Tennis Warehouse Playtest: Solinco Hyper Mach-BD 1.20
- Thread starter TW Staff
- Start date
ngoster
Semi-Pro
For me, it doesn't necessarily contribute by adding anything to the string bed; but rather, it helps mellow out the extremes of the shaped mains.
ngoster
Semi-Pro
I'm a little late to the game with this playtest. I got it strung up 5 days ago and have gotten 2 doubles sessions (about 4 hours) on it. Coming from the last V-Square playtest, there was a refreshing feeling of normalcy again. Launch angle, spin and control seem to require less, out of the ordinary, input from me. The only noticeable difference between the 1.20 and 1.25 (a few playtests ago) is power. The 1.20 seems to possess more of it. Other than that, I'm enjoying this setup very much.
hdjs94
Semi-Pro
amongst the solinco poly's, mach-10 is definitely going to be more power than control. HGR might make it ever so slightly more controlled and muted/comfort.
thenewbig3
Hall of Fame
Tennis experience/background:
4.0, attacking baseliner.
Current string preference(s): (on this racket)
Tour Bite 1.20 x Cyberflash 1.20 (45 x 43) REFERENCE SETUP
What racquet did you use for this playtest?
Wilson Ultra Tour 97
Playtest setup: what string did you use for mains/crosses?
Mach 10 1.20 Mains x Hyper-G Round 1.20 cross TEST
Tension(s) used for playtest?
45 x 43
Power/Control of test string?
7/10 Power 7/10 Control
Power was lower than reference for the 30 mins to 1 hour and about equal after that. Control was perfectly fine. The string bed was more consistent than my reference string setup as Tour Bite initially seems to be extra lively till it settles it. This setup started and remained very consistent till i finally cut it out. I did not find any special INJECTION OF POWER that some people seem to indicate this string setup had.
Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?)
7/10 (Better that HyperG 5/10, Well below Tour Bite 9/10)
The string bed felt pretty firm, slightly muted & comfortable. Initially I struggled a little with the feel since I couldn't feel the grab in the same way as my Tour Bite x Cyberflash setup. The Ultra Tour is already foam filled and not as crisp naturally. With more effort and focus I could dial in and adjust to the feel. I would think this would be an AWESOME STRING (for me specifically) for classic crisp frames like the Pure Drives, Aero Pro Drives and many/most frames other than the muted rackets from the last few years.
Spin? 8/10
Good Spin... I had trouble dialing it in initially because contact felt so different without that initial crunch/grab sound I am used to it. But it definitely has it as after a few hours I got more and more dialled in. Tour Bite setup felt like it had more spin because of the sound and bite but visually they looked the same and flew through the court the same. Opponent feedback confirmed it.
Playability duration? 9/10 (Tour Bite setup 7.5/10)
By the time I cut out my reference setup since power suddenly falls of the cliff.... this setup was still going. I'm not really a string breaker in this specific frame as its an 18x20 and I start with lowish tension. And as far as notching I felt like it was normal as usual. The tension drop seemed slower than my reference setup but the string didn't seem to lose elasticity as quickly either so the power level remained fairly controlled.
Tension & installation Recommendations. Would you tension it differently next time? Would you switch up mains/crosses? Explain.
I would stay in the same tension range for Tour Bite, Confidential and Hyper-G. There is massive power boost (or almost nothing) here at-least not in this racket.... what I felt I got EXTRA is play-ability duration and consistency. I have never seen a reason to use round mains and shaped crosses in any racket.
List any additional thoughts (optional)
As someone who primarily plays shaped x round hybrids and dont mind a slightly restrained feel (compared to crisp mains) I think this is a good pre-packaged hybrid. It has all the attributes of Hyper-G hybrids but with a slightly more premium feel and playability. As someone who currently plays a more dampened racket (2022 Ezone 98) - this string setup is NOT for me in this racket. I also feel it is not ideal for me in my Ultra Tour (which is foam filled). I will consider Mach-10 hybrids for my older stiffer crisper frames. For my regular rackets my favorite mains string are Tour Bite 17 & Confidential 16L so while Mach-10 is better than many strings it cant beat out its elder brother and father/grand father for me personally.
4.0, attacking baseliner.
Current string preference(s): (on this racket)
Tour Bite 1.20 x Cyberflash 1.20 (45 x 43) REFERENCE SETUP
What racquet did you use for this playtest?
Wilson Ultra Tour 97
Playtest setup: what string did you use for mains/crosses?
Mach 10 1.20 Mains x Hyper-G Round 1.20 cross TEST
Tension(s) used for playtest?
45 x 43
Power/Control of test string?
7/10 Power 7/10 Control
Power was lower than reference for the 30 mins to 1 hour and about equal after that. Control was perfectly fine. The string bed was more consistent than my reference string setup as Tour Bite initially seems to be extra lively till it settles it. This setup started and remained very consistent till i finally cut it out. I did not find any special INJECTION OF POWER that some people seem to indicate this string setup had.
Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?)
7/10 (Better that HyperG 5/10, Well below Tour Bite 9/10)
The string bed felt pretty firm, slightly muted & comfortable. Initially I struggled a little with the feel since I couldn't feel the grab in the same way as my Tour Bite x Cyberflash setup. The Ultra Tour is already foam filled and not as crisp naturally. With more effort and focus I could dial in and adjust to the feel. I would think this would be an AWESOME STRING (for me specifically) for classic crisp frames like the Pure Drives, Aero Pro Drives and many/most frames other than the muted rackets from the last few years.
Spin? 8/10
Good Spin... I had trouble dialing it in initially because contact felt so different without that initial crunch/grab sound I am used to it. But it definitely has it as after a few hours I got more and more dialled in. Tour Bite setup felt like it had more spin because of the sound and bite but visually they looked the same and flew through the court the same. Opponent feedback confirmed it.
Playability duration? 9/10 (Tour Bite setup 7.5/10)
By the time I cut out my reference setup since power suddenly falls of the cliff.... this setup was still going. I'm not really a string breaker in this specific frame as its an 18x20 and I start with lowish tension. And as far as notching I felt like it was normal as usual. The tension drop seemed slower than my reference setup but the string didn't seem to lose elasticity as quickly either so the power level remained fairly controlled.
Tension & installation Recommendations. Would you tension it differently next time? Would you switch up mains/crosses? Explain.
I would stay in the same tension range for Tour Bite, Confidential and Hyper-G. There is massive power boost (or almost nothing) here at-least not in this racket.... what I felt I got EXTRA is play-ability duration and consistency. I have never seen a reason to use round mains and shaped crosses in any racket.
List any additional thoughts (optional)
As someone who primarily plays shaped x round hybrids and dont mind a slightly restrained feel (compared to crisp mains) I think this is a good pre-packaged hybrid. It has all the attributes of Hyper-G hybrids but with a slightly more premium feel and playability. As someone who currently plays a more dampened racket (2022 Ezone 98) - this string setup is NOT for me in this racket. I also feel it is not ideal for me in my Ultra Tour (which is foam filled). I will consider Mach-10 hybrids for my older stiffer crisper frames. For my regular rackets my favorite mains string are Tour Bite 17 & Confidential 16L so while Mach-10 is better than many strings it cant beat out its elder brother and father/grand father for me personally.
I have had full bed mach 10 1.15mm on several rackets.
TF305S @48LB: plastic feel, pocketing not enough. spin power control are ok
Diadem Elevate 98 V3 @46lb: everything is perfect. great power, super spin, nice feel,
Masterpro Raptor 98 240g @50lb: less powerful and spinny than reviously HPG 1.20 @50 but crisper feel
Head L6 98 flexpoint @50/47lb: great power and control. spin is very good
Angel tc100 V7 71RA @50/47: terrible feel and control
So my conclusion if not too wrong is Mach 10 is good for softer rackets with low 60 RA but may not be fitting to stiffer frames over 65RA.
TF305S @48LB: plastic feel, pocketing not enough. spin power control are ok
Diadem Elevate 98 V3 @46lb: everything is perfect. great power, super spin, nice feel,
Masterpro Raptor 98 240g @50lb: less powerful and spinny than reviously HPG 1.20 @50 but crisper feel
Head L6 98 flexpoint @50/47lb: great power and control. spin is very good
Angel tc100 V7 71RA @50/47: terrible feel and control
So my conclusion if not too wrong is Mach 10 is good for softer rackets with low 60 RA but may not be fitting to stiffer frames over 65RA.
Dunlop300g
Semi-Pro
Solinco Hyper Mach-BD 1.20
-Keeper-
Tennis experience/background: Playing tennis off and on for 50+ years. Started at 10 in 1972. Played Jr. High, High School tennis teams. Played USTA singles, doubles, mixed. Currently USTA 4.0. Love the game. I am a stringer for friends, club players and the local high school team.
Playing style: all court, I play with spin; semi-western forehand, slice and topspin 1hbh. Always looking to move forward when possible and finish at the net.
Racquet used: Solinco Whiteout V2 Camo Tension used in playtest 52 lbs.
String Setup in this frame was Mach 10 mains x Hyper G Round crosses 1.20
Power 9/10 – the power level of this setup in this control oriented frame is almost perfect, it’s so good that I’m seriously considering keeping this string setup indefinitely. I felt like I was getting more power on my serves with this setup; especially flat serves.
Control 9/10 – I felt pretty confident on all strokes with this string; control was very good and I could go for my shots without altering my swing speed; I practiced a lot of down the line backhands both slice and topspin off of cross court balls with the ball machine; so redirecting these down the line proved a great test and gave me a lot of confidence in this setup.
Feel 8.5/10 – performed well on touch shots around the net and with volleys. It’s a balanced setup between crisp but comfortable; this frame though is somewhat muted so I would put the string in the comfortable category; it’s not harsh or jarring. One test for feel I did was with the ball machine hitting from the add-side short slice angled returns cross court and into the doubles alley; it’s kind of my ultimate control/feel test. Very good results.
Spin 8.5/10 – spin potential is there; I could see great ball rotation of FH/BH sides with topspin; slice serves, kick serves were easy to generate as well; it matches up with the control/power balance this string provides. I think the spin potential with this gauge and hybrid setup is slightly better than a full bed of Mach 10.
Playability Duration 8.5/10 – so far even though I’ve noticed the string bed is somewhat locked up; it’s been in about a month and I may have 15 hours on it at this point; it’s still pretty playable. I’m going to play doubles with it tomorrow and I’m not concerned about the playability whatsoever.
Tension recommendations Strung at 52 and this seemed ok. I think this time of year with our head coming on I might even go a couple pounds higher. But playability was good.
Additional thoughts: I like the Mach 10 in the mains and HGR in the crosses and would stick with this setup again. It was interesting to try 1.20 as I did try the 1.25 with this setup previously in this frame. I think the 1.20 offers slightly more power and maybe slightly more feel. I really like the packaging too.
I love the color and look of this string combo in this frame. It’s really nice.
As noted this string setup really compliments this frame’s playabiltiy so well that I’m going to keep this setup indefinitely; I may go to the 1.25 again and then alternate to 1.20 as the weather cools off later in the year but I really like what this setup provides. It’s a perfect blend IMHO for this frame.
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I got up to 12 hours and decided to stop. I think they had given all they had to give.
Definitely a little springy and starting to get a hint of unpleasant feeling coming through but I'll elaborate more in the review.
I was very surprised by this hybrid and you'll have to read my review to find out why....
Review coming soon. If you want to cheat/sneak peak, go over to the "string comparison database" thread I created to read my comparison of this and my Yonex hybrid.
Definitely a little springy and starting to get a hint of unpleasant feeling coming through but I'll elaborate more in the review.
I was very surprised by this hybrid and you'll have to read my review to find out why....
Review coming soon. If you want to cheat/sneak peak, go over to the "string comparison database" thread I created to read my comparison of this and my Yonex hybrid.
OEEspino
New User
Thank you Tennis Warehouse team for trusting me again to review another product. It is always an honor and my pleasure to do so.
Player Profile & Tennis Experience
I’ve been playing tennis for just over two years, hitting the court whenever I can for club sessions, weekend doubles, and a few local tournaments. I am currently rated a low to mid 4.0 (Low on a bad day, on an excellent day can hang with 4.5s)
For this playtest I used my Mizuno Acrospeed 300 as my racket, which feels light enough to swing quickly yet solid enough to trust on heavy shots.
I strung it with Solinco Mach 10 at 50 lbs in the mains for power and spin, and Solinco Hyper G Round 1.20 mm at 50 lbs in the crosses for added feel.
My playstyle is counterpunching and coming up to the net once i get the proper position. I can also serve an volley depending on who I am playing. I have an average forehand but excelling in deep heaving great net clearance topspin forehands. I have faster lower net clearance 1 hand back hand, and I have a really reliable defensive backhand slice.
Power and Control Balance: 8.7/10
This hybrid setup delivers solid power off the strings without letting balls fly off uncontrollably. When I aimed for a flat drive, the ball still came off with plenty of pace, but it didn’t launch past the baseline like it sometimes did with a full Mach 10 bed. I felt more in control of where the ball went, especially on serves and aggressive groundstrokes. My flat first serves were consistently finding the corner instead of drifting long by a foot. Groundies that used to go wide now stayed closer to my target lines, which made rallies less of a lottery. I didn’t sacrifice much speed—maybe two or three miles per hour off my hardest shots—but gaining that directional steadiness was worth it. Even on half-volleys, I could punch through the ball knowing it would stay in. Overall, the mix of Mach 10 in the mains and Hyper G Round in the crosses gave me a balanced combo of punch and precision.
Feel and Comfort: 8.5/10
The feel on this hybrid bed is crisp but not jarring, which surprised me given both strings are polys. Hyper G Round in the crosses softens the impact enough that volleys and overheads feel more forgiving. I didn’t get any loud ping or glassy sting, and my arm felt fine after long hitting sessions. And the ball-pocketing was noticeable but not too sticky, if you know what I mean. Although, the sweet spot did seem to shift slightly lower and more toward the center of the head, which felt different at first but then became comfortable; I am not sure if it was the racket, the strings, or the stringjob that affected my sweet spot placement. But, I could still sense where I struck the ball and adjust my touch without any numbness. Playing volleys and touch shots at the net felt natural, with enough feedback to trust my placement. After four hours of continuous hitting, my elbow and wrist were still pain-free, which gave me confidence for back-to-back matches. This setup proved to be friendly on the arm while still offering clear ball feedback.
Spin Potential: 8.2/10
Mach 10’s textured profile really grabs the ball, and this hybrid setup retains most of that spin-making ability. I could still loop deep topspin groundstrokes that pushed my opponent well behind the baseline. My kick serves jumped up higher than usual, making returns awkward for the other player. The drop-off in spin compared to a full Mach 10 bed was noticeable in some shots —maybe I noticed it on a few heavy shots and some slices, but it never felt like a real weakness. Slice shots bit into the court nicely and stayed low for the most part. The mix of strings gave me enough dwell time to brush up on the ball without losing the crisp response I like. Whether I was hitting heavy forehands or sharp backhand slices, the spin was predictable and reliable. Overall, I felt like I had full access to spin shots without giving up comfort or control. But I did notice that my slice serves was noticeably weaker than with a full bed of mach 10.
Durability and Playability: 9.4/10
After about 15 to 16 hours of play, the hybrid bed held its tension well and still felt lively. I didn’t experience any sudden dead spots or major notching that ruined spin or power. The strings snapped back quickly on each shot, and my ball depth stayed consistent. I played both singles and doubles matches, and the performance stayed practically the same from the first match to the last. There was only mild wear at the crossings, but nothing that affected play. I could probably go several weeks between restringing without feeling a significant drop in performance. I am just happy there weren't sporadic shots, and the durability was impressive. I am not a string breaker by all means, but the lack of notching really impressed me.
Tension and Installation Recommendations
Stringing both mains and crosses at 50 lbs struck a perfect balance between firmness and playability for me. It gave enough resistance for precise directional control while still allowing the ball to sit long enough for spin. If you want a little extra power, you could drop the mains to 48 lbs, but you might lose a touch of accuracy on flat shots. I wouldn’t recommend switching the pattern—Mach 10 belongs in the mains for power and spin 1000%, and Hyper G Round in the crosses for feel. Putting Hyper G Round in the mains would soften the bed too much and kill punch, while Mach 10 in the crosses would make it too harsh. 50/50 tension and this string combo will cover every aspect of the game without needing constant tweaks.
Overall Assessment
This hybrid setup hits a good balance of power, spin, control, and comfort. You still get enough pace to end points, but the strings help keep your shots from flying long or wide. The feel is firm without hurting your arm, so you can play for hours without stiffness. Spin holds up well—you can loop heavy groundstrokes and hit low slices without issue. The setup stays consistent over many hours of play, so you won’t be restringing every week. At 50 lbs in both the mains and crosses, the tension is right out of the box. Whether you’re serving, rallying, or volleying, this string combo works across all parts of your game. It’s a solid choice for players who want dependable performance. Definitely going to be in rotation with my Gosen setup!
Player Profile & Tennis Experience
I’ve been playing tennis for just over two years, hitting the court whenever I can for club sessions, weekend doubles, and a few local tournaments. I am currently rated a low to mid 4.0 (Low on a bad day, on an excellent day can hang with 4.5s)
For this playtest I used my Mizuno Acrospeed 300 as my racket, which feels light enough to swing quickly yet solid enough to trust on heavy shots.
I strung it with Solinco Mach 10 at 50 lbs in the mains for power and spin, and Solinco Hyper G Round 1.20 mm at 50 lbs in the crosses for added feel.
My playstyle is counterpunching and coming up to the net once i get the proper position. I can also serve an volley depending on who I am playing. I have an average forehand but excelling in deep heaving great net clearance topspin forehands. I have faster lower net clearance 1 hand back hand, and I have a really reliable defensive backhand slice.
Power and Control Balance: 8.7/10
This hybrid setup delivers solid power off the strings without letting balls fly off uncontrollably. When I aimed for a flat drive, the ball still came off with plenty of pace, but it didn’t launch past the baseline like it sometimes did with a full Mach 10 bed. I felt more in control of where the ball went, especially on serves and aggressive groundstrokes. My flat first serves were consistently finding the corner instead of drifting long by a foot. Groundies that used to go wide now stayed closer to my target lines, which made rallies less of a lottery. I didn’t sacrifice much speed—maybe two or three miles per hour off my hardest shots—but gaining that directional steadiness was worth it. Even on half-volleys, I could punch through the ball knowing it would stay in. Overall, the mix of Mach 10 in the mains and Hyper G Round in the crosses gave me a balanced combo of punch and precision.
