Rabbit
G.O.A.T.
Not to be a pest, but have you played with both TiMo and Ghost Wire? If so, could you compare/contrast? (BTW - I dig the Ghost Wire moniker...
and the price)
Synthetic gut Mains / Polyester Crosses Club
- Thread starter Rabbit
- Start date
Not to be a pest, but have you played with both TiMo and Ghost Wire? If so, could you compare/contrast? (BTW - I dig the Ghost Wire moniker...
and the price)
2nd Serve Ace
Hall of Fame
Rabbit
G.O.A.T.
I tried to like Lightning XX, but it was too "springy" for my tastes. When Prince string was available to all shops, Lightning was probably the most popular string though (hence my trying it).
I have only played with Ghost Wire and not TiMO. TiMO is not available here in the UK when I was searching for a thin round poly. I have bought a reel of Ghost Wire 1.10 and trying different main strings with it now.Not to be a pest, but have you played with both TiMo and Ghost Wire? If so, could you compare/contrast? (BTW - I dig the Ghost Wire moniker...
max
Legend
After many, many, many dollars spent on string (and cortisone), I think I have arrived at a "perfect" string bed. It's not too firm, not too soft, just right. Synthetic gut mains with a poly cross is just about the perfect blend of two worlds. I like the feel of synthetic gut because that's what I grew up playing with; well that and natural gut. But, sticking polyester in the crosses adds a nice element of control to the mix. The result is a string bed that is very livable and user friendly. It has touch, enough power, and control to satisfy. I also find that the synthetic gut breaks when it's supposed to and you don't wind up with a dead set of string that'll wind up hurting your arm. If it breaks too quick, just up your gauge.
My personal preference is Gosen OGSM 1.15 in the mains at 54 and Luxilon Ace 1.12 in the crosses at 50. I have it in 3 rackets in rotation and get about 6 sets out of a string job. When one of the three breaks, I string them all. Cost per string job is a staggering $10
For those of you who also like this setup, what do you use?
Yeah, this sounds nice and I should try it. But I am apprehensive of getting only 6 sets of tennis out of a string job. I've got a stringer, but I don't want to devote so much time to stringing. I like getting 2-3 times as many sets out of a string job.
I like AK Pro CX.
Rabbit
G.O.A.T.
Yeah, and Rob, I guess I'm keen on finding and using string-INsensitive frames!
I don't think it exists. A string insensitive frame is the holy grail! A buddy of mine who worked arm in arm with world class pros told me that Boris Becker used to refer to his racket as the "string holder". He put that much emphasis on his strings. Then again, Becker played the same frame from start to finish and when they quit making it bought the damn mold! So, despite his emphasis, the frame must count for something. (He even had them make his frames with a non-functional screw in the butt cap.)
BB was one of the early pros who had a stringer - Uli Kühnel - traveling with him. Uli used a True Tension machine and string spreaders. Later on Uli developed a stringing machine based on the support system of the True Tension, but it failed commercially. From what I’ve heard BB was an investor in that venture.
max
Legend
max
Legend
Worth exploring. Very different experience. You'd get something from it even if you didn't much like it.
Irvin
Talk Tennis Guru
No it’s a bit like John Gugel’s video showing Boris Becker’s stringer Uli Kuhnel and his true tension machine and string Spreader and advertising Xception string all in German.
When you look at the turntable on the Xception machine, the clamp system is very similar to the True Tension clamp system. But the Xception machine doesn’t have side supports, like the True Tension had at 3 and 9 o’clock, and which required stinging crosses around 30% lower than the mains. The Xception 6 and 12 o’clock supports also look different. I guess just the “plate” is similar to the True Tension. IPDS stood for integrated progressive dynamic stringing or something like that. I don’t know whether Uli Kühnel favored some sort of proportional stringing system?
jwocky
Rookie
saitenforum.de German string forum interview (@2005)
English version via Google Translate so not completely clean
English version via Google Translate so not completely clean
Yoneyama
Hall of Fame
Not yet, just got back from holiday but I will post my results in here soon when I get around to it.
Rabbit
G.O.A.T.
Any update on the Ghost Wire?
Not yet. Haven't had much chance to play over the xmas / new year period. Will update here when I do.
Rabbit
G.O.A.T.
Thanks!
