Solinco Confidential, but more arm friendly

[rwswalker]

I currently use Solinco whiteout 18x20 with a full bed of confidential 17g @ 47 lbs.

It worked almost perfect for me, except after playing 3 months (mostly weekends) with this combination, I started to feel arm issues.

Currently evaluating different solutions:

1) Lower the tension
2) Try different strings, like grapplesnape tour M8

Any experience or suggestions to share?

 

[jimmy8]

I currently use Solinco whiteout 18x20 with a full bed of confidential 17g @ 47 lbs.

It worked almost perfect for me, except after playing 3 months (mostly weekends) with this combination, I started to feel arm issues.

Currently evaluating different solutions:

1) Lower the tension
2) Try different strings, like grapplesnape tour M8

Any experience or suggestions to share?

Try Mach 10, it's softer than Confidential. If that still isn't good, try a multi in the crosses with Mach 10 in the mains. If that still isn't good, try full bed multi. If that isn't something you're willing to try, maybe go to a 16x19 racket, maybe go to a less stiff racket. If you need a lot of control, you can always go thinner beam - Blade, Ultra Pro, Prestige.

 

[rwswalker]

Try Mach 10, it's softer than Confidential. If that still isn't good, try a multi in the crosses with Mach 10 in the mains. If that still isn't good, try full bed multi. If that isn't something you're willing to try, maybe go to a 16x19 racket, maybe go to a less stiff racket. If you need a lot of control, you can always go thinner beam - Blade, Ultra Pro, Prestige.

Good point, will look into that. I read that Mach 10 was once called Confidential 4.0 during development...

 

[am1899]

I would first lower tension and/or 18g of the same string.

If that doesn’t do it I’d suggest trying hyper g soft.

 

[thenewbig3]

I currently use Solinco whiteout 18x20 with a full bed of confidential 17g @ 47 lbs.

It worked almost perfect for me, except after playing 3 months (mostly weekends) with this combination, I started to feel arm issues.

Currently evaluating different solutions:

1) Lower the tension
2) Try different strings, like grapplesnape tour M8

Any experience or suggestions to share?

Solinco Mach-10 is basically the "upgraded" / softer Confidential. I did a head to head recently in 2 different rackets (Ezone98). Use it full bed (+2lbs of Confidential Tension to keep the control). First 15 or so mins was a little wild but it settled nicely and i got used to the slightly different (not dead) feel.

 

[jimmy8]

Good point, will look into that. I read that Mach 10 was once called Confidential 4.0 during development...

Yes, I heard that too. Mach 10 is similar to Confidential in ways. Probably because it was going to be a redevelopment of Confidential.

 

[the_faceless_player]

Mach 10 not Confidential Soft. Confidential Soft is well.....Confidential Soft. M10 is firmer than most think but the updated chemical composition gives it a different feel. The test sets of Confidential Soft are definitely softer but the feel and sound is unmistakably Confidential like. M10 and Confidential Soft were/are developed as separate projects.

 

[am1899]

FWIW I for one did not like Mach10. Tried two sets in the ez98, one at my normal tension, one a little looser. Didn’t like either one. Tried a third set in the BP. Didn’t like that either. Lol. Different strokes for different folks though obviously.

 

[jimmy8]

Mach 10 not Confidential Soft. Confidential Soft is well.....Confidential Soft. M10 is firmer than most think but the updated chemical composition gives it a different feel. The test sets of Confidential Soft are definitely softer but the feel and sound is unmistakably Confidential like. M10 and Confidential Soft were/are developed as separate projects.

When M10 initially started development, was it called Confidential 2.0 or 3.0 or 4.0? And was it supposed to be an evolution of Confidential 1.0?

How do you know what you know?

Racketpedia says:

Solinco Confidential Black 130 has average static stiffness of 1.15 kg/mm.
Solinco Confidential Black 125 has average static stiffness of 1.00 kg/mm.
Solinco Confidential Black 120 has average static stiffness is 1.00 kg/mm.
Solinco Mach-10 Cyan 130 has average static stiffness is 0.85 kg/mm.

