cameron9713
New User
Dropped the 17g down to 40lbs and love it in my Yonex Ezone DR 98. I have been stringing a few friends racquets with this stuff and everyone has loved it. Give it a try, you won't be disappointed.
Tourna Big Hitter Silver 7 Tour
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Holdfast44ID
Semi-Pro
Primarily using at 44/42 in the Blade 98 V7 18x20 and am trying it in another Blade at 35/33 at the lower extreme. More spin and a larger sweet spot. Seems playable. Might be good to have a few sticks at different tensions.
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Injured Again
Hall of Fame
I just got done with the Solinco Confidential string test and wanted to restring with my go-to 17 gauge S7T. With my still-healing wrist and the new forehand technique I'm trying to adopt, I found that my most natural contact with the ball had a slightly more closed racquet face so I strung up the mains two pounds tighter and the crosses two pounds looser than normal hoping to get a slightly higher launch angle.
What I got was a significantly harsher feeling stringbed. I normally string the center eight mains at 51 pounds, decreasing to 38 pounds at the outer mains, and I string the center five crosses at 46 pounds, decreasing to 32 pounds at the top and bottom cross. This is in an SW104 with an 18X19 pattern. It is surprising that two pounds seem to have made that much difference. I was planning to start going down in tension from my normal 51/46 just to test the lower bounds anyway, and this has convinced me I really need to do that. This experience may also be why some people have said that S7T felt harsh to them. To me, it is relatively tolerant of lower tensions as the ball response doesn't seem to change much. But a slight tension increase seems to have made a much bigger difference so maybe 51 pounds is at that crossover point in my racquet where the harshness increases exponentially if I go higher.
I'll play with it tomorrow after it has sat for a couple of days. If it is still harsh, I'll go down to 49/44 and see how that feels. @cameron9713 and @Holdfast44ID your experiences with such low tensions is very reassuring.
What I got was a significantly harsher feeling stringbed. I normally string the center eight mains at 51 pounds, decreasing to 38 pounds at the outer mains, and I string the center five crosses at 46 pounds, decreasing to 32 pounds at the top and bottom cross. This is in an SW104 with an 18X19 pattern. It is surprising that two pounds seem to have made that much difference. I was planning to start going down in tension from my normal 51/46 just to test the lower bounds anyway, and this has convinced me I really need to do that. This experience may also be why some people have said that S7T felt harsh to them. To me, it is relatively tolerant of lower tensions as the ball response doesn't seem to change much. But a slight tension increase seems to have made a much bigger difference so maybe 51 pounds is at that crossover point in my racquet where the harshness increases exponentially if I go higher.
I'll play with it tomorrow after it has sat for a couple of days. If it is still harsh, I'll go down to 49/44 and see how that feels. @cameron9713 and @Holdfast44ID your experiences with such low tensions is very reassuring.
FIRETennis
Professional
I've tried 46lbs in a Babolat PA @345SW which settled at around 43lbs after a couple hours. It was comfortable but not so much more than my usual 55lbs. I had to really focus on keeping a very closed racquet face and swing full speed a bit more upwards in order go generate the extra spin required to keep the ball in. I found it quite difficult to keep the ball in during points with tension -20% from my usual. Shots that landed a foot inside the baseline were 2-3 feet out. It was a nice experiment which might work fine in something like a Blade 98 18x20, 320 swing weight, <65 flex but impossible with the PA 
parasailing
Legend
I just strung up my Blade v7 18x20 at 36lbs mains and 34lbs crosses. Initial thoughts without hitting, just moving the strings around, is it is still stiff at this tension. I had it initially strung at 44lbs and 40lbs and it was stiffer than Hyper-G 17g. I don't know what it up with this string but it definitely one of the stiffer ones so will post back when I get a chance to take it out to the courts.
FIRETennis
Professional
@USPTARF97
Do you find BHS7T harsh on off center hits at times? Been having some shoulder issues (unrelated to string) so thinking to go gut/poly for a while...
Are you still using gut/poly sometimes?
Do you find BHS7T harsh on off center hits at times? Been having some shoulder issues (unrelated to string) so thinking to go gut/poly for a while...
Are you still using gut/poly sometimes?
Hey man, still using Gut/poly with the RF97. That is my primary set up. Haven’t experienced that with BHS7T and off center hits until yesterday. Added lead at 3 and 9 with the 6.1 95 18x20. Took it off immediately. Would have thought the results would be the opposite. BHS7T is a different kind of poly.
JBH
Rookie
I don’t alway break strings, but when I do -
It’s the Silver 7 Tour
Note the break is virtually identical to post #383. While I didn’t string this particular racquet, it was done by a known source that I’ve had no issues with previously.
