Powerti, Zarsia and other Chinese string
- Thread starter Tennease
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princemidplus
Semi-Pro
I have also noticed them but haven't tried them yet. Would be interested to hear from anyone who has tried them. They seem to in the same price range as pros pro strings.
Tennease
Legend
I've ordered Zarsia bamboo grain (the orange one like above) and Zarsia nylon string (the colour is black, cost AUD 28.5). Will arrive next week. I won't expect too much from These strings in terms of its performance but I'll try them.
lucieisland
Semi-Pro
i think it's a good thing to order some sets, for 2-3$ for a set, it'snt like a exempensive string.
saw 3 or 4 references for s-gut (for me, bought other thing like s-gut is difficult.when plasma, YPTP, kirshbaum proline or weiss are just 2 or 3$ over china poly..)
but for s-gut (under 25$ for a reel).. it can be a good choice.
saw 3 or 4 references for s-gut (for me, bought other thing like s-gut is difficult.when plasma, YPTP, kirshbaum proline or weiss are just 2 or 3$ over china poly..)
but for s-gut (under 25$ for a reel).. it can be a good choice.
Tennease
Legend
This is the cheap black Zarsia synthetic gut string I ordered. But, when I clicked on the product, it is no longer available in their shop. :
The page says "Sorry, the page you requested can not be found
" This looks like Pro’s Pro Clay Court Plus string... IMOI also ordered this Alpha TSB-05 "claycourt" multifilament 1.30 mm. Will arrive earlier next month maybe.
ron schaap
Hall of Fame
Looks like a copy of Pros Pro claycourt strings with same name and colors. Wby would you buy Chinese if you could buy them cheap European low cost strings instead? The grass is always greener.. Isnt it?I also ordered this Alpha TSB-05 "claycourt" multifilament 1.30 mm. Will arrive earlier next month maybe.
They are most likely to be produced at the same factory......
Tennease
Legend
I didn't know there is a European version. I'm in Australia.
I
where bouts in stralia are ya?
1HBHfanatic
Legend
-at the time when i was looking for budget friendly string, I had to choose between pros-pro and golden-set, i chose PP..?!
-as stated above, dont expect too much!, but do test them and see for yourself
-i have yet to try the brands listed above
-my advise, buy a couple packs and test them!; a reel of bad string lasts a long, long, long time, much longer than a reel of good strings (from experience)
-as stated above, dont expect too much!, but do test them and see for yourself
-i have yet to try the brands listed above
-my advise, buy a couple packs and test them!; a reel of bad string lasts a long, long, long time, much longer than a reel of good strings (from experience)
Tennease
Legend
The orange poly and black nylon string reels arrived this morning. The orange one looks so frail (too much texture maybe makes it look frail.. it looks as if a dog has been chewing on that string LOL). Maybe I'll string one of my racquets with these strings. Not sure if I should go full poly, full nylon, or hybrid. Wish I have extra racquets so I can string one with full poly, one with full nylon, and the other one hybrid 
. I think I'll just use the orange as cross string and black nylon as main string. What do you think?
. I think I'll just use the orange as cross string and black nylon as main string. What do you think?
Tennease
Legend
The black nylon is very cheap (AUD 28.52), but the orange textured poly is not very cheap (AUD 60.34)
Tennease
Legend
I've just finished stringing one racquet with the Zarsia black multifilament (16 gauge), right after Struff taking the third set tonight. I will play tennis in the morning and try this.
The string is sooo elastic, very soft and sticky too. It's like noodle! It felt very stretchy when I tension the string during stringing. It withstands pulling very well, wouldn't likely to snap.
The main string I strung it at 50 lbs.
With my 90 sq inch racquet I'm used to 30 to 40 lbs tension, but that's with full polyester or hybrid poly/ syn gut.
I thought, this black multifilament string is too soft and would be too springy if I string it low.
So, for the cross I strung it at 55 lbs.
I never really try full bed of nylon before with my racquet.... maybe I should've strung it even tighter? Not sure.
