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For a VC95, you want as much controllable power, crisp feel and unified, consistent behavior as possible. That's pretty much M8 in a nutshell. I'd use 1.25 gauge and start at 48/46 lbs, then modulate from there.
Grapplesnake USA Official
Professional
Yes! Happy to see how you and so many others are becoming experts on our strings. Thank you.
TheFoolAbove
New User
I've experimented with M8 in a PS97 v14 strung at 49lbs (22.2kg) and had mixed reactions. The power, linear control, and touch provided by the strings were impressive. There was a noticeable amount of spin, but I missed the biting sensation that an edged string like Confidential offers. My only gripe with Confidential was its stiffness during serves (which could simply be due to the PS), but with M8, I experienced little to no shoulder pain while serving. I'm curious if anyone has tried a hybrid setup with Confidential mains and M8 crosses?
delosalpes
Rookie
I have that set up in my percept 97h. It’s great.
zeneto1234
New User
In your opnion, what gives the most Spin? At the same tension, Game changer full bed or a hybrid of GC mains and a soft slick round poly in the crosses?
djNEiGht
Legend
I think fresh off the stringer both will be similar. Then as the string ages...the notching will happen faster with a full set of shaped/rough string and either durability/snap back will diminish. YMMV
TheFoolAbove
New User
Oh cool! How would you compare it to a full bed of confidential and/or m8?
delosalpes
Rookie
I didn’t like M8 in a full bed. Contrary to popular opinion, surely due to my shortcomings, I found it inconsistent. But I think it’s a perfect cross with both polys and gut mains. Just my experience.
TheFoolAbove
New User
Ye that's what I felt as well. Will definitely try doing a hybrid of confidential mains and m8 crosses.
ericykchan
Rookie
@Grapplesnake USA Official when will the black CES single pack be available again, or ever? It's a great string to be strung low on tweener.
Tranqville
Professional
My default tension is 42 lbs with strings like Confidential, Tour Sniper, and Tour M8. Do I need to up the tension with Alpha? My racquets are Technifibre ISO 305 and Prestige Tour 2021.
jimdontcare
Rookie
imo try 44 or 45
Grapplesnake USA Official
Professional
Cube Extra Sharp non-neon is discontinued. Only available as CES Neon Dust, as part of the Neon Hybrid.
Grapplesnake USA Official
Professional
I would go up 1 or 2 lbs given the extra power.
@Grapplesnake USA Official - any plans for a round Alpha?
Grapplesnake USA Official
Professional
Negative.
ericykchan
Rookie
Tell Me Why (youtube.com)
... such a great string when strung in low tension. The non-neon hybrid is great as well, I bought 6 packs, and 4 packs I just took the CES and use them. Not sure about the neon color because my stringer complain big time he couldn't tell which one is which, feeling the sharp edge wasn't a big deal to me but each to their own.
Grapplesnake USA Official
Professional
Tell him that we have been packaging the neon hybrid with different colored zip ties for a while now for folks who aren't great at distinguishing the sharp square mains from the soft hexagonal crosses. White ties are mains, black are crosses. These instructions are in the packaging and the website.
Hi @Grapplesnake USA Official - I'm a stringer and have been stringing a lot of your strings lately (mostly M8 and Game Changer), with every player singing your praises. Which got me interested. I'm a solid 4.5 player using a Blade v8 18x20, pretty much only hitting with a full bed of BHS7T at 50lbs/52lbs depending on the conditions. I like playing aggressively, dictating points with my forehand, and closing at the net. Lately, I've been looking to get a little more pop (especially against heavy hitters) and a touch more softness. Any strings or setup you might recommend? Cheers
Grapplesnake USA Official
Professional
Hey! I personally love M8 in the v8 Blade and would go with 50 lb or maybe a little lower in the 18x20, which tends to feel tighter at the same reference tension compared to the v7 and even the v9. Other good options are Sniper for even more control, Game Changer for more spin, Paradox Pro for more feel, and Alpha for more power and comfort. Back to M8 for a great combination of all of those factors. Thanks, and enjoy!
