Tennis Warehouse playtest: Solinco Hyper-G / Hyper-G Round

Solinco Hyper G/Round Hybrid Review (Playtester)

First before I start, thank you to Tennis Warehouse for selecting me as a playtester! This is my first official playtest and I’m stoked to give my review

Tennis background/skill level/playing style:
So I started playing tennis roughly 1.5 years ago. I play consistently around 3-5x a week. The first 5 months I played with a pseudo coach (just someone who would feed balls, but not necessarily correct my form) and really learned how to play through youtube and sheer consistency of hitting a ball. I played mostly doubles, and it was only a few months ago that I started playing singles with people in the community. I have not played in a league and I am not officially rated BUT I would say I am somewhere in the 3.5 level. I play singles against mostly 3.5 and low 4.0s based on their USTA profiles and accomplishments. I have a pretty good first serve, and I can consistently second serve a pacy kick. I am very competent with my backhand slice and forehand. I use a one-hand backhand, and I guess my weakness is hitting high backhands. I am alright at the net, but I prefer to counterpunch from the baseline.

Current string set-up(s) and preferred tension(s): My go to string as of the moment is Tourna Poly Pro or ReString Sync and I string between 48-50lbs

What racquet did you use for this playtest?
I was supposed to use my Prince Phantom 100x 2024 but I wanted a more power oriented racket for it so I opted for the Prince Beast 2023 (Japan Release)

How many hours did you play with the test string?
I played with it for a total of 12 hours (5 2 set matches + warming up and rallies+Serve practice)

Which string did you use for the mains?
I used Hyper G Round in the Mains and Hyper G in the crosses

Tension(s) used for playtest?
My tension was 50lbs

Power/Control of test string?
I was very surprised at the power I generated from it but also the round helped a lot with control. i am the type of player that can REALLY send a ball flying, and I do tend to hit long when I get excited. I noticed with this I can take pretty comfortable strong and fast groundstrokes and I can hit the deep with a lot of power. I don’t have to hold back as much with my flatter shots. My racket itself is already pretty strong, so getting a good output from this string was even easier. My backhand actually felt more powerful. Usually with my backhand I tend to hit less through, and it’s usually shorter than my forehand. But with this setup I felt like I had more penetration with it.

Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?)
The feel was comfortable. Vibrations to the arm were not minimal perse BUT they’re there but not annoying. It gave feel to my hits and the crispness was on point. If I compare it to lets say with ReString Sync, the sync has great ball pocketing and it dampens the ball but still has feel, and it feels comfy, very similar to luxillon. This hybrid set up had similar comfort as the sync BUT the feel was crisper. Normal Hyper G as a full bed for me feels too soft in a way or muted but I think adding the rounds actually firmed up the experience, so I had more feel to my strokes.

Spin?
I had above average spin with this string set up. I think the rounds really made the hyper g more responsive. I got more spin normally. Where I think I got the most out of it were definitely my kick and slice serves and even my slices. I generated so much spin, especially serving wide, based on watching back my videos, I serves more aces than i usually do with a wide serve. My kick definitely kicked more, and with even a slower racket head spead during my serve, it felt really good.

Durability & playability duration?
Durability, I had no problem with, it was ok, didn’t break my string. In terms of duration i think it lasted around 8-9 hours of very decent play. First 2-3 hours were the best, and it felt very lively. Hours 4-8 were average. Still good performance on my serves. Groundstrokes were still comfy, no pain, and still useable. Hour 9-12, the notching was very noticeable. I think almost all the cross strings around the sweet spot weren’t snapping back anymore. And it was feeling pretty dead. Hour 12, after my game, it seemed like I was really struggling to hit deep, and some shots were a bit awry already. First 8 hours playable. 9 hours onwards it’s a bit of a challenge.

Tension Recommendations. Would you string it differently next time? Explain why
I think i would like to try to string down to 48lbs, I want to see how much more power I can get and maybe more spin at a lower tension. 50 was a great sweet spot for me for control and power.


Overall: I may have found my go to string setup, but I’ll check out what a fullbed of hyper g round feels like first. I really really enjoyed this string setup! It was a great all around string. Amazing power, great feel, above average spin potential. Will definitely buy a few for myself in the future!

Thank you again Tennis Warehouse! You guys the best foreal!
 

Thank you TW! I’m very excited to participate in my first ever playtest/review. I got my set In the mail on Monday and I forgot how slick and easy it is to string Hyper G. I strung it with Hyper G round in the mains and Hyper G in the crosses at 50lbs. I’ll be hitting a few times this week and weekend and will report back with my initial thoughts after.
 
I used this setup for an hour at practice last night. It was okay. I didn't have anything that I really loved, and I didn't have anything that I really hated. It is an adjustment from the full bed multi that I've been using currently. Maybe it needs to break in, but the spin wasn't as impressive as I was expecting. It did feel like it has a ton of control, but the power and spin were lacking. It also has a lower launch angle than I was expecting, so last night's session was more of an adjustment period than anything else.

I'm going to see if I can get a few more hitting sessions in before my match this weekend. At this point, I'm not confident enough in it to take this into a match.

The comfort seems pretty good for a poly, and my volleys at the net were "on point."
 
OEEspino said:
Solinco Hyper G/Round Hybrid Review (Playtester)

First before I start, thank you to Tennis Warehouse for selecting me as a playtester! This is my first official playtest and I’m stoked to give my review

Tennis background/skill level/playing style:
So I started playing tennis roughly 1.5 years ago. I play consistently around 3-5x a week. The first 5 months I played with a pseudo coach (just someone who would feed balls, but not necessarily correct my form) and really learned how to play through youtube and sheer consistency of hitting a ball. I played mostly doubles, and it was only a few months ago that I started playing singles with people in the community. I have not played in a league and I am not officially rated BUT I would say I am somewhere in the 3.5 level. I play singles against mostly 3.5 and low 4.0s based on their USTA profiles and accomplishments. I have a pretty good first serve, and I can consistently second serve a pacy kick. I am very competent with my backhand slice and forehand. I use a one-hand backhand, and I guess my weakness is hitting high backhands. I am alright at the net, but I prefer to counterpunch from the baseline.

Current string set-up(s) and preferred tension(s): My go to string as of the moment is Tourna Poly Pro or ReString Sync and I string between 48-50lbs

What racquet did you use for this playtest?
I was supposed to use my Prince Phantom 100x 2024 but I wanted a more power oriented racket for it so I opted for the Prince Beast 2023 (Japan Release)

How many hours did you play with the test string?
I played with it for a total of 12 hours (5 2 set matches + warming up and rallies+Serve practice)

Which string did you use for the mains?
I used Hyper G Round in the Mains and Hyper G in the crosses

Tension(s) used for playtest?
My tension was 50lbs

Power/Control of test string?
I was very surprised at the power I generated from it but also the round helped a lot with control. i am the type of player that can REALLY send a ball flying, and I do tend to hit long when I get excited. I noticed with this I can take pretty comfortable strong and fast groundstrokes and I can hit the deep with a lot of power. I don’t have to hold back as much with my flatter shots. My racket itself is already pretty strong, so getting a good output from this string was even easier. My backhand actually felt more powerful. Usually with my backhand I tend to hit less through, and it’s usually shorter than my forehand. But with this setup I felt like I had more penetration with it.

Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?)
The feel was comfortable. Vibrations to the arm were not minimal perse BUT they’re there but not annoying. It gave feel to my hits and the crispness was on point. If I compare it to lets say with ReString Sync, the sync has great ball pocketing and it dampens the ball but still has feel, and it feels comfy, very similar to luxillon. This hybrid set up had similar comfort as the sync BUT the feel was crisper. Normal Hyper G as a full bed for me feels too soft in a way or muted but I think adding the rounds actually firmed up the experience, so I had more feel to my strokes.

Spin?
I had above average spin with this string set up. I think the rounds really made the hyper g more responsive. I got more spin normally. Where I think I got the most out of it were definitely my kick and slice serves and even my slices. I generated so much spin, especially serving wide, based on watching back my videos, I serves more aces than i usually do with a wide serve. My kick definitely kicked more, and with even a slower racket head spead during my serve, it felt really good.

Durability & playability duration?
Durability, I had no problem with, it was ok, didn’t break my string. In terms of duration i think it lasted around 8-9 hours of very decent play. First 2-3 hours were the best, and it felt very lively. Hours 4-8 were average. Still good performance on my serves. Groundstrokes were still comfy, no pain, and still useable. Hour 9-12, the notching was very noticeable. I think almost all the cross strings around the sweet spot weren’t snapping back anymore. And it was feeling pretty dead. Hour 12, after my game, it seemed like I was really struggling to hit deep, and some shots were a bit awry already. First 8 hours playable. 9 hours onwards it’s a bit of a challenge.

Tension Recommendations. Would you string it differently next time? Explain why
I think i would like to try to string down to 48lbs, I want to see how much more power I can get and maybe more spin at a lower tension. 50 was a great sweet spot for me for control and power.


Overall: I may have found my go to string setup, but I’ll check out what a fullbed of hyper g round feels like first. I really really enjoyed this string setup! It was a great all around string. Amazing power, great feel, above average spin potential. Will definitely buy a few for myself in the future!

