Looking for Tier One Firewire characteristics, but less errati

Trip

Legend
I've been playing Firewire on and off in various frames for several months now, usually in 17 and 18 gauge, and I really like the gummy, responsive feel with excellent tension maintenance, but what I don't like is how the edges can wear down in just a few hours and how erratic the string can be, even when strung in a hybrid with a round cross. So I'm looking into other options for equivalent spin, rebound characteristics and tension maintenance, but just more predictability and longer lasting spin. Ideally something that comes in 1.20 and/or 1.15 so I can use it in tighter patterns. A red color would be a bonus.

So far, I've tried everything else from Tier One; Mayami Tour Hex, Big Spin; Solinco Confidential, Hyper-G (and Soft), Tour Bite (and Soft); Volkl Cyclone; Weiss Canon Ultra Cable; Red Ghost; YTEX Square-X, Quadro Twist. Tour Bite Soft and Cyclone were probably the closest, but tension maintenance wasn't as good in either.

I know this is a tall ask. Perhaps I'm looking for a string that just doesn't exist (yet). I do string for myself, so perhaps I just go with something like Volk V-Square and just resign myself to re-stringing every 5-8 hours? What say you guys?

Update - Took me a while, but I found the answer in Mayami Big Spin (with a close second being Genesis Twisted Razor, not quite as sharp as Big Spin). Both are twisted triangular shape, which minimizes the launch randomness to all-but-zero, even when played full bed.
 
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Trip

Legend
Thanks @jugheadfla - I see you play FW Boost currently. I've tried it many times; very nice playability overall. Would you play Black Widow full-bed, or hybrid it with another poly, Ghostwire or otherwise?
 

jugheadfla

Semi-Pro
Thanks @jugheadfla - I see you play FW Boost currently. I've tried it many times; very nice playability overall. Would you play Black Widow full-bed, or hybrid it with another poly, Ghostwire or otherwise?
I have since now completely moved over to BW permanently and actually bought a reel. I would only play it in full bed to get the full bite and spin potential out of it. It's very comfortable so I see no need to hybrid but I guess you could try with GW and see how it goes. It doesn't have best tension maintenance in the world, but it can last the almost standard 6 -8 hours with no issues. I string my own racquets so that really doesn't matter to me as much.
 

Trip

Legend
@JOSHL - Thanks! I'm already very familiar with Co-Focus, which is one of the top 5 smooth crosses of all time IMHO, so I'm very keen to try Focus Hex next.

@jugheadfla - Very interesting. What was your main reason(s) for switching? I presume better predictability was one?
 

BPlain

Professional
I've been playing Firewire on and off in various frames for several months now, usually in 17 and 18 gauge, and I really like the gummy, responsive feel with excellent tension maintenance, but what I don't like is how the edges can wear down in just a few hours and how erratic the string can be, even when strung in a hybrid with a round cross. So I'm looking into other options for equivalent spin, rebound characteristics and tension maintenance, but just more predictability and longer lasting spin. Ideally something that comes in 1.20 and/or 1.15 so I can use it in tighter patterns. A red color would be a bonus.

So far, I've tried everything else from Tier One; Mayami Tour Hex, Big Spin; Solinco Confidential, Hyper-G (and Soft), Tour Bite (and Soft); Volkl Cyclone; Weiss Canon Ultra Cable; Red Ghost; YTEX Square-X, Quadro Twist. Tour Bite Soft and Cyclone were probably the closest, but tension maintenance wasn't as good in either.

I know this is a tall ask. Perhaps I'm looking for a string that just doesn't exist (yet). I do string for myself, so perhaps I just go with something like Volk V-Square and just resign myself to re-stringing every 5-8 hours? What say you guys?

I remember you saying you didn’t like WC Red Ghost 1.18 in a hybrid but did you ever try it full bed?
 

LeftyJunk

Rookie
One word that jumps out to me is gummy... try the Cyclone Tour. Pretty good tension maintenance, incredible spin, soft (gummy), and great power for a poly.
 

Trip

Legend
@MattHeup - Tried Big Spin, felt firmer than Firewire and only comes in 1.25. Good spin though; not quite Firewire level but very close.

