how did bhs7t/black zone play?
Tourna Big Hitter Silver 7 Tour
- Thread starter 1990's Graphite
- Start date
FIRETennis
Professional
Bit softer than full bed bhs7t however durability was about half as full bed as the mains chewed the crosses really quickly.
Ah i see how that could happen. Black zone is pretty soft. I think something like poly tour fire or pro red code wax would work better
FIRETennis
Professional
With this string, I think that anything that's softer than itself in the cross is going to increase comfort but reduce duration.
If you have a tight pattern, hit flatter and do not break strings, that's a good option to try.
This particular combo I tried in the Pure Aero Tour which eats strings like crazy.
TennisManiac
Hall of Fame
I just played with this string for the first time today. I played 3 sets of singles for a little over two hours. I'm very string sensitive. This string felt and played exactly like Cyclone. And to me, that's not a good thing. I've been playing with Alu Power for over 9 years. And this string... like all the rest I've tried, has paled in comparison. BHS7T offers more spin than Alu "obviously". And from what I can tell, it might hold tension a little longer. But Alu has way more feel and much more power. BHS7T feels like cheap plastic. I lost about 10 mph on my serve compared to when I use Alu Power. Oh and after like 20 minutes of playing with it the strings were starting to get stuck out of place and wouldn't snap back very well at all. Back to Alu.
What tensions did you string at?
TennisManiac
Hall of Fame
45
Interesting. Someday I'll be able to afford alu and see what all the hype is about.
TennisManiac
Hall of Fame
I've been buying reels for 180 from a guy who has a store on e bay. It's authentic too. This is the only way that I'll use it. It comes to like 10.50 per string job. I would never pay full retail for it from the large stores.
I mean, I bought my real of tourna for $55 after saving up stinging $. Cyclone before that was $60 (but has like 1/3 the life). And gotta stock syn gut and pros pro for the people I string for.
I'm done my masters in August and have a job lined up. Once that's done string costs will be trivial.
cameron9713
New User
I tried Black Zone in a hybrid with BHS7T in both the mains as well as the crosses and it wasn't as soft as I thought it would be. I strung both around 42lbs. The durability was decent but I did notice a bit more notching (nothing crazy though). I also tried with with Syn Gut in the crosses and it was much softer. I'll try is a couple more times and let you know how it works out. Initially the only drawback I've noticed is a decreased kick on my kick serve.
Have noticed that this stuff seems to break easier from off center hits than most strings.
Been retooling my serve and obviously that means more hard hitting miss-hits. Can break even on a relatively new string job (1-2hrs) along the grommet (hasn't been by knots and once even in the throat so pretty sure it's from miss-hits).
Seems related to the weird splitting that can happen with stringing sometimes (esp if you nick it with the awl).
First downside I've found of this string.
Been retooling my serve and obviously that means more hard hitting miss-hits. Can break even on a relatively new string job (1-2hrs) along the grommet (hasn't been by knots and once even in the throat so pretty sure it's from miss-hits).
Seems related to the weird splitting that can happen with stringing sometimes (esp if you nick it with the awl).
First downside I've found of this string.
FIRETennis
Professional
I've also tried syn gut crosses and it was a good setup for about 2 hours then the mains stopped moving and spin went away.
cameron9713
New User
I don't recall experiencing a drop off in spin that quickly but I'll string up another and pay more attention to see if I experience the same thing. I am using Tourna Syn Gut Armor...not sure if all the syn gut is pretty much the same or not. This is the only syn gut I've ever tried. Have you tried anything else that seems to work better for you?
topspn
G.O.A.T.
You had a locked string bed. Poly mains dug grove into syn gut crosses and stopped moving and snapping back.
FIRETennis
Professional
Yup. It was Isospeed Control.
3virgul14
Rookie
I also have weird issue now. Hybrided 24kgs bhs7t with 21kgs velocity crosses and balls are flying on me.
I mean literally flying, hit some backhands over the fences, dont remember doing that before
FIRETennis
Professional
I also have weird issue now. Hybrided 24kgs bhs7t with 21kgs velocity crosses and balls are flying on me.
I mean literally flying, hit some backhands over the fences, dont remember doing that before
Try upping the tension on the crosses to 23-24kg?
cameron9713
New User
I recently tried Ghost Wire in the crosses with BHS7T and liked it better than Black Zone. Comfort and performance were great.
