames as a full bed or a hybrid. When this playtest came along I signed up thinking the black may be a different formulation but according to TW is't just a color change.

String Received: Monogut ZX Pro (black)

Tension(s) used for playtest: 53# One Piece on a Lockout crank machine. I chose a slightly lower tension as I have tried this string at 55~60# previously. RacquetTune indcated ~51# 1hr after the frame came off the stringer.

Regular string set up: M: Babolat Origin @58#, X: Ashaway Monogut ZX 16@58#.

Racquet brand and model used for test: Yonex E-Zone XI Team 102.

Power of test string: Powerful at 53# in this frame but the spin helps to pull the ball down. This string at lower tensions will not work for hard, flat hitters.

Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp?): Stiff. I find even a full bed of Monogut ZX while very comfortable, "feels" stiff at even low tensions.... almost poly like. So no surprises/differences with the black color. The sound the string bed makes is a harsh ping. A vibration dampener helps but still it's not at all a sweet sound. Those who like/rely on sound for feedback will not like this string in a full bed.

Spin: Excellent... In my experience the Monogut ZX Pro is the closest that comes to Poly spin. It definately hits a heavy ball. That said, it is a little lacking in feel/touch on a full bed so drop shots were a bit of a challenge.

Comfort: A very interesting string. I have a sensitive elbow and the while the ZX pro stringbed feels stiff, I never have shoulder/arm/elbow pain with it. It just doesn't have that plush ball pocketing feel.

Durability: I am not a string breaker so Durability = Playability (really no difference IMO between string breaking or having to cut out the strings because of tension loss). Durability = when one has to re-string.
I've only hit with this setup for several hours but I've played many hours with Monogut ZX (in a full bed and a hybrid) and it is by far the most durable synthetic string I've played with. Jury's still out vs NG just because I don't have frames with over 30hrs logged on it. After the initial tension loss (I don't pre-stretch), the strings settle in and lose very little tension afterwards. I think there are folks here who've logged 100Hrs on Monogut ZX and still found the stringbed playable.

Playability Duration (share thoughts on if/how the playability changed over time): Again Durability = Playability for me.

Compare to the string you use most often: I had been using a Rip Control/Cyber Blue hybrid but for the summer season I will switch to a Babolat Origin/Monogut ZX Hybrid since I am finding the playability to be excellent. While it costs more than my old setup, it's worth it since I'll just string 3 frames and forget about it for the entire summer season.

Tension recommendations (after hitting it, would you recommend a different tension? Why?): Those with full strokes need to go higher tension. That said, the tension/power curve is definitely not linear. I think at ~55lbs is a "knee" where anything lower will provide abundant power and above you will have to generate your own.

List any additional thoughts (optional)
Thanks TW and Ashaway for giving me an opportunity to try this setup.

Pros: Comfort, Spin, Playability
Cons: Feel, Sound

I think this is an ideal string for those people who really don't care about strings and restring once a year whether they need to or not. Comfortable and long lasting with great spin. I also think it's way more economical than synthetic gut because of the playability but it's not for everyone because of the feel.

For me, this string works best as a cross in a Hybrid. Check my Origin /Monogut ZX thread:

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=495088

I've not tried Gamma Glide but I can't imagine that it's worth 3x the cost of Monogut ZX ($19.95 for 1/2 set vs $7.50). The mains slide nicely and there's never any string movement.
 
String Received: Monogut ZX (black)

Tension(s) used for playtest: 53# (I only went down 10% vs. the 15-20% recommendation on the package because of a prior playtest where I found the lower tension was too powerful and had less control for my style of game)

Regular string set up: Gut/Poly Hybrid -M: Klip Legend 16g @58#, X: SPP 17g @54#. Poly/Synth Hybrid - M: Black Widow 17g @52#, X: Gosen Micro 17g @58#

Racquet brand and model used for test: Gamma T-7.

Power of test string: Powerful and VERY lively. It has a different power feeling than Natural Gut. Gut is powerful but has a cupping/pocket feel that I can control and release the ball at will.
Where Monogut ZX has a swallow feeling and springy release that makes it harder to control the power and direction.

Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp?): Stiff but lively. It has its own stiff feel that is not like a stiff poly. USRSA rates it soft but it doesn't feel as soft as a Gut or multi. SEE COMFORT section for more details.