Tennease
Legend
When I started playing tennis 12 years ago, I ordered two Prince Mid Classic strung with Babolat Natural Gut VS at 50 lbs as main string and Luxilon Alu Rough at 48 lbs as cross string. It felt like heaven. Best feeling ever.
But then, the gut started to fray and snap. Then I was stuck with polyester for a long long time due to stringing fees reason.
I did try synthetic gut main and poly cross.. but the synthetic gut broke in no time... this is when I was already using my current heavy racquet setup. I quite like the softness and the power that synthetic gut provides and the control that polyester gives.
Now I string for myself, I experimented with synthetic guts as main and polyester as cross.
I've strung some of my racquets with Gosen OG Sheep Micro 16 at 35 lbs and Luxilon ALU Power 138 at 30 lbs. This setup is like a rocket launcher. It's soft and powerful. Very nice control on the slice shots and slice serves. Very easy power for my single handed backhand.
Some of my other racquets I strung with Gosen OG Sheep Micro 16 at 40 lbs and Tourna Big Hitter Blue 16 at 35 lbs. Wow, this is very crisp and less springy and very powerful too. I feel this one gives a more precise shots. The Tourna Big Hitter Blue gives my racquet a 'pingy ' sound, but I love that peculiar ping sound!!
Compared to Luxilon 138, the Tourna Big Hitter digs on the Gosen OG main much quicker. I have already noticed some notches where the Tourna digs on the Gosen. The Luxilon is 15 G and I haven't seen any noticeable notches on the Gosen made by the Luxilon.
But then, the gut started to fray and snap. Then I was stuck with polyester for a long long time due to stringing fees reason.
I did try synthetic gut main and poly cross.. but the synthetic gut broke in no time... this is when I was already using my current heavy racquet setup. I quite like the softness and the power that synthetic gut provides and the control that polyester gives.
Now I string for myself, I experimented with synthetic guts as main and polyester as cross.
I've strung some of my racquets with Gosen OG Sheep Micro 16 at 35 lbs and Luxilon ALU Power 138 at 30 lbs. This setup is like a rocket launcher. It's soft and powerful. Very nice control on the slice shots and slice serves. Very easy power for my single handed backhand.
Some of my other racquets I strung with Gosen OG Sheep Micro 16 at 40 lbs and Tourna Big Hitter Blue 16 at 35 lbs. Wow, this is very crisp and less springy and very powerful too. I feel this one gives a more precise shots. The Tourna Big Hitter Blue gives my racquet a 'pingy ' sound, but I love that peculiar ping sound!!
Compared to Luxilon 138, the Tourna Big Hitter digs on the Gosen OG main much quicker. I have already noticed some notches where the Tourna digs on the Gosen. The Luxilon is 15 G and I haven't seen any noticeable notches on the Gosen made by the Luxilon.
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Tennease
Legend
After a few weeks of playing with the same setup, I really like the Gosen OG Sheep Micro 16 as main @ 40 lbs and Tourna Big Hitter Blue 16 as cross @ 35 lbs. It feels very crisp and firm on volley and flat shots, yet it feels soft too on my arm. It gives decent amount of spin, and plenty of power.
Rafedovic
Rookie
Hey @Yoneyama , have you tried the AK with Max Power yet? I’m after a bit of a starting point for tension. I also have a vcore pro, weighted up to 360g strung, although it’s a 100 (300g). I currently have klip gut mains 1.30, hex soft cross 1.20 at 58/55. It’s my favorite setup so far but could probably go a little higher on the mains. I’d like to try something similar with AK pro CX 1.24 mains and hex soft 1.20 crosses. Not sure about the tension for the AK though, should I drop it to 55 as it’s a bit stiffer than legend?
Yoneyama
Hall of Fame
Good timing, it is strung up and ready to go. Having a hit with it on Friday! My other stick has Babolat VS/ Max Power. String tensions will be the same between both. I will post back here after the hit.
My tensions will be 60/58 for both.
Yoneyama
Hall of Fame
Gosen AK Pro CX/ Kirschbaum Max Power at 60/58lb in a Vcore Pro 97. I continue to remain really impressed with AK Pro CX.
Best Syngut/poly combo I have tried. Excellent control, medium power and medium spin. I would place it in a sweet spot in between Full Bed Gosen AK Pro CX and Full Bed Max Power.
It has the control of a soft poly, a bit more power, and a bit less spin access.
My other Vcore Pro has Babolat VS/Max Power at the same tensions. There is no denying that the natural gut frame played better, more spin and more control. I would say power was equal to the AK Pro CX frame.
