jimdontcare
Professional
Alpha
Introducing Grapplesnake USA!!!
smithie
Professional
Alpha I would say, Tour M8 close behind but less powerful/comfortable
Will try those.... tempted to try M8 at 40lb (18kg) on my Pure Strike 16x20, I'm sure if feels nice on this frame
Grapplesnake USA Official
Professional
A few pics of Soldier in the new Speed Tour. Great combo! Tested at 50 lb at around 45 temp. So much spin and control, even during winter tennis. Love it.
In the end, one has to find what suits him/her best.
I am currently using a GT 98 and absolutely love it. Most power, most comfort I ever had in a racket. I used to play with Ezone 98 (2022), Vcore 98, Percept 97. While the Ezone 98 always gave me shoulder pain (I do have an issue there in general) - it never gave me any strain or pain on the wrist or elbow. Vocre I just did not like.
The Percept 97 gave me wrist pain (never ever had this before). And of course I tried different strings and tensions - in both rackets. In general lower tensions - in both.
I tested the GT 98 this summer - then again in fall and eventually bought one at the end of November. Have been playing with it since, tried to force it to create any pain in my body - could not
My GT 98 came in at 310g unstrung, maybe like 315mm balance - but no idea about the SW. Initially it felt heavy, I got tired after like 1.5 sets and I felt that it was not forgiving, when you get lazy (knew about that). However, I upped my exercise a little, adjusted my swing-style a little (more use of the whole kinetic chain) and after a few sessions I am not not getting tired - even playing three sets - and I def. play the best tennis - so far - with that GT 98 - no pain, just pure enjoyment!Having said that, I am still searching for a "perfect" string setup for this frame. I did test (all strung myself on a drop weight machine at 23/22 kg)
- Pure Rush/MSV Co-Focus - like it a lot (but wile there is no pain, I do feel my arm the most after playing with this combo)
- O Toro Tour/Enso Pro pink - was ok (in general I found out, that I do not like the feel of Toroline strings - but I still have some...)
- Tour Sniper / O Toro Snap - just played once yesterday, and I did NOT like it. Way too much power.
Since I do like the smaller brands more, and I loved Tour M8 in my Ezone, as well as Tour Sniper, and my stock of strings is coming to an end, I want to at least give Tour M8 and Soldier a try in that frame - for the winter indoor season.
Maybe try something with a bit more spin in the summer clay court season. Maybe M8 indoor, Soldier outdoor?!
Phenomenal
Hall of Fame
Is Soldier clearly stiffer than tour sniper? Would have like to see stiffer option in the grapplesnake lineup. Didn't have a chance to try their strings yet but as far as i see they are very quality strings.
Looking for a stiffer string for an open pattern high SW racket(PA Rafa 290).
Something bit stiffer with little shape help and slickier string would be nice. Hoping that soldier atleast in higher gauge would be stiffer in a good way.
Tour sniper 1.25 and M8 1.30 could be option but i found out stiffer is better for me.
Looking for a stiffer string for an open pattern high SW racket(PA Rafa 290).
Something bit stiffer with little shape help and slickier string would be nice. Hoping that soldier atleast in higher gauge would be stiffer in a good way.
Tour sniper 1.25 and M8 1.30 could be option but i found out stiffer is better for me.
Grapplesnake USA Official
Professional
They'll be close in firmness, yet will still feel different of course, with each having its own formula.
Very curious about this. Re the Burn 100s, with its 18x16 pattern, spin effect tech and 70+ RA, what might possibly be a good matchup from the Grapplesnake catalogue?
Of course with this and similar frames with their string-eating capacity/longevity headache, and tendency to feel harsh on the arm, certain distinct issues present themselves.
What do people think here?...
Of course with this and similar frames with their string-eating capacity/longevity headache, and tendency to feel harsh on the arm, certain distinct issues present themselves.
What do people think here?...
Tour M8! Should bring some more consistency and durability while not being overly harsh. It's also snapback-focused, so you'll get the benefits of the 18x16 without the drawbacks.
Phenomenal
Hall of Fame
Tour sniper is really well made string it's stiffness and other properties would work in most frames. Just in general looking a stiffer option. But likely will try tour sniper aswell.
Okay, thanks JK. Those are the qualities I'm looking for. So, yes... Tour M8 (16g) is now about to be ordered!
jimdontcare
Professional
With Soldier, Beckett finds about a 10% tension loss in the first hour or so of hitting but essentially zero tension loss after that. Sample size of five it seems like. This would make Soldier much, much better than anything in the TW database when it comes to tension loss, assuming I'm understanding that they're measuring the same thing.
end-er
New User
I clocked 10 hours of play with M8 on my PA98 on clay indoor.
