The search for my own 'OG' tennis string. The 81 tennis strings playtest

[Tennis And Anime Lover]

Wow, really appreciate the in depth reply and comparisons. I'm definitely going to be trying out TBHS7T at the very least and like you said it is much budget friendly. Maybe I'll get around to tour sniper one day, maybe not as I know TB and TBHS7T is still more crisp and firm and I have zero discomfort with any strings.

And that is correct 100% that having sync in the cross increases the lifespan significantly with significantly decreased notching. It's been my go to cross for all my hybrids, but there is one last experiment for me which is to try out MSV Bussard as a cross string, which I've heard is much more crisp than sync albeit at slightly decreased slickness/durability maybe.

We shall see if I change my mains from tour bite to TBHS7T permanently and if the MSV Bussard can replace my sync in the crosses and that'll probably be my goldilocks string for the unforeseen longterm future.

For fun, Also will be trying out the new O-toro Tour in the mint color which I'm getting on Monday. Supposedly is the most crisp of all O-toro strings by 15% so I'm looking forward to it, but don't think it'll be crisper than the silver trio (TBHs7T, TB, TS)

with pleasure, will be interessting to see how bussard holds up as a cross. Will save you quite some money knowing the price tag difference. Surely if TBHS7 Tour could replace Tour Bite, you'll get a monster combo at budget pricing.
It'll be nice to read everyone's feedback on O Toro Tour (missed out on it). But surely on my 'to test' list. Description seems about right into my alley so.
Also probably Restring Vivo depending on the strings properties as we dont know much about it yet aside its colour

 

[Tennis And Anime Lover]

This list is very well done. I've tested almost all the round strings on the market as well as a decent # of shaped ones. Quickly came to the realization that I don't like shaped strings so my portfolio is mostly round strings now. I also do not like super slick strings for I find them to launch and spin in an unpredictable way.

Hawk Touch is my all time favorite string as it's played remarkably well across multiple frames and multiple tensions for me. 4g Soft would be right there at #2 for me as being a super "consistent" and predictable string. Solinco Outlast, Poly Tour Pro yellow, and KB Evolution are more high quality strings that would fall in somewhere behind the first two. Razor code and PT Strike get sort of grouped together as strings that I like, want to use, but never seem to perform as good they feel.

Currently tinkering/testing with Head Hawk, KB Max Power, Toroline Enso Pro grey, and Restring Sync

@ChaseS. always nice to read appreciation seems we have quite a bit of similarities in what we like in round strings. Indeed some top quality round strings.
About your current testing, do you do those full bed, or in crosses? As to me they would all be very good choices as crosses, as are YPTP and Outlast. PT Strike is also very close of top spots, its right up there. You could also hybrid that one with YPTP or Fire, to counter a bit of the underpowered main and bit more extra comfort and spin
@maksp have tried some Pro's Pro in full bed, which weren't bad at all but lacked in playability duration. Which is acceptable for budget priced strings. Have heard this before, Concept as a cross has been mentioned by several. But haven't tried Pro's Pro Hybrids myself

 

[ChaseS.]

@ChaseS. always nice to read appreciation seems we have quite a bit of similarities in what we like in round strings. Indeed some top quality round strings.
About your current testing, do you do those full bed, or in crosses? As to me they would all be very good choices as crosses, as are YPTP and Outlast. PT Strike is also very close of top spots, its right up there. You could also hybrid that one with YPTP or Fire, to counter a bit of the underpowered main and bit more extra comfort and spin
@maksp have tried some Pro's Pro in full bed, which weren't bad at all but lacked in playability duration. Which is acceptable for budget priced strings. Have heard this before, Concept as a cross has been mentioned by several. But haven't tried Pro's Pro Hybrids myself

Yes sir we do have some similar tastes. I'm always a full bed of said string. I've now used Head Hawk and it feels and performs very similar to both PT Strike and Razor Code. I won't use those in an open pattern but I do like them in closed patterns where they move around less. I can't find anything that beats HawK Touch at the moment, although I keep testing and trying lol

 

[Tennis And Anime Lover]

Just had a revisit of Head strings, they honestly are good enough to get a spot in my list, so gonna edit that a bit.
As for your preference for round strings. Pretty hard to recommend something, aside maybe Dyreex Pro Player. Have you played that one yet?
It's very very good, but will only be suited for few. Certainly one of most demanding strings I ever played. Super Controlled, Firm, very underpowered, not to use in stiffer frames. Not suited for medium 4.0 and lower. Have to be high 4.0 at least. The amount of string you get out of it for a round string is pretty sick.
Summary: it's a superb string if certain parameters are met. If not it will be called a 'garbage' string. it's kinda a love or hate thing
And also @hdjs94 felt a bit weird, liking TS and TBHS7T, and not including Tour Bite, felt a bit like off. That one also deserves a spot. Have to tinker a bit on updating that list

 

[ChaseS.]