@BPlain - I didn't try Red Ghost full bed yet. I tried RG/Co-Focus 1.18 in a G360+ Prestige Tour (99" 18x19) and remember it was a bit launchy when hit flat. I think RG full bed would be a better fit in a more spin-friendly frame with a grommet design that permitted a bit more string movement, perhaps a VCore or similar. I do have another set so I will get around to trying it soon enough.

@Strikethrower25 - Sorry to hear that; sending healing vibes your way. What was the gauge and tension of FW Boost, and in what racquet?

@LeftyJunk - I've never tried CT myself but many here including @g4driver have testified that 16 is the only gauge worth looking at. If that's the case, I think I'll have to pass for this use-case, as I'm looking for 1.20 or narrower. What about V-Torque or V-Torque Tour?

@KimchitheCat & @JOSHL - Thanks for the Trionic suggestion. Have either of you played both FW and Trionic to compare? I would appear Trionic would have the same issues with erratic launches, but perhaps it's a true equilateral triangle and maybe Firwire is slightly obtuse, so maybe that would make a difference? Regardless, I'll definitely give Trionic a shot. Thank you.
 

JOSHL

Hall of Fame
@MattHeup - Tried Big Spin, felt firmer than Firewire and only comes in 1.25. Good spin though; not quite Firewire level but very close.

@BPlain - I didn't try Red Ghost full bed yet. I tried RG/Co-Focus 1.18 in a G360+ Prestige Tour (99" 18x19) and remember it was a bit launchy when hit flat. I think RG full bed would be a better fit in a more spin-friendly frame with a grommet design that permitted a bit more string movement, perhaps a VCore or similar. I do have another set so I will get around to trying it soon enough.

@Strikethrower25 - Sorry to hear that; sending healing vibes your way. What was the gauge and tension of FW Boost, and in what racquet?

@LeftyJunk - I've never tried CT myself but many here including @g4driver have testified that 16 is the only gauge worth looking at. If that's the case, I think I'll have to pass for this use-case, as I'm looking for 1.20 or narrower. What about V-Torque or V-Torque Tour?

@KimchitheCat & @JOSHL - Thanks for the Trionic suggestion. Have either of you played both FW and Trionic to compare? I would appear Trionic would have the same issues with erratic launches, but perhaps it's a true equilateral triangle and maybe Firwire is slightly obtuse, so maybe that would make a difference? Regardless, I'll definitely give Trionic a shot. Thank you.
I’m comparing Trionic 1.20 with red FW 17g as I’ve used both. Trionic feels softer and less plasticy but has less tension maintenance and durability.
 

Trip

Legend
@JOSHL - Thanks. If you've played both full-bed, would you say Trionic would offer at least, say, 70-80% of the tension maintenance? I'm not looking for miraculous here, but I'd prefer to not feel as though it needs to be cut out after the first 5 hours, either. Thanks again.
 

beltsman

G.O.A.T.
I've been playing Firewire on and off in various frames for several months now, usually in 17 and 18 gauge, and I really like the gummy, responsive feel with excellent tension maintenance, but what I don't like is how the edges can wear down in just a few hours and how erratic the string can be, even when strung in a hybrid with a round cross. So I'm looking into other options for equivalent spin, rebound characteristics and tension maintenance, but just more predictability and longer lasting spin. Ideally something that comes in 1.20 and/or 1.15 so I can use it in tighter patterns. A red color would be a bonus.

So far, I've tried everything else from Tier One; Mayami Tour Hex, Big Spin; Solinco Confidential, Hyper-G (and Soft), Tour Bite (and Soft); Volkl Cyclone; Weiss Canon Ultra Cable; Red Ghost; YTEX Square-X, Quadro Twist. Tour Bite Soft and Cyclone were probably the closest, but tension maintenance wasn't as good in either.

I know this is a tall ask. Perhaps I'm looking for a string that just doesn't exist (yet). I do string for myself, so perhaps I just go with something like Volk V-Square and just resign myself to re-stringing every 5-8 hours? What say you guys?

Why not Hyper G or Soft?
 

Trip

Legend
I didn't feel that HG/HGS got the same level of spin. Very close, but not quite as much. All other characteristics were excellent, though.
 

JOSHL

Hall of Fame
@JOSHL - Thanks. If you've played both full-bed, would you say Trionic would offer at least, say, 70-80% of the tension maintenance? I'm not looking for miraculous here, but I'd prefer to not feel as though it needs to be cut out after the first 5 hours, either. Thanks again.
It’s been a while but from what I remember I can put it in that range.
 
