Introducing Grapplesnake USA!!!
PhantomStriker
Rookie
I never combined GC with MSV Swift.
StringingIrvine
Professional
There are 93 pages of this thread and i'm sure its been asked before but the search function isn't really working properly for me.
I thank the Grapplesnake guru's for their time in helping me answer.
I thank the Grapplesnake guru's for their time in helping me answer.
- Currently using hyper g 16g in my 16x20 python and usually hover around 50 or 51 lbs full bed. Have a set of grapplesnake m8 17g I want to test out. Whats a good starting reference when compared to hyper g @ 50lbs in terms of power? I'll have to adjust slightly for the thinner gauge but this is my first step in testing any grapplesnake string so wanted to see what all the fuss is about.
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jimdontcare
Professional
which one?
StringingIrvine
Professional
Doh sorry would haven been helpful, Tour M8. Updated original post
Keep it at 51. It's best to remove as many variables as possible, and M8 plays super consistent at lower tensions. Just know that for the first hit or two, there will be a little extra power before it settles in and gets super consistent.
jimdontcare
Professional
I haven't played a ton of 16 gauges in my life, I don't tend to stray from 1.25 very much. So I can't help a ton. But I did wind up preferring M8 at two pounds lower than what I like Hyper G at in the same gauge. So maybe considering the gauge difference you might like it at the same tension. The thicker HG adds consistency but the bite is already there; the thinner M8 has the consistency but the lower tension could add more of the easy launch you're used to.
They're not super comparable strings though, they go for different things, so maybe if you're really committed to trying M8 be prepared to give it a second try to play around with tension. Its connection to the ball is its comparative advantage, but people have many different preferences when it comes to feel so it's hard to give a one size fits all solution. But I go lower with M8 than I have with any other string.
Grapplesnake USA Official
Professional
I agree with the rest. Start at your same normal tension and only evaluate the new string instead of the new string and a new tension. Sometimes you have to adjust a little bit if moving between wildly different power levels in strings, but in this case, you are staying within control-oriented models. Tour M8 is very special, and I am sure you will enjoy it. Allow it some time (15 min to an hour depending on how hard you hit) to develop its signature pocketing.
StringingIrvine
Professional
Thanks for all of the input! i'll string it up today excited to test it out.
I got caught up in the gauge naming but realistically the hyperg 16g @ 1.30mm isn't that big change from the 17g m8 1.25mm.
Hyper g's 17g was 1.20mm which is what i was thinking the m8 was.
I got caught up in the gauge naming but realistically the hyperg 16g @ 1.30mm isn't that big change from the 17g m8 1.25mm.
Hyper g's 17g was 1.20mm which is what i was thinking the m8 was.
Grapplesnake USA Official
Professional
Correct. That's why it's always preferable to talk in terms of millimeters, because the use of "gauge" is subjective and not consistent in tennis strings, with some manufacturers using 17g as 1.25mm, some as 1.23mm, and others as 1.2mm.
SteelCurtain
Rookie
I have a RF 01 pro and I am looking to use something different. Currently using solinco mach 10 at 50 lbs but feels a bit boardy. Has anyone tried alpha or M8 in their RF’s?
Have u try sniper? How is it compare to m8 in terms of consistency?
Will try m8 with lower tension, hoping to get adequate control
Yes, TS is great for precise control, imo m8 is better at low tensions for pure consistency. I found better consistency with M8 than TS- sometimes TS would spin and other times it wouldn’t and I couldn’t quite figure out why
Definitely my next try, thx a bunch
anfield
Semi-Pro
That might be notching. I would use a full bed of Sniper all day if it did not tend to lock up. I've found Hawk Black to be very dent resistant cross but really dead. Hawk silver, if you can find it, is a better match with Sniper.
M8 works really well as a cross because it's really slick, I just wish it was fully round to get a more consistent rebound on volleys, pickups and block returns. The two shapes battle each other with for me with these shots. A fully round M8 or round dent-resistant Sniper would be a wonderful option as a cross.
