String setup for comparing 3 rackets

[ObiWanHBH]

I am play testing a Head Prestige MP, Head Gravity MP and Yonex Ezone 100. I’ve compared them so far for about 2 hrs but they all have different string setups. (below). So what would be a good matching setup for all 3? I want some Play Duration and tension maintenance as well as good performance. I need a moderate amount of spin and power from my strings with as much feel and control as I can get.

Prestige is at 330g, strung w Hyper G Soft Mains and Head Velocity MLT Crosses - 50#/50#

Gravity is weighted to 320g and strung w RPM Soft full bed 55#

Ezone is stock, 322g w Poly Tour Pro full bed 53#

I‘m leaning towards dropping to 45#. Right now my top candidates are: Hyper G Soft, Head Lynx Tour, Solinco Revolution or Alu Power Soft. I would either do a full bed or cross them with Triax or Velocity MLT.

 

[Trip]

All things considered, I would probably lean towards a hybrid, which will give you the best general mix of playability across those three frames, versus most full beds of poly, even softer poly. That said, if you're a flatter hitter or just someone who cares less about more static / locked-up strings and/or likes the lower-powered response of poly mains / non-poly crosses, you can leave the hybrid like that. Otherwise, I would consider flipping the hybrid, putting the non-poly in the mains, with a round(ish) ultra-slick poly in the crosses. This will give you easier pop/power, better touch/feel, higher forgiveness/comfort and more and longer-lasting snapback, with a more fluid, less-locked string bed. And if you need to ramp up control, you can simply string the hybrid higher; with the non/partial -poly mains, comfort will still be there (usually).

As for specific strings and tension, if you're target baseline is 45 lbs (full-bed poly I presume), then a p/non-p hybrid should probably center around high-40's to 50-ish, or non-p/p hybrid 50-ish to maybe low 50's, to produce a roughly equal dynamic tension (DT). For strings, if you were confined to the strings you listed, I would probably choose Triax mains, Alu Power Soft crosses, to give you the best blend overall blend of playability, tensioned at something like 47/44 in the Prestige MP (99" 18x19), 49/46 in the GMP and 50/47 in the EZ100. The variance in reference tension is to create the most equal DT possible, accounting for the difference in head size and drilling in each frame.

Doing the above will get you to about 80% or so equal terms between frames, and if you're like most, who just want to pickup and play their frames in stock form, and not mess with any customization, then you can just add the same over grip to each, then test and evaluate. However, if you don't mind or are in fact partial to some light customization, if you really want to level the playing field, I would try making Strung Spec as identical as possible. At least Static Weight and Balance. Ideally Swing Weight, too, but not everyone owns a Briffidi SW1 or has access to a pro machine. That said, doing what you can there will remove as much overall numeric physics differences as possible, allowing you to experience more of the non-adjustable differences of the frames themselves (geometry, flex, layup / mass distribution, drill pattern), and make a qualified decision based on that and that alone.

Hope some of that helps!

 

[ObiWanHBH]

It’s interesting that you mention putting a multi in the mains and poly crosses. I’ve just been reading many people find it a better performing setup all around.
I like the Velocity MLT I’m using in one setup now and it has one of the lowest string to string friction of any non-poly. Also, I want to try Revolution because it seems pretty solid overall and also has an extremely low string to string friction.

I'm open to suggestion if anyone has recommendations for other strings. Considering the 3 frames vary from a 59RA 16x20 to a 66RA 18x19 and a 67RA 16x19, picking a string setup that is equal is impossible. However, I would like some more power than what I’m currently getting from the Gravity with RPM Soft 55#. It is my least favorite so far but it could be that I just don’t like RPM Soft. The Ezone and Prestige could each use a smidgeon more power and spin, but are both very good for me with their current setups.

 

[ObiWanHBH]

Based on what Trip recommends, I would probably lean towards either:
Triax or Velocity MLT mains
Alu Power Soft or Revolution Cross

 

[J D]

So, using the same string in all 3 is one approach to demoing. However, you will probably pick the frame that works best with that string set up, which may or may not be the best frame for you.

Another approach is to try and pick the string and tension you think will work best in that particular frame for you so you can compare each frame with its optimal set up. Especially since you have three very different frames, I like this method better.

The Gravity will probably work best with a heavier gauge, higher powered string. From your list, that’s ALU Power Soft. You say it’s weighted. If the SW to 325+, then Hyper G Soft would work well.

The Prestige MP, with its tightish string pattern, can use a spin string like Hyper G Soft.

The Ezone is powerful and will benefit from a control string like Linx Tour.

You can drop the tension on the Heads a lot. The Ezone will quickly turn into a rocket launcher if you go too low.

 

[AmericanTwist]

Using solid core syn gut (nylon) is the most consistent string to compare with and relatively inexpensive and maintains tension well. String at mid to 75% of upper tension range. Plus, this will test your technique. This is what I do when comparing frames. Keep in mind string pattern differences when considering tension and overall performance.