Very good string. Balanced, low powered, good pocketing, nice feel, a bit spinnier than Weisscannon Silverstring, my usual string. Overall, I am happy with it and I am considering buying a reel.
I still have a set of Alpha to test and I will probably get a set of Soldier, too.
Very good string. Balanced, low powered, good pocketing, nice feel, a bit spinnier than Weisscannon Silverstring, my usual string. Overall, I am happy with it and I am considering buying a reel.
I still have a set of Alpha to test and I will probably get a set of Soldier, too.
dr. godmode
Hall of Fame
Sample size only 4. I forgot to measure my Rafa fresh off the machine so I don't have useable data for it.
I regret not trying it in the new VCORE's cuz I think it would do a very nice job in taming the power.
Nice! Question - what about the Soldier string makes you say that it could tame the racket's power?
Also, thanks for the video review!
TheFlash26
New User
I've been playing Alpha and Tour Sniper for a few years on and off in different frames. Now I have finally tried out Tour Mako in two configurations. Full bed of short fin at 47 lbs and M8/Mako Teal at 46/48 lbs - both in the Prince ATS Tour 98. I like the feel of the full bed Mako Short Fin a lot and the bite on the ball is great. I think I am playing better tennis with the more control oriented M8 in the mains. I have found that M8 for me requires extra diligence in keeping my swing speed high. When I accelerate well, I get great directional and depth control. If I slow my swing down even a little bit, like if I'm jammed by a body serve, it's easy to hit it straight into the net. I played some 4.0 league doubles this morning and my returns and volleys were dominating with the M8/Mako hybrid. My serve was fine, but nothing special.
I'm tempted to try Short fin as a main with a more control oriented cross. Would tour sniper make for a good cross or just switch the hybrid and try Mako/M8? I could also try a slicker cross like Tru Pro Ghost Wire (I have a reel of 1.23 that has been my standard cross string for a while.)
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Thanks for sharing! Your racket and string bed setup are intriguing (they might fit my game too!).
I've been playing Alpha and Tour Sniper for a few years on and off in different frames. Now I have finally tried out Tour Mako in two configurations. Full bed of short fin at 47 lbs and M8/Mako Teal at 46/48 lbs - both in the Prince ATS Tour 98. I like the feel of the full bed Mako Short Fin a lot and the bite on the ball is great. I think I am playing better tennis with the more control oriented M8 in the mains. I have found that M8 for me requires extra diligence in keeping my swing speed high. When I accelerate well, I get great directional and depth control. If I slow my swing down even a little bit, like if I'm jammed by a body serve, it's easy to hit it straight into the net. I played some 4.0 league doubles this morning and my returns and volleys were dominating with the M8/Mako hybrid. My serve was fine, but nothing special.
I'm tempted to try Short fin as a main with a more control oriented cross. Would tour sniper make for a good cross or just switch the hybrid and try Mako/M8? I could also try a slicker cross like Tru Pro Ghost Wire (I have a reel of 1.23 that has been my standard cross string for a while.)
If you don't mind sharing, what's your playing style? How does your Prince Tour 98's (with the M8/Mako hybrid) complement your style? Seems like you went through different frames before landing on this one!
Did you find the mako to take away from the spin that a full bed of m8 provides at all?
I've been playing Alpha and Tour Sniper for a few years on and off in different frames. Now I have finally tried out Tour Mako in two configurations. Full bed of short fin at 47 lbs and M8/Mako Teal at 46/48 lbs - both in the Prince ATS Tour 98. I like the feel of the full bed Mako Short Fin a lot and the bite on the ball is great. I think I am playing better tennis with the more control oriented M8 in the mains. I have found that M8 for me requires extra diligence in keeping my swing speed high. When I accelerate well, I get great directional and depth control. If I slow my swing down even a little bit, like if I'm jammed by a body serve, it's easy to hit it straight into the net. I played some 4.0 league doubles this morning and my returns and volleys were dominating with the M8/Mako hybrid. My serve was fine, but nothing special.
I'm tempted to try Short fin as a main with a more control oriented cross. Would tour sniper make for a good cross or just switch the hybrid and try Mako/M8? I could also try a slicker cross like Tru Pro Ghost Wire (I have a reel of 1.23 that has been my standard cross string for a while.)