From my experience, all the strings I've tried that have a rating of 0.85 or close to that are softer, have more power, have more pocketing than strings rated 1.0 or higher.

In my opinion, Hyper G is a great string, but Hyper G Soft is mushy and I don't like it.

 

[the_faceless_player]

I have a great relationship with Solinco and have tested products for years with them. Played Hyper G for probably 3 years before it came out and 12+ versions of Mach 10 over almost 5 years of development. Confidential just kinda stuck as the one strings name but typically their in development strings are labeled Confidential X.0 and have a sub-label depending on the batch/version. Mach 10 was C2.0, 3.0 and 4.0 at different points with additional sub categorization (CB-10JX became retail Mach 10). As far as I know focus was always on it being a new family of string with new chemical composition as opposed to an updated Confidential.

I know TW pulled down some of their early lab results of M10 bc they seemed off and there's always debate on how the varying lab tests are conducted. I wouldn't class it in the same type of "soft" string as TB Soft or HG Soft. I don't even even know that I view it as "softer" than Confidential when I play, rather the feel and feedback is just different and offers better ball connection for my game. There's a separate project of pink string that has been both Confidential Pink and Confidential Soft across different development cycles.

 

[jimmy8]

I have a great relationship with Solinco and have tested products for years with them. Played Hyper G for probably 3 years before it came out and 12+ versions of Mach 10 over almost 5 years of development. Confidential just kinda stuck as the one strings name but typically their in development strings are labeled Confidential X.0 and have a sub-label depending on the batch/version. Mach 10 was C2.0, 3.0 and 4.0 at different points with additional sub categorization (CB-10JX became retail Mach 10). As far as I know focus was always on it being a new family of string with new chemical composition as opposed to an updated Confidential.

I know TW pulled down some of their early lab results of M10 bc they seemed off and there's always debate on how the varying lab tests are conducted. I wouldn't class it in the same type of "soft" string as TB Soft or HG Soft. I don't even even know that I view it as "softer" than Confidential when I play, rather the feel and feedback is just different and offers better ball connection for my game. There's a separate project of pink string that has been both Confidential Pink and Confidential Soft across different development cycles.

Great explanation. Thank you for the information. What a great resource you are!

I played some of my best tennis with Confidential 1.25mm. The reason I stopped using it because there is a break in period of 1.5-3 hours every time I use it where the string does not play well for me during the break in period. I would definitely go back to it if the break in period disappeared.

 

[the_faceless_player]

Great explanation. Thank you for the information. What a great resource you are!

I played some of my best tennis with Confidential 1.25mm. The reason I stopped using it because there is a break in period of 1.5-3 hours every time I use it where the string does not play well for me during the break in period. I would definitely go back to it if the break in period disappeared.

Happy to be helpful. Solinco is an awesome group really committed to making high quality stuff and for how much of a "little fish" I am, they've always gone out of their way to engage and support anything I'm doing.

I also played great tennis with Confidential 1.25. It was my go to string until I started testing M10 back in late 2019. I think many of their strings have a break in period needed for them to really open up. Even with M10 1.25, I like it fresh off the stringer but I start loving it after a couple hours of hitting.

@rwswalker - Back to your original question, I know you said after 3 months of mostly weekends you start getting arm issues. Rather than looking at it as calendar time, how many court hours is that? I look at everything in terms of court hours when I evaluate strings. For me and my game; I know that for full poly if I get anything 12+ court hours without breaking I need to cut it out soon or I will feel it. Poly just gets less resilient over usage and I encourage people I string for (and ones I don't ) to have willingness to cut it out rather than waiting for it to break as they start to figure out their court hours threshold. The thing I appreciate about M10 is that at hour 10-12, it is playing with the same consistency as it was at hour 3-4. Having predictability is an underrated asset for strings as I view it as a quick way to keep confidence in your strokes under pressure.