Just had a revisit of Head strings, they honestly are good enough to get a spot in my list, so gonna edit that a bit.
As for your preference for round strings. Pretty hard to recommend something, aside maybe Dyreex Pro Player. Have you played that one yet?
It's very very good, but will only be suited for few. Certainly one of most demanding strings I ever played. Super Controlled, Firm, very underpowered, not to use in stiffer frames. Not suited for medium 4.0 and lower. Have to be high 4.0 at least. The amount of string you get out of it for a round string is pretty sick.
Summary: it's a superb string if certain parameters are met. If not it will be called a 'garbage' string. it's kinda a love or hate thing

I've been messing with Lynx Tour this week and it likely is going to become my go to string. It grew on me fast. It seems to be better than Hawk Touch in the areas that was lacking while still being excellent everywhere else. It plays very much like a round string

 

[Tennis And Anime Lover]

I've been messing with Lynx Tour this week and it likely is going to become my go to string. It grew on me fast. It seems to be better than Hawk Touch in the areas that was lacking while still being excellent everywhere else. It plays very much like a round string

Aha some love for shaped strings
With me if was the other way around, learned to appreciate round strings more over time.
Which colour did you play? I Initially played Champagne, felt to boardy with my reference tension, dropped 2 lbs and played Grey this time around, full bed, and in Hybrid with Hawk Power and Hawk Touch.
This time around i loved it a lot more. Some seem not to play as i want just of the stringer. Needs time settling/breaking in like kinda new shoes. So Lynx Tour was one of them, also happened with the mentioned Dyreex Pro Player and Solinco Revolution.

 

[ChaseS.]

Aha some love for shaped strings
With me if was the other way around, learned to appreciate round strings more over time.
Which colour did you play? I Initially played Champagne, felt to boardy with my reference tension, dropped 2 lbs and played Grey this time around, full bed, and in Hybrid with Hawk Power and Hawk Touch.
This time around i loved it a lot more. Some seem not to play as i want just of the stringer. Needs time settling/breaking in like kinda new shoes. So Lynx Tour was one of them, also happened with the mentioned Dyreex Pro Player and Solinco

Yep some shaped love! Nothing against shaped strings if they are consistent performers I had just seen some strange launches and spins out of them in the past.

I used full bed of grey 1.25 Lynx Tour at 49lbs in my Prestige Tour 2023. Just ordered some Champagne color to try this weekend.

I felt it played great off the stringer and was plenty comfortable as well. Way more pocketing and comfort than Hawk Touch. What frame are you using?

 

[Tennis And Anime Lover]

Wait, What???? You serious Lynx Tour more comfortable than Hawk Touch?? That's a first. If that's the case, i guess my stringer might have messed up. My reference tension is 53 lbs and i use that for every string test, for matter of consistency. But first time play LT the string felt so firm and boardy like it was strung at 60 lbs.
Prestige Tour, well talking bout a demanding frame. You certainly aren't a low level player I presume, hearing the frame you're playing.
I own a lot of different frames (18 if i'm counting right). But serious testing an competiton play is done with Vcore 98 and Vcore 100 frames.
Aside those I play Prince warrior regulary to my own surprise, Ezone 98 (7th generation) also and Diadem Nova V3. Will sell some frames to get my hands on a Diadem Axis.
If consistency is the key word, and you would consider other shaped strings, i recommend jumping on the grapplesnake train. Tour M8 might be 8 sided, but plays like a round string and my personal favorite shaped string, Tour Sniper, 5 sided, but not pronounced tho.
Consistency and predictabilty man. No wonder my top 3 is those 2 + 4Gsoft.

 

[ChaseS.]

