Tennis Warehouse Playtest: Head Experimental Tour co-poly!!!

I now have just under five hours on the 17 gauge Head Experimental. This morning's match was fine - I was playing against an age group peer who is more of a control player - and the round string's spin insensitivity helped me to play a harder hitting, more flat game against his various spins. Near the end of the match, I was missing many first serves long and caught the tape on a few balls that felt like they came off the racquet perfectly. I chalked it up to just being physically tired. I did win the match comfortably relying on the Head Experimental's inherent high power level and control to overpower my opponent.

This evening, I had a 90 minute intense singles practice with my son and I was alternating between having problems getting the ball over the net, and getting the ball to drop in the court. We were hitting the ball hard and I just didn't have that sense of control and confidence. Thinking it was just that I was tired from the morning's match, I pulled out my other racquet strung with Silver 7 Tour and everything clicked into place. The launch angle helped get me the net clearance I expected, and the extra spin brought the ball down into the court.

I went back to the Head Experimental and the change was significant. The launch angle difference between the two strings has increased, and the spin capability of the Head Experimental seems to have dropped off. I asked my son to drop his pace so I could swing more aggressively and that did help. I was able to get better shape to my shots, with better net clearance. Once he went back to his normal pace, the issues of low launch angle and lack of spin resurfaced.

Tension loss seems to be continuing a bit more. The Head Experimental pings at a significantly lower frequency than the Silver 7 Tour, though they had the same ping frequency right after the Head Experimental was strung.

The mains have notched after the five hours of play. When I pull a cross string out of position with the Head Experimental and release the string, it slides by itself back into place with an audible click. This is something I'm not sure I've seen happen with any other poly string once the mains had started notching. I did the same with Silver 7 Tour and the cross string remains out of position - I have to push it back into place. When I pull a main out of place on the Head Experimental, it still slides back into place, as does the Silver 7 Tour but just not as quickly.

So it seems the surface slickness of the Head Experimental string is still intact, but there has been pretty significant tension loss. I'm not sure if that tension loss is causing the lower launch angle and lack of grip on the ball, but power levels still are high and seem unchanged.

I'm playing another practice match in the morning and will continue to use the Head Experimental if it is still playable.
 
HEAD Experimental Tour String Playtest​



Gauge playtested:
16G

Tension used for playtest:
52 lbs (Gamma Drop Weight)

Regular string set up & tension:
I am a holic and love to try different strings. These days I am using my left over stash of RS Lyon at 52 lbs.

Racquet used for test:
Babolat Aeropro Drive 2013

Power/Control of test string:
Power level was medium to high, for a poly. Above avg in terms of power level. The stringbed felt livelier than what I am used to. It was erratic in the very beginning for first few minutes, but once strings settled down, the feedback became consistent.

Control of the string was excellent as well after the initial maybe ten minutes of strings settling in. I could take big cuts and still generate good directional control. I felt very confident that the ball will not fly on me on taking big cuts. Balls were landing deep and I could feel the ball really well. With this confidence, I was going for fuller swings. As for launch angle, it was fairly neutral. I did not notice any unusual difference in trajectory. Control for volleys were great, same for serves.

Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?):
Feel and feedback was that of what you would expect from a medium-soft string. There are definitely softer round strings out there in the market (Polyfibre TCS, WC Silverstring etc) and then there are clearly crisper feeling ones out there as well (most Luxilons, Kirshbaum Max Power, Volkl Cyclone etc) so I would say this play test string is a very middle of the road string in terms of softness and feedback. On bigger cuts, I could feel the crispness but in a good way. Touch shots felt a bit more dampened or muted as some would put it. Predictable response and overall comfort was great, no complaints whatsoever.

Spin:
Somewhat lacking. Spin department was where I think this string performed very average. I would say mediocre spin. I have somewhat modern strokes and generally hit with moderate spin. I had to try and hit loopier with longer take backs and increase my racquet head speed in order to get more spin. I believe spin is the result of a combination of factors like stroke mechanics, equipment etc but given everything else being the same, I can name a few strings that give me better spin on my my regular strokes.

For the serves, flatter first serves were good. Slice and kick serves were nothing extraordinary. I did have consistent second serves though and I was hitting my spots, which is a plus.

Durability:
I am not a chronic string breaker especially 16G. For me this string was pretty durable. I can see some dents and notching but not nowhere close enough to break the string. I haven't tried the 17G version sent to me, but I do break 17G from time to time so perhaps I will update with thinner guage review here once I have played with it.

Playability Duration:
I would give high marks to the string in this department. From the beginning (except for the initial few hits where the strings settled in) till now - 8 hours in - the feel and response stayed the same: predictable. I have a feeling the strings are on last leg though and will be dead next time I'm on court. Still, I don't have a way to measure tension maintenance but I go by feel anyway. And I can tell you, the stringbed felt good to me in terms of tension maintenance. I had consistent playability throughout. There was no drop off in tension or feel, like with some other strings. Ball launch angle and trajectory are the same.

Tension Recommendations (would you string it differently next time? Explain answer):
I would not string at a different tension. Perhaps if thinner guage then a couple of pounds tighter but otherwise I will keept the same tension. I am used to 50-52lbs range and for me that was the ideal tension for this string. That said, this is a very comfortable playing string so I can even recommend going higher towards mid fifties for those wanting a bit more control. In the end, all comes down to preference.

List any additional thoughts (optional):
A couple of observations I had with my game:

1. I liked the consistent feedback of the string when hitting although at times I felt the dwell time was not as much as I am used to. I couldn't feel the ball pocketing as much. But hey, I was happy with the performance. If you're a player who likes taking big cuts all the time, definitely try this one.

2. Overall, this is a good soft copoly that was easy to string, no kinking minimal coil memory and easy tie-offs. Depending on price, I might look into getting maybe a few sets.

I'll end my playtest by saying thank you to @TW Staff for this playtest opportunity. I will recomend this string for anyone looking for a comfortable soft round poly for consistent play. If anyone has any questions about my experience/feedback please feel free to ask questions. Will be happy to answer as best as I can.
 
Took the 17 ga string out for some doubles yesterday in the Pure Strike Tour. I had just wrapped up the RPM Power playtest and had no problems at all transitioning to this string seeing as they feel pretty similar as far as I can tell. Above average power for a poly but below average spin but still an overall nice string so far.
 
samprasbackhand said:
Took the 17 ga string out for some doubles yesterday in the Pure Strike Tour. I had just wrapped up the RPM Power playtest and had no problems at all transitioning to this string seeing as they feel pretty similar as far as I can tell. Above average power for a poly but below average spin but still an overall nice string so far.
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I haven't tried the RPM Power yet, but I have heard these Experimental Tour strings play very similar indeed.
 
Hi guys, here is my final review of the Head Experimental Tour 17g. Many thanks to Tennis Warehouse for this awesome opportunity.

Playtest String:
HEAD Experimental Tour
By @tennisgurl​


Gauge playtested: 17g

Tension used for playtest: 50 pounds

Regular string set up & tension: My go-to string is Solinco Hyper-G 17 strung at 52 pounds although lately I have tried a lot of different strings as well.

Racquet used for test: Babolat Pure Drive 2018 (latest Smurf Blue one).

Power of test string: I would rate it as a high power string. Not as high as say natural gut or multifilament strings, but definitely high for a poly.

Control of test string: the control was fantastic for somewhat of a flatter hitter like myself. At first I was hitting long but then once I dialed in, I hit some good deep shots. I liked the point and shoot type of accuracy I got. I usually don't have the loopy spin strokes to bring the ball down using spin as well, but I felt confident with my strokes using this string.

Compared to Hyper G, launch angle was lower. That is understandable since Hyper-G is a shaped poly and grabs the ball better. This string had much better touch than Hyper-G though and volleying and drop shots felt amazing. Serving was good, not great because I use slice serves a lot and shaped strings give me much better ball bite for shaping the serves.

Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?): Very comfortable feel. I did not get any jarring sensation on off-center hits (I have a lot of those) or any of the plasticky or brassy sort of feedback one dreads from cheap polys. Balls hit in the sweet spot had a lot of power and felt great. And I liked that even with flatter hitting I was getting a consistent response. Comfort was actually better than Hyper-G which I think is a big compliment.

Spin: I am not a big spin player, as I mentioned earlier. I have flatter strokes although I can hit with spin if I want to. I just don't naturally have that spin whip etc. For me this string was fine in terms of spin. If I wanted, I could accentuate my swing bottom towards up, and get desired spin. Is it easier to get the ball to topspin using Hyper-G for me? Yes, indeed. In serves too, the one thing that lacked was that nasty slice serve I like. Just didn't feel the ball grab onto the strings like how I love with Hyper-G. As a flattish player, I can use all the help I can get with strings. This string wasn't any additional help.

Durability: Durability has never been an issue for me. This string is performing very well in that department with minimal scarring or notching. I am a 4.0 so not exactly a very strong ball basher kind of player. Anyway, for me, this string is as durable as can be.

Playability Duration: I like the playability duration of this string. String attributes I had the day I had my first hitting session, are still there. The balls have same depth and launch angle. Whatever mistakes I am making (netting the ball, balls flying etc) are all on me, not the string. I haven't felt anything extraordinary like tension dropoff all of a sudden or anything like that. Strings are playing great deep into the playtest.

Tension Recommendations (would you string it differently next time? Explain answer): I think given the power of this string I would recommend stringing maybe two or three pounds tighter. It is a very comfortable string so easily doable with better control results. I think for flat hitters, we need that point and shoot kind of a setup and going a bit tighter would help. But in the end, I think there is no better way of finding out the best setup than simply by trial and error.

List any additional thoughts (optional):
I think 17 guage looks more like a 16 gauge in my racquet. The string is thicker than your usual 17 gauge. Definitely thicker than my usual Solinco Hyper-G 17. I didn't ask about stringing ease but will do so from my stringer at our local pro shop. I also liked the color. Overall, this is a good soft, comfortable and powerful enough poly and I wpuld definitely recommend giving it a try.

Thank you very much @TW Staff for this opportunity and providing two sets of strings. I will try the next set once this is done with and report back.
 
Since I had that second set of Experimental Tour remaining, I figured I would use it up. And this time, as a hybrid. Strung up my 2013 APD using Experimental Tour in mains at 52 lbs and Diadem Evolution crosses at 55 lbs.



I plan on using a Thiem like setup with Experimental Tour in mains and Head Hawk in crosses, on my next string up with the remaining 20 ft of Experimental Tour. Will use my Pure Strike 98 for that and try to somewhat replicate Thiem's setup.

Will be interesting little experiment, and I will report findings here.

Thank you to @TW Staff for that second set again. I assure you, it is being utilized for a great research cause :)
 
haqq777 said:
Since I had that second set of Experimental Tour remaining, I figured I would use it up. And this time, as a hybrid. Strung up my 2013 APD using Experimental Tour in mains at 52 lbs and Diadem Evolution crosses at 55 lbs.



I plan on using a Thiem like setup with Experimental Tour in mains and Head Hawk in crosses, on my next string up with the remaining 20 ft of Experimental Tour. Will use my Pure Strike 98 for that and try to somewhat replicate Thiem's setup.

Will be interesting little experiment, and I will report findings here.

Thank you to @TW Staff for that second set again. I assure you, it is being utilized for a great research cause :)
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Nice! Not a fan of Diadem Evo to be honest. Very springy and trampoliney and I found it made the stringbed softer but very erratic. Also notches so fast....

Curious to hear about the head hawk and Experimental tour hybrid!
 
I am definitely having problems with the launch angle decreasing and the string losing grip. This has been accompanied by a fair amount of tension loss. It seems like I may be an outlier, since no one else has reported this. I will echo a previous message in that it now does really feel like RPM Power. I'll have a full review up within the next day or two.
 
My sets arrived today, and the first thing I did based on past comments was compare the thickness of the strings to a strand of RPM Blast 15L that I set aside, and there was not much difference with the 16g experimental -

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But when I go with my "feel" test, the 15L RPM Blast does seem ever so slightly thicker. Unfortunately I did not have any 16g strings lying around for comparison. Will be stringing this up on my Yonex SV98 and will go out for my first hit with it on Wednesday evening.
 
1st Impressions - 16G - 52/50 - Constant Pull Machine - 16 x 19 - 102 head size.

Just had a session with the 16G. I found it to be plush and with really nice control. I almost ever play with a 16G and this one seems like a 15L. Nice point and shoot string with nice power on tap when needed. The ball does not seem to really grip the strings as others have reported. My slice serve was decent as was my slice backhand.. but those are two shots I have a pretty good handle on with many years of practice. I am very spoiled using the Cyclone 19G as far as spin production and with LF Vorso 17G. No round poly is going to come close to the Cyclone 19G. I used all sorts of swing paths and strokes with this sample and got the best returns on a medium swing path. When I was really trying to shape the ball and get the ball in the last few feet of court with heavy spin.. I was missing more than I do with the other two strings or my old Tourna BHS 17G / Syn Gut Hybrid. I think I could work with this string in doubles since my strokes are shorter and the targets smaller. Flat serves are nice and solid as are volleys. A solid, nice round poly so far.. of course I have only one session in. Easy on the arm and no hot spots on the string bed so far. I went 52/50 on a constant pull machine. I like this much better than the RPM so far...

I might go up a few pounds in warmer conditions.. or just to get a firmer stringbed..
 
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Gauge(s) playtested:
Head Experimental 17 gauge

Tension(s) used for playtest:
I strung this up using my own proportional stringing method, with 51 pounds in the center eight mains and 46 pounds in the center five crosses, decreasing in tension towards the edges of the racquet.

Regular string set up & tension:
Tourna Big Hitter Silver 7 Tour, 17 gauge, strung exactly as I did with the Head Experimental

Racquet used for test:
Wilson Blade SW104, handle weighted to 352 grams, 11 points headlight, ~345 swingweight

Power/Control of test string:
Power levels are above average for poly strings when swinging more directly through the ball. It is a lively feeling string and there were times when I swung hard at a groundstroke and thought "Wow!". Ball speed coming off the stringbed was reduced a bit more than expected when trying to hit a loopy trajectory, high spin shot, but that loss of speed was in line with the better round poly strings that I have tested. It has more than adequate power to put volleys out of reach with a very short stroke. I'm normally hit a pretty flat volley and these would sometimes fly long on hard and low groundstrokes hit towards me, but I was able to cut down on the ball speed by trying to hit with a little more underspin than usual. First serves had a lot of pop and when swinging hard, felt like the ball exploded off the strings.

Control was good to very good. Initially, there was minimal adjustment required to accommodate the slightly lower launch angle that the string gave me. The extra power in addition to the slightly reduced spin created a longer ball flightpath, compensated by the slightly lower launch angle. So overall, the ball landed at about where I expected, just with a slightly flatter and faster trajectory. The Head Experimental has a friendly impact feel that gives a sense of good dwell time and pocketing, so the confidence in control is there almost immediately.

Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?):
Head Experimental is a highly internally dampened string with minimal vibration transmitted to the frame. It almost feels like I had added a second vibration dampener. This became a problem when hitting short angled volleys and drop shots, where the impact is so muted that it feels disconnected. The ball still went where I was aiming but the feedback was significantly minimized. That lack of feel made it take some period of time to trust that these shots would work correctly, even though they almost always did.

On harder, flatter swings, the Head Experimental feels lively and has a good pocketing feel. The impact response is a mix of elasticity and crispness. On controlled high racquet head speed shots like a first serve, there's a good sense of control, pocketing, and feedback. On shots when I was out of position and had to slap at the ball, it felt like the stringbed flung the ball kind of unexpectedly. It felt like I had to really commit to a stroke to get the best response.

