Honorable mention

[Muppet]

When I tested ZX black, I used Alpha Gut 2000 17 in natural for the crosses in my signature MW racquet @56/53. I didn't pre-stretch that one, but allowed my drop weight stringer to pull out the elongation. It still lost tension too quickly so I definitely recommend giving it a good pre-stretch. While it still had some tension, this string combination gave some excellent spin.

The sensation of the impact was not for me though (speaking of black). It felt like the sensation of surface tension when you jump in the water. There was a sharp bit of shock to the string before it gave in to a pocket. And the black ZX is stiffer and less elastic than the natural, so AG2000 string which is soft but less elastic for a multi, is a good cross.

 

[ByeByePoly]

"It felt like the sensation of surface tension when you jump in the water."

From how high?

 

[scotus]

When I tested ZX black, I used Alpha Gut 2000 17 in natural for the crosses in my signature racquet @56/53. I didn't pre-stretch that one, but allowed my drop weight stringer to pull out the elongation. It still lost tension too quickly so I definitely recommend giving it a good pre-stretch. While it still had some tension, this string combination gave some excellent spin.

The sensation of the impact was not for me though (speaking of black). It felt like the sensation of surface tension when you jump in the water. There was a sharp bit of shock to the string before it gave in to a pocket. And the black ZX is stiffer and less elastic than the natural, so AG2000 string which is soft but less elastic for a multi, is a good cross.

I too feel too much impact shock from Monogut ZX. Multis with higher stiffness ratings feel softer than ZX to me.

 

[ByeByePoly]

I too feel too much impact shock from Monogut ZX. Multis with higher stiffness ratings feel softer than ZX to me.

I googled Gosen A.K. Control ... not much info or review. Question: Does gut/multi last longer for you than full gut? I was thinking about that ... and my guess was gut/multi would be a very long playing combo. I'm about to pick up the tonic/cream ... but in the back of my mind is tonic/multi if my arm notices the cream cross.

 

[Traffic]

When I tested ZX black, I used Alpha Gut 2000 17 in natural for the crosses in my signature racquet @56/53. I didn't pre-stretch that one, but allowed my drop weight stringer to pull out the elongation. It still lost tension too quickly so I definitely recommend giving it a good pre-stretch. While it still had some tension, this string combination gave some excellent spin.

The sensation of the impact was not for me though (speaking of black). It felt like the sensation of surface tension when you jump in the water. There was a sharp bit of shock to the string before it gave in to a pocket. And the black ZX is stiffer and less elastic than the natural, so AG2000 string which is soft but less elastic for a multi, is a good cross.

I haven't played with black ZX. Just the natural. And I guess I'll call in crisp. Wouldn't call it shock for me.

 

[scotus]

I googled Gosen A.K. Control ... not much info or review. Question: Does gut/multi last longer for you than full gut? I was thinking about that ... and my guess was gut/multi would be a very long playing combo. I'm about to pick up the tonic/cream ... but in the back of my mind is tonic/multi if my arm notices the cream cross.

I doubt gut/multi would last longer than full gut, provided that you use some string savers on parts that fray.

The first reason I choose gut-multi over full gut is to reduce power. The second is that some combo of gut and slick multi might get me a bit more spin than full gut, because full gut tends to lock itself up easily. Of course, the fact that you save some money on the crosses is also a plus.

Gosen AK Control 17 has the highest spin potential for a multi and it actually puts many polys to shame insofar as the lab numbers go. It is supposed to be a bit softer than Head Velocity, has decent tension maintenance, and is priced at under $8 (i.e., even cheaper than Velocity).

I will string it up with gut mains and test it out later this week.

 

[Irvin]

I've played with black ZX Pro full bed at 50 lbs plus 10% pre-stretch and today I strung up another frame with Ashaway Kevlar 17 and black ZX Pro crosses both at 50 plus 5% pre-Stretch I did use a 4# knot function on the outer two mains only. First off I like them both a lot, the full bed ZX Pro has more pop but that's expected, the Kevlar / ZX Pro still has plenty of pop and more than I remember from the Kevlar / SG I used to play with. As far as comfort I'd say they're both about the same, but I think control and spin is better with Kevlar / ZX Pro. I like the sound of the contact better on the Kevlar / ZX Pro better but I did not notice is weird feel on ball contact on either racket.

 

[jmacdaununder2]

"It felt like the sensation of surface tension when you jump in the water."

From how high?

Yeah, like are we talking Acapulco cliff diver high, or just holding your nose off the springboard at the local 'Y' kinda high? Also relative corpulence is at play here; remember S=MC2 (where S represents splash).