Ok, I'll try this in the morning and let you know how it feels.
PS. In terms of "stiffness" of the string, It's perhaps similar to Gosen OG Sheep micro 16. When I touch and flick the tip of both strings they snap back the same way.
Somehow Wilson Synthetic Gut Power feels less "stiff" than Zarsia black multi & Gosen OGSM. Not sure really, they all feels soft lol.
The Zarsia black's surface is smooth and shiny and slippery and sticky. The coating reminds me of the plastic coating on cheap wire coat hangers.
OG Sheep has more texture on the coating. Wilson Synthetic Gut Power has way more texture and more twisting stuff going on.
The string is sooo elastic, very soft and sticky too. It's like noodle! It felt very stretchy when I tension the string during stringing. It withstands pulling very well, wouldn't likely to snap.
The main string I strung it at 50 lbs.
With my 90 sq inch racquet I'm used to 30 to 40 lbs tension, but that's with full polyester or hybrid poly/ syn gut.
I thought, this black multifilament string is too soft and would be too springy if I string it low.
So, for the cross I strung it at 55 lbs.
I never really try full bed of nylon before with my racquet.... maybe I should've strung it even tighter? Not sure.
Ok, I'll try this in the morning and let you know how it feels.
PS. In terms of "stiffness" of the string, It's perhaps similar to Gosen OG Sheep micro 16. When I touch and flick the tip of both strings they snap back the same way.
Somehow Wilson Synthetic Gut Power feels less "stiff" than Zarsia black multi & Gosen OGSM. Not sure really, they all feels soft lol.
The Zarsia black's surface is smooth and shiny and slippery and sticky. The coating reminds me of the plastic coating on cheap wire coat hangers.
OG Sheep has more texture on the coating. Wilson Synthetic Gut Power has way more texture and more twisting stuff going on.
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Tennease
Legend
Zarsia black Multifilament 16G string review:
Racquet used: Wilson K Six One 90. Weight: 402 g. Swing weight: 370. Leather power pads. Steel sheets under head guard. Two small nuts (as in nuts and bolts) inside the butt cap.
String tension:
Main string: 50 lbs
Cross string: 55 lbs
1. The string feels very soft and very comfortable. 55 lbs tension makes it feels firm at contact. 50 lbs tension on the main makes it easy to control the spin of the ball and to bite the ball. It doesn't feel too springy at this tensions. Tennis elbow sufferer will love this string. Hit the ball hard and I didn't feel any jarring sensation.
The sound of the ball on the racquet is explosive.
2. The string feels very powerful and very controllable. My serves feels bigger/harder and yet I very rarely hit it long.
3. I find it easy to hit top spin forehand and lob with this string. I also frequently hit fast dipping top spin forehand to the incoming volleyer and the ball land on his feet which makes it harder for him to volley. Just keep in mind that my racquet setup is very very spin friendly. Today I hit some crazy high bouncing forehand with this string as well as high bouncing kicking serve.
4. It's very satisfying to hit volleys and overhead with this string. It just has a lot of feels and easy power. Touch shots were easy too, drop shots, flick backhand half volley. My sparring partner hit a hard cross court inside out forehand, ball landing far away to my backhand side / ad court (I was at deuce side)...so I ran to my far left and half volley the ball with my flick backhand and I sent the ball down the line for a winner.
5. I sometimes like to flatten my forehand using eastern grip, and this string handles flat shots well. With plenty of racquet head speed flat shots are no problems with his string. Flat and powerful.
It's so easy to control the ball. The ball goes to where you want to hit it and don't deviate.
The string is also sticky. There were some ball furs sticking onto the string:
The string moves around but it is not that bad. Your stringing tension will also contribute to this. I have 5 lbs difference between main and cross so string movement is to be expected. It doesn't affect playability at all.
Other forum member above said that cheap string like this would last longer than other more expensive branded string. He could be right, because I feel that this string can withstand a lot of beating. It looks and feels sturdy. I didn't notice any fraying or any notching after 2 hours of hitting.