@MattHeup - Tried Big Spin, felt firmer than Firewire and only comes in 1.25. Good spin though; not quite Firewire level but very close.

@BPlain - I didn't try Red Ghost full bed yet. I tried RG/Co-Focus 1.18 in a G360+ Prestige Tour (99" 18x19) and remember it was a bit launchy when hit flat. I think RG full bed would be a better fit in a more spin-friendly frame with a grommet design that permitted a bit more string movement, perhaps a VCore or similar. I do have another set so I will get around to trying it soon enough.

@Strikethrower25 - Sorry to hear that; sending healing vibes your way. What was the gauge and tension of FW Boost, and in what racquet?

@LeftyJunk - I've never tried CT myself but many here including @g4driver have testified that 16 is the only gauge worth looking at. If that's the case, I think I'll have to pass for this use-case, as I'm looking for 1.20 or narrower. What about V-Torque or V-Torque Tour?

@KimchitheCat & @JOSHL - Thanks for the Trionic suggestion. Have either of you played both FW and Trionic to compare? I would appear Trionic would have the same issues with erratic launches, but perhaps it's a true equilateral triangle and maybe Firwire is slightly obtuse, so maybe that would make a difference? Regardless, I'll definitely give Trionic a shot. Thank you.
Thanks! I used the 17g at 53/50 in a blade pro.
 

Trip

Legend
Hmm. A bit surprising in a fairly low RA frame, but nevertheless we're all different. What string have changed to?
 
Hmm. A bit surprising in a fairly low RA frame, but nevertheless we're all different. What string have changed to?
I haven’t been able to play but that’s what I’m trying to figure out. Might have to go with gut/soft poly for a while, I’ve never had arm issues before this setup
 

Shiner

New User
I know this is a 2+ year old post, but was looking for info about FW and this has been a good one to read. Currently in my Head Speed MP's (360+), Quadro Twist 1.26 in the mains @ 52, Restring Zero 1.23 in crosses @ 46 (started higher and Zero is just too stiff/hold tension really well). I was just thinking about doing FW in the mains and Zero in the crosses at the same tension to compare the two set ups, but I'm thinking I'll just stick with what's working right now based on the comments about FW being erratic... Unless someone has a different take on FW. Let me know if you do have a different take... I know a lot can change in a couple years with strings.
 

Shiner

New User
I know this is a 2+ year old post, but was looking for info about FW and this has been a good one to read. Currently in my Head Speed MP's (360+), Quadro Twist 1.26 in the mains @ 52, Restring Zero 1.23 in crosses @ 46 (started higher and Zero is just too stiff/hold tension really well). I was just thinking about doing FW in the mains and Zero in the crosses at the same tension to compare the two set ups, but I'm thinking I'll just stick with what's working right now based on the comments about FW being erratic... Unless someone has a different take on FW. Let me know if you do have a different take... I know a lot can change in a couple years with strings.
And when I said FW and Zero at the same tension, I meant the same as my current set up... 52 in mains, 46 in crosses. Thanks.
 

legcramp

Professional
Grapplesnake Game changer
MSV Swift Crosses
Speed MP 22'

Think this takes it up a notch compared to FW, this is my usual setup.

Tension stays same after initial drop-off for a few sessions. Stupid spin if that's your thing.
 

Trip

Legend
So, coming back full circle on this thread, I found the string, which was right in front of my eyes the whole time: Mayami Big Spin, with a close second going to Genesis Twisted Razor (not quite as sharp as Big Spin). Both are still triangular, but twisted, which reduces the erratic launches to all-but-zero, as the "points" of the triangle shape are more evenly oriented throughout the string bed.

As for Game Changer and other ultra-sharp square strings, I found their bite to actually be too much, if you can believe that, to the point where they were clawing at the ball so aggressively, that I would either be dumping balls way short, with way too much curl and grip, or having to hit rainbows just to get enough depth. Much better with a round cross, but it was still there, at least for me and my technique, which is more extreme eastern on the FH, flatter on the BH. With the twisted triangular strings, I found a better balance of letting the ball "slip" just a bit on contact, with a more gentle/gradual bite and release, which still got me aggressive spin, but didn't effect the launch is such an all-consuming way, if that makes sense.

Thank you to all who offered input here, though!
 
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