Feel and Comfort: 8.5/10
The feel on this hybrid bed is crisp but not jarring, which surprised me given both strings are polys. Hyper G Round in the crosses softens the impact enough that volleys and overheads feel more forgiving. I didn’t get any loud ping or glassy sting, and my arm felt fine after long hitting sessions. And the ball-pocketing was noticeable but not too sticky, if you know what I mean. Although, the sweet spot did seem to shift slightly lower and more toward the center of the head, which felt different at first but then became comfortable; I am not sure if it was the racket, the strings, or the stringjob that affected my sweet spot placement. But, I could still sense where I struck the ball and adjust my touch without any numbness. Playing volleys and touch shots at the net felt natural, with enough feedback to trust my placement. After four hours of continuous hitting, my elbow and wrist were still pain-free, which gave me confidence for back-to-back matches. This setup proved to be friendly on the arm while still offering clear ball feedback.
Spin Potential: 8.2/10
Mach 10’s textured profile really grabs the ball, and this hybrid setup retains most of that spin-making ability. I could still loop deep topspin groundstrokes that pushed my opponent well behind the baseline. My kick serves jumped up higher than usual, making returns awkward for the other player. The drop-off in spin compared to a full Mach 10 bed was noticeable in some shots —maybe I noticed it on a few heavy shots and some slices, but it never felt like a real weakness. Slice shots bit into the court nicely and stayed low for the most part. The mix of strings gave me enough dwell time to brush up on the ball without losing the crisp response I like. Whether I was hitting heavy forehands or sharp backhand slices, the spin was predictable and reliable. Overall, I felt like I had full access to spin shots without giving up comfort or control. But I did notice that my slice serves was noticeably weaker than with a full bed of mach 10.
Durability and Playability: 9.4/10
After about 15 to 16 hours of play, the hybrid bed held its tension well and still felt lively. I didn’t experience any sudden dead spots or major notching that ruined spin or power. The strings snapped back quickly on each shot, and my ball depth stayed consistent. I played both singles and doubles matches, and the performance stayed practically the same from the first match to the last. There was only mild wear at the crossings, but nothing that affected play. I could probably go several weeks between restringing without feeling a significant drop in performance. I am just happy there weren't sporadic shots, and the durability was impressive. I am not a string breaker by all means, but the lack of notching really impressed me.
Tension and Installation Recommendations
Stringing both mains and crosses at 50 lbs struck a perfect balance between firmness and playability for me. It gave enough resistance for precise directional control while still allowing the ball to sit long enough for spin. If you want a little extra power, you could drop the mains to 48 lbs, but you might lose a touch of accuracy on flat shots. I wouldn’t recommend switching the pattern—Mach 10 belongs in the mains for power and spin 1000%, and Hyper G Round in the crosses for feel. Putting Hyper G Round in the mains would soften the bed too much and kill punch, while Mach 10 in the crosses would make it too harsh. 50/50 tension and this string combo will cover every aspect of the game without needing constant tweaks.
Overall Assessment
This hybrid setup hits a good balance of power, spin, control, and comfort. You still get enough pace to end points, but the strings help keep your shots from flying long or wide. The feel is firm without hurting your arm, so you can play for hours without stiffness. Spin holds up well—you can loop heavy groundstrokes and hit low slices without issue. The setup stays consistent over many hours of play, so you won’t be restringing every week. At 50 lbs in both the mains and crosses, the tension is right out of the box. Whether you’re serving, rallying, or volleying, this string combo works across all parts of your game. It’s a solid choice for players who want dependable performance. Definitely going to be in rotation with my Gosen setup!
Tennis experience/background:
Tennis was a family sport but I played non-seriously through high school, including 3 years of JV. I found my love for the game in college where I captained the club tennis team and played first singles for about 4 years. Since then I've played 4.5 for about 15 years, mostly singles. I play a typical power baseline game with a full western grip forehand, a two-handed backhand, and an affinity for slices and drop shots.
Current string preference(s):
For about 10 years I have used signum pro poly plasma 16L at 48-50lbs. Lately I have been experimenting with various soft polys, including some from Toroline and Solinco. My current favorite is Hyper-G soft 16L.
What racquet did you use for this playtest?
Wilson Pro Staff 97 v14 stock
Playtest setup: what string did you use for mains/crosses?
Mach 10 mains, Hyper G Round crosses.
Tension(s) used for playtest?
51lbs mains, 48lbs crosses.
Power/Control of test string?
I found the power and control of this string setup to be excellent with a nice blend between the two. I play with heavy spin on the forehand and I was able to drop the ball in nicely while still taking big cuts. Mach 10 alone in 16L had too much power and not enough control for me, almost like it didn't play like a poly. This hybrid, however, was bang on.
Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?)
Great feel from the 17 gauge setup. I usually play with 16L for durability reasons and in that size, both Hyper G and to a lesser extent, Mach 10, caused me some elbow discomfort. However I had no pain with this 17 gauge sample provided. So for me it was quite comfortable with a middle of the road poly feel.
Spin?
Spin was great from this setup. Not as much as a full bed of Volkl V-square, but more than enough to get those top spin dippers to divebomb the baseline. Noticeably more spin than a full bed of Mach-10 16L.
Playability duration?
This is where the string really surprised me. I expected to break the 17 gauge in 2 hours or so, but they ended up lasting me for 3 full matches and a practice session, so 7-8 hours. They played great start to finish but were particularly good fresh.
Tension & installation Recommendations. Would you tension it differently next time? Would you switch up mains/crosses? Explain.
I was happy with the tension and mains I used for the test and would not switch.
List any additional thoughts (optional)
I don't know if it was just by nature of being 17 gauge or what, but I had exceptional touch/feel with these strings. I was able to hit clutch drop shots and lobs under pressure with a better than average success rate.
Blammo:
Thank you to Solinco and Tennis Warehouse for the opportunity to play test these!
Tennis was a family sport but I played non-seriously through high school, including 3 years of JV. I found my love for the game in college where I captained the club tennis team and played first singles for about 4 years. Since then I've played 4.5 for about 15 years, mostly singles. I play a typical power baseline game with a full western grip forehand, a two-handed backhand, and an affinity for slices and drop shots.
Current string preference(s):
For about 10 years I have used signum pro poly plasma 16L at 48-50lbs. Lately I have been experimenting with various soft polys, including some from Toroline and Solinco. My current favorite is Hyper-G soft 16L.
What racquet did you use for this playtest?
Wilson Pro Staff 97 v14 stock
Playtest setup: what string did you use for mains/crosses?
Mach 10 mains, Hyper G Round crosses.
Tension(s) used for playtest?
51lbs mains, 48lbs crosses.
Power/Control of test string?
I found the power and control of this string setup to be excellent with a nice blend between the two. I play with heavy spin on the forehand and I was able to drop the ball in nicely while still taking big cuts. Mach 10 alone in 16L had too much power and not enough control for me, almost like it didn't play like a poly. This hybrid, however, was bang on.
Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?)
Great feel from the 17 gauge setup. I usually play with 16L for durability reasons and in that size, both Hyper G and to a lesser extent, Mach 10, caused me some elbow discomfort. However I had no pain with this 17 gauge sample provided. So for me it was quite comfortable with a middle of the road poly feel.
Spin?
Spin was great from this setup. Not as much as a full bed of Volkl V-square, but more than enough to get those top spin dippers to divebomb the baseline. Noticeably more spin than a full bed of Mach-10 16L.
Playability duration?
This is where the string really surprised me. I expected to break the 17 gauge in 2 hours or so, but they ended up lasting me for 3 full matches and a practice session, so 7-8 hours. They played great start to finish but were particularly good fresh.
Tension & installation Recommendations. Would you tension it differently next time? Would you switch up mains/crosses? Explain.
I was happy with the tension and mains I used for the test and would not switch.
List any additional thoughts (optional)
I don't know if it was just by nature of being 17 gauge or what, but I had exceptional touch/feel with these strings. I was able to hit clutch drop shots and lobs under pressure with a better than average success rate.
Blammo:
Thank you to Solinco and Tennis Warehouse for the opportunity to play test these!
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OEEspino
New User
follow up: at around 18 hours, the strings have gotten stiffer, they don’t snap back, and notching is more noticeable. The hits aren’t sporadic yet, but the comfort has declined.
First 5-8 hours would be peak usage
8-15 hours still good
15 onwards: noticeable decline in performance
20 hours: def need a string change
evermilion
Rookie
Solinco Hyper Mach-BD Playtest
Regular Setup: Yonex Vcore 95 2023 | Solinco Hyper-G Round (1.25) @ 48/46 (lockout stringer)
Playtest Setup: Yonex Vcore 95 2023 | Solinco Hyper Mach-BD (1.20) @ 48/46 (lockout stringer)
Tennis experience/background: Started playing in middle school and competitively in high school. No college experience.
Skill level & playing style: Adult rec player in early 30s. USTA 4.5; 8 UTR in singles/doubles. 2HBH. Counter-puncher.
During this playtest, I played 4 hours of singles against low 5.0 guys and an hour of 9.0 mixed doubles. I did not like Mach-10 (M10) full-bed from the earlier playtest, and I was very curious how M10 would play in a hybrid with Hyper-G Round (HGR). Overall, my main issue with M10’s control still remained and arguably played worse than M10 full-bed. M10/HGR hybrid felt extremely unforgiving in VC95. Coupled with the plasticky board feel and very little pocketing of the ball, this setup was extremely unfun and limiting.
Feel: I’ll start with feel because I think most of my issues stems from this aspect. As mentioned before, M10 feels very soft but plays stiff in a plasticky-way. With my swing style, the string really doesn’t pocket the ball much and just pings the ball back pretty linearly. In a weird way the feel is excellent; I can even tell if I missed the sweet spot by 1 main over because the ball comes out so differently versus when I hit the sweet spot perfectly. I personally prefer to be in contact with the ball as long as possible, so when the ball just pings off the string bed, I tend to start compensating with more racquet head speed, which might be resulting in the control issue.
Power/Control: The power is noticeably lower with this setup compared to HGR full-bed, but power is not low by any means. The control issue I had with M10 full-bed essentially stayed the same. Variable launch angle with the slightest of off-center hits makes both depth and directional control really unpredictable. Power is plenty but when you miss the sweet by one string, the ball just launches up higher and floats longer than expected.
Spin: Spin felt more in this hybrid setup than M10 full-bed. However, compared to full-bed HGR, the spin, while higher, was pretty variable and inconsistent. Again, the trend of unpredictability came through in the spin department as well.
Playability/Durability: No surprise from a 1.20 gauge, the string did not last as long and broke around the 5-hour mark. The string played similarly throughout without any break-in period. After the first session of 2 hours, the mains were displaced significantly and locked up quickly. However, the playability decline was not so much that it significantly affected my performance.
Tension Recommendation: With the 1.20 gauge, I would probably go tighter than 48/46, hoping for more control.
Summary (Additional Thoughts): Quite possibly the most valuable playtest for me, as I was looking for a potential string to hybrid with HGR. I do not like M10 full-bed as I struggle to get same level of control as HGR full-bed. While I do not need more spin from the full-bed HGR, I was hoping to find a predictable shaped main string to provide more spin. On top of the control issue I personally have with M10, the feel is also another main problem personally. However, the setup up played very nice when volleying, allowing me to stick the shots effortlessly. I believe if I exclusively played serve and volley doubles, I would like this setup a lot more.
Edit: I would not switch up the hybrid personally. I've never liked shaped string in the crosses. If I do like HGR mains and M10 crosses, I'm pretty sure I would just play HGR full-bed.
Thank you again to TW and Solinco for this playtest.
Regular Setup: Yonex Vcore 95 2023 | Solinco Hyper-G Round (1.25) @ 48/46 (lockout stringer)
Playtest Setup: Yonex Vcore 95 2023 | Solinco Hyper Mach-BD (1.20) @ 48/46 (lockout stringer)
Tennis experience/background: Started playing in middle school and competitively in high school. No college experience.
Skill level & playing style: Adult rec player in early 30s. USTA 4.5; 8 UTR in singles/doubles. 2HBH. Counter-puncher.
During this playtest, I played 4 hours of singles against low 5.0 guys and an hour of 9.0 mixed doubles. I did not like Mach-10 (M10) full-bed from the earlier playtest, and I was very curious how M10 would play in a hybrid with Hyper-G Round (HGR). Overall, my main issue with M10’s control still remained and arguably played worse than M10 full-bed. M10/HGR hybrid felt extremely unforgiving in VC95. Coupled with the plasticky board feel and very little pocketing of the ball, this setup was extremely unfun and limiting.
Feel: I’ll start with feel because I think most of my issues stems from this aspect. As mentioned before, M10 feels very soft but plays stiff in a plasticky-way. With my swing style, the string really doesn’t pocket the ball much and just pings the ball back pretty linearly. In a weird way the feel is excellent; I can even tell if I missed the sweet spot by 1 main over because the ball comes out so differently versus when I hit the sweet spot perfectly. I personally prefer to be in contact with the ball as long as possible, so when the ball just pings off the string bed, I tend to start compensating with more racquet head speed, which might be resulting in the control issue.
Power/Control: The power is noticeably lower with this setup compared to HGR full-bed, but power is not low by any means. The control issue I had with M10 full-bed essentially stayed the same. Variable launch angle with the slightest of off-center hits makes both depth and directional control really unpredictable. Power is plenty but when you miss the sweet by one string, the ball just launches up higher and floats longer than expected.
Spin: Spin felt more in this hybrid setup than M10 full-bed. However, compared to full-bed HGR, the spin, while higher, was pretty variable and inconsistent. Again, the trend of unpredictability came through in the spin department as well.
Playability/Durability: No surprise from a 1.20 gauge, the string did not last as long and broke around the 5-hour mark. The string played similarly throughout without any break-in period. After the first session of 2 hours, the mains were displaced significantly and locked up quickly. However, the playability decline was not so much that it significantly affected my performance.
Tension Recommendation: With the 1.20 gauge, I would probably go tighter than 48/46, hoping for more control.
Summary (Additional Thoughts): Quite possibly the most valuable playtest for me, as I was looking for a potential string to hybrid with HGR. I do not like M10 full-bed as I struggle to get same level of control as HGR full-bed. While I do not need more spin from the full-bed HGR, I was hoping to find a predictable shaped main string to provide more spin. On top of the control issue I personally have with M10, the feel is also another main problem personally. However, the setup up played very nice when volleying, allowing me to stick the shots effortlessly. I believe if I exclusively played serve and volley doubles, I would like this setup a lot more.
Edit: I would not switch up the hybrid personally. I've never liked shaped string in the crosses. If I do like HGR mains and M10 crosses, I'm pretty sure I would just play HGR full-bed.
Thank you again to TW and Solinco for this playtest.
Last edited:
hdjs94
Semi-Pro
Solinco Hyper Mach-BD
Playtest
Tennis experience/background:
I started around middle school and had a lot of coaching and played high school varsity singles and doubles in a relatively competitive area (Northern Virginia). I played on and off very inconsistently for the next decade. I ended up gaining 70 pounds of weight and started tennis back up a bit more seriously 2-3 years ago in an attempt to get back in shape and lose weight. I have been really getting into tennis equipment over the past year or two to really get down to the ideal setup for myself. I am finding that there was so much I didn't know about rackets and strings that could have really made an impact during my earlier years of tennis. But it's never too late!
Playing style:
I’m a 4.0 Aggressive Baseliner with a semi-western driving style full swing forehand with a flatter 2HBH. Mostly a singles player with a solid big flat serve and a second kick serve. Decent drop shots. Weaker on the volleys.
Current string preference(s):
Solinco Tour Bite 17 Mains/ Solinco Tour Bite Round 17 Crosses Hybrid
What racquet did you use for this playtest?
2012 Babolat Pure Drive Roddick
Playtest setup: what string did you use for mains/crosses?
Mach in the mains and Hyper G round in the crosses
Tension(s) used for playtest?
53lb/51lb
Power/Control of test string?
Having tried Mach 10 before in a full bed and even in a hybrid with Tour bite round, I’d say that the BD hybrid offers a bit more control than a full bed of Mach 10. I personally felt that mach 10 was a bit more powerful for my personal liking, but did see a good use case especially in rackets that are more control oriented to get that extra bit of pop. This is actually my first time trying HGR as a cross and I’m quite satisfied with the increase in control it provides for mach-10. I’d say that the power and control level was similar to that in the mach/TBR hybrid setup with the main difference between the two being crispness. From a pure power and control perspective, I’d actually be fine with using this string in matches as I felt the control was quite sufficient. Serves especially felt very nice with this string setup.
Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?)
This is where I may be less inclined to daily this string as I really prefer a super crisp setup as seen in my tour bite setup. Mach 10 is right at the lower end of crisp that I’d still be ok with playing, but I knew that Hyper G isn’t the most crisp string out there. Honestly depends on the racket I’m using as I would be completely fine with using this setup in crisp stiffer rackets like the pure drive I used in this case. In relative terms, it’s still a decently crisp setup which I’d rate around 6/10. It’s quite well balanced in that regard that I think most players who don’t have a heavy bias towards muted or crisp strings would enjoy it just fine. It’s not mushy by any means and it is quite comfortable for me.
Spin?
I actually think that this hybrid setup provides just a little more spin compared to the mach/TBR hybrid I tried. It’s not as good as my TB/TBR setup but I think the spin is still quite good. The spin generated with this setup feels more of a plusher hugging sensation compared to my TB/TBR setup which feels more like a point and shoot. I think that this string setup maybe better for people with a loopier forehand than a driving forehand for spin generation.
Playability duration?
Mach-10 has quite good durability from my experience, and I’m of the thought that usage of a round cross in any shaped main poly hybrid setup significantly increases playability duration. At least for me, I personally didn’t find much of a playability difference from when I started hitting with it to 8+ hours later in the playtest.
Tension & installation Recommendations. Would you tension it differently next time? Would you switch up mains/crosses? Explain.
The tension I played at was perfect for me. I would be interested in switching up the mains and crosses definitely. I still haven’t experimented with shaped polys in the crosses with the round poly in the mains in general but would definitely try it out down the line.
Overall Impressions:
Would be a setup that I’d be happy to revisit again the future in select rackets. For people looking for an above average performance in power, control, spin, and feel; this is a pretty well rounded hybrid setup that hits a lot of different points solidly. I would compare it to like the Wilson Blade of strings honestly. I have another set of these BD strings that I'll try out in my main setup with the PAVS as I now have two rackets for direct string comparisons. So stay tuned for that when I get to that in the future sometime!
Much thanks to TW and Solinco as always for another playtest!
Playtest
Tennis experience/background:
I started around middle school and had a lot of coaching and played high school varsity singles and doubles in a relatively competitive area (Northern Virginia). I played on and off very inconsistently for the next decade. I ended up gaining 70 pounds of weight and started tennis back up a bit more seriously 2-3 years ago in an attempt to get back in shape and lose weight. I have been really getting into tennis equipment over the past year or two to really get down to the ideal setup for myself. I am finding that there was so much I didn't know about rackets and strings that could have really made an impact during my earlier years of tennis. But it's never too late!
Playing style:
I’m a 4.0 Aggressive Baseliner with a semi-western driving style full swing forehand with a flatter 2HBH. Mostly a singles player with a solid big flat serve and a second kick serve. Decent drop shots. Weaker on the volleys.
