swfh Poly Playtest Thread

[swfh]

I'm doing a test of 6 strings over the next few months. They are:
MSV Focus Hex Ultra 1.25
MSV Hepta Twist 1.25
Kirschbaum Max Power 1.25
Yonex PTP 1.25
Signum Pro Firestorm 1.25
Signum Pro Poly Plasma 1.28

For the past year, I've switched between Weisscannon Ultra Cable 1.23 and Pros Pro Blackout 1.24. My favorite string is Solinco Hyper G but that is too expensive for me.

First string to review will be Firestorm. I hope to play with it in the next few days.

 

[esgee48]

In place of SPPP, you could trial the Hextreme version. It felt like the same string to me, only shaped. If you break strings too quickly, then it is time to start using thicker gauges such as 1.30 mm

 

[swfh]

In place of SPPP, you could trial the Hextreme version. It felt like the same string to me, only shaped. If you break strings too quickly, then it is time to start using thicker gauges such as 1.30 mm

Wasn't really interested in the hex version and I am not a string breaker, but I did get some of these in 1.30mm to see if I like the feel more

 

[JamesV]

I'm doing a test of 6 strings over the next few months. They are:
MSV Focus Hex Ultra 1.25
MSV Hepta Twist 1.25
Kirschbaum Max Power 1.25
Yonex PTP 1.25
Signum Pro Firestorm 1.25
Signum Pro Poly Plasma 1.28

For the past year, I've switched between Weisscannon Ultra Cable 1.23 and Pros Pro Blackout 1.24. My favorite string is Solinco Hyper G but that is too expensive for me.

First string to review will be Firestorm. I hope to play with it in the next few days.

Tried MSV Focus Hex (not ultra) and it seemed solid, but did not wow me.
Signum Pro strings seem very, very stiff and a bit pricey.

You should try Tourna Big Hitter Silver. It's bargain priced at $6.95 and performs pretty close to Solinco Hyper-G, even though it's not a shaped poly, plus good tension maintenance. It's my go-to regular poly.

Prince Warrior Response is a softer string, similar to Luxilon Element. Prince calls is a hybrid built into one string, and because of its dual-layer construction, that's not far off.

If you want to hybrid with either Big Hitter Silver, or Warrior Response, try Tourna Synthetic Gut Armor 17g in the crosses, or even in the mains. It's flat out one of the best syn guts on the market. It's very affordable, very underrated, and surprisingly durable, too. I also really like Pro Supex Syn Gut Spiral Flex. It's another high performance, low cost string, but TW doesn't carry it.

 

[KANZA]

Love MSV. I think they are underrated like another great polyester, tier 1 black knight. MSV go max is my fave and I bought a reel from Europe. I’ve let my coach string other people’s racquet with my go max and they love it too.

However, to be fair I tried MSV hepatwist and hated it. I also received a sample of their 19 gauge string and tried it just for fun. It wasn’t fun. I cut it out after 30 minutes.

 

[JamesV]

Love MSV. I think they are underrated like another great polyester, tier 1 black knight. MSV go max is my fave and I bought a reel from Europe. I’ve let my coach string other people’s racquet with my go max and they love it too.

However, to be fair I tried MSV hepatwist and hated it. I also received a sample of their 19 gauge string and tried it just for fun. It wasn’t fun. I cut it out after 30 minutes.

Love MSV. I think they are underrated like another great polyester, tier 1 black knight. MSV go max is my fave and I bought a reel from Europe. I’ve let my coach string other people’s racquet with my go max and they love it too.

However, to be fair I tried MSV hepatwist and hated it. I also received a sample of their 19 gauge string and tried it just for fun. It wasn’t fun. I cut it out after 30 minutes.

MSV Go Max sounds like a cheaper version of Genesis Black Magic, that is softer, round, spin-friendly poly. Too bad it's only available from TW Europe.

