5263
G.O.A.T.
sounds like one of the svc academys.
Nickb's Poly Reviews
- Thread starter nickb
- Start date
sounds like one of the svc academys.
Nick stated he isn't a hybrid guy, although he does make very useful suggestions. I'm one of the many who have been helped a lot from the young lad. My early poly experiments were complete failures because I didn't really understand polys and most stringers in my area were only doing lux jobs. His recommendations have always been spot on.
Nick, with your experience with poly's would you recommend BG 1.28 or ALU Rough. I have used BG and it's been a while for Rough.
5263
G.O.A.T.
I'll answer for Nickb, as while he is a big, BIg Ace fan, he still likes Lux better.
I got started with Big Ace because of his and other reviews. I really like it, but like most, like it in the smaller gauges better, like 1.22 and Micro. He admits that BA does several things better than lux, just not the things he's most interested in, like the overall feel of it.
I know Nicks fav was BBO, but he liked Alu and Alu rough almost as well I'm pretty sure. I know there are others who know him better than me, so I hope they will feel free to speak up if I'm slightly off here.
tennisfreak15347
Banned
bump... more people need to see the useful info on this thread.
djlancejordan
New User
Anyone have any feedback on Prince Tour? I've used it on a few racquets and I like the feel. Seems to lose 5% tension in the first couple of hours then holds well after that, so don't need to drop tension more than 2 or 3 lbs from normal.
marantzbar
New User
MSV Focus HEX 17
What is your take on this string, if you tested it already? What do you recommend for the crosses?
What is your take on this string, if you tested it already? What do you recommend for the crosses?
hey i have a question.. i am a a 4.5-5.0 tennis player using the ksix one 95 (16x18). I have come to the decision of buying two reels to hybrid with. Which one of these top 11 would you use and which hybrid would you choose to use with it? I prefer to not use luxillon as its expensive and not very arm friendly.
. Signum Pro polyplasma 17L (1.1 or (1.23)?
2. Kirschbaum proline II 17L (1.20)
3. Kirschbaum II 17 (1.25)
4. signum hyperion (1.23)
5. Gosen OG Micro 17 (hyrbid with Topspin Cyberflash)
6. Weisscannon Silverstring
7. Signum Pro Tornado (1.23)
8. Tecnifibre Black Code 17
10. Spin-X 1.23
11.Kirschbaum Touch Turbo
. Signum Pro polyplasma 17L (1.1 or (1.23)?
2. Kirschbaum proline II 17L (1.20)
3. Kirschbaum II 17 (1.25)
4. signum hyperion (1.23)
5. Gosen OG Micro 17 (hyrbid with Topspin Cyberflash)
6. Weisscannon Silverstring
7. Signum Pro Tornado (1.23)
8. Tecnifibre Black Code 17
10. Spin-X 1.23
11.Kirschbaum Touch Turbo
purple-n-gold
Hall of Fame
PLII
BCode
GSpinX
Gosen in X's
BCode
GSpinX
Gosen in X's
nickarnold2000
Hall of Fame
I've been using BC 17/Forten Sweet 17 at 47/45 and get great dwell time and spin out of this setup. It's also easy on the arm. I'm about to string up some Tornado 17 and Sweet 17 at the same tension and I'll be sure to post back with a review. I'm a 5.0
I really want to test out these new "twisted" polys!
DrumWizOHBD
Semi-Pro
Will be curious to here your thoughts on the new Twisters. I have not yet tried any twisted strings. I wonder how they feel. I am sure they give nice access to spin, but can you get a nice feel and touch for volleys and such?
Icedorb217
Semi-Pro
Um i think he meant blue gear ( BG ) not big ace but look on the first post he says ALU rough as more spin than blue gear
Wilson Enduro
Background
Starting playing tennis is the late 70's using a combination of metal and wood racquets. A Wilson T2000 and a Jack Kramer Autograph which was strung with VS gut and the T2000 with nylon or graphite. Both are heavy racquets when compared to what is available today, meaning you had to swing pretty hard to get those racquets moving. Consequently I have a fast swing. Played competitively city and high school mostly playing doubles.
