ByeByePoly
G.O.A.T.
No puddles ... yippie.
fyi ... stringer said velocity to be discontinued by Head. I have no idea if that is correct or not.
Will compare velocity "notes"
Head Velocity
- Thread starter Holliman
- Start date
No puddles ... yippie.
fyi ... stringer said velocity to be discontinued by Head. I have no idea if that is correct or not.
Will compare velocity "notes"
KluddKalle
Semi-Pro
No puddles ... yippie.
fyi ... stringer said velocity to be discontinued by Head. I have no idea if that is correct or not.
Will compare velocity "notes"
Oh I really hope not! Will have to stock up if that's the case. Maybe @HEAD Penn Official knows something?
ByeByePoly
G.O.A.T.
I'm afraid if I quit testing strings I will be left staring at my games glaring weaknesses.
Hey ... that is signature worthy.
KluddKalle
Semi-Pro
ByeByePoly
G.O.A.T.
I just hit with full bed velocity @55, and it was a terrible string. I don't want any of you to ruin your game, so I have set it up with TW to mail in all velocity sets and reels to them ... c/o @ByeByePoly Self Improvement Foundation. They will gather and mail to me, and I will donate it to my favorite charity.
392Hemi
Professional
...that would be me.
ByeByePoly
G.O.A.T.
OK ... I guess my ploy for free Velocity isn't going to work, so here is my impressions from the first hour. Hit a lot of balls with the ball machine in 1+ hour.
Short version... you guys are all right, this string is excellent. At least in the first hour. We have to see how it holds up.
Power: again, others nailed it with their comments. If we call Origin a 10, and PPC a 5-6, then to me Velocity is 7-8. In my "controllable range", with some extra pop that I have to say is fun.
Control: I had close to the same initial impression I did with full bed Cream ... I could pretty much hit my targets on moderate flatish drives from the first swing. Dead on the screws ... slight edge to full bed Cream, not a perfect hit ... pretty big edge to Velocity. Velocity is a safer post TE year string.... but just talking degrees here, all pretty arm friendly.
Spin: More than PPC ... and I think PPC is pretty good. I did a back to back test with against tonic/cream since tonic/cream is just really easy topspin. It got close ... the velocity topspin is pretty effortless also. Final nod to tonic/cream ... but I don't think I would ever notice the difference unless I actually did back to back (side by side) comparisons.
Note: the string feels like it has a silicone coating, but it must just be a feeling because you can't rub anything off on your fingers. I rubbed my fingers over the tonic, and the cream just to make sure I wasn't imagining it, and I was not. That actually makes me wonder if that is something that rubs off quickly, and changes it's play. We will see.
For me, it has been the most comfortable string I have hit with in my recent testing. Maybe comfortable isn't the best word ... I would say I feel the least impact with this string than any I have tried. I hit a hopper of FHs with the tonic/cream right after a hopper of FHs with the velocity, and the velocity absorbs more of the impact (at least to my post TE arm). That really surprises me. The tonic/cream feels like more of a plush hit (if that is a term), and it absorbs almost all also ... but the nod goes to the velocity on least impact felt in hand and arm. Velocity has to be near the top of the list for elbow issues. It doesn't feel mushy ... it just frickin absorbs contact. For example, PPC is very comfortable, but not Velocity comfortable. I don't have the "connected with the ball" sensitivity others have ... those who need a crisp feel, etc. Post TE I feel all strings just fine thank you very much, so I will take "absorbing".... and "controlling".
I think the other thing that stands out is what I said above ... from first couple of hits I was hitting my targets. This string power level matches my swing. I sailed some flatish drives, but I even do that some with PPC ... so I would definitely call this a controllable power level (for sure in multi terms). It's fun to hit your targets with flatish shots. I don't want to be a max spin player every swing ... I just want to hit flatish drives with some help to keep them in, and be able to call up good spin for cc pass, etc. String power level is always going to be a tradeoff ... effortless power that goes in is fun ... effortless power that does not ... not so much.
I commented on spin above. Easy spin ... passed the topspin lob test easily. It gets pretty darn close to full bed Cream, and tonic/cream spin ... that's saying a lot for a multi.
Regarding full bed Velocity vs Velocity/Cream, and don't see a need to hybrid with Cream. I would love a side by side hit like @392Hemi is doing, but I don't think I will end up there. I don't need to tame the Velocity like I do with gut, and I like the feel of full bed Velocity, so i think I'm there. At a minimum, this will be my ball machine/gut backup string. I would not be surprised if I decided to drop the gut and keep rotating freshly strung full bed Velocity in my two frames. That will come down to 1) durability of velocity and of the tonic/cream 2) and feel ... I'm playing for fun, do I have more fun hitting gut/poly or full bed velocity. Let's put it this way ... my travels/testing has worked for me ... both of these final (yeah, right) choices really match my swing and feel great.
Of course, the other thing is my timing is coming back from TE and not playing for months. I hit PPC the best I ever had the last ball machine session before I cut it out. When I hit PPC in the middle, I was really hitting my FH DTL sweet. It might be very likely that I could go back and hit a full bed of Origin now as my timing has improved, and have different impressions. Not going to happen ... BBP is a Velocity guy now.... unless they don't sell it.