 

[blai212]

i think you should categorize between round and shaped polys. MSV cofocus hex played decent but much like dunlop black widow, the edges/shape wears off rather fast and once that happens, the string doesnt bite into the ball anymore. signum pro xperience is a good hexa shaped poly that doesnt lose it’s edges and plays like softer more powerful version of hyperG. I would recommend using SPPP and YPTP in crosses with a shaped poly like Xperience. I have not found signum pro strings to be that expensive...on that contrary, I got pretty good deals on them and I use SPPP as a cross for every setup but YPTP also works well too. PM me if interested in trade, I have a reel of Xperience 17L


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[swfh]

Tried MSV Focus Hex (not ultra) and it seemed solid, but did not wow me.
Signum Pro strings seem very, very stiff and a bit pricey.

You should try Tourna Big Hitter Silver. It's bargain priced at $6.95 and performs pretty close to Solinco Hyper-G, even though it's not a shaped poly, plus good tension maintenance. It's my go-to regular poly.

Prince Warrior Response is a softer string, similar to Luxilon Element. Prince calls is a hybrid built into one string, and because of its dual-layer construction, that's not far off.

If you want to hybrid with either Big Hitter Silver, or Warrior Response, try Tourna Synthetic Gut Armor 17g in the crosses, or even in the mains. It's flat out one of the best syn guts on the market. It's very affordable, very underrated, and surprisingly durable, too. I also really like Pro Supex Syn Gut Spiral Flex. It's another high performance, low cost string, but TW doesn't carry it.

Used to use BHS - Its not close to hyper G

won't be doing any poly poly hybrids either. I dont really see the point

 

[swfh]

Had my first hit with the firestorm 1.25 strung at 55/53.

This is more of a dead poly - I wasn't getting much help from it during light hitting in the warm up. But once the match started and I started hitting out, the control of the string really came through. Launch angle is consistent and feel is great. I was able to keep my approaches in on short slices my opponent hit. Serving with it was okay - it didn't really grab the ball like shaped polys do but I actually appreciated the consistent response.

So far this is a great string

 

[Hokiein304]

Good and inexpensive...Volkl Cyclone...thank me later...

 

[Roland G]

Had my first hit with the firestorm 1.25 strung at 55/53.

This is more of a dead poly - I wasn't getting much help from it during light hitting in the warm up. But once the match started and I started hitting out, the control of the string really came through. Launch angle is consistent and feel is great. I was able to keep my approaches in on short slices my opponent hit. Serving with it was okay - it didn't really grab the ball like shaped polys do but I actually appreciated the consistent response.

So far this is a great string

I've just finished up using a set of this. It's a decent poly with no great characteristic shining out I felt but a good all-rounder. I prefer a livelier string and this one is, as you say, a deader string. Not super spin-friendly either

 

[swfh]

I've just finished up using a set of this. It's a decent poly with no great characteristic shining out I felt but a good all-rounder. I prefer a livelier string and this one is, as you say, a deader string. Not super spin-friendly either

yup that's a pretty good way to describe it. It doesn't give you the feeling of grabbing the ball well but i think the spin is still pretty good. I'm really enjoying the deadness

 

[ionelneica]

Hi
Please test signum pro x-perience.

 

[Kevo]

I'll be interested to see if you find anything you like noticeably better than Ultra Cable. I've switched to UC and so far like it better overall than any poly I've tried in a while. I've used a few of the others you listed in the past and none of them were able to beat out Kirschbaum Competition or Spiky Shark which were my previous long term polys.

 

[swfh]

I'll be interested to see if you find anything you like noticeably better than Ultra Cable. I've switched to UC and so far like it better overall than any poly I've tried in a while. I've used a few of the others you listed in the past and none of them were able to beat out Kirschbaum Competition or Spiky Shark which were my previous long term polys.

I'm not going back to ultra cable for 3 reasons:
1. it add too much weight to the racket
2. It is the only string that has snapped on me while stringing. And I had it snap twice
3. It's too lively for my liking and towards the end of playability its hard to control.

But that being said it is a great string

 

[swfh]

Hi
Please test signum pro x-perience.

Its not on my list of things to test, sorry

 

[Jouke]

Its not on my list of things to test, sorry

Its THE best and cheapest alternative to hyper g. Its basically a softer and better hyper g.