TheFlash26
New User
I am a forward-moving, attack-first type of player. I like to hit big forehands and they tend to be on the flatter side (lower launch angle). I love getting to the net as much as possible and the big overall weakness in my game is that I don't play with enough margin and give my opponent too many free points when I miss shots that I shouldn't. I was a serve-volley/chip-charge d3 college player way back in the days before poly strings were common.
My racquet journey has gone Yonex Vcore Tour 97 (felt a little too jarring on off-center hits, but I served huge with that stick) - Yonex Vcore Tour 89 (magic wand when I found the sweet spot - not my best serving stick) - Prince Phantom Pro 93 18/20 (amazing feel, pinpoint accuracy, but I was in my 40's and didn't have the fitness or skill level to maximise its strengths) - Prince Phantom 100p (played with this one for a while and is a great frame, but I'm now in my late 40's and I wanted something with a little more easy power) - Prince ATS Tour 98 (current). The Prince racquets have all had Grapplesnake strings in them at some point.
I have had some tennis elbow and some shoulder issues in the past, so I've been playing mostly low RA frames since the Vcore Tour 97 started bugging my shoulder a bit. The Prince ATS Tour 98 gives me zero discomfort and has let me experiment with different poly string options without worry. I think the M8/Mako combo is giving me a good amount of control when I swing out. I've played 3 matches with that combo so far and the third one (this morning) was where I was really starting to get used to how the string bed was responding to different shot selections.
TheFlash26
New User
No, I think I found the opposite. The hybrid seemed to give me a little more access to spin when I wanted it compared to what I remember from a full bed of m8. I didn't love a full bed of M8 when I tried it, but I think I might have had the tension a bit higher (51 maybe?) and I should try it at 46 or 47 at some point.
Awesome! I need to look into that Vcore Tour 89. I don't know too much about it.
I have a similar playstyle (serve big + rush the net as soon as possible) and I'm currently sporting the vcore 98 (2018) but I'm drawn to the Prince Tour 98 since the specs (SW, total W, and Bal) seem to be in line with the vcore and it also seem to fit a pro-active net-loving playing style. I enjoy a muted feel so hearing that this frame (+ Grapplesnake string bed) allows for experimentation with stiffer setups is a huge plus. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks! How's the tension maintenance on the hybrid?
TheFlash26
New User
I have about 5-6 hours on it so far and it felt great today at the end of the match. I think with M8 in the mains it should still play well for a while.
Grapplesnake USA Official
Professional
Awesome experiences being shared. Great info for all payers looking to experiment with hybrids. Thank you.
@Grapplesnake USA Official Any plan to release a string in the 120 gauge? something not as extreme as Game Changer or Aspera?
Grapplesnake USA Official
Professional
Not as of now.
Jpipes8787
Rookie
Any anyone suggest a softer cross string to complement soldier and softens up the string bed just a little, mako maybe?
Yesterday the CEO of Grapplesnake recommended me to try Aspera in the crosses with Soldier mains. I was a bit surprised of this combo but will give it a try.
TheFlash26
New User
So I decided since I had the other half of each set from the M8/Mako teal combo, I would try the reverse hybrid. I strung Mako Teal mains at 48 with M8 crosses at 46. I got in an hour hit this morning as a warmup for a league match this afternoon.
First impressions are very positive. M8 in the crosses definitely brings a more consistent feeling than I remember with the full bed of Mako short fin. The feel of Mako/M8 was a little more energetic and plush than the feel of M8/Mako, but the true test will be in match play when shot results are more important than how it feels to hit. I played great last week with the M8/Mako combo, so we'll see how the reverse goes today.
First impressions are very positive. M8 in the crosses definitely brings a more consistent feeling than I remember with the full bed of Mako short fin. The feel of Mako/M8 was a little more energetic and plush than the feel of M8/Mako, but the true test will be in match play when shot results are more important than how it feels to hit. I played great last week with the M8/Mako combo, so we'll see how the reverse goes today.
Grapplesnake USA Official
Professional
Excellent!
WhiteDogo
New User
Review for tour sniper + aspera aspera triplum
Stats : 1.82 cm . 94 kg , babolat pa 98 2023 edition . 2hb , heavy forehand with not much spin . Played for 15 years at highest ranking in my city , left tennis after finishing school/university , started playing again 6 months ago . Going in a trip to test strings to settle before I start competing again . I train 5 hours per week and at least 2/3 matches per week , used to be a powerlifter now only training in the gym to maintain and balance more my body .
Tested strings in order of preference : confidential + outlast , confidential fb , hyper g , match 10 , revolution 1.20
Tension : 52/50 lbs
main comparison against full bed confidential .