Racquet used: Wilson K Six One 90. Weight: 402 g. Swing weight: 370. Leather power pads. Steel sheets under head guard. Two small nuts (as in nuts and bolts) inside the butt cap.
String tension:
Main string: 50 lbs
Cross string: 55 lbs
1. The string feels very soft and very comfortable. 55 lbs tension makes it feels firm at contact. 50 lbs tension on the main makes it easy to control the spin of the ball and to bite the ball. It doesn't feel too springy at this tensions. Tennis elbow sufferer will love this string. Hit the ball hard and I didn't feel any jarring sensation.
The sound of the ball on the racquet is explosive.
2. The string feels very powerful and very controllable. My serves feels bigger/harder and yet I very rarely hit it long.
3. I find it easy to hit top spin forehand and lob with this string. I also frequently hit fast dipping top spin forehand to the incoming volleyer and the ball land on his feet which makes it harder for him to volley. Just keep in mind that my racquet setup is very very spin friendly. Today I hit some crazy high bouncing forehand with this string as well as high bouncing kicking serve.
4. It's very satisfying to hit volleys and overhead with this string. It just has a lot of feels and easy power. Touch shots were easy too, drop shots, flick backhand half volley. My sparring partner hit a hard cross court inside out forehand, ball landing far away to my backhand side / ad court (I was at deuce side)...so I ran to my far left and half volley the ball with my flick backhand and I sent the ball down the line for a winner.
5. I sometimes like to flatten my forehand using eastern grip, and this string handles flat shots well. With plenty of racquet head speed flat shots are no problems with his string. Flat and powerful.
It's so easy to control the ball. The ball goes to where you want to hit it and don't deviate.
The string is also sticky. There were some ball furs sticking onto the string:
The string moves around but it is not that bad. Your stringing tension will also contribute to this. I have 5 lbs difference between main and cross so string movement is to be expected. It doesn't affect playability at all.
Other forum member above said that cheap string like this would last longer than other more expensive branded string. He could be right, because I feel that this string can withstand a lot of beating. It looks and feels sturdy. I didn't notice any fraying or any notching after 2 hours of hitting.
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Tennease
Legend
Played with full bed of Zarsia Bamboo Grain string, 45 lbs main 40 lbs cross.
This string feels very comfortable for a poly.
Very crisp and has a lot of feel, due to the heavily textured surface.
After 1 hour of hard hitting, I feel the tension starts loosening up and it felt less consistent (in terms of control)... Maybe I should string it at much higher tension... Not sure.
It lacks some power, compared to synthetic gut. Well that's obvious lol.
This string feels very comfortable for a poly.
Very crisp and has a lot of feel, due to the heavily textured surface.
After 1 hour of hard hitting, I feel the tension starts loosening up and it felt less consistent (in terms of control)... Maybe I should string it at much higher tension... Not sure.
It lacks some power, compared to synthetic gut. Well that's obvious lol.
Tennease
Legend
This morning I played with Alpha TSB-05 Clay Court multifilament string (for the main at 55lbs) and Gosen OG Sheep Micro 16 for the cross at 58 lbs.
The Alpha Clay Court string has so much control for topspin and slice shots. It's very comfortable and has decent power in this hybrid setup. I feel that my shots are more consistent with this string.
I also tried the Pojie power pads for the first time. I feel it adds more sweet spot on my racquet just a little bit more compared to leather power pads.
The Alpha Clay Court string has so much control for topspin and slice shots. It's very comfortable and has decent power in this hybrid setup. I feel that my shots are more consistent with this string.
I also tried the Pojie power pads for the first time. I feel it adds more sweet spot on my racquet just a little bit more compared to leather power pads.
Tennease
Legend
Yes that's correct.
lucieisland
Semi-Pro
Anyone have an objective opinion on Chinese s-gut?
about durability and tension stability?..
about durability and tension stability?..
Tennease
Legend
I found that the best soft string that I have tried from Ali Express online shopping app is Alpha TSB-05 "claycourt" multifilament 1.30 mm.
