Prince Phantom 100x 305 String Success?

[NoStringsAttached]

Hi All,

Firstly a huge shoutout to all the stringers/experts on here for their time on this board. This is my first post but I’ve been the beneficiary of an enormous wealth of information from the likes of @g4driver , @uk_skippy , @Irvin , @esgee48 , @jim e , @scotus to name a few. For those of us on their own so to speak and not connected to a local community/club/stringer the access to this info is invaluable.

I’m an experienced beginner probably a 3/3.5 player (learned as a child, played competitively in high school, for fun at Uni) and just got some touch back during quarantine break. I have fallen hard for the Prince Phantom 100x 305. I purchased it strung with NXT 17 at an unknown tension. They were meh/fine but are at the end of their life now and I’m looking for something new.

I’ve experienced arm/elbow/shoulder discomfort in the past so want something comfortable. Hit a gravity mp with a full bed of volkl cyclone (at 52lbs we think) and loved the free spin offered but noticed a small amount of discomfort in the elbow. Nothing major (perhaps I’d get used to it) but as described by some of the epic posters mentioned, I don’t want to risk exacerbating anything. I’m not a string breaker, the NXT’s have about 10 hours on them and are fraying pretty badly. Would love to find something that offered some semblance of free spin like the cyclone in a multi or something softer.

What would you guys/girls recommend? Anyone have this racquet who likes a certain setup?

Thanks again

 

[emhtennis]

Tier 1 Firewire Boost is a very comfortable poly/poly hybrid.

I would go with the 16g to keep your launch angle reasonable.

Put Firewire (red) in the mains, and ghostwire (white) in the crosses. Many like a 50/48lbs split.

Head Lynx Tour is also a very comfortable hexagonal poly. Spin is lower than firewire boost, but more predictable in my opinion.

Sent from my SM-G981U using Tapatalk

 

[NoStringsAttached]

Thank you emhtennis! Will definitely do some research on these.

 

[Dartagnan64]

If you are someone with a history of some arm issues, the Phantom remains a good racket choice. Kudos. But still I would not even touch a full poly string job even at low tensions.

Phantoms are low powered frames so they can actually handle strings with some oomph to them. Pros use poly for two major reasons: spin and low power. A rec player doesn't need to dampen the power (why do you think there are a million Babolats out there). They also generally don't need the same amount of spin that a pro needs. The best string bed in a lower power player's frame is one with moderate power and moderate to good spin (depending on your technique).

So a good option is Head Velocity which is a slippery coated mulitfilament. More power than a poly but less than gut or other multis. Good spin until the coating wears. Good price tag. Another option is Prince Premier Control.
A more luxuriant option is a gut/poly hybrid where you get the power from the gut mains and the spin from the poly crosses. Tad more expensive but reasonable since it tends to remain playable longer than full beds of poly or multis. For arm sensitive folks, Klip Legend mains and Isospeed Cream crosses are very comfortable. If you are wanting a bit more spin, Tier One Ghostwire crosses are really nice but a tad firmer than Cream.

As for gauges and tensions in that Phantom:
1) Velocity 17g at 52lbs
2) Legend/Cream 17g at 54/46lbs
3) Legend Ghostwire 17g at 54/44 lbs

Nothing major (perhaps I’d get used to it)

Never ever fall into that trap. Repetitive strain injuries only get worse with use not better.

 

[Papa Mango]

Agree with @Dartagnan64 above that if you are a 3/3.5 player and are not breaking a 17 gauge multi string bed in 18 hours, there is no reason to play with a full poly bed.
Go with the Gut/poly combo with the recommended tension as above on the 100X. I don't feel the need to do a big differential in this particular frame but I think it should be fine.
For poly crosses pick a soft cheap poly (anything under 180 should work), the cream/ghostwire recommendations are solid but others to try are cyberflash/cyberblue.
Also if you are not a string breaker, go with the VS/Wilson gut as the feel is sublime with this frame. The gut/poly hybrid should last you a long time..... as should your shoulder .

 

[Papa Mango]

Here are 2 of my 100X 290s (modded to almost 305 specs)

Top is Wilson gut/ revolve @ 56/50
Bottom is Wilson gut/ cyberflash 56/50 (my usual set up)

 

[408tennisguy]

Will be posting a review soon of Diadem Solstice Black 17g full bed @49lbs. I also have golfer's elbow and haven't experienced any pain in the 2 days I had with it in my Phantom 100x 305g.

 

[NoStringsAttached]

If you are someone with a history of some arm issues, the Phantom remains a good racket choice. Kudos. But still I would not even touch a full poly string job even at low tensions.

Phantoms are low powered frames so they can actually handle strings with some oomph to them. Pros use poly for two major reasons: spin and low power. A rec player doesn't need to dampen the power (why do you think there are a million Babolats out there). They also generally don't need the same amount of spin that a pro needs. The best string bed in a lower power player's frame is one with moderate power and moderate to good spin (depending on your technique).