Overall I am really impressed with the combo and recommend it as an alternative to natural gut mains.
It played a lot nicer than any full bed Multi I have used too.
Best Syngut/poly combo I have tried. Excellent control, medium power and medium spin. I would place it in a sweet spot in between Full Bed Gosen AK Pro CX and Full Bed Max Power.
It has the control of a soft poly, a bit more power, and a bit less spin access.
My other Vcore Pro has Babolat VS/Max Power at the same tensions. There is no denying that the natural gut frame played better, more spin and more control. I would say power was equal to the AK Pro CX frame.
Overall I am really impressed with the combo and recommend it as an alternative to natural gut mains.
It played a lot nicer than any full bed Multi I have used too.
Yoneyama
Hall of Fame
Both were 17 gauges, however AK Pro CX is 1.24mm and the Max Power 1.25mm, apparently anyway.
Gut/Max Power will still be my main setup as I don't break strings enough for it to be too expensive, and I will go the AK Pro CX/ Max Power as a wet weather backup. I am super impressed by this string and hopefully as more people try it, it begins to get more of a name for itself. I feel like a lot of people have written off syngut strings, but this example is leagues ahead of the rest.
Gut/Max Power will still be my main setup as I don't break strings enough for it to be too expensive, and I will go the AK Pro CX/ Max Power as a wet weather backup. I am super impressed by this string and hopefully as more people try it, it begins to get more of a name for itself. I feel like a lot of people have written off syngut strings, but this example is leagues ahead of the rest.
Rafedovic
Rookie
Im not a string breaker either but I am a bit of a cheapskate so I’ll see how it goes.
this string is super expensive in Japan where I bought my first packet. An apparent distributor sells them on **** for less than half the price, so I bought a couple more packs. The packaging is exactly the same, just without the Japanese, so I think it’s export stuff.
Yoneyama
Hall of Fame
It should be fine then, I get mine from a certain european stringing company... price isn't too bad. It's a unique looking string so as long as it looks like the real deal it will be.
Rafedovic
Rookie
I had a peek inside and they look the same, all good.
Rabbit
G.O.A.T.
Ghost Wire mini-review
Well I tried Ghost Wire as a replacement for TiMO. The name Ghost Wire is wholly appropriate, I couldn't tell there was anything in the crosses. The short of it is, Ghost Wire is a very nice string, but without bumping tension up it's not going to be a viable alternative to TiMO. So, I'll probably get another set and string it at 54 rather than 50.
It strings up like a stiff multi. I would almost, and may try, a full bed of this string. That's how soft it is.
The search continues....
Well I tried Ghost Wire as a replacement for TiMO. The name Ghost Wire is wholly appropriate, I couldn't tell there was anything in the crosses. The short of it is, Ghost Wire is a very nice string, but without bumping tension up it's not going to be a viable alternative to TiMO. So, I'll probably get another set and string it at 54 rather than 50.
It strings up like a stiff multi. I would almost, and may try, a full bed of this string. That's how soft it is.
The search continues....
Rabbit
G.O.A.T.
Update
Played this morning with a new (to me) hybrid to test as a replacement for my current set up of Gosen OGSM 1.15 and TiMO 1.10. I have three Yonex VC98's, two black and one red. The red one is my test racket. I strung it up last night with Volkl Synthetic 1.25 in the mains at 54 and Volkl Cyclone 1.25 in the crosses at 50. I previously tried Volkl V-Torque Tour -- too stiff. Anyway....what a combo! I can understand now why so many of the guys I string for like this hybrid even though all of them play it reversed. From the first ball, it felt great. The feel was more muted than the TiMO, but it was still what I've been looking for. I played the entire match with the combo and was impressed with the feel and the results. I did seem to get a little more spin on the ball with this hybrid. All in all though, this is a winner.
My compulsive side did get the better of me before I played though. This morning, I ordered 4 more sets of the Ghost Wire to try. Two in the 1.17(18) and two in the 1.10(19). My thought was to increase the tension in the 1.10 and try it again. I was also curious given how soft Ghost Wire is as to how a full bed would play since they advertise it has the same stiffness as synthetic/multi. I also wanted to try the 1.17 as a cross and play with tension a bit.
If neither of these work out, looks like I'm buying a reel of the Cyclone 18 and Synthetic 17 in the same color as my go forward string. It's sure a lot cheaper than Luxilon!!!!!!