TOUR SNIPER 1.30:
control : If I had to describe this string is the most control of my shot that I ever had or that I can remember I can never put too much strength where I lost control o got bouncy ( whit match 10 at full blow lost all control ) this string tell me to hit harder every time that swing .
Spin: nothing crazy , good snapback enough to make all my shots in . I don't have the most spin oriented shots . but my slices felt really nice
Feel: its softer that confidential the main difference that i got was that with confidential when I hit my forehand or server at full blow I fill a stretch / pocket follow by a feeling like hitting a wall , with TS I felt like the stretch / pocket / bend when taking a full blow was gradual and felt wonderful when make me feel that i want to go 110% in all my shots .
Duration . I leave my racket in the back of my car, and It's really hot right now, plus I got more than 15 hours of play and haven't felt a drop in quality of the string .
td:lr . Control ,confidence , duration . S+ string
aspera triplum:
Can't really give a full review i stringed at 48/46, and it felt Too LUNCHY after 2/4 HS a lot of strings didn't stay in position I was having some important matches, so I cut it .
Critics:
Question;
would like to test game changer maybe in a hybrid with tour sniper in crosses and full bed , what would be the recommended tension
same for m8 what tension in full bed to get same feeling as tour sniper
Stats : 1.82 cm . 94 kg , babolat pa 98 2023 edition . 2hb , heavy forehand with not much spin . Played for 15 years at highest ranking in my city , left tennis after finishing school/university , started playing again 6 months ago . Going in a trip to test strings to settle before I start competing again . I train 5 hours per week and at least 2/3 matches per week , used to be a powerlifter now only training in the gym to maintain and balance more my body .
Tested strings in order of preference : confidential + outlast , confidential fb , hyper g , match 10 , revolution 1.20
Tension : 52/50 lbs
main comparison against full bed confidential .
TOUR SNIPER 1.30:
control : If I had to describe this string is the most control of my shot that I ever had or that I can remember I can never put too much strength where I lost control o got bouncy ( whit match 10 at full blow lost all control ) this string tell me to hit harder every time that swing .
Spin: nothing crazy , good snapback enough to make all my shots in . I don't have the most spin oriented shots . but my slices felt really nice
Feel: its softer that confidential the main difference that i got was that with confidential when I hit my forehand or server at full blow I fill a stretch / pocket follow by a feeling like hitting a wall , with TS I felt like the stretch / pocket / bend when taking a full blow was gradual and felt wonderful when make me feel that i want to go 110% in all my shots .
Duration . I leave my racket in the back of my car, and It's really hot right now, plus I got more than 15 hours of play and haven't felt a drop in quality of the string .
td:lr . Control ,confidence , duration . S+ string
aspera triplum:
Can't really give a full review i stringed at 48/46, and it felt Too LUNCHY after 2/4 HS a lot of strings didn't stay in position I was having some important matches, so I cut it .
Critics:
Question;
would like to test game changer maybe in a hybrid with tour sniper in crosses and full bed , what would be the recommended tension
same for m8 what tension in full bed to get same feeling as tour sniper
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jimdontcare
Professional
I second this take on Sniper and this comparison to Confidential
Great detailed review. I just got my racquets strung with M8 to try for the first time but next in line is Sniper and now I kinda regret not going the other way around.
One thing Id suggest though: do not leave the racquet in the car. It is not about the strings, much more so about the racquet. It decreases its durability in a big way.
zeneto1234
New User
@Grapplesnake USA Official i currently play with a modded gravity pro 2025 with tour m8 1.30 at 43-45lbs. Planning to try soldier in the next days, what tension do you recommend? I'm afraid to go lower because of too much power to control.
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babyhagrid
Rookie
Oh snap, that's pretty much my goldilocks setup for the PA98 just with split tension of 21kg Mains & 20kg crosses, not much difference from your tension choice.Changed my signature
have played with quite a few lines from grapplesnake, the mako ones all three of them are just incredible, first time ever experiencing real controlled power, the predictability, power, comfort, are all amazing, spin is not the strong suit but enough to play with. Overall, the peak of Mako is easily the best of the best and I've tried many strings.