 

[Kevo]

I'm not going back to ultra cable for 3 reasons:
1. it add too much weight to the racket
2. It is the only string that has snapped on me while stringing. And I had it snap twice
3. It's too lively for my liking and towards the end of playability its hard to control.

But that being said it is a great string

I typically don't mind string weight unless my frame is already close to my max comfortable swing weight, and I don't like my frames to be that close to maxing out. That gives me a little room if I feel like changing something up. So I didn't notice it being heavy, but I can see how that might be the case since it's like a 15 gauge more than a 17.

I'm surprised it snapped during stringing. I haven't noticed it being fragile and I haven't seen any other reports of that, but I've only strung it up a few times so far. I did buy a reel though, so I'll be stringing it a lot more. Something to keep in mind I guess.

I also didn't find it too lively. And I've been playing it until it breaks. I do use a small headed frame though (82 sq in), so in a larger frame it may give a different impression.

Are you stringing it on a lockout or a constant pull machine?

Thanks for sharing your experience with it.

 

[swfh]

I typically don't mind string weight unless my frame is already close to my max comfortable swing weight, and I don't like my frames to be that close to maxing out. That gives me a little room if I feel like changing something up. So I didn't notice it being heavy, but I can see how that might be the case since it's like a 15 gauge more than a 17.

I'm surprised it snapped during stringing. I haven't noticed it being fragile and I haven't seen any other reports of that, but I've only strung it up a few times so far. I did buy a reel though, so I'll be stringing it a lot more. Something to keep in mind I guess.

I also didn't find it too lively. And I've been playing it until it breaks. I do use a small headed frame though (82 sq in), so in a larger frame it may give a different impression.

Are you stringing it on a lockout or a constant pull machine?

Thanks for sharing your experience with it.

constant pull

 

[blai212]

diadem solstice power if you want insane spin/bite...star shaped strings that have edges that dont easily wear out like msv cofocus hex...FYI volkl cyclone HARSH AF


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[swfh]

Still playing with the Firestorm and the playability hasn't really changed. I still have great control, and my serves are kicking like they were before.

I also strung up the MSV Focus Hex Ultra 1.25. Out of the package it felt very stiff. When stringing it didn't stretch that much. I hope to hit with this in the next few days.

 

[swfh]

Had my first hit with the Focus Hex Ultra. It is quite a bit stiffer than the Firestorm, but not uncomfortable. This is another dead poly, and I loved it. It grabs the ball a bit better than the firestorm, which I noticed off the ground, but kick serves were actually better with the firestorm. the Focus Hex Ultra has that nice cracking sound when hitting serves. It also has nice depth control like the Firestorm. So far, 2 great strings!

 

[swfh]

Another update: played again with a huge hitter. I tried to use the firestorm to see if it would break but the string had lost its bite and wasn’t playable. The focus hex ultra did very well, but I am worried it might be too stiff in the long term. But so far I like it just as much as the firestorm

 

[Kevo]

I tried focus hex quite a few years ago and didn't care for the stiffness. It was a one and done string for me. Sounds like the ultra version is not much different. I also didn't find the Pro Poly Plasma suitable for long term use. It got a lot of praise when it came out, but I found it to play inconsistently between different outings and that's a big red flag for me. It sounds like the Firestorm might be pretty good, but I like a string to be playable until it breaks, so it seems like it might be a pass as well.

I'm most interested to hear how you fare with the Kirschbaum and Yonex offerings myself. Thanks for the updates.

 

[swfh]

Hit with the Kirschbaum today. I didn’t like it. It doesn’t quite grab the ball like the others do and because of that I was hitting a lot into the net. I feel like it’s too stiff and the ball doesn’t really sink into the stringbed. Maybe it’s too tight and needs to loosen up. Will update soon

 

[blai212]

I tried focus hex quite a few years ago and didn't care for the stiffness. It was a one and done string for me. Sounds like the ultra version is not much different. I also didn't find the Pro Poly Plasma suitable for long term use. It got a lot of praise when it came out, but I found it to play inconsistently between different outings and that's a big red flag for me. It sounds like the Firestorm might be pretty good, but I like a string to be playable until it breaks, so it seems like it might be a pass as well.

