Tennis Warehouse: Tecnifibre Multifilament String Playtest

[TW Staff]

Attention Talk Tennis Members:

We have a very small number of new Tecnifibre strings for a playtest (1.30mm). The string has a multifilament construction that includes a mix of nylon and polyester filaments. This playtest is for USA Talk Tennis members only.

Review is due by Tuesday July 1


In order to participate you must post your findings in this thread by the deadline (which we will supply when the strings ship). If you do not post a review, or if your review is clearly lacking effort, you will be excluded from future playtests.

Keep in mind that we have a very limited number of samples. We select playtesters on a number of factors.

** No Hybrids **

Include the following in your review:

Tennis experience/background:
Describe your playing style (i.e. serve & volley):
Current racquet/string:
Tension used for playtest
Regular string set up
Racquet brand and model used for test
Power of test string
Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp?)
Spin
Comfort
Durability
Playability Duration (share thoughts on if/how the playability changed over time)
Control
Compare to the string you use most often
Tension recommendations (after hitting it, would you recommend a different tension? Why?)
List any additional thoughts (optional)

We are including Tecnifibre's Pro Contact Overgrip with the playtest string. Though not required, feel free to explain why you did or did not like it.

 

[bertrevert]

Woo this sounds like it's an innovation for the Spin racquets.... thick gauge, incorporate multi comfort with poly spin, will be v interested to hear of comfort/durability and spin.

Hope there's enough samples to ensure a wide selection of playtesters.

 

[mikeler]

Woo this sounds like it's an innovation for the Spin racquets.... thick gauge, incorporate multi comfort with poly spin, will be v interested to hear of comfort/durability and spin.

Hope there's enough samples to ensure a wide selection of playtesters.

Thanks for alerting me to this but I've got league the next 4 weeks and don't want to mess with my setup. Then I have a 2 week vacation, so I doubt I can test the string in late July and still meet the deadline.

 

[g4driver]

email sent.

Hope to get in on this playtest and use in a 16x19 Blade, Steam 99S or Pro Open- Whichever frame TW and Technifibre would prefer

I love Technfibre multis - I have purchased 4 reels of X-1 bi-phase and 3 reels of NRG2

Curious if this is like Duramix or Wilson NXT Control or if it was designed for super Open Pattern frames like the Steam 99S

 

[spinovic]

Glad I caught this one, as I am a big fan of pretty much anything from Tecnifibre. Would be extremely interested in trying a new multifilament from them, since everything else I have used from them has been good, if not great.

The only play test I missed out on applying for that I would have loved to try was the Babolat Origin one.

 

[Devil_dog]

Email sent. Hope I'm fortunate enough to play test this string. I, too, am a fan of Tecnifibre strings. Very curious to know what this new string will play like. Thanks for the consideration.

 

[tennisinoc]

Tecnifibre multis are the top on my list. I love NRG2 and X-1 in a full bed. Only issue is durability. Now, if this new string can address this issue and still maintain the feel and playability of their original multis that I love, I would be back to using them again for sure!

 

[osutennis24]

Would love to try it, never tried Technifbre, but have heard good things from them

 

[SteveI]

Woo this sounds like it's an innovation for the Spin racquets.... thick gauge, incorporate multi comfort with poly spin, will be v interested to hear of comfort/durability and spin.

Hope there's enough samples to ensure a wide selection of playtesters.

Sounds like Wilson Sensation Control 16 (1.30 mm). Which I like....

 

[darklore009]

how nice of them to include pro contact into the playtest. People, its one of the best quality grips in the world (not everyone is gonna like it)

 

[GS]

Hope I get to playtest this string, since I used to be a huge Tecnifibre fan. (I still wear their t-shirts proudly.)

 

[Irvin]

Never got to play with it but it was a dream to string.

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=496472

 

[SteveI]

Hope I get to playtest this string, since I used to be a huge Tecnifibre fan. (I still wear their t-shirts proudly.)

GS...

Are you in CA or HH? Hope we both get to playtest this... love to compare our results...

BTW... what is your "go to" string?