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I’ve played 4 hrs now with Alpha in the Percept 97D at 52/50. No meaningful deterioration yet. Haven’t measured, but it plays the same.
I’d say it’s a solid all-round string where nothing is exceptional nor bad. It’s good on defense, I’ve played against hard hitting players this week and get a little extra on the Hail Mary shots I feel.
Still I like Paradox Pro better. Want to try M8 next.
I’d rate Alpha above PTP for sure, and probably over Hawk Power as well.
Btw my racket is 2-3g lighter than with 1.26mm Paradox Pro, in case anyone is wondering about the weight difference in an 97” 18x20.
I’d say it’s a solid all-round string where nothing is exceptional nor bad. It’s good on defense, I’ve played against hard hitting players this week and get a little extra on the Hail Mary shots I feel.
Still I like Paradox Pro better. Want to try M8 next.
I’d rate Alpha above PTP for sure, and probably over Hawk Power as well.
Btw my racket is 2-3g lighter than with 1.26mm Paradox Pro, in case anyone is wondering about the weight difference in an 97” 18x20.
Been playing 1.30 M8 at 40lbs in my Radical MP prostocks. This is my first 1.30 string probably ever. Always used thinner gauges. This setup has turned my whole world upside down! The 1.30 keeps my shots under control - especially against the sidelines. I have no fear of hitting out and the low tension is super comfortable.
Makes me want to try the whole world of 1.30 string, but I may be hard pressed to fine something better!
Makes me want to try the whole world of 1.30 string, but I may be hard pressed to fine something better!
Grapplesnake USA Official
Professional
Excellent! Thank you!
Grapplesnake USA Official
Professional
Amazing!
zeneto1234
New User
Have been playing with a hybrid of Game changer silver mains and msv swift in the cross, spinniest setup for me so far with good Feel and comfort. Game Changer is hard to string because it's easy to twist during stringing(like any square string), if you want to string it right and straight it takes more time. One thing that i noticed, is that in flat shots the balls tend to float more than round strings, but it's easy to adjust, you just need to put a little more Spin in your shot and the string does the job. One more thing that i noticed is that, if you want better playability/durability from this string you really need a round slick and (very) soft poly in the crosses, because when you play it full bed it is so sharp that the cross will cut the mains fast and you will loose too much playbility(Spin potential) and the balls will tend to fly even more in flat shots. In full bed GC has a bit more Spin potential in the beggining, but you loose too much in playability/durability, and because of that, the hybrid is a no brainer choice for me. If you are a flat hitter this string is not for you and you need to hit with a "certain weight" for the string really do its job. I wouldn't recommend it for begginers its more 4.0-4.5+ players, you must have a good technique to be able to use those strings well.
Grapplesnake USA Official
Professional
Thank you! I suggest trying Game Changer mains and Paradox Pro crosses. It's such a nice combination.
To pair with a sharp shaped poly to get more enhanced snapback, comfort and control, would you recommend alpha or paradox pro or any other ones?
MSUspartans777
Rookie
Does anyone have any experience using either Tour Sniper or Irukandji as a cross string with ReString Zero in the mains? I love GrappleSnake strings but I also love Zero.
Edit: Strung up a 2023 Gravity Pro with Zero / Tour Sniper at 54 / 50. Very impressed with Tour Sniper in the cross after a full doubles match. Soft and comfortable. I usually noticed slight notching immediately when I use a shaped main and a round cross. This setup has tons of snapback and very little notching after the first couple of hours of heavy hitting. I know this is a Grapplesnake thread but Zero / Tour Sniper seems to work well. 6 sided main + 5 sided cross.
Edit: Strung up a 2023 Gravity Pro with Zero / Tour Sniper at 54 / 50. Very impressed with Tour Sniper in the cross after a full doubles match. Soft and comfortable. I usually noticed slight notching immediately when I use a shaped main and a round cross. This setup has tons of snapback and very little notching after the first couple of hours of heavy hitting. I know this is a Grapplesnake thread but Zero / Tour Sniper seems to work well. 6 sided main + 5 sided cross.
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Finally tried this at 56lbs on Vcore 98 and absolutely loved it! Insane spin keeping the balls in, while being comfortable. Didn’t feel any wild launches, which was my main worry with such sharp mains.