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Maybe- I’ve only used it in an EZ 98 and I just couldn’t find the same consistency with TS that I do with M8
julianokay
Rookie
Wanted to drop in here to give my thoughts on Tour Mako. Bought a few sets to test out, always on the search for good round polys.
Tested it full bed at first, 50lbs.
Tested it full bed, 54lbs.
Tested it crossed with a relatively stiff, smooth round poly cross, 54/51lbs.
I've never experienced such tension loss from a string so quickly. After my first hit I thought I had made a mistake while stringing.
It played decently for about 1.5 to 2h, then lost all tension. This was true in all configurations. I play some big hitters but it's not like I'm playing ATP lol.
Honestly kind of disappointed because the initial feel was good, soft yet good feel and energy return, and the abrasive surface does add some nice grip for spin.
Am I doing something wrong? If not, I can't say I'd recommend this string to anyone.
Tested it full bed at first, 50lbs.
Tested it full bed, 54lbs.
Tested it crossed with a relatively stiff, smooth round poly cross, 54/51lbs.
I've never experienced such tension loss from a string so quickly. After my first hit I thought I had made a mistake while stringing.
It played decently for about 1.5 to 2h, then lost all tension. This was true in all configurations. I play some big hitters but it's not like I'm playing ATP lol.
Honestly kind of disappointed because the initial feel was good, soft yet good feel and energy return, and the abrasive surface does add some nice grip for spin.
Am I doing something wrong? If not, I can't say I'd recommend this string to anyone.
Dennis Chan
Hall of Fame
I have Tour Mako 1.25 as mains on my Pro Staff 97 V13, with Hawk Touch 1.20 as cross. Both strung @42 lbs. I have no way to measure tension. But after 5 hours of play (mainly practice sets), although the mains did not snap/slide back in place as when fresh, I did not notice any significant drop in performance/control/feel etc.
I had the exact same experience when I tested Mako when it was released. I thought I did a very bad string job.
Grapplesnake USA Official
Professional
In the v9 16x19, I normally use M8 at around 50 or 51 lb. This, of course, will depend on your personal preferences, playing level, style, and environmental conditions such as elevation and relative humidity.
jimdontcare
Professional
I like Solinco, and Mach 10 and HGR are two of my three favorites, but if you're prioritizing better touch I don't know why you'd use less M8 and more Solinco.
darthrafa
Hall of Fame
coz i wish to add some more power as blade demands more swing speed
thx
Rodrigo Tonini da Silva
New User
Olá @Grapplesnake USA Official qual corda da linha GS você recomendaria para ser usado no Wilson Python?
WhiteDogo
New User
Grapplesnake Game Changer (green) Review
ChatGPT was used ONLY TO FIX SPELLING MISTAKES .
Stats: 1.82 m, 94 kg.
Racquet: Babolat PA 98 (2023 edition).
2HBH, heavy forehand.
Played for 15 years and reached the highest ranking in my city. I left tennis after finishing school/university and started playing again 6 months ago. I'm currently on a trip testing different strings before I start competing again.
I train about 5 hours per week and play at least 2–3 matches per week. I used to be a powerlifter, and now I only train in the gym to maintain and balance my body.
Tension: 52/50 lb full bed
Playtime: 12–14 hours
From my stringer:
He told me it had really sharp edges, but it was the first string that felt like “gum.” The string would stretch in a really weird way.
From me:
The first time I hit with it, the sound it made was unique. It definitely grabbed the ball and produced huge spin. After one hour of rallies it destroyed the main ball we were using, and the ball was fresh.
Huge spin. I didn’t really hear the string snapping back, but the string-to-ball friction is so high that it feels like you’re using sandpaper.
Nothing strange once I adjusted to the really high launch angle.
It definitely felt like I should have strung it at least 2 lbs lower. I usually use Confidential/Outlast at 52/50 and that setup has a lot more power.
