Some T1BK hybrid notes

[riddle_tenniz]

Player background: I'm a low 4.5 player. I play 2-3 practice singles matches per week, and 1-2 doubles. I play an all court style with an emphasis on dictating play with a heavy topspin forehand. Last year, I settled on Tier One Black Knight 17 as my main string, and have been experimenting with crosses recently. Here are some notes on 3 hybrids: OGSM, T1 Ghostwire, and Isospeed Baseline.


BlackKnight/IsoSpeedBaseline16L 48/46. “Juicy”. Depth + spin, softness. Around 6 hours felt possible to “spray” the ball long with technique miss. Inside out forehand had great depth. Volleys not bad. Lasted 6 hours on attempt 1 before I switched. Attempt 2 - 8 hours of singles + a few doubles session and still controllable.


BlackKnight/OGSM17 48/51. Good depth initially. After 5-6 hours, bed felt locked and harsh on impact. I couldn’t continue playing with it comfortably. Going to try a lower tension on the OGSM cross next time around.


BlackKnight/Ghostwire17 48/46. Definitely “firmer” than the baseline build. First hitting session — felt a little tight with less free depth. Around 6 hours its opening up and still feeling confident. Thinking about dropping cross tension a smidgen to get some of the pocketing we saw in the baseline build.

 

[Grieeegoorr]

What racquet are you using?

 

[riddle_tenniz]

What racquet are you using?

2020 ezone 98, with some weighted tape at 10/2

 

[koolio]

Thanks for your post. Just got BK, GW, and Tour Status. Plan to hybrid with GW in the crosses. Seems ppl like GW being at 2-3 pounds less tension than the poly mains.

 

[StringStrungStrang]

Player background: I'm a low 4.5 player. I play 2-3 practice singles matches per week, and 1-2 doubles. I play an all court style with an emphasis on dictating play with a heavy topspin forehand. Last year, I settled on Tier One Black Knight 17 as my main string, and have been experimenting with crosses recently. Here are some notes on 3 hybrids: OGSM, T1 Ghostwire, and Isospeed Baseline.


BlackKnight/IsoSpeedBaseline16L 48/46. “Juicy”. Depth + spin, softness. Around 6 hours felt possible to “spray” the ball long with technique miss. Inside out forehand had great depth. Volleys not bad. Lasted 6 hours on attempt 1 before I switched. Attempt 2 - 8 hours of singles + a few doubles session and still controllable.


BlackKnight/OGSM17 48/51. Good depth initially. After 5-6 hours, bed felt locked and harsh on impact. I couldn’t continue playing with it comfortably. Going to try a lower tension on the OGSM cross next time around.


BlackKnight/Ghostwire17 48/46. Definitely “firmer” than the baseline build. First hitting session — felt a little tight with less free depth. Around 6 hours its opening up and still feeling confident. Thinking about dropping cross tension a smidgen to get some of the pocketing we saw in the baseline build.

Haven't tried those strings, but have you ever considered stringing the crosses 2-3 lbs more than the mains? It has been my preferred set up for a couple years now and it has made a difference for me. Try it !

 

[GoArmyTennis]

Thanks for your post. Just got BK, GW, and Tour Status. Plan to hybrid with GW in the crosses. Seems ppl like GW being at 2-3 pounds less tension than the poly mains.

Let us know your thoughts on BK vs. Tour Status

 

[riddle_tenniz]

Haven't tried those strings, but have you ever considered stringing the crosses 2-3 lbs more than the mains? It has been my preferred set up for a couple years now and it has made a difference for me. Try it !

I think I am headed in the other direction --further reducing the cross tension. Loosening the cross seems to improve pocketing and the spin potential with my groundstrokes. I've noticed some less control on volleys and slice approaches, but nothing I haven't been able to adjust for.