Steve

 

[spinovic]

how nice of them to include pro contact into the playtest. People, its one of the best quality grips in the world (not everyone is gonna like it)

I agree, that is a nice bonus for whomever is choses. I've been testing some different overgrips and the Pro Contact has been near the top of the list.

 

[eelhc]

Played both NRG and BiPhase... Good Multi's but I do not feel that they're worth the price premium at $16 and $18. Soft feeling with good power (if you're looking for it) but moves and frays like crazy. There are comparable Multi setups at lower costs and keeping in mind that Klip legend is at $26... IMO the price/performance is just not there with the NRG/NXT or NXT for that matter.

So I'm hoping this new Tecnifibre multi has better performance, pricing or both...

 

[g4driver]

Played both NRG and BiPhase... Good Multi's but I do not feel that they're worth the price premium at $16 and $18. Soft feeling with good power (if you're looking for it) but moves and frays like crazy. There are comparable Multi setups at lower costs and keeping in mind that Klip legend is at $26... IMO the price/performance is just not there with the NRG/NXT or NXT for that matter.

So I'm hoping this new Tecnifibre multi has better performance, pricing or both...

When X-1 Bi-phase was $225 a reel, and NRG2 was less than $200 , I got hooked on X1 as a cross with Black5Edge mains in my 16x19 pattern Pro Opens -

Nothing else came close to me personally - I was using 16.5 for the crosses off of the reels and didn't feel the tension loss everyone complained about since I was stringing 55M/ 57X -

The control from this setup is unreal, but isn't built for spin. this setup was designed for placement and a flat hitters dream.

 

[g4driver]

Tecnifibre Multifilament String Playtest

TW,

Any preference of which frame you would like the test string strung in ?

A Steam 99S, Blade 98 or Pro Open- all Wilson frames

Thanks for the chance to do this playtest- X1 was my go to cross string for four years before switching to the Paul Reed matched Steam 99S frames

 

[TW Staff]

TW,

Any preference of which frame you would like the test string strung in ?

A Steam 99S, Blade 98 or Pro Open- all Wilson frames

Thanks for the chance to do this playtest- X1 was my go to cross string for four years before switching to the Paul Reed matched Steam 99S frames

No preference. You make the call.

Thanks, TW

 

[spinovic]

Thanks TW, cannot wait to try out a new multi from Tecnifibre.

 

[Bud]

Looking forward to testing this

 

[WhiteStripes]

Can't comment on the strings as I have yet to string them up, but I can say that I'm enjoying the Pro Contact overgrip very much. To me it feels much more secure and tacky than Super Grap or Wilson Pro overgrip, yet still has enough softness for comfort comparable to the Solinco Wonder grips for me despite feeling much thinner to me (the thinness being a plus), although all these grips measure similar in thickness. I haven't put the grip through the ringer enough to test its longevity, but if it holds up decent, after my existing stock of various overgrips run out, I'm planning on getting these Pro Contact overgrips. Very pleasant surprise.

 

[SteveI]

Just strung mine up. They are a dream to string and thanks for the Tecnifibre Pro Contact Overgrip. Will also install this on my test frame.

Strung up with very little play. Looks like a mutli...put seems to have tension retention like a solid core. Does not look like it will produce much spin in a non-spin frame.. but who knows. Be hitting later tonight..

 

[spinovic]

I've yet to be disappointed by anything I have tried from Tecnifibre. They make some high quality products.

 

[da johnny boy]

What email address do I sent to?

 

[Nuke]

^ Too late to the party, Johhy Boy. Like it says in the first post, the strings have already shipped. This one had a pretty short fuse.

 

[Bud]

What email address do I sent to?

 

[spinovic]

^ Too late to the party, Johhy Boy. Like it says in the first post, the strings have already shipped. This one had a pretty short fuse.

They all do. I've missed on a few I would have probably applied for, but I only truly lament the previously mentioned Origin playtest. Other than that, I've been lucky in catching and getting picked for the ones I really wanted to try. Tennis Warehouse somehow knows what I'm interested in.

 

[SJSA]

I got mine yesterday.
The new string calls Tecnifibre Multi ATP 1.30.
The color is natural and the string feels sticky due to its special coating.
I hope this new string is better than X-One Biphase and Multi-feel I played with before.