I hit every day for about 1-1.5 hrs usually early in the morning with a ball machine. Longer on the weekends and on Wednesdays I play a real person for 2-2.hours. In total about 10 hrs a week, sometimes more if I got to one the clinics put on by the city tennis center nearby.
Semi-Western Grip
Flat and top spin forehand
one and two handed backhand
Just got back into tennis after a 20 year absence. Mostly due to injury, carpel tunnel and life in general getting in the way.
Hitting with Wilson Enduro
I just had my racquet, Wilson Hyper Hammer 5.3 OS strung with plain Wilson Enduro since I'm a string breaker. Note, I chose Enduro wince it was the cheapest poly that was available at the local tennis center. The other options were Enduro Gold at $25 and Luxilon at $33. I'm a cheap ******* so I chose the plain Enduro at $19.
This is the first time I'm tried poly string. Why? I'm tired of breaking string. The previous string job was with NXT and it lasted less than 10 hours. Nice string but at $30 a pop strung makes for an expensive setup. Prior to that I tried Prince Synthetic gut. Lasted a day and before than plain nylon which lasted about 3 hrs.
Keep in mind that this is the first time I've tried a poly string.
I like the Enduro strung at 55 lbs on the Hyper Hammer. Top spin forehands are deep with lots of spin, one bounce and the ball hits the back fence. I find I can easily hit one handed top spin backhands that have good depth and acceptable pace. Two handed top spin backhands are deep and with good bounce. Not like the top spin forehand, but acceptable none the less.
I found the string to handle very well at the net. Volleys were deep, had good pace and the stayed nice and low. I found handling half-volleys easier with this string that with the others listed above. With the Enduro I found that I could take a three-quarter swing and return the ball low over the net and deep.
The biggest surprise was with the serve. I've never had a powerful first serve, which is why I mostly played doubles. With this string I feel that my first serve has added pace either hitting flat or with a bit of slice. Second serve are a joy, lot of kick. My Wednesday hitting partner is in for a surprise this week!
If the string last twice as long as the NXT I'll be happy. But I fear that the new world of poly strings could be addictive!
Eric
Wilson Enduro Pro 1.25
Older poly string which is at a great price. Very durable and stiff. Feels a bit like Babolat Duralast and Tecnifibre Polyspin...an "old" school first gen poly. Drops tension fast but has a load of control and spin. Very good if you are a hard hitter who does nothing but run about on the baseline hitting heavy spin...horrible at net! Nadal sort of string
Background
Starting playing tennis is the late 70's using a combination of metal and wood racquets. A Wilson T2000 and a Jack Kramer Autograph which was strung with VS gut and the T2000 with nylon or graphite. Both are heavy racquets when compared to what is available today, meaning you had to swing pretty hard to get those racquets moving. Consequently I have a fast swing. Played competitively city and high school mostly playing doubles.
I hit every day for about 1-1.5 hrs usually early in the morning with a ball machine. Longer on the weekends and on Wednesdays I play a real person for 2-2.hours. In total about 10 hrs a week, sometimes more if I got to one the clinics put on by the city tennis center nearby.
Semi-Western Grip
Flat and top spin forehand
one and two handed backhand
Just got back into tennis after a 20 year absence. Mostly due to injury, carpel tunnel and life in general getting in the way.
Hitting with Wilson Enduro
I just had my racquet, Wilson Hyper Hammer 5.3 OS strung with plain Wilson Enduro since I'm a string breaker. Note, I chose Enduro wince it was the cheapest poly that was available at the local tennis center. The other options were Enduro Gold at $25 and Luxilon at $33. I'm a cheap ******* so I chose the plain Enduro at $19.
This is the first time I'm tried poly string. Why? I'm tired of breaking string. The previous string job was with NXT and it lasted less than 10 hours. Nice string but at $30 a pop strung makes for an expensive setup. Prior to that I tried Prince Synthetic gut. Lasted a day and before than plain nylon which lasted about 3 hrs.
Keep in mind that this is the first time I've tried a poly string.
I like the Enduro strung at 55 lbs on the Hyper Hammer. Top spin forehands are deep with lots of spin, one bounce and the ball hits the back fence. I find I can easily hit one handed top spin backhands that have good depth and acceptable pace. Two handed top spin backhands are deep and with good bounce. Not like the top spin forehand, but acceptable none the less.