IMO - note the twists in the strings adjacent to the break. My belief is that the thermal treatment that gives the string it’s extended play duration also makes the surface unusually brittle, and is then unusually susceptible to failure from twisting, sharp angles, and aggressive clamping.
It’s the Silver 7 Tour
Note the break is virtually identical to post #383. While I didn’t string this particular racquet, it was done by a known source that I’ve had no issues with previously.
IMO - note the twists in the strings adjacent to the break. My belief is that the thermal treatment that gives the string it’s extended play duration also makes the surface unusually brittle, and is then unusually susceptible to failure from twisting, sharp angles, and aggressive clamping.
I don’t alway break strings, but when I do -
It’s the Silver 7 Tour
Note the break is virtually identical to post #383. While I didn’t string this particular racquet, it was done by a known source that I’ve had no issues with previously.
IMO - note the twists in the strings adjacent to the break. My belief is that the thermal treatment that gives the string it’s extended play duration also makes the surface unusually brittle, and is then unusually susceptible to failure from twisting, sharp angles, and aggressive clamping.
That break isn’t from play unless that is a mishit.
That looks like the knots were tied too tight. Is he wrapping the string around needle nose or another tool and pulling the knot? Pulling knots too tight is common.
You can also string textured, 4,7, 8 sided strings without getting severe twisting like I see often.
Have seen Alu power break like that simply from the way it was strung. Kids in a shop stringing quickly and over pulling knots. Sometimes breaking immediately.
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JBH
Rookie
@USPTARF97 I agree completely. This wasn’t an extreme play impact/shear situation.
My impression though is that the stringer has strung literally thousands of racquets, with essentially the same level of string handling care without significant issue. The appearance is that there appears to be a trade off for the enhanced play duration (and overall feel and play characteristics) of this string, which is the need for unusually careful handling during stringing.
Even with this potential limitation, this is my current string of choice. My hope is that fewer people will have unnecessary string breakage if they’re aware of the likely cause.
My impression though is that the stringer has strung literally thousands of racquets, with essentially the same level of string handling care without significant issue. The appearance is that there appears to be a trade off for the enhanced play duration (and overall feel and play characteristics) of this string, which is the need for unusually careful handling during stringing.
Even with this potential limitation, this is my current string of choice. My hope is that fewer people will have unnecessary string breakage if they’re aware of the likely cause.
That’s interesting. We haven’t taken any special precaution and personally I have been unable to break it so far in a PS97 or RF97. They are string eaters as well. The unusual twist that I see with some stringers and multi sided strings is probably enough to cause it to break at the knot. The last string has a tremendous amount of twist on a number of these setups have seen.
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FIRETennis
Professional
There is definitely an issue with the string.
It's not random that multiple players on this forum have had the exact same issue with the string breaking around the grommets.
For me, after 6 months of use, I've had about 1/4th out of 20+ string jobs break like this.
It's an amazing string, that's why I keep using it despite this annoyance.
I hope Tourna would look into it seriously.
I also wish they'd come out with a round slick version of this string.
It's not random that multiple players on this forum have had the exact same issue with the string breaking around the grommets.
For me, after 6 months of use, I've had about 1/4th out of 20+ string jobs break like this.
It's an amazing string, that's why I keep using it despite this annoyance.
I hope Tourna would look into it seriously.
I also wish they'd come out with a round slick version of this string.
Thanks for the heads up. Will continue to watch for a bad batch. Been through 2 reels between myself and a couple of other players and all the same results. A round slick version would be killer. Would be awesome with Gut/poly.
Silverbuns
New User
Just to add to the reports, I've only strung it up 4 times but once (my 3rd string job) ended up with it broken at the grommet after ~20 minutes of hitting. Only string I've ever had that happen to. But otherwise, I do like the string a lot...
Injured Again
Hall of Fame
I have still only had the one shear break that I documented in post #295 and have done probably six to eight string jobs since with no problems. I have been more careful to make sure there aren't any twists in the mains as the string goes around the grommet.
I did test the string at some point by cutting a couple of foot section and pulling a lot of tension on it, like 75 pounds, and it didn't break. I agree with @JBH that it's likely a twist combined with the sharp bend around a grommet that causes these shear breaks.
@USPTARF97 the S7T seems to wear down it's shape and essentially become a round string after not that long, but it still manages to retain good bite on the ball. You are right thought that out of the reel, the sides wouldn't make it good in a gut hybrid.
@FIRETennis I would love for the S7T material to be extruded as a square shape! I think it would give the Solinco strings some solid competition in