 

[Devil_dog]

Thanks to TW and Tecnifibre for this string and OG playtest! Received both yesterday. Looking forward the demo.

Just a quick observation of the grip. I don't care for it. I prefer the Tournasoft OG soft grip - little to no tackiness and very soft. The Tecbifibre OG felt way too tacky and not as plush as I'd like. I went ahead and wrapped a racquet with it and will do a more thorough report later.

 

[SteveI]

This string seems to have the all important snapback. I will be testing tomorrow. If this string can create decent spin... it looks like a winner

 

[eelhc]

Got mine... Since there is no reference on what the recommended tension is or the power level of this string (just a generic package)... I think I'll wait until a few playtesters submit their results before I string mine up.

 

[SJSA]

The tension I will go for is 57 lbs.

 

[SteveI]

Got mine... Since there is no reference on what the recommended tension is or the power level of this string (just a generic package)... I think I'll wait until a few playtesters submit their results before I string mine up.

I went 60/58 on a Dunlop M-fil 400 (modified). Might be a bit tight... played with it for about 4 hours so far.

The specs of my frame is 16 x 19.. 11.6 oz .. 5 points HL. Plays like a Pure Drive but with better control and feel. A modern frame.. RA 68...beam 24 mm

 

[Bud]

I went 60/58 on a Dunlop M-fil 400 (modified). Might be a bit tight... played with it for about 4 hours so far.

The specs of my frame is 16 x 19.. 11.6 oz .. 5 points HL. Plays like a Pure Drive but with better control and feel. A modern frame.. RA 68...beam 24 mm

What are your first impressions of the string? :twisted:

 

[g4driver]

Tecnifibre Multifilament String Playtest

Strung it today in Steam 99S on a Prince 6000

mains 58 / crosses 56

First of all, Tecnifibre X1 Bi-phase and NRG2 are my two favorite multis. I have purchased 4 reels of X1 and 3 reels of NRG2 in the last four years for myself and friends.

Breeze to string the new Technifbre ATP.

My normal frame is Steam 99S with Volkl V-torque / Head Hawk or Cyclone Tour / Head Hawk.

Intial impressions - smooth felt like Gut- I cut out a set near month Pacific Tough Gut / Hawk to put this string in my third Steam 99S. Pacific Tough Gut lasts a long time and is well worth the price IMO. I broke the last two sets of V-torque / Hawk in the 5th or 6th set on ROS in the middle of he string beds - not on shank returns. Tough Gut was close to a month old and still kicking.

Played three sets of mixed 8.0 doubles tonight and noticed a little movement of the mains, but was extremely impressed how the strings snapped back unlike X1 or NRG.

Struggled with wide spin serves to the deuce court due to less spin than normal strings, but this is a serve I hit maybe 1 out of 5 or 6 attempts unless facing a lefty on the deuce side. I normally come down the T 80% of the time on the deuce side to a right handed player. This string was money for accuracy on flat serves. The ad side was easier for me to hit wide, and down the T was also accurate for flat shots.

I will give a full reviews later but my intial impression is Tecnifibre has a Home Run- with this string- maybe a walk off home run

Very impressed with my first three sets with Technifibre's new ATP multi.

This is the first multi that I think might have a chance to succeed in the Wilson Spin Effect frames and the Prince ESP Frames.

Hopefully the string last 14-16 sets and they keep snapping back.

 

[g4driver]

Tecnifibre Multifilament String Playtest

What intrigues me most is the thought of Head Hawk 16g / Technifbre mains / ATP multi 16 in a Steam 99S

hawk has a very low Cof which I think would work even better than a full bed of Technifbre's ATP multi in a Steam 99S

Would love another pack or heck just 13'4 inches of Technifibre's new string -

40' of string cut into three equal parts gives you 13'4" - enough for three crosses in a steam 99S - this means you can string six Steam 99S frames with only five packs of string - three packs for six sets of mains and two packs for six sets of crosses.

I let a friend hit with my Steam 99S tonight - she works at a local tennis store and was impressed with the string as well

 

[loosegroove]

Yeah, it will be interesting to see how these last in your Steams 99S. Syn guts and multis just don't last long enough in my Exo3 Tour 16x18, so we'll see how these strings pan out. Normally I play with poly mains and syn gut crosses, or thick natty gut mains with thick poly crosses for more longevity. Last time I tried a full multi was NXT, and it was done in less than 3 hours.