Wait, What???? You serious Lynx Tour more comfortable than Hawk Touch?? That's a first. If that's the case, i guess my stringer might have messed up. My reference tension is 53 lbs and i use that for every string test, for matter of consistency. But first time play LT the string felt so firm and boardy like i was strung at 60 lbs.
Prestige Tour, well talking bout a demanding frame. You certainly aren't a low level player I presume, hearing the frame you're playing.
I own a lot of different frames (18 if i'm counting right). But serious testing an competiton play is done with Vcore 98 and Vcore 100 frames.
Aside those I play Prince warrior regulary to my own surprise, Ezone 98 (7th generation) also and Diadem Nova V3.
If consistency if the key word, and you would consider other shaped strings, i recommend jumping on the grapplesnake train. Tour M8 might be 8 sided, put plays like a round string and my personal favorite shaped string, Tour Sniper, 5 sided, but not pronounced tho.
Consistency and predictabilty man. No wonder my top 3 is those 2 + 4Gsoft.

Lynx Tour is quite a bit softer in my opinion and opened up the stringbed a little in this 95" frame. Now when I say softer I'm talking about more pocketing and elasticity. Lynx Tour has way more pocketing. Granted this is a low RA and sort of flexible frame as well so that can make stiffer strings feel softer.

I string my own rackets and use the same technique everytime so that limits one of the variables. I feel like this gives me a good baseline for trusting my feels especially since I feel how the string reacts while pulling tension on it!

I have used Tour Sniper last week and it's pretty solid. Seems like a softer version of Lynx Tour to me and was too soft in this frame for my liking. I tried it in my Prestige and in my Vcore Pro 97. I have a few sets of M8 but after reading that it's even softer than Sniper, has limited its chances of getting strung up lol

 

[Tennis And Anime Lover]

Lynx Tour is quite a bit softer in my opinion and opened up the stringbed a little in this 95" frame. Now when I say softer I'm talking about more pocketing and elasticity. Lynx Tour has way more pocketing. Granted this is a low RA and sort of flexible frame as well so that can make stiffer strings feel softer.

I string my own rackets and use the same technique everytime so that limits one of the variables. I feel like this gives me a good baseline for trusting my feels especially since I feel how the string reacts while pulling tension on it!

I have used Tour Sniper last week and it's pretty solid. Seems like a softer version of Lynx Tour to me and was too soft in this frame for my liking. I tried it in my Prestige and in my Vcore Pro 97. I have a few sets of M8 but after reading that it's even softer than Sniper, has limited its chances of getting strung up lol

Knowing the frame you are playing, it surely can handle a stiffer set up. In this case, Tourna Big Hitter Silver 7 Tour seems a more solid choice and yes Dyreex Pro Player
About M8 well, Contrary to popular opinion I'm going up 2 lbs with that one.
Now that the frequency of stringtesting will lower down, i'll actually have an easier time setting some money aside for a stringing machine. Which was also the secondary purpose at the start of this thread.
Toroline O Toro Tour testing coming up shortly

 

[ChaseS.]

Knowing the frame you are playing, it surely can handle a stiffer set up. In this case, Tourna Big Hitter Silver 7 Tour seems a more solid choice and yes Dyreex Pro Player
About M8 well, Contrary to popular opinion I'm going up 2 lbs with that one.
Now that the frequency of stringtesting will lower down, i'll actually have an easier time setting some money aside for a stringing machine. Which was also the secondary purpose at the start of this thread.
Toroline O Toro Tour testing coming up shortly

Oh man when you get a stringing machine the real fun begins lol. When you are always 30-40 minutes away from trying whatever you want to try!

 

[Tennis And Anime Lover]

Oh man when you get a stringing machine the real fun begins lol. When you are always 30-40 minutes away from trying whatever you want to try!

That's some 'bad news' being a equipment addict. Aside the string jungle, having my eyes on 3 new frames. Luckily have some frames to sell

 

[ChaseS.]

That's some 'bad news' being a equipment addict. Aside the string jungle, having my eyes on 3 new frames. Luckily have some frames to sell

Don't tease us what frames? Lol

 

[Tennis And Anime Lover]

Don't tease us what frames? Lol

Tecnifibre TFight (2025)
Diadem Axis
Pro Kennex Destiny FCS Green Pro

PK Destiny have been my sticks when I was a junior, some sentimental value. This time they have something to my specs more or less. They all seemed to be stuck at 265 before this new itteration, or maybe I've missed one before

I did purchase Diadem Nova V3 last year, and found it way better than Bab PD overal. So sold my Bab. Still have an Aero eating dust, with that in mind, Axis could replace that one.