Comfort levels of Head Experimental are very good. The elasticity and dampening make for a smooth, vibration-free, and solid impact that feels easy on the arm, and the high power levels made it possible to swing a little bit more softly at the ball, further reducing impact shock.

Spin:
Initially, the spin levels were very good for a round poly string. When trying to hit looping topspin shots, I had to swing more directly through the ball to regain some of the launch angle and forward ball speed that I get with my preferred shaped poly strings, but that adjustment was easy and allowed me to hit those same shots with minor loss of spin. Underspin backhands floated a bit more than normal and I had to consciously try to hit them lower and with more forward ball speed. Second serves were a weakness. I lost some ball speed, and the loss of spin created a lower bouncing serve that was more easily attackable by my opponent.

At about the five hour mark during a practice match, I began to have problems with the launch angle and spin capability both declining. I started netting some balls that felt like they came off the strings perfectly, and had trouble producing spin shots with as much rotation as I could generate prior to that time. There was notching and noticeable tension loss by that time, though the strings still slid perfectly back into position after hitting.

During my next session, which was practice with my hard-hitting son, I experienced continuing problems with the low launch angle. I asked him to reduce his ballspeed so I could swing more aggressively and that helped. When he resumed his previous hitting speed and I swung more slowly, the launch angle issue returned. I swapped to my other racquet with Silver 7 Tour and immediately regained my expected launch angle and spin capability. Initially, the Head Experimental was fairly close in response to the Silver 7 Tour, but at about seven hours in, the Head Experimental had noticeably changed its playing characteristics.

During my last hitting session with the Head Experimental string, between the eight and nine hour mark, I had a 15+ shot rally where I gained the advantage but netted my putaway shot into an open court. I swiped angrily at the ball, picked it up, and made like I was going to bite it. I noticed as I brought the ball up to my face that there were material transfer marks from the strings onto the ball. Because the string is light in color, the marks were also light in color and so I didn't notice if that happened earlier or not. My opponent was using black strings and so I was sure these came from the Head Experimental. By this time, the spin capability had significantly decreased and it felt like I couldn't get the strings to bite the ball. The marks were present on all three balls that were being used.

Durability:
Physical durability of the string is good. There was denting but no notching through about the three hour mark. By the five hour mark, the strings would click when moved out and then back into position. When I cut the string out at nine hours, there was light to moderate notching and a slight amount of wear to the ball contact surfaces which had started to flatten a little bit. I did hit flatter than usual due to the lower spin capability of this round string, but it did appear it would have easily lasted 20+ hours without notching through and snapping.

Playability Duration:
Playability was good and fairly consistent for about the first four hours. After each session, I would ping the strings and the frequency got lower each time so tension loss was moderate and seemed to continue until I cut the strings out at about the nine hour mark. After the four hour mark, the launch angle and spin capability started to decrease and continued to worsen until the end of test. Power levels did not decrease noticeably during the entire nine hours of use, and the strings remained comfortable and lively feeling until the end.

Tension Recommendations (would you string it differently next time? Explain answer):
I don't know if it was the loss of tension that caused playability to decrease after about the four hour mark. However, due to the very good comfort level and high power of Head Experimental, I would string it 5-10% tighter, and possibly add a prestretch, in hopes of maintaining playability longer. There was never a hint of a brassy or harsh feel even at the very start so it's likely a 5-10% higher tension could be used without affecting comfort levels.

List any additional thoughts (optional):
Head Experimental is a very thick string for its stated gauge. The 17 gauge that I tested added three grams of weight over and above that of Tourna Silver 7 Tour also in a 17 gauge. This added about six swingweight units and made the racquet swing noticeably heavier.

The set was 39 feet long, and I cut a one foot section, pulled 50 pounds of tension, and let it sit for one minute. There was only minimal elongation so I expected good tension maintenance but the tension seemed to drop with every hitting session. Coil memory was minimal and it strung up easily.

In summary:
Head Experimental was a very good string, with the best combination of attributes of the round poly strings I've tested, for about the first four hours. Afterwards, playability started to drop and continued to decrease until I ended the test at nine hours. Head Experimental seems most suited for a player with flatter stroke mechanics and who is in need of more power with good comfort, and may be suited for stiffer, harsher frames as it has the ability to neutralize a lot of impact shock. Doubles players may require a slight adjustment period as touch shots are more muted than normal and provide minimal feedback. Control on flatter shots and power levels were stable throughout the test period. It would be nice if Head Experimental came in thinner gauges as the 17 gauge was much thicker than specification.

Since I have a very dense string pattern on my racquet, I will hybrid the 16 gauge as the mains with a very thin Signum Pro Poly Plasma Pure as the cross string. That will probably happen nearer the end of January after I compete in a tournament.

Thanks to Tennis Warehouse and Head for the two sets of Head Experimental string.
 
Gauge play tested:
Head Experimental 16 gauge

Tension used for play test:
54/52 I usually use 17g so I strung the 16g in my OS Radical MG

Regular string set up & tension:
I've been running Tourna 7 tour in several rackets to the point of having a tender wrist from excessively whipping the wrist to accentuate the spin. It was nice to try a softer less crisp more comfortable string.

Racquet used for test:
Head Radical OS MG weighing 11.5 oz 4pt HL

Power/Control of test string:
Good power, lots of drive on the ball without feeling springy. Works with smooth controlled strokes. I suspect it would not be as suited to more violent aggressive swings. I'd say almost a multi like power with more control. Adequate spin for higher loopy shots with proper technique. Good feel and control on volleys. The string seems to slow down the action of the ball. It's not the harsh bounce directly off feel of a poly but not the sink in then spring off of a multi, basically smooth controlled power.
The adequate spin with good power allowed me to hit hard and flat drives deep but still keep it in play.
Serves were good but I've never been able to serve my best with a OS racquet. The string didn't hurt my serve.

Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?):
The Experimental 16 is comfortably firm without being stiff but not mushy or overly muted. I couldn't get the vicious slice and huge spin I got from from Tourna BHS7T but it's great for flatter drive the ball through the court shots. For me the feel was very good , if I did my part the string performed great. Maybe that's the Tour part of the name.


Spin:
It depends on your game. If you want to clear the net by 4ft and bounce the ball head high there are better choices. I feel this string is better suited for driving the ball through the court with adequate spin to hook it down down near the baseline. Slice was much the same Hit through the ball and drive it and I would get good low driven slice. Chop the ball and it would float more not be an aggressive shot.

Durability:
I not going to be breaking a 16g poly so it's not a problem for me some denting at 10 hrs but no notching.

Playability Duration:
Playability stayed great for the duration. I believe play improved on feel as it broke, perhaps needing a little more caution on power.

Tension Recommendations (would you string it differently next time? Explain answer):
I experimented a bit stringing with the Head Expermental I did 54 for center 6 mains 52 52 next 3 50 last 3 mains. this certainly made for a comfy string bed but I,m not sure I'll stay with it. I stay in the sweet spot fairly constantly and this set up might feel a bit vague. I could definitely play with this tension conventionally.

List any additional thoughts (optional):
Head Experimental is a good solid string as a powerful controlled poly. I don't think they re invented the wheel it's a honest round poly on the more lively less dead side of things.

In summary:
Head Experimental good solid string that I could use regularly. This is a good middle of the road string it doesn't wow you at any thing but it doesn't disappoint you at anything. This string in 16g was a good match for my Radical MG OS I'm going with the 17g in my Radical MG MP which is a soft low powered and see how it works out there.

A good solid string it's not going to change your life or raise your ranking. It won't do anything to prevent you playing a good game of tennis. How good that is is up to you.
 
Daddy's said:
Good power, lots of drive on the ball without feeling springy. Works with smooth controlled strokes. I suspect it would not be as suited to more violent aggressive swings.
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Working on my review tonight and this is pretty much identical to my experience as well.
 
Here is my review. Thank you to @TW Staff for this opportunity and I will do my best to follow in the footsteps of the other distinguished reviewers on this playtest.