 

[g4driver]

Tecnifibre Multifilament String Playtest

This multi is acting more like natural gut than X1 or NRG2. I have used Tonic 15L, Pacific Tough Gut, and Klip Armor Pro.

The fact the strings were snapping back for the most part was the biggest difference between this string and X1 or NRG2 to me.

The Steam 99S produces ridiculous spin. Some polys like Cyclone Tour create massive spin. Making it harder to flatten out a ball with the Steam 99S.

If this string gets 12-14 sets that would equal what I am getting from the cyclone / cyclone tour / and V-Torque setups.

This string did allow me to flatten out balls with the Steam 99S much more easily than with any poly or Gut /poly I have tried and the string is very powerful compared to the polys I am using.

 

[SteveI]

What are your first impressions of the string? :twisted:

Hey Bud,

I play for the most part with a full bed of 17G poly at lower tensions, or a poly/syn gut hybrid. This string is interesting in that seems to have some snap-back but does not create the type of spin I am used to. Comfort was very good. The string played firm but sort of dull and not real crisp. The power / control ratio was not bad. It did not have that nice ball pocketing I am used to and the connection to the string bed was average. I do not play a SPIN frame so I am not sure how it would work in that sort of frame. These "HYBRID" strings in one package never seem to hit the mark for me. I only have 3-4 hours on these and I might have strung them a bit tight.. more to come.

Have a good one Bud...

 

[osutennis24]

haven't had a chance to string mine up yet, but I did play with the overgrip for about 2 hours

It's a good grip, but, not suitable IMO for the Florida heat. I played at 10am and didn't run around much (demolished my opponent) but with the sweat that I did have on my hands, it was becoming more slippery. Can't imagine how bad it would get if I was played at like 1pm and was in a tough grinding match

 

[SJSA]

I played 2 hours with this sting last night.
For my first impression, it feels like natural gut but less stiff; live feel, comfort and good power.

 

[SpinToWin]

I played 2 hours with this sting last night.
For my first impression, it feels like natural gut but less stiff; live feel, comfort and good power.

… Less stiff than natural gut, the by far softest string on the market? :shock:

 

[SJSA]

… Less stiff than natural gut, the by far softest string on the market? :shock:

Even though its stiffness rate is higher than NG, it feels less stiff than Klip NG I play with.

 

[Rabbit]

Tennis experience/background:
55 years old, been playing for 41 years now mostly doubles, 4.5.

Describe your playing style (i.e. serve & volley):
Serve/volley

Current racquet/string:
Wilson six.one 16 X 18 / Pacific Natural Gut mains@55 and TF NRG2 17 crosses@55

Tension used for playtest: 55

Regular string set up: Pacific Natural Gut/TF NRG 17 @55
Racquet brand and model used for test: Wilson six.one 16 X 18

Power of test string
It wasn't as powerful as gut, but it was plenty powerful. I found the string to be just about perfect at tension. It was solid.

I've played 5 times with this string. It continues to provide ample power. I'd estimate it is 75-80% as powerful as natural gut.

String broke yesterday, maintained playability pretty much to the end. There was a bit of a dropoff, but not too terribly bad.

Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp?)
SOLID! This string was crisper than a typical TF string, but not unpleasantly so. I found it to be very solid while still maintaining a big degree of comfort.


Played doubles yesterday, string was unchanged. Tension maintenance seems to be really good.

The string continues to maintain nice feel after 5 matches. It is still solid and very comfortable. It seems to be on the stiffer side of multis, but remains sublimely comfortable. Pocketing is very good.

String felt good to the end.

Spin
Spin was on demand. The string seemed to hold the ball and allow me to do anything with it. Slices and topspin were easy, impressively so with a 16 gauge.

After 5 matches, I think this string produces as much spin as natural gut.

Spin was good right until it broke.

Comfort
TF is famous for producing comfortable strings and this one is no exception. It is slightly stiffer than NRG, but not uncomfortably so. I found the string to be solid on everything. There wasn't excessive vibration and the string seemed to go through the ball like a hot knife through butter. Great feeling.