Tecnifibre is a long shot. Didn't gell that well with TF X-1. So my experience with the brand aint that great, but for some reason i believe this could work well, and is probably best TFight itteration made so far. Also curious about how 'reducing swingweight' as a concept for a racket will work out. Could very well be a perfect match, as the power i produce doesn't come from plowing through the ball, but from racket head acceleration. Also spin would easily be more than sufficient which is important on my forehand side.

Frame of the year contender?
But will still stick to my Vcore's for tournament play surely

 

[hdjs94]

Tried out TBHS7T and while I do like it as a crisp silver budget string, there's something unique about the tour bite sound/feel that others have mentioned in the past that just makes it the string of choice for me. When I was stringing TBHS7T, I do find that the string itself has sharper defined edges compared to TB and the string feels slightly softer than TB. Personally most likely won't be making the switch, but overall still a great string. I do feel that TBHS7T has an ever so slight bit more power/ less control than TB.

Now to try the MSV Bussard cross...

 

[Tennis And Anime Lover]

I would have been surprised if you would've not appreciated it that much. But i do get not stepping away from your string of choice. It has to be that extra special something to make the switch.
For me is was kinda a value for money decision. the differences in how those 2 strings play are pretty small. At least that how I perceived it. One major difference i found was TB's tension maintenance wasn't at the same level as TBHS7T + being less expensive seems like a logical choice to me.
It's all about little nuances and preferences really.
Eager to hear some more good Bussard feedback. Almost convinced to stock up as a cross without trying

 

[hdjs94]

Looks like I'm officially making the switch from sync cross to MSV Bussard. The string is very similar to sync, but as others have told me, MSV Bussard does play a bit more crisp. I can't say yet how the string compares in terms of longevity and durability but I'm not too worried about it as I do changes strings relatively frequently. Hard to say which string has more power/control/spin as I just used them as crosses and not as full bed comparisons, but they felt very comparable. I would say that the difference between Bussard and sync in playability are even smaller than the difference between TBHS7T and TB.

I think Tour Bite 16L mains and MSV Bussard 17 cross is going to be my "OG" string setup for the foreseeable future until something happens and I just get older and my arm starts to really feel the stiffness, etc. Currently stringing mains a 50lb and cross at 47-48lb in my tfight 305s, but probably going to try out dropping the tension a little to find the perfect level of power and control. Going ahead and buying reels of both strings and really happy with MSV Bussard as a reel is quite a bit cheaper than sync.

Probably will continue to try new strings like the upcoming restring vivo and such just for fun, but looks like I've found my setup finally after about a year of trial and error. I would say that if tour bite round were to actually release to the public, that would be a very interesting one to try as a cross string to replace MSV Bussard.

Thanks to @Tennis And Anime Lover and @Trip for giving me some good advice and reviews to help me find my OG setup. Will continue to update on how the Bussard plays over time as I know @ZeroLove has mentioned that the slick snapback-ability drops more quickly than sync.

 

[Tennis And Anime Lover]

Looks like I'm officially making the switch from sync cross to MSV Bussard. The string is very similar to sync, but as others have told me, MSV Bussard does play a bit more crisp. I can't say yet how the string compares in terms of longevity and durability but I'm not too worried about it as I do changes strings relatively frequently. Hard to say which string has more power/control/spin as I just used them as crosses and not as full bed comparisons, but they felt very comparable. I would say that the difference between Bussard and sync in playability are even smaller than the difference between TBHS7T and TB.

I think Tour Bite 16L mains and MSV Bussard 17 cross is going to be my "OG" string setup for the foreseeable future until something happens and I just get older and my arm starts to really feel the stiffness, etc. Currently stringing mains a 50lb and cross at 47-48lb in my tfight 305s, but probably going to try out dropping the tension a little to find the perfect level of power and control. Going ahead and buying reels of both strings and really happy with MSV Bussard as a reel is quite a bit cheaper than sync.

Probably will continue to try new strings like the upcoming restring vivo and such just for fun, but looks like I've found my setup finally after about a year of trial and error. I would say that if tour bite round were to actually release to the public, that would be a very interesting one to try as a cross string to replace MSV Bussard.