RT (Velocity string factor not in DB, so used 1.46 from PPC):
-Strung on LO @55
- off stringer @52.5
- after 1 hour ball machine @51.4
Edit: A final thought. I don't think I would try velocity/cream, because my guess is that would not be very durable, but I do wonder about cream/velocity. I only felt the poly part of cream outside the sweetspot, but Cream was not notching at all. With velocity as a hybrid, maybe it takes the sting out of mishits ... but retains the durability of Cream (for me... I know others broke it quick. I cut it out at 6 hours with almost no notching).
Short version... you guys are all right, this string is excellent. At least in the first hour
. We have to see how it holds up.Power: again, others nailed it with their comments. If we call Origin a 10, and PPC a 5-6, then to me Velocity is 7-8. In my "controllable range", with some extra pop that I have to say is fun.
Control: I had close to the same initial impression I did with full bed Cream ... I could pretty much hit my targets on moderate flatish drives from the first swing. Dead on the screws ... slight edge to full bed Cream, not a perfect hit ... pretty big edge to Velocity. Velocity is a safer post TE year string.... but just talking degrees here, all pretty arm friendly.
Spin: More than PPC ... and I think PPC is pretty good. I did a back to back test with against tonic/cream since tonic/cream is just really easy topspin. It got close ... the velocity topspin is pretty effortless also. Final nod to tonic/cream ... but I don't think I would ever notice the difference unless I actually did back to back (side by side) comparisons.
Note: the string feels like it has a silicone coating, but it must just be a feeling because you can't rub anything off on your fingers. I rubbed my fingers over the tonic, and the cream just to make sure I wasn't imagining it, and I was not. That actually makes me wonder if that is something that rubs off quickly, and changes it's play. We will see.
For me, it has been the most comfortable string I have hit with in my recent testing. Maybe comfortable isn't the best word ... I would say I feel the least impact with this string than any I have tried. I hit a hopper of FHs with the tonic/cream right after a hopper of FHs with the velocity, and the velocity absorbs more of the impact (at least to my post TE arm). That really surprises me. The tonic/cream feels like more of a plush hit (if that is a term), and it absorbs almost all also ... but the nod goes to the velocity on least impact felt in hand and arm. Velocity has to be near the top of the list for elbow issues. It doesn't feel mushy ... it just frickin absorbs contact. For example, PPC is very comfortable, but not Velocity comfortable. I don't have the "connected with the ball" sensitivity others have ... those who need a crisp feel, etc. Post TE I feel all strings just fine thank you very much
, so I will take "absorbing".... and "controlling".I think the other thing that stands out is what I said above ... from first couple of hits I was hitting my targets. This string power level matches my swing. I sailed some flatish drives, but I even do that some with PPC ... so I would definitely call this a controllable power level (for sure in multi terms). It's fun to hit your targets with flatish shots. I don't want to be a max spin player every swing ... I just want to hit flatish drives with some help to keep them in, and be able to call up good spin for cc pass, etc. String power level is always going to be a tradeoff ... effortless power that goes in is fun ... effortless power that does not ... not so much.
I commented on spin above. Easy spin ... passed the topspin lob test easily. It gets pretty darn close to full bed Cream, and tonic/cream spin ... that's saying a lot for a multi.
Regarding full bed Velocity vs Velocity/Cream, and don't see a need to hybrid with Cream. I would love a side by side hit like @392Hemi is doing, but I don't think I will end up there. I don't need to tame the Velocity like I do with gut, and I like the feel of full bed Velocity, so i think I'm there. At a minimum, this will be my ball machine/gut backup string. I would not be surprised if I decided to drop the gut and keep rotating freshly strung full bed Velocity in my two frames. That will come down to 1) durability of velocity and of the tonic/cream 2) and feel ... I'm playing for fun, do I have more fun hitting gut/poly or full bed velocity. Let's put it this way ... my travels/testing has worked for me ... both of these final (yeah, right) choices really match my swing and feel great.
Of course, the other thing is my timing is coming back from TE and not playing for months. I hit PPC the best I ever had the last ball machine session before I cut it out. When I hit PPC in the middle, I was really hitting my FH DTL sweet. It might be very likely that I could go back and hit a full bed of Origin now as my timing has improved, and have different impressions. Not going to happen ... BBP is a Velocity guy now.... unless they don't sell it.
RT (Velocity string factor not in DB, so used 1.46 from PPC):
-Strung on LO @55
- off stringer @52.5
- after 1 hour ball machine @51.4
Edit: A final thought. I don't think I would try velocity/cream, because my guess is that would not be very durable, but I do wonder about cream/velocity. I only felt the poly part of cream outside the sweetspot, but Cream was not notching at all. With velocity as a hybrid, maybe it takes the sting out of mishits ... but retains the durability of Cream (for me... I know others broke it quick. I cut it out at 6 hours with almost no notching).
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LoboR1
Rookie
OK ... I guess my ploy for free Velocity isn't going to work, so here is my impressions from the first hour. Hit a lot of balls with the ball machine in 1+ hour.
Short version... you guys are all right, this string is excellent. At least in the first hour
Power: again, others nailed it with their comments. If we call Origin a 10, and PPC a 5-6, then to me Velocity is 7-8. In my "controllable range", with some extra pop that I have to say is fun.