I found the string to handle very well at the net. Volleys were deep, had good pace and the stayed nice and low. I found handling half-volleys easier with this string that with the others listed above. With the Enduro I found that I could take a three-quarter swing and return the ball low over the net and deep.
The biggest surprise was with the serve. I've never had a powerful first serve, which is why I mostly played doubles. With this string I feel that my first serve has added pace either hitting flat or with a bit of slice. Second serve are a joy, lot of kick. My Wednesday hitting partner is in for a surprise this week!
If the string last twice as long as the NXT I'll be happy. But I fear that the new world of poly strings could be addictive!
Eric
Centered
Hall of Fame
Noltae
Rookie
Which string plays best once "dead" - I don't get to restring more than once every 6 weeks .... I found alu power to still play ok but bb original to be awful - blackcode 18 has been the worst .... i am looking for a poly that has the most playability once "dead" - is this asking too much? could i just string at a really low tension with a low powered poly? - would switching to a 100 inch head help?
JT_2eighty
Hall of Fame
While playing with "dead" poly is unadvisable especially for those with arm issues (since polys stiffen up as they die and lose elasticity), this is a tough question to answer. Some will argue that no poly will play good when dead, while others like the feel of a "broken in" stringbed. This will largely then depend on what you like, and can only come with trying new things out.
In my experience, I strung up Kirshbaum P2 for a 4.5 teammate of mine who uses Liquidmetal Radical midplus, and he found the string to play great for over a month. It is a prestretched poly, which may help it to die a lot slower than other polys. Genesis' strings also get great reviews for tension maintenance/longevity.
Stringing at low tension will also help a bit, but then you may not like the feel and control of that tension.
Otherwise, switching racquets won't prolong the life of a string (although switching to more flexible racquets for some also seems to come with better string life). I would suggest only switching one variable at a time, so maybe try the "P2" (not proline II) at your normal tension and racquet first to see if it's any better.
Instead of compromising so much on your strings, I would suggest you invest in a klippermate stringer (or other inexpensive stringer) and string for yourself more often (I am assuming finances are what keeps you from stringing more often?). You can pick up some of the newer 3rd gen co-polys in a synthetic hybrid for like under $5 a set (ex. cyberflash and gosen sheep micro). Being able to string your own rackets for about 5 bucks takes the longevity of the strings really out of play, since you just cut them out whenever. You can string 6 rackets for what they will charge you for one. If you are wondering, it also is not so difficult to learn how to string. There is also the added benefit that you can be more consistent since you are the only stringer and often you will do a better quality job since it is for you alone. Secondly, you can string rackets for your friends/family and make a little dough.
Stringing Own Racquet
Getting a stringing machine is on the list of things to do after the home renos are completed.
Eric
Getting a stringing machine is on the list of things to do after the home renos are completed.
Eric
Noltae
Rookie
i only string once every six weeks partly for money but also as I just like things to last a bit and don't like the disposable nature of cutting out strings too often - but like so many others I cannot forget my first full bed of alu - I really feel short changed playing with a multi now - they make me play a more cautious game - and slow down the racket head speed ... so maybe a stringing machine is a fine suggestion - I guess my next thought would be what is better - say 1 month old lux or 1 week old cheapo poly? As if I had a stringing machine and a roll of lux I would still insist on it lasting a good 20 hours
One thing to know is that the price vs. performance spec is way off for polyester strings especially. Many of the best performing polys are fairly cheap from companies that just don't have advertising budgets. The aura of lux is for the first 2 hours, but even if you string it yourself you won't get 20 hours. Many of the cheap, 3rd gen polys last 20 hours and they last longer than any other poly out there. So lux is better for 2 hrs and then the "cheapo" poly is better for the 18 after that. Unless you are a pro with someone stringing for you every week, lux really isn't practical. But if you are stringing yourself for $5 a frame, you won't care because the strings are close enough and the price is right. But you really can't try out all these strings without a stringer, because you have to try many strings and keep cutting them out. Still, the advantage to stringing yourself is tremendous, think about having your rackets restrung within an hour instead of days later. And forget about inconsistent string jobs.
counterpuncher
Hall of Fame
price v performance polys
I tend to hit with polys for 20-30 hours before they go completely dead and are totally unusable, so I thought I'd chime in with a couple of recommendations. And as you may have guessed, I can do so because I'm not an extemely hard hitter and nor do I have extreme topspin strokes.