I felt that notching wasn’t really present until around 8 hours of playtime, but it started to happen. It wasn’t deep, but it was square-shaped, so it was really hard to move the crosses when I wanted to check the notching.
With almost all my Grapplesnake strings I don’t really feel traditional notching in the mains. Instead, it feels more like the string doesn’t return perfectly to place, almost like it stretched. The snapback was there, but for the first millimeters it wasn’t.
Usually with most strings I use, the first 2 hours feel like the string is not at its best. This was the opposite. The fresher it was, the better the grip on the ball.
But with more playtime the string started to get more round, and I started seeing small pieces of the edges getting trimmed off.
Around 8–10 hours the sharpness in the middle of the racquet was mostly gone. I could still feel the edges on the strings outside the center.
After 10 hours the string lost its identity of crazy grab on the ball. Since it didn’t have great snapback for me, it was time for a change. You can still play many more hours with it, but the drop in string-to-ball performance was really big. Since I have a tournament coming up, I didn’t want to test how long I could keep playing it. The power was never really there, and the spin started decreasing rapidly.
I’ve never tested other extreme four-edged strings like Volk Square, so I can’t really compare.
The sensation of feeling the string shave the ball was amazing. Sadly, that feeling was lost toward the end. I might try it again in the future at a lower tension and maybe in a hybrid setup.
I’m going to buy Aspera Triplum to compare them directly.
I would recommend this string if you like shaped strings. For me, I didn’t feel the superior quality that I usually feel in other Grapplesnake strings. I wouldn’t say I was really disappointed, but I’m not a big fan of strings that lose performance this much.
ChatGPT was used ONLY TO FIX SPELLING MISTAKES .
Stats: 1.82 m, 94 kg.
Racquet: Babolat PA 98 (2023 edition).
2HBH, heavy forehand.
Played for 15 years and reached the highest ranking in my city. I left tennis after finishing school/university and started playing again 6 months ago. I'm currently on a trip testing different strings before I start competing again.
I train about 5 hours per week and play at least 2–3 matches per week. I used to be a powerlifter, and now I only train in the gym to maintain and balance my body.
Tension: 52/50 lb full bed
Playtime: 12–14 hours
First Impressions
From my stringer:
He told me it had really sharp edges, but it was the first string that felt like “gum.” The string would stretch in a really weird way.
From me:
The first time I hit with it, the sound it made was unique. It definitely grabbed the ball and produced huge spin. After one hour of rallies it destroyed the main ball we were using, and the ball was fresh.
Spin
Huge spin. I didn’t really hear the string snapping back, but the string-to-ball friction is so high that it feels like you’re using sandpaper.
Control
Nothing strange once I adjusted to the really high launch angle.
Power
It definitely felt like I should have strung it at least 2 lbs lower. I usually use Confidential/Outlast at 52/50 and that setup has a lot more power.
Notching
I felt that notching wasn’t really present until around 8 hours of playtime, but it started to happen. It wasn’t deep, but it was square-shaped, so it was really hard to move the crosses when I wanted to check the notching.
With almost all my Grapplesnake strings I don’t really feel traditional notching in the mains. Instead, it feels more like the string doesn’t return perfectly to place, almost like it stretched. The snapback was there, but for the first millimeters it wasn’t.
Negatives
Usually with most strings I use, the first 2 hours feel like the string is not at its best. This was the opposite. The fresher it was, the better the grip on the ball.
But with more playtime the string started to get more round, and I started seeing small pieces of the edges getting trimmed off.
Around 8–10 hours the sharpness in the middle of the racquet was mostly gone. I could still feel the edges on the strings outside the center.
After 10 hours the string lost its identity of crazy grab on the ball. Since it didn’t have great snapback for me, it was time for a change. You can still play many more hours with it, but the drop in string-to-ball performance was really big. Since I have a tournament coming up, I didn’t want to test how long I could keep playing it. The power was never really there, and the spin started decreasing rapidly.