So a good option is Head Velocity which is a slippery coated mulitfilament. More power than a poly but less than gut or other multis. Good spin until the coating wears. Good price tag. Another option is Prince Premier Control.
A more luxuriant option is a gut/poly hybrid where you get the power from the gut mains and the spin from the poly crosses. Tad more expensive but reasonable since it tends to remain playable longer than full beds of poly or multis. For arm sensitive folks, Klip Legend mains and Isospeed Cream crosses are very comfortable. If you are wanting a bit more spin, Tier One Ghostwire crosses are really nice but a tad firmer than Cream.

As for gauges and tensions in that Phantom:
1) Velocity 17g at 52lbs
2) Legend/Cream 17g at 54/46lbs
3) Legend Ghostwire 17g at 54/44 lbs



Never ever fall into that trap. Repetitive strain injuries only get worse with use not better.

Thanks Dartagnan! I am intrigued by a gut poly hybrid as I haven't experimented at all with gut. Iso cream has come up a lot on these boards. I hear you re: injuries, it's been 2 weeks and I'm still reminded of hitting the cyclone for a few hours with a nagging pain in my elbow.

 

[NoStringsAttached]

Agree with @Dartagnan64 above that if you are a 3/3.5 player and are not breaking a 17 gauge multi string bed in 18 hours, there is no reason to play with a full poly bed.
Go with the Gut/poly combo with the recommended tension as above on the 100X. I don't feel the need to do a big differential in this particular frame but I think it should be fine.
For poly crosses pick a soft cheap poly (anything under 180 should work), the cream/ghostwire recommendations are solid but others to try are cyberflash/cyberblue.
Also if you are not a string breaker, go with the VS/Wilson gut as the feel is sublime with this frame. The gut/poly hybrid should last you a long time..... as should your shoulder .

Thank you Sir Mango!

Doh! Typo- it's been about 10 hours on the NXT 17 and they have frayed but are hanging in there for now. I doubt that makes a difference though or changes your recommendation as I'm probably not going to break them until hour 18! I totally agree with your sentiment and don't plan on going the full poly. The benefits of poly described by Dartagnan don't apply to me. Although that crazy spin on the Cyclone was awesome. I think i'm going the hybrid way. Klip Legends (mentioned by Dart) is well reviewed on youtube and a bit cheaper I think. Do you have a preference for the Wilson gut? Thanks again man.

 

[NoStringsAttached]

Here are 2 of my 100X 290s (modded to almost 305 specs)

Top is Wilson gut/ revolve @ 56/50
Bottom is Wilson gut/ cyberflash 56/50 (my usual set up)

damnnn that orange looks good.

 

[NoStringsAttached]

Will be posting a review soon of Diadem Solstice Black 17g full bed @49lbs. I also have golfer's elbow and haven't experienced any pain in the 2 days I had with it in my Phantom 100x 305g.

Thanks! Will be great to hear how you get on.

 

[Papa Mango]

Thank you Sir Mango!

Doh! Typo- it's been about 10 hours on the NXT 17 and they have frayed but are hanging in there for now. I doubt that makes a difference though or changes your recommendation as I'm probably not going to break them until hour 18! I totally agree with your sentiment and don't plan on going the full poly. The benefits of poly described by Dartagnan don't apply to me. Although that crazy spin on the Cyclone was awesome. I think i'm going the hybrid way. Klip Legends (mentioned by Dart) is well reviewed on youtube and a bit cheaper I think. Do you have a preference for the Wilson gut? Thanks again man.

Yeah I understand the allure of poly. I love a low tension full bed of Hyper-G but my shoulder does not. For me it's really bad on the shoulder when I am serving but I can hit groundstrokes all day long.. go figure.
Regarding Klip, I haven't hit with it in the last few years. IIRC there were some availability issues with it a couple of years ago (or maybe it was Pacific), but I bought ~30 packs of Lux gut when they went on sale a couple of years ago. I think I have around 5-7 packs left. I end up buying one off packs of VS or Wilson when I need string-savers but don't want to pay for shipping
Wilson gut is kinda the middle of the pack between Lux and VS for me in terms of playability and durability.
Good idea to check out the best natural gut currently thread.

 

[NoStringsAttached]

Thanks dude, you are the man. Going to be looking into ghostwire, cyberflash and revolve to go with some gut.

 

[Dartagnan64]

Klip Legends (mentioned by Dart) is well reviewed on youtube and a bit cheaper I think. Do you have a preference for the Wilson gut? Thanks again man.

I like the cost and durability of Legend. I play a lot on clay and find the coated Klip Legend lasts the longest for me. The feel is better in the Babolat/Wilson/Lux guts but they fray quicker on clay and cost almost twice as much. So they end up costing me 4x as much overall and no way are they 4X better than Legend.

Now if you play hard courts, you may get longer durability from the premium guts and the value might be there for you then. Or you could try the uncoated Klip which is softer and nicer to play with than coated but again frays quickly on clay for me.

 

[NoStringsAttached]

I like the cost and durability of Legend. I play a lot on clay and find the coated Klip Legend lasts the longest for me. The feel is better in the Babolat/Wilson/Lux guts but they fray quicker on clay and cost almost twice as much. So they end up costing me 4x as much overall and no way are they 4X better than Legend.