As far as Luxilon goes, BB Ace is the choice here. For Topspin, I have found Cyber Blue to play with greater longevity than Cyberflash. The others that I have found to be quite long lasting are WC SilverString, Signum Pro Hyperion and Poly Plasma Pure and original.
I tend to hit with polys for 20-30 hours before they go completely dead and are totally unusable, so I thought I'd chime in with a couple of recommendations. And as you may have guessed, I can do so because I'm not an extemely hard hitter and nor do I have extreme topspin strokes.
As far as Luxilon goes, BB Ace is the choice here. For Topspin, I have found Cyber Blue to play with greater longevity than Cyberflash. The others that I have found to be quite long lasting are WC SilverString, Signum Pro Hyperion and Poly Plasma Pure and original.
Signum Pro Hyperion and Signum Pro Tornado are both very good polys and play well for a long time. After about 15 to 20 hours, they lose a little of the "pop" but the control is still there. They hold tension well. Even when they lose a little power, they don't get wild as the tension is still reasonable. You will see a drop in performance at 20 hours for almost all strings (polys, multi's, or nylons) except maybe 16G natural gut.
All good recommendations, not that some are twisted/textured and some are smooth. The first thing to decide would be whether you want the extra bite from something other than smooth (i.e. difference between ALU Power and rough).
I would stick to Signum Pro, Weiss Cannon, Pro Suprex, Genesis, Topspin, and select Tecnifibre strings from my experience.
I have also heard the WC silverstring will now have a twisted or textured counterpart? Not confirmed though.
I would stick to Signum Pro, Weiss Cannon, Pro Suprex, Genesis, Topspin, and select Tecnifibre strings from my experience.
I have also heard the WC silverstring will now have a twisted or textured counterpart? Not confirmed though.
thebuffman
Professional
my friend do yourself a favor and steer clear from playing dead poly. my shoulder is screaming bloody murder from technifibre black code i left in a twee bit too long. i knew it was dead but continued playing with it anyway. dumb dumb dumb. this pain is annoying the heck out of me.
counterpuncher
Hall of Fame
I would think of it more as to which polys play with the best longevity. I gave you a few options above, my pick is Hyperion or SPPP, then BB Ace, then SilverString.
MarcDunn1989
New User
Poly doesnt last long at all...we have junior players out here practicing everyday and breaking strings everyother day...even with 15g. If you are judging the life of a poly based on a middle aged 3.0 player (who shouldn't be using a poly string in the first place ) then all of your reviews are incorrect.
MarcDunn1989
New User
Lol my friend do yourself a favor, quit using polys, if your shoulder is hurting because the string is dead, you are either A) completely mental about your game and think that your string is hindering your lack of skill or B) using the wrong string and need to go to a multifilament string so that your shoulder stop "screaming bloody murder" since you obviously shouldn't be using a poly in the first place. Good players that play with polys and play atleast 4 times a week will break their strings that same week, if not then poly strings are NOT for you.
hoodjem
G.O.A.T.
I would add Cyberflash 1.20 to this list.
Tried SPPP 1.23 first time yesterday, strung at 60lbs in a full job. Really loved the control it gave me, strokes were hard and flat, and I didn't need to use much spin to control them. Going to try SPPP as mains with some syngut crosses now when I receive my Mantis strings.
thebuffman
Professional
so if you can't break poly strings you should not be using them??? this world takes all kinds LOL
MarcDunn1989
New User
i dont think you should be using them, if you cant get maximum playability of out of a poly string there is no point in using them..especially if you cant break it before it starts to go dead.....there are plenty of alternatives that would give good results for lower level players. And honestly, atleast half of the people on here that proclaim their strings go dead or are dead are mental about their game anyway, yes poly strings go dead, but not at the rate a 3.0 or 3.5 player plays...