It costs more than the other soft string but it's worth it. Tension holds up very well.
lucieisland
Semi-Pro
it's strange, on the illustration it looks like a monofilament. there are at least 8 versions of this string.I've just finished stringing one racquet with the Zarsia black multifilament (16 gauge), right after Struff taking the third set tonight. I will play tennis in the morning and try this.
The string is sooo elastic, very soft and sticky too. It's like noodle! It felt very stretchy when I tension the string during stringing. It withstands pulling very well, wouldn't likely to snap.
The main string I strung it at 50 lbs.
With my 90 sq inch racquet I'm used to 30 to 40 lbs tension, but that's with full polyester or hybrid poly/ syn gut.
I thought, this black multifilament string is too soft and would be too springy if I string it low.
So, for the cross I strung it at 55 lbs.
I never really try full bed of nylon before with my racquet.... maybe I should've strung it even tighter? Not sure.
Ok, I'll try this in the morning and let you know how it feels.
PS. In terms of "stiffness" of the string, It's perhaps similar to Gosen OG Sheep micro 16. When I touch and flick the tip of both strings they snap back the same way.
Somehow Wilson Synthetic Gut Power feels less "stiff" than Zarsia black multi & Gosen OGSM. Not sure really, they all feels soft lol.
The Zarsia black's surface is smooth and shiny and slippery and sticky. The coating reminds me of the plastic coating on cheap wire coat hangers.
OG Sheep has more texture on the coating. Wilson Synthetic Gut Power has way more texture and more twisting stuff going on.
in black, gray, solid green, yellow / gold, one in flash white, flash green, flash blue and multicolor. in any case, on the label it is always notified "Rrepulsive Power- multifilament string- zarsia"
Tennease
Legend
Update on the Alpha TSB-05 Claycourt 16G multifilament:
I've been using it as main string with Gosen OG Sheep Micro 16G as a cross.
The Alpha TSB-05 lasts me about 4 to six hours IF I hit the ball with excessive top spin most of the time.
If I hit with flat ground stroke more often it will last longer. Once it last about a week (2 hours per day of hitting).
Alpha TSB-05 is the most comfortable and has the most feel and control and power compared to the other string I purchased from Ali express.
I've been using it as main string with Gosen OG Sheep Micro 16G as a cross.
The Alpha TSB-05 lasts me about 4 to six hours IF I hit the ball with excessive top spin most of the time.
If I hit with flat ground stroke more often it will last longer. Once it last about a week (2 hours per day of hitting).
Alpha TSB-05 is the most comfortable and has the most feel and control and power compared to the other string I purchased from Ali express.
TennisManiac
Hall of Fame
I wouldn't buy anything from China right now.
Iv been using these strings for 4 years now, their prices are slowly going up. Overall the quality is pretty good, some are stiff some are soft, they are made in same factories for a lot of other brand that are also made in China. The orange strings are more elastic and lively whether its smooth or bamboo grained. The silver, yellow, black ones are all fairy stiff, comparable to most polys on the market. They label them under so many weird brands and price points so alot of them are actually the same. I am a racket stringer and alot of my customers who are money conscious love these due to the price point and durability. I personally stopped using big name brands years ago. I am pretty sensitive and picky with string tensions and feels so I dont really follow the trends.
Most of their products where made long ago, just sitting in warehouse with robots waiting for picking. Also viruses breakdown after a certain time without contacting anything near body temperature. If someone coughs on your amazon prime "next day delivery" your chances are alot higher compared to 1 to 2 week shipping lol
lucieisland
Semi-Pro
hello, thank you for the return, but this mainly concerns the poly, but I see that some s-gut are sold, the soft neon green, blue, white and golden nylon, which resemble constructions (RAB-head, etc).
what is these nylon flash zarsia worth compared for example to a babolat, s-gut or even spiraltek?
what is these nylon flash zarsia worth compared for example to a babolat, s-gut or even spiraltek?