Current string preference(s):
Solinco Tour Bite 17 Mains/ Solinco Tour Bite Round 17 Crosses Hybrid
What racquet did you use for this playtest?
2012 Babolat Pure Drive Roddick
Playtest setup: what string did you use for mains/crosses?
Mach in the mains and Hyper G round in the crosses
Tension(s) used for playtest?
53lb/51lb
Power/Control of test string?
Having tried Mach 10 before in a full bed and even in a hybrid with Tour bite round, I’d say that the BD hybrid offers a bit more control than a full bed of Mach 10. I personally felt that mach 10 was a bit more powerful for my personal liking, but did see a good use case especially in rackets that are more control oriented to get that extra bit of pop. This is actually my first time trying HGR as a cross and I’m quite satisfied with the increase in control it provides for mach-10. I’d say that the power and control level was similar to that in the mach/TBR hybrid setup with the main difference between the two being crispness. From a pure power and control perspective, I’d actually be fine with using this string in matches as I felt the control was quite sufficient. Serves especially felt very nice with this string setup.
Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?)
This is where I may be less inclined to daily this string as I really prefer a super crisp setup as seen in my tour bite setup. Mach 10 is right at the lower end of crisp that I’d still be ok with playing, but I knew that Hyper G isn’t the most crisp string out there. Honestly depends on the racket I’m using as I would be completely fine with using this setup in crisp stiffer rackets like the pure drive I used in this case. In relative terms, it’s still a decently crisp setup which I’d rate around 6/10. It’s quite well balanced in that regard that I think most players who don’t have a heavy bias towards muted or crisp strings would enjoy it just fine. It’s not mushy by any means and it is quite comfortable for me.
Spin?
I actually think that this hybrid setup provides just a little more spin compared to the mach/TBR hybrid I tried. It’s not as good as my TB/TBR setup but I think the spin is still quite good. The spin generated with this setup feels more of a plusher hugging sensation compared to my TB/TBR setup which feels more like a point and shoot. I think that this string setup maybe better for people with a loopier forehand than a driving forehand for spin generation.
Playability duration?
Mach-10 has quite good durability from my experience, and I’m of the thought that usage of a round cross in any shaped main poly hybrid setup significantly increases playability duration. At least for me, I personally didn’t find much of a playability difference from when I started hitting with it to 8+ hours later in the playtest.
Tension & installation Recommendations. Would you tension it differently next time? Would you switch up mains/crosses? Explain.
The tension I played at was perfect for me. I would be interested in switching up the mains and crosses definitely. I still haven’t experimented with shaped polys in the crosses with the round poly in the mains in general but would definitely try it out down the line.
Overall Impressions:
Would be a setup that I’d be happy to revisit again the future in select rackets. For people looking for an above average performance in power, control, spin, and feel; this is a pretty well rounded hybrid setup that hits a lot of different points solidly. I would compare it to like the Wilson Blade of strings honestly. I have another set of these BD strings that I'll try out in my main setup with the PAVS as I now have two rackets for direct string comparisons. So stay tuned for that when I get to that in the future sometime!
Much thanks to TW and Solinco as always for another playtest!
stapletonj
Hall of Fame
Tennis background/skill level/playing style:
I started in the mid 80s. Rural WV, no instruction, no exposure, nothing. I have since been to camps run by Bollitieri, Van der Meer and Harry Hopman. I still play a lot of local tournaments and can handle most of the players at my age/level. I am 69.
Describe your playing style (i.e. serve & volley):
At my best, I was a certified 5.0 doubles player and 4.5 singles player. Now, I consider myself a high 3.5/low 4.0. (Age is creeping up on me, but I am fighting it with everything I have). Haven't played singles in years, but can still play a pretty good lefty slicing and OHBH game. Coming in at every opportunity. Forehand is my big weapon. I am still working on my forehand volley (improving), but my backhand volley is pretty slick.
Current string set-up(s) and preferred tension(s):
gut in the mains at 62 lbs., poly in the crosses at 55 lbs.
What racquet did you use for this playtest?
I decided to use my 7th gen. Yonex Vcore 100. This is my “go to” stick.
Set-up, e.g., Tension(s) used for playtest?
I used the provided strings in a hybrid as suggested with the Mach X in the mains. Mach X in the mains at 53. Hyper G round in the crosses at 48. This was 2 lbs. lower than the last test
Power/Control of test string?
I was going to hold this string to the higher standard of my usual gut/poly setup. I also solicited advice from other players, esp., those who swear by Hyper G in general. Control overall was excellent. Power? The missing power from the last test (at 55/50) began to come out!
Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?)
It doesn’t have the crispness of fresh full Hyper G. I wouldn’t say mushy, more like plush. It is MUCH more arm friendly than many polys, ESPECIALLY regular Hyper G, even more arm friendly that Hyper G Soft. This is a major strength of the string. If anything, dropping just 2 lbs. helped more. Now is it as arm friendly as gut/poly? Of course not. But it wasn’t bad at all.
I have been hitting serves/ball machine more and more with this stringjob due to the on again – roll the court – hit some – on again rain pattern we have had the last 5 days (aaarrrgggghh!!!) Yes, it’s a little harder on my arm and shoulder than my gut/poly, but not very much surprisingly.
Spin?
The spin is still there. I did a serving comparison with gut/poly. (about 100 serves, switching between identical rackets with the diff. string jobs.) The test string had about the same power as the gut/poly, perhaps a little less. But, at least when fresh, the spin was superior in this string. Couple of 100 serve sessions later, the spin is still there, just a little less so..
Playability duration?
I have about 15 hours in and do not notice any significant notching. Hyper G round in the crosses allowed the X to move and snap back well, but even though the Hyper G round was significantly “harder” it has not yet “dug into” the X. It still feels very springy and lively.
Tension Recommendations. Would you string it differently next time?
I do not believe so. I think I have found the sweet spot for this string
List any additional thoughts (optional)
I don’t really understand the Brain Dead marketing, etc., but I am an old coot. I am not their target demographic, I am sure
For an all poly string job, this may well be my new favorite. I am trying hard to think of one I like better and I really can’t.
One additional surprising note. I played a local tournament in extreme heat and humidity. Started with my usual gut/poly combo. I was launching everything long, serves, groundstrokes, volleys, everything. Out of desperation I switched to the test stringbed. Viola. All of a sudden my shots began landing in. I believe that the gut/poly combo rackets had loosened some due to the extreme weather while this one was still tight. (I had been playing with all 3 in rotation for about 2 weeks)
AS always, I thank TW for all they do for the sport in general and we "Talk Tennis" junkies in particular.
I started in the mid 80s. Rural WV, no instruction, no exposure, nothing. I have since been to camps run by Bollitieri, Van der Meer and Harry Hopman. I still play a lot of local tournaments and can handle most of the players at my age/level. I am 69.
Describe your playing style (i.e. serve & volley):
At my best, I was a certified 5.0 doubles player and 4.5 singles player. Now, I consider myself a high 3.5/low 4.0. (Age is creeping up on me, but I am fighting it with everything I have). Haven't played singles in years, but can still play a pretty good lefty slicing and OHBH game. Coming in at every opportunity. Forehand is my big weapon. I am still working on my forehand volley (improving), but my backhand volley is pretty slick.
Current string set-up(s) and preferred tension(s):
gut in the mains at 62 lbs., poly in the crosses at 55 lbs.
What racquet did you use for this playtest?
I decided to use my 7th gen. Yonex Vcore 100. This is my “go to” stick.
Set-up, e.g., Tension(s) used for playtest?
I used the provided strings in a hybrid as suggested with the Mach X in the mains. Mach X in the mains at 53. Hyper G round in the crosses at 48. This was 2 lbs. lower than the last test
Power/Control of test string?
I was going to hold this string to the higher standard of my usual gut/poly setup. I also solicited advice from other players, esp., those who swear by Hyper G in general. Control overall was excellent. Power? The missing power from the last test (at 55/50) began to come out!
Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?)
It doesn’t have the crispness of fresh full Hyper G. I wouldn’t say mushy, more like plush. It is MUCH more arm friendly than many polys, ESPECIALLY regular Hyper G, even more arm friendly that Hyper G Soft. This is a major strength of the string. If anything, dropping just 2 lbs. helped more. Now is it as arm friendly as gut/poly? Of course not. But it wasn’t bad at all.
I have been hitting serves/ball machine more and more with this stringjob due to the on again – roll the court – hit some – on again rain pattern we have had the last 5 days (aaarrrgggghh!!!) Yes, it’s a little harder on my arm and shoulder than my gut/poly, but not very much surprisingly.
Spin?
The spin is still there. I did a serving comparison with gut/poly. (about 100 serves, switching between identical rackets with the diff. string jobs.) The test string had about the same power as the gut/poly, perhaps a little less. But, at least when fresh, the spin was superior in this string. Couple of 100 serve sessions later, the spin is still there, just a little less so..
Playability duration?
I have about 15 hours in and do not notice any significant notching. Hyper G round in the crosses allowed the X to move and snap back well, but even though the Hyper G round was significantly “harder” it has not yet “dug into” the X. It still feels very springy and lively.
Tension Recommendations. Would you string it differently next time?
I do not believe so. I think I have found the sweet spot for this string
List any additional thoughts (optional)
I don’t really understand the Brain Dead marketing, etc., but I am an old coot. I am not their target demographic, I am sure
For an all poly string job, this may well be my new favorite. I am trying hard to think of one I like better and I really can’t.
One additional surprising note. I played a local tournament in extreme heat and humidity. Started with my usual gut/poly combo. I was launching everything long, serves, groundstrokes, volleys, everything. Out of desperation I switched to the test stringbed. Viola. All of a sudden my shots began landing in. I believe that the gut/poly combo rackets had loosened some due to the extreme weather while this one was still tight. (I had been playing with all 3 in rotation for about 2 weeks)
AS always, I thank TW for all they do for the sport in general and we "Talk Tennis" junkies in particular.
Tennis Experience/Background:
Starting with group lessons at the age of 11–12 for about a year or so, followed by high school tennis, and have been playing consistently since May 2022. I regularly hit with 4.0–4.5 players, primarily on clay (Har-Tru). I’d describe my style as a 70/30 split between aggressive baseliner and all-court.
Current string preference(s):
GoldenSet SnakeBite 1.25 @ 48–50 lbs on mains and Tru Pro Ghostwire 1.22 @ 50–52 lbs on crosses.
What racquet did you use for this playtest?
2023 Head Gravity Pro.
Playtest setup: what string did you use for mains/crosses?
Mach 10 in mains and Hyper-G Round in crosses. Dampener ON!
Tension(s) used for playtest:
52/52 lbs.
Power/Control:
This setup felt quite powerful, even on a very low-powered frame like the 2023 Gravity Pro at 52 lbs. Control was pretty good, though slightly lower than the 1.25 version—which was expected, as thinner gauges tend to offer more power and spin at the expense of some control. That said, control was still present, especially on shots with fast, full swings.
Power: 8/10
Control: 6.5/10
Feel:
The string felt very comfortable—more so on this playtest with the Gravity Pro than the 1.25 combo on my Tfight 315 ISO. The feel was slightly more muted compared to the 1.25 on the Tfight.
Feel: 7/10
Spin:
Being a 5-sided string, Mach 10 delivered a ton of spin. Definitely comparable to the 1.25 mm version of this combo.
Spin: 8/10
Playability Duration:
I had to cut the strings after about 11 hours as the tension loss became significant enough to affect my shots. Given this is a poly/poly hybrid at 1.20 mm, the playability duration was quite good.
Playability Duration: 7/10
Tension & installation recommendations. Would you tension it differently next time? Would you switch up mains/crosses? Explain.
List any additional thoughts (optional):
I think the 1.25 mm version of this combo suits me better than the 1.20 mm, as the 1.25 setup offered slightly better control and tension maintenance.
This setup is best suited for high-intermediate to advanced players looking for a blend of power, spin, and comfort without sacrificing too much control.
FYI – Comparisons above to the 1.25 version were based on my experience with the Tfight 315 ISO, which is quite a different frame than the 2023 Gravity Pro used in this playtest.
Color-wise, this setup looked awesome on the Gravity Pro.
Kudos to Solinco—they’re definitely on the right track with their string development and color choices.
Thank you to Tennis Warehouse @TW Staff and Solinco for this playtest opportunity!
Starting with group lessons at the age of 11–12 for about a year or so, followed by high school tennis, and have been playing consistently since May 2022. I regularly hit with 4.0–4.5 players, primarily on clay (Har-Tru). I’d describe my style as a 70/30 split between aggressive baseliner and all-court.
Current string preference(s):
GoldenSet SnakeBite 1.25 @ 48–50 lbs on mains and Tru Pro Ghostwire 1.22 @ 50–52 lbs on crosses.
What racquet did you use for this playtest?
2023 Head Gravity Pro.
Playtest setup: what string did you use for mains/crosses?
Mach 10 in mains and Hyper-G Round in crosses. Dampener ON!
Tension(s) used for playtest:
52/52 lbs.
Power/Control:
This setup felt quite powerful, even on a very low-powered frame like the 2023 Gravity Pro at 52 lbs. Control was pretty good, though slightly lower than the 1.25 version—which was expected, as thinner gauges tend to offer more power and spin at the expense of some control. That said, control was still present, especially on shots with fast, full swings.
Power: 8/10
Control: 6.5/10
Feel:
The string felt very comfortable—more so on this playtest with the Gravity Pro than the 1.25 combo on my Tfight 315 ISO. The feel was slightly more muted compared to the 1.25 on the Tfight.
Feel: 7/10
Spin:
Being a 5-sided string, Mach 10 delivered a ton of spin. Definitely comparable to the 1.25 mm version of this combo.
Spin: 8/10
Playability Duration:
I had to cut the strings after about 11 hours as the tension loss became significant enough to affect my shots. Given this is a poly/poly hybrid at 1.20 mm, the playability duration was quite good.
Playability Duration: 7/10
Tension & installation recommendations. Would you tension it differently next time? Would you switch up mains/crosses? Explain.
List any additional thoughts (optional):
I think the 1.25 mm version of this combo suits me better than the 1.20 mm, as the 1.25 setup offered slightly better control and tension maintenance.
This setup is best suited for high-intermediate to advanced players looking for a blend of power, spin, and comfort without sacrificing too much control.
FYI – Comparisons above to the 1.25 version were based on my experience with the Tfight 315 ISO, which is quite a different frame than the 2023 Gravity Pro used in this playtest.
Color-wise, this setup looked awesome on the Gravity Pro.
Kudos to Solinco—they’re definitely on the right track with their string development and color choices.
Thank you to Tennis Warehouse @TW Staff and Solinco for this playtest opportunity!
kevonian
Semi-Pro
Tennis Experience/Background:
4.0 / UTR 6 player – primarily competing in singles and doubles matches, focused on aggressive baseline play with occasional net approaches.
Current String Preferences:
I usually prefer round poly setups that offer a balance of spin, control, and feel without becoming overly stiff or dead too quickly. I enjoy strings that give me a predictable response and allow me to generate spin and hit through the shot.
Racquet Used:
Diadem Elevate V3
Playtest Setup:
- Mains: Solinco Mach 10
- Crosses: Solinco Hyper-G Round
- Tension: 53 lbs (both mains and crosses)
Playtest Feedback
Power/Control:
The hybrid setup provided solid baseline control but at the cost of some power. Compared to a full bed of Mach 10, I noticed that this combination played noticeably more subdued. I had to swing a bit harder to get depth, especially on my backhand side. The power was there, but it didn’t come as naturally as I was expecting. The control aspect was fine ibut the setup didn’t reward me with the same effortless depth and confidence I get from a full Mach 10 stringbed. On serves, the control was decent, but I missed the extra pop I usually enjoy when I want to flatten out the ball.
Feel:
The feel was where I was most let down. The stringbed felt muted, borderline mushy at times, and lacked the crisp response I enjoy with Mach 10 by itself. It felt like the ball sat on the strings a bit too long, and the feedback wasn’t as immediate or satisfying. Especially on volleys and touch shots, I felt disconnected—there was less precision and it was harder to gauge the depth and placement. I wouldn’t call it uncomfortable, but it just didn’t give me the lively, connected feel I prefer. I would tip comfort in favor of the hybrid > full mach10
Spin:
Spin production was noticeably reduced in this setup. Mach 10 on its own gives me great spin, but adding Hyper-G Round in the crosses seemed to dull that effect. I didn’t get as much ball bite or aggressive snapback. Topspin was harder to generate, and I found I really had to exaggerate my swing paths to create the spin I wanted. My forehand, which normally dips and pulls opponents off the court, was landing a bit shorter and sitting up more. The stringbed just didn’t seem to grab the ball in the same way a full bed of Mach 10 does. I had to add more of the Nadal whip on my forehand to generate the spin but this could also be the warmer weather.
Playability Duration:
The strings held up well for the 15 hours I played minimal notching & tension it did not drastically affected performance. However, because I wasn’t thrilled with the performance from the beginning, the durability didn’t really compensate for the overall experience. The string bed remained fairly consistent throughout the playtest there wasn’t a noticeable drop-off, but it never really "clicked" for me either.
Tension & Installation Recommendations:
If I were to try this again, I might lower the tension to around 50-51 lbs to see if it opens up the stringbed and brings back some of the liveliness and spin. That said, I don’t think this particular hybrid really suits my game or preferences. I wouldn’t switch the mains and crosses either—I believe the core issue is that Hyper-G Round in the crosses just doesn’t complement Mach 10 for the feel and spin I’m chasing. Going forward, I’d stick with a full bed of Mach 10 at my usual tension because it gives me the spin, feel, and control I like in a more connected package.
The Chairman3's review of Solinco Hyper-Mach BD
Tennis experience/background: slightly above average NTRP 4.0, playing about seven years, all-court/attacking style. I like to use all the shots and find a string to accomodate.
Current string preference(s): PT Strike is #1 on my Top 5 (ask me for it) but I test/try alot of different polys.
What racquet did you use for this playtest? Wilson Blade 18x19
Playtest setup: what string did you use for mains/crosses? Mach10 mains/HyperG-R crosses
Tension(s) used for playtest? 50lbs
Power/Control of test string?
This hybrid was extremely lively, surprisingly so because I have used Mach10 1.25 and HyperG Round in fullbeds and none were as lively as this. I actually had to adjust to the power level because I was tending to hit balls long at first. It also launched pretty high which took some adjustment too. Once I got adjusted it was definitely a benefit, it was very easy to keep the ball consistently deep. The downside with power, generally, is less control and this hybrid is no exception. While I could pretty much put the ball where I wanted, I never felt full confidence because the ball came off the stringbed so hot. For me, this is really about pushing your opponent back with pace and spin rather than painting lines. The other area I struggled with control, although this may do better in the feel section, was volleys. The power level caused me to have a little too much air under them unless I was hitting a flat putaway. Personally, I'd like a little less launch from the stringbed. I like a little more predictability and, while not erratic, I think high launch tends to cause me to try to hit flatter to control it and then I hit too flat.
Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?)
So this was a pleasant surprise, the hybrid felt very nice. I'd say comfortably crisp until the last few hours when I got suggestions of unpleasantness. Maybe a hair of forearm tightness in the last hit or two but that could've been general overuse, nothing definitive. Mach10 fullbed started out alot stiffer, so I sort of expected that here and it was not the case. There's plenty of give and you really feel the power when hitting, you sense how quickly the ball is leaving the strings. The feel was dampened but as I said a little crisp. The feel also didn't change much except the last 2-3 hours and I really value that as well. I like a string to maintain its feel throughout and that isn't always the case with shaped strings but this one did. The other good part, for most I'd say, is despite the power it wasn't overly springy feeling. It's funny because it didn't feel like the ball stayed on the strings long, which is usually a fucntion of a lack of pocketing, but the stringbed had give and didn't feel stiff or dead like is generally associated with a lack of pocketing. As mentioned above, where it felt like I needed more "dwell time/pocketing" was volleys. If my technique was a little sloppy the high launch caused the ball to sit or even pop up unless I was punching a volley through the court.
Spin?
So here was another surprise for me, fullbed Mach10 had better spin. Part of the surprise is fullbed HyperG Round also has pretty good spin, so I assumed the combo would be great. I have a couple working theories, the thinner guage means the shape is more subtle and doesn't bite into the ball as much. My other theory is the power level is so high and the ball comes off the strings so quick it almost washes out some of the spin. Like the ball isn't on there long enough to fully generate the spin. Just theories. So quickly, Mach10 1.25 (FB) has more spin than HyperG Round (FB) has more spin than this hybrid. HGR isn't dramatically more spinny than this hybrid but considering its round, it seemed worth pointing out. Both Mach10 and HGR have some of that easy-lazy spin where even if you push the ball you still get decent spin and the ball usually falls in. But with this hybrid, any push resulted in the ball launching and generally flying long. That's not to say you couldn't dial up the spin but I think I was expecting more, especially after coming off fullbed Mach10 1.25. It makes me curious to try fullbed Mach10 1.20 though, so I'll probably be doing that soon. For a shaped hybrid, I have to rate it good but not great. I also did HyperG/HGR 1.20 and that produced better spin, more on this later.
Playability duration?
So here is another bright spot, pretty good playability with very little change in its playing characteristics. Again, not quite the longevity of fullbed Mach10 1.25 but comparing different guages can be like comparing a granny smith to a honey crisp, sure they're both apples but distinctly different. So I played this to about 12 hrs or so and the last 2-3 was least enjoyable. I was tempted to keep playing it but at times it seemed like maybe I was getting a little arm tightness after using it so it didn't seem worth it. But you can get a solid 10hrs or maybe a bit more unless you break it first, which people playing more singles or harder hitters than I routinely face probably would. I believe mine was about 60 or 70 percent notched, so deep but not really about to snap. For poly, 10hrs is above average and again the fact it didn't really become erratic is a huge positive.
Tension & installation Recommendations. Because I like a little more controlled launch, I would probably jump to 52lbs from my usual 50 with the idea being I keep the power and feel but tamp down the launch a bit. Installation, I'd definitely be curious at what HGR in the mains and Mach10 crosses would do. The package said HGR mains to hit the ball deep and Mach10 mains for spin. I agree with them, you got this nice high launch for which you needed spin to help control. So I may have to grab another set and do the reverse. I think most people with "modern" strokes will reap the benefits of Mach10 mains more than my little bit more horizontal swing.
Would you tension it differently next time? Yep, sorry, already answered this above. I would probably add 2 lbs for the same configuration to try and get a little lower launch from the stringbed.
Would you switch up mains/crosses? Explain.
I would try the reverse set-up just for fun but I really enjoyed this playtest and think Mach10 mains is probably the stronger combo. It gave me plenty of power that it's hard to think somehow HGR mains will make the ball more penetrating. But maybe by penetrating they just mean flatter through the court.
List any additional thoughts (optional):
So here's the big surprise reveal.....HyperG/HGR is the better hybrid. Sorry, Mach10. I used HG/HGR in 1.20 and the spin and feel were so good as was the playability duration. I felt it was easier to control the power and, while not as high, it was more usable for me. This is only surprising because Mach10 1.25 was really good and genuinely surprised me with its performance. The upside is it now makes me want to try Mach10/HGR 1.25 and also Mach10 1.20 fullbed, as if I needed more strings to try.
But don't get me wrong, this was a nice hybrid but compared to some of the other configurations, just didn't work as well for me.
Thanks you @TW Staff for repeated opportunities on these string playtests and thank you to Solinco for continuing to evolve the poly landscape.
Tennis experience/background: slightly above average NTRP 4.0, playing about seven years, all-court/attacking style. I like to use all the shots and find a string to accomodate.
Current string preference(s): PT Strike is #1 on my Top 5 (ask me for it) but I test/try alot of different polys.
What racquet did you use for this playtest? Wilson Blade 18x19
Playtest setup: what string did you use for mains/crosses? Mach10 mains/HyperG-R crosses
Tension(s) used for playtest? 50lbs
Power/Control of test string?
This hybrid was extremely lively, surprisingly so because I have used Mach10 1.25 and HyperG Round in fullbeds and none were as lively as this. I actually had to adjust to the power level because I was tending to hit balls long at first. It also launched pretty high which took some adjustment too. Once I got adjusted it was definitely a benefit, it was very easy to keep the ball consistently deep. The downside with power, generally, is less control and this hybrid is no exception. While I could pretty much put the ball where I wanted, I never felt full confidence because the ball came off the stringbed so hot. For me, this is really about pushing your opponent back with pace and spin rather than painting lines. The other area I struggled with control, although this may do better in the feel section, was volleys. The power level caused me to have a little too much air under them unless I was hitting a flat putaway. Personally, I'd like a little less launch from the stringbed. I like a little more predictability and, while not erratic, I think high launch tends to cause me to try to hit flatter to control it and then I hit too flat.
Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?)
So this was a pleasant surprise, the hybrid felt very nice. I'd say comfortably crisp until the last few hours when I got suggestions of unpleasantness. Maybe a hair of forearm tightness in the last hit or two but that could've been general overuse, nothing definitive. Mach10 fullbed started out alot stiffer, so I sort of expected that here and it was not the case. There's plenty of give and you really feel the power when hitting, you sense how quickly the ball is leaving the strings. The feel was dampened but as I said a little crisp. The feel also didn't change much except the last 2-3 hours and I really value that as well. I like a string to maintain its feel throughout and that isn't always the case with shaped strings but this one did. The other good part, for most I'd say, is despite the power it wasn't overly springy feeling. It's funny because it didn't feel like the ball stayed on the strings long, which is usually a fucntion of a lack of pocketing, but the stringbed had give and didn't feel stiff or dead like is generally associated with a lack of pocketing. As mentioned above, where it felt like I needed more "dwell time/pocketing" was volleys. If my technique was a little sloppy the high launch caused the ball to sit or even pop up unless I was punching a volley through the court.
Spin?
So here was another surprise for me, fullbed Mach10 had better spin. Part of the surprise is fullbed HyperG Round also has pretty good spin, so I assumed the combo would be great. I have a couple working theories, the thinner guage means the shape is more subtle and doesn't bite into the ball as much. My other theory is the power level is so high and the ball comes off the strings so quick it almost washes out some of the spin. Like the ball isn't on there long enough to fully generate the spin. Just theories. So quickly, Mach10 1.25 (FB) has more spin than HyperG Round (FB) has more spin than this hybrid. HGR isn't dramatically more spinny than this hybrid but considering its round, it seemed worth pointing out. Both Mach10 and HGR have some of that easy-lazy spin where even if you push the ball you still get decent spin and the ball usually falls in. But with this hybrid, any push resulted in the ball launching and generally flying long. That's not to say you couldn't dial up the spin but I think I was expecting more, especially after coming off fullbed Mach10 1.25. It makes me curious to try fullbed Mach10 1.20 though, so I'll probably be doing that soon. For a shaped hybrid, I have to rate it good but not great. I also did HyperG/HGR 1.20 and that produced better spin, more on this later.
Playability duration?
So here is another bright spot, pretty good playability with very little change in its playing characteristics. Again, not quite the longevity of fullbed Mach10 1.25 but comparing different guages can be like comparing a granny smith to a honey crisp, sure they're both apples but distinctly different. So I played this to about 12 hrs or so and the last 2-3 was least enjoyable. I was tempted to keep playing it but at times it seemed like maybe I was getting a little arm tightness after using it so it didn't seem worth it. But you can get a solid 10hrs or maybe a bit more unless you break it first, which people playing more singles or harder hitters than I routinely face probably would. I believe mine was about 60 or 70 percent notched, so deep but not really about to snap. For poly, 10hrs is above average and again the fact it didn't really become erratic is a huge positive.
Tension & installation Recommendations. Because I like a little more controlled launch, I would probably jump to 52lbs from my usual 50 with the idea being I keep the power and feel but tamp down the launch a bit. Installation, I'd definitely be curious at what HGR in the mains and Mach10 crosses would do. The package said HGR mains to hit the ball deep and Mach10 mains for spin. I agree with them, you got this nice high launch for which you needed spin to help control. So I may have to grab another set and do the reverse. I think most people with "modern" strokes will reap the benefits of Mach10 mains more than my little bit more horizontal swing.
Would you tension it differently next time? Yep, sorry, already answered this above. I would probably add 2 lbs for the same configuration to try and get a little lower launch from the stringbed.
Would you switch up mains/crosses? Explain.
I would try the reverse set-up just for fun but I really enjoyed this playtest and think Mach10 mains is probably the stronger combo. It gave me plenty of power that it's hard to think somehow HGR mains will make the ball more penetrating. But maybe by penetrating they just mean flatter through the court.
List any additional thoughts (optional):
So here's the big surprise reveal.....HyperG/HGR is the better hybrid. Sorry, Mach10. I used HG/HGR in 1.20 and the spin and feel were so good as was the playability duration. I felt it was easier to control the power and, while not as high, it was more usable for me. This is only surprising because Mach10 1.25 was really good and genuinely surprised me with its performance. The upside is it now makes me want to try Mach10/HGR 1.25 and also Mach10 1.20 fullbed, as if I needed more strings to try.
But don't get me wrong, this was a nice hybrid but compared to some of the other configurations, just didn't work as well for me.Thanks you @TW Staff for repeated opportunities on these string playtests and thank you to Solinco for continuing to evolve the poly landscape.
pfchang
Professional
Tennis experience/background: 4.0 for about decade plus
Current string preference(s): Tourna Black Zone 16 @ 50ish lbs in Pure Drive 25
What racquet did you use for this playtest? I used a PA 98
Playtest setup: what string did you use for mains/crosses? Mach10 mains/HyperG-R crosses
Tension(s) used for playtest? 50lbs
Power/Control of test string?
I felt that the hybrid was more so on the livelier side, at least compared to black zone. I'll save thoughts on feel for the next block, but being on the softer side of the spectrum this wasn't too much of a surprise. I've heard some things about Mach 10 as a string on it own, so I imagine that putting it in the mains made those characteristics shine through a bit more. I never thought it was excessive or erratic, but at the same time I never quite felt super dialed into the string, once again possibly as a result of the feel of the string. For lack of better words, I felt like this string combo was in the middle of the road, it neither quite was overpowering or too controlled, which may or may not be a good thing depending on the type of player someone is/what they are looking for.
Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?)
These days I tend to need a bit more help on the equipment side of things, so getting some extra forgiveness and softness has become more of a priority for me. Once again, the string is on the softer side of the spectrum, but still retains a degree of crispness to it. However I think this kind of hedging didn't quite do me any favors, as I prefer strings that are softer and more dampened personally. But to answer the question, I felt like it perfectly manageable in terms of comfort, albeit with a feel that I personally felt was ambiguous. Once again, nothing that felt overly special or eye opening, perhaps the expected result of hybriding two different kind of strings.
Spin?
As a caveat, I was using the PA 98 as an extended demo, so I am still relatively new to what the frame does itself, and what modulating strings can do on top. My only prior reference was once again using BZ 16 in it. But from what I can tell, I do feel like there was an added benefit of using the BD hybrid in terms of spin, I felt like I was able to pull off some more spinnier shots that I could not with my usual setup. It's certainly possible that the gauge difference is in play here, but it at least gave me the confidence to hit deeper more penetrating shots, while putting enough action on the ball to keep it controlled. I'd also imagine using the rounded hyper g as a cross was certainly an engineered approach to get additional snapback. In terms of an absolute scale of how spinny it is, I would say above average on this one. I've definitely used others that offer more my game like V-torque, and while this isn't the closest, it's definitely a plus in spin category.
Playability duration?
So I wasn't able to give the best sense of this as weather has been inclement along with having to take time for the body to recover in between sessions. I think I got about 4ish hours on it so far, and all I can really comment on is that I haven't really noticed too much of a dropoff, with at least 2 hrs being relatively intense. I will say that I have noticed a medium amount of notching, which isn't too surprising since I usually chew thru BZ 16 in about 6 heavy hours of hitting. At least up until this point it has largely retained its playability, but I could see durability being a potential issue for those who hit a heavier ball.
Tension & installation Recommendations/Would you tension it differently next time?
Tension wise I'm generally of belief to keep poly below 52, which I did here as well. Don't really have much complaint here, or much to compare elsewhere but I do feel like I got an accurate/ideal representation of how it played at this tension. Perhaps stringing a lb lower on cross next time.
Would you switch up mains/crosses? Explain.
I think I would only do so if it were on the company dime and/or I was more invested in this combo. I think the way the hybrid is recommended makes overall sense to have the round hyper G as a cross string for more snapback.
Big thanks @TW Staff as always for the playtest opportunities!
Current string preference(s): Tourna Black Zone 16 @ 50ish lbs in Pure Drive 25
What racquet did you use for this playtest? I used a PA 98
Playtest setup: what string did you use for mains/crosses? Mach10 mains/HyperG-R crosses
Tension(s) used for playtest? 50lbs
Power/Control of test string?
I felt that the hybrid was more so on the livelier side, at least compared to black zone. I'll save thoughts on feel for the next block, but being on the softer side of the spectrum this wasn't too much of a surprise. I've heard some things about Mach 10 as a string on it own, so I imagine that putting it in the mains made those characteristics shine through a bit more. I never thought it was excessive or erratic, but at the same time I never quite felt super dialed into the string, once again possibly as a result of the feel of the string. For lack of better words, I felt like this string combo was in the middle of the road, it neither quite was overpowering or too controlled, which may or may not be a good thing depending on the type of player someone is/what they are looking for.
Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?)
These days I tend to need a bit more help on the equipment side of things, so getting some extra forgiveness and softness has become more of a priority for me. Once again, the string is on the softer side of the spectrum, but still retains a degree of crispness to it. However I think this kind of hedging didn't quite do me any favors, as I prefer strings that are softer and more dampened personally. But to answer the question, I felt like it perfectly manageable in terms of comfort, albeit with a feel that I personally felt was ambiguous. Once again, nothing that felt overly special or eye opening, perhaps the expected result of hybriding two different kind of strings.
Spin?
As a caveat, I was using the PA 98 as an extended demo, so I am still relatively new to what the frame does itself, and what modulating strings can do on top. My only prior reference was once again using BZ 16 in it. But from what I can tell, I do feel like there was an added benefit of using the BD hybrid in terms of spin, I felt like I was able to pull off some more spinnier shots that I could not with my usual setup. It's certainly possible that the gauge difference is in play here, but it at least gave me the confidence to hit deeper more penetrating shots, while putting enough action on the ball to keep it controlled. I'd also imagine using the rounded hyper g as a cross was certainly an engineered approach to get additional snapback. In terms of an absolute scale of how spinny it is, I would say above average on this one. I've definitely used others that offer more my game like V-torque, and while this isn't the closest, it's definitely a plus in spin category.
Playability duration?
So I wasn't able to give the best sense of this as weather has been inclement along with having to take time for the body to recover in between sessions. I think I got about 4ish hours on it so far, and all I can really comment on is that I haven't really noticed too much of a dropoff, with at least 2 hrs being relatively intense. I will say that I have noticed a medium amount of notching, which isn't too surprising since I usually chew thru BZ 16 in about 6 heavy hours of hitting. At least up until this point it has largely retained its playability, but I could see durability being a potential issue for those who hit a heavier ball.
Tension & installation Recommendations/Would you tension it differently next time?
Tension wise I'm generally of belief to keep poly below 52, which I did here as well. Don't really have much complaint here, or much to compare elsewhere but I do feel like I got an accurate/ideal representation of how it played at this tension. Perhaps stringing a lb lower on cross next time.
Would you switch up mains/crosses? Explain.
I think I would only do so if it were on the company dime and/or I was more invested in this combo. I think the way the hybrid is recommended makes overall sense to have the round hyper G as a cross string for more snapback.
Big thanks @TW Staff as always for the playtest opportunities!
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fullwesternforehand
Rookie
Tennis experience/background: About a 4 UTR in singles, closer to a 4.5 UTR in doubles
Current string preference(s): I jump around between hyper g and luxilon 4g.. Both are 16L, and strung anywhere between 49-52 pounds.
What racquet did you use for this playtest? Head gravity pro 18x20 (second newest gen)
Playtest setup: what string did you use for mains/crosses? I strung both strings up at 50, and put mach 80 in the mains, with hyper g round in the crosses.
Tension(s) used for playtest? Both were strung at 50 pounds
Power/Control of test string? I went ahead and used a more control orientated racquet to counteract the what I thought would be a powerful combo in this string. Overall, I was slightly underwhelmed at the beginning. The string wasn't as lively or powerful as I thought. Once the tension dropped a bit and the strings settled, the power level raised a bit and started to liven up. I wouldn't call this a powerful combo, as it is a perfect middle ground for those who want an average power poly, but with more feel and spin. I'll elaborate in a bit
Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?): This string was comfy and mushy feeling once it livens up. Initially, it could be a bit stiff, but like I said, once the string livens up, it does settle in nice and provides a mushy lively feel. I would call it a comfortable combo, and could work for those that have denser string patterns and want something to soften it up.
Spin?: The string was ok in spin, but relies on the string sliding instead of it's shape and bite. I think that the string doesn't have that slickness that a pro redcode has, or even the bite of an RPM blast. However, the round crosses did help the shaped mains slide a bit. Overall, spin is a bit better than average, but once the strings start to die the snapback also dies
Playability duration? I would say that the playability does change. At around hour 4, it does start to liven up and even gets a bit mushy. Personally, I liked that feeling, but I understand that not all people would like it. I normally break shaped polys at around the 15-20 hour mark of serious gameplay, and this was no exception. The strings are thinner (1.20), which decreases the actual longevity of it for those chronic string breakers.
Tension & installation Recommendations. Would you tension it differently next time? Would you switch up mains/crosses? Explain: I would string it tighter since it did start to get mushy and because of the thinner nature of the string, it does feel really lively. I'm personally not a fan of shaped crosses with round mains since it seems counterintuitive and notches faster in my experience.