Very true. A lot of people won't want to agree with this as they want to keep cutting polys every x number of hours or whatever magic formula they use. If you can't hit a hard ball and control it with spin using a multi, you are not there yet for using poly. I see most coaches hitting with juniors a hard and heavy ball, just using some multi or other.
To each its own, but I have never lost a match (and I have lost many trust me) because somehow I didn't have the right "string" on my racket. Movement, consistency, shot selection in tight points, double faults, finding/exploiting the opponents weakness, so much bigger factors than the string. IMHO of course....
counterpuncher
Hall of Fame
IMO, poly makes it far easier to hit a hard ball and control with it spin as opposed to using a mutli. So why wouldn't you use it, barring arm pain, etc. ? I don't subscribe to the 'you have to be good enough to use it' argument. If it works for your game and doesn't cause you any issues, use them.
I find when poly or other strings die or lose tension, then you have no feel, no control and you lose all confidence in your strokes and placement. It certainly has made me lose a few games, necessating the switch to a back-up racquet. When this happens, I know it's time for a restring.
Noltae
Rookie
when poly starts to deaden the power goes down and can i play weaker through hitting shorter into my opponent's court - but the control can still be good for taking the ball early - in my quest to improve, hitting earlier is how i like more power - to me this is a good way to play - just keep connecting with the sweet spot and worry less about cutting out strings
thebuffman
Professional
now how would you know if i am or am not getting maximum playability out of poly string?? i am really interested to know how you know my game so well without ever having seen it. you amaze me marcdunn.
as far as breaking poly, i thought this was the REASON poly string was constructed for those who were frequent string breakers
. if what you say is true, why do i see the pros timing their racquet changes with new ball changes without hardly ever breaking string?? also what you are advocating seems to be in direct opposition to some of the renowned members of the forum. i give you nickb...perhaps he might educate you a wee bit if you are humble enough to receive. take care:
excerpt from nickb's poly review
Polyester strings are usually stiff. They were intended for use by frequent string breakers because of their high durability. However, due to their low power players are able to put more spin on the ball by swinging harder (which increases control). These properties make polyester extremely popular on the Pro Tour. The most used polyester string on the tour is Luxilon. About 65% of male tour players use Luxilon.
Polys have a fairy simple structure : they consist of a single polyester fibre with a thin coating. This type of construction is known as "monofilament". During the past few years great effort has been put into the advancement of monofilament strings. Companies have attempted to eliminate their major weaknesses (tennis loss, stiffness and feel) thus creating co-polys. These are polyester blends mixed with materials like PEEK and carbon fibres.
For me poly adds a sense of control and confidence that I just cant find with another string (even natural gut). However polyesters are not for everybody. Players with less extreme grips, serve and volley players and players with sensitive arms might be better of with a softer string.
There is no deniying that polyesters have taken over tennis and changed the game. Don't use poly because the pro's do. Take a look at your game. Do you really need to use poly? This thread is about polys....I love them but they are not for everyone. Choose wisely!
Advantages of polyester strings:
- Great durability
- More spin by allowing the user to swing faster
- Increased sense of control
- Little to no string movement (depends on the player)
Disadvantages:
- Lack the feel of softer strings
- Lose tension quickly
- Can cause arm/shoulder problems (stiffness)
- More difficult to string
- Go dead quickly
Please Nick, how can I mitigate vibrations using this string (full bed) strung on a Prestige IG Pro.
Best regards!!
D.
Doubles
Legend
Nick was banned, so I don't really think he'll be able to answer you. But, if you want to get rid of vibrations, the best way is with softer strings.
Thanks Doubles,
What I have read is that the BB Ace is one of the softest strings out there but I would say it would really vibrates as it is a copoly.
Well, I suppose that what I want is just a no possible way.
Regards!
D.
Doubles
Legend
You could always hybrid it. That might help.
counterpuncher
Hall of Fame
This was my goto poly for quite a while but ultimately the stiffness in all but the flexiest frames got to me. It really isn't as soft as it seems. Tour Bite 18 or 19 has now taken my number one spot and it is a little softer and performs just as well if not better. I suggest you give it a try if you haven't already.
With regards to vibration, large dampeners (especially worm type) and dropping the tension into the 40s was the only things other than a hybrid that reduced the vibrations for me.
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