Control: I had close to the same initial impression I did with full bed Cream ... I could pretty much hit my targets on moderate flatish drives from the first swing. Dead on the screws ... slight edge to full bed Cream, not a perfect hit ... pretty big edge to Velocity. Velocity is a safer post TE year string.... but just talking degrees here, all pretty arm friendly.
Spin: More than PPC ... and I think PPC is pretty good. I did a back to back test with against tonic/cream since tonic/cream is just really easy topspin. It got close ... the velocity topspin is pretty effortless also. Final nod to tonic/cream ... but I don't think I would ever notice the difference unless I actually did back to back (side by side) comparisons.
Note: the string feels like it has a silicone coating, but it must just be a feeling because you can't rub anything off on your fingers. I rubbed my fingers over the tonic, and the cream just to make sure I wasn't imagining it, and I was not. That actually makes me wonder if that is something that rubs off quickly, and changes it's play. We will see.
For me, it has been the most comfortable string I have hit with in my recent testing. Maybe comfortable isn't the best word ... I would say I feel the least impact with this string than any I have tried. I hit a hopper of FHs with the tonic/cream right after a hopper of FHs with the velocity, and the velocity absorbs more of the impact (at least to my post TE arm). That really surprises me. The tonic/cream feels like more of a plush hit (if that is a term), and it absorbs almost all also ... but the nod goes to the velocity on least impact felt in hand and arm. Velocity has to be near the top of the list for elbow issues. It doesn't feel mushy ... it just frickin absorbs contact. For example, PPC is very comfortable, but not Velocity comfortable. I don't have the "connected with the ball" sensitivity others have ... those who need a crisp feel, etc. Post TE I feel all strings just fine thank you very much
I think the other thing that stands out is what I said above ... from first couple of hits I was hitting my targets. This string power level matches my swing. I sailed some flatish drives, but I even do that some with PPC ... so I would definitely call this a controllable power level (for sure in multi terms). It's fun to hit your targets with flatish shots. I don't want to be a max spin player every swing ... I just want to hit flatish drives with some help to keep them in, and be able to call up good spin for cc pass, etc. String power level is always going to be a tradeoff ... effortless power that goes in is fun ... effortless power that does not ... not so much.
I commented on spin above. Easy spin ... passed the topspin lob test easily. It gets pretty darn close to full bed Cream, and tonic/cream spin ... that's saying a lot for a multi.
Regarding full bed Velocity vs Velocity/Cream, and don't see a need to hybrid with Cream. I would love a side by side hit like @392Hemi is doing, but I don't think I will end up there. I don't need to tame the Velocity like I do with gut, and I like the feel of full bed Velocity, so i think I'm there. At a minimum, this will be my ball machine/gut backup string. I would not be surprised if I decided to drop the gut and keep rotating freshly strung full bed Velocity in my two frames. That will come down to 1) durability of velocity and of the tonic/cream 2) and feel ... I'm playing for fun, do I have more fun hitting gut/poly or full bed velocity. Let's put it this way ... my travels/testing has worked for me ... both of these final (yeah, right) choices really match my swing and feel great.
Of course, the other thing is my timing is coming back from TE and not playing for months. I hit PPC the best I ever had the last ball machine session before I cut it out. When I hit PPC in the middle, I was really hitting my FH DTL sweet. It might be very likely that I could go back and hit a full bed of Origin now as my timing has improved, and have different impressions. Not going to happen ... BBP is a Velocity guy now.... unless they don't sell it.
RT (Velocity string factor not in DB, so used 1.46 from PPC):
-Strung on LO @55
- off stringer @52.5
- after 1 hour ball machine @51.4
Edit: A final thought. I don't think I would try velocity/cream, because my guess is that would not be very durable, but I do wonder about cream/velocity. I only felt the poly part of cream outside the sweetspot, but Cream was not notching at all. With velocity as a hybrid, maybe it takes the sting out of mishits ... but retains the durability of Cream (for me... I know others broke it quick. I cut it out at 6 hours with almost no notching).
Awesome review, thanks for that! I will be stringing up some Velocity to hit with very soon and can't wait! I'm in the same boat with recovering from TE and have been looking for comfortable setups that allow me to keep playing this game we all love.
Holliman
Rookie
Great review @ByeByePoly. I'm pretty certain Velocity has some sort of treatment from the factory because they are very slick out of the package. I hope the strings will pick up some momentum so Head will keep them on the market. It's rare to find a multi with poly qualities. On the TE front, I finally bought a green flexbar and after a week of casual exercises, my elbow is healing up very nicely. The thing just works. I highly recommend it. Along with an NSAID regiment, I'm able to live without pain and my strength is coming back.
KluddKalle
Semi-Pro
Ok so now I've had my third session with full bed Velocity. This time I had a pretty intense training session. I could easily switch between Velocity and Origin, the biggest difference is the power level. Origin feels a bit more forgiving and solid but Velocity has a nice feel too, not mushy.
I wonder if the installed weight of Velocity is less than origin? It feels a bit lighter just as Origin did when I first switched to it from poly.
My conclusion is that this is a great string for the clay season as the added spin helpes me push my opponents back. I usually play with fast and flat strokes, a great tactic on fast courts indoors but not on clay.