 

[jimmy8]

@rwswalker - I use strings 8-10 hours or 2 weeks whichever comes first, and cut them out. If I use them outside of that, my arm starts hurting, the way it plays is not good.

 

[rwswalker]

Happy to be helpful. Solinco is an awesome group really committed to making high quality stuff and for how much of a "little fish" I am, they've always gone out of their way to engage and support anything I'm doing.

I also played great tennis with Confidential 1.25. It was my go to string until I started testing M10 back in late 2019. I think many of their strings have a break in period needed for them to really open up. Even with M10 1.25, I like it fresh off the stringer but I start loving it after a couple hours of hitting.

@rwswalker - Back to your original question, I know you said after 3 months of mostly weekends you start getting arm issues. Rather than looking at it as calendar time, how many court hours is that? I look at everything in terms of court hours when I evaluate strings. For me and my game; I know that for full poly if I get anything 12+ court hours without breaking I need to cut it out soon or I will feel it. Poly just gets less resilient over usage and I encourage people I string for (and ones I don't ) to have willingness to cut it out rather than waiting for it to break as they start to figure out their court hours threshold. The thing I appreciate about M10 is that at hour 10-12, it is playing with the same consistency as it was at hour 3-4. Having predictability is an underrated asset for strings as I view it as a quick way to keep confidence in your strokes under pressure.

@the_faceless_player, confidential is also the main string I use. To answer your question, in terms of court hours, it is about 10 -15 hours (I rotate between two racquets). The arm pain appeared earlier than that, but it was getting much worse in recent weeks. Question, if confidential 1.20 @ 47 lbs is the best for me, what gauge and tension would you suggest me to try for M10? Thanks!

 

[the_faceless_player]

@the_faceless_player, confidential is also the main string I use. To answer your question, in terms of court hours, it is about 10 -15 hours (I rotate between two racquets). The arm pain appeared much earlier than that, but it was getting much worse in recent weeks. Question, if confidential 1.20 @ 47 lbs is the best for me, what gauge and tension would you suggest me to try for M10? Thanks!

I've always found it best to limit variables when initially trialing new string. Change too many things (gauge, tension) etc and it muddies the waters of what you're interpreting. I'd probably start comparing like for like so you are getting clear initial read on if you like the feel of the string and how it performs. From there, then you could shift focusing to dialing in tension and gauge.

 

[tjanev]

mach-10 is closer to a softer hyper G than confidential. Even running your hand across the string bed, it feels like hyper G vs the sharper confidential. Play wise, same thing. a deader, softer string, less power than confidential but slightly more than hyper G. M10 notches at same speed as hyper G, and goes dead at around the same length of time as well.

I have never played with Hyper G soft, so i cant compare, but Mach 10 is a softer, slightly more powerful hyper g in blue.

 

[sajlent555]

When M10 initially started development, was it called Confidential 2.0 or 3.0 or 4.0? And was it supposed to be an evolution of Confidential 1.0?

How do you know what you know?

Racketpedia says:

Solinco Confidential Black 130 has average static stiffness of 1.15 kg/mm.
Solinco Confidential Black 125 has average static stiffness of 1.00 kg/mm.
Solinco Confidential Black 120 has average static stiffness is 1.00 kg/mm.
Solinco Mach-10 Cyan 130 has average static stiffness is 0.85 kg/mm.

From my experience, all the strings I've tried that have a rating of 0.85 or close to that are softer, have more power, have more pocketing than strings rated 1.0 or higher.

In my opinion, Hyper G is a great string, but Hyper G Soft is mushy and I don't like it.

Can you compare Mach10 1.20 vs. MSV Swift 1.25 or MSV Focus Hex 1.23?

 

[jimmy8]

Can you compare Mach10 1.20 vs. MSV Swift 1.25 or MSV Focus Hex 1.23?

Haven't used MSV.