but imo it has two fatal flaws that stop me from ever committing to it:
1. playability is just way too short, it needs a break-in for about 2-3 hours across 2 sessions where it is an unhinged rocket launcher before you can trust it in a match, and it starts to go back to that terrible state at about 10-11th hour mark
2. the most critical flaw - just WAY too annoying to string, takes forever and often a few pulls to stretch out fully when stringing, easily doubles or even triples the time it takes and I string for myself, I can't imagine any paid stringer would have that much patience and time to do that, which explains the drastic loss in tension and terrible playability some people experienced. I have no idea why grapplesnake don't address this, do some prestretch or whatever at the factory? prestretch at home doesn't solve the problem but at least help cut the time slightly, but then again not many people are able to prestretch efficiently at home, why not save players some work and headache and make it more accessible for everyone? This combined with the short playability window just unfortunately means I'd have to waste way too much time doing stringing than I ever want.
but imo it has two fatal flaws that stop me from ever committing to it:
1. playability is just way too short, it needs a break-in for about 2-3 hours across 2 sessions where it is an unhinged rocket launcher before you can trust it in a match, and it starts to go back to that terrible state at about 10-11th hour mark
2. the most critical flaw - just WAY too annoying to string, takes forever and often a few pulls to stretch out fully when stringing, easily doubles or even triples the time it takes and I string for myself, I can't imagine any paid stringer would have that much patience and time to do that, which explains the drastic loss in tension and terrible playability some people experienced. I have no idea why grapplesnake don't address this, do some prestretch or whatever at the factory? prestretch at home doesn't solve the problem but at least help cut the time slightly, but then again not many people are able to prestretch efficiently at home, why not save players some work and headache and make it more accessible for everyone? This combined with the short playability window just unfortunately means I'd have to waste way too much time doing stringing than I ever want.
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Jpipes8787
Rookie
What exactly is the issue you have stringing mako? I realize it’s in the softer side but I’ve never had an issue stringing it
what exactly is the issue you have reading my post? I was pretty clear about my problem with the stringing
Jpipes8787
Rookie
LOL good luck to you brother
haha look at you, something about a glass house
not sure why I need luck, not even asking for help. just sharing my experience, it was you who tried to be confrontational and dismissive for no reason. Everyone who has ever strung Mako on a dropweight knows what I'm talking about when I said it takes a few pulls to stretch out fully when stringing, the string has so much give it just keeps on stretching until a tension can finally be accurately pulled
babyhagrid
Rookie
Having strung Mako on a Gamma X-2 dropweight I can say it does stretch, more than a “normal” poly, say Tour Sniper, but nowhere near something like Prince Lightning Pro, that string wrapped itself around the tension head like an Anaconda.
Eudaimorium
New User
What tension have you strung Mako? I've only used Silver at 51 and haven't noticed any break-in period, but my setups have all been hybrids (47/48).
Grapplesnake USA Official
Professional
I would start at the same tension. Both strings are in the same control category, and that way you can evaluate one string and then the other under equal conditions.
Grapplesnake USA Official
Professional
Everyone's different, fellas. What to some players is a non-issue, to others is critical. We should all be friendly here, please, even if it's hard to visualize what someone finds difficult or annoying, or when someone asks a question that might appear dismissive upon first sight. We have kept this going for so many years like that, which is the reason I love coming back here to help with what I can. But I know that we will never, ever, make every single person happy in every area, simply because perhaps the same exact aspect of a string that one might love, another might dislike.
I agree that Mako stretches, and it simply wouldn't be Mako if it was any different from the recipe we perfected to achieve the sublime feel. On the flip side, I can't imagine a paid stringer using a drop-weight. With an electronic tension head, there really isn't a requirement for more patience due to adjusting the weight. I also don't feel that it requires break-in, but agree that it goes through its life in a less linear way than Soldier or M8, of course. Completely different string, category and vision in Mako. I love it because no other string really compares to it. Just like with M8, Soldier, and all the others; that's our philosophy - change and innovation.
@rb1of2 May I suggest Alpha for a more traditional comfortable string with 2/3 of what Mako can provide if you haven't tried it already. It does everything well in the soft/power area, with great feel.
I agree that Mako stretches, and it simply wouldn't be Mako if it was any different from the recipe we perfected to achieve the sublime feel. On the flip side, I can't imagine a paid stringer using a drop-weight. With an electronic tension head, there really isn't a requirement for more patience due to adjusting the weight. I also don't feel that it requires break-in, but agree that it goes through its life in a less linear way than Soldier or M8, of course. Completely different string, category and vision in Mako. I love it because no other string really compares to it. Just like with M8, Soldier, and all the others; that's our philosophy - change and innovation.
@rb1of2 May I suggest Alpha for a more traditional comfortable string with 2/3 of what Mako can provide if you haven't tried it already. It does everything well in the soft/power area, with great feel.
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