 

[Muppet]

It's just enough of a sharp shock to feel it in my wrist (black ZX). Some people might like that sort of 'crack' feel at impact, but I need to be concerned about my joints.

I had natural ZX strung w/Hitec Multifiber crosses at 56/53 and 58/54 w/no pre-stretch (DW elongation) and I felt no more shock than with multi or gut, depending on the tension choice. Unfortunately, the tensions did not last very long.

I tried the black again w/pre-stretch and it was lasting longer, up until I decided I didn't like it and replaced it w/something else.

 

[Muppet]

"It felt like the sensation of surface tension when you jump in the water."

From how high?

Into a placid body of water w/cool air temperatures, high atmospheric pressure. Belly flop.

 

[dimkin]

When I tested ZX black, I used Alpha Gut 2000 17 in natural for the crosses in my signature racquet @56/53. I didn't pre-stretch that one, but allowed my drop weight stringer to pull out the elongation. It still lost tension too quickly so I definitely recommend giving it a good pre-stretch. While it still had some tension, this string combination gave some excellent spin.

The sensation of the impact was not for me though (speaking of black). It felt like the sensation of surface tension when you jump in the water. There was a sharp bit of shock to the string before it gave in to a pocket. And the black ZX is stiffer and less elastic than the natural, so AG2000 string which is soft but less elastic for a multi, is a good cross.

Yeah and breaks in 2 hrs

 

[Traffic]

When I tested ZX black, I used Alpha Gut 2000 17 in natural for the crosses in my signature racquet @56/53. I didn't pre-stretch that one, but allowed my drop weight stringer to pull out the elongation. It still lost tension too quickly so I definitely recommend giving it a good pre-stretch. While it still had some tension, this string combination gave some excellent spin.

The sensation of the impact was not for me though (speaking of black). It felt like the sensation of surface tension when you jump in the water. There was a sharp bit of shock to the string before it gave in to a pocket. And the black ZX is stiffer and less elastic than the natural, so AG2000 string which is soft but less elastic for a multi, is a good cross.

How long before the ZX lost so much tension you couldn't play with it anymore?

 

[Muppet]

How long before the ZX lost so much tension you couldn't play with it anymore?

It only took 6 days after stringing. I think I had two practices on it. Subsequently, I tried black ZX 1.27 w/ a good pre-stretch. I used the same tensions, but I switched to Solinco Pro Stacked 16 in the crosses. Because there was more tension in the pre-stretched ZX, the spin was not as good. And with the 'surface tension' observation I made, I decided to cut it out early but the tension was still holding well. I just decided I wasn't going to move forward with the string.

 

[scotus]

Gosen AK Control 17 has the highest spin potential for a multi and it actually puts many polys to shame insofar as the lab numbers go. It is supposed to be a bit softer than Head Velocity, has decent tension maintenance, and is priced at under $8 (i.e., even cheaper than Velocity).

I will string it up with gut mains and test it out later this week.

Gosen AK Control 17

My playtest bears out the TWU lab numbers regarding the Gosen string.

It feels very soft like Babolat Xcel and Head Reflex, yet it produces more spin than both.

In comparison to Head Velocity, Gosen AK Control 17 plays softer with a bit more spin. Both strings are reasonably priced but even here the Gosen wins. Of course, with Head strings more readily available in the US, there are deals to be had on auction sites, whereas TW is the place where you can get the Gosen at the best price.

If you are looking for an arm-friendly yet firmer-feeling multi with spin, go with Velocity. If you need to soften it up more, then go with Gosen. Can't really go wrong with either.

 

[Muppet]

Gosen AK Control 17

My playtest bears out the TWU lab numbers regarding the Gosen string.

It feels very soft like Babolat Xcel and Head Reflex, yet it produces more spin than both.

In comparison to Head Velocity, Gosen AK Control 17 plays softer with a bit more spin. Both strings are reasonably priced but even here the Gosen wins. Of course, with Head strings more readily available in the US, there are deals to be had on auction sites, whereas TW is the place where you can get the Gosen at the best price.

If you are looking for an arm-friendly yet firmer-feeling multi with spin, go with Velocity. If you need to soften it up more, then go with Gosen. Can't really go wrong with either.

Does AK Control last very long wrt durability and tension?

 

[scotus]

Does AK Control last very long wrt durability and tension?

Can't comment on it yet. Only played with it twice.

 

[liftordie]

Now is it possible to have more feedback about Gosen AK Control? Thanks