Polyester Impressions
Greetings all. I've recently tested a few full polyester set-ups and thought I would report my findings for future reference by others on the board.
I play with a Wilson Pro Staff Tour 90, yes the discontinued model. I have lead tape from roughly 4 o'clock to 2 o'clock, the Pete Sampras variety. I'm an all-court, very athletic player who loves to volley and bang from the baseline. I play with a semi-western forehand grip and a one-handed backhand, closer to Kuerten's than Federer's, in terms of grip.
The Strings- 1) Babolat Pro Hurricane 17 (BPH), 2) Gosen Polylon Comfort 17 (GPC), and 3) Luxilon TiMO 18 (LUX).
As I stated at the beginning, I use a full poly set-up. I actually don't care for most multifilaments because the few I like have minimal durability and only slightly more feel and power than the polyesters. I've read that polyesters are supposedly harsh on the elbows but I've felt nothing at all.
1) BPH 17 Strung at 65lbs- For the first 45 minutes I hated this string. It was stiff, no feel, no touch, and it made a twangy, twingy sound on impact. After an hour, however, it transformed. I don't know if it loosened up or simply notched into place but it suddenly had incredible spin, control, feel, and it makes the most delicious "CRACK" on impact. All this and the strings never moved. I was amazed. LOL. I kept looking at the strings in awe. LOL.
After two weeks of fairly regular, heavy hitting, it did lose some tension and became a little spongy and springy, still playable but not as delicious.
2) GPC 17 Strung around 60- Unfortunately I can't give this string a fair review because it was strung far too loosely for me. A friend strung it and was afraid it would be too harsh for me so he strung it lower than I requested. What I can say is that the sweet spot is very, very sweet, and it makes a beautiful sound when hit properly. Tension has remained consistent, although I haven't played with it as much because of the loose tension. I'll try it again, strung around 65 or 66.
3) LUX TiMO 17 Strung at 65- This is a very interesting string. It does not like hesitation or uncertainty in your strokes. It is supposedly a spin and control string but it only earns these titles with fast, certain strokes. Otherwise, it has a very sweet, almost juicy but solid feel to it on contact. The sweet spot is very sweet but it doesn't have the same spin, control and overall crispness of the BPH. Definitely worth a try, however. It holds tension faithfully and is rewarding if you put in the effort. It took four days before I finally understood how it likes to play. That was a first for a string.
Conclusion:
First Place- Babolat Pro Hurricane 17. It is so crisp, so spinnable, and offers so much feel, control and durability that I can't imagine natural gut being much better.
Second Place- Luxilon TiMO 18. Very solid yet buttery feel with a very delicious sweet spot but not nearly as much spin or outright control as the BPH. Very solid string for baseline grooving but not as crisp or controlled at the net as the BPH.
Third Place- Gosen Polylon Comfort. Honestly, I think this string would be a tie with the Luxilon if it had been strung at 65. The sweet spot is actually sweeter than the Luxilon's and it gives a little more feel and control. But at 60 lbs it's too unpredictable and powerful.
From what I've read most players string polyesters in the 50s range. I, however, cannot imagine playing with these strings at such a low tension.
I hope this review helps you in your quest for the perfect string. Soon, I plan to give the Polylon another try along with Pro Hurricane 18 gauge. I'll keep you posted.
Cavaleer
Greetings all. I've recently tested a few full polyester set-ups and thought I would report my findings for future reference by others on the board.
I play with a Wilson Pro Staff Tour 90, yes the discontinued model. I have lead tape from roughly 4 o'clock to 2 o'clock, the Pete Sampras variety. I'm an all-court, very athletic player who loves to volley and bang from the baseline. I play with a semi-western forehand grip and a one-handed backhand, closer to Kuerten's than Federer's, in terms of grip.
The Strings- 1) Babolat Pro Hurricane 17 (BPH), 2) Gosen Polylon Comfort 17 (GPC), and 3) Luxilon TiMO 18 (LUX).
As I stated at the beginning, I use a full poly set-up. I actually don't care for most multifilaments because the few I like have minimal durability and only slightly more feel and power than the polyesters. I've read that polyesters are supposedly harsh on the elbows but I've felt nothing at all.
1) BPH 17 Strung at 65lbs- For the first 45 minutes I hated this string. It was stiff, no feel, no touch, and it made a twangy, twingy sound on impact. After an hour, however, it transformed. I don't know if it loosened up or simply notched into place but it suddenly had incredible spin, control, feel, and it makes the most delicious "CRACK" on impact. All this and the strings never moved. I was amazed. LOL. I kept looking at the strings in awe. LOL.
After two weeks of fairly regular, heavy hitting, it did lose some tension and became a little spongy and springy, still playable but not as delicious.
2) GPC 17 Strung around 60- Unfortunately I can't give this string a fair review because it was strung far too loosely for me. A friend strung it and was afraid it would be too harsh for me so he strung it lower than I requested. What I can say is that the sweet spot is very, very sweet, and it makes a beautiful sound when hit properly. Tension has remained consistent, although I haven't played with it as much because of the loose tension. I'll try it again, strung around 65 or 66.
3) LUX TiMO 17 Strung at 65- This is a very interesting string. It does not like hesitation or uncertainty in your strokes. It is supposedly a spin and control string but it only earns these titles with fast, certain strokes. Otherwise, it has a very sweet, almost juicy but solid feel to it on contact. The sweet spot is very sweet but it doesn't have the same spin, control and overall crispness of the BPH. Definitely worth a try, however. It holds tension faithfully and is rewarding if you put in the effort. It took four days before I finally understood how it likes to play. That was a first for a string.
Conclusion:
First Place- Babolat Pro Hurricane 17. It is so crisp, so spinnable, and offers so much feel, control and durability that I can't imagine natural gut being much better.
Second Place- Luxilon TiMO 18. Very solid yet buttery feel with a very delicious sweet spot but not nearly as much spin or outright control as the BPH. Very solid string for baseline grooving but not as crisp or controlled at the net as the BPH.
Third Place- Gosen Polylon Comfort. Honestly, I think this string would be a tie with the Luxilon if it had been strung at 65. The sweet spot is actually sweeter than the Luxilon's and it gives a little more feel and control. But at 60 lbs it's too unpredictable and powerful.
From what I've read most players string polyesters in the 50s range. I, however, cannot imagine playing with these strings at such a low tension.
I hope this review helps you in your quest for the perfect string. Soon, I plan to give the Polylon another try along with Pro Hurricane 18 gauge. I'll keep you posted.
Cavaleer