List any additional thoughts (optional):
Personally, I love mushy feeling strings in dense patterns, but can see if that is not for everybody. I would like to try this string setup in a more traditional setup for myself, (16x19 pure aero or pure drive). One thing this sample did open me up to is trying thinner polys, since I really don't go below 1.25mm.
As always, thank you TW and Solinco for your opportunity to playtest items. Thank you so much!
Current string preference(s): I jump around between hyper g and luxilon 4g.. Both are 16L, and strung anywhere between 49-52 pounds.
What racquet did you use for this playtest? Head gravity pro 18x20 (second newest gen)
Playtest setup: what string did you use for mains/crosses? I strung both strings up at 50, and put mach 80 in the mains, with hyper g round in the crosses.
Tension(s) used for playtest? Both were strung at 50 pounds
Power/Control of test string? I went ahead and used a more control orientated racquet to counteract the what I thought would be a powerful combo in this string. Overall, I was slightly underwhelmed at the beginning. The string wasn't as lively or powerful as I thought. Once the tension dropped a bit and the strings settled, the power level raised a bit and started to liven up. I wouldn't call this a powerful combo, as it is a perfect middle ground for those who want an average power poly, but with more feel and spin. I'll elaborate in a bit
Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?): This string was comfy and mushy feeling once it livens up. Initially, it could be a bit stiff, but like I said, once the string livens up, it does settle in nice and provides a mushy lively feel. I would call it a comfortable combo, and could work for those that have denser string patterns and want something to soften it up.
Spin?: The string was ok in spin, but relies on the string sliding instead of it's shape and bite. I think that the string doesn't have that slickness that a pro redcode has, or even the bite of an RPM blast. However, the round crosses did help the shaped mains slide a bit. Overall, spin is a bit better than average, but once the strings start to die the snapback also dies
Playability duration? I would say that the playability does change. At around hour 4, it does start to liven up and even gets a bit mushy. Personally, I liked that feeling, but I understand that not all people would like it. I normally break shaped polys at around the 15-20 hour mark of serious gameplay, and this was no exception. The strings are thinner (1.20), which decreases the actual longevity of it for those chronic string breakers.
Tension & installation Recommendations. Would you tension it differently next time? Would you switch up mains/crosses? Explain: I would string it tighter since it did start to get mushy and because of the thinner nature of the string, it does feel really lively. I'm personally not a fan of shaped crosses with round mains since it seems counterintuitive and notches faster in my experience.
List any additional thoughts (optional):
Personally, I love mushy feeling strings in dense patterns, but can see if that is not for everybody. I would like to try this string setup in a more traditional setup for myself, (16x19 pure aero or pure drive). One thing this sample did open me up to is trying thinner polys, since I really don't go below 1.25mm.
As always, thank you TW and Solinco for your opportunity to playtest items. Thank you so much!
FrankyRelax
Professional
Solinco Hyper Mach Braindead
Tennis experience/background:
I am a 4.0 level player. I started playing at age 7 during the summers and mostly everyday starting in high school. Stopped playing almost altogether through college and grad school. Picked it back up again in 2019 just hitting with a ball machine. Joined my local tennis league to start playing matches again in 2020. I have dabbled in a couple weekend USTA tournaments, but mostly play in my local league for matches twice a week and practice with a ball machine on weekends.
Skill level & playing style:
I consider my style a combination between aggressive baseliner and counter puncher. I adjust my playstyle to my opponent. I consider myself speedy on the court for my age and will try to track down most balls. My volley game is below average for my level and will try and stay at the baseline. My strongest shots are my forehand and serve.
Current string set-up(s) and preferred tension(s):
My go-to set up as of late has been TruPro Pure Rush 1.23 in the mains and Restring Sync 1.25 in the crosses. My preferred tension is 50/48.
What racquet did you use for this playtest?:
I used a Technifibre TF40 16x19.
Playtest setup: what string did you use for mains/crosses?
I went with Mach 10 in the mains and HGR in the crosses
Tension(s) used for playtest:
I went with my regular 50/48lbs tension.
Power/Control of test string:
Due to the thing gauge and my previous experience with Mach-10 in a full bed. I decided to string this in a more control frame that could be aided by more snapback type spin and power. This set-up worked well in this frame as it gave groundstrokes and serves more punch than I am used to with the TF40. It definitely added some put-away juice on groundstrokes when flattening out a ball while maintaining good predictable spin and depth.
Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?):
This was a very comfortable string and my arms and shoulders did not feel tired after using this string set up. I would describe the feel as muted and perhaps a bit mushy. The crispiness from a full bed of mach-10 was lost a bit with the HGR in the crosses. However, it was definitely not stiff and could complement stiffer frames that need some toned down vibrations.
Spin:
Spin was pleasant. Not otherworldly by any means, but definitely a higher launch angle then the Mach-10 full bed. Groundstrokes that required tight angles in the short court however, were more difficult. I think its more so a string for those who like to bash heavy balls corner to corner rather than those who use finesse in the short court.
Playability duration:
I am not usually a string-breaker as I like to restring every 6-8 hours with full poly, but this set up lasted about 5 for me. That is not entirely surprising as it is a thin gauge. The plus side is also that it maintained its playability straight off the stringer until it broke. I found no real break in period for this set up.
Tension Recommendations. Would you string it differently next time? Explain why:
I think for the frame I chose to string this in, I may go just a pound or two lower. There is some magic to Mach-10s power and I would want to explore how much I can really squeeze out of it. I think this may particularly true with HGR crosses as those really aided in adding some height and depth to my shots.
List any additional thoughts (optional):
I am really glad I tried this setup, as I was planning to do so anyway after testing the Mach-10 in a full bed. I would be intrigued in testing it further in a thicker gauge and a more spin oriented frame like a VC98. Ultimately, not the string for me as I am really dialed in with Pure Rush at the moment. I will also mention that the packaging is pretty neat. So much so, that I didn't throw it away.
Thank you Solinco and Tennis Warehouse for the opportunity! Looking forward to more offerings in the future!
Tennis experience/background:
I am a 4.0 level player. I started playing at age 7 during the summers and mostly everyday starting in high school. Stopped playing almost altogether through college and grad school. Picked it back up again in 2019 just hitting with a ball machine. Joined my local tennis league to start playing matches again in 2020. I have dabbled in a couple weekend USTA tournaments, but mostly play in my local league for matches twice a week and practice with a ball machine on weekends.
Skill level & playing style:
I consider my style a combination between aggressive baseliner and counter puncher. I adjust my playstyle to my opponent. I consider myself speedy on the court for my age and will try to track down most balls. My volley game is below average for my level and will try and stay at the baseline. My strongest shots are my forehand and serve.
Current string set-up(s) and preferred tension(s):
My go-to set up as of late has been TruPro Pure Rush 1.23 in the mains and Restring Sync 1.25 in the crosses. My preferred tension is 50/48.
What racquet did you use for this playtest?:
I used a Technifibre TF40 16x19.
Playtest setup: what string did you use for mains/crosses?
I went with Mach 10 in the mains and HGR in the crosses
Tension(s) used for playtest:
I went with my regular 50/48lbs tension.
Power/Control of test string:
Due to the thing gauge and my previous experience with Mach-10 in a full bed. I decided to string this in a more control frame that could be aided by more snapback type spin and power. This set-up worked well in this frame as it gave groundstrokes and serves more punch than I am used to with the TF40. It definitely added some put-away juice on groundstrokes when flattening out a ball while maintaining good predictable spin and depth.
Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?):
This was a very comfortable string and my arms and shoulders did not feel tired after using this string set up. I would describe the feel as muted and perhaps a bit mushy. The crispiness from a full bed of mach-10 was lost a bit with the HGR in the crosses. However, it was definitely not stiff and could complement stiffer frames that need some toned down vibrations.
Spin:
Spin was pleasant. Not otherworldly by any means, but definitely a higher launch angle then the Mach-10 full bed. Groundstrokes that required tight angles in the short court however, were more difficult. I think its more so a string for those who like to bash heavy balls corner to corner rather than those who use finesse in the short court.
Playability duration:
I am not usually a string-breaker as I like to restring every 6-8 hours with full poly, but this set up lasted about 5 for me. That is not entirely surprising as it is a thin gauge. The plus side is also that it maintained its playability straight off the stringer until it broke. I found no real break in period for this set up.
Tension Recommendations. Would you string it differently next time? Explain why:
I think for the frame I chose to string this in, I may go just a pound or two lower. There is some magic to Mach-10s power and I would want to explore how much I can really squeeze out of it. I think this may particularly true with HGR crosses as those really aided in adding some height and depth to my shots.
List any additional thoughts (optional):
I am really glad I tried this setup, as I was planning to do so anyway after testing the Mach-10 in a full bed. I would be intrigued in testing it further in a thicker gauge and a more spin oriented frame like a VC98. Ultimately, not the string for me as I am really dialed in with Pure Rush at the moment. I will also mention that the packaging is pretty neat. So much so, that I didn't throw it away.
Thank you Solinco and Tennis Warehouse for the opportunity! Looking forward to more offerings in the future!
pheonix6579
Professional
Tennis experience/background:
I played tennis in high school for four years. Then dabbled with tennis and college with intramural sports but not on the team. I resumed playing once I got married. I have been playing tennis for about 25 years recreationally. I really don’t play competitively too often. I prefer singles, but do play doubles on occasion. I also drill 1 to 2 days per week. I am a USTA 4.0 player. I also am a local stringer and coach middle and high school tennis teams.
Current string preference(s):
17g Hyper G standard (full bed) at 48lbs
What racquet did you use for this playtest?
Yonex Percept 100D
Playtest setup: what string did you use for mains/crosses?
Mach10 in the mains/ HGR in the Crosses
Tension(s) used for playtest?
48 lbs both mains and crosses
Power/Control of test string?
Power: This string created a very powerful string bed. It was very similar to a full bed of Mach 10. I really think that the power level of the string really improved the overall experience with the percept 100 D from all areas of the court, especially on groundstrokes and serves. The percept is already a lower powered racket, but along with the lower string tensions and the inherent power of the string, it really made the racket a better version of itself. I found myself getting more balls deeper into the court than my current string set up. Volleys were decent but felt the power level a little higher than my preference on touch shots.
Control: This is the Yin to the Yang of the string. I felt that the overall control that I had in the percept dropped slightly with the string set up. While I enjoyed the extra pot that the string gave, I did find myself losing a little bit of control, especially on wider angle shots that tended to drift wide. while the control was slightly less than my normal set up, I really found this to be the case on shots that I really tried to put extra pop on. It was a slight hindrance in my shot-making confidence that I couldn’t go for my shots as much as I normally would. On the flip side, my normal grinding shots had a bit more pop to them, so I guess it probably equals out.
Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?)
The string had a very lively, but a very comfortable feel. My elbow isn’t sensitive to string choice however, my shoulder is. During the play test, I didn’t feel any major shoulder discomfort except for the waning hours of the string right before I cut it out. This is usually my key that the string needs to go. I would best the string felt the best on groundstrokes when you were really swinging through the shot. With that being said, touch shots were slightly less connected, and the overall feel was less consistent. I would describe the feel of the string as a very firm mattress. It felt a little bit more muted than the Mach 10 in a full bed. The crispness that I felt with the full bed was dulled slightly with the hyper G crosses.
Spin?
This was the biggest surprise for me in this play test. I fully expected that the round hyper G crosses along with the shaped mains of the Mach 10 would be a spin monster. However, when compared to a full bed of Mach 10, I did not see the same level of spin, in fact it was reduced. Now that doesn’t mean that the string couldn’t produce a good amount of spin… It does. I just didn’t see quite the shape of those dipping forehand or high arching kicks serves that I saw from the full bed of Mach 10. I would be curious if I tried this hybrid set up again switching the mains in the crosses if the spin would increase with the round hyper G in the mains.
With that being said, I was still able to access really good spin on my groundstrokes. This allowed me a bit of confidence to go for slightly more than I normally would. However, like I said earlier, going for too much was detrimental. What tended to suffer were slice and kick serves. My forehand and backhand slice shots remain about the same with less biting feel from the string bed. I think this may have contributed to the lack of control that I thought the string would have corresponding with a high level of spin. With a full bit of Mach 10 the increased spin really allowed the control to be seen more.
Playability duration?
Overall, I felt the playability of the string was pretty good. There was an initial break-in period, about an hour. But after the break-in period, the string performed really well up to 12 hours with minimal visible notching. After around the 12 hour mark, the playability dropped significantly and the string bed started to feel mushy and dead. At that point, I started to feel some arm tightness and slight shoulder pain. Throughout the 12 hour period, the positive aspects of the string really did shine. The playability between hours 2 and 12 were pretty predictable and consistent.
Tension & installation Recommendations. Would you tension it differently next time? Would you switch up mains/crosses? Explain.
The string was pretty easy to string in my racket. If I were to try this string again, I would switch the main and cross strings. I would be curious to see how the playability of this string either increases or decreases with the hyper G in the mains. I felt that attention at 48 pounds was pretty optimal for my racket and play style. I think if you were to string lower, the power level of the strain would be a problem. On the flipside, if I were to increase tension. The comfort may suffer. I also would be curious if the spin potential is more present with a racket that has a more open pattern.
List any additional thoughts (optional)
This play test really surprised me, the string did not perform exactly the way that I thought it would. As someone that has played with Solinco strings for many years, I’ve tried pretty much all of them. I thought this was going to be a blockbuster hybrid. However, I much preferred the full bed of Mach 10 over this hybrid. Cosmetically, I absolutely loved the way that these strings looked in my racket (more so than a full bed of Mach 10 or Hyper G). I know that that really should not be a category to judge a string by, but they do look really cool. Even though I did not fall in love with this hybrid, I still would recommend it to players looking for a comfortable setup and great playability. Thanks again to Tennis Warehouse and Solinco for giving me the opportunity to give this string a test drive.
I played tennis in high school for four years. Then dabbled with tennis and college with intramural sports but not on the team. I resumed playing once I got married. I have been playing tennis for about 25 years recreationally. I really don’t play competitively too often. I prefer singles, but do play doubles on occasion. I also drill 1 to 2 days per week. I am a USTA 4.0 player. I also am a local stringer and coach middle and high school tennis teams.
Current string preference(s):
17g Hyper G standard (full bed) at 48lbs
What racquet did you use for this playtest?
Yonex Percept 100D
Playtest setup: what string did you use for mains/crosses?
Mach10 in the mains/ HGR in the Crosses
Tension(s) used for playtest?
48 lbs both mains and crosses
Power/Control of test string?
Power: This string created a very powerful string bed. It was very similar to a full bed of Mach 10. I really think that the power level of the string really improved the overall experience with the percept 100 D from all areas of the court, especially on groundstrokes and serves. The percept is already a lower powered racket, but along with the lower string tensions and the inherent power of the string, it really made the racket a better version of itself. I found myself getting more balls deeper into the court than my current string set up. Volleys were decent but felt the power level a little higher than my preference on touch shots.
Control: This is the Yin to the Yang of the string. I felt that the overall control that I had in the percept dropped slightly with the string set up. While I enjoyed the extra pot that the string gave, I did find myself losing a little bit of control, especially on wider angle shots that tended to drift wide. while the control was slightly less than my normal set up, I really found this to be the case on shots that I really tried to put extra pop on. It was a slight hindrance in my shot-making confidence that I couldn’t go for my shots as much as I normally would. On the flip side, my normal grinding shots had a bit more pop to them, so I guess it probably equals out.
Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?)
The string had a very lively, but a very comfortable feel. My elbow isn’t sensitive to string choice however, my shoulder is. During the play test, I didn’t feel any major shoulder discomfort except for the waning hours of the string right before I cut it out. This is usually my key that the string needs to go. I would best the string felt the best on groundstrokes when you were really swinging through the shot. With that being said, touch shots were slightly less connected, and the overall feel was less consistent. I would describe the feel of the string as a very firm mattress. It felt a little bit more muted than the Mach 10 in a full bed. The crispness that I felt with the full bed was dulled slightly with the hyper G crosses.
Spin?
This was the biggest surprise for me in this play test. I fully expected that the round hyper G crosses along with the shaped mains of the Mach 10 would be a spin monster. However, when compared to a full bed of Mach 10, I did not see the same level of spin, in fact it was reduced. Now that doesn’t mean that the string couldn’t produce a good amount of spin… It does. I just didn’t see quite the shape of those dipping forehand or high arching kicks serves that I saw from the full bed of Mach 10. I would be curious if I tried this hybrid set up again switching the mains in the crosses if the spin would increase with the round hyper G in the mains.
With that being said, I was still able to access really good spin on my groundstrokes. This allowed me a bit of confidence to go for slightly more than I normally would. However, like I said earlier, going for too much was detrimental. What tended to suffer were slice and kick serves. My forehand and backhand slice shots remain about the same with less biting feel from the string bed. I think this may have contributed to the lack of control that I thought the string would have corresponding with a high level of spin. With a full bit of Mach 10 the increased spin really allowed the control to be seen more.
Playability duration?
Overall, I felt the playability of the string was pretty good. There was an initial break-in period, about an hour. But after the break-in period, the string performed really well up to 12 hours with minimal visible notching. After around the 12 hour mark, the playability dropped significantly and the string bed started to feel mushy and dead. At that point, I started to feel some arm tightness and slight shoulder pain. Throughout the 12 hour period, the positive aspects of the string really did shine. The playability between hours 2 and 12 were pretty predictable and consistent.
Tension & installation Recommendations. Would you tension it differently next time? Would you switch up mains/crosses? Explain.
The string was pretty easy to string in my racket. If I were to try this string again, I would switch the main and cross strings. I would be curious to see how the playability of this string either increases or decreases with the hyper G in the mains. I felt that attention at 48 pounds was pretty optimal for my racket and play style. I think if you were to string lower, the power level of the strain would be a problem. On the flipside, if I were to increase tension. The comfort may suffer. I also would be curious if the spin potential is more present with a racket that has a more open pattern.
List any additional thoughts (optional)
This play test really surprised me, the string did not perform exactly the way that I thought it would. As someone that has played with Solinco strings for many years, I’ve tried pretty much all of them. I thought this was going to be a blockbuster hybrid. However, I much preferred the full bed of Mach 10 over this hybrid. Cosmetically, I absolutely loved the way that these strings looked in my racket (more so than a full bed of Mach 10 or Hyper G). I know that that really should not be a category to judge a string by, but they do look really cool. Even though I did not fall in love with this hybrid, I still would recommend it to players looking for a comfortable setup and great playability. Thanks again to Tennis Warehouse and Solinco for giving me the opportunity to give this string a test drive.
Icsa
Professional
Playtest: Solinco Hyper Mach-BD 1.20
Tennis experience/background:
I primarily play singles but have some experience with mixed doubles, mostly during the summer and fall. As an all-court player, I base my game on strategy, precise shot placement, and moderate power, making full use of a diverse shot repertoire. My first serve is fast and effective, often resulting in aces or setting up easy 1-2 punch points. While I mostly play indoor tennis, I like the unique experience of playing outdoors.