Comfort continues to be a strong point after 5 matches. The string pockets well.

Durability

I have played 5 matches with this string on clay. One or two of the crosses show a little fraying, but other than that, notching is minimal and the string is holding up better than I expected.

The string broke in typical TF fashion, on a cross. I found the string to be very durable.

Playability Duration (share thoughts on if/how the playability changed over time)

I have noticed no appreciable loss of tension or decrease in playability with this string over 5 matches thus far.

Playability did drop off in the last match, but it wasn't too terribly bad. It didn't seem to have the same power as it did fresh. The strings also began to move quite a bit toward in the last couple of matches.

Control
I have to say that control was poly-like with this string. I just knew where the ball was going each time.

Control remained good until it broke.

Compare to the string you use most often
If TF doesn't go overboard with the price on this string, i.e. they don't charge as much as gut, I'd consider going to it, it's that good. But if it's priced as much as natural gut, I'll stick with natural gut and NRG. The string is really, on first hit anyway, as good as gut.

I continue to like this string.

Gut does play better until it breaks, but this string is more durable than gut.

Tension recommendations (after hitting it, would you recommend a different tension? Why?)
I strung this like my usual setup and I would recommend same for anyone trying this string.

I wouldn't change anything regarding set up.

List any additional thoughts (optional)

Like others, I have never seen a string that was so docile and easy to string. The string had NO coil memory. It was like rope. The package said 1.30, but it felt thicker. It appears to have a heavy coating no it as well.

Great performer. We'll see how it holds up for the next couple of weeks.

Looked at TW Europe and it appears this string will retail for $25. I hope not.

hello , when you post your review , could you also include why you like your
current pacific/ nrg set up .I am always looking for a better non poly cross with gut mains (currently using TF synthetic 17) perhaps this new string may
be a option ?? Thanks

Hey, no problem. I find that NRG doesn't affect the stringbed too terribly other than maybe deadening it a bit and taking away a little power. I really like it better, at least for now, than a whole bed of natural gut. The ball seems to pocket very well and I retain control and feel.

 

[eelhc]

This multi is acting more like natural gut than X1 or NRG2. I have used Tonic 15L, Pacific Tough Gut, and Klip Armor Pro.

The fact the strings were snapping back for the most part was the biggest difference between this string and X1 or NRG2 to me.

The Steam 99S produces ridiculous spin. Some polys like Cyclone Tour create massive spin. Making it harder to flatten out a ball with the Steam 99S.

If this string gets 12-14 sets that would equal what I am getting from the cyclone / cyclone tour / and V-Torque setups.

This string did allow me to flatten out balls with the Steam 99S much more easily than with any poly or Gut /poly I have tried and the string is very powerful compared to the polys I am using.

This is promising.... one of my biggest gripes with NRG2 and BiPhase is string movement and fraying.

 

[Bud]

Tennis experience/background:
55 years old, been playing for 41 years now mostly doubles.

Describe your playing style (i.e. serve & volley):
Serve/volley

Current racquet/string:
Wilson six.one 16 X 18 / Pacific Natural Gut mains@55 and TF NRG2 17 crosses@55

Tension used for playtest: 55

Regular string set up: Pacific Natural Gut/TF NRG 17 @55
Racquet brand and model used for test: Wilson six.one 16 X 18

Power of test string

Feel (Stiff? Mushy? Muted? Crisp?)

Spin

Comfort

Durability

Playability Duration (share thoughts on if/how the playability changed over time)

Control

Compare to the string you use most often

Tension recommendations (after hitting it, would you recommend a different tension? Why?)

List any additional thoughts (optional)

Awesome review! :twisted:

 

[Rabbit]

Awesome review! :twisted:

It's a placeholder!!!!!!!!!!!!!:evil:

 

[SteveI]

It's a placeholder!!!!!!!!!!!!!:evil:

Bud is too funny.... Of course it is a placeholder

Interested to see your review Rabbit..

 

[Rabbit]

Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:evil:

 

[spinovic]

I'll post a review later obviously, but I did want to comment (as others have) about how easy this was to string. By far the easiest to string of any I have strung up.