 

[sajlent555]

I thought there are some msv strings on Racketpedia

Can you give some data from it? thanks in advance

 

[jimmy8]

Mach10 1.20 - not listed on Racketpedia
MSV Swift White 1.25 - 1.00 kg/mm
MSV Focus Hex Green 1.23 - 1.25 kg/mm
MSV Focus Hex Black 1.23 - 1.15 kg/mm

I thought there are some msv strings on Racketpedia

Can you give some data from it? thanks in advance

 

[sajlent555]

Weird. Soft swift has the same static stiffness as confidential?

Thanks.

 

[jimmy8]

Weird. Soft swift has the same static stiffness as confidential?

Thanks.

Confidential is kind of soft.

 

[thenewbig3]

Weird. Soft swift has the same static stiffness as confidential?

Thanks.

Data is kinda messy - hasnt carried over to real world within my limited experimentation.... Sometimes even having a detrimental effect on my choice making

 

[sajlent555]

Yeah. From my experience confidential was way stiffer. Swift is softer than HGS.

 

[andrewnu]

When M10 initially started development, was it called Confidential 2.0 or 3.0 or 4.0? And was it supposed to be an evolution of Confidential 1.0?

How do you know what you know?

Racketpedia says:

Solinco Confidential Black 130 has average static stiffness of 1.15 kg/mm.
Solinco Confidential Black 125 has average static stiffness of 1.00 kg/mm.
Solinco Confidential Black 120 has average static stiffness is 1.00 kg/mm.
Solinco Mach-10 Cyan 130 has average static stiffness is 0.85 kg/mm.

From my experience, all the strings I've tried that have a rating of 0.85 or close to that are softer, have more power, have more pocketing than strings rated 1.0 or higher.

In my opinion, Hyper G is a great string, but Hyper G Soft is mushy and I don't like it.

I have a major problem with Racketpedia's ratings that make me question the data. Their power ratings are the easiest to spot the problem. I compared two known control racquets (Wilson Blade, Head Prestige) to two known power racquets (Babolat Pure Drive, Yonex Ezone), and this is what came out.

Power ratings:

• Pure Drive: 80
• Ezone: 80
• Blade 98 (18x20): 75
• Prestige MP: 80

How can I trust anything that there? At best, they're using a scale that's waaaaaay to wide; at worst it's completely wrong.

 

[dmtree]

I have a major problem with Racketpedia's ratings that make me question the data. Their power ratings are the easiest to spot the problem. I compared two known control racquets (Wilson Blade, Head Prestige) to two known power racquets (Babolat Pure Drive, Yonex Ezone), and this is what came out.

Power ratings:

• Pure Drive: 80
• Ezone: 80
• Blade 98 (18x20): 75
• Prestige MP: 80

How can I trust anything that there? At best, they're using a scale that's waaaaaay to wide; at worst it's completely wrong.

I don't use their racquet ratings, but their string stiffness ratings are pretty accurate, just from a feel test on my own arm when I had TE and was looking for soft and semi-stiff polys as my arm improved. I find them more reliable than TW stiffness ratings tbh, mainly because their numbers are newer, and some string manufacturers change string composition and feel over time, while keeping the same name.

 

[dmtree]

I currently use Solinco whiteout 18x20 with a full bed of confidential 17g @ 47 lbs.

It worked almost perfect for me, except after playing 3 months (mostly weekends) with this combination, I started to feel arm issues.

Currently evaluating different solutions:

1) Lower the tension
2) Try different strings, like grapplesnape tour M8

Any experience or suggestions to share?

You could try a thinner gauge of Confidential. However even 1.20mm Confidential is pretty stiff and if you are having elbow pain, I would migrate to something softer. Toroline O-Toro maybe? It's also pretty stiff though. Confidential is so good because it's stiff, so while there are many softer shaped control strings, none of them are quite the same.

 

[VanDerVaart23]

Grapplesnake Tour M8