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  • Gauge(s) playtested: 16

  • Tension(s) used for playtest: 50lbs mains, 48lbs crosses.

  • Regular string set up & tension: Babolat RPM Blast 15L at 50 mains, 48 crosses. A few others strings that used to be my go-to are Solinco Hyper G, and Tecnifibre Ice Code.

  • Racquet used for test: Yonex VCore SV98

  • Power/Control of test string: The string is fairly powerful, and I don’t mind using powerful strings/racquets as long as there is enough spin to accompany it. I really enjoyed the extra pop on volley putaways. Directional control was great on both ground strokes and volleys, and despite the power level of the string I did not feel like I lost control. Serves also had a little extra pop without sacrificing control.

  • Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?): It was nice to get that softer feedback from the Head experimental string despite having previously settled into a nice groove with RPM Blast at mid/low tension. However, despite the relative softness of the string, I did not feel that the string was “plush” which I think translated to a lack of pocketing feel. Conversely, Ice Code is a stiff and somewhat powerful string that still plays relatively soft and plush for a poly at mid tension, whereas the Head Experimental felt something like a “soft but crisp” string - maybe something like a softer version of Hyper G. I would be interested to know what the actual stiffness measurements show for this string. My best feeling shots was when I hit the sweet spot on a flattened out forehand. It felt really satisfying to hit.

  • Spin: At first I felt like the spin was lacking and I thought I was in for a rough playtest as I found myself continuing to swing harder and whippier to produce the same kind of loopy action I’m used to getting with the RPM Blast. However, once I let go of the need for spin and started going more for driving forehands and embraced the lower trajectory, things started to click much better, and there was enough spin to complement the driving, straighter shots being hit and keep the ball in. The lower trajectory also helped my slice backhands.

  • Durability: Durability for me was good. I’m not a big string breaker and I usually end up cutting out polyesters when they start to feel extra plasticy or it gives off any small hint of discomfort. I played about 8 hours so far, and there has been a slight drop off in feel, and I see little to moderate notching. Typically this is about as far as I will typically go with poly strings before cutting them, out of an abundance of precaution for arm health. However, I think could probably go another hour or so with the Head Experimental.

  • Playability Duration: I feel like the playability has been fairly consistent. I played in a tournament over the weekend and I did not feel any significant drop off in playability. The 7-8th hour or so of play was when the strings started to feel a bit different.

  • Tension Recommendations (would you string it differently next time? Explain answer): Anywhere around 50lbs ballpark seems good for this string, and I’m glad the other playtesters before me have had similar experiences at this tension range. I may try lowering the cross tension slightly to raise the launch angle a bit. Please see below for additional comments about stringing differently.

  • List any additional thoughts (optional): Overall this was a solid string to play test and I would categorize this string as a softer alternative to strings like Hyper G, where you can get that crisper, controlled response with a bit of pop. To me it certainly was not as crisp as Hyper G, but it was crisp enough to feel like it was not a big sacrifice to achieve the softer response.

    In terms of stringing differently, I might be inclined to use this in a hybrid with a relatively stiffer, slicker cross string (like Head Hawk, lol) and hope to slightly ramp up the spin potential and lower the power level. But at that point, am I just describing what I get with a full bed of RPM Blast? Well, I don't know how much this experimental string will cost, but if it lowers the comparative price point by a decent amount and the string bed remains relatively soft while retaining playability a bit longer, then we might have something very much worth considering. But even as a standalone full bed, I think the Head Experimental string is definitely worth trying for anyone looking for softer alternatives to the popular polyester strings out there without feeling like they have to go the soft-and-mushy route and sacrifice a significant chunk of the good performance oriented qualities that the stiffer polyesters offer.

    A couple silly additional notes I’d like to add. I’ll admit 100% that this is a product of my own vanity, but I do want to give kudos to Head on the color of the strings. Seems like every time a string comes out that’s not a variation of black or white, companies feel compelled to go “bold” and release them in colors like “hot red” or “neon green” which is fine overall, but to me this color is relatively neutral and understated enough that I think it would blend decently with most racquets while being “different.” Yes, I’m the guy that refused to string Hyper G on the Ultra Tour because the green string on the blue frame was not aesthetically pleasing to me, but absolutely loved Hyper G on my Prince Phantom 93P. I also want to express my appreciation for the ziplock seal that the string packaging came in, similar to Luxilon Natural Gut, which would make string storage much more convenient if I were to use this in a hybrid. Little things like this makes me feel like Head is conscientious about the customer experience and that gets a big thumbs up from me.

    Thank you again to @TW Staff and Head for the privilege of being a part of this play test and anyone interested in this string please feel free to ask me any questions and I will try to assist as much as I can.
 
Just from these reviews, the string sounds similar in spirit to TF’s new Ice Code. Have any of the Head playtesters used Ice Code for comparison?
 
time_fly said:
Just from these reviews, the string sounds similar in spirit to TF’s new Ice Code. Have any of the Head playtesters used Ice Code for comparison?
Click to expand...

In my experience, the Head Experimental is feels softer, has similar control, slightly less powerful, slightly better spin potential, less pocketing, and feels crisper than the softness would indicate. Ice Code, on the other hand, is stiff but it plays softer than its stiffness would indicate and it can get a really nice pocketing feel at mid tension. Ice Code in my opinion is more durable and retains playability longer than the Head experimental. I think you are right in that the performance is very similar but to me the feel is VERY different even if the outgoing ball might look similar to the player on the receiving end. So in my opinion it really comes down to one's preference for feel.
 
Head Experimental Tour co-poly Review
  • Gauge(s) playtested
    • 17g
  • Tension(s) used for playtest
    • 54lb mains x 52lb crosses
  • Regular string set up & tension
    • Volkl Cyclone17 54lb mains x 52lb crosses
  • Racquet used for test
    • ProStaff RF97 Autograph
  • Power/Control of test string
    • It is very clear that this is more power oriented co-poly. Very soft and easy power. Surprisingly the control is not much affected either.
  • Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?)
    • Comfortable, Soft and Mushy. The new material is very arm friendly and soft. It does provide a good touch and feel after some play time. This is a very welcoming string for folks coming from the synthetic gut or multifilament strings, and new to poly world. The touch and feel shots were excellent for a poly category string.
  • Spin
    • Good. Usually my experience with powerful poly strings is that, the power comes at the expense of spin. But Head Experimental Co-Poly did provide good spin on shots. Especially on slices. On topspin shots, it took a while to adjust to the lower angles, but, the spin was there. Offensive slice shots were very effective with this string, since they kept very low, and the deep slices did slide a good amount. It took me a while to adjust to the trajectories of topspin shots, but the spin was there and it is just a matter of getting used to the new string. So overall I am very happy with the spin provided by this string, considering that this is infact a more power oriented and soft string. The string does have some sharp edges, even though nothing extreme. So there is just enough ball friction and pocketing enough to notice on some shots. But that being said, if you are looking for pure top of the spin category strings, this is probably not a string for you. This is a string which provide soft and arm-friendly power, and still does not compromise too much in spin department.
  • Durability
    • Good. I spent 10 hours on court with this string, and mains had some viscible notches, but would not break for another 8hrs or so. So for my use, it is not going to break before I cut it out of my racket.
  • Playability Duration
    • Excellent. It took me a while to get used to the string. So I could not get a good feel for the initial tension loss. But after about 2hr mark, the tension drop was very gradual, and not noticeable enough for a 4.5/4.0 level baseline player till around the 8hr mark. The string retained most of its properties till 8hr mark. After the 8hr mark, I could notice the change in string properties and the spin also declined. So even though the string may not break till another few hours for me, I will probably cut it after around 10hr mark on normal match play. Another thing I noticed was that, it does withstand cold weather conditions a bit more better than most of the regular poly crowd.
  • Tension Recommendations (would you string it differently next time? Explain answer)
    • I believe the tensions I had in the mains/crosses were good for my preference. Except for experiment purposes, I would just keep the same tension even if string the same string again. The string is more towards the power side for a poly. So if you like more dead feel, it is probably not a string for you, and increasing tension probably not going to give you that dead feel anyway. On the other hand, if you are coming from a more softer string category (like multifilaments), I think it does not hurt to try more lower tensions.
  • List any additional thoughts (optional)
    • I believe the string is best suited for aggressive baseline players who like to hit through the court, at lower trajectories with good amount of spin. Also another suitable audience is players who are looking for some extra softness and comfort in the poly category, without trading too much spin for it. Players who like a dead/low-power poly or players who like very high trajectory topspins, may find some time to adjust to this string. Overall this is a very high quality string, and the string material, and color is unique. I really enjoyed this playtest. Even though I do not find myself to be switching to this string in the near future because of personal preferences, I highly recommend the string for anyone looking for a change from the normal dead poly strings flooding the market now.