Thank you again Tennis Warehouse! You guys the best foreal!
Click to expand...
Here’s my racket! Looks so beautiful with that hyper g
https://imgur.com/a/htcLY6B
 
I hit with a hard hitting, big serving friend today for another 2.5 hours (total 9.5 hours) and this Solinco Hyper Hybrid is holding up phenomenally well. I don't feel much if any degradation in its play and i am enjoying every minute.
It is delivering in so many areas and that gives me confidence to play my game. I don't want to sound like a broken record, (what are those?) but I like it ! I like it enough to make this my regular setup, but being a tennis tinkerer I will keep looking for setups I like even more !!

Seriously, I could stop looking and that is a good feeling - Solinco Hyper-G Hybrid IS THAT GOOD ! What would I do with all the extra time ??
 
Logged another 2.5 hours ( about 12 total) this morning of doubles. It has become a touch loser, but I am still loving it. Serves are awesome ! Spin is better than most, power is very good, but the feel and control has been setting this string apart. These strings are better together than they are apart. If I were to change anything I would consider stringing a pound or two higher (currently 44/46) to see if I could maintain the pop and comfort of the Solinco Hyper-G Hybrid.
For a poly setup this is very comfortable (not compared to multis, gut or SG) but not mushy. Borderline crisp with excellent directional control, a medium launch angle, the right blend of power and control and FEEL ( I know some people hate discussing this) that makes you feel connected to the ball. The durability /longevity of these has also been impressive! After 12 hours they are still playing at a high level without a major drop off or change in characteristics. That makes me think that they are a good value as well. Lastly, I like the idea that I can buy a reel of each or buy them pre-packaged in a hybrid. I could see playing around with different gauges to see which pairs best and different stiffness' original a soft versions or different families of Solinco strings. (I am available for all playtests ! ) There are so many combinations that it could be awhile !! What this seems to indicate to me is that Solinco created a perfect cross string for their shaped strings when they introduced Hyper-G Round.
 
Initial thoughts after Playing for about 1 hr with Hyper G original in the mains and round in the crosses at 50lbs. Power and spin were really good. Definitely a bit more than normal Hyper G. I use regular Hyper G often but usually at 16L instead of the 17 in this blend. My shots were landing deep and pushing players back. Perhaps a bit better feel? Idk hard to say.

I think I need to play with it ~5 more times to truly form an opinion. I also want to try a full bed and maybe this hybrid with round in the mains.
 
~ 6 hours in and going well. The hybrid setup has addressed some of the reasons that I moved off hyper g about a year ago. Gonna give it one more session because while it's not fresh, it's not totally dead yet. Review coming soon!!
 
Little over 7 hours now, still really digging this setup.

The playability and feel has been very consistent. I did experience some initial/immediate tension loss, which may have been due to the humidity here in FL.
I don't think the humidity has been below 65% any time I have played in the last 2 or so weeks, and it has definitely been higher.

Aside from that, it has been predictable. At some point, I'll probably acquire another set or two and see if the same thing happens. So my only complaint is I'd like a little more control when swinging out.
Long as you get the spin, you're fine.
And the spin is very good. The balls nearly always stay in and slices are good.
Touch shots are where I'd like a little less pop too.

I'm not a super HyperG fan, I was a fan of HyperG Round, but the hybrid really is the best of both.
 
Chairman3 said:
Little over 7 hours now, still really digging this setup.

The playability and feel has been very consistent. I did experience some initial/immediate tension loss, which may have been due to the humidity here in FL.
I don't think the humidity has been below 65% any time I have played in the last 2 or so weeks, and it has definitely been higher.

Aside from that, it has been predictable. At some point, I'll probably acquire another set or two and see if the same thing happens. So my only complaint is I'd like a little more control when swinging out.
Long as you get the spin, you're fine.
And the spin is very good. The balls nearly always stay in and slices are good.
Touch shots are where I'd like a little less pop too.

I'm not a super HyperG fan, I was a fan of HyperG Round, but the hybrid really is the best of both.
Click to expand...
“I'm not a super HyperG fan, I was a fan of HyperG Round, but the hybrid really is the best of both.”

This is really one of the defining characteristics of this hybrid for me as well. Full bed of Hyper G, even 18g, meh. But the combo of a shaped string and round string and it goes from meh to yeah.
 
StringStrungStrang said:
Logged another 2.5 hours ( about 12 total) this morning of doubles. It has become a touch loser, but I am still loving it. Serves are awesome ! Spin is better than most, power is very good, but the feel and control has been setting this string apart. These strings are better together than they are apart. If I were to change anything I would consider stringing a pound or two higher (currently 44/46) to see if I could maintain the pop and comfort of the Solinco Hyper-G Hybrid.
For a poly setup this is very comfortable (not compared to multis, gut or SG) but not mushy. Borderline crisp with excellent directional control, a medium launch angle, the right blend of power and control and FEEL ( I know some people hate discussing this) that makes you feel connected to the ball. The durability /longevity of these has also been impressive! After 12 hours they are still playing at a high level without a major drop off or change in characteristics. That makes me think that they are a good value as well. Lastly, I like the idea that I can buy a reel of each or buy them pre-packaged in a hybrid. I could see playing around with different gauges to see which pairs best and different stiffness' original a soft versions or different families of Solinco strings. (I am available for all playtests ! ) There are so many combinations that it could be awhile !! What this seems to indicate to me is that Solinco created a perfect cross string for their shaped strings when they introduced Hyper-G Round.
Click to expand...
How was your notching after 12 hours? After reaching 12 hours for me, there was basically no snapback at all whatsoever anymore.
 
OEEspino said:
How was your notching after 12 hours? After reaching 12 hours for me, there was basically no snapback at all whatsoever anymore.
Click to expand...
@OEEspino surprisingly it is only very mild. I'll be playing it again tomorrow and will be paying close attention for any changes etc. I could feel them loosening up a little last time, but nothing too detrimental and in some ways even to my liking!

As @Chairman3, @Alcawrath, and @PhxRacket commented the Solinco Hybrid G-Combo (Sounds like an order from Denny's) performance is greater than the sum of its parts. There seems to be a true synergy between these strings. The same way a Reese's is more than just chocolate and peanut butter - these strings are better together! I have been hybriding strings for a long time and have found many bad combos (even from good strings) and combos that really shine, but finding a magical combo is the holy grail of strings / hybrid stringing!

For the moment, I'll just say that Solinco has put together a great combo with Hyper-G and Hyper-G Round. Much better than most IMO !
 
I went against my gut and brought these to my match today. I played awful.

Nearly every game went to deuce. That sounds like a good thing, but I should have been winning easily. I don't mean to sound pompous, but I am definitely better than my opponent... yet, somehow lost. Touch shots were hitting the net. If I tried to compensate and hit just a little higher, I'd give a soft and easily returnable ball.

The two good things I can say at this point (about 4 hours) is that durability seems good. I haven't perceived any noticeable change in characteristics. I did have some really nice topspin shots where my opponent thought they were going long, but they would dive down right on top of the line.

By the second set today, I was playing timid. I'd lost confidence in shots that normally win points. It was also brutally hot. Heat index was 104° and full sun for a 2.5+ hr match. I'm thinking that had something to do with my performance, but still...I should have won.
 
I’m going to write my review tomorrow after I play a few more sets. Today was the first time I played competitively with it since I’d strung it approximately 10 days ago. I’d hit serves, fed balls, and played some light mixed doubles. But today was sets of doubles with some of the top 4.0 players around. I played 4 sets and played really, really good. I’ve had elbow issues in the past and haven’t used or attempted to use poly strings in a few years.

If I wake up tomorrow and again on Monday without pain, I might need to stock up. 45lbs in a Head Gravity Pro allows me to hit loopy groundstrokes as well as laser beams!
 
Put in another 90 minutes of testing with the CX 200 Tour 18x20. String bed still playing on the tighter side but not objectionable. Took 2 of 3 ten point tie breaks. Really saw the ball early but need to hit with larger margins. I don't recall double faulting even once which is a rarity! And I went for kick serves on 2nd serves, some of which netted me return errors. Shortened session but get back to playing more tomorrow.

Stings still grip the ball well. Shot trajectory was predictable. Tension still holding well. I do think that as tension loosens the strings will perform even better.
 
My Review:

First: @TW Staff Thank you Tennis Warehouse for including me in this review. This was an eye opener for me....

Tennis background/skill level/playing style:
I'm 52 years old. I do some youth coaching, lots of stringing, and enjoy everything about tennis. I'm rated as a 4.0 USTA, mainly play doubles with a variety of partners, and win more matches than I lose. I've been known to win against 4.5 USTA players as well. I play an all-court style of game. I hit with some topspin but not an extreme amount. I can hit hard but I prefer to run people off of the court with wide angles and then either hit to the open court or back behind the player to end points. In a nutshell, I can both overpower opponents or beat them with finesse. I like to think my way around the court and use all types of shots. If I was younger and in better shape, I would definitely be playing at a higher level.