Thanks to @Tennis And Anime Lover and @Trip for giving me some good advice and reviews to help me find my OG setup. Will continue to update on how the Bussard plays over time as I know @ZeroLove has mentioned that the slick snapback-ability drops more quickly than sync.

Glad to hear another positive feedback on Bussard as a cross. Some of the strings I tested stayed a bit under the radar at first. As i did only full beds initially. That was the case with Bussard for me. Felt like a decent budget string, but not really with a 'wow impressive' effect. Could say the same for Outlast. Sync as a full bed was good, but as a cross its way better.
With the pace of which i went through stringtesting, the frequency of restring was very high. But now that I'm pretty much done or at least of what i found to be interesting on the market has been covevered.
As of now, I'll only test new releases out of interest. Vivo, O Toro Tour and Mach 10 are for now the 3 remaining string I'll have a go on sooner or later.
As stated somewhere in the beginning, reasons for starting this topic where 3 fold, 1 general interest, 2 finding new string of choice, 3 what to stock on as a stringer.
reason 2 and 3 is pretty much decided on.
Now that i do have my string of choice, tension maintenace does matter to me and also the main reason why Tour Bite aint my first pick. But very good string nonetheless.
If you dont matter about restringing frequently as you do, it's a solid choice.
If you feel like the differences between bussard and sync are even smaller than the TBHS7T and TB comparison, then it's pretty much a no brainer when you factor in the price difference between Bussard and Sync. Knowing that for the same price as a reel of Sync you can get a reel of Bussard + Tour Bite.
We've taking about as long for finding our set up.
Yeah indeed, if TB Round is to be released, it'll be very interesting to test out for you. I know you'll jump right on it haha.
And even if bussard would have half the playability duration of sync, it's still worth it knowing it's around a third of Sync's price tag.
Always nice to hear insights, advice and opinions are considered helpfull, and yes @Trip is kinda second to none when it comes to racket+ string combo set up. Usefull insights always

 

[hdjs94]

Update for me. After having a bit more time with the Bussard as a cross, I may end up switching back to sync. Previous comments about SnapBack durability and slickness maintenance are very true about sync being much better than bussard. I’d say bussard was losing its SnapBack within a week and the strings would notch. While there is marginally more crispness to bussard over sync, I think that with the notching, there was some slight discomfort in my elbow which is not common for me. I’m going to play with the tension a bit but most likely will be going back to sync!

 

[Tennis And Anime Lover]

Nice to trailing back and report your findings.
Looks like you have 2 options, if you're all about performance, Sync seems the way to go, BUT
we (at least the majority i think) wants 'as good as it gets' for a reasonable price. In that respect, i do think some tinkering around wouldn't be a waist of time.
In the end, even with the value for money aspect, ultimately we'll all go for the set up that works best.
I do have to revisit my list cause of minor changes and having to add some -to does-
Derailing my own thread but, now i'm up to testing new frames instead of strings for a while

 

[Tennis And Anime Lover]

So after my last 'i have to buy myself some new frames to try out' itch. The total of rackets i've played and owned over the last 3 years went to 43.

Of those 43, 25 have been have already been sold to fund my new purchases => 11+1 Frame. What is left will be invested in reels.

So the 11+1 frames are

A second Yonex Vcore 98L V6 (was actually set on an older Sv model, but that purchase got cancelled, was out of stock where on the site was still up there for order, so got a second Vcore 98L V6 instead)
Wilson RF01 Future
Wilson Blade 100L V9
Head Gravity MPL 2025
Head Radical Team 2025
Yonex Percept 100L
Dunlop Cx 400
Tecnifibre TF40 290
Tecnifibre Tfight
Pro Kennex Destiny Fcs 290
Solinco White Out 290 V2
Diadem Axis Team

Prefered Vcore Percept over the Solinco Whiteout and TF 40, probably because 290 is just out of my prefered weight (280-285)
Prefered Wilson Blade over the RF (sweetspot is way to small, feels more like a 95), also the Dunlop which is specwise similar to blade, is inferior
Prefered Head Gravity over the Radical (thought it would be other way around, but spin is lacking with the Radical. In fact never really gelled well with Head. The Gravity is a first.
Of the remaining 3 ( TFight, Axis, Destiny) The Axis was a clear winner. The Tfight despite all it's praise, seems to work not that well for my game. The Destiny is not a real competitor as it was more bought of sentimental value.