Thanks a lot, Head and TW, for giving me the opportunity to be part of this excellent playtest. I still have the 16g pack, which I will probably test in the near future. If I see any big difference in property for 16g I will post that in this thread at a later time.
 
Wondering if any of the playtesters can tell how the 16G and 17G differ in attributes. Is it a big difference? Thinner guage usually feels a bit crisper and livelier and dies faster. Is that also the case here with Experimental Tour? Thanks.
 
Faris said:
Wondering if any of the playtesters can tell how the 16G and 17G differ in attributes. Is it a big difference? Thinner guage usually feels a bit crisper and livelier and dies faster. Is that also the case here with Experimental Tour? Thanks.
Click to expand...

I strung up the 17g on my wife's racquet and the difference feels minimal in terms of crispness and liveliness. Unfortunately her racquet is an ezone 98 which is a flexier, 16x19 pattern compared to the racquet from my original playtest (SV98, 16x20 pattern and a little stiffer) so the comparison might not be as direct. But my guess is that the 17g will have a broader appeal since it seems like it's a little thicker than the usual 1.25mm, and the 16 gauge is almost as thick as a 15L. So I think 17g would be the better starting point for anyone who wants to try this string. For most people who aren't major string breakers and don't use super open string patterns I think playability and durability will be as good as the average polyester out there or better.
 
tomato123 said:
I strung up the 17g on my wife's racquet and the difference feels minimal in terms of crispness and liveliness. Unfortunately her racquet is an ezone 98 which is a flexier, 16x19 pattern compared to the racquet from my original playtest (SV98, 16x20 pattern and a little stiffer) so the comparison might not be as direct. But my guess is that the 17g will have a broader appeal since it seems like it's a little thicker than the usual 1.25mm, and the 16 gauge is almost as thick as a 15L. So I think 17g would be the better starting point for anyone who wants to try this string. For most people who aren't major string breakers and don't use super open string patterns I think playability and durability will be as good as the average polyester out there or better.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the detailed feedback! Much appreciated!
 
Gauge(s) playtested:
Head Experimental 17 gauge

Tension(s) used for playtest:
I strung the racquet at my usual 52lbs in my Pro Staff 97 Black (slightly modded to 12oz)

Regular string set up & tension:
Pros Pro Strategem 10 at 52lbs, I used to use Solinco Hyper-G as well (Which will make sense later in the review why I mention this) I enjoy this string due to how well-rounded the string is in all aspects. It’s truly a balanced poly in my opinion.

Racquet used for test:
Wilson Pro Staff 97 Black, 3 grams of lead at 12 and in the butt cap to weigh it up to 12oz.

Power/Control of test string:
Ground strokes and serves:
The power level of the string was hard to gauge as the control allowed me to fell like I could swing out more, and still believe my shots would drop into the court. It reminded me of Hyper G, in the sense that it was much more of a dead response, so I would have to say it was on the lower end of the spectrum.

The control, due to the deadened response from contact was really nice. I enjoyed the response and only a few times felt the ball launch. Compared to my normal string, Experimental’s balance definitely favored control over power, so at times it left me wanting some more pop, especially on serve.

Volleys:
I was playing doubles and had to say this string is not good for net play. I could not get much feel on touch shots and there wasn’t as much punch as I’m used to with my typical strings. Not good in either the power or control department.

Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?):
Experimental is in my experience a muted but comfortable string. With the PS97, it really caters itself to having good ball feedback, so this string being muted wasn’t much of a concern for me. The ball pocketing was also really nice in this racquet, which I think also helped with the comfort Since the responsiveness didn’t feel like hitting with a piece of wood. Considering I have experienced some wrist problems lately I really liked this aspect of the string. Think Hyper-G but more comfortable and pocketing.

Spin:
Loved the spin this string gave. I enjoy variety when I play and this string, coupled with the control, allowed me to play my game with comfort and ease. It doesn’t produce intense amounts, but I would say it’s “controlled spin“ where if you’re skilled enough, you can impart as much spin or flatten out shots as you’d like.

Durability:
Not much to report yet. Playability was good and consistent throughout these first two hours, but I will be hitting with my high-level hitting partner later this week so we’ll see how it goes!

Playability Duration:
N/A

Tension Recommendations (would you string it differently next time? Explain answer):
I liked it at this tension but may try higher for a slightly stiffer feel just to see how it feels.

List any additional thoughts (optional) + Summary:
As much I enjoyed this string, I still went back to my old trusty Pros Pro Strategem 10... I just love the balance too much, but I see this string cutting into the market and finding a niche following, similar to Tour Bite, Alu Power, Hyper-G, etc.
 
Gauge(s) playtested: 17

Tension(s) used for playtest: Mains @ 53, Crosses @ 51

Regular string set up & tension: ALU Power 125 or Tour Bite 16L at 53/51 but will toss in whatever I'm feeling like if I'm not competing or want to test/play something different.

Racquet used for test: Wilson Blade Pro Stock 18x20

Power/Control of test string: I enjoyed the pop I got off of this string. Similar power access to ALU, Tour Bite, Hyper G--accessible but not excessive. I find regular lynx, solinco Confidential 2.0, Genesis Black Magic, etc. to be too much pop unless I string higher, and my arm doesn't always like that. Element is right about my limit for power from a polyester string at the tensions my wrist can handle, and this is less powerful than that. I didn't feel as completely in control (the ball does what I tell it to) like I do with ALU or 4G, but I could generally rely on this string to send the ball where and how I wanted. I sailed a few balls long right away, but I think that's a feel thing or I could have just been a little off. I adjusted quickly.

Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?): It's on the stiffer side of the poly spectrum IMO, but it's not uncomfortable. Similar to hyper g being stiffer but a pretty comfy hit. It's not like Tour Bite, ALU, 4G where you are going to feel the shock harshly on off-center hits, but it's stiff enough to provide control to big hitters. When it was fresh, I felt the same pancake sensation that I get from ALU, but not as strong. That dissipated as the tension dropped out but was nice off the bat.

Spin: More than adequate spin access here...pretty close to what I expected for a stiff-ish, shaped poly. I find most stiffer polyesters to be about equal in terms of spin FWIW. The response wasn't quite as honest as I would have liked--I had a few balls that spun just inside the baseline but felt out off of the racquet. Some folks might appreciate that, but I would rather know when I overhit and be able to adjust accordingly...I can do that with my usual strings. Would I adjust over time? Probably.

Durability: 3.5 hours of practice (1 hour drilling, 2.5 hours playing singles points/sets) out of this, which is better than ALU and slightly less than Tour Bite/Hyper G in 16L for me, so it was solid. I find this, like most shaped strings, to perform a little thicker than listed, especially on the durability front. Going to be durable enough for most players I think.