Christoforos Giatzakis
Rookie
My current set up. BHS7T/GW, 20.5/21kg, Blade 18x20.
SteveI
Legend
Going to finally string a set of this in full bed. My normal for poly is 52 / 50. I am thinking of going down to 50 / 48. Full bed. I will be using a 102 head size with 16 x 19. This Volkl frame has the mains closer together than normal for the inside mains to get better control. I will report back this week. I will also take care while stringing. I string like little old lady anyway. Lol
Injured Again
Hall of Fame
Just take care to make sure the swing is not twisted when it makes the 180 degree U bend around the grommets. That seems to be the problem area, and I recently snapped a set by being a bit careless.
As far as I know, there hasn't been any published stiffness for the 17 gauge. I personally haven't tried both the 16 and 17 and I only know of one person who has, and they said there was a fairly significantly difference. I'd guess the 17 gauge is probably around 210 lb/in or so.
Tension loss is really minimal depending on what string you're coming from. 50/48 in a 102 sq. in. head sounds like it is "in the neighborhood". I recently strung up a a Pure Drive VS and Pure Aero VS, both 98 square inches, in the mid-40s and it is a bit too high considering the stiffness of the racquets. So if you haven't yet strung it, and with the middle mains being close together, you could probably get away with a bit looser or maybe a bit more differential, like 50/45 or 48/46.
Will be anxious to hear what you think of the string!
SteveI
Legend
Just followed your advise. Went 48 / 44 and was very careful stringing. The frame is quite soft RA = 60. 200 to 210 is in my comfort zone for stiffness. It was no trouble stringing and knots pulled up nicely. I am planning to drill in the AM if possible. Thanks again for all you do and they opportunity to test this string. I am big fan of most of Tourna offerings. Love Big Hitter Silver and BHB 7... Black Zone etc. I will post my insights as I get some decent court time wit the string. Courts are getting easy to get now that other rec options are now open to the public. We are in Phase 3 and hope to hit Phase 4 in two weeks. My summer teaching job is gone due to the virus. If that is the least of ones problems... I am indeed blessed. Be safe everyone. USO with no fans...
.Injured Again
Hall of Fame
Just followed your advise. Went 48 / 44 and was very careful stringing. The frame is quite soft RA = 60. 200 to 210 is in my comfort zone for stiffness. It was no trouble stringing and knots pulled up nicely. I am planning to drill in the AM if possible. Thanks again for all you do and they opportunity to test this string. I am big fan of most of Tourna offerings. Love Big Hitter Silver and BHB 7... Black Zone etc. I will post my insights as I get some decent court time wit the string. Courts are getting easy to get now that other rec options are now open to the public. We are in Phase 3 and hope to hit Phase 4 in two weeks. My summer teaching job is gone due to the virus. If that is the least of ones problems... I am indeed blessed. Be safe everyone. USO with no fans...
Glad to hear you're getting out to hit some! We're in what's called "modified Phase 1" with some but not all of the benefits of Phase 2. Our county applied to move to phase 2 yesterday, so we should know before the end of the week if that goes through. A lot of our state is now experiencing high infection rates and hospitalizations but now it is affecting the more rural areas where protective measures like wearing facial coverings is not being as strictly followed. There were a lot of protests and there's likely going to be a surge from that, and I think that's why our county moved to apply for phase 2 before all of that really hits.
I think the v7 Blades are also around 60-62 RA and they did well for me and others in the mid 40's with S7T, with the 18x20 2-3 pounds lower. The tension stability of S7T over time is excellent - strings I had put in there a few months ago still feel fresh and lively and I can't tell that it wasn't very recently strung.
smithie
Professional
SteveI
Legend
Coool... thanks. I drilled with it for 2 hours today. I think that number is about right..
smithie
Professional
Ye I would agree. It seems to feel stiffer than that number - almost boardy in my ultra tours due to its tight string pattern - But after the first hour or so it settles in really nicelyCoool... thanks. I drilled with it for 2 hours today. I think that number is about right..
Injured Again
Hall of Fame
Coool... thanks. I drilled with it for 2 hours today. I think that number is about right..
Review?