Otherwise, use a thin poly which holds tension well like kirschbaum max power 1.20 or similar string.

 

[tele]

I like the Velocity MLT I’m using in one setup now and it has one of the lowest string to string friction of any non-poly.

This low COF is due to velocity's coating, which wears off pretty quickly with use. Velocity performs pretty well even when it loses its slickness, but IME Tecnifibre strings including multifeel and hdmx (i think you can also put triax in this category, but I do not remember it that well) better maintain their ability to snap back. If you want to save money, kirschbaum syn gut is a neutral string that performs well imo as a mains with poly crosses. ~30 bucks a reel.

 

[Steve Huff]

I'd just use the string you normally use most. That way, you can compare what the racket is doing differently than your current racket. Compare them with your current racket, chart what you feel are the strengths and weaknesses compared to your current frame, and go from there. This way, you can't make excuses for individual frames by saying "it's probably just the different strings".

 

[Trip]

It’s interesting that you mention putting a multi in the mains and poly crosses. I’ve just been reading many people find it a better performing setup all around.

Indeed, it can often be optimal.

I like the Velocity MLT I’m using in one setup now and it has one of the lowest string to string friction of any non-poly.

Velocity's S-to-S slickness is pretty good. TF Multifeel Black snapback is even better and longer-lasting, but durability isn't as good as Velocity. So a bit of a trade there.

Also, I want to try Revolution because it seems pretty solid overall and also has an extremely low string to string friction.

Yes, Revo is probably Solinco's best for string-to-string slickness; the only slight blemish is a bit less tension maintenance than Hyper-G or Confidential. Otherwise, extremely solid string, and if used as a cross in a hybrid, any tension maintenance "issue" wouldn't be as noticeable.

Considering the 3 frames vary from a 59RA 16x20 to a 66RA 18x19 and a 67RA 16x19, picking a string setup that is equal is impossible.

Not necessarily. With a carefully enough selected hybrid, you very well could find something that could play just as well in all three frames, as you can often solve for playability gaps in the frames with tension adjustments, and most hybrids have a wider gamut of tension in which they'll play better, versus most full beds of poly. Granted, it might not be as absolutely perfect as three different setups, but then again, you'd be able to keep another would-be-variable constant. So a possible benefit there, at least for the demo process.

However, I would like some more power than what I’m currently getting from the Gravity with RPM Soft 55#. It is my least favorite so far but it could be that I just don’t like RPM Soft. The Ezone and Prestige could each use a smidgeon more power and spin, but are both very good for me with their current setups.

That is very helpful to know, and potentially changes my string recommendation altogether, especially if you just want to play the GMP (and others) in stock form (as opposed to customizing to increase and equalize swing weight). RPM Soft is a fairly powerful monofilament nylon (aka fat-core syn gut), and will be more powerful than basically any hybrid, even one with a higher-power poly in the crosses only. If you're looking for even more power, especially if adding swing weight is out of the picture, then you'd likely be better off looking at zero-poly setup. To K.I.S.S., perhaps just a full bed of Velocity, but even that is likely going to be lower-powdered than RPM Soft, so probably better to look into higher power synthetic gut or multi, using the slickest options in the crosses. Selected properly enough, you could still probably find something that would play well enough in all three frames — I'm thinking something like Velocity MLT Power mains / Tecnifibre MF Black or Prince Lightning Pro crosses, tensioned in the low 50's for the Prestige, mid-50's for the GMP, mid-upper 50's for the EZ100.

Hope some of that helps again.

 

[ObiWanHBH]

That is very helpful to know, and potentially my string recommendation altogether, especially if you just want to play the GMP (and others) in stock form (as opposed to customizing to increase and equalize swing weight). RPM Soft is a fairly powerful monofilament nylon (aka fat-core syn gut), and will be more powerful than basically any hybrid, even one with a higher-power poly in the crosses only. If you're looking for even more power, especially if adding swing weight is out of the picture, then you'd likely be better off looking at zero-poly setup. To K.I.S.S., perhaps just a full bed of Velocity, but even that is likely going to be lower-powdered than RPM Soft, so probably better to look into higher power synthetic gut or multi, using the slickest options in the crosses. Selected properly enough, you could still probably find something that would play well enough in all three frames — I'm thinking something like Velocity MLT Power mains / Tecnifibre MF Black or Prince Lightning Pro crosses, tensioned in the low 50's for the Prestige, mid-50's for the GMP, mid-upper 50's for the EZ100.

I played all 3 rackets yesterday for the longest test I’ve given them so far. I charted all my shots for depth and accuracy hitting a ball machine. Gravity shots are as deep as the other two, It is the mushy feel. It FEELS like the shot is weak, but ball travels nicely. It could be I don’t like this frame, but maybe a stiffer more crisp string bed would make the difference?