Spin: Average spin. It produced as much spin as a full bed of synthetic gut for me. Nothing more, nothing less.

Comfort: This is where it goes south for me. I do not have any issue with arm problems. But the VIBRATION that this string produces is TREMENDOUS. It causes my racket to vibrate all the way down to the handle into my hand and into my arm! And because of the high vibration, it produces a very noticeable PING sound that can be heard across the court.
I have hit against 3 different people with this string and they all noticed the sound of my racket vs. when I switched out to another string set up. After 3 hitting sessions, my hand now has a tingling feeling that I still feel now, and my elbow is sensitive. NO BUENO!
I have no idea what is up with the high vibration of this string, but it is causing some serious discomfort for my arm that I now have to stop my playtest because I do not want further damage.

Durability: There is minimal notching on the strings so I predict these could last a while. But the premature breakage while stringing it up may prove different. Unfortunately because I must stop playing with these strings, I cannot give an accurate answer.

Playability Duration (share thoughts on if/how the playability changed over time): Tension maintenance seemed pretty fair. I didn't notice any large gap of tension loss like I have experienced with other strings.

Compare to the string you use most often: It definitely lacks in COMFORT, CONTROL, AND PREDICABILITY compared to the 2 hybrids that I usually use.

Tension recommendations (after hitting it, would you recommend a different tension? Why?): I would recommend 10% or even 8% less than standard nylon to help control the power of this string. I have no idea why they recommend 15-20% less in tension. My balls would be launching to the back fence if I went that low.

List any additional thoughts (optional)
Thanks TW and Ashaway for giving me an opportunity to try your strings again in a full bed. I did like it a bit better as a full bed vs. Poly Main and ZX cross. I will try to leave these ZX mains and cut out my ZX crosses and put in a poly cross for fun and test it out once as a final test to see if the vibration is minimized and the power and control can be harnessed.
 
String broke while stringing

Sad to say, I won't get to playtest this string as it snapped while stringing. I got the ZX 16g and attempted to string it at 56 lbs (as the last ZX playtest I strung it too low and it was hard to control). As I was about half way done with the crosses, it snapped. Don't know why as I didn't nick or crimp the string, didn't clamp too hard and was doing the slow pull to elongate the string. Oh well. Good luck everyone.
 
AC Tennis said:
Sad to say, I won't get to playtest this string as it snapped while stringing. I got the ZX 16g and attempted to string it at 56 lbs (as the last ZX playtest I strung it too low and it was hard to control). As I was about half way done with the crosses, it snapped. Don't know why as I didn't nick or crimp the string, didn't clamp too hard and was doing the slow pull to elongate the string. Oh well. Good luck everyone.
Click to expand...

Yup, same thing happened to me while tensioning the last main.
 
String broke early in the bag

Hybrid Received: MonoGut ZX Pro 1.22 mm Zyex

Tension(s) used for playtest: 21.5 kg strung on an electronic CP machine

Regular string set up: various polys > 1.25mm mains \ > 1.25 Nonpolys

Racquet brand and model used for test: Prince Speedport Gold 110

Power of test string: high

Feel : I'm use to this string type , ZX feels close to 18g SGDF at a higher tension than installed [ say 65 lbs feel for a 55 lb stringbed ]

Spin: good but not poly level

Comfort: very good for a solid core string

Durability: String broke at the throat 3/4 main after less than two hours of play. My mishits are high so I'm at a lost as to why this happened.First time in 10 + sets of both red & wheat that this happen. The set of Monogut ZXPro Red I strung immediately after is still going strong

Playability Duration: 100% Monogut ZX Pro usually last me 20 hours in Wheat or Red

Control : Normal for ZX. More spin than a non poly,

Compare to the string I use most often: Zyex allows the strings to play the same longer than non-zyex full beds.

Tension recommendations: As I have used ZX several different
times I would keep the same tension

List any additional thoughts:I think this string is less robust than the Red or Wheat in the Same gauge.
 
Seems this string has a tendency to break prematurely.

Ashaway should just axe the 17g and go with 15 and 16. I think a 15g in this string would be interesting to try.

I've already played with the full-bed of 17g twice and will go for #3, tomorrow.

- -

From my experience with it so far, this string was born to be a cross string - not a main string.
 
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