The cheap synthetic reels they sell, I would assume they as as good or near Pro's pros cheap synthetic. I personally have tried babolat and wilson sensations in the past and I hate them all. I rather use a softer live-lier poly. However I have bought this wine color sets of synthetic gut which are pretty good, slightly softer than wilson sensation, very elastic feel. You can lookup using words like "wine color tennis string nylon". I use them for clients who want a hybrid and they seem to do well.
Martves613
Rookie
Any recommendation for poly with good tension maintanance from china? Spin would be a nice bonus.
Based on my experience, anything reels under 35$ is the standard stuff, cheap stiff polys like most big brands' entry level strings that are usually 10-15$ a set. The next level would be the strings(reels) that cost $40-100 range, they tend to be blended with other fancier materials that makes it slightly softer, more power, and comfort, comparable to volkl and solinco. Then you have more crazy shapes(triangle, propeller, hexagon, decagon etc) and thin gauges that will cost the most, upwards of $100-200. For me the 35$ stuff was fine, as i get older i have to hybrid them with softer cross to avoid arm pain. The mid level priced products are very good no complaints full bed. The variety is just too much to break down, you, just have to test out yourself.
Tennease
Legend
That makes sense! My favourite string usually takes about a month to get to my place.
Tennease
Legend
I ordered this string and will try it when it arrives (maybe in a month). It's a multifilament string with hexagonal shape outer layer. I imagine it will feel soft and has a lot of bite on the ball.
Alpha TSB-03 GEO Hexagonal Tennis String Nylon Soft Feeling
Alpha TSB-03 GEO Hexagonal Tennis String Nylon Soft Feeling
Tennease
Legend
The Alpha TSB-03 string has arrived. Before that, Pro's Pro Gutex Ultra 16 string reel also arrived.
They look and feel similar. The hexagon shaped Alpha TSB-03 feels a bit rougher.
I have played with the Gutex Ultra 16 this morning. It feels comfortable and has a lot of feel. It is not too powerful which is great and provides me with a lot of control.
I will try the Alpha TSB-03 next time.
They look and feel similar. The hexagon shaped Alpha TSB-03 feels a bit rougher.
I have played with the Gutex Ultra 16 this morning. It feels comfortable and has a lot of feel. It is not too powerful which is great and provides me with a lot of control.
I will try the Alpha TSB-03 next time.
lucieisland
Semi-Pro
it is possible to compare your zarsia multi and gutex?
(tsb-03, the first black one, and gutex)?..
with tension stability and softness?
(tsb-03, the first black one, and gutex)?..
with tension stability and softness?
Tennease
Legend
I haven't strung one of my racquets with the tsb-03 yet. I will string tomorrow maybe and hit with it the day after tomorrow.
When I feel both strings with my hands they both feel the same in terms of flexibility and look.
Crazy Finn
Hall of Fame
I don't have any experience with Chinese strings. However, I have experience with inexpensive Chinese made musical instruments and equipment.
There can be good products made in China. Heck, your racquet was probably made in China. However, they are made in factories owned or contracted to a specific manufacturer that have a degree of QC. I'm sure the current Head racquets aren't as high quality in terms of QC as the old ones made in Austria, but they're solid and par for the industry, in the whole.
The same goes for Yamaha student wind instruments made in China and Indonesia. I wouldn't buy a random Chinese clarinet, but Yamaha doesn't screw around - they're very good for a student instrument.
The issues arise when you venture off this track into the wilds. There is a lot of junk being made and sold out there. However, there are also still decent products being made - maybe not as good as the name brand ones, but solid. However, often these products are good stuff that is stamped with a possibly random name brand. If it was good, then you're in luck. If you buy it again, is it made in the same factory to the same specs? Even if it is, how variable is the quality control? You could buy several sets of the same "brand" string and ""model" (assuming it doesn't change) several times over the course of a few years and several different strings. Like I said, I haven't bought string, but several other random Chinese made items and this is usually the case.
Pro's Pro is probably contracting this stuff to be made somewhere. Again, like a smaller Yamaha - or more applicable, a TW online retailer, they're probably providing some basic specs for their products so they can continue to offer the same or similar offerings.