Playability Duration: The first hit was very nice--controlled pop with a muted-but-crisp-enough response and adequate spin access--and I hit it right off the stringer, so that probably didn't help the playability duration. I found a considerable decrease in the stiff feel I enjoyed right away, but tension leveled out nicely and didn't drop too much by the time I broke, so I still had enough stiffness to be in line with my preferences. I had to work a little extra for spin by the second day, as the power and launch angle had increased, but it wasn't to the point where I was drastically changing things. I hit this string over the course of 8 days, so that's pretty impressive to me. Usually, ALU's tension has fallen off a cliff by the time I break it if I don't hit it on consecutive days, and Lynx/Experimental Tour performed better than that. It's in line with Hyper G, 4G (and 4G soft), Genesis Typhoon, and other newer polys for tension maintenance and playability duration.

Tension Recommendations (would you string it differently next time? Explain answer): I would either increase the cross tension to 53 or increase both by 2 pounds to keep a slightly higher reference tension after the first hit. I think it would perform well as a cross to gut mains or with a round poly in the crosses that retains tension well (4G, Isospeed black fire)

List any additional thoughts (optional): I can see why Dominic Thiem played this string for awhile. Especially when fresh, it's got a controlled response with good spin access and a pleasing feel when you're striking the ball cleanly. It's soft-ish on the response but stiff enough that feedback is still present--a nice Goldilocks ratio of soft to crisp for me. Playability duration is in line with most newer, top-of-the-line polys. If you are a seasoned poly player and prefer to bring your own power but want a little forgiveness from your stringbed, you should give this string a try! This is the best string in Head's lineup for me, and I would definitely try it again.
 
@colan5934 You referred a couple of times to the Head Experimental as a shaped string. My sets were clearly round. If you still have some of that string, can you look to confirm your set was shaped? I think this string material would have been well suited to being a shaped string due to its other playing characteristics.
 
Injured Again said:
@colan5934 You referred a couple of times to the Head Experimental as a shaped string. My sets were clearly round. If you still have some of that string, can you look to confirm your set was shaped? I think this string material would have been well suited to being a shaped string due to its other playing characteristics.
Click to expand...
Definitely shaped. I got some sets yesterday from a buddy who works for Head and sets from this TW Playtest. The shape isn’t too aggressive, though, and I believe it’s 6-sided. It’s easy to see when looking at knots, but a little less obvious under tension in the stringbed.
 
I can swear my test sets aren't shaped. Strings up and plays like a round profile string for me. Zero shape feel even when I run fingers over the string.
 
colan5934 said:
Definitely shaped. I got some sets yesterday from a buddy who works for Head and sets from this TW Playtest. The shape isn’t too aggressive, though, and I believe it’s 6-sided. It’s easy to see when looking at knots, but a little less obvious under tension in the stringbed.
Click to expand...

Sounds like you got a different string. Here's a closeup of the 17 gauge version of the Head Experimental set that I got, compared to a lightly shaped, seven-sided string (Tourna Silver 7 Tour, also in 17 gauge):

uc


Like @haqq777 says, no discernable shape to it at all other than that it is round.
 
Injured Again said:
Sounds like you got a different string. Here's a closeup of the 17 gauge version of the Head Experimental set that I got, compared to a lightly shaped, seven-sided string (Tourna Silver 7 Tour, also in 17 gauge):

uc


Like @haqq777 says, no discernable shape to it at all other than that it is round.
Click to expand...
Hmm, same. My test sets were round as well. One of my rackets has volkl cyclone and you can tell that string is shaped by comparison.
 
Injured Again said:
Sounds like you got a different string. Here's a closeup of the 17 gauge version of the Head Experimental set that I got, compared to a lightly shaped, seven-sided string (Tourna Silver 7 Tour, also in 17 gauge):

uc


Like @haqq777 says, no discernable shape to it at all other than that it is round.
Click to expand...
I see a slight shape there. Kind of like I do with RPM blast. Could be lighting, but if you look at “17,” you can see where the edge seems to be. Not saying it’s not mostly round—the edges aren’t stark, just like RPM’s gear shape is very slight—but I see an edge. I think it plays more like a shaped string with the launch angle too. And the 2020 Head catalog states Lynx Tour has a “six-edge design.” So, I think it’s very lightly shaped. So lightly that it almost seems round, similar to RPM blast and pro hurricane tour.

Doesn’t mean I’m right. Tough to say for sure unless somebody can cut it with a scalpel and put it under magnification.
 
I pulled out my remaining piece of untensioned 17 gauge string, and looked and felt on it as closely as possible. There may be some very slight shape to it but it is so minimal that I can't imagine that it makes any real difference compared to a round string, and not after an hour of hitting and wear in any case.

I guess I can imagine that for a pro player, any minimal shaping may help with spin production for the handful of games before it wears down, without incurring the bigger spin sensitivity of a more shaped string. For recreational users who would tend to use this for ten or more hours, any minimal shape wears down and it becomes an essentially round string for the majority of those ten plus hours, where it can provide the most consistency of play without having prominent edges that wear smooth over time.

So maybe it does make sense but I moticed enough changes in playability regardless of that.
 
Injured Again said:
Sounds like you got a different string. Here's a closeup of the 17 gauge version of the Head Experimental set that I got, compared to a lightly shaped, seven-sided string (Tourna Silver 7 Tour, also in 17 gauge):

uc


Like @haqq777 says, no discernable shape to it at all other than that it is round.
Click to expand...
By this picture it’s clearly shaped.
 
The bottom string is very shaped... I could not feel or see any shape to the 16G I strung up. I did not string the 17G yet.. Others have and have not reported it as shaped before this. Another TW mystery.. :).

Regards.. to all the wonderful and dedicated play testers and thanks to TW and all the companies that let us tennis junkies.. "Have AT IT" with their new offerings!
 
I have 3 pretty good sessions on my 16G sample... really enjoyed this one. I would love to see the TWU data on this string. Made me think about using a 16G round poly again. The control was very good and straight away power was excellent with fatter strokes. This was a better version of ALU 16L Power to me.
 
A friend of mine got a set of 17g Head experimental tour direct from the head company in Austria. I've strung it for him in a hybrid combination with Babolat VS Team in the crosses. I can say this set of experimental is definitely shaped.
He was very happy with the playability of this setup.
 
its a 6 sided SOFT poly!, the shape is getting lost at first, but once stringing/fanning and playing it shows up a bit more
i beleive the name is going to be (h.lynx.tour)!?!?

good power/poly string for the head.gravity racquets
 
1HBHfanatic said:
its a 6 sided SOFT poly!, the shape is getting lost at first, but once stringing/fanning and playing it shows up a bit more
i beleive the name is going to be (h.lynx.tour)!?!?

good power/poly string for the head.gravity racquets
Click to expand...
I think that is what a few testers are saying; that string shape is round and the edges - if present - are not discernible. For example, I can't tell if it has any edges whatsoever after using it for hours, stringing it as a hybrid (see pics above) and trying both 16 and 17 gauge in multiple racquets. Feels and plays the same to me as any round poly out there. And I am an avid string tester with lots of experience stringing and playing different strings.
 
haqq777 said:
I think that is what a few testers are saying; that string shape is round and the edges - if present - are not discernible. For example, I can't tell if it has any edges whatsoever after using it for hours, stringing it as a hybrid (see pics above) and trying both 16 and 17 gauge in multiple racquets. Feels and plays the same to me as any round poly out there. And I am an avid string tester with lots of experience stringing and playing different strings.
Click to expand...

If there are edges.. they are so very slight... I can't feel or see them. I also have been doing this for years and years. I really did enjoy the string.. :-).

Happy Holidays...
 
SteveI said:
If there are edges.. they are so very slight... I can't feel or see them. I also have been doing this for years and years. I really did enjoy the string.. :).

Happy Holidays...
Click to expand...
Agreed. I enjoyed the string as well. Loved the response in hybrids as well.

Happy holidays to you as well good sir! :)
 
tomato123 said:
My sets arrived today, and the first thing I did based on past comments was compare the thickness of the strings to a strand of RPM Blast 15L that I set aside, and there was not much difference with the 16g experimental -

89MVA9j.jpg


j6kM4UX.jpg


But when I go with my "feel" test, the 15L RPM Blast does seem ever so slightly thicker. Unfortunately I did not have any 16g strings lying around for comparison. Will be stringing this up on my Yonex SV98 and will go out for my first hit with it on Wednesday evening.
Click to expand...