Conclusion
I’ve never tested other extreme four-edged strings like Volk Square, so I can’t really compare.
The sensation of feeling the string shave the ball was amazing. Sadly, that feeling was lost toward the end. I might try it again in the future at a lower tension and maybe in a hybrid setup.
I’m going to buy Aspera Triplum to compare them directly.
I would recommend this string if you like shaped strings. For me, I didn’t feel the superior quality that I usually feel in other Grapplesnake strings. I wouldn’t say I was really disappointed, but I’m not a big fan of strings that lose performance this much.
Grapplesnake USA Official
Professional
Try Soldier, also, if you can.
JackieTreeh0rn
Rookie
any thoughts on how i can get game changer to to feel crisper? i,love its spin annd launch in full bed at 44lbs, it just gets mushy very fast. tried soldier but that ome im full bed was just not a good feeling string at all. for another comparison, restring zero had great spin but strangely a very low launch without feeling like i had to consciously alter my swing path to get to my height targets. id love to make GC work though… any suggestions?
Grapplesnake USA Official
Professional
I would put Sniper in the crosses.
Grapplesnake USA Official
Professional
TW has a dedicated review, also lots of content here. It's a popular soft and powerful string, yet it still gives you a bit of a crisp feel upon impact. No markings. Enjoy!
Just need to drop a quick micro-plug for Soldier. Have it in the mains with Toroline Snap Tour Black in the crosses, in a Furi Arma Pro v2, and the combo is ridiculous. Soldier gives good feel, great string-to-ball grip and nice controlled pop, while Snap Tour cranks up the snapback potential. Together, a surgical spin application tool with beef and decent durability to it. 4 hours in and it's holding strong, minimal notching on the Soldier mains, and basically zero playability loss. Impressed.
At large, I think some of the best next-gen poly/poly hybrids can be found by combining a Grapplesnake main and a Toroline cross. You get the superior feel from having GSnake mains, which feel WAY better than any Toroline string (have to say, I think co-poly's made in Germany (by Monofil Technik, probably?) generally feel better than those made by Zons in Taiwan), but then you utilize Toroline's ridiculous snapback potential on most of their strings in the crosses. Godly combos just waiting to be made. Mains: Tour M8, Soldier, Sniper, Alpha | crosses: any O-Toro derivative, Wasabi/Wasabi-X, Snapper, etc.
Anyways, thank you once again @Grapplesnake USA Official for producing yet another killer string in Soldier!
At large, I think some of the best next-gen poly/poly hybrids can be found by combining a Grapplesnake main and a Toroline cross. You get the superior feel from having GSnake mains, which feel WAY better than any Toroline string (have to say, I think co-poly's made in Germany (by Monofil Technik, probably?) generally feel better than those made by Zons in Taiwan), but then you utilize Toroline's ridiculous snapback potential on most of their strings in the crosses. Godly combos just waiting to be made. Mains: Tour M8, Soldier, Sniper, Alpha | crosses: any O-Toro derivative, Wasabi/Wasabi-X, Snapper, etc.
Anyways, thank you once again @Grapplesnake USA Official for producing yet another killer string in Soldier!
babyhagrid
Rookie
In your opinion Trip, how does it compare to M8 & Wasabi-X? And what use cases does each setup suit?
Thank you for all you do in the Lab, coming up with these blends.