SteveI
Legend
I will drill two more hours on Sunday... Then post! So far it is another fine offering from Tourna! I was off my game after so many days without any decent court time. I am hoping to be sharper on Sunday. Thanks againReview?
Injured Again
Hall of Fame
Well, played with a young and very hard hitting player this afternoon. The amount of spin he was able to put on the ball had me mis-hitting a bit more than normal. However, on one point, I managed to get a high mid-court forehand and swung at it really hard without getting into good position. I whacked it high on the stringbed and a bit off axis as well and it sounded like I broke a string. He was about 15 feet behind the baseline and expected more pace so he didn't swing at it but just blocked it back, giving me another high mid-court forehand. In the middle of this, I had time to quickly look at my frame and see that I didn't break a string. By then, the ball was already back on my side. So I swung hard again and mis-hit it in almost the exact same location.
Note to self - good footwork kind of helps to hit the center of the strings.
Second shear break during play in about 35-40 string jobs. I do still think this is a problem with S7T and the only reason I haven't broken more strings in this way is because the tension on that main is pretty low. It's the third main from the edge so it would have had only about 40 pounds tension. From the looks of the end of the string, I got it installed without it being twisted.
I do still love this string and will continue to use it despite it being a bit brittle.
Note to self - good footwork kind of helps to hit the center of the strings.
Second shear break during play in about 35-40 string jobs. I do still think this is a problem with S7T and the only reason I haven't broken more strings in this way is because the tension on that main is pretty low. It's the third main from the edge so it would have had only about 40 pounds tension. From the looks of the end of the string, I got it installed without it being twisted.
I do still love this string and will continue to use it despite it being a bit brittle.
SteveI
Legend
Hello All:
Have about 7 hours on the setup and feel I can give a decent review at this time:
Sorry to say I have read most of what has been posted on this string and was impressed with the reviews. Folks on Talk Tennis are very good and reviewing products and honest about what they experienced.
I am not going to produce a full review but give my impressions. I found the string to be very firm and precise. I strung my frame 48 / 44 and should have gone down a few pounds. This is a "TOUR" offering for sure in my book. Not a string for a 3.5 just moving into a poly.. Inside the sweet-spot... magic and spin off the charts...miss the sweet-spot and the power and spin is reduced. Since I was coming off a long lay off like many of us, I was not at my best in finding the sweet-spot and my footwork was sloppy. I was much better on Sunday and maybe the string-bed also was a bit more forgiving due to tension loss and the 90 degree heat.
I found the power to be right in the middle of the scale at the tension I picked. Spin was of course in the upper end of the scale. Backhand slices are wonderful as are slice and kick serves. The launch angle for topspin off of both sides is higher than a standard round poly but right in there with Tourna BHB7 17G and my go to string Volkl Cyclone 19G. The control was outstanding and offered a very linear power / control balance at least for me. Very honest output.. put a good stroke on the ball and make solid contact... string-bed is giving you a true output. Very connected to the string-bed after the 1st 2 hours it was very better.
The response from the string-bed was very predictable and the tension holding is really a strong feature of this offering from Tourna. I am a fan of most of their strings... hate the over-grip..... the blue crap..
Using this string in a firm or stiff frame might offer some arm concerns. My frame is about 60 RA and might be lower due to age.
Stringing this up was not problem but I had the benefit of advice of others. I can see how a big hitter might break this as it appears to be on the brittle side. Will not be an issue for a player with medium swing speed and length. Hitting the sweet-spot is not a issue for higher level players so the power drop outside the sweet-spot and firmness of the string would be moot.
Again.. I found this string to be a TOUR offering and in my case.. I would love to hybrid my next try with Tourna BlackZone as a cross or Head Sonic Pro (IsoSpeed BaseLine) to add a bit of softness and give to the hitting zone and keep most of the attributes of the string.
Given the Tourna Price Points when buying in reels... hard to go wrong with this in reels. I felt the stiffness of the string was 200 to 210. TW has a value posted for 16G and RSI Mag says 198 for the 17G. I was testing the 17G in a 102 Head Size with 16 x 19 pattern.
Thanks to @Injured Again for the play test sets... And to all the great info in this thread. I missed the Talk Tennis play test on this one and really enjoying doing this short review.
Happy Hitting All.. Be safe out there!