Current string preferences:
My go-to string is Kirschbaum Orange 1.23, which I string at 38 pounds. With lower tensions, I find that I need to hit the ball with more force to get good pocketing and maximize spin potential. This setup really suits my play and comfort needs.
Racquet used for this playtest:
For this playtest, I used my match racquet: the Wilson 6.1 95 with a 16x18 string pattern, weighing 365g and a swingweight of 350.
Playtest setup: string choices for mains/crosses:
I opted for Solinco Mach 10 in the mains and Hyper-G Round in the crosses, aiming to boost spin and overall playability.
Tensions used:
I strung the mains at 40 pounds and the crosses at 38 pounds. Previously, I tried a full bed of Mach 10 at 42 pounds, but found it lacked feel. To address this, I lowered the mains by two pounds to 40. For the crosses, 38 pounds allowed the mains to slide more easily, further enhancing the spin.
Power and control of test string:
The string combination provided slightly more power than I’m accustomed to, but it wasn’t overwhelming. After adjusting to a flatter ball trajectory, I gained confidence and was able to achieve excellent control, consistently keeping the ball in play. I found that the string’s optimal performance lasted about 5 to 6 hours—during this window, all its positive attributes shined. Around the 6-hour mark, I noticed tension loss, which made controlling the power more challenging. I call this the “transition” phase, when the string’s tension drops but some elasticity remains. After 8 hours, both the tension and elasticity were mostly gone. Interestingly, this gave me the best control and kept power in check, but I did lose some speed on serves. On the other hand, my groundstrokes felt nearly perfect.
Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?)
Admittedly, I was skeptical about the feel of 1.20mm strings, but from the very first hit, the response was crisp and comfortable. The string produced a soft, muted thud on contact, yet still delivered enough feedback to understand what was happening with each shot. This pleasing feel persisted throughout the playtest. However, after 8 hours, when the strings reached their “dead” point, I noticed that while comfort remained, some subtle shoulder and wrist discomfort began to emerge after each session. By the 12-hour mark, the discomfort prevented me from continuing further.
Spin:
Spin potential was excellent throughout the playtest. Although the Hyper-G Round crosses began to notch the mains fairly early, this didn’t diminish spin production. The high spin and added power increased the launch angle, so I needed to drive through the ball more aggressively to keep shots from flying long. Like the full bed of Mach 10, I struggled a bit with second serves due to the higher arc and occasional misses just beyond the service box. The Mach 10’s sharp, shaped profile really grabs the ball—just running your fingers over it, you can feel how it could cut into the felt.
Playability duration:
The strings performed at their best for the first 5 to 6 hours, offering a great balance of power, control, and comfort. Over the next 2 hours, tension loss gradually reduced control. By the 8-hour mark, the strings were essentially “dead.” Although I could still play, the lack of elasticity and power made it harder on my shoulder and wrist, leading to increasing discomfort.
Tension & installation recommendations—would you change anything for next time?
The setup of Mach 10 at 40 pounds in the mains combined with Hyper-G Round at 38 pounds in the crosses struck an excellent balance of power, control, spin, and comfort. I’d use the same configuration again.
Additional thoughts:
Switching to Hyper-G Round in the crosses added the consistency, feel, and spin that was lacking in a full bed of Mach 10. Ideally, I’d love a gauge between 1.20 and 1.25mm—perhaps a 1.23mm option—but the 1.20mm should suit most recreational players very well, and I highly recommend it for them. For those seeking more control, the 1.25mm gauge is a great choice. Solinco continues to innovate, and Mach 10 is an impressive shaped string that’s quickly gaining popularity in my local area. Many thanks to Solinco and the Tennis Warehouse staff for this playtest opportunity and for allowing me to share my experiences with the wider tennis community.
Tennis experience/background:
I primarily play singles but have some experience with mixed doubles, mostly during the summer and fall. As an all-court player, I base my game on strategy, precise shot placement, and moderate power, making full use of a diverse shot repertoire. My first serve is fast and effective, often resulting in aces or setting up easy 1-2 punch points. While I mostly play indoor tennis, I like the unique experience of playing outdoors.
Current string preferences:
My go-to string is Kirschbaum Orange 1.23, which I string at 38 pounds. With lower tensions, I find that I need to hit the ball with more force to get good pocketing and maximize spin potential. This setup really suits my play and comfort needs.
Racquet used for this playtest:
For this playtest, I used my match racquet: the Wilson 6.1 95 with a 16x18 string pattern, weighing 365g and a swingweight of 350.
Playtest setup: string choices for mains/crosses:
I opted for Solinco Mach 10 in the mains and Hyper-G Round in the crosses, aiming to boost spin and overall playability.
Tensions used:
I strung the mains at 40 pounds and the crosses at 38 pounds. Previously, I tried a full bed of Mach 10 at 42 pounds, but found it lacked feel. To address this, I lowered the mains by two pounds to 40. For the crosses, 38 pounds allowed the mains to slide more easily, further enhancing the spin.
Power and control of test string:
The string combination provided slightly more power than I’m accustomed to, but it wasn’t overwhelming. After adjusting to a flatter ball trajectory, I gained confidence and was able to achieve excellent control, consistently keeping the ball in play. I found that the string’s optimal performance lasted about 5 to 6 hours—during this window, all its positive attributes shined. Around the 6-hour mark, I noticed tension loss, which made controlling the power more challenging. I call this the “transition” phase, when the string’s tension drops but some elasticity remains. After 8 hours, both the tension and elasticity were mostly gone. Interestingly, this gave me the best control and kept power in check, but I did lose some speed on serves. On the other hand, my groundstrokes felt nearly perfect.
Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?)
Admittedly, I was skeptical about the feel of 1.20mm strings, but from the very first hit, the response was crisp and comfortable. The string produced a soft, muted thud on contact, yet still delivered enough feedback to understand what was happening with each shot. This pleasing feel persisted throughout the playtest. However, after 8 hours, when the strings reached their “dead” point, I noticed that while comfort remained, some subtle shoulder and wrist discomfort began to emerge after each session. By the 12-hour mark, the discomfort prevented me from continuing further.
Spin:
Spin potential was excellent throughout the playtest. Although the Hyper-G Round crosses began to notch the mains fairly early, this didn’t diminish spin production. The high spin and added power increased the launch angle, so I needed to drive through the ball more aggressively to keep shots from flying long. Like the full bed of Mach 10, I struggled a bit with second serves due to the higher arc and occasional misses just beyond the service box. The Mach 10’s sharp, shaped profile really grabs the ball—just running your fingers over it, you can feel how it could cut into the felt.
Playability duration:
The strings performed at their best for the first 5 to 6 hours, offering a great balance of power, control, and comfort. Over the next 2 hours, tension loss gradually reduced control. By the 8-hour mark, the strings were essentially “dead.” Although I could still play, the lack of elasticity and power made it harder on my shoulder and wrist, leading to increasing discomfort.
Tension & installation recommendations—would you change anything for next time?
The setup of Mach 10 at 40 pounds in the mains combined with Hyper-G Round at 38 pounds in the crosses struck an excellent balance of power, control, spin, and comfort. I’d use the same configuration again.
Additional thoughts:
Switching to Hyper-G Round in the crosses added the consistency, feel, and spin that was lacking in a full bed of Mach 10. Ideally, I’d love a gauge between 1.20 and 1.25mm—perhaps a 1.23mm option—but the 1.20mm should suit most recreational players very well, and I highly recommend it for them. For those seeking more control, the 1.25mm gauge is a great choice. Solinco continues to innovate, and Mach 10 is an impressive shaped string that’s quickly gaining popularity in my local area. Many thanks to Solinco and the Tennis Warehouse staff for this playtest opportunity and for allowing me to share my experiences with the wider tennis community.
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Cowboy
Semi-Pro
Solinco Hyper Mach - BD Hybrid
Tennis experience/background: Lessons from as early as I can remember. Played competitively in Elementary and Middle School, but stopped around HS. Picked the racquet back up in 2022 and have grown fully addicted. Play style is mostly all-court.
Current string preference(s): Multi @ 55lbs or Poly @ 45lbs. I don't have a regular setup, as I've been on a journey of trying to find the best combo for my game. I think my current favorite setup is the Pure Strike 16x20 w/ NXT Control; however, the Blade v8 100 is still my go-to. The blade is the racquet that I use for testing various strings, so it gets the most playtime.
What racquet did you use for this playtest? Blade 100 v8
Playtest setup: what string did you use for mains/crosses? Mach 10 Mains / Hyper G Round Crosses
Tension(s) used for playtest? 45lbs
Power/Control of test string? From the beginning, these have felt like the most powerful polys that I've experienced. That's not to say that they are the most powerful out there, but they are very much on the power/comfort side of the power/control pendulum. I had to really focus on slowing down my swing, especially my serve, to keep balls in. This turned out to be a bonus during long matches because fatigue didn't set in as hard.
Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?) I never once felt that these were stiff or muted. I could see how someone could make a solid argument for mushy. I felt that the strings had a longer than average dwell time, which did give them a little more trampoline effect than I prefer. I never quite got dialed in with touch shots. I either put them into the net or the floated long and gave my opponent time to return them.
Spin? Spin was good, but not great. I had some pretty good recovery lobs with tons of topspin, but I never found the confidence to hit winners. It seems like the ones that I tried all went just a bit too long. Backhand slice was okay, but really nothing to write home about.
Playability duration? This is where these strings really shine. Normally, I'm ready to cut poly by the 10 hour mark. I'm over that mark and see no reason to cut these strings. I'm thinking these have several more hours left.
Tension & installation Recommendations. Would you tension it differently next time? Would you switch up mains/crosses? Explain. I think I would go higher next time. I found these to be a little too erratic initially and I settled into a pretty good rhythm toward the end of the playtest. That said, I still had to focus on my shots and they never became second nature. A higher tension would pull some of the power out and give me a little more control. Normally, I would go incrementally, say from 45 to 48. I think I'd go up to 50 next time around.
List any additional thoughts (optional): I was fortunate enough to be on the Hyper-G hybrid playtest also, and that combo of strings seemed to suit my game better. I think these would suit someone young or old who wants to play poly but doesn't generate a ton of power on their own. I could see these being lethal in the right hands.
Thank you @TW Staff and Solinco for allowing me to participate in this playtest!
Tennis experience/background: Lessons from as early as I can remember. Played competitively in Elementary and Middle School, but stopped around HS. Picked the racquet back up in 2022 and have grown fully addicted. Play style is mostly all-court.
Current string preference(s): Multi @ 55lbs or Poly @ 45lbs. I don't have a regular setup, as I've been on a journey of trying to find the best combo for my game. I think my current favorite setup is the Pure Strike 16x20 w/ NXT Control; however, the Blade v8 100 is still my go-to. The blade is the racquet that I use for testing various strings, so it gets the most playtime.
What racquet did you use for this playtest? Blade 100 v8
Playtest setup: what string did you use for mains/crosses? Mach 10 Mains / Hyper G Round Crosses
Tension(s) used for playtest? 45lbs
Power/Control of test string? From the beginning, these have felt like the most powerful polys that I've experienced. That's not to say that they are the most powerful out there, but they are very much on the power/comfort side of the power/control pendulum. I had to really focus on slowing down my swing, especially my serve, to keep balls in. This turned out to be a bonus during long matches because fatigue didn't set in as hard.
Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?) I never once felt that these were stiff or muted. I could see how someone could make a solid argument for mushy. I felt that the strings had a longer than average dwell time, which did give them a little more trampoline effect than I prefer. I never quite got dialed in with touch shots. I either put them into the net or the floated long and gave my opponent time to return them.
Spin? Spin was good, but not great. I had some pretty good recovery lobs with tons of topspin, but I never found the confidence to hit winners. It seems like the ones that I tried all went just a bit too long. Backhand slice was okay, but really nothing to write home about.
Playability duration? This is where these strings really shine. Normally, I'm ready to cut poly by the 10 hour mark. I'm over that mark and see no reason to cut these strings. I'm thinking these have several more hours left.
Tension & installation Recommendations. Would you tension it differently next time? Would you switch up mains/crosses? Explain. I think I would go higher next time. I found these to be a little too erratic initially and I settled into a pretty good rhythm toward the end of the playtest. That said, I still had to focus on my shots and they never became second nature. A higher tension would pull some of the power out and give me a little more control. Normally, I would go incrementally, say from 45 to 48. I think I'd go up to 50 next time around.
List any additional thoughts (optional): I was fortunate enough to be on the Hyper-G hybrid playtest also, and that combo of strings seemed to suit my game better. I think these would suit someone young or old who wants to play poly but doesn't generate a ton of power on their own. I could see these being lethal in the right hands.
Thank you @TW Staff and Solinco for allowing me to participate in this playtest!
ChrisJR3264
Legend
The Chairman3's review of Solinco Hyper-Mach BD
Spin?
So here was another surprise for me, fullbed Mach10 had better spin. Part of the surprise is fullbed HyperG Round also has pretty good spin, so I assumed the combo would be great. I have a couple working theories, the thinner guage means the shape is more subtle and doesn't bite into the ball as much. My other theory is the power level is so high and the ball comes off the strings so quick it almost washes out some of the spin. Like the ball isn't on there long enough to fully generate the spin. Just theories. So quickly, Mach10 1.25 (FB) has more spin than HyperG Round (FB) has more spin than this hybrid. HGR isn't dramatically more spinny than this hybrid but considering its round, it seemed worth pointing out. Both Mach10 and HGR have some of that easy-lazy spin where even if you push the ball you still get decent spin and the ball usually falls in. But with this hybrid, any push resulted in the ball launching and generally flying long. That's not to say you couldn't dial up the spin but I think I was expecting more, especially after coming off fullbed Mach10 1.25. It makes me curious to try fullbed Mach10 1.20 though, so I'll probably be doing that soon. For a shaped hybrid, I have to rate it good but not great. I also did HyperG/HGR 1.20 and that produced better spin, more on this later.
Playability duration?
So here is another bright spot, pretty good playability with very little change in its playing characteristics. Again, not quite the longevity of fullbed Mach10 1.25 but comparing different guages can be like comparing a granny smith to a honey crisp, sure they're both apples but distinctly different. So I played this to about 12 hrs or so and the last 2-3 was least enjoyable. I was tempted to keep playing it but at times it seemed like maybe I was getting a little arm tightness after using it so it didn't seem worth it. But you can get a solid 10hrs or maybe a bit more unless you break it first, which people playing more singles or harder hitters than I routinely face probably would. I believe mine was about 60 or 70 percent notched, so deep but not really about to snap. For poly, 10hrs is above average and again the fact it didn't really become erratic is a huge positive.
Tension & installation Recommendations. Because I like a little more controlled launch, I would probably jump to 52lbs from my usual 50 with the idea being I keep the power and feel but tamp down the launch a bit. Installation, I'd definitely be curious at what HGR in the mains and Mach10 crosses would do. The package said HGR mains to hit the ball deep and Mach10 mains for spin. I agree with them, you got this nice high launch for which you needed spin to help control. So I may have to grab another set and do the reverse. I think most people with "modern" strokes will reap the benefits of Mach10 mains more than my little bit more horizontal swing.
Would you tension it differently next time? Yep, sorry, already answered this above. I would probably add 2 lbs for the same configuration to try and get a little lower launch from the stringbed.
Would you switch up mains/crosses? Explain.
I would try the reverse set-up just for fun but I really enjoyed this playtest and think Mach10 mains is probably the stronger combo. It gave me plenty of power that it's hard to think somehow HGR mains will make the ball more penetrating. But maybe by penetrating they just mean flatter through the court.
List any additional thoughts (optional):
So here's the big surprise reveal.....HyperG/HGR is the better hybrid. Sorry, Mach10. I used HG/HGR in 1.20 and the spin and feel were so good as was the playability duration. I felt it was easier to control the power and, while not as high, it was more usable for me. This is only surprising because Mach10 1.25 was really good and genuinely surprised me with its performance. The upside is it now makes me want to try Mach10/HGR 1.25 and also Mach10 1.20 fullbed, as if I needed more strings to try.
Thanks you @TW Staff for repeated opportunities on these string playtests and thank you to Solinco for continuing to evolve the poly landscape.
@pfchang confused….did you actually partake in this play test? Looks like all you did was plagiarize from spin on down…
Thoroughly enjoyed reading everyone else’s analysis as I’ve tested Mach 10 with other round poly’s. Good option as a main with a round poly cross.
Tennis experience/background: Been playing tennis for 15+ years. Played college tennis. All around player. Eastern forehand and two handed backhand.
Current string preference(s): Diadem Flash 1.25 at 40 lbs
What racquet did you use for this playtest? Solinco Whiteout 16x19 315g
Playtest setup: what string did you use for mains/crosses? Mach main / Hyper cross
Tension(s) used for playtest? 40 lbs
Power/Control of test string? Great blend of power and control. Medium launch angle on grounstrokes compared to other polys I've used so far. The power and control level are very similar to my string setup. I was expecting the string to spray a bit due to the hybrid setup but it had very predictable directional control. Very satisfied on all other categories (serving, volleying, and slices). I didn't find any issue with this hybrid.
Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?) Comfortably firm poly string. After about an hour and half of hitting it become comfortably soft feel. No harsh vibration even outside the sweetspot. Really enjoyed the juicy response on the ball impact.
Spin? Generates a good amount of spin. Backhand slices went low and deep. Topspin groundstrokes cleared the net with ease.
Playability duration? Very impressed with the string snapback. It stayed consistently straight even after the main string broke. After 2.5 hours of hitting, it became trampoline and I couldn't control the depth of the ball. Main string broke around 4 hours of hitting.
Tension & installation Recommendations. Would you tension it differently next time? Would you switch up mains/crosses? Explain. I would string it with 1.25 gauge at 40 lbs for better durability and tension maintenance. Yes, I would switch up mains and crosses to see how that goes.
List any additional thoughts (optional) One of the best feeling hybrid setups I've used so far. It stayed consistently comfortable throughout the whole playtest.
Thank you TW and Solinco for the opportunity to playtesting!
Current string preference(s): Diadem Flash 1.25 at 40 lbs
What racquet did you use for this playtest? Solinco Whiteout 16x19 315g
Playtest setup: what string did you use for mains/crosses? Mach main / Hyper cross
Tension(s) used for playtest? 40 lbs
Power/Control of test string? Great blend of power and control. Medium launch angle on grounstrokes compared to other polys I've used so far. The power and control level are very similar to my string setup. I was expecting the string to spray a bit due to the hybrid setup but it had very predictable directional control. Very satisfied on all other categories (serving, volleying, and slices). I didn't find any issue with this hybrid.
Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?) Comfortably firm poly string. After about an hour and half of hitting it become comfortably soft feel. No harsh vibration even outside the sweetspot. Really enjoyed the juicy response on the ball impact.