M8/Was-X is a bit bouncier/springier/higher-powered per unit tension. Less low-end spin, but potentially a hair more top-end spin if you really get the strings displacing and snapping. Slightly more consistency in launch behavior from M8 than Soldier, so M8 in the mains is a bit better for those who want to hit the full arsenal, but who also predominantly like to hit more flat/through the ball as well. Soldier can do all of that, bit is even a bit more suited when static grip and increasing launch angle are of a bit more interest. And Was-X vs Snap Tour Black, W-X is a ever-so-slightly higher-powered. Snap Tour Black slightly more crisp (it's not actually pure black; it's got a hint of gunmetal/metallic to it) and definitely a bit more controlled. Beauty is, once you get a grasp over how these strings like to behave, as I was hinting at, you can mix/match till the cows come home, to really dial in and get exactly what you want. But the baseline to follow is GSnake mains, Toroline crosses. Just tends to give more than what a full-bed of either brand tends to offer. Call me a voodoo witch, but that's what I've noticed anyways!
Grapplesnake USA Official
Professional
Good man, @Trip, always providing thorough and useful information here. Thanks for the praise, much appreciated. We work hard for this.
Jpipes8787
Rookie
Trying this today in a ND 98s @45/43 33DT
Rodrigo Tonini da Silva
New User
@Grapplesnake USA Official Hi, which Grapplesnake string would you recommend for use on the Wilson Python?
StringingIrvine
Professional
I've been long time hyper g user and so far loving my Tour m8 in the racket (full bed 1.25). Launch angle is way lower and honestly allows me to flatten out my shots with way more control. Tour M8 is on the top of my list for new string.
I used same tension at 51 lbs and no issues. I don't know what they did to the string the the sound of the string sounds WAY louder and has more popping sound than hyper g. Not a bad thing but sounds like i'm hitting HUGE bombs even on rally balls. Does anyone else notice this with tour m8?
Grapplesnake USA Official
Professional
Haven't personally used that frame yet, but I agree on starting with M8 in the lower end of your normal poly tension range for a string that does everything very well. Enjoy!
Edit: He was playing M8 mains / gut crosses for some time now... guess I'm the one who needs to catch up!
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babyhagrid
Rookie
Looking at the Toroline insta page, its seems Julian has switched over to them.Gotta catch up my bro. He's been playing M8 mains / gut crosses for some time now. Won Wimbledon '25 with the combo.
Woops. Didn't fully read that... though he said "Cash to Grapplesnake?"... but no. It appears Toroline now, yes.
Eudaimorium
New User
Just to clarify, is the Toroline string Snap Tour Flex, or is there a non-Flex variant that I'm overlooking?
I'll probably test Soldier with Monogut ZX and Sync first, but might want to make my way to trying a Toroline cross in the future.
It might be A5 (see the T'line thread for my post there).
Also, apologies to @Grapplesnake USA Official if I brought too much other-brand energy into the thread. Will try to keep that stuff reigned in, at least in here!
Grapplesnake USA Official
Professional
No worries at all! Julian has been great to work with, genuinely a very good person. He received a significant monetary offer and made the decision that made sense for him. That is part of the reality for players, even at that level. We are grateful for the time we worked together, and proud of how much he loves Tour M8!
Hi @Trip hope u can give me your expertise for my problem. I plan to combine m8 main with o-toro snap cross, do u think it will be good?
The thing is, i tried tour sniper fullbed. Everything works well beside of comfort. And i feel m8 fullbed wont work either.
If it's not working i will try alpha main and something cross
The thing is, i tried tour sniper fullbed. Everything works well beside of comfort. And i feel m8 fullbed wont work either.
If it's not working i will try alpha main and something cross
@redvic - M8/Snap has a decent chance at being more comfortable than full-bed M8, but Snap won't provide as much DT per unit reference tension and will bag out sooner than M8, so you'll probably have to bump tension up at least 1-2 lbs for the combo. If comfort still isn't enough, you could dry dropping tension; otherwise I would try Alpha/Snap. If that still doesn't do it, I would look at Alpha/Truffle-X, paying special attention to the fact that Truf-X needs a pre-stretch (either manual or machine) and another 10%+ higher tension on the crosses, so reign in its extra power. Beyond that, you could look at other non-poly hybrids, but you may have to look at the racquet — adding recoil weight, or even switching frames if necessary. Best of luck.