There can be good products made in China. Heck, your racquet was probably made in China. However, they are made in factories owned or contracted to a specific manufacturer that have a degree of QC. I'm sure the current Head racquets aren't as high quality in terms of QC as the old ones made in Austria, but they're solid and par for the industry, in the whole.
The same goes for Yamaha student wind instruments made in China and Indonesia. I wouldn't buy a random Chinese clarinet, but Yamaha doesn't screw around - they're very good for a student instrument.
The issues arise when you venture off this track into the wilds. There is a lot of junk being made and sold out there. However, there are also still decent products being made - maybe not as good as the name brand ones, but solid. However, often these products are good stuff that is stamped with a possibly random name brand. If it was good, then you're in luck. If you buy it again, is it made in the same factory to the same specs? Even if it is, how variable is the quality control? You could buy several sets of the same "brand" string and ""model" (assuming it doesn't change) several times over the course of a few years and several different strings. Like I said, I haven't bought string, but several other random Chinese made items and this is usually the case.
I'm sure they're making money, but at least if I buy Tourna Big Hitter Black 7, I know what I'm getting. Same with the more expensive Babolat, Head, Prince, and so forth.
Pro's Pro is probably contracting this stuff to be made somewhere. Again, like a smaller Yamaha - or more applicable, a TW online retailer, they're probably providing some basic specs for their products so they can continue to offer the same or similar offerings.
Tennease
Legend
This morning I played with full bed of TSB-03 GEO 16 string. Main @ 50 lbs, Cross @ 52 lbs.
Full bed of TSB-03 is full of bite, full of spin due to the hexagonal profile of the string. This string is as flexible and soft as Gutex Ultra 16. Next time I have to try full bed of Gutex Ultra 16 to get its original feeling, then I can compare it to this full bed of TSB-03.
Full bed of TSB-03 feels slightly "harsher" than TSB-05, but it is still a comfortable string. The spin potential is incredible. It feels easier to spin the ball side to side, great for inside in angled shots and inside out as well. Great for kick serves. It's full of control and gives me more confidence to hit hard top spin ball and land the ball in. It is also have a nice loud thwack on flat shots.
Overall, I love TSB-03 GEO 16 string. Ultimate control string, I think.
Full bed of TSB-03 is full of bite, full of spin due to the hexagonal profile of the string. This string is as flexible and soft as Gutex Ultra 16. Next time I have to try full bed of Gutex Ultra 16 to get its original feeling, then I can compare it to this full bed of TSB-03.
Full bed of TSB-03 feels slightly "harsher" than TSB-05, but it is still a comfortable string. The spin potential is incredible. It feels easier to spin the ball side to side, great for inside in angled shots and inside out as well. Great for kick serves. It's full of control and gives me more confidence to hit hard top spin ball and land the ball in. It is also have a nice loud thwack on flat shots.
Overall, I love TSB-03 GEO 16 string. Ultimate control string, I think.
lucieisland
Semi-Pro
Tennease
Legend
NoI I don't place black Zarsia among those strings. Black Zarsia is very cheap.
The Black zarsia is not a multifilament. It's just synthetic gut or nylon. It's not premium string .
It's actually white nylon but they coat it with something black. The black coating would be all over the tennis balls.
After a while the black colour at the sweet spot would disappear.
I would rate it below other strings. It is soft, comfortable, powerful, but after a while it loses its liveliness or feels dead.
TSB-05 maintains its tension and playability very very well compared to the black one.
The black one is the cheapest of them all.
TSB 05 is more expensive, TSB 03 is even more expensive, because they are multifilament.
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lucieisland
Semi-Pro
great, so I have to compare it to what is comparable, tecnifibre S-gut, babolat or any other s-gut then. thank you.
in this case, the Synthetic pro's pro is largely competitive. (at € 15 for 200m)
in this case, the Synthetic pro's pro is largely competitive. (at € 15 for 200m)