Have about 7 hours on the setup and feel I can give a decent review at this time:
Sorry to say I have read most of what has been posted on this string and was impressed with the reviews. Folks on Talk Tennis are very good and reviewing products and honest about what they experienced.
I am not going to produce a full review but give my impressions. I found the string to be very firm and precise. I strung my frame 48 / 44 and should have gone down a few pounds. This is a "TOUR" offering for sure in my book. Not a string for a 3.5 just moving into a poly.. Inside the sweet-spot... magic and spin off the charts...miss the sweet-spot and the power and spin is reduced. Since I was coming off a long lay off like many of us, I was not at my best in finding the sweet-spot and my footwork was sloppy. I was much better on Sunday and maybe the string-bed also was a bit more forgiving due to tension loss and the 90 degree heat.
I found the power to be right in the middle of the scale at the tension I picked. Spin was of course in the upper end of the scale. Backhand slices are wonderful as are slice and kick serves. The launch angle for topspin off of both sides is higher than a standard round poly but right in there with Tourna BHB7 17G and my go to string Volkl Cyclone 19G. The control was outstanding and offered a very linear power / control balance at least for me. Very honest output.. put a good stroke on the ball and make solid contact... string-bed is giving you a true output. Very connected to the string-bed after the 1st 2 hours it was very better.
The response from the string-bed was very predictable and the tension holding is really a strong feature of this offering from Tourna. I am a fan of most of their strings... hate the over-grip..
... the blue crap..Using this string in a firm or stiff frame might offer some arm concerns. My frame is about 60 RA and might be lower due to age.
Stringing this up was not problem but I had the benefit of advice of others. I can see how a big hitter might break this as it appears to be on the brittle side. Will not be an issue for a player with medium swing speed and length. Hitting the sweet-spot is not a issue for higher level players so the power drop outside the sweet-spot and firmness of the string would be moot.
Again.. I found this string to be a TOUR offering and in my case.. I would love to hybrid my next try with Tourna BlackZone as a cross or Head Sonic Pro (IsoSpeed BaseLine) to add a bit of softness and give to the hitting zone and keep most of the attributes of the string.
Given the Tourna Price Points when buying in reels... hard to go wrong with this in reels. I felt the stiffness of the string was 200 to 210. TW has a value posted for 16G and RSI Mag says 198 for the 17G. I was testing the 17G in a 102 Head Size with 16 x 19 pattern.
Thanks to @Injured Again for the play test sets... And to all the great info in this thread. I missed the Talk Tennis play test on this one and really enjoying doing this short review.
Happy Hitting All.. Be safe out there!
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SteveI
Legend
I just reviewed the TW video play-test... To see how my mini review compared to TWs and also to the posts and Talk Tennis Play-Test results from last summer. I was in that test but came in late and all the Silver 7 Tour was gone and I tested the Deuce 17G. That was a bust for me...The Deuce 17G.
The only attribute that seems in question is power output.. I can see is that folks talk about this string being low powered and firm. I found it crisp, firm and med power. Others results indicate a more powerful string. I am guessing it depends on your tension selected, frame and string pattern and how big a hitter you are. I have seen @Injured Again's videos and I can see with his game and swing speed / frame how it could be considered a higher powered offering. He is not the only one to mention a high power rating. Many did..
I hope to restring my other frame in the next week with a hybrid. Slick round poly in the crosses. I cannot see using a multi or syn gut as the Silver Tour 7 would rip the crosses up or create a locked string-bed within a few hours.
Thanks again all..
The only attribute that seems in question is power output.. I can see is that folks talk about this string being low powered and firm. I found it crisp, firm and med power. Others results indicate a more powerful string. I am guessing it depends on your tension selected, frame and string pattern and how big a hitter you are. I have seen @Injured Again's videos and I can see with his game and swing speed / frame how it could be considered a higher powered offering. He is not the only one to mention a high power rating. Many did..
I hope to restring my other frame in the next week with a hybrid. Slick round poly in the crosses. I cannot see using a multi or syn gut as the Silver Tour 7 would rip the crosses up or create a locked string-bed within a few hours.
Thanks again all..