Spin? Generates a good amount of spin. Backhand slices went low and deep. Topspin groundstrokes cleared the net with ease.
Playability duration? Very impressed with the string snapback. It stayed consistently straight even after the main string broke. After 2.5 hours of hitting, it became trampoline and I couldn't control the depth of the ball. Main string broke around 4 hours of hitting.
Tension & installation Recommendations. Would you tension it differently next time? Would you switch up mains/crosses? Explain. I would string it with 1.25 gauge at 40 lbs for better durability and tension maintenance. Yes, I would switch up mains and crosses to see how that goes.
List any additional thoughts (optional) One of the best feeling hybrid setups I've used so far. It stayed consistently comfortable throughout the whole playtest.
Thank you TW and Solinco for the opportunity to playtesting!
ttgrinder
Semi-Pro
Solinco HyperMach-BD (1.20) playtest
HyperMach-BD
Fullbed-Mach10
- Tennis experience/background
- Picked up tennis over the last 12 years or so.
- Recreational tennis hacker, who is so addicted to tennis equipment/racquets/strings etc. Spends illogical amounts of time researching random technicalities of tennis equipment.
- Stringer for the local tennis club and high school tennis team.
- Current String Preferences
- Long time Volkl Cyclone user, switched officially to Kirschbaum Pro Line Evolution. But nowadays I spend a lot of time experimenting with different string setups.
- What racquet did you use for this playtest?
- Head Speed Pro 18x20
- Playtest setup: what string did you use for mains/crosses?
- Mach10 on mains x HyperG round on crosses.Both 1.20mm.
- Tension(s) used for playtest
- 48lb on mains x 48lb on crosses
- Power/Control of test string?
- I had recently play-tested both these strings in full bed, and did like both of them. So I was definitely excited to see what it does differently when in a hybrid. By the way I will refer to Solinco Mach 10 as M10 and Solinco HyperG Round as HGR.
- My previous experience with M10 in full bed was that it was a tad too powerful. But with HGR in crosses, this is more fun and definitely more controllable power. HGR in crosses also enhances the spin capabilities of M10, and I find hitting loopy topspin lobs in doubles was so much fun with this setup. With M10 fullbed I was less confident on flattening out shots, and with the hybrid, I felt more comfortable. I am using a 18x20 racquet for this playtest, and I was using a 16x19 RF97 for the Mach10 full bed play-test a few months back. So I went ahead and bought another set of Mach10 and tried it again on a Head Speed Pro 18x20 and my opinion did not change much from my original playtest. Overall with this hybrid setup, I felt the power and control to be very optimal for my game, and felt very confident going for the shots.
- Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?)
- Comfortable. Excellent ball pocketing. It has a good sweet feel when I hit clean. Very similar to a full bed of Mach10.
- Spin
- Excellent. Even more spinner than full bed of M10 or full bed of HGR. Infact I was play testing with a bit more control oriented racquet. But still the balls had a lot of topspin, and action on every shot where I was able to set-up properly before the shot. Now defensive topspin lobs on the run was another very enjoyable shot with this setup. Also topspin second serves had a good amount of action on the ball and had a really good height off the bounce. So overall I feel like this setup has a really good spin potential.
- Playability duration?
- Excellent. 20+hrs. Playability duration was not really an issue for me with most of the Solinco strings. There was some notching by around 15hrs, but it looks like the notching is relatively less when compared to a full bed of M10. There was no issue with hitting even at 20hr mark, and I believe I could have hit with another 10hrs or so.
- Tension & installation Recommendations. Would you tension it differently next time? Would you switch up mains/crosses? Explain.
- The tension I chose (48lb) was optimal for me. Infact when I playtested M10 full bed a few months back, I definitely had the idea of hybriding it with HGR, since it was a bit powerful for me, and I thought HGR in the cross would enhance the snapback and general spin and control. I was right, and I felt like the 48lb tension did not feel overly launchy for me in this hybrid. I also won’t switch up the mains/crosses. Infact I want HGR in crosses. I did like other setups also when HGR was in crosses. For example I had tried HyperGShaped mains with HGR crosses and HGR full bed and all felt great.
- List any additional thoughts (optional)
- M10 and HGR do open up a lot of options for hybriding in the Solinco family.
- Since M10 is very similar in composition/characteristics and does complement well with other Solinco Poly strings, it is a great option for hybriding with other Solinco polys. For example to soften up the stringbed with TourBite.
- Meanwhile HGR provides a round string option with again similar composition/characteristics, and helps the snapback maniacs to cross it with pretty much any other Solinco Poly in the mains.
- I see that the new trend is to have distinct colors on the mains/crosses on the hybrids, and the HyperMach-BD total goes along with this trend. But I am a bit old-school, and prefer similar colors in the mains/cross. Possibly I am in the minority audience.
Icsa
Professional
How hard do you hit to brake the mains in 4 hours? Does this happen with other poly as well?
Solinco Hyper Mach-BD 1.20 Review
Tennis Experience / Background
I’m a 4.0+ male player in my late 40s. My forehand is my primary weapon, and I hit a one-handed backhand. I play an attacking style, looking to finish points at the net. I started tennis at 13 and played competitively through high school and into my first two years of college, where I focused on counterpunching from the baseline. Those were probably my best tennis years. After a long break to focus on school and work, I returned to recreational tennis in my early 30s, competing in USTA leagues and tournaments (and winning a couple of singles events). I paused again to focus on raising my neurodiverse child. In my 40s, I restarted tennis more seriously and, through local clinics, became a regular hitting and drill partner for my community college’s tennis team. Playing with ITA-ranked college athletes keeps me sharp and motivated. Over the past few years, I’ve transitioned to a more aggressive style, aiming to end points early, especially when facing younger players with stronger endurance.
Current String Preferences
Solinco Hyper-G Hybrid (Hyper-G mains, Hyper-G Round crosses, both at 48 lbs)
What racquet did you use for this playtest?
Wilson Ultra Pro v4 (16x19)
Playtest Setup : what string did you use for mains/crosses?
See above
Power / Control of test string?
When fresh, the Hyper Mach-BD delivered a great balance of power, control, and spin. One collegiate player (who uses a Dunlop CX200) tried my racquet and was surprised by how much pop the strings generated, especially considering the control-oriented nature of the Ultra Pro. I found control to be relatively consistent throughout the playtest; even into the 15th hour of use, control was still okay.
Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?)
The stringbed felt comfortable from the first hit—no break-in needed. I experienced no arm or shoulder discomfort, even after multiple-hour sessions. Around the 10-hour mark, the strings lost some of the initial crispness and liveliness, but I still appreciated the blend of control and comfort. I especially liked that the string didn’t feel stiff while still delivering precision.
Spin?
Spin potential was slightly above average in the early hours—up to the fourth or fifth hour. I had fun hitting heavy topspin and slices that challenged my hitting partners. However, spin noticeably declined after the third session and continued to drop off with each additional hour. On the bright side, control remained solid.
Playability Duration?
I played about 15 hours with this setup. Peak performance (power, spin, control) lasted through the first 4–5 hours. Spin quality declined after the 7th or 8th hour, but the string retained decent control all the way through.
Tension & installation Recommendations. Would you tension it differently next time? Would you switch up mains/crosses? Explain.
If I had more sets, I’d experiment by flipping the mains and crosses to explore how it might impact feel, power, and spin. That said, 48 lbs remains my sweet spot—it's the tension where I get the ideal blend of comfort, control, and power.
List any additional thoughts (optional):
Thanks to Tennis Warehouse and Solinco for the opportunity to test the Hyper Mach-BD. This string offered a very enjoyable playtest experience. If I could restring every 6–7 hours, I’d happily keep this in my rotation. The early performance was impressive—a nice mix of comfort, spin, power, and control. That said, my usual Hyper-G hybrid setup still provides more consistent spin and power over a longer play window.
Tennis Experience / Background
I’m a 4.0+ male player in my late 40s. My forehand is my primary weapon, and I hit a one-handed backhand. I play an attacking style, looking to finish points at the net. I started tennis at 13 and played competitively through high school and into my first two years of college, where I focused on counterpunching from the baseline. Those were probably my best tennis years. After a long break to focus on school and work, I returned to recreational tennis in my early 30s, competing in USTA leagues and tournaments (and winning a couple of singles events). I paused again to focus on raising my neurodiverse child. In my 40s, I restarted tennis more seriously and, through local clinics, became a regular hitting and drill partner for my community college’s tennis team. Playing with ITA-ranked college athletes keeps me sharp and motivated. Over the past few years, I’ve transitioned to a more aggressive style, aiming to end points early, especially when facing younger players with stronger endurance.
Current String Preferences
Solinco Hyper-G Hybrid (Hyper-G mains, Hyper-G Round crosses, both at 48 lbs)
What racquet did you use for this playtest?
Wilson Ultra Pro v4 (16x19)
Playtest Setup : what string did you use for mains/crosses?
- Mains: Mach-10 at 48 lbs
- Crosses: Solinco Hyper-G Round at 46 lbs
See above
Power / Control of test string?
When fresh, the Hyper Mach-BD delivered a great balance of power, control, and spin. One collegiate player (who uses a Dunlop CX200) tried my racquet and was surprised by how much pop the strings generated, especially considering the control-oriented nature of the Ultra Pro. I found control to be relatively consistent throughout the playtest; even into the 15th hour of use, control was still okay.
Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?)
The stringbed felt comfortable from the first hit—no break-in needed. I experienced no arm or shoulder discomfort, even after multiple-hour sessions. Around the 10-hour mark, the strings lost some of the initial crispness and liveliness, but I still appreciated the blend of control and comfort. I especially liked that the string didn’t feel stiff while still delivering precision.
Spin?
Spin potential was slightly above average in the early hours—up to the fourth or fifth hour. I had fun hitting heavy topspin and slices that challenged my hitting partners. However, spin noticeably declined after the third session and continued to drop off with each additional hour. On the bright side, control remained solid.
Playability Duration?
I played about 15 hours with this setup. Peak performance (power, spin, control) lasted through the first 4–5 hours. Spin quality declined after the 7th or 8th hour, but the string retained decent control all the way through.
Tension & installation Recommendations. Would you tension it differently next time? Would you switch up mains/crosses? Explain.
If I had more sets, I’d experiment by flipping the mains and crosses to explore how it might impact feel, power, and spin. That said, 48 lbs remains my sweet spot—it's the tension where I get the ideal blend of comfort, control, and power.
List any additional thoughts (optional):
Thanks to Tennis Warehouse and Solinco for the opportunity to test the Hyper Mach-BD. This string offered a very enjoyable playtest experience. If I could restring every 6–7 hours, I’d happily keep this in my rotation. The early performance was impressive—a nice mix of comfort, spin, power, and control. That said, my usual Hyper-G hybrid setup still provides more consistent spin and power over a longer play window.
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ngoster
Semi-Pro
Tennis experience/background:
A friend taught me to play in college back in the late 80's. From there, everything else was self-taught from mimicking pros like Sampras, Agassi, Edberg, Courier and Graf, to name a few. I hit flat from both wings with above average (at 4.0) pace and spin. Eastern to semi-western FH and OHBH favoring the slice more as a crutch but gaining more confidence to go over the top during matches. I can hit all serve types having more success with kick versus flat or slice.
I'm a computer rated 4.0 playing men's and mixed dubs. I love singles but am much better at doubles. I would consider myself an all-courter and like to find opportunities to finish points at the net.
Current string preference(s):
My gamer is a leaded up 2021 Dunlop CX200 Tour 16*19. String setups have been a shaped poly in the main with either a synthetic gut or round poly cross. The current flavor strings have been MSV Focus Hex Soft 17 (yellow) as the mains and Wilson Power Syn Gut 17 (blue) or Isospeed Baseline Spin 17. Tensions are mains at 46# and crosses for polys and syn gut at 46# and 51#, respectively. My last few setups have been shaped poly/round poly.
What racquet did you use for this playtest?
I used my gamer (2021 CX200T 16M).
Playtest setup: what string did you use for mains/crosses?
Mach 10/Hyper-G Round
Tension(s) used for playtest?
46#
Power/Control of test string?
Power is greater than the last few setups that I've played with. It was most noticeable with groundstrokes as the balls were landing uncomfortably close to the baseline. I mean, they would land in but there were prayer moments during league matches. Power on serves were, at minimum, on par with my last few setups.
Directional control was very good on groundies. There was a little bit of sacrifice in depth control with the added power. Serve control was unaffected and remained good.
Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?)
The feel felt pretty neutral to me, meaning that it was comfortable, not plush and, definitely, not stiff. Compared to the 1.25 M10/HGR setup, plushness was felt with the 1.25, which I preferred.
Spin?
Spin, surprisingly, didn't seem greater than the other setups...unless you really committed to the stroke (The 1.25 variant seemed to produce easier spin.). I noticed this on the few good hitting days that I had during the playtest. On my average lazy swing days, spin was on par...maybe slightly less than the other setups. Coupled with the added power, my shots felt pushed and ended up sailing long.
Playability duration?
I'm 14 hours into the playtest (I got a late start.) and everything seems unchanged since the beginning. The string bed still looks straight. Notching is between 20 and 25 percent.
Tension & installation Recommendations. Would you tension it differently next time? Would you switch up mains/crosses? Explain.
If I could do this again, I'd increase the tension by a couple of pounds to gain more depth control. I'd keep the same mains and crosses. I like how the shaped/round setup plays and have no desire or curiosity to try it the other way.
List any additional thoughts (optional)
As a flat hitter, I thought I'd like the thinner gauge better but it didn't have any character. I mean, it performed well...well enough for me to trust it for competitive play. But based solely on subjective feel, I liked the 1.25 variant better. It felt more plush and seemed to hold onto the ball longer.
I would be happy recommending this to anyone but would add to try both thickness or mix and match them before committing. Your preference will depend on your swing type and speed.
Once again, thank you TW and Solinco for letting be part of this fun playtest!
A friend taught me to play in college back in the late 80's. From there, everything else was self-taught from mimicking pros like Sampras, Agassi, Edberg, Courier and Graf, to name a few. I hit flat from both wings with above average (at 4.0) pace and spin. Eastern to semi-western FH and OHBH favoring the slice more as a crutch but gaining more confidence to go over the top during matches. I can hit all serve types having more success with kick versus flat or slice.
I'm a computer rated 4.0 playing men's and mixed dubs. I love singles but am much better at doubles. I would consider myself an all-courter and like to find opportunities to finish points at the net.
Current string preference(s):
My gamer is a leaded up 2021 Dunlop CX200 Tour 16*19. String setups have been a shaped poly in the main with either a synthetic gut or round poly cross. The current flavor strings have been MSV Focus Hex Soft 17 (yellow) as the mains and Wilson Power Syn Gut 17 (blue) or Isospeed Baseline Spin 17. Tensions are mains at 46# and crosses for polys and syn gut at 46# and 51#, respectively. My last few setups have been shaped poly/round poly.
What racquet did you use for this playtest?
I used my gamer (2021 CX200T 16M).
Playtest setup: what string did you use for mains/crosses?
Mach 10/Hyper-G Round
Tension(s) used for playtest?
46#
Power/Control of test string?
Power is greater than the last few setups that I've played with. It was most noticeable with groundstrokes as the balls were landing uncomfortably close to the baseline. I mean, they would land in but there were prayer moments during league matches. Power on serves were, at minimum, on par with my last few setups.
Directional control was very good on groundies. There was a little bit of sacrifice in depth control with the added power. Serve control was unaffected and remained good.
Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?)
The feel felt pretty neutral to me, meaning that it was comfortable, not plush and, definitely, not stiff. Compared to the 1.25 M10/HGR setup, plushness was felt with the 1.25, which I preferred.
Spin?
Spin, surprisingly, didn't seem greater than the other setups...unless you really committed to the stroke (The 1.25 variant seemed to produce easier spin.). I noticed this on the few good hitting days that I had during the playtest. On my average lazy swing days, spin was on par...maybe slightly less than the other setups. Coupled with the added power, my shots felt pushed and ended up sailing long.
Playability duration?
I'm 14 hours into the playtest (I got a late start.) and everything seems unchanged since the beginning. The string bed still looks straight. Notching is between 20 and 25 percent.
Tension & installation Recommendations. Would you tension it differently next time? Would you switch up mains/crosses? Explain.
If I could do this again, I'd increase the tension by a couple of pounds to gain more depth control. I'd keep the same mains and crosses. I like how the shaped/round setup plays and have no desire or curiosity to try it the other way.
List any additional thoughts (optional)
As a flat hitter, I thought I'd like the thinner gauge better but it didn't have any character. I mean, it performed well...well enough for me to trust it for competitive play. But based solely on subjective feel, I liked the 1.25 variant better. It felt more plush and seemed to hold onto the ball longer.
I would be happy recommending this to anyone but would add to try both thickness or mix and match them before committing. Your preference will depend on your swing type and speed.
Once again, thank you TW and Solinco for letting be part of this fun playtest!
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Tennis experience/background: Started playing about 4 years ago. 40+, USTA 3.0, primarily doubles. Aggressive baseliner / all-court player, OHBH, Semi-western FH, strong net player.
Current string preference(s): Hybrid poly setup with shaped mains and round crosses, prefer soft poly, typically string 52-53 M / 53-54 C. I have an affinity for Toroline strings, currently using O-Toro or Toro Toro in Mains with Wasabi X or Enso Pro in Crosses. I did buy a set of Mach-10 a few months ago and strung it as the Mains in both my TF40s, one with Enso Crosses and one with Caviar Crosses, so not unfamiliar with this string.
What racquet did you use for this playtest? Tecnifibre TF40 305 16x19
Playtest setup: what string did you use for mains/crosses? Mach-10 Mains / HGR Crosses
Tension(s) used for playtest? 53/54
I played approximately 12-14 hours with these strings, primarily doubles matches and clinics, along with one singles match.
Power/Control of test string: I experienced equal or better power to my usual setup without sacrificing too much control. I had excellent lateral control and was able to hit my spots consistently. The reduction in control occurred for me in depth. If I didn't finish my swings and get enough topspin I would hit long. Good power for me on both serves and groundstrokes. Volleys were comfortable and I was able to get good pop without much effort. Again, I found the directional control to be excellent, whether with groundstrokes or volleys.
Power - 8 (for poly)
Control - 7
Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?): I would classify these as comfortable and soft but still with a crisp response. The feedback from the racquet was great, definitely not muted. I could tell when I hit off-center, though not in a bad way, and shots in the sweet spot both felt and sounded wonderful. I think I have a slightly above average swing speed, and these strings had a perfect amount of dwell time for a soft, controlled, yet powerful response. I experienced zero arm pain during the playtest. For comparison purposes, I would rate a 4S / Ice Code hybrid as stiff (though not uncomfortable), and I would rate this setup with Hyper G as a bit softer than my Toroline setups, albeit marginally.
Feel - 8; hard to give one numerical rating since there are different factors, but I'd give it an 8 overall for feel.