Played this morning with a new (to me) hybrid to test as a replacement for my current set up of Gosen OGSM 1.15 and TiMO 1.10. I have three Yonex VC98's, two black and one red. The red one is my test racket. I strung it up last night with Volkl Synthetic 1.25 in the mains at 54 and Volkl Cyclone 1.25 in the crosses at 50. I previously tried Volkl V-Torque Tour -- too stiff. Anyway....what a combo! I can understand now why so many of the guys I string for like this hybrid even though all of them play it reversed. From the first ball, it felt great. The feel was more muted than the TiMO, but it was still what I've been looking for. I played the entire match with the combo and was impressed with the feel and the results. I did seem to get a little more spin on the ball with this hybrid. All in all though, this is a winner.
My compulsive side did get the better of me before I played though. This morning, I ordered 4 more sets of the Ghost Wire to try. Two in the 1.17(18) and two in the 1.10(19). My thought was to increase the tension in the 1.10 and try it again. I was also curious given how soft Ghost Wire is as to how a full bed would play since they advertise it has the same stiffness as synthetic/multi. I also wanted to try the 1.17 as a cross and play with tension a bit.
If neither of these work out, looks like I'm buying a reel of the Cyclone 18 and Synthetic 17 in the same color as my go forward string. It's sure a lot cheaper than Luxilon!!!!!!
LOBALOT
Hall of Fame
Hi Rabbit, I am just curious why not the MSV Focus Regular version being a round shape for the cross being the same material. Just curious as to your perspective on this. Thanks
Congratulations!
LOBALOT
Hall of Fame
@LOBALOT cause I didn't have a set of that.
I'll get a set though and try it. Thanks very much.
Is that the MSV Co Focus?
I was thinking you may say that! Yes, from what I see in reading it is the same string but round. I am just curious if you would get more spin without the texture on the cross string.
Rabbit
G.O.A.T.
well the hex comes in a 1.10 and the regular does not.
LOBALOT
Hall of Fame
I see. Thanks
Rafedovic
Rookie
I’m not sure if the hex shape is the reason but I’ve found MSV hex and hex soft both resist notching better than the round cross strings I’ve tried. It is stiffer that the other strings I’ve tried as well but it makes sense that having a flat surface, rather than a rounded edge, for the mains to slide on will take more force to notch. The larger contact surface area between the strings will have more friction, so I suppose there’s a trade off there but I like less notching.
Rafedovic
Rookie
I tried Gosen AK pro CX 1.24 with Yonex PTF 1.20 @ 58/55 in a vcore pro 100. It felt a bit to firm so I tried the same combo in a dr98 @ 50/40 and liked it a lot. Not quite as nice as gut/poly but pretty close in comfort and spin. I’m not a string breaker but it held up well too. The slickness and snap back wore off well before the strings were done, so I put a little synthetic motor oil at the string junctions, wiped off the excess and had great snap back again that lasted another 3hrs or so. Pretty impressive.
Im playing around with adding weight to my frames, so I cut the hybrid out after wanting some more tension. I should have played the strings out but then went back to the vcore pro I’d string at higher tension and it felt nicer a couple of weeks later.
I will definitely be playing around with this hybrid again. As I said, I’m not a string breaker but it seemed to hold up much better than the prince duramax and lightning.
Im playing around with adding weight to my frames, so I cut the hybrid out after wanting some more tension. I should have played the strings out but then went back to the vcore pro I’d string at higher tension and it felt nicer a couple of weeks later.
I will definitely be playing around with this hybrid again. As I said, I’m not a string breaker but it seemed to hold up much better than the prince duramax and lightning.
Rabbit
G.O.A.T.
Which did you prefer, the Hex or Hex Soft? I've got a couple of sets of the Soft as well.
Rafedovic
Rookie
Not sure which I like best because I bought a couple of packs of regular hex when I’d just started exploring strings and stringing. I can’t really remember it well enough to compare them. I bought a reel of soft a bit later when it was on sale. I can see the value in trying strings as a full bed to really get a feel for them. I may just do that when my vcore pros need restringing, I still have a couple of packs of regular left. I think the regular may be a bit slicker but that’s all I can say for now.
Rabbit
G.O.A.T.
@Rafedovic i tried the soft yesterday— no bueno.
Rafedovic
Rookie
Why’s that?
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