Great Pic of the Head string on the bottom... maybe there is some shape.. my old eyes can't see it. Does the shape appear after tension is applied to the string?

Maybe the slight shape is a great way to limit the high launch angle provided by strings like Tour Bite .. BHB7.. etc. helped me with driving through the ball.
 
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SteveI said:
Great Pic of the Head string on the bottom... maybe there is some shape.. my old eyes can't see it. Does the shape appear after tension is applied to the string?

Maybe the slight shape is a great way to limit the high launch angle provided by strings like Tour Bite .. BHB7.. etc. helped me with driving through the ball.
Click to expand...

Considering how the string didn't feel as slick as some of the other polys I'm used to, I thought it slid surprisingly well while stringing the crosses, so a part of me wondered if it was the "flat ends sliding effect". But otherwise it was hard to tell overall if it was shaped or not. :)
 
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Gauge(s) playtested: 17 gauge, I will also play with the 16 gauge when I have a chance but probably won't be able to play with it enough in time for this review.

Tension(s) used for playtest: 53 lbs

Regular string set up & tension: I'll typically play with any poly I can get for a good deal. TW had a good deal on Kirschbaum Pro Line Evolution 17 gauge so I went ahead and stocked up on those. Other strings I like are Hyper-G, Volkl Cyclone and usually any other poly is fine with me

Racquet used for test: Babolat Pure Strike Tour 2019 version

Power/Control of test string: Definitely felt above average for a poly but still not overly powerful. I was able to flatten out and hit with more power when needed but still had the control I need from a poly which is why I use them in the first place.

Feel: I would say more muted and comfortable compared to your average poly. I actually had a friend who let me hit with his racket with this string in it and it definitely felt different to when I ended up putting the string in mine. His racket had more of that punchy and bouncy feel which I like but he strung his at super low tension and might've been using a different gauge.

Spin: Not as much spin as other polys (Hyper-G mainly) but still adequate enough for my game. I naturally produce a lot of spin on my strokes so I am typically fine with the spin level from most polys

Durability: I've played with the string about 12 hours and it still looks like I could get a couple hours of play out of it if I wanted to. The crosses are thinning out a bit but still have some life left.

Playability Duration: Play has held up well throughout my 12 hours or so, I just had a heavy hitting session with this string and it still felt great most of the time although I did notice I started launching balls long towards the end. I'd probably be fine taking the racket out for a hitting session but would re-string if I had an actual match.

Tension Recommendations (would you string it differently next time: Probably wouldn't change anything, 53 lbs is usually my default tension for any poly string and I didn't see any reason to change it. I tend to have a very whippy swing on my forehand so need the extra control from a higher tension.

List any additional thoughts: Solid string, I'd gladly play with it if it's in the $10 or so price range. I am not typically picky when it comes to poly strings so will play with whatever I can get a good deal on. I look forward to also trying out the 16 gauge version of the string as well. Thanks to TW and HEAD for the opportunity!
 
niketennispro said:
Gauge(s) playtested:
Head Experimental 17 gauge

Tension(s) used for playtest:
I strung the racquet at my usual 52lbs in my Pro Staff 97 Black (slightly modded to 12oz)

Regular string set up & tension:
Pros Pro Strategem 10 at 52lbs, I used to use Solinco Hyper-G as well (Which will make sense later in the review why I mention this) I enjoy this string due to how well-rounded the string is in all aspects. It’s truly a balanced poly in my opinion.

Racquet used for test:
Wilson Pro Staff 97 Black, 3 grams of lead at 12 and in the butt cap to weigh it up to 12oz.

Power/Control of test string:
Ground strokes and serves:
The power level of the string was hard to gauge as the control allowed me to fell like I could swing out more, and still believe my shots would drop into the court. It reminded me of Hyper G, in the sense that it was much more of a dead response, so I would have to say it was on the lower end of the spectrum.

The control, due to the deadened response from contact was really nice. I enjoyed the response and only a few times felt the ball launch. Compared to my normal string, Experimental’s balance definitely favored control over power, so at times it left me wanting some more pop, especially on serve.

Volleys:
I was playing doubles and had to say this string is not good for net play. I could not get much feel on touch shots and there wasn’t as much punch as I’m used to with my typical strings. Not good in either the power or control department.

Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?):
Experimental is in my experience a muted but comfortable string. With the PS97, it really caters itself to having good ball feedback, so this string being muted wasn’t much of a concern for me. The ball pocketing was also really nice in this racquet, which I think also helped with the comfort Since the responsiveness didn’t feel like hitting with a piece of wood. Considering I have experienced some wrist problems lately I really liked this aspect of the string. Think Hyper-G but more comfortable and pocketing.

Spin:
Loved the spin this string gave. I enjoy variety when I play and this string, coupled with the control, allowed me to play my game with comfort and ease. It doesn’t produce intense amounts, but I would say it’s “controlled spin“ where if you’re skilled enough, you can impart as much spin or flatten out shots as you’d like.

Durability:
Not much to report yet. Playability was good and consistent throughout these first two hours, but I will be hitting with my high-level hitting partner later this week so we’ll see how it goes!

Playability Duration:
N/A

Tension Recommendations (would you string it differently next time? Explain answer):
I liked it at this tension but may try higher for a slightly stiffer feel just to see how it feels.

List any additional thoughts (optional) + Summary:
As much I enjoyed this string, I still went back to my old trusty Pros Pro Strategem 10... I just love the balance too much, but I see this string cutting into the market and finding a niche following, similar to Tour Bite, Alu Power, Hyper-G, etc.
Click to expand...

After playing another 2 hours with this string in singles it is definitely a treat from the baseline as far as ground strokes go. Volleys are still a little too mushy to me, but from the baseline and serving is really nice.

It’s a very control-oriented string but has good pop without being overly powerful or felt like the ball was spraying off the strings, if that makes sense? After the initial break-in period, I think this string will make a great splash in the market once it’s generally available.

Conclusion:
Overall this string is a 8/10 for me, especially as I’ve become more committed to being a more aggressive baseliner/all-court player. The controlled ball-pocketing response with pop and spin is really addicting. I would absolutely consider sticking to this string if it was at a lower price point, but Pro’s Pro Strategem 10 for $30 a reel will always be impossible to beat as long as this is available.
 
Gauge(s) playtested
17g

Tension(s) used for playtest
52/52

Regular string set up & tension
Hyper G 18

Racquet used for test
Babolat Pure Strike 100 (project one 7 version)

Power/Control of test string
I really liked the power. It was great for counter punching and injecting pace. I have trouble with consistency because I swing out more than I should/need to, and I felt that I could sit back, take my time and just swing through naturally and not feel like I was going to hit too neutral of a shot. I didn't think the string was anything extraordinary for control, other than what you gain by expending less effort on trying to hit hard and more on aim and let the string do some of the work for you. Drop shot, lob, etc were all average for feel, but I don't have great hands, so I won't pretend like I could really give great feedback here. I did find that I did not suffer on slices, especially with keeping slices very low, especially when trying to get depth while also keeping it low. I did not do well with the high to low knifing down slice, but I'm rarely good at those anyway. One thing I did notice from the baseline was a distinctly lower launch angle, which I could probably blame on other factors (like the fact that it felt significantly heavier than hyper g 18, even more so than other 17g string I've used). A minor complaint.

Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?)
It is a very comfortable string, as far as poly goes. Not quite multifilament levels of comfort, but definitely softer than Hyper G (even at 18g) and maybe even softer than sidewinder 17g (my previous regular string). This didn't seem to help me with drop shots and drop volleys though. I just didn't get a feel for the breaking action and pulling back on the swing and lessening impact. Caveat is that I am absolutely awful at drop shots.