Will order some more so I can test the black aswell. I'm going to try some different tensions also, I think I can go lower than 24 since I usually have origin strung between 23-26kg. But I'm also thinking about going higher...
After almost 4 hours there is no notching and besides the discolour from the red clay they look barely used.
I wonder if the installed weight of Velocity is less than origin? It feels a bit lighter just as Origin did when I first switched to it from poly.
My conclusion is that this is a great string for the clay season as the added spin helpes me push my opponents back. I usually play with fast and flat strokes, a great tactic on fast courts indoors but not on clay.
Will order some more so I can test the black aswell. I'm going to try some different tensions also, I think I can go lower than 24 since I usually have origin strung between 23-26kg. But I'm also thinking about going higher...
After almost 4 hours there is no notching and besides the discolour from the red clay they look barely used.
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ByeByePoly
G.O.A.T.
Ok so now I've had my third session with full bed Velocity. This time I had a pretty intense training session. I could easily switch between Velocity and Origin, the biggest difference is the power level. Origin feels a bit more forgiving and solid but Velocity has a nice feel too, not mushy.
I wonder if the installed weight of Velocity is less than origin? It feels a bit lighter just as Origin did when I first switched to it from poly.
My conclusion is that this is a great string for the clay season as the added spin helpes me push my opponents back. I usually play with fast and flat strokes, a great tactic on fast courts indoors but not on clay.
Will order some more so I can test the black aswell. I'm going to try some different tensions also, I think I can go lower than 24 since I usually have origin strung between 23-26kg. But I'm also thinking about going higher...
After almost 4 hours there is no notching and besides the discolour from the red clay the look barely used.
I forgot to comment on velocity tension. It seemed about perfect for me @55#/25kg. Temp was 80 F/27 C. I would not go higher ... perhaps 53-54ish would be good also.
4 hours without notching is a good sign.
ByeByePoly
G.O.A.T.
I think I write string reviews like you found your soul mate that you married and had kids with. We all know it's more like the hottest female that would say yes to you at bar closing time.
There is no such thing as a long term relationship with a string.Yeah ... TE sucks. The green flexbar and roller bar massager really worked for me. I think it's smart to do pronation and supination exercises with the flexbar also. I do the roller bar almost daily. I decided pain meds for TE wasn't likely helpful ... tendon injuries a little different. I have upped my turmeric to 1000mg for toe issue (hallux limitus) so I don't take much pain med.
ByeByePoly
G.O.A.T.
fyi ... I have not tried a lot of multis. I have hit xcel 15. I am sure there are softer/mushier strings for TE than Velocity. @mikeler 's multi thread is great.
ByeByePoly
G.O.A.T.
Thx for thread and heads up on Velocity. I do like it better than ppc after one hit. I think one might pick ppc over velocity, but it would be based on needing lower power level.
ByeByePoly
G.O.A.T.
2nd hit on ball machine with Velocity. Alternated every hopper between Velocity and Tonic/Cream:
Pretty much same as before. Plus I did a really good side by side with these two setups on targeting, power and spin. I could hit my targets again ... just like I could with Cream. That was pretty good today, since the wind was about 15+ mph. I set the bm with the wind ... had to drop the speed to 70ish mph ... and they were still coming over the plate like fast ball.
It's really remarkable how close I find these two setups. They are so close on control, spin, power, comfort ... any differences really doesn't matter. They have a slightly different feel, but I like both, so not even sure which one I prefer. I said the tonic/cream felt a little more plush ... but perhaps a better way to say it is the tonic/cream is a "comfortable thud", and Velocity is a "comfortable thwack". I'm going to need more words. I think I used "thwack" describing Cream. A side by side of full bed Cream and full bed Velocity would have been good. After two hits with Velocity, I am viewing it as a multi version of Cream... slightly more pop, never have to worry about cutting it out, but can still hit my targets (at least with the ball machine ... will start playing more singles now, so that will be a good test).
So only have 2+ ball machine hours on Velocity (no notching).
RT (FWIW Velocity at 2 hours):
55 - strung on LO 5/13/17
52.5 - off stringer 5/13/17 (right off stringer, he was just finishing when I picked it up)
51.4 - after first 1.0 hour on bm 5/13/17
49.6 - day after first bm session 5/14/17
50.7 - before 2nd bm session 5/15/17
49.7 - after 2nd bm session 5/15/17 (2 hours)
49.6 - after 2 hour singles 5/16/17 (4 hours)
48.7 - sat 5 days, 1.5 bm 5/21/17 (5.5 hours)
48.4 - 1.0 bm 5/21/17 (6.5 hours)
48.4 - after 2 hour singles 5/24/17 (8.5 hours)
48.6 - after 2 hour singles 5/26/17 (10.5 hours)
47.6 - after 2 hour singles 5/26/17 (12.5 hours)
Not sure how accurate RT is, particularly pinging with second racquet. Seems strange you would ever see tension go up. That said, if it's semi-accurate, I would think a multi at close to 50# that was strung at 55# is pretty good. My suspicion was that Cream would win the "play-ability" contest over a multi for the first 10 hours or so, but then it might reverse. I really think I will play both of these until they snap (really...) ... so should get some durability feedback. I'm particularly interested to see what Velocity looks like at 6 hours (ppc was pretty notched by then).