Spin: I'd give this an above average rating for spin. I'd say better than with 4S in the Mains, and about equal to similar Toroline offerings like Caviar, Toro Toro, and O-Toro. The HGR crosses provided above average glide and allowed the mains to move and snap back brilliantly. I feel like the 5-sided Mains generate a little more spin than a hexagonal string.
When needed, I could increase my launch angle and generate more than enough topspin from either side to bring the ball down in the court. I also was able to hit heavy topspin from the baseline and get balls to dip quickly over the net to make volleys challenging. Short angles were not a problem as long as I maintained swing speed and dialed back the power slightly. Topspin backhands produced excellent power and depth. Slice forehands and backhands were excellent. I was able to keep the ball low after the bounce, particularly when I was able to drive the ball from chest height. Slice approach shots were fantastic as the power helped penetrate the court and the spin kept the ball down. Drop volleys were fun with this setup, nice and soft at impact, a little bit of dwell time, and plenty of spin to kill the ball. I was also able to get good action on spin serves and even hit a couple accidental kick serves.
Spin - 8
Playability duration: I don't hit exceedingly hard and have never broken strings for what that's worth. I probably restring before I get 20 hours on a set of strings though. These played solidly for 12-13 hours for me. It wasn't until the last hour or two that they started to feel a little unresponsive. The strings would remain a little out of place, and I didn't feel the same pop off the strings. So the result for me was less spin and a drop in power. They didn't feel mushy to me, just a little dead. I think I could probably get another clinic or match out of the strings, but I'm picky about restringing when I feel like the hitting characteristics noticeably change. I can't reliably pinpoint if one string or another loses playability first.
Playability - 7.5
Tension & installation Recommendations: I would tension it the same and keep the Mains and Crosses where they were. I prefer shaped mains and round crosses, and the tension was good with my normal tension.
List any additional thoughts (optional): Whether a break in period or just me getting used to the strings, I needed about 15-20 minutes of solid hitting for the strings to settle in. This is pretty typical for me with fresh strings though. I had experimented with Mach-10 before, so that performed as advertised, and the HGR crosses performed admirably, providing a low friction, comfortably soft cross to pair with the Mach-10. I think this is a great setup, and if I can get a reel of Mach-10 or Hyper G Round for the same price I pay for equivalent Toroline reels I would definitely get them. I think this is a good string setup for an advanced intermediate player who is capable of putting some shape on the ball. I don't think this is a good option for someone who hits flat and doesn't generate their own power. While I think it's above average in power for a poly/poly hybrid, it doesn't come close to the power you get from multi or syngut.
Current string preference(s): Hybrid poly setup with shaped mains and round crosses, prefer soft poly, typically string 52-53 M / 53-54 C. I have an affinity for Toroline strings, currently using O-Toro or Toro Toro in Mains with Wasabi X or Enso Pro in Crosses. I did buy a set of Mach-10 a few months ago and strung it as the Mains in both my TF40s, one with Enso Crosses and one with Caviar Crosses, so not unfamiliar with this string.
What racquet did you use for this playtest? Tecnifibre TF40 305 16x19
Playtest setup: what string did you use for mains/crosses? Mach-10 Mains / HGR Crosses
Tension(s) used for playtest? 53/54
I played approximately 12-14 hours with these strings, primarily doubles matches and clinics, along with one singles match.
Power/Control of test string: I experienced equal or better power to my usual setup without sacrificing too much control. I had excellent lateral control and was able to hit my spots consistently. The reduction in control occurred for me in depth. If I didn't finish my swings and get enough topspin I would hit long. Good power for me on both serves and groundstrokes. Volleys were comfortable and I was able to get good pop without much effort. Again, I found the directional control to be excellent, whether with groundstrokes or volleys.
Power - 8 (for poly)
Control - 7
Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp? Comfortable?): I would classify these as comfortable and soft but still with a crisp response. The feedback from the racquet was great, definitely not muted. I could tell when I hit off-center, though not in a bad way, and shots in the sweet spot both felt and sounded wonderful. I think I have a slightly above average swing speed, and these strings had a perfect amount of dwell time for a soft, controlled, yet powerful response. I experienced zero arm pain during the playtest. For comparison purposes, I would rate a 4S / Ice Code hybrid as stiff (though not uncomfortable), and I would rate this setup with Hyper G as a bit softer than my Toroline setups, albeit marginally.
Feel - 8; hard to give one numerical rating since there are different factors, but I'd give it an 8 overall for feel.
Spin: I'd give this an above average rating for spin. I'd say better than with 4S in the Mains, and about equal to similar Toroline offerings like Caviar, Toro Toro, and O-Toro. The HGR crosses provided above average glide and allowed the mains to move and snap back brilliantly. I feel like the 5-sided Mains generate a little more spin than a hexagonal string.
When needed, I could increase my launch angle and generate more than enough topspin from either side to bring the ball down in the court. I also was able to hit heavy topspin from the baseline and get balls to dip quickly over the net to make volleys challenging. Short angles were not a problem as long as I maintained swing speed and dialed back the power slightly. Topspin backhands produced excellent power and depth. Slice forehands and backhands were excellent. I was able to keep the ball low after the bounce, particularly when I was able to drive the ball from chest height. Slice approach shots were fantastic as the power helped penetrate the court and the spin kept the ball down. Drop volleys were fun with this setup, nice and soft at impact, a little bit of dwell time, and plenty of spin to kill the ball. I was also able to get good action on spin serves and even hit a couple accidental kick serves.
Spin - 8
Playability duration: I don't hit exceedingly hard and have never broken strings for what that's worth. I probably restring before I get 20 hours on a set of strings though. These played solidly for 12-13 hours for me. It wasn't until the last hour or two that they started to feel a little unresponsive. The strings would remain a little out of place, and I didn't feel the same pop off the strings. So the result for me was less spin and a drop in power. They didn't feel mushy to me, just a little dead. I think I could probably get another clinic or match out of the strings, but I'm picky about restringing when I feel like the hitting characteristics noticeably change. I can't reliably pinpoint if one string or another loses playability first.
Playability - 7.5
Tension & installation Recommendations: I would tension it the same and keep the Mains and Crosses where they were. I prefer shaped mains and round crosses, and the tension was good with my normal tension.
List any additional thoughts (optional): Whether a break in period or just me getting used to the strings, I needed about 15-20 minutes of solid hitting for the strings to settle in. This is pretty typical for me with fresh strings though. I had experimented with Mach-10 before, so that performed as advertised, and the HGR crosses performed admirably, providing a low friction, comfortably soft cross to pair with the Mach-10. I think this is a great setup, and if I can get a reel of Mach-10 or Hyper G Round for the same price I pay for equivalent Toroline reels I would definitely get them. I think this is a good string setup for an advanced intermediate player who is capable of putting some shape on the ball. I don't think this is a good option for someone who hits flat and doesn't generate their own power. While I think it's above average in power for a poly/poly hybrid, it doesn't come close to the power you get from multi or syngut.
I realized that my review post never went live. Must've left is as a draft, for which I'm truly sorry @TW Staff!!
Posting my full thoughts. TLDR - string started out a bit lively for my liking, which I think might be a gauge thing (used to going 16L historically), but I actually quite liked the playability over time, especially on serve, where I never noticed a performance drop throughout my use!
++++
Tennis Experience/Background:
Ex-varsity singles player in a highly competitive Long Island region. Currently USTA 4.5–5.0 level. Hit 1–2x/week with a strong group of similarly rated players.
Playing Style:
Aggressive baseliner with a big serve and a preference for stepping inside the baseline. Heavy forehand is the main weapon. Backhand is used to mix up pace, shape, and spin. I like to take time away from opponents and finish points at net when possible.
Typical String Setup:
Full bed of Head Lynx Tour Champagne 1.25 @ 53 lbs, often hybrid with Kirschbaum Pro Line Evolution in the crosses (53/52). Frequently experiment with poly/poly setups.
Racquet Used for Playtest:
Tecnifibre TF40 305 (16x19)
Tension Used for Playtest:
53/52 lbs (M/C)
Power / Control:
Early in the test, this string played hot—likely due to the thinner 1.20 gauge. There was a bit more launch and liveliness than I’m used to, especially on flatter shots. Depth control was inconsistent for the first 2–3 hours, but after that the string bed settled in nicely and offered a much more dialed-in response. Power remained accessible but became easier to manage. I’d likely prefer the 1.25 for a more controlled, predictable launch throughout.
Feel / Feedback:
Crisp and responsive, but not stiff or overly boardy. Felt firm in a good way—plenty of feedback without discomfort. Pocketing was moderate, and feel improved significantly once the string settled in. Net play and touch shots felt precise once that initial liveliness mellowed. A bit less plush than something like Lynx Tour or Hyper-G Soft, but still comfortable enough for extended sessions.
Spin / Launch Angle:
Spin generation was one of the string’s standout features. The sharp profile and low-friction surface gave me great grip on the ball. Kick serves jumped, and forehands had plenty of dip and shape. The launch angle was on the higher side but consistent after the break-in period. I never felt locked into topspin-only patterns and could still drive the ball through the court when needed.
Durability / Playability Duration:
Impressive for a 1.20 gauge. String settled in around the 3-hour mark and maintained solid playability through roughly 16 hours of use. After that, tension loss and control issues became more apparent, but spin was still effective. I’d expect the 1.25 gauge to offer even greater stability and longevity.
Tension Thoughts:
If sticking with the 1.20 gauge, I might go up 1–2 lbs next time (e.g., 54/53) just to rein in the launch window early on. That said, my first adjustment would likely be to switch to the thicker 1.25 version for added control and slightly more predictable response.
Additional Notes:
Aesthetic is a win—really liked the vibrant blue/neon green color. It adds some fun without being distracting and looks great in the TF40 frame. Serve performance was a highlight for me—flat bombs, kick serves, and slice all felt consistent and explosive. Even late in the string’s life, serve responsiveness held up better than groundstroke control. This string grew on me over time and would definitely be worth a retest in the thicker gauge.
Posting my full thoughts. TLDR - string started out a bit lively for my liking, which I think might be a gauge thing (used to going 16L historically), but I actually quite liked the playability over time, especially on serve, where I never noticed a performance drop throughout my use!
++++
Solinco Hyper Mach BD 1.20 Playtest Review
Tennis Experience/Background:
Ex-varsity singles player in a highly competitive Long Island region. Currently USTA 4.5–5.0 level. Hit 1–2x/week with a strong group of similarly rated players.
Playing Style:
Aggressive baseliner with a big serve and a preference for stepping inside the baseline. Heavy forehand is the main weapon. Backhand is used to mix up pace, shape, and spin. I like to take time away from opponents and finish points at net when possible.
Typical String Setup:
Full bed of Head Lynx Tour Champagne 1.25 @ 53 lbs, often hybrid with Kirschbaum Pro Line Evolution in the crosses (53/52). Frequently experiment with poly/poly setups.
Racquet Used for Playtest:
Tecnifibre TF40 305 (16x19)
Tension Used for Playtest:
53/52 lbs (M/C)
Power / Control:
Early in the test, this string played hot—likely due to the thinner 1.20 gauge. There was a bit more launch and liveliness than I’m used to, especially on flatter shots. Depth control was inconsistent for the first 2–3 hours, but after that the string bed settled in nicely and offered a much more dialed-in response. Power remained accessible but became easier to manage. I’d likely prefer the 1.25 for a more controlled, predictable launch throughout.
Feel / Feedback:
Crisp and responsive, but not stiff or overly boardy. Felt firm in a good way—plenty of feedback without discomfort. Pocketing was moderate, and feel improved significantly once the string settled in. Net play and touch shots felt precise once that initial liveliness mellowed. A bit less plush than something like Lynx Tour or Hyper-G Soft, but still comfortable enough for extended sessions.
Spin / Launch Angle:
Spin generation was one of the string’s standout features. The sharp profile and low-friction surface gave me great grip on the ball. Kick serves jumped, and forehands had plenty of dip and shape. The launch angle was on the higher side but consistent after the break-in period. I never felt locked into topspin-only patterns and could still drive the ball through the court when needed.
Durability / Playability Duration:
Impressive for a 1.20 gauge. String settled in around the 3-hour mark and maintained solid playability through roughly 16 hours of use. After that, tension loss and control issues became more apparent, but spin was still effective. I’d expect the 1.25 gauge to offer even greater stability and longevity.
Tension Thoughts:
If sticking with the 1.20 gauge, I might go up 1–2 lbs next time (e.g., 54/53) just to rein in the launch window early on. That said, my first adjustment would likely be to switch to the thicker 1.25 version for added control and slightly more predictable response.
Additional Notes:
Aesthetic is a win—really liked the vibrant blue/neon green color. It adds some fun without being distracting and looks great in the TF40 frame. Serve performance was a highlight for me—flat bombs, kick serves, and slice all felt consistent and explosive. Even late in the string’s life, serve responsiveness held up better than groundstroke control. This string grew on me over time and would definitely be worth a retest in the thicker gauge.
yoka37
New User
Not an official playtester, but just hit first time with my hypermach setup (One set dubs, one set singles):
Mach 10 16L main / HGRound 17 cross @ 50/48 in Head Gravity MP 2023.
I liked it a whole lot more than full bed M10 17 and M10 18. Combo of 16L and the HGR gave me the control that I was lacking in the other setups. Still had enough spin, for sure drop in power which allowed me to swing out more versus overcompensating.
So far really enjoying it, and still comfortable on the arm. Curious now how full bed M10 16L would feel to me.
Mach 10 16L main / HGRound 17 cross @ 50/48 in Head Gravity MP 2023.
I liked it a whole lot more than full bed M10 17 and M10 18. Combo of 16L and the HGR gave me the control that I was lacking in the other setups. Still had enough spin, for sure drop in power which allowed me to swing out more versus overcompensating.
So far really enjoying it, and still comfortable on the arm. Curious now how full bed M10 16L would feel to me.
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thenewbig3
Hall of Fame
The review no one asked for....
Cowboy
Semi-Pro
I think I'm coming to the conclusion that Solinco strings need a long break-in, which would probably be ideal for someone who doesn't restring often. I came back to these tonight after having given them a longer-than-normal rest. I played a set and a half of singles (~2-8, switched at 2-6), followed by 3 LONG sets of doubles (6-7, 6-3, 5-7).
I started out with a Blade v9 that was freshly strung with Volkl V-Fuse hybrid 17. While I was playing okay and the comfort was great, I was hitting just a tad long. So I decided to switch to my Blade v8 with the Solinco Hyper Mach BD Hybrid. I remembered them being overly powerful, so I didn't expect much of a difference, but that Blade v8 is still my favorite stick. I figured it couldn't hurt. I absolutely loved it!
Those balls that were flying long were suddenly dropping inside the baseline. My forehand that had previously felt a little uncontrollable was suddenly lethal. My net game was ON up until about the last two games...then it switched off. It stinks to lose, and know that you could have won if you played better the last few games, but it was still a fun night of tennis. These strings absolutely made the night more enjoyable.
I started out with a Blade v9 that was freshly strung with Volkl V-Fuse hybrid 17. While I was playing okay and the comfort was great, I was hitting just a tad long. So I decided to switch to my Blade v8 with the Solinco Hyper Mach BD Hybrid. I remembered them being overly powerful, so I didn't expect much of a difference, but that Blade v8 is still my favorite stick. I figured it couldn't hurt. I absolutely loved it!
Those balls that were flying long were suddenly dropping inside the baseline. My forehand that had previously felt a little uncontrollable was suddenly lethal. My net game was ON up until about the last two games...then it switched off. It stinks to lose, and know that you could have won if you played better the last few games, but it was still a fun night of tennis. These strings absolutely made the night more enjoyable.
Mach/HGR
thenewbig3
Hall of Fame
I really dont see a purpose for HGR/Mach in recreational tennis because the Main string is so dominant in hybrids. Id rather do HGR full bed instead of this reverse hybrid.
tophersuwita
Rookie
How about Hyper G/Round hybrid vs this BD? I once played with Hyper G hybrid but it readily excelled in trading big forehands with a bit eccentricities on volleys. Mach 10 Fullbed was too muted for me
Cowboy
Semi-Pro
I was fortunate enough to be on that playtest, too.
I think I would purchase the Hyper-G/HGR hybrid before I would purchase the Hyper Mach hybrid again. I felt that those really fell into a rhythm around the 5hr mark whereas these took 8 or more hours to find the groove.
StringStrungStrang
Professional
Both of Solinco's Hybrids are excellent. Hyper-G / HG Round and Mach-10 / Hyper-G Round are combos that I like to play with, but which one is better? Not really a matter of better but better for your particular needs, personal style of play and equipment. Need a little extra pop - choose Mach-10 / Hyper-G Round, a little more control choose Hyper-G / HG Round. Don't forget you can get different gauges too!! Not to mention different Solinco strings that blend nicely (Confidential and Tour Bite ) and the rumored Tour Bite Round too.
So far I have not tried a combo I didn't like, but some suit me better than others. I usually like the heavier gauges of MACH-10 and Hyper-G with a thinner gauge of Hyper-G Round - but that's just me.
I'd be happy to test all of them and report back - just in case Solinco reps are reading this !! I've sold a lot of HGR to the groups I play with because I talk about so much !!
DropWideShot
Rookie
I feel the Solinco poly hybrids have a pretty common sense approach to them. Its almost the true middle ground between those that prefer round vs shaped or vice versa. There isn't some deep rabbit hole you have to follow to find a good combo and they do what they say
tophersuwita
Rookie
How do you think of this hybrid compared to Grapplesnake lineups? My standard is now Alpha Sniper on my main Regna 100 and Alpha Mako on my backup forgiving Regna. They are all very balanced.
Cowboy
Semi-Pro
This. I would echo every statement made here. Especially that of "which one matches your style" and the willingness to try them all!
Cowboy
Semi-Pro
Well, it's out. I played a match last night and they played excellent, once again. However, I am feeling my elbow today, which is the sign that I need to replace my strings. I stopped recording number of hours when I submitted my review for the playtest, but I do know that I played 11 sets in match play with these on top of several practice sessions. The amount of "recoil" in the main (M10) string when cut was more than I expected and I had very little notching...maybe 10%.
In the end, these stayed in my racquet much longer than average and I would have to give this setup a high score for durability.
In the end, these stayed in my racquet much longer than average and I would have to give this setup a high score for durability.
loosegroove
Hall of Fame
Anyone compare full bed of HGR vs M10/HGR?
evermilion
Rookie
HGR is my regular setup. I compared it for my playtest review.
loosegroove
Hall of Fame
I too have been playing HGR and I really like it. I’m not quite sure why I’m considering something to hybrid with it, guess I’m just hoping another string can give me a little something extra.
evermilion
Rookie
What extra are you looking for? I think the only thing HGR might lack is spin, but I think at the rec level, you can work on racquet head speed to get sufficient spin. I do sometimes miss the crazy shape on the ball with like RPM Blast, but HGR is super consistent, which is what I value the most at my current level.