Spin
My main complaint with the string as a poly is probably what makes this such a comfortable string, but definitely felt the spin was lacking. This, again, may have more to do with the perceived increase in headweight, affecting my ability to get the racquet fully over the top during the swing.... however, I did get comments from some hitting partners that the ball did seem to spin/kick/feel less heavy of a ball with this racquet than with my normal setup. However, the power makes up for some of this particular downside.


Durability
I have played around 5-6 hours with the set, and the notching isn't horrible yet. There is noticeable notching, but the strings can still pop in and out, and nowhere near being ready to break. I would consider this to be a good sign, I would have much more significant notching with the hyper G by now, where I would start considering getting the next fresh racquet ready and start working it into rotation.


Playability Duration
Given that I think this string feels so soft on the arm/elbow/shoulder and that I would use it mainly for power, and not so much for maximum spin, I don't know how much I would care about playability until it goes completely dead on me or loses the softness. I would imagine that for me, it would last at least 12 hours of playing, which would be much more than what I get out of my current set.


Tension Recommendations (would you string it differently next time? Explain answer)
I would recommend keeping it around low 50's. I would not string it differently than how it was done.


List any additional thoughts (optional)
I would LOVE to try this string in 18g or even 19g given how very thick the strings at even 17g. I think it would be right up my alley.
 
  • Gauge(s) playtested: Both 16g and 17g
  • Tension(s) used for playtest: 52 lbs
  • Regular string set up & tension: I currently have been playing with a variety of polys strung at 52 lbs on my RFs, including Lux ALU, 4G, Element, RPM Blast, RPM Rough and Gut/ALU Rough.
  • Racquet used for test: Wilson RF97
  • Power/Control of test string:
    • 16g: I loved the power. Great power, yet not overpowering. I was able to get great depth on my balls, but not overspraying.
    • 17g: Great power as well but the thinner gauge makes the ball fly a little bit more. Some shots went a little further than anticipated, so I had to put a little more effort into controlling the ball.
  • Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?):
    • 16g: After the first swing of the racket, I was very surprised how comfortable this string felt. From the eyeball test, this looks like a thick stiffer string, but boy was i wrong. This string felt very soft with a bit of a slight muted feel. You can definitely tell there wasnt that pop sound or feel because of the thicker gauge.
    • 17g: This string had the exact same level of comfortable as the 16 gauge but with a better feel to it. It was a much more crisp feel of the strings. The ball pocketed very well when hitting my shots.
  • Spin:
    • 16g: For a shaped string, its actually hard to tell from touching it. Still, it was able to give good amount of spin comparable to your typical Luxilon strings. I wouldnt say it lacks spin but its spin potential is in the average range. Sometimes I would have to add extra power to get some extra spin.
    • 17g: Slightly more spin than the 16g string. Felt the ball grabbed onto the strings a little easier. But still in the slight above average spin potential.
  • Durability:
    • 16g: After 5 sessions, the strings are going strong. Overall no big signs of wear.
    • 17g: Start to get some string movement and string wearing down and flattening during the 2nd session.
  • Playability Duration:
    • 16g & 17g: Both strings have sustained high playability through 5 sessions of side by side hitting. I did not notice any big drop off in tension, spin, power or control.
  • Tension Recommendations (would you string it differently next time? Explain answer): At 52 lbs, both string strings played very well. I would like to try the 17 gauge slight higher like 55 to see if it has the same type of fell, but slightly more controlled. For the 16 gauge, 50 lbs, to see if it can get a slight more pop to my shots.
  • List any additional thoughts (optional): Overall, I am very impress with the Head Experimental string at both gauges 16 and 17. As of right now, I can’t pick a favorite as both play fairly similar to each other, but also excel in certain aspects. The color of the string looks great, and this will definitely be one of the strings I use moving forward. There is definitely a trend going on. We see more and more string companies develop overall great co-polys that give access to a lot of spin and power, and no longer do they have to sacrifice comfort. It is good for players of all levels, from pro to club to rec. This would mean less injuries to everyone. So kudos to the Head engineering team for developing this awesome string. When this officially releases, I recommend everyone go try it out. Thank you to @TW Staff and Head Tennis for allowing me to playtest these strings.
 
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jbot said:
List any additional thoughts (optional)
I would LOVE to try this string in 18g or even 19g given how very thick the strings at even 17g. I think it would be right up my alley.
Click to expand...

Actually did not think about this, but a really thin gauge with this string would probably be amazing!
 
Head Experimental Tour 17 Review

Stringing - A minimal coil memory combined with just the right balance of string stiffness versus elasticity and a nice texture that allowed the strings to glide freely over each other, without feeling slick, made Head’s Experimental Tour 17 a pleasure to string. I strung it in a Babolat Pure Strike Project One7 at 50 pounds, the lowest end of the racquet’s 50-59lbs recommended tension range.

Control/Power - I often find it contradictory when a string’s marketing touts the string as having both great control and great power. Can it be both? I think Head’s Experimental Tour 17 leans more toward the control camp with a softer but firm feel and great ball pocketing. I would add that even though I had only one set to try, my stringing/playing experience tells me that this string will react quite differently when strung at different tensions. At 50 pounds, I still felt the control aspect of the string dominated, but I also got nice pop, both when I swung faster and on serves. I feel that bigger hitters could dial up the control, if they need it, by pushing the string tension up toward the middle tension recommended for their racquets. This is an extremely nice feature of this string, as it allows a player to dial in its performance to their liking. Nice job Head. The ball pocketing also contributed to feeling much more connected to the ball and increased the ability to accurately place shots in terms of both angles and depth.

Spin - In the interest of full disclosure, I’m not a big spin player, but Head’s Experimental Tour 17 has all the qualities that contribute to delivering nice spin on your shots. The smooth, but not slick, string texture contributes to good string snapback that when combined with the excellent ball pocketing should allow players of all levels to add a good amount of spin when applying the proper swing path and racquet head speed to any of their shots, including serves.

Comfort - This is definitely a softer feeling string without feeling even a little bit mushy. Actually, it has a really nice, solid feeling when striking the ball and it would take a very stiff racquet or a really high string tension to force this string into causing any arm issues. Head Experimental Tour 17 is very comfortable.

Feel - This is my favorite aspect of this string. It truly felt good to strike the ball with this string, both in the sweet spot and when I was a little off center. Volleys felt easy to place and the strings gave good feedback making me feel able to place them precisely when I made good contact. It was also easy to place serves, as the way the strings felt connected to the ball contributed to better serve targeting while, at the same time, providing good power. I would put this string into my top 5 to buy and play with, depending on the eventual price Head assigns to it.

Playability - I felt the string lost a significant amount of tension pretty quickly, after about 2 hours of hitting, which added a bit of a launching problem that I had to compensate for, but then it settled in and I actually liked the easy to access extra power it provided. Just to note, tension loss is something to watch out for with this string. I played close to a total of 10 hours with the string set, and after the initial tension loss, the string tension seemed to stabilize.

Durability - I am a 3.5 to 4.0 player and not a string breaker, so I don’t typically put a lot of stress on my string set ups, but after around 10 hours of play, I found no signs of wear on the strings and string movement was minimal. The string seemed very durable.

What I would do different - Next time I use the string, I would string it about 3 to 4 pounds above my true target string tension target because of the string’s tendency to “settle in” and lose some initial tension. Again, the tension issued seemed to stabilize, after initially dropping a bit.

Overview - I rate this string highly for control and comfort with the bonus of having sufficient power available. I think the strings’ control vs. power performance will be usefully variable using different string tensions, allowing players to accurately set up a racquet for more control or more power, as desired. Head Experimental Tour 17 will prove to be an arm-friendly string that provides match-ready performance for a wide range of player styles and levels. If Head’s price point comes in at $10 or under, it could become a very dominant string in the market. At $11-$13, it will do well, but with strong rival competition from other strings. At $13 and above it will be in a tough market, competing for customers already loyal to other high end tennis strings, but it could gain market share based on its unique blend of feel and arm-friendly performance.
 
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