Need to check tension maintenance as the week progresses but I can see myself using it more often!
How was the paradox pro as a cross in terms of snapback? Did the sharp edges of GC able to slide and snapback into place with the PP? Curious because PP seems to have a gritty sandpaper like feel as opposed to being smooth and slick.
BBender716
Professional
Personally, in Blades I'm a fan of stiffer polys and also play with BHS7T. If you want to try GS, try Sniper or Game Changer if you want something similar although I found Tour M8 to be great in my Babolat frames that tend to be a bit harsher.
I think paradox was ok in terms of snapback, game changer has so much grip that it more than makes up for it in spin though!
NattyGut
Semi-Pro
What strings / guage did you like in the Blade? 4GS or similar?
Did you notice the strings getting stuck out of place at all?
nop
Grapplesnake USA Official
Professional
Thanks for your feedback.
Grapplesnake USA Official
Professional
Outstanding!
BBender716
Professional
I liked 17g
@Grapplesnake USA Official Hello! I am currenly using Volkl Cyclone Tour (16g/1.30mm) in my Blade v8 100 (16 x 19). I am a solid 4.0 player with an agressive baseliner game and I take huge cuts when swinging. I do however have a history of tennis elbow injury. Since I prefer playing with poly due to the additional spin, control and predictability (I have played with multi, syn guts), I have resorted to playing with softer polys and found that VCT offers the best comfort in comparison to other polys in the market.
I do find however that VCT's tension maintenance is below average and balls tend to spray after the inevitable drastic tension loss. I am interested in the Alpha - do you think it is a favourable (and most importantly comfortable) substitute to the VCT? If so, grateful if you could please recommend a suitable tension for the Blade v8 100 (I string VCT at 52lbs). Thanks v much in advance!
I do find however that VCT's tension maintenance is below average and balls tend to spray after the inevitable drastic tension loss. I am interested in the Alpha - do you think it is a favourable (and most importantly comfortable) substitute to the VCT? If so, grateful if you could please recommend a suitable tension for the Blade v8 100 (I string VCT at 52lbs). Thanks v much in advance!
jimdontcare
Rookie
Yes. I like both Cyclone and Cyclone Tour when fresh. Cyclone still has its place (did a lot of work for me for quite a while so maybe I’m biased) but I don’t see a reason for Cyclone Tour with Alpha around. Maybe Cyclone Tour is spinnier for thirty minutes but Alpha gives you all around playability for much longer than you’d expect from a soft poly this comfortable. I’d just start at your normal 52 and go from there
Grapplesnake USA Official
Professional
Hey! You will find comfort in Alpha. I would also say that the v8 retail Blade is not a comfortable frame and I personally am only able to use it at around 50 lb in the 16x19. Alpha will help with this. Perhaps try a set at your normal 52 lb and then give it another go at 50 lb to determine if the new string plus the -2 lb are beneficial to your game and arm health.
jakefromstatefarm
New User
Hey everyone. @Grapplesnake USA Official helped make a few string set up recommendations recently. He was extremely helpful. Honestly, it's customer service you wouldn't find anywhere else, so thank you GS-USA-Official! My first two variations have been Alpha & M8. Here is my take and I am curious if others have comments or feedback.
M8 is amazing. Great spin, fantastic control, adequate power - does almost everything well. Super playable, great feel, everything just feels so natural with it. I've been searching for the holy grail of hybrids and honestly, am super tempted to just go to full bed of M8. It does most things in a perfect harmony where I just know if I do my job, the string will do its job. That said, I do feel some arm discomfort immediately after playing. It is only mild discomfort, but honestly, I don't want to feel any - especially since I have been playing poly-poly hybrids (of soft polys) and not had any discomfort. I strung at 51lbs in my Solinco Whiteout 16x19 and used the 1.25mm.