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Injured Again
Hall of Fame
I think part of what makes me feel it is a relatively high powered string (for a poly) is that S7T feels like it responds linearly up to and beyond my maximum swing speed capability. It feels like it easily can handle all I can give it, and combined with a little bit of springiness and liveliness really seems to pop the ball off my stringbed. Like you said, it does have a fair bit of that Luxilon magic feel in the sweetspot that lasts a good long time longer than I've experienced with Alu Power.
So glad you got to hit with it!
SteveI
Legend
Watching you rip the fuzz of the ball in your videos... I can see a very good match for your game and frame. I will have a few more hours on the frame in the next day or so.
I was also thinking a Tourna Big Hitter 7 Tour (Mains) and Big Hitter Silver 17G (Crosses) might also be an interesting hybrid? Thoughts?
smithie
Professional
I think it would work just not sure if it would notch prematurely. I've been thinking about crossing it with Yonex Poly Tour Fire as the wax is infused into the string rather than a coating like Tecnifibre Red Code Wax which could wear off
jwocky
Rookie
3virgul14
Rookie
This was strung on my pro stock blade 98, full bed 22/21kgs.
Previously on my daytime matches I found it very powerful and uncontrolled, after a 3 week break and damp night match, it was impossible to hit long or out, heavy spin and flawless control. Missile serves.
Can it really be that I gotta choose my stringjob depending on the weather?
Sent from my NEO-L29 using Tapatalk
Previously on my daytime matches I found it very powerful and uncontrolled, after a 3 week break and damp night match, it was impossible to hit long or out, heavy spin and flawless control. Missile serves.
Can it really be that I gotta choose my stringjob depending on the weather?
Sent from my NEO-L29 using Tapatalk
JOSHL
Hall of Fame
I’m planning on BH7T main with Big Hitter silver rough crosses soon. I’ll post findings here.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
This string goats real hard in the v7 blades. Going to see if tour sniper can beat it out.
3virgul14
Rookie
I agree with goat comment. Blade Pro Stock v6pj here, Kblade underneath.
I don't know if needed to wait the bh7t to settle. Strung 25/24, first felt boardy but couple of weeks later, flawless topspin game and baseline hitting, attacking short balls. Slice serves or flat.. Ball just drops in.
Much better than hyper g or tour bite. Comfortable too.
Sent from my NEO-L29 using Tapatalk
I don't know if needed to wait the bh7t to settle. Strung 25/24, first felt boardy but couple of weeks later, flawless topspin game and baseline hitting, attacking short balls. Slice serves or flat.. Ball just drops in.
Much better than hyper g or tour bite. Comfortable too.
Sent from my NEO-L29 using Tapatalk
SteveI
Legend
I found the string much better the 2nd hitting session
Just finished a reel of BHS7T. Stayed in the 6-8hr use with the string. Playability remained through out the life of the string bed. First hit was a bit more stiff than the second but that I notice with most poly strings. Great spin, easy on the arm and never broke a string,
Get reels of Alu Power for about the same price ($3 more per frame) so waiting on a 660ft reel now. After this reel of Alu going to make a decision about which one to stay with based on playability in the 6.1 95 18x20.
At $6-$9 a frame what I am looking for is the best playability right off the stringer for the first 3-4hrs.
Get reels of Alu Power for about the same price ($3 more per frame) so waiting on a 660ft reel now. After this reel of Alu going to make a decision about which one to stay with based on playability in the 6.1 95 18x20.
At $6-$9 a frame what I am looking for is the best playability right off the stringer for the first 3-4hrs.
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Power Player
Bionic Poster
I just got a reel of the 17 gauge. This string continues to give me good control even when its close to breaking. Love how it feels in softer frames.
D
Deleted member 768841
Guest
What string pattern are you using it in? I’m trying to find a thinner poly for my blade 18/20.
Wheelz
Hall of Fame
Blade and Clash ? Might order 1-2 to try.
Injured Again
Hall of Fame
My experience is that also. S7T works great in my 18x19 SW104, but I recently put it into a Pure Aero VS and Pure Drive VS and it was too firm for those racquets in their stock configuration, at least in what I thought was a typical tension range (46 pounds) for a 98 sq. in. 16x19 racquet.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Same. Its perfect in it.
Yep totally agree. Only reason this string is not as huge is probably because its too firm for some frames. That said, i think Tour Sniper is a great fit for frames like the pure aero.
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