Don't forget to mail in your Velocity sets and reels to TW... I will find a deserving home for them.
Pretty much same as before. Plus I did a really good side by side with these two setups on targeting, power and spin. I could hit my targets again ... just like I could with Cream. That was pretty good today, since the wind was about 15+ mph. I set the bm with the wind ... had to drop the speed to 70ish mph ... and they were still coming over the plate like fast ball.
It's really remarkable how close I find these two setups. They are so close on control, spin, power, comfort ... any differences really doesn't matter. They have a slightly different feel, but I like both, so not even sure which one I prefer. I said the tonic/cream felt a little more plush ... but perhaps a better way to say it is the tonic/cream is a "comfortable thud", and Velocity is a "comfortable thwack". I'm going to need more words. I think I used "thwack" describing Cream. A side by side of full bed Cream and full bed Velocity would have been good. After two hits with Velocity, I am viewing it as a multi version of Cream... slightly more pop, never have to worry about cutting it out, but can still hit my targets (at least with the ball machine ... will start playing more singles now, so that will be a good test).
So only have 2+ ball machine hours on Velocity (no notching).
RT (FWIW Velocity at 2 hours):
55 - strung on LO 5/13/17
52.5 - off stringer 5/13/17 (right off stringer, he was just finishing when I picked it up)
51.4 - after first 1.0 hour on bm 5/13/17
49.6 - day after first bm session 5/14/17
50.7 - before 2nd bm session 5/15/17
49.7 - after 2nd bm session 5/15/17 (2 hours)
49.6 - after 2 hour singles 5/16/17 (4 hours)
48.7 - sat 5 days, 1.5 bm 5/21/17 (5.5 hours)
48.4 - 1.0 bm 5/21/17 (6.5 hours)
48.4 - after 2 hour singles 5/24/17 (8.5 hours)
48.6 - after 2 hour singles 5/26/17 (10.5 hours)
47.6 - after 2 hour singles 5/26/17 (12.5 hours)
Not sure how accurate RT is, particularly pinging with second racquet. Seems strange you would ever see tension go up. That said, if it's semi-accurate, I would think a multi at close to 50# that was strung at 55# is pretty good. My suspicion was that Cream would win the "play-ability" contest over a multi for the first 10 hours or so, but then it might reverse. I really think I will play both of these until they snap (really...
) ... so should get some durability feedback. I'm particularly interested to see what Velocity looks like at 6 hours (ppc was pretty notched by then).Don't forget to mail in your Velocity sets and reels to TW... I will find a deserving home for them.
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Traffic
Hall of Fame
Great write up. I'm very curious about the durability as well. My Velocity in my PS97LS isn't getting much play time. But I now have a new issue to account for. I want to try VS Team/Cream in my V1Pro, but it's been off and on dry out lately. So we've been trying to sneak onto outdoor courts. Sometimes before all the dirt on top of the hard surface as dried. This probably wouldn't be good for nat gut/poly. My Cream/Sgut just started notching on the mains close to 10hrs. But I haven't noticed any significant drop-off in play...but I see the need for a possible wet condition setup.2nd hit on ball machine with Velocity. Alternated every hopper between Velocity and Tonic/Cream:
Pretty much same as before. Plus I did a really good side by side with these two setups on targeting, power and spin. I could hit my targets again ... just like I could with Cream. That was pretty good today, since the wind was about 15+ mph. I set the bm with the wind ... had to drop the speed to 70ish mph ... and they were still coming over the plate like fast ball.
It's really remarkable how close I find these two setups. They are so close on control, spin, power, comfort ... any differences really don't matter. They have a slightly different feel, but I like both, so not even sure which one I prefer. I said the tonic/cream felt a little more plush ... but perhaps a better way to say it is the tonic/cream is a "comfortable thud", and Velocity is a "comfortable thwack". I'm going to need more words. I think I used "thwack" describing Cream. A side by side of full bed Cream and full bed Velocity would have been good. After two hits with Velocity, I am viewing it as a multi version of Cream... slightly more pop, never have to worry about cutting it out, but can still hit my targets (at least with the ball machine ... will start playing more singles now, so that will be a good test).
So only have 2+ ball machine hours on Velocity (no notching).
RT (FWIW Velocity at 2 hours):
55 - strung on LO 5/13/17
52.5 - off stringer 5/13/17 (right off stringer, he was just finishing when I picked it up)
51.4 - after first 1.0 hour on bm 5/13/17
49.6 - day after first bm session 49.6 5/14/17
50.7 - before 2nd bm session 50.7 5/15/17
49.7 - after 2nd bm session 49.7 5/15/17
Not sure how accurate RT is, particularly pinging with second racquet. Seems strange you would ever see tension go up. That said, if it's semi-accurate, I would think a multi at close to 50# that was strung at 55# is pretty good. My suspicion was that Cream would win the "play-ability" contest over a multi for the first 10 hours or so, but then it might reverse. I really think I will play both of these until they snap (really...
Don't forget to mail in your Velocity sets and reels to TW... I will find a deserving home for them.
392Hemi
Professional
I've got about 10-12 hours each on Velocity and Velocity/Cream. The hybrid is a little more notched than the full bed, but still, barely. No where near a point that I would call it worn. Plenty of life left. But again, I am not a string breaker.