Alpha is interesting. It noticeably more comfortable and also more powerful. When I really swing out and rip it, the pace and pop alone can create some unforced errors - even when the ball is right to the middle of the court. This is a little tantalizing. That said, the longer I played with it, the more I felt the launch angle dropping. I simply don't get the net clearance I get from the M8 and have to modify my stroke to get net clearance. But when I do so, I am also finding myself backing off it a little to not fly it. Especially after the M8 experience (amazing other than discomfort), I just know I need to find something that feels effortless like M8. I strung at 53 bs in my Solinco Whiteout 16x19 and used the 1.25mm.
Open to thoughts, ideas, suggestions. I might experiment with some M8 mains and Paradox Pro crosses or M8 mains and Alpha crosses. Maybe I'll also try another full bed of M8 and drop a few pounds to see what happens. Just wishing the M8 was discomfort free!
M8 is amazing. Great spin, fantastic control, adequate power - does almost everything well. Super playable, great feel, everything just feels so natural with it. I've been searching for the holy grail of hybrids and honestly, am super tempted to just go to full bed of M8. It does most things in a perfect harmony where I just know if I do my job, the string will do its job. That said, I do feel some arm discomfort immediately after playing. It is only mild discomfort, but honestly, I don't want to feel any - especially since I have been playing poly-poly hybrids (of soft polys) and not had any discomfort. I strung at 51lbs in my Solinco Whiteout 16x19 and used the 1.25mm.
Alpha is interesting. It noticeably more comfortable and also more powerful. When I really swing out and rip it, the pace and pop alone can create some unforced errors - even when the ball is right to the middle of the court. This is a little tantalizing. That said, the longer I played with it, the more I felt the launch angle dropping. I simply don't get the net clearance I get from the M8 and have to modify my stroke to get net clearance. But when I do so, I am also finding myself backing off it a little to not fly it. Especially after the M8 experience (amazing other than discomfort), I just know I need to find something that feels effortless like M8. I strung at 53 bs in my Solinco Whiteout 16x19 and used the 1.25mm.
Open to thoughts, ideas, suggestions. I might experiment with some M8 mains and Paradox Pro crosses or M8 mains and Alpha crosses. Maybe I'll also try another full bed of M8 and drop a few pounds to see what happens. Just wishing the M8 was discomfort free!
Grateful for your input @jimdontcare . Do you find that the Alpha's level of comfort is similar to the VCT ? Due to my sensitive arms, I am only able to use a few select polys within the soft poly range (I do find Yonex Poly Tour Pro stiff and jarring after a while), VCT being one of them.
Thanks for your input @Grapplesnake USA Official - such excellent customer service.
If I may chip in my 2 cents and based on a number of player experience (including myself), the Blade v8 100 version (RA rating 62) is actually a very comfortable racquet. The tricky bit for players with sensitive arms such as myself is to find the right (soft) string combination/tension for the racquet that would provide some crispiness and pop to an otherwise muted racquet.
In terms of soft poly, I find that VCT and YPTP work well in the racquet but the tension maintenance of each string is quite unsatisfactory (YPTP especially which just falls off a cliff after the 8th hour). I am looking forward to trying the Alpha soon! On this note, since I am based in the UK, I will be ordering from Grapplesnake Germany - is there any discount code available? Thanks!
Carreau
Semi-Pro
I'm using M8/Alpha hybrid right now. Enjoying it, no complains at all. M8/PP hybrid had more power, M8/Alpha is more controlable.
@Grapplesnake USA Official Do you have a picture/diagram of what the actual shape of Sniper is?
@Grapplesnake USA Official
Does anyone already have any experience with Excelent Purple Plus +?
It looks to be a pretty new string, so can't find much information on it. To me it seems something similar to Toroline Wasabi or something like that. Spin friendly yet not stiff, good tension maintenance?
Just a ordered 5 packs for a really nice price (25EUR) on their website.
I string all of my rackets with a round cross, mostly head hawk touch. Here I'll test one setup full bed as well.
Does anyone already have any experience with Excelent Purple Plus +?
It looks to be a pretty new string, so can't find much information on it. To me it seems something similar to Toroline Wasabi or something like that. Spin friendly yet not stiff, good tension maintenance?
Just a ordered 5 packs for a really nice price (25EUR) on their website.
I string all of my rackets with a round cross, mostly head hawk touch. Here I'll test one setup full bed as well.