Current string set-up(s) and preferred tension(s):
My current string is Wilson Synthetic Gut Power 16 strung at 50lbs in a Head Gravity Pro 2021. I carry three racquets all set up the same and each one will last approximately two weeks of heavy hitting before breaking. The 18x20 string pattern definitely helps to preserve the string life. When I played the same strings in the Head Gravity S which is a lighter, more open racquet at 16x20 and a 104 head size, I would break strings every 3 hours.

What racquet did you use for this playtest?
I used the Head Gravity Pro 2021 which is 315grams and an 18x20 string pattern.

How many hours did you play with the test string?
I've been using these strings for over a week and a half now. I'm too cheap to cut them out and I still believe they're playing good. I've played at least 10 sets of doubles now from 7.5 mixed to high level 4.0 men's. I also used them to hit against a wall, teach lessons, and practice serves. All in all I'd say they have been used for 17 hours of tennis play.

Which string did you use for the mains?
I used the shaped or regular Hyper G in the mains and the Hyper G Round in the crosses.

Tension(s) used for playtest?
I strung the racquet at 45lbs.

Power/Control of test string?

Power: This string isn't as powerful as the Wilson Synthetic Gut Power I usually but it's difficult to find strings that are more powerful. I like the free power so I do string lower than most people. I also like the comfort that low tensions give but I'm also no Mannarino. I knew this going in so I purposefully went down 5lbs and knew I could get plenty of power by just swinging out more to hit the ball. Maybe I could go low tension like Mannarino?

Control: THIS IS WHERE THE STRING SHINES!!!!! THE SPIN!!!!! Wow! The first day I received the string, I strung the racquet and went out to hit a cart of serves to get a feel for the string. My first attempts after warming up fell into the bottom of the net. The spin generated was unusually high compared to my normal setup. I could swing flatter or really go for higher kicks with these strings. I just had to dial in the touch for the spin and I can go out wide with my serves on both sides, slice, kick, or go flat. It was quickly the same thing with my groundstrokes when I've played sets. These strings really provide extra control.

Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?)
Well these strings are stiff compared to synthetic gut but they're also comfortable. I hit myself in the head with a "what were you thinking?" when I signed up and was selected to play these strings. It has been a few years since I had completely sworn off poly strings at any tension. The reason being is I had suffered from golfer's elbow which took me out of the game for several months. I had also noticed that my shoulder would become sore after playing when the strings got to be approximately 5 days old. As soon as I went back to synthetic gut, the pain would disappear. No more poly strings until now. I have no pain!!! It's been over 10 days of playing and my shoulders and elbows are great. Some of this could be due to the fact that I have worked on my strength but it doesn't matter why. I have no pain! These strings are more comfortable and I am seeing the benefits of polyester strings with the spin and control.

Spin?
YES!!!! I already referenced this earlier. This string has plenty of spin and that is where it shines. I had to really adjust because the spin and control it added let me really go after shots. I felt very comfortable swinging hard with these strings because I knew the spin would bring the ball back into the court.

Durability & playability duration?
These strings are still going strong. Maybe I will edit this post if I feel they're out of control or if they break. Right now I am over 17 hours and will be playing a competitive match this evening that is age group based. I could be playing anyone from 3.5 USTA all the way up to 5.0 USTA. I won't know until I get there but I'm planning on using this racquet and these strings to bring home the W.

Tension Recommendations. Would you string it differently next time? Explain why
I would not change a thing about how I set these up. If I were to buy reels of each string, I might try to go down to 40lbs but I do not see why other than for curiosity. 45lbs in the Head Gravity Pro works for my game!

As a stringer I would never recommend someone string poly up over 52lbs. I do what the customer says but poly is supposed to slide and snap back. If the strings are too tight, you are taking away that snapping back action. I also understand that strings stop snapping back once there are notches so keeping them in too long also defeats the purpose. Lastly, I know many players who like a dead feeling string pattern and enjoy the idea of having to hit out.

I will recommend this string to players!

List any additional thoughts (optional)
I think I've shared just about as much as I can share. I will recommend these strings and Tennis Warehouse as I always do. TW provides great customer service and free shipping at great prices. Thanks again TW. I hope to be chosen again in the future for other playtests. They're often times an eye opening experience. In this case, I would not have tried these strings if I were not chosen. Hyper G/Hyper G Round is a great string combination.
 
Last edited:
So far I have about 5 hours played with hyper g round in the mains and hyper g in the crosses at 50lbs.

My initial thoughts are that this hybrid and combination offers great power and comfort for a poly and very good spin. The snapback and bite has been fantastic and has the ball really jumping off the court. It has been incredibly hot and humid by me but I have noticed some notching in the mains and fraying in the crosses which I will be keeping an eye on.

I have another 5-6 hours of tennis scheduled for this week and I'm hoping to write my review at some point this weekend or early next week.
 
Played another 120 minutes with my cx 200 tour 18x20 this evening in the heat. I had good confidence in the strings and hit many good returns though sadly few were winners in dubs. My opinion hasn't changed. This is a really good string that gives control and spin and holds tension well. I'll keep playing with it and will report back.
 
I used these during practice last night for about an hour. I started to feel my elbow, so I switched to a frame with NG instead. Not saying the strings contributed, but I felt my elbow, so I went to a soft setup.

That said, power and spin both seemed to be improved without much (if any) drop off in control. I enjoyed them much more last night than in previous hitting sessions. My serve was on fire, where it felt like it lacked pace the first few times out.
 
I put another 2.5 hours (total 14 - 15 hours) and I continue to be impressed. I did not expect this. Are they the same as when they came off the stringer? No - but the character of the strings (spin, control, feel and nice pop) is still there and they remain very playable. This time out I was expecting them to take a major turn for the worse - but much to my surprise it never happened. I can't say that about many strings. For it is not that any one thing is so great, but that this Solinco Hyper-G Hybrid seems to do everything well, with comfort and feel that I was also not really expecting. I hope I haven't ruined the suspense about whether this has been a positive experience or not !!!
 
I played a doubles match last night and there was a lot of good things and a couple not so good. I'm going to start writing up my review as I'm close the the 10 hour mark with the string with a another match tomorrow and then a tournament so should be about 16 hours when it's said and done.
 
Closing in on 10 hours.
Tonight was the first time the strings felt a little dead, less poppy than other times. Not any better control, just a different response. Based on where I'm at now, I think 10hrs is probably right at or possibly exceeding their useful life.
Notching is maybe 30-40%, I don't know it's hard to judge. But some strings are starting to stay slightly askew, which is always a tell tale of losing tension and elasticity.
I typically don't break poly not even 1.20.

I'll probably try to go to 12 hours, but have a brief hiatus for work travel. (Unless you're in the Pittsburgh area and want to hit with a 4.0, message me)

But have doubles on Friday and I'll be right at or above 10hrs. And I'll play again once I'm back home before the deadline.
 
Played with my cx 200 Tour 18x20 again in dubs for 120 minutes this evening. Took both sets 7-6, 6-4. I strung it at 50 lbs and tension is still holding up in 88F temps. The shaped string really help with spin production and keeping deep balls in. However, there is not so much friction that many balls go into the net - a good medium ground. This string combo has been great so far.
 
Hit with my cx 200 Tour 18x20 for another 60 minutes this eve after hitting with one of my blade v8 18x20s and I can say I didn't lose anything. However, I did not return serves (didn't play as the weather was threatening rain). Hopefully, this weekend I'll get another session in with the Dunlop. I committed to hitting just the OHBH with the Dunlop and the solinco strings really did give me confidence that my balls would spin and land in.

It is a wonder to me that a newcomer company can design such a good string, but I am happy there are other smaller companies that can do the same (outside the mainstream companies). LIkely, I will keep playing with this string until it breaks or until I lose control. Hitting with the Dunlop feels like a medium soft club. I am also surprised that this frame has a hollow handle, because it feels like a foam filled frame. I guess it's the sonic material inside (likely rubber or similar). Those of you who haven't hit with Dunlop frames and specifically the cx 200 tour 18x20, should try them at least once. Control and feel are so good.
 

Solinco Hyper-G / Hyper-G Round Playtest:​

Tennis background/skill level/playing style: Playing over 20yrs/ 5.0 NTRP rated/ Grinder-Counterpuncher.
Current string set-up(s) and preferred tension(s): Pure Aero 98 @ 47pds
What racquet did you use for this playtest?: Pure Aero 98 @ 47pds
Hyper G - Mains 47pds
Hyper G Round -Crosses 47pds

How many hours did you play with the test string? Around 8 hrs. of play before it broke. Broke a little faster than I am accustomed to. I think this is because the Hyper G round started to notched very fast during my playtest. I didn’t expect this so maybe next go around I will see if switching the hybrid will be better for a longer playtest.

Which string did you use for the mains? I used Hyper G for the mains and round for the crosses.

Tension(s) used for playtest? 47pds

Power – 8/10 Was the same great power. I had no issues putting pace on the ball or absorbing pace. For me this was the same great feel and power. I felt the same as if I was using a regular full set of Hyper G.