ByeByePoly
G.O.A.T.
Ball machine session was after mowing and edging. I felt I owed the TW Velocity fan club another hit. See ... I deserve all those "charity" sets of Velocity. Did I mention ... I have 100 acres ...
If I was still a tournament player, no way would I use gut... unless I lived in the land of the lizards and rattlesnakes like @TenFanLA. If I'm playing competitively ... or trying to play my personal best, I have always valued consistency over the absolute best. Playing with a gut setup creates a problem when the backup racquet needs to be strung with something else... for whatever reason (dry, cost, ball machine arm friendly, etc). In my case, it hardly matters. I'm just hitting with friends who are still deep into USTA (ex tournament players) ... so what do I care if I experiment with different strings. I never did that during the tournament years.
You know you have to play the gut ... it's just a matter of when ... and in it's pure form, or watered down.
I stopped by a second hand sports store on the way home, they often have an assortment of racquets, including Volkls. I was thinking ... "well, if I found a third V1 Pro in the store, then it was meant to be ... more string experiments". This is a disease.
ByeByePoly
G.O.A.T.
Good input, thanks. That's a good sign if Velocity has held up against the Cream, even if you aren't hard on strings. Did you notice the same thing about Velocity ... it seems like it was coated with a lubricant. It isn't ... it doesn't rub off ... but weird it seems like it would rub off. If we got boring and all stuck with full bed Velocity ... we could mix and max the black and natural, and 16g and 17g. Nat 16g/Black 17g.
392Hemi
Professional
Good input, thanks. That's a good sign if Velocity has held up against the Cream, even if you aren't hard on strings. Did you notice the same thing about Velocity ... it seems like it was coated with a lubricant. It isn't ... it doesn't rub off ... but weird it seems like it would rub off. If we got boring and all stuck with full bed Velocity ... we could mix and max the black and natural, and 16g and 17g. Nat 16g/Black 17g.
I did notice the slickness of the Velocity right when I started unpacking it to string it. As if it is impregnated (not coated) with Teflon or some other lubricant.
On a guitar there is a part called a "nut" that supports your strings on the headstock end of the neck. There is a brand called "Tusq" by a company called Graphtech. They have the same sort of slick feeling.
http://www.stewmac.com/Materials_and_Supplies/Nuts_and_Saddles/Black_TUSQ_XL_Nuts.html
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Yes. Very good point(s).Ball machine session was after mowing and edging. I felt I owed the TW Velocity fan club another hit. See ... I deserve all those "charity" sets of Velocity. Did I mention ... I have 100 acres ...
If I was still a tournament player, no way would I use gut... unless I lived in the land of the lizards and rattlesnakes like @TenFanLA. If I'm playing competitively ... or trying to play my personal best, I have always valued consistency over the absolute best. Playing with a gut setup creates a problem when the backup racquet needs to be strung with something else... for whatever reason (dry, cost, ball machine arm friendly, etc). In my case, it hardly matters. I'm just hitting with friends who are still deep into USTA (ex tournament players) ... so what do I care if I experiment with different strings. I never did that during the tournament years.
You know you have to play the gut ... it's just a matter of when ... and in it's pure form, or watered down.
I stopped by a second hand sports store on the way home, they often have an assortment of racquets, including Volkls. I was thinking ... "well, if I found a third V1 Pro in the store, then it was meant to be ... more string experiments". This is a disease.
My gut (no pun intended) feeling is that I will probably settle on full velocity or hybrid velocity and Cream. But I need to try the nat gut once. In my case, it'll be hybrid with Cream. I'll have another 1/2 set available to go another round. If I feel like it's the gotta have, I'm sure I can stop experimenting and save my money to buy more gut.
I'm already slowing down the need for stringing with Cream/OGSM. So I'm thinking Cream will be a regular staple in my inventory. Velocity maybe as well. This is for me. For my son...who knows. Maybe a reel of HyperG and reel of OGSM is all he'll ever need...
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Interesting...
ByeByePoly
G.O.A.T.
Is velocity/cream still winning the shootout with fb velocity?
392Hemi
Professional
Yes, but realize I may have to make a disclaimer:
I have the full bed strung at 56/54 and the hybrid at 55/50. I am considering that I prefer the feel of the hybrid more because of the lower cross tension. I will at some point try another full set of Velocity with tension in line with the hybrid. But both setups are perfectly playable
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How's power between the two setups? I would think the hybrid would have less power due to the deader poly in the mix even though overall tensions are lower?
ByeByePoly
G.O.A.T.
I found fb cream @50 just about equal to fb velocity @55 on power level. But that actually raises an interesting question. How much power does lowering a cross by 5lbs actually add?
Consider following power hypothetical:
- fb velocity @55 is a 7
- fb velocity @50 is a 9
Does velocity 55/50 split the difference, or remain closer to 7? I have no idea ... I'm a hybrid rookie.
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There may be other issues at play here other than just power. Many will say to drop your cross tension by 1 or 2# to help with pocketing the ball. Others talk about the crosses being a shorter run and lower the tension slightly helps to keep the relative tensions the same.
I honestly don't know.