So The Radical, TF 40, Dunlop Cx 400 and Solinco Whiteout will be put onto my 'to sell' list

Which leaves us with 14 frames of which 2 frames are identical.

RF 01 and Tfight dont make the top 10 but still happy to own them

10 Pro Kennex Q+5 L/ Pro Kennex Destiny Fcs 290 (no clear winner yet)
9 Yonex Ezone (best power oriented frame)
8 Diadem Axis Team (Prefer this one over the often compared Pure Aero)
7 Yonex Vcore 100L (just slightly to light)
6 Prince Warrior (underrated, very versitale power oriented frame)
5 Yonex Vcore 100L V7 (prefer the older version, the changes in the new model, make the stringbed to launchy; string sensitive, but with the right string in it, it actually plays much better, hence why it's moved up in the list)

Still undecided on the top 4, but preference seems to be shifted towards 'modern control' when looking at remaining frames.

4 to 1 still to early to say, needs more hitting hours with the remaining frames (Blade 100L V9, Gravity MPL, Vcore 98L V6, , Percept 100L, )

Next post will be back on topic with slight changes to the favourit string list

Edit: the best 3-4 frames will be tuned/ customized to more or less same specs, Dieter Calle to the rescue.
Will keep 1 Vcore 98L V6 in stock form/keep it as a baseline, the other will be customized to the same numbers as the rest. I know more or less where that will end up.

 

[hdjs94]

Haven't been able to give any updates about vivo or tour bite round that I got as ive been taking a break for two weeks or so with some arm issues. Hoping to get back next week!

Also was in the middle of trying out lower and lower tensions so I'll be continuing to try out lower tensions as I heard from a pro that a good rule of thumb is to actually go as low as you can in tension as much as you can tolerate the control. I've traditionally hit with around the low-mid 50 range over the majority of my tennis play albeit I didn't know much about strings or tension back then. Because I'm playing with stiff strings, am going to see how low I can go in tension. I've dropped to the upper 40s before I took my injury break and it was very promising. I'm thinking I can go down to even the low-mid 40s where I'll hit the wall of losing too much control.

 

[Tennis And Anime Lover]

Haven't been able to give any updates about vivo or tour bite round that I got as ive been taking a break for two weeks or so with some arm issues. Hoping to get back next week!

Also was in the middle of trying out lower and lower tensions so I'll be continuing to try out lower tensions as I heard from a pro that a good rule of thumb is to actually go as low as you can in tension as much as you can tolerate the control. I've traditionally hit with around the low-mid 50 range over the majority of my tennis play albeit I didn't know much about strings or tension back then. Because I'm playing with stiff strings, am going to see how low I can go in tension. I've dropped to the upper 40s before I took my injury break and it was very promising. I'm thinking I can go down to even the low-mid 40s where I'll hit the wall of losing too much control.

We all encounter some 'troubles' sooner or later. Had my knee doing a 'wrong movement' which is bothering me. Always happens to me when tournament play is around the corner. Actually have a competition match coming up next monday. Will have that knee taped and braced in. Hopefully it holds up for a couple of matches. By the end of the month, some league games untill end of may. ***sigh***

I've seen you've been liking that TBR apperently. Only thing left to do is a direct comparison with Sync as cross.

As for me, I only have 4 strings left to try sooner or later (P6, Vivo, Mach 10, O Toro Tour) bit postponed due to competition weeks coming up.

as for the racket testing, have to put in some more hours, but a potential switch is possible. Racket testing updated in post above.

 

[hdjs94]

We all encounter some 'troubles' sooner or later. Had my knee doing a 'wrong movement' which is bothering me. Always happens to me when tournament play is around the corner. Actually have a competition match coming up next monday. Will have that knee taped and braced in. Hopefully it holds up for a couple of matches. By the end of the month, some league games untill end of may. ***sigh***

I've seen you've been liking that TBR apperently. Only thing left to do is a direct comparison with Sync as cross.

As for me, I only have 4 strings left to try sooner or later (P6, Vivo, Mach 10, O Toro Tour) bit postponed due to competition weeks coming up.

as for the racket testing, have to put in some more hours, but a potential switch is possible. Racket testing updated in post above.

My arm and shoulder looks like it's fully healed up thanks to the 2 weeks of rest.