Control – 8/10 This was where I felt I had a slight downgrade. Very minimal but noticeable for me. I had good control, but I didn’t get that tight spin like Hyper G gives. I think the round grabs but doesn’t have the cut like regular Hyper G. Control was good but I noticed that the ball was a little flatter. I could hit through the court more. Not a bad thing, although my game is more counter punch and I rely on the spin more than flat shots.

Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?) Feel was a little stiffer but once the strings notched I felt the same comfort. I get a little more spin with a full bed of Hyper G. Maybe this has to do with Hyper G round sitting directly on the Mains and not 2 textured strings having more space at contact. But feel was good after the initial setting in period.

Spin – 7/10 I didn’t feel as much spin using round on the mains. Didn’t get that high heavy ball that I usually have. Wasn’t bad but I think I will try the hybrid the other way around and see if the results differ. I didn't hate playing flatter but I think overall this is a good hybrid to use.

Durability & playability duration: Durability was less for me, Hyper G round tore through the mains really fast. Playability was great, I can still hit the same shots and have the same feel. Just think that I have more control and spin with a full set up of Hyper G. Only by a small margin but I did notice it on heavy shots. The up side is that you can hit flatter and be more aggressive.

Tension Recommendations. Would you string it differently next time? Explain why: String tension would remain the same for me. I think 47 is perfect for both Hyper round and Hyper G.

List any additional thoughts (optional)
ABSOLUTELY LOVE SOLINCO!!!! Solinco has been my string of choice for over 6 years and Hyper-G is top dog for me. I like Hyper G round but it doesn’t have the spin I prefer. I think if I tried a couple different tension setups this could be my next go to string setup. I would also like to see how Hyper G round and Barb Wire work as a hybrid.

Thanks @TW Staff and Solinco for the playtest! Was great to be on and I look forward to using Hyper G round in the future.

JlmaiwT.jpg
kkXI1rf.jpg
 
Last edited:
Solinco Hyper-G/Hyper-G Round Playtest (1.20 Version) Review:

Tennis Background:
My interest in tennis began with the cartoon/anime "Prince of Tennis". I started playing tennis when I was 14 years old by going to a small summer camp offered by my city which was more of a day care for most of the kids that went but they taught you the very basics. I went there for two years until I was too old to attend. I played very sporadically and only in the summer after as my high school didn't offer boys tennis until my senior year and soccer was my primary sport growing up (I began playing when I was around 4-5 years old). I played first singles my senior year of high school by default due to being the best athlete and one of only three players on the team with any previous tennis knowledge or experience in general (my W/L record was pretty poor to say the least). I then played recreationally and more regularly throughout college but more often in the summer. However, I was still playing soccer at the time so that was my main priority. Post college I played about the same if not a little less as I was playing in a men's soccer league and into power lifting at the time. Both of which I have stopped doing almost altogether due to the high testosterone levels and aggression of men's league soccer when I'm really just there to have fun and multiple injuries occurring during excessive power lifting. In the past few years I got bit by the tennis bug like I did when I was 14 and started playing more and more. I have started to take my game and improvement more seriously but am overall still out on the court for fun. I don't really care much about winning and losing as long as I'm playing well. Other than my two years of camp and the 2-3 lessons I have taken in the past year or so I am predominantly self-taught from many MANY YouTube videos and currently play in a men's 3.0-4.0 singles league at my club where I do pretty well and am usually near the top of the leaderboard/rankings.

Skill Level:
High 3.5 - Low 4.0 (I don't have a UTR that I am aware of).

Playing Style:
5.8"/175lbs./lean, muscular, athletic build.
Extreme Eastern Forehand and Eastern OHBH
I play a generally attack oriented and hyper aggressive all court game (definitely influenced by some of my favorite players i.e. Federer, Shapovalov, Evans).
I have a big serve for my game and size which usually nets me plenty of aces, service winners, +1s, and double faults. I tend to play very aggressively and have been working on staying in rallies all summer and not pulling the trigger for a winner too soon. My game plan is usually to hit my forehand as much as I can and try to create openings for short balls or drop shots. My forehand has very good margin and penetrating topspin which I like to follow to the next for an easy put away or volley. My back hand is slightly flatter than my forehand but produces the same kind of penetrating topspin. I do tend to slice my backhand more often than not as my height makes higher balls tougher but I do get a hard knifing action on the ball consistently.

Current racket and string set up:
I currently use a Yonex VCORE SV 98 with 3g/0.1oz of lead at 10&2 and 1.5g/0.05oz of lead in the handle under the trapdoor strung with Kirschbaum Proline II 1.25/17g at 50lbs.

Racket, string, and tension used for playtest:
I used my customized Yonex VCORE SV 98 I listed above with Hyper-G Round in the mains and Hyper-G in the crosses strung at 50lbs. I chose this set up because it is the main frame and string tension I play with regularly so I am most in touch with it and it's playing characteristics which allowed me to evaluate the strings objectively with as few variables as possible. I put Hyper-G Round in the mains because I prefer round over shaped strings for more consistency, I figured the majority of playtesters were going to put the shaped in the mains and round in the crosses so I wanted to provide some variety to the reviews, and a few years ago I had been playing around with poly-poly hybrids with round mains and shaped crosses and wanted to revisit the concept.

How many hours did you play with the test string?
Approximately 10-11 hours. Including hitting sessions, drills, and match play.

Power/Control:
I found the hybrid to have very VERY easy power overall. This was one of the most standout characteristics of the playtest for me. I felt like I had plenty of power on tap and rarely had to reach back for any extra oomph. I was getting easy depth but initially some of my usual shots were going a bit long but after the small adjustment period they were landing back in the lines easily. For control, this was also a plus on the playtest. I found my shots going exactly where they needed to go and I had the confidence to go for smaller targets. At net I felt like the combination of the round mains and shaped crosses really helped me carve out drop shots and sharp angled volleys. There's not too much more to say on this section, easy/free power on tap and I was able to put the ball where I wanted with confidence!

Feel: (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?)
Feel is mostly subjective but I will do my best to tell you what my experience was like. Initially off the stringer it was very comfortable on first hit. I wouldn't call it mushy but more soft or plush. Around 6 hours or so the strings started to notch and the crosses started to fray a little and they did feel a little stiffer and caused a little elbow tenderness after some sessions but nothing more than a little twinge that went away after a few hours but they didn't cause any discomfort while playing. Towards the 10 hour mark the notches are getting pretty deep and I can tell the strings are nearing their final hour. However, I am still getting plenty of power, control, spin, and decent comfort for a poly with 10 hours on it. At net I felt that the round mains and shaped crosses provided excellent touch/feel and that the soft/plush feel of the stringbed really helped me bleed pace off shots for drop shots and angled volleys. However, sometimes the extra power would cause my volleys to go wide or drop shots to land a bit deeper than desired but I think that can be remedied with more time with the string set up to become more familiar with it's response.

Spin:
What can I say but "holy snapback!". If it's spin you want, then spin you'll get. The spin I was able to generate out of this hybrid was fantastic! My ground strokes were still kicking with the penetrating topspin I usually hit with but with the rounds in the mains and shaped in the crosses it gave me a slightly higher launch angle than I am used to which worked in my favor as it gave me a higher margin for error with the same consistent response of round mains that I like and prefer. I did find my knifing backhand slices to float a little more than usual but I was able to feel the ball well and place them where I needed so no harm no foul. On serves, man this hybrid set up made serving high percentage so easy for me. I generally have very good variety and placement when serving as it is probably my biggest strength. As mentioned previously my serve earns me plenty of free points but also give my opponent a few in the process but never more than I gain. I love my big flat serve down the T however, with this string set up I hardly even went for it. I had so many easy slice serve aces and topspin service winners that I was having so much fun I forgot about my flat serve. In addition I hardly double faulted and won essentially the same amount of points if not more without my flat serve. Slices moved hard and away from opponents and kicker were kicking above their shoulders. Couldn't ask for more on serves!

Durability & Playability Duration:
I generally leave my string of choice Kirschbaum Proline II in a little longer than this playtest due to them being soft and round, not notching very easily, and since I am not a string breaker I generally can get a little more mileage out of them. After 10-11 hours of this hybrid I can tell that they are notching and on their last leg. However, I think their durability is very good for a hybrid and probably squeeze out a few more hours before they break. As far as playability duration goes I think 10-12 hours for a poly is pretty standard but on the higher end and overall very good.

Tension Recommendations:
I wouldn't do too much differently. Perhaps string it 1-3lbs lower as I have tinkered with strings a lot in the past and I know my sweet spot is between 47-50lbs for pretty much any poly.

Additional Thoughts:
Well done Solinco! I am a big fan of Solinco' s strings and have hit most of them in various gauges i.e. Outlast, Revolution, Hyper-G, and Confidential (with Tour Bite in my stringing bag waiting to be tried out). I used Confidential for a while and swore by Solinco strings until they went up in price and were no long a "great deal/bargain" by my standards but have always enjoyed them. Overall, this was a great experience and playtest and I think this is a fantastic offering as a pre packaged hybrid by Solinco and I would definitely recommend this to others in the future. A big thank you to Tennis Warehouse and @TW Staff for selecting me as this was my first playtest. I had a lot of fun and hope to participate in more in the future!