And I really don't know what would happen if you take the same string and drop your tension 5# from M to X...
ByeByePoly
G.O.A.T.
Yes, and we have longer mains than typical in our racquets. How many ft for mains and crosses? Logic says that isn't 50/50% contributor to overall string bed tension. Maybe it's as simple as that ... calculate based on M ft to X ft ratio.
392Hemi
Professional
I think Cream is a relatively powerful poly and Velocity a medium powered multi - the full bed and hybrid are comparable in power.
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ByeByePoly
G.O.A.T.
I wonder how many multis are actually lower powered than velocity? Might not be many ... ppc for sure. Sounds like Rip C is from the comments.
ByeByePoly
G.O.A.T.
What's this "ironclad" thing.
String choice is a spectrum:
Elbow ruining control <-> elbow saving rocket launching
n8dawg6
Legend
i agree with this.
Holliman
Rookie
I just strung up my new Yonex DR100 with a full bed of Velocity 17 Black. 50 pounds in the mains and 47 pounds in the crosses. This will be my first try at lower poundage. Hoping to get a little more pop on the ball. @HEAD Penn Official - you guys aren't discontinuing this awesome string right?
Don't tell Head about how awesome it is. The next thing you know, it will be priced at $15.99.
ByeByePoly
G.O.A.T.
My guess is the bigger multi market is those wanting the power. The ex-poly guys moving to lower power multi has to be a smaller group ... just guessing.
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esgee48
G.O.A.T.
While RIP Control is a multi-ribbon string, I would not categorize it as a multifilament. The ribbons are polyolefin and are more like polyester than polyamides. Isospeed and Head are the only two brands that market this stuff; and some people say Isospeed makes this string for Head. I am pretty sure that newer copolymer strings will soon approach polyolefin's muteness and lack of power.
Muppet
Legend
Sometimes a brand comes up with something so good that they can't out-do themselves for decades. Velocity might be one of those products. I once had a pair of Austrian racing skis that were so sweet. Fast gliding, bit on ice. I'm so glad I got them while I had the chance. That company hasn't topped that ski since and that was 1992. I hope Head doesn't pull Velocity out of production for being too good. It has a great price point and it does everything right. Worst case, I hope they at least re-name it w/o changing a thing. They could even ask for a couple more bucks and that wouldn't bother me.
ByeByePoly
G.O.A.T.
Just played 2 hours of singles ... 80 F, wind gusts up to 26... and a very good opponent. Lost 3-6, 5-7 ... but pretty cool to still be standing after 2 hours. Well... kind of dragging a-$-$ standing... but one step at a time.
Short version: Velocity is now my match string, and tonic/cream is my ball machine setup until it breaks.
I started with tonic/cream ... first 5-6 games. I then switched to Velocity, and it was pretty obvious I have better control with the Velocity. The real test for me is playing singles ... not the ball machine. It tells me in a hurry which string I play best with (which almost always means which string I have more control with). I honestly feel that V1 Pro w/fb Velocity 16g @55 is every bit of control that I had with 2008 Pure Drive w/RPM Blast 16g @52. And it feels good ... RPM did not.
Nice ... a $45 gut/poly ball machine setup. Jeeze.
Very light notching at 4 hours. I updated the RT tensions above... basically stayed the same. Good sign.
I guess if I was going to be picky ... the only thing I would change is "slightly less muted" feel. I have a muted racquet ... so throw in muted string and you got a lot of muting going on. I would have it play exactly like it is ... but feel like Origin... and you are there. But that is pretty picky ... when I hit a 1hbh slice on the screws it just feels like absolute control. I will have to play with it a while to see if I stay @55. I will definitely not be going higher ... but perhaps 52-53 might still be enough control.
So this summer as I get back into playing again post TE ... I am a Velocity player in my @scotus stick. Oh yeah ... I'm getting just as much topspin with Velocity as I did with full bed Cream ... maybe more. I will watch and see if that slick coating wears off. I'm good to go unless it breaks to quick. If it did, I would try cream/velocity ... although I'm not sure what tension. 50/52-55 maybe? I'm assuming Cream would be a more durable main (marginally probably) than Velocity.
Edit: @scotus stick playing around 11.4 3-4 HL. I will not have any interest in adding weight.
Short version: Velocity is now my match string, and tonic/cream is my ball machine setup until it breaks.
I started with tonic/cream ... first 5-6 games. I then switched to Velocity, and it was pretty obvious I have better control with the Velocity. The real test for me is playing singles ... not the ball machine. It tells me in a hurry which string I play best with (which almost always means which string I have more control with). I honestly feel that V1 Pro w/fb Velocity 16g @55 is every bit of control that I had with 2008 Pure Drive w/RPM Blast 16g @52. And it feels good ... RPM did not.
Nice ... a $45 gut/poly ball machine setup. Jeeze.
Very light notching at 4 hours. I updated the RT tensions above... basically stayed the same. Good sign.
I guess if I was going to be picky ... the only thing I would change is "slightly less muted" feel. I have a muted racquet ... so throw in muted string and you got a lot of muting going on. I would have it play exactly like it is ... but feel like Origin... and you are there. But that is pretty picky ... when I hit a 1hbh slice on the screws it just feels like absolute control. I will have to play with it a while to see if I stay @55. I will definitely not be going higher ... but perhaps 52-53 might still be enough control.