I am quite enjoying tour bite round and do plan on doing a direct comparison with sync very soon over the next week or two.

I also have a few strings to try out yet just like you with Mach 10 and vivo!

 

[Tennis And Anime Lover]

It has been a while hanging around here (been having really to busy schedule as off lately)
League games have been going well. Reached regional SF with my team, was able to do some testing after that and narrowed things further down to the following.
As far as racket choices go, I do have my preferences in every type of racket, but made some decision i wont reconsider. I decided to drop Power, Spin and Comfort frames. So goodbye Ezone, Vcore, Extreme, Axis, Phantom, Black Ace.
The only type i play from now on is what is more or less what is considered 'modern control' frames. The only rackets i play nowadays are Gravity, Percept, Blade and Elevate.

Going back to strings.
I wont repeat the entire list that i did on the previous page, but only post what in my opinion is the best one could get.
If you are on a budget, Tourna BHS7T is still king, if you want a less harsh on the arm option, Signum Pro Poly Plasma Hextreme is a good substitute despite its age.
For those who prefer power over control with more comfort at medium price point we have Solinco Mach 10 and Grapplesnake Alpha
For those who seek control at an acceptable price point and not that harsh, We got Solinco Confidential and Mayami Tour Hex
For those who prefer round string and want something Crisp= Yonex Poly Tour Strike
You swear with Nat Gut, but don’t want to go full bed = Mix it with Luxilon 4G Soft or regular, depending on how much you want to tame the power of Nat Gut,
You are in search of the perfect blend of everything/ best overall performance= Best options for me are Grapplesnake Tour M8, Grapplesnake Tour Sniper, Toroline O Toro Tour. What the best choice is among these 3 depends on how crisp, controlled, or powered and spinny you want it to be.
If you prefer a poly poly hybrid instead of full bed. Mix your favorite poly main with Restring Sync as a cross.

So for me the best option is a full bed of Grapplesnake Tour M8, Grapplesnake Tour Sniper, Toroline O Toro Tour, or a hybrid of those 3 with Sync in the crosses in 1 of the 4 modern control frames mentioned.

This summary is kinda my take of what the best of the best the stringmarket has to order (excluding multi’s)

 

[BallsOfFire]

It has been a while hanging around here (been having really to busy schedule as off lately)
League games have been going well. Reached regional SF with my team, was able to do some testing after that and narrowed things further down to the following.
As far as racket choices go, I do have my preferences in every type of racket, but made some decision i wont reconsider. I decided to drop Power, Spin and Comfort frames. So goodbye Ezone, Vcore, Extreme, Axis, Phantom, Black Ace.
The only type i play from now on is what is more or less what is considered 'modern control' frames. The only rackets i play nowadays are Gravity, Percept, Blade and Elevate.

Going back to strings.
I wont repeat the entire list that i did on the previous page, but only post what in my opinion is the best one could get.
If you are on a budget, Tourna BHS7T is still king, if you want a less harsh on the arm option, Signum Pro Poly Plasma Hextreme is a good substitute despite its age.
For those who prefer power over control with more comfort at medium price point we have Solinco Mach 10 and Grapplesnake Alpha
For those who seek control at an acceptable price point and not that harsh, We got Solinco Confidential and Mayami Tour Hex
For those who prefer round string and want something Crisp= Yonex Poly Tour Strike
You swear with Nat Gut, but don’t want to go full bed = Mix it with Luxilon 4G Soft or regular, depending on how much you want to tame the power of Nat Gut,
You are in search of the perfect blend of everything/ best overall performance= Best options for me are Grapplesnake Tour M8, Grapplesnake Tour Sniper, Toroline O Toro Tour. What the best choice is among these 3 depends on how crisp, controlled, or powered and spinny you want it to be.
If you prefer a poly poly hybrid instead of full bed. Mix your favorite poly main with Restring Sync as a cross.

So for me the best option is a full bed of Grapplesnake Tour M8, Grapplesnake Tour Sniper, Toroline O Toro Tour, or a hybrid of those 3 with Sync in the crosses in 1 of the 4 modern control frames mentioned.

This summary is kinda my take of what the best of the best the stringmarket has to order (excluding multi’s)

Or just go with MSV Co-focus or Focus Hex/Ultra/soft +25
Then you get all that...just cheaper.

