Suggest a string (multi)

vkartikv

Hall of Fame
I haven't tried new strings in over 3 years. I kept alternating between a stock of PSGD 18 and Gamma TNT2 16 but have run out of them now. I am in the market for new strings. I would like to try something new for a change. I don't use polys and would prefer something <$15 per set. Something similar to the TNT2 or livewire in a 17g or 18g would be great. Please suggest! Thanks.

p.s. I use a 6.1 classic and it eats through strings pretty quickly...
 

davidahenry

Professional
Toward the end of last Summer, I tested four of the higher-end multi's. Here are my findings...

Gamma LiveWire XP - Nothing horrible about this string but nothing great about it either. It was kind of "vanilla". For the money, there are much better strings, IMO.

Tecnifibre X-1 BiPhase - This was a very good string. It had excellent pop and very good spin. The only problem was that it was just too powerful for my liking - even when strung at 65 lbs. If you are looking for power, this string has it.

WeissCANNON Explosiv! - This string gets alot of love on these boards, but I am not a huge fan of it. It is very soft and was a breeze to string. It has a very nice soft feel when strung as well. The main problem with this string, IMO, is that it doesn't provide much spin. I had to really work the ball in order to generate my normal amount of spin. (I play with a great amount of spin, and I love to get a ton of action on the ball. I just had to work it way too hard with this string. I've read where others had the same complaint.)

Babolat Xcel Power - My absolute favorite of the bunch. This string was great at everything. Period. The one downside is that it is the most expensive of all these mutli's and more than your stated price range.

I rank them from best to worst as follows:
1. Babolat Xcel Power
2. Tecnifibre X-1 BiPhase
3. WeissCANNON Explosiv!
4. Gamma LiveWire XP

I hope this helps. Take care.

DH
 

ryangoring

Professional
Tecnifibre multifeel. Cheaper and much better overall at tension, feel, crispness, durability.
Gamma professional is ok. On e Bay can find it for 10 dollars a set. Compared that of retail.
 

vkartikv

Hall of Fame
Thanks for the suggestions, especially David. I think trying one of the TF strings would be the way to go..
 

ClubHoUno

Banned
Babolat Xcel Power and LaserFiber Supernatural gut - quality costs and these two are the best multi's out there IMHO :)
 

Il Mostro

Banned
+1 for Xcel Power. Yes, it is pricey, but it is hands-down my favorite multi. Potential contenders in waiting: LF Pro Stock, LF Phenom and K-Gut Pro.
 

fuzz nation

G.O.A.T.
Look who's got the fever for the flavor of the 6.1 Classics!!!

Can't say I've had success with any multi's in my 6.1's amigo, but you'd probably want one with more pop/crispness than marshmallow soft performance. I usually run 17 ga. syn. gut at 64-65 lbs. in those frames for an agreeable combo of crispness, control, power, etc. and I'd probably go just as tight if not a pound or two more with a multi.

I agree with the Tecnifibre Biphase, but you might do well to try a hybrid of that in the mains with a syn. gut in the crosses - that layout works really well for a teaching pro I know/play with on occasion. Tim at LaserFibre is a pal of mine and I've used some of his multi's, too. Laser Supreme has rather good service life and I absolutely love his Phenom XRC in my Prince NXG mids - for a multi, that string doesn't play especially rubbery (neither does the Biphase, imo) and I get nice overall performance with it. For the 6.1's, I'd go with the 16 ga. over the 17 ga. if you want some durability in the Wilson. By comparison, his Pro Stock is extremely soft stuff which I'd only use to beat tennis elbow or as a hybrid to make a really plush stringbed.

One other multi that impressed me was a set of Yonex 850 - don't remember if it was the regular or the "Pro" type - which came on a 2nd hand Yonex 002 Tour that I had for a while. Solid performer that seemed nice and durable - it didn't seem to break down at all over the few sessions that I used it. It was just a few pounds loose for me in that racquet, but it worked well. When I find an excuse in the future, I want to try this string again.
 

Bad Dog

Semi-Pro
LaserFibre Phenom?

LF Pro Stock, LF Phenom and K-Gut Pro.

Could you please describe the difference between LaserFibre’s Supernatural Pro Stock, and Phenom? Is it possibly analogous to the difference between Wilson’s K-Gut Pro and regular K-Gut?

I have not tried Phenom, although I felt that Supernatural Pro Stock was almost as great as K-Gut Pro – but I appreciate that regular K-Gut may have the best ball-pocketing.
 

wao

Professional
I haven't tried new strings in over 3 years. I kept alternating between a stock of PSGD 18 and Gamma TNT2 16 but have run out of them now. I am in the market for new strings. I would like to try something new for a change. I don't use polys and would prefer something <$15 per set. Something similar to the TNT2 or livewire in a 17g or 18g would be great. Please suggest! Thanks.

p.s. I use a 6.1 classic and it eats through strings pretty quickly...
I only now use a multi in my cross but Pro Supex Max Touch is a good multi IMO and the price for a reel is $90.00 that would equate to a 5.29 per set.
 

Valjean

Hall of Fame
Could you please describe the difference between LaserFibre’s Supernatural Pro Stock, and Phenom? Is it possibly analogous to the difference between Wilson’s K-Gut Pro and regular K-Gut?....
I would say the relationship between Phenom and K-Gut is closer than that between SPS and K-Gut Pro, that SPS resembles more the play of NXT Tour.
 

Il Mostro

Banned
Could you please describe the difference between LaserFibre’s Supernatural Pro Stock, and Phenom? Is it possibly analogous to the difference between Wilson’s K-Gut Pro and regular K-Gut?

I have not tried Phenom, although I felt that Supernatural Pro Stock was almost as great as K-Gut Pro – but I appreciate that regular K-Gut may have the best ball-pocketing.

Sorry, but I cannot help. I have all of these strings, but have not strung them yet. VS Team has been working so well for me that I have not been experimenting with my own racquets at all lately. I'll cut out the Xcel Power in my #3 racquet soon and then try them.

I did string my wife's racquet with Phenom 17g and so far she likes it as much, if not more, than Xcel Power. If the tension maintenance is all it is cracked up to be this will probably be her regular string for a while. The positives in her opinion: softness, feel & power. No negative comments. I'll replace the Xcel Power with K-Gut Pro in her back-up in a week or so.
 
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