So this summer as I get back into playing again post TE ... I am a Velocity player in my @scotus stick. Oh yeah ... I'm getting just as much topspin with Velocity as I did with full bed Cream ... maybe more. I will watch and see if that slick coating wears off. I'm good to go unless it breaks to quick. If it did, I would try cream/velocity ... although I'm not sure what tension. 50/52-55 maybe? I'm assuming Cream would be a more durable main (marginally probably) than Velocity.
Edit: @scotus stick playing around 11.4 3-4 HL. I will not have any interest in adding weight.
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esgee48
G.O.A.T.
Better the < $16 set than the $45 hybrid as your go to set up. Cheap at the cost. Pray that Velocity will continue to be offered.
Sell the 1/2 left over on the For Sale Forum. Plenty of people want to try NG hybrids. Better measure length of leftover.
As far as the coating, you can extend the coating life by polishing the strings with drop or 3 of furniture polish on a paper towel. Move mains to get the polish under intersections. Do after play. Do it as an experiment; with / without polishing and see which stringbed last longer. 3 cents. [edit: Any coating be it oil or sheathing is not going to last very long due to string and ball friction. Only strings that have inherently low COF will remain slippery thruout its life. They fall into 2 classes: solid PEEK, solid round 1st gen polyesters. Anything else, the material will not be consistent and will create start stops as the string moves. Carry on. Sorry.]
Sell the 1/2 left over on the For Sale Forum. Plenty of people want to try NG hybrids. Better measure length of leftover.
As far as the coating, you can extend the coating life by polishing the strings with drop or 3 of furniture polish on a paper towel. Move mains to get the polish under intersections. Do after play. Do it as an experiment; with / without polishing and see which stringbed last longer. 3 cents. [edit: Any coating be it oil or sheathing is not going to last very long due to string and ball friction. Only strings that have inherently low COF will remain slippery thruout its life. They fall into 2 classes: solid PEEK, solid round 1st gen polyesters. Anything else, the material will not be consistent and will create start stops as the string moves. Carry on. Sorry.]
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392Hemi
Professional
"Slightly less muted" ... Velocity/Cream ~55/50. Try it, you'll like it.
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What about hollimans silicon spray?
ByeByePoly
G.O.A.T.
Not a sprayer ... but never say never. I definitely won't spray this first set. I want to see how it plays on it's own over time, and watch notching.
I have a strange habit where I play with the same edge of the racquet up all the time. With the V1s, I play with the V1 logo up. I notch strings mainly with my FH, and the wear pattern is above center and more toward the tip then it should be. Ironically, this strange habit works in my favor with notching. At the point I get bad notching, I play with the other side up until restringing. Pretty much doubles nylon string life I would think.
Holliman
Rookie
Played last night at lower tensions 50# M and 47# C. I loved it! Increased power and spin very nicely. It's unbelievably comfortable as well. Of course I sprayed a little silicone on before but the SnapBack was excellent and the strings stayed in place for 3 hours. I'm sticking with the lower tensions.
ByeByePoly
G.O.A.T.
You went from 55 to 50/47 and it was still controllable? That is surprising.
You may not know this since you spray, but have you noticed if/when the original string "lubricated feel" rubs off.
Holliman
Rookie
Yes the strings lost some slickness after around 6 hours of hard play. At that point they started moving and getting stuck. That's what ultimately led me to try spraying.
As for control, I believe the spin increased to the point where it offset the lower poundage. I had no issues keeping the ball in the court.
esgee48
G.O.A.T.
OK guys. There are threads discussing the pros and cons of re coating the string bed. Candle and car wax, furniture polish, silicone spray, vegetable and olive oil have all been mentioned and used. Pros are obvious. Maintain snapback and prolong string life up to the point tension loss says it is time to restring. Cons are time to do it and other issues such as smell and residue on the string if you overdo it. Furniture polish does the trick for 1-2 hours of hitting. [Spray a few drops on a paper towel, wipe the string bed down, move the mains. Store the paper towel in a plastic sandwich bag.] It is cheap, smells nice and readily available unless your man cave has no furniture. Hay, if the SO says nothing about using the soup spoons, they won't say anything about using the polish. It's up to you whether you use it.
It's up to you whether you use it.
KluddKalle
Semi-Pro
This is interesting. Now I definitely will have to try lower tensions. Since I've successfully been able to lower origin tension to 23kg going even lower with velocity should be no problem. Even better if I'll get even better spin out of it too. Thanks for the info!
392Hemi
Professional
My strings are not as slick as when fresh out of the package, but still have the slippery feel. I do not think it is a coating, I think it is infused or impregnated in the string. My guess is they feel extra slick fresh out of the package because the brand new strings have not been subject to any wear, abrasion, dust or other contaminants
ByeByePoly
G.O.A.T.
OK ... I'm at 4 hours and I will watch the next 4 and see if any changes. So far straight greasy feeling strings. Even has a smell if you put your nose into the stringbed. I have a pretty tight string pattern ... so not much movement. Perhaps I will try as low as 52#, but will have to see. Really liking the control at 55#. I gauge control from my flatter shots ... so spin doesn't change that for me. Great string.
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