Good luck everyone!
 
Last edited:
Special thanks to Tennis Warehouse @TW Staff and Solinco for the opportunity to participate in this playtest. Looking forward to more in the future.

Tennis Background/Skill Level/Playing Style:
I grew up primarily playing soccer but had tennis group lessons in the early 2000s (aged 12-13), allowing me to join my high school tennis team as the #2 player, with our school ranking mid-tier in the county. After a hiatus during college and work, I resumed playing tennis regularly in May 2022. While I don’t focus much on my NTRP ranking, I regularly play with players in the 4.0-4.5 range, mainly on clay. My playing style is that of an aggressive baseliner who comes to the net opportunistically. I rely on powerful first serves and forehands, preferring a flatter shots over topspin. I employ a two-handed backhand but also incorporate slice backhands to set up plays akin to Berrettini. I usually adjust my game based on opponents’ strengths and weaknesses.

Current String Set-Up(s) and Preferred Tension(s):
I currently use Tourna’s Big Hitter Silver 7 Tour 17g/1.25mm at 47 lbs.

Racket Used for this Playtest:
Tecnifibre TF40 18x20.

Hours Played with the Test String:
10-11 hours.

String Used for the Mains:
Hyper-G (Regular/Shaped).

Tension Used for Playtest:
53 lbs on mains and 51 lbs on crosses.

Power/Control of Test String:
The setup provided ample power but slightly less control than I'm accustomed to. Given my preference, I prioritize control as I can generate sufficient power myself. Occasionally, shots landed deeper than intended, resulting in outs compared to my regular setup. This combination, however, offers great value for players seeking additional power.

Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?):
I found the feel to be muted yet comfortable.

Spin:
Spin performance was exceptional in this setup. The string generated significant spin on topspin shots especially. Even with my closed 18x20 string pattern on the TF40, I observed high launch angles on forehands and effective slice backhands. I rate it 9.5/10 for spin.

Durability & Playability Duration:
Initial tension loss was approximately 6-7 lbs, which is reasonable for a poly string. The playability duration has been good, aided by the TF40's string pattern, which helps maintain tension. The string still has some life left but is nearing the end of its peak performance.

Tension Recommendations. Would you String it Differently Next Time? Explain Why:
Next time, I would opt for the 1.25mm gauge to gain additional control over power and spin. I would also consider increasing the tension by 2-3 lbs to further enhance control and reduce power.

Additional Thoughts (Optional):
Having previously used regular Hyper-G 1.25mm, I anticipated the ease of stringing this setup. It was a pleasure to string on my Progression ELS machine, especially weaving the crosses with the round string, which was notably easier compared to my stiffer, shaped string of choice. Solinco's provision of 22.3 ft of string for each type felt generous and was appreciated.
 
Tennis background/skill level/playing style: Mid 30's rec player, hit and sets with local 3.5-4.0's, played in high school team and college recreationally. Switched to ohbh 2 years ago for the added fun and challenge which has been great. Oddly, have more confidence in ohbh topspin drive over slice. My natural play style is too passive (hitting too many neutral balls), been consciously developing my attacking game and taking more risk. I'm comfortable at the baseline, stepping in on short balls, and placing a dropshot, but I rarely proactively seek to volley. Got a decent flat first serve, but second serve speed needs work.
Current string set-up(s) and preferred tension(s): Recently played through a reel of Hyper-G 1.20 @ 48 lbs, a reel of Confidential 1.20 @ 46 lbs, and currently on a reel of YPTP 1.25 @ 48 lbs. Tested Hyper-G round 1.25 @ 45lbs.
What racquet did you use for this playtest? 2022 Yonex Regna 98

How many hours did you play with the test string? 12 hours
Which string did you use for the mains? Hyper-G regular
Tension(s) used for playtest? 1.20 48lbs/48lbs.
Power/Control of test string? Good power, great control. The hybrid combo blended the qualities of hyper-g regular with hyper-g round exactly as expected. In my opinion, nothing to hype about, nothing magical about the sum of the parts. I felt it traded off some of that excessive bite from regular to gain some drive and depth. More balanced all around.
Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?) Feels like Hyper-g, crisp for the first hour then muted rest of the time. I felt the hybrid was more comfortable but also more muted compared to fullbed of either. My overall feeling is too muted.
Spin? Great easy access to spin. Adequate bite on compact strokes while still encouraging a full proper swing to access full spin potential.
Durability & playability duration? Durability and playability mirrored hyper-g regular, possibly because that was in the mains. Great the first 2 hours, followed by a steep dropoff to become dead by the 5 hour mark. Still performs well but doesn't feel good to play with it after it goes dead, incredibly muted. 10 hour mark strings start to get stuck out of place. 12 hour mark I can tell visually they are about to break.
Tension Recommendations. Would you string it differently next time? Explain why Hyper-G 48lbs is the sweet spot for me. In the past, I've played with tensions 42, 45, 46, 48, and 49. Playability felt better at higher tensions but due to arm discomfort I could not tolerate 49lbs.
List any additional thoughts (optional) In the past, I transitioned away from hyper-g regular because of the steep drop-off in playability hour 2-5. I was seeking a string with more consistency. Confidential and YPTP have been great in that regard. When I tested hyper-g round, the drop-off was not that bad. I was hoping the hybrid would help, but it mirrored hyper-g regular, possibly because it was the main. Interested in reviews where round was the main.

Overall, its a solid hybrid choice. I prefer the balance of this hybrid over a fullbed of hyper-g regular.
 
Tennis background/skill level/playing style: I'm in my mid 30's, didn't take tennis too seriously growing up as football was my passion, but I became a HS coach later in life due to a school's need and my career as an educator and have not looked back. I absolutely love the sport. I currently play in 3.5 / 4.0 USTA events and play community events with 4.0s & 4.5s. I play mostly from the baseline and go to the net by necessity.

Current string set-up(s) and preferred tension(s): I played hyper g 16g (original) all last year, but now typically play Tour Bite 17 at 56 lbs.

What racquet did you use for this playtest? For the playtest I strung up the Hyper G hybrid in my Babolat Pure Strive VS ('22) at 56 lbs.

How many hours did you play with the test string? I was able to get in about 9 hours before breaking them. Since I play some Saturday / Sunday morning community tennis I had a few hours against very hard-hitting 4.0s & 4.5s as well as at least an hour against very light-hitting 3.0s & 3.5s.

Which string did you use for the mains? I strung the hyper g original (sided) in the mains and put the hyper g round in the crosses.

Tension(s) used for playtest? For this playtest I strung mains and crosses at 56 lbs since that is my normal setup and would give me a good reference point for comparison.

Power/Control of test string? This hybrid setup had the power that you would expect from Hyper g and also the reliable control that is expected with a decent round string. If you're unfamiliar with hyper g original, it tends to be a bit more lively than your typical poly string, but still dead feeling enough to swing out with control. The hyper g round component really improved the overall control with this setup. Where hyper g original could sometimes feel a little erratic (especially as the sides wore down), hyper g round in the crosses really improved the consistency of depth.

Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?) This string had the classic hyper g feel that some have described as "plasticky", but I actually really like it. I feel connected to the ball when I play hyper g as opposed to some other super soft or slick strings. The hybrid setup of hyper g / hyper g round has retained the crisp feel of hyper g but with a slightly more comfortable / muted feel due to the round crosses.

Spin? Right out of the stringer the hyper g hybrid setup does not generate quite as much spin as hyper g originals, but it does provide more spin than hyper g round. Yet, I will also say that it provided more consistent spin over the life of the string because the string bed did not lock up quite as fast as hyper g originals have for me in the past. Once I was used to the consistency in depth provided by the round crosses, I was able to provide my own spin through swing mechanics fairly easily.

Durability & playability duration? Durability and playability is where this string was great. As a round/shaped hybrid, my stringbed did not lock up as quickly as a full bed of shaped poly typically does, and I was shocked by how well it played so long into its life. After about 6 hours I noticed deep notching, but even against some hard-hitting 4.0s and 4.5s, I found the ability to return big serves and topspin rallies with precision and pace. It popped on me at about 9 hours. I usually won't play a poly string after about 10 hours, and even then, I usually expect my poly strings to lose their playability after about 8 hours and am simply trying to eek out a few more hours to save money.

Tension Recommendations. Would you string it differently next time? Explain why. I would probably string this up at the same tension again. For me and my racquet setup I've found a really good balance of control and power, but I find string tensions are so unique to players and racquets that I really have a hard time suggesting tensions to other people. I guess my recommendation would be to string it at a tension that typically works for you in full bed poly setup and adjust from there!

List any additional thoughts: I would definitely play this string again and I highly recommend it. It has a longer playable lifespan in my opinion than hyper g original, it has more consistent power and control than hyper g original, but it has way more access to spin than hyper g round. Give it a go!