After reviewing the charts, I was surprised that the Gravity results were so good because it doesn’t feel that way, subjectively. Sneaky good.

Ive added 6g weight to the Gravity, not counting the 7g over grip. I might add some more weight to it and the Yonex to bring them up closer to the 329g of the Prestige. Right now all 3 are between 4-5HL balance.

 

[Trip]

I played all 3 rackets yesterday for the longest test I’ve given them so far. I charted all my shots for depth and accuracy hitting a ball machine. Gravity shots are as deep as the other two, It is the mushy feel. It FEELS like the shot is weak, but ball travels nicely. It could be I don’t like this frame, but maybe a stiffer more crisp string bed would make the difference?

Yes, ideally, you want the string setup to counter the characteristics of the frame. With the GMP Auxetic, it's a very soft-flexing, pocket-y frame, with a mostly muted feel, and 100" 16x20 that can very often feel too saggy and lack definition. So the ideal string bed would be as crisp as possible in feel, as high-ish in stiffness, and perhaps slightly thicker gage to calm down the pattern. If sticking to full non-poly, I would do something like Velocity MLT Power Black 1.30 mains / TF Multifeel Black 1.30 crosses, tensioned around 50-ish. That should give you a more crisp feel than RPM Soft, with slightly higher stiffness, yet plenty of power still.

 

[ObiWanHBH]

Well, after much thought and discussion with my stringer, and based on the strings he has available, I’m going to go with a hybrid of Hyper G Round and Hyper G in all 3 rackets, 47/45#. I think this will put them on enough of an even playing field to compare them. Also, after reading through the Hyper G hybrid play tests on this forum, the reviews seem to be stellar. Going with a fairly well known and liked combo to compare 3 rackets makes sense to me.

I also customized the rackets so they are all within 3g weight and 1mm balance. Excited to start testing these rackets this week!

 

[Trip]

Well, after much thought and discussion with my stringer, and based on the strings he has available, I’m going to go with a hybrid of Hyper G Round and Hyper G in all 3 rackets, 47/45#. I think this will put them on enough of an even playing field to compare them. Also, after reading through the Hyper G hybrid play tests on this forum, the reviews seem to be stellar. Going with a fairly well known and liked combo to compare 3 rackets makes sense to me.

I also customized the rackets so they are all within 3g weight and 1mm balance. Excited to start testing these rackets this week!

Sounds sensible enough, though by using the same reference tension across all frames, the string bed stiffness is going to vary, due to what I described previously, but probably not enough to sway things too badly.

One thing I would make sure to do, if you can, is have your stringer put Hyper-G in the mains, Hyper-G Round in the crosses, as that's really the best setup for that hybrid – it will allow the shaped mains to grip the ball through most stroke paths, and snapback and remain as fluid as possible with the more slick, round string in the crosses.

Best of luck with your testing.

 

[ObiWanHBH]

Sounds sensible enough, though by using the same reference tension across all frames, the string bed stiffness is going to vary, due to what I described previously, but probably not enough to sway things too badly.

One thing I would make sure to do, if you can, is have your stringer put Hyper-G in the mains, Hyper-G Round in the crosses, as that's really the best setup for that hybrid – it will allow the shaped mains to grip the ball through most stroke paths, and snapback and remain as fluid as possible with the more slick, round string in the crosses.

Best of luck with your testing.

I’ll definitely try that next go around. I decided to go Round mains because 1) many good reports from people who tried this, some liking it more 2) some indications for lower launch for flatter hitters but still good spin potential 3) some indications of longer play duration and more consistent string wear, meaning it played more consistently even as it wore down towards the end.

It’ll be fun to compare all 3 rackets. Once I have picked a favorite, I will likely buy a duplicate of that frame and try Hyper G Mains with Round in the crosses.

 

[Shroud]

Well, after much thought and discussion with my stringer, and based on the strings he has available, I’m going to go with a hybrid of Hyper G Round and Hyper G in all 3 rackets, 47/45#. I think this will put them on enough of an even playing field to compare them. Also, after reading through the Hyper G hybrid play tests on this forum, the reviews seem to be stellar. Going with a fairly well known and liked combo to compare 3 rackets makes sense to me.

I also customized the rackets so they are all within 3g weight and 1mm balance. Excited to start testing these rackets this week!

Why not match swingweights? Sure, its harder but would be a fairer test.

 

[ObiWanHBH]

I’m not sure I need to go to that length. I’m comparing 3 different rackets and trying to decide what their differences are. Making them all as identical as possible might not make total sense. I decided I like racket weight in the 320-330g range. So I bumped up the Gravity and Ezone into that range. Now they all have the similar balance, weight, length and strings.
So far I’ve hit them about 1 hr each. They are all very good. They all are improved with the Hyper G Round/Hyper G hybrid strings.