 

[Tennis And Anime Lover]

Or just go with MSV Co-focus or Focus Hex/Ultra/soft +25
Then you get all that...just cheaper.

While I totally respect that. We can't totally objectively categorise strings. Cause there are different type of players and have different needs of what we want out of a string. Some may want Control over everything else, others may preorietize power and or comfort. Some may put value over anything else. So yeah there is no such thing as 1 best string fits all. Tried to mention best option for a wide variety of player preferences. But that's only from my point of view based on all the different strings I've been playing.

About MSV I've played all of them and they do have a following. Certainly one of the brands to look at when on a budget. I just think in that price range Signum Pro is slightly ahead.

 

[BallsOfFire]

While I totally respect that. We can't totally objectively categorise strings. Cause there are different type of players and have different needs of what we want out of a string. Some may want Control over everything else, others may preorietize power and or comfort. Some may put value over anything else. So yeah there is no such thing as 1 best string fits all. Tried to mention best option for a wide variety of player preferences. But that's only from my point of view based on all the different strings I've been playing.

About MSV I've played all of them and they do have a following. Certainly one of the brands to look at when on a budget. I just think in that price range Signum Pro is slightly ahead.

Its ok you think like that.
We also have to live with that the price tags do not necesarely reflect best mix of duration, spin, playability etc.
We have to know that higher priced strings mainly has to do with either having legend status like Luxilon or marketed through sponsored players which costs (alot).
I think the "following" as you call it regarding MSV, is highly due to a great mix of things (duration, spin, playability etc.). I think also the Following of more expensive strings is due to a lack of knowledge of other existing strings and holding the rich mans assumption that higher price = higher quality
I dont think MSV Focus Hex is a budget playing string. It plays better than RPM Blast and Hyper G but is priced better for the Volks Wagen segment of income earners. There is high level players all over europe using this MSV string when they are not yet sponsored and hooked by Head og Babolat.
Its been long a thing on forums that MSV plays equal or better than many go to top strings. This TWU data also confirms.

 

[BallsOfFire]

While I totally respect that. We can't totally objectively categorise strings. Cause there are different type of players and have different needs of what we want out of a string. Some may want Control over everything else, others may preorietize power and or comfort. Some may put value over anything else. So yeah there is no such thing as 1 best string fits all. Tried to mention best option for a wide variety of player preferences. But that's only from my point of view based on all the different strings I've been playing.

About MSV I've played all of them and they do have a following. Certainly one of the brands to look at when on a budget. I just think in that price range Signum Pro is slightly ahead.

Signum Pro most likely gets their strings made the same place as Pros Pro (and West Gut). So if they are good...Then just go with Pros Pro.... Eruption = X-perience
Firestorm = Cyclone Power
Plus Power = Poly Plasma

 

[Tennis And Anime Lover]

Haven't been very active last couple of month due to personal agenda (way to busy schedule), but things seem to get 'normalized' again from 2026 onwarts.

In terms of strings, has there been interesting releases in last couple of months??

The only one's i can think of are Grapplesnake Soldier and the yet to be release Yonex PTP Force

Did i mis anything important?

And oh no please dont come on shouting Toroline this, Toroline that, kinda got fed up with their 'new release of the month' approach. Although they have a string that is in my personal top 3, It isn't my intend to test that brand endlessly. Within 5 years at this rate they gonna end up with a 60+ string inventory.

 

[tophersuwita]

I was a racquetholic that turned to stringholic now. What will you suggest for my pair of Regna 100 Sir? I like Lynx Tour 40-45 lbs (but need more launch angle), Otoro Tour 45 lbs (but too stiff), and Otoro Tour/Snap 48/45 lbs. For the last setup, sometimes the big snapback launch the balls erratically. I am interested with your original Caviar X too (ime I only used Caviar as crosses)

Thank you in advance

Haven't been very active last couple of month due to personal agenda (way to busy schedule), but things seem to get 'normalized' again from 2026 onwarts.

In terms of strings, has there been interesting releases in last couple of months??

The only one's i can think of are Grapplesnake Soldier and the yet to be release Yonex PTP Force

Did i mis anything important?

And oh no please dont come on shouting Toroline this, Toroline that, kinda got fed up with their 'new release of the month' approach. Although they have a string that is in my personal top 3, It isn't my intend to test that brand endlessly. Within 5 years at this rate they gonna end up with a 60+ string inventory.