As always, thank you so much Tennis Warehouse and Solinco for including me in this playtest. I really enjoyed trying out this combo, and I'm not sure I would have tried it without the opportunity!
 
mogo said:

Solinco Hyper-G / Hyper-G Round Playtest:​

Tennis background/skill level/playing style: Playing over 20yrs/ 5.0 NTRP rated/ Grinder-Counterpuncher.
Current string set-up(s) and preferred tension(s): Pure Aero 98 @ 47pds
What racquet did you use for this playtest?: Pure Aero 98 @ 47pds
Hyper G - Mains 47pds
Hyper G Round -Crosses 47pds

How many hours did you play with the test string? Around 8 hrs. of play before it broke. Broke a little faster than I am accustomed to. I think this is because the Hyper G round started to notched very fast during my playtest. I didn’t expect this so maybe next go around I will see if switching the hybrid will be better for a longer playtest.

Which string did you use for the mains? I used Hyper G for the mains and round for the crosses.

Tension(s) used for playtest? 47pds

Power – 8/10 Was the same great power. I had no issues putting pace on the ball or absorbing pace. For me this was the same great feel and power. I felt the same as if I was using a regular full set of Hyper G.

Control – 8/10 This was where I felt I had a slight downgrade. Very minimal but noticeable for me. I had good control, but I didn’t get that tight spin like Hyper G gives. I think the round grabs but doesn’t have the cut like regular Hyper G. Control was good but I noticed that the ball was a little flatter. I could hit through the court more. Not a bad thing, although my game is more counter punch and I rely on the spin more than flat shots.

Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?) Feel was a little stiffer but once the strings notched I felt the same comfort. I get a little more spin with a full bed of Hyper G. Maybe this has to do with Hyper G round sitting directly on the Mains and not 2 textured strings having more space at contact. But feel was good after the initial setting in period.

Spin – 7/10 I didn’t feel as much spin using round on the mains. Didn’t get that high heavy ball that I usually have. Wasn’t bad but I think I will try the hybrid the other way around and see if the results differ. I didn't hate playing flatter but I think overall this is a good hybrid to use.

Durability & playability duration: Durability was less for me, Hyper G round tore through the mains really fast. Playability was great, I can still hit the same shots and have the same feel. Just think that I have more control and spin with a full set up of Hyper G. Only by a small margin but I did notice it on heavy shots. The up side is that you can hit flatter and be more aggressive.

Tension Recommendations. Would you string it differently next time? Explain why: String tension would remain the same for me. I think 47 is perfect for both Hyper round and Hyper G.

List any additional thoughts (optional)
ABSOLUTELY LOVE SOLINCO!!!! Solinco has been my string of choice for over 6 years and Hyper-G is top dog for me. I like Hyper G round but it doesn’t have the spin I prefer. I think if I tried a couple different tension setups this could be my next go to string setup. I would also like to see how Hyper G round and Barb Wire work as a hybrid.

Thanks @TW Staff and Solinco for the playtest! Was great to be on and I look forward to using Hyper G round in the future.

JlmaiwT.jpg
kkXI1rf.jpg
Click to expand...
I actually tried the barb wire with hg soft and that ball was coming out different in a good way! It was like a nasty knuckleball and despite the name it was quite comfortable with a ton a spin fresh out the stringer...the only downside is that there was a bit of a reduction of power from that hybrid (bw on the mains). I think you really have to swing out with that set up but with regards to spin the setup lives up to its name. I bought 3 sets of barb but once I finished I just went back to my normal set up of hgsft 18, it was not for me in the long run but it was a fun little detour.
 
DropWideShot said:
I actually tried the barb wire with hg soft and that ball was coming out different in a good way! It was like a nasty knuckleball and despite the name it was quite comfortable with a ton a spin fresh out the stringer...the only downside is that there was a bit of a reduction of power from that hybrid (bw on the mains). I think you really have to swing out with that set up but with regards to spin the setup lives up to its name. I bought 3 sets of barb but once I finished I just went back to my normal set up of hgsft 18, it was not for me in the long run but it was a fun little detour.
Click to expand...

I definitely want to give it a try!
 
Solinco Hyper-G/Round Poly Hybrid 1.20 Review

Tennis background/skill level/playing style: 3.5 recreational with some tournament and match play; mainly playing for self-improvement, fitness. Mainly top-spin player, hitting hard through court; wanna-be all-court player and get to net as much as possible.
Current string set-up(s) and preferred tension(s): Lynx Tour 1.20, 50lb
What racquet did you use for this playtest? Wilson Blade
How many hours did you play with the test string? 10
Which string did you use for the mains? Hyper-G (shaped)
Tension(s) used for playtest? 50LB

Initial impression:
A pleasure to string. Great look on the racket. Going from a full bed of round polyester was hoping for a sharper, biting spin (due to shaped main). Played more similarly at first to round poly (PTP) than a sharp shaped string.
My initial hit was not so satisfying - definitely appreciated string to be more muted, but with good pocketing and solid feel, but I had difficulty controlling the spin and side-to-side control to hit my lines.
A little bit of an adjustment period, but as string bed settled in, approx 2h of hitting and I got used to the characteristics - fantastic results (and longevity of playability) became apparent. The review will represent this, and as such, I am very glad for the recommended 10h minimum duration of play for testing.

Power/Control of test string?
A control oriented swing, so lower powered, allows you to take full cuts - however, to say it is "underpowered" would not give the setup credit. I would say it had ample power, the ball had solid pocketing and felt springy off the strings, providing good free power to offset the plus spin and help keep balls in and deep. OK side-to-side placement (a little spray, so smaller margins). Good pop and response at net. Mid-powered (some free power, controllable).

Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?).
As mentioned, more muted than my go-to; but impressive overall considering my expectations. In no way harsh; good feel and response, and still feel connected to the string bed. You know when and where mishits happen. No harsh vibrations or pains, and overall most impressed with the comfort and longevity for full poly.

Spin?
Good access to all-around spin. Was able to get heavy spins and "drop in" some balls that looked like they were going long. Could hammer away with topspin - throughout the 10h did not notice a decline. While not as biting as Tour Bite or a full Hyper G; the hybrid allowed it to maintain spin access much longer; it never "fell of a cliff" as shaped poly does. I feel that the spin characteristics did not change despite the strings getting worn in, losing tension, and locking somewhat near end of life cycle. Solid!

Durability & playability duration?
Probably the most impressive attribute of this combination string. It had as long a life (if not longer) than Polytour Pro, and was equally comfortable for me, but with slightly better spin access. It certainly outlives and is playable for longer and maintains better comfort profile (no pain) than pretty much any shaped I have tried - and as good as the most comfortable round poly I have tried.
That being said, I do feel 10 hours is roughly the maximum playable life of this string - as the strings are definitely notched, fraying, and feel more dead.

Tension Recommendations. Low tensions; String played best when it settled in a little and likely tension dropped a touch - so perhaps stringing a couple pounds lower than your usual? I string both mains and crosses at same tension.

Overall: Winning combination. Absolute pleasure to play with and great durability. Plus characteristics in every regard. The thinner gauge lead this to be a very comfortable combination, and the mix of shaped and round made it an "all around" string, that suits most players.
 
Alcawrath said:
Tennis background/skill level/playing style: I'm in my mid 30's, didn't take tennis too seriously growing up as football was my passion, but I became a HS coach later in life due to a school's need and my career as an educator and have not looked back. I absolutely love the sport. I currently play in 3.5 / 4.0 USTA events and play community events with 4.0s & 4.5s. I play mostly from the baseline and go to the net by necessity.

Current string set-up(s) and preferred tension(s): I played hyper g 16g (original) all last year, but now typically play Tour Bite 17 at 56 lbs.

What racquet did you use for this playtest? For the playtest I strung up the Hyper G hybrid in my Babolat Pure Strive VS ('22) at 56 lbs.

How many hours did you play with the test string? I was able to get in about 9 hours before breaking them. Since I play some Saturday / Sunday morning community tennis I had a few hours against very hard-hitting 4.0s & 4.5s as well as at least an hour against very light-hitting 3.0s & 3.5s.

Which string did you use for the mains? I strung the hyper g original (sided) in the mains and put the hyper g round in the crosses.

Tension(s) used for playtest? For this playtest I strung mains and crosses at 56 lbs since that is my normal setup and would give me a good reference point for comparison.

Power/Control of test string? This hybrid setup had the power that you would expect from Hyper g and also the reliable control that is expected with a decent round string. If you're unfamiliar with hyper g original, it tends to be a bit more lively than your typical poly string, but still dead feeling enough to swing out with control. The hyper g round component really improved the overall control with this setup. Where hyper g original could sometimes feel a little erratic (especially as the sides wore down), hyper g round in the crosses really improved the consistency of depth.

Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?) This string had the classic hyper g feel that some have described as "plasticky", but I actually really like it. I feel connected to the ball when I play hyper g as opposed to some other super soft or slick strings. The hybrid setup of hyper g / hyper g round has retained the crisp feel of hyper g but with a slightly more comfortable / muted feel due to the round crosses.

Spin? Right out of the stringer the hyper g hybrid setup does not generate quite as much spin as hyper g originals, but it does provide more spin than hyper g round. Yet, I will also say that it provided more consistent spin over the life of the string because the string bed did not lock up quite as fast as hyper g originals have for me in the past. Once I was used to the consistency in depth provided by the round crosses, I was able to provide my own spin through swing mechanics fairly easily.

