How to string my Head Extreme MP 2.0

[cheozuka]

Hey guys and girls!

I was hoping I could get some feedback and advice from
people who may have this racquet and have tried the strings below. I am new to the poly game and this is the first new racquet I have bought.

I am quite happy with the current string tension on the stock head sonic pro strings it came with.
I dont know what the factory tension is, but the range is between 50-60 pounds for the racquet.

Anyway I broke a grommet, so I am taking the opportunity to try some new strings.

I've ordered: kirscbaum spikey black shark 17g
Vokyl cyclone black 17g
Luxilon savage black 16g
And weiss Cannon black edge 5 17g.

I am not a very strong or experienced player so I don't think I will be breaking strings hence the choice for 17 gauge.
I'm more concerned about playabily, control and tension maintenance. (I am using a damper on this raquet also)

If anyone could recommend some tensionsfor these strings or comment on experience with this set up it would be greatly appreciated.

Regards

Chris

 

[oest10]

Hi Chris!

First thing I would like to get you to consider: are you a player that will benefit from poly? Just a thought, a multifilament might just do the trick for you with better power and tension stability (so you can enjoy it for a much longer time!)

If the answer is yes: I have tried Savage Black as well as Cyclone strings. My racket is an APD leaded up a bit so I feel I could relate to your extreme pro at least a bit To be honest, the Savage Black REALLY disappointed me. I've made a thread about it you which you may find through my user page. I felt it didn't do anything well.. The opposite with Volkl Cyclone! I really liked that string, great spin and not too bad in tension maintenance either! I also liked the feedback of it, I felt like it was a real good control string.

Currently, I have switched to a cheaper alternative that I really like: Pros Pro Hexaspin Twist 1.25. It is similar to the cyclone but a lot cheaper, and with me busting stringbeds every 3-4 hours that made me decide to use it.

Good luck on your testing!

And if I may add one suggestion: Yonex Poly Tour Pro 1.25 is a great string too!!

 

[oest10]

Also, if you are new to poly as you say, drop about 10% in tension compared to your multi/syn gut set up!

 

[spinovic]

Not sure what tension you had with the Sonic Pro, but I would suggest stringing the Cyclone a little lower as it is a stiffer string. That was my experience with that frame and those two strings in particular.

~10% less...I had Sonic Pro at 60 and strung Cyclone at 54. Both 16G.

 

[cheozuka]

Thanks guys for fast replies, and sorry for my slow one!

I have received my strings from USA which came very quickly! sadly my local tennis shop received the wrong grommets for my racquet.
They are expected on monday.

I think I will try the Kirschbaum Black Shark first.
Based on what you have told me I think I will try to string it at 52 pounds.

That way I should still have a bit of power and control.

Hope this setting works!

Will reply again when I have got it done and had a hit.

Thanks again

Regards

Chris

 

[Rjtennis]

I would do the black shark at 50 lbs. that's a good tension for those strings.

 

[cheozuka]

Noted.
Thanks for the advice.
Ill try the 50 pounds.
Oh by the way in response to oest10. after some more research, all but the Luxilon Savage Black are Multi-filament which is good.

 

[oest10]

Noted.
Thanks for the advice.
Ill try the 50 pounds.
Oh by the way in response to oest10. after some more research, all but the Luxilon Savage Black are Multi-filament which is good.

Sorry but they are (co)polyester strings so dont string em too tight. Good luck!

 

[cheozuka]

Sorry but they are (co)polyester strings so dont string em too tight. Good luck!

Ahh yes! co-poly monofilament.. just to make things more confusing!

I'll try the Black shark at 50 pounds, as per the advice. Based on the type of grommets in the extreme, the strings should nt be too stiff as the center grommets allow plenty of movement.

Are poly strings more likely to lose tension quicker if they are strung loosely? or is the loss of tension rate the same regardless?

 

[oest10]

Ahh yes! co-poly monofilament.. just to make things more confusing!

I'll try the Black shark at 50 pounds, as per the advice. Based on the type of grommets in the extreme, the strings should nt be too stiff as the center grommets allow plenty of movement.