I'm most interested to hear how you fare with the Kirschbaum and Yonex offerings myself. Thanks for the updates.

u should try signum pro xperience...softer more powerful hexagonal version of hyperG...has much better bite than firestorm because it’s shaped vs rounded. Give it a try...it also won 2018 award for best string


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Kevo]

u should try signum pro xperience...softer more powerful hexagonal version of hyperG...has much better bite than firestorm because it’s shaped vs rounded. Give it a try...it also won 2018 award for best string

I might give it a look when I finish up my reel of Ultra Cable. Probably going to be a while though since the Ultra Cable is lasting a good while and I'm mostly teaching these days rather than playing.

 

[swfh]

had my second hit with the max power. This time i liked it a lot more, so I think it was too tight the first time. Still, I dont like it as much as the firestorm or focus hex ultra. doesn't do anything particularly well.

 

[swfh]

Cut out the max power. Really didn't like it. But the focus hex ultra is still going strong.

Ive strung one racket now with blackout/concept. Im doing this because i want to see how much of a difference (if any) these higher end strings are making.

 

[swfh]

blackout/concept I didn't like that much for hitting. I don't think the concept does a good job at grabbing the ball, even in the crosses. That being said, its not a bad combination

 

[swfh]

Back on court after a week off to rest.

I strung up the MSV Heptatwist at 54/52 (because the package said not to go higher than 53), and I did not like it at all. I think its below average for pretty much every category. It is not a stiff string and stretched a lot during stringing. Up next will be SPPP, will play with it tomorrow.

 

[swfh]

Signum Pro Poly Plasma 1.28: Strung it at 55/53. This is a great string to be honest. It is on the stiff side but still kind of soft - definitely not as stiff as firestorm. The string does everything well, but nothing great. It's easy to play with, and you know that any mistakes you makes are because you messed up, not because of the string. I don't like it more than firestorm, but it is almost half the price of it. I would really consider switching to this because it is so cheap. No wonder some pros have used this in the past.

 

[Kevo]

I played with pro poly plasma briefly many years ago when it was the new hotness. I liked it overall except it was the first poly I ever hit with that had the "hotshot" effect as I like to call it. Every now and then a ball that was seemingly struck clean and true would just get launched off course. I thought it was in my head until I saw other players post here that they noticed the same thing. Since then I have avoided strings that have that reported behavior as that is definitely something I don't want from my strings.

 

[swfh]

hitting more with SPPP and heptaspin. The SPPP is really growing on me. It does everything I want with good feel. Loving it on kick serves too. Up next I might try full blackout again, and if not then it will be yonex PTP

 

[swfh]

I played with pro poly plasma briefly many years ago when it was the new hotness. I liked it overall except it was the first poly I ever hit with that had the "hotshot" effect as I like to call it. Every now and then a ball that was seemingly struck clean and true would just get launched off course. I thought it was in my head until I saw other players post here that they noticed the same thing. Since then I have avoided strings that have that reported behavior as that is definitely something I don't want from my strings.

I haven't noticed this at all. Good to know that this is a thing though

 

[swfh]

Strung up the yonex poly tour pro 1.25 as well as the firestorm 1.3. The PTP has a really unique feel. It's kind of lively but dead at the same time. Very soft. And I really get a sensation of grabbing the ball. I've seen a lot of pros using it at the open this week - it kind of makes me want to pick it over some others.

The 1.3 firestorm felt too stiff for my liking.

I think in the long run I want to go with the softer of the strings, and I think that it will come down to the YPTP and the SPPP.

I have added Tier One Black Knight 1.28 to the test list as well. Hope to get that strung up in the next month.

 

[swfh]

Tried the black knight. It’s a good string, not great. It didn’t have good ball pocketing but did everything else pretty well. Nice and crisp off the ground. I think if the reel is on sale it’s a good buy, but definitely not at full price.

I’m thinking that my new string of choice will be yptp. Can get reels of it for cheap from the UK.

I made the switch to the VCORE Pro HD and I want to stick with 1.25. Sppp comes in 1.23 and 1.28, and I think those would be too thin/thick in this frame.

If Solinco made hyper g half price for a day I’d buy several reels, but I can only dream