Durability & playability duration? Durability and playability is where this string was great. As a round/shaped hybrid, my stringbed did not lock up as quickly as a full bed of shaped poly typically does, and I was shocked by how well it played so long into its life. After about 6 hours I noticed deep notching, but even against some hard-hitting 4.0s and 4.5s, I found the ability to return big serves and topspin rallies with precision and pace. It popped on me at about 9 hours. I usually won't play a poly string after about 10 hours, and even then, I usually expect my poly strings to lose their playability after about 8 hours and am simply trying to eek out a few more hours to save money.

Tension Recommendations. Would you string it differently next time? Explain why. I would probably string this up at the same tension again. For me and my racquet setup I've found a really good balance of control and power, but I find string tensions are so unique to players and racquets that I really have a hard time suggesting tensions to other people. I guess my recommendation would be to string it at a tension that typically works for you in full bed poly setup and adjust from there!

List any additional thoughts: I would definitely play this string again and I highly recommend it. It has a longer playable lifespan in my opinion than hyper g original, it has more consistent power and control than hyper g original, but it has way more access to spin than hyper g round. Give it a go!

As always, thank you so much Tennis Warehouse and Solinco for including me in this playtest. I really enjoyed trying out this combo, and I'm not sure I would have tried it without the opportunity!
Click to expand...
I intentionally did not read other reviews while I tested and wrote mine up.
But you basically felt the same way as me, which validates a lot of my experience.
Thank for the detailed write up!
 
Tennis background/skill level/playing style:
A former 4.5 now older, fatter, and more injury prone 4.0 in my 30's. A former high school varsity player with 4 years of WTT club tennis play during college. I play mostly doubles these days, utilizing good hands at net with a strong 2hbh.
Current string set-up(s) and preferred tension(s):
Head Lynx Tour 1.25 x Head Lynx 1.25 @ 49/47
What racquet did you use for this playtest?
Head Speed MP 2022
How many hours did you play with the test string?
I got about ten hours spread over 5 sessions then cut it out.
Which string did you use for the mains?
Hyper G square mains and round crosses
Tension(s) used for playtest?
50/48, but now wishing I went lower.
Power/Control of test string?
I personally didn't find too much power at all but did find a lot of control and spin. I felt like it had less power than I remember from my experience with Hyper G of years past. Maybe it was the effect of the round string cross? Control wise I felt I could do what I needed and wanted with this string, lots of directional control. I just wish it had more free power along with it. I feel like I might've strung this hybrid a little too high and were I to try it again I would go 48/46.
Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?)
It had more comfort to it vs what I remember with my previous romps with Hyper G original. It didn't quite feel the same, as I actually "felt" more. I think this might be due to the round cross. There was more feedback, I knew where and when I mishit.
Spin?
Very nice spin here. Slice serves had more bite, topspin groundies really kicked, I just wished that I had more free power alongside this accentuated spin. Your mileage may vary of course as spin, I feel, also has a lot to do with technique.
Durability & playability duration?
The strings didn't break, I actually cut them out. But I did that heavily suspecting that they might break relatively soon if I hadn't cut them (10 hours). I felt it played pretty consistently throughout but there was a bit of tension drop.
Tension Recommendations. Would you string it differently next time? Explain why
I would absolutely string it lower. My thinking was that since I usually use 1.25 strings, I should string a bit higher. Next time i'd go 2-3 pounds lower on teh mains and crosses for added comfort and some free power and feel.
List any additional thoughts (optional)
Thank you TW and Solinco for the opportunity. It's a fine product but it's not for me as I feel like I personally need more help nowadays as I'm not in my peak physical condition anymore.
 
Solinco Hyper-G/Round Poly Hybrid 1.25 Review
Tennis background/skill level/playing style: 3.5 recreational with some match play, weekly clinics, and recently got a ball machine. Currently working on reworking my forehand from scratch and capitalizing more on my above-level serve by focusing on improving Serve+1 and S&V play.
Current string set-up(s) and preferred tension(s): Big Hitter Silver 7 Tour x Grey Fire (48/46lbs)
What racquet did you use for this playtest? Wilson Blade 100 v9
How many hours did you play with the test string? 10
Which string did you use for the mains? Hyper-G (regular)
Tension(s) used for playtest? 48 mains, 46 crosses

Initial impression:
I am familiar with regular Hyper G and played it for a while as my main full-bed setup ~3 years ago. I always enjoyed the mix of pop, spin, and relative comfort (compared to Tour Bite and similar super stiff strings). I recently have begun experimenting with shaped vs round polys and was super interested in this layup since Hyper G was kind of a nostalgic favorite of mine from a while back. My initial impressions was one of familiarity but also a slightly more forgiving and predictable stringbed. I was definitely excited to take this out for a match + couple of clinics + ball machine hitting.

Power/Control of test string?
String bed was VERY predictable for me and felt that I knew where the ball was going when I made contact and could put it there. My serves were super consistent and I could very intentionally move them around the box and have the ball just "go" there. Power was a bit lower than what I was used to in my current BHS7T / Grey Fire setup but the benefit to control more than made up for it. Overall, the hybrid definitely felt like a step up in control over full-bed of Hyper G while it definitely has a lower launch angle than that setup and absolutely requires full cuts at the ball.

Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?).
Feel was stiffer but not uncomfortable. I'd say it's middle of the road poly in terms of stiffness. What was really nice was the feedback I was getting on groundstrokes and serves. On groundstrokes, it was very evident/obvious when I cleanly connected with the ball, how much brushing/spin I was imparting, and where the ball would go and behave off my strings. As someone who appreciates direct feedback from the strings in a more muted frame like a Blade, this was very appreciated. On serves, I mainly serve kickers + slice above my level and rely heavily on brushing up against the ball and really feeling the stringbed across the across the ball. In this regard, I thoroughly enjoyed knowing exactly how much of the ball I was getting / brushing and felt confident in hitting my serves.

Spin?
Spin was fine. Nothing top of range (BHS7T still has that award from me), but certaintly spin was there if you wanted it without fighting the strings to generate it. What I really found amazing was my OHBH slicing. The combined excellent feedback from the strings + actual spin generation made my slices deadly. I was able to keep them low, and consistently have pretty aggressive (low) net clearance with minimal fail. Historically, I've had greater trouble keeping my slices low or netting them while overcorrecting. This just "clicked" and drop shots + slices were amazing in this frame + string combo. On serve, it was not quite as great/spinny as my other setups, but I did feel I had better control so I was still ok with the tradeoff.

Durability & playability duration?
After a quick hour or so, it got nice and broken in. I'm still thoroughly enjoying it and not noticing any drop-off as of yet. I did notice an initial drop of ~5lbs after the first 1-2 hours of playing, but honestly, that was welcomed as it seemed to loosen up the bed and give it an extra boost of power/launch angle that was needed.

Tension Recommendations. I have typically strung my 16x19 racquets at 48x46 to start in order to find a baseline. I would likely keep this setup the same or lower by 1-2 lbs, but given the initial tension loss, I'd be hesitant to drop much past where I started.

Overall: Fantastic combo of control, power, and FEEL. I will likely freshly string my racquet with more BHS7T + Grey Fire again and compare again because though that layup's power and spin is addicting, the Hyper G hybrid is extremely predictable, control oriented, and has tremendous feedback/feel for a full poly setup. Truly appreciate @TW Staff for including me in the playtest and really enjoyed going back to Hyper G in a hybrid. This will be setup I go back to for sure.
 
Chairman3 said:
I disagree, I've used fullbed HGR, doesn't have as much spin.
Hybrid, especially this 1.20 varietal, almost has no downsides compared to fullbed HG or HGR.
Click to expand...
I agree with @Chairman3, this Hyper-G Hybrid gives up little or nothing but keeps most of the upside. It is still playing at a higher level than some other shaped polys that I have strung up in other identical racquets!
Somehow this Hybrid doesn't play stiff or harsh BUT is still crisp accurate without being mushy. Control, power, spin and feel - this setup has it all for me ! There are setups that do more in a particular area and if that is what you want or need - I get it. But all around there are few that compare as far as I am concerned. Hyper-G by itself changed what players demand from strings, as evidenced by the glow of neon green on the courts, but this Solinco Hybrid makes it even more accessible even for those people who wouldn't ordinarily think to choose polys.
 
The Chairman3's review of the Hyper-hybrid
Green means go!

Tennis background/skill level/playing style: Average 4.0, all-court/attacking playstyle, I like to hit all the shots and need a string to match.
Current string set-up(s) and preferred tension(s): I try ALOT of strings. Two primary go-to's are PT Strike 1.20 and Hawk Power, hover in the high-mid 40's on tension.
What racquet did you use for this playtest? Pro Staff 97 V14
How many hours did you play with the test string? I used for 12.5hrs before writing this review.
Which string did you use for the mains? I used Hyper-G in the mains and Hyper-G Round in the crosses.
Tension(s) used for playtest? 47lbs

Power/Control of test string: The string struck a really nice balance but probably slightly strayed to the power side. This isn't a bad thing because the real control comes from the spin you can impart. But in terms of sheer targeting, there are better strings. My other racquet with PT Strike 1.20 definitely had more control. But for power, this string was nice. It felt really easy to get the ball deep, but in a controllable way. It didn't feel springy or unpredictable for the majority of the time used. It got a little slingshot-y for the last 2-3 hours of use, but still playable. Even still, the response is pretty predictable. I put alot of weight on predictability. The good part is it is comfortable enough to string a little higher for more control or a more toned down response.

Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?): The feel is pretty similar to Hyper-G and Hyper-G Round (to myself: duh). By that I mean it has a nice, somewhat muted but mostly comfortable feel. The HGR really smooths out the feel of HG. It makes a huge difference having HGR as a cross compared to fullbed HG. The feel is just cleaner. Smooths out some of that plastic-y feel that you can get with Hyper-G in a fullbed. The hybrid stays more on the crisp spectrum but, again, plenty comfortable. If you really racheted up the tension it could probably get uncomfortable, but that's most poly strings. My string seemed to suffer some immediate tension loss, I think because of humidity, so had a little touch of springyness but overall a good feel. It also had a very predictable feel to it. For almost all of the playtest it had a consistent feel and response that made it very easy to continue playing. Approaching 10 hours and beyond, it got a little more springy and on my last outing was definitely more trampoline-ish. The response though was good, nice pop, not too muted, plenty comfy and remained that way. A really good balance from this hybrid.

Spin: Spin was good. It has been awhile since I used regular Hyper-G but I would say the spin was nearly as good, like 95% as good. The difference too is you may lose 5% spin compared to fullbed HG but gain alot better feel and consistency in the response. The level of spin has also remained throughout. I haven't experienced any significant drop in spin. I think this is an advantage over fullbed HG too. Fullbed shaped strings seem to wear themselves out quicker but with this you get the edges sliding across a round cross, definitely a benefit. The combo of spin and power is pretty perfect and has to be a spin players dream.

Durability & playability duration? So I have this at about 12.5hrs. The strings are pretty springy and I'm getting some of that trampoline/slingshot response now. The strings have started to stay out of place some too. My most recent post I said it felt like they were going to break but that was a little bit of an exaggeration. They're probably 60-70% notched, hard to say, and the thin guage makes it harder to tell. But 10+ hours for a poly is above average, so playability was very good. At this point it is still usable but I'm hitting alot of lines and really have to swing through, so I think I'm calling it quits on it. In matches, I switch to the other racquet sometimes because I have more control and don't worry about missing long.

Tension Recommendations: Would you string it differently next time? Explain why: I strung it at 47lbs. This basically felt perfect for my racquet. I might go up a pound or two just to see if I'd have more control for longer. I had some premature tension loss, that I attributed to humidity, and that decreased control some early on. Otherwise, 47lbs was just right.

List any additional thoughts (optional): I was really impressed with this string combo. Someone else said it and I agree, the sum is far greater than the individual parts. Neither HG nor HGR fullbed are as good as HG/HGR hybrid, and especially this 1.20 guage. Shoutout to @TW Staff for doing a guage other than 1.25. Most of us (myself included) don't break poly and can very easily and happily use a thinner guage. I really liked this string, it is definitely in my top 5 strings now. I think they need to package this together in reels. Sure, you can just buy the reels or mini reels of each but bundles are always more fun. This really is a magic combo, a tale of two strings if you will. 8-B

Thank you @TW Staff, this was a great playtest, it really introduced me to something that I wouldn't have predicted being so good based on the individual parts.
 
Tennis background/skill level/playing style: I played in high school and took a long hiatus and came back in late 2018. I usually play doubles on the ad side (95% of the time). Continental grip with a one handed backhand. Lately I’ve been playing mostly singles. I’m a 3.5 with a chip and charge style when I’m playing singles and attacking style in doubles.

Current string set-up(s) and preferred tension(s): My usual string is natural guy in the mains with round poly in the crosses. I string the mains at 55 and the crosses at 52. Lately I’ve been using fullbed of poly because the natural gut is not easy on the wallet. The poly I prefer is Solinco Revolution 17g.

What racquet did you use for this playtest? Tecnifibre TF 40 305 16x19 with a Tecnifbre dampener and Yonex Super Grap overgrip.

How many hours did you play with the test string? I played around 14-15 hours in league matches. I played singles on hardcourt and on clay, doubles (men’s and mixed) on hardcourt. I’ve also hit with the strings for 3 live hitting session.

Which string did you use for the mains? I used shaped in the mains. I’m usually a flat ball hitter but adding spin to my game so wanted the access to spin so used the shaped poly in the mains.

Tension(s) used for playtest? Hyper-G shaped in the mains at 55 and Hyper-G round in the crosses at 52.

Power/Control of test string? I would describe this as a decent pop. I feel like you really must whip your racquet extra hard to get depth on the ball. The control on the racquet is just okay too. I think it went downhill around the 9-10 hour mark. After that it seems like the ball was spraying all over the court and when I intend the ball to go cross court it was going down the line and vice versa. It was just too unpredictable at times. There were times during the match where I had a direct overhead that should have been put away and the ball doesn’t have the extra pop that I’ve been getting with my other strings. 7/10 for power and 8/10 for control

Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?) I would say the first 9-10 hours of the strings everything was really clicking. The drop shots, the volleys really had a nice touch. The last 5 hours or so things weren’t dropping as much. Several drop shots floated for the opponents to put away. There was a couple of nice little scoops off the short ball that I was able to angle for a winner during the early stages of the playtest. 8.5/10

Spin? Easy access to spin but I feel like the bit was quite there. I mentioned earlier in the thread the best attribute is the volleys and slice. I can get the ball really low when I’m charging the net and low when I’m on the run slicing it back in play. The volleys putaway and the drop shots is the best aspect of this setup. I will say that one of the singles match I played on it seems like the court had a lot of dead spot so the spin on the ball just never really quite was the same. The launch angle was nice at first then when the string settles in I didn't think it had the same launch angle. I played singles early on and really had nice spin and launch angle then deeper in the playtest the launch angle and spin wasn't as efficient. 9/10 for volleys and 7/10 for spin

Durability & playability duration? As I mentioned above the strings was fine until about the 11-12 hour mark. The strings was less responsive after that and the bit on the ball wasn’t as prevalent. This was also when I started feeling effect of the strings where I started feeling tennis elbow. During this time I noticed I wasn’t getting the same depth on the returns as I was getting when the strings was fresh. After the 10 hour mark, I can tell the sound on the ball sounds different from the early stages of the playtest. I can't really describe it but it doesn't sound similar. I would say 7/10.

Tension Recommendations. Would you string it differently next time? Explain whyI would probably string the it lower and at the same weight if I had to do it again. This combo need more pop so I would probably string it at 46.

List any additional thoughts (optional) The round and shaped strings look very identical. If it wasn’t label I would have a hard time telling them apart. I would like to see Solinco make one a little lighter in color. I know Hyper G softer is a little bit darker if I recall.

This is only my second time doing a hybrid of shaped poly with round poly. The first time I did it was with two different string company. It was probably three years ago when I did Weiss Cannon Ultra Cable in the mains with Pro's Pro Red Devil in the crosses. I believe I did both at 50 lb. I really struggled with that combo off the bat and never got comfortable with the setup. I cut out the strings after 6 hours. I just don't think poly/poly hybrid fits my game as I don't have the depth on my ground strokes and the control isn't what I'm accustom to.

This was my first time using a Solinco overgrip. It’s a direct competition to Tourna’s Dry Overgrip and I have to say it’s very comparable. It’s a great alternative to Tourna if you want to use all Solinco brand.

I want to thank Solinco and Tennis Warehouse for allowing me to try these strings and overgrip.
 
Logged another 180 minutes in two singles wins - one playing a junk style, the other playing an aggressive style with great defending. 6-2, 6.0, 6-2, 6-0. These strings have lasted a long time so far. I guess it's because of the tighter patterned 18x20 string bed and smaller 95" size. Dunlop cx 200 tour offers great control and feel. I'll likely play another 7-10 days then wrap up my test if the strings don't break or if they really start getting too loose. I probably strung it a bit on the tighter side since it is summer temps 80F + so the tension still feels good.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

TW Staff
Tennis Warehouse playtest: Solinco Hyper-G Soft!
3 4 5
Replies
246
Views
33K
adsy
A
TW Staff
Tennis Warehouse playtest: Hyper-G Round 1.25
3 4 5
Replies
216
Views
18K
socallefty
socallefty
TW Staff
Tennis Warehouse Playtest - Solinco Confidential 1.25
3 4 5
Replies
237
Views
37K
flanker2000fr
flanker2000fr
TW Staff
Tennis Warehouse: Wilson Revolve 17 Playtest
Replies
47
Views
20K
kklin
K
TW Staff
  • Sticky
Tennis Warehouse playtest: Solinco MACH-10
14 15 16
Replies
759
Views
37K
Peyote Bjornsson
Peyote Bjornsson
Back
Top