Now if you play hard courts, you may get longer durability from the premium guts and the value might be there for you then. Or you could try the uncoated Klip which is softer and nicer to play with than coated but again frays quickly on clay for me.

Thank you again monsieur. what tension would you string a full bed of Gut? Specifically Volkl V-Icon 16? I got a deal on some...

 

[408tennisguy]

Diadem Solstice Black review posted here

 

[NoStringsAttached]

Great review!

 

[Dartagnan64]

Thank you again monsieur. what tension would you string a full bed of Gut? Specifically Volkl V-Icon 16? I got a deal on some...

Full bed around 54-55lbs. It'll be more powerful than a gut/poly cross so a bit higher tension will be necessary.

 

[NoStringsAttached]

Full bed around 54-55lbs. It'll be more powerful than a gut/poly cross so a bit higher tension will be necessary.

Thanks!

 

[eminaise]

If you are someone with a history of some arm issues, the Phantom remains a good racket choice. Kudos. But still I would not even touch a full poly string job even at low tensions.

Phantoms are low powered frames so they can actually handle strings with some oomph to them. Pros use poly for two major reasons: spin and low power. A rec player doesn't need to dampen the power (why do you think there are a million Babolats out there). They also generally don't need the same amount of spin that a pro needs. The best string bed in a lower power player's frame is one with moderate power and moderate to good spin (depending on your technique).

So a good option is Head Velocity which is a slippery coated mulitfilament. More power than a poly but less than gut or other multis. Good spin until the coating wears. Good price tag. Another option is Prince Premier Control.
A more luxuriant option is a gut/poly hybrid where you get the power from the gut mains and the spin from the poly crosses. Tad more expensive but reasonable since it tends to remain playable longer than full beds of poly or multis. For arm sensitive folks, Klip Legend mains and Isospeed Cream crosses are very comfortable. If you are wanting a bit more spin, Tier One Ghostwire crosses are really nice but a tad firmer than Cream.

As for gauges and tensions in that Phantom:
1) Velocity 17g at 52lbs
2) Legend/Cream 17g at 54/46lbs
3) Legend Ghostwire 17g at 54/44 lbs



Never ever fall into that trap. Repetitive strain injuries only get worse with use not better.

the #2, the tension differential is ok? Nat Gut 54 and poly at 46?

 

[lefty10spro]

the #2, the tension differential is ok? Nat Gut 54 and poly at 46?

No - a ten pound differential is not recommended. Go down 5# for the poly.

 

[Dartagnan64]

the #2, the tension differential is ok? Nat Gut 54 and poly at 46?

I've never had a problem with big tension differentials with gut poly since a low tension poly has similar play characteristics to a mid tenison gut. It really depends on what launch angle you want. If you want better spin with a higher launch then the bigger differential work well. If you want a lower launch angle and flatter ball, then lower differentials are better.

But in general when I put a hybrid in, I first think what tension I'd use if I was using the string in a full bed. That's my starting point. Then I think about where I'd want the launch angle. So for an open string pattern I generally up the poly tension a bit but keep the gut where I'd use it in a full bed. For a tighter pattern I'll usually drop the gut a few pounds and keep the poly low. But we all have our little tricks to tweak things how we like them.

 

[tobi9008]

I've never had a problem with big tension differentials with gut poly since a low tension poly has similar play characteristics to a mid tenison gut. It really depends on what launch angle you want. If you want better spin with a higher launch then the bigger differential work well. If you want a lower launch angle and flatter ball, then lower differentials are better.

But in general when I put a hybrid in, I first think what tension I'd use if I was using the string in a full bed. That's my starting point. Then I think about where I'd want the launch angle. So for an open string pattern I generally up the poly tension a bit but keep the gut where I'd use it in a full bed. For a tighter pattern I'll usually drop the gut a few pounds and keep the poly low. But we all have our little tricks to tweak things how we like them

 

[tobi9008]

Would a lower launch angle also be possible to achieve by a thicker String? I found tier one boost 18g with no differential having quite high launch angle in the 305x. Any other string recommendations to keep comfort very high as well as spin potential and good power level? VCT 16g, Velocity/Ghostwire 17g are options I consider trying after t1 boost.

 

[LOBALOT]

Will be posting a review soon of Diadem Solstice Black 17g full bed @49lbs. I also have golfer's elbow and haven't experienced any pain in the 2 days I had with it in my Phantom 100x 305g.

I have been hitting with Diadem Solstice Black for about 5 months now and it is not a very good string in my opinion.

It does have very sharp edges I give it that. It also loses tension crazy fast. I only get 1 set out of it before it has lost so much tension that the racquet is unplayable. This leads to tentative swings. Good thing I string myself but I can tell you I was stringing 2 fresh racquets each time I played.

If a player is going to go with a string like Solstice Black a way better option is Volkl Cyclone Tour. While it may not have the bite and not be phenomenal at tension maintenance it is way better from that perspective then Solstice Black.