Are poly strings more likely to lose tension quicker if they are strung loosely? or is the loss of tension rate the same regardless?

The absolute tension loss will naturally be higher when the string is tensioned higher. I believe that relatively (percentage wise) it doesn't really make a difference, though it does sound logical that the initial decline due to HITTING is bigger on a high tensioned string than a lower tensioned one since the difference in force due to impact and tension force are bigger. Also when the tension is lower it might be that since it bends more it either loses elasticity faster or keeps it longer. Maybe there is a physicist around? Haha

I don't think that's really something to look out for though.

 

[cheozuka]

Thanks again for your quick reply.

My concern is that as I am not a string breaker (at least not so far) that I will use my set of strings for months at a time. I dont have a stringing machine so @$25 AUD per string it could get expensive if the strings dont last long with tension.

But it does give the opportunity to keep trying new strings faster as well
I'll go with the positive side! I still got 3 more sets to test before i start looking for another alternative!

 

[rlau]

My concern is that as I am not a string breaker (at least not so far) that I will use my set of strings for months at a time. I dont have a stringing machine so @$25 AUD per string it could get expensive if the strings dont last long with tension.

Please be aware that using (co-)poly strings for months is a recipe for arm trouble. The general rule of thumb is that they should be cut out after 10-20 hours (depending on the string and your hitting style) in order to avoid injury from using such stiff strings.

If you're serious about tennis and enjoy testing new strings (or want to cut down on stringing costs in the long run), it's highly recommended to get your own stringer.

EDIT - Check this out: http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=482909

 

[sovertennis]

RE: Weiss B5E--I used that for a few months in my Extreme Pro and developed some nasty tennis elbow. It is a very hard string, so beware.

 

[cheozuka]

Thanks for the warning.

I'll keep an eye on it.
I am not sure how the sonic pro rate against these strings for stifness, but I had been using them for approx 4 and a bit months without any problems.

I would think that these others may be a little stiffer though.

 

[oest10]

Oh oh just one tip on stringing poly. I've tried a whole lot of strings and tensions but I feel that the tension maintenance is best when you let it settle before you play it. In my case, I usually let the strings sit unused for 12+ hours before I use them. Again, it may just be that it's relative and you don't get used to the tension that it has fresh from the stringer (which it will not retain regardless of whether you're playing it), but it seems to work for me

 

[cheozuka]

Oh oh just one tip on stringing poly. I've tried a whole lot of strings and tensions but I feel that the tension maintenance is best when you let it settle before you play it. In my case, I usually let the strings sit unused for 12+ hours before I use them. Again, it may just be that it's relative and you don't get used to the tension that it has fresh from the stringer (which it will not retain regardless of whether you're playing it), but it seems to work for me

Thanks again for the advice! I have just picked up my racquet with black shark strings mega excited.
But unfortunately I wont be able to use it until thursday as I have volleyball tonight and family dinner tom! so it will rest for 48 hours. unless of course stroking the strings with my hand is counted as using it! (joke).

Super keen to test it though, I have been without it for about 3 weeks now!

 

[cheozuka]

OK. Got to have my first shot with the black shark!

I had it strung at 50 pounds as per the advice, and used my head djockovic damper as before.

Well it was totally awesome! not to harsh at all, but it did feel crisp.
The spin was unbeliveable compared to the stock head sonic pro that were in it. (bare in mind I have not tried any other spin friendly strings in this racquet or others so this is novice feedback.)

The amount of Kick I was able to get from my kick serves was noticably better. I even got a 'woah' from the recievier of one as he was suprised at how high the ball suddenly bounced.

also backhands were nice to hit with the added slice and curve that pulled some of my shots in that would normally have run wide.

I wish the strings would stay this way, but time will tell. I cant wait to see what the other strings are capable of, but maybe the black shark is the pinnicle of spin?

Anyway thanks for the previous advice. I had a great game tonight and have found a new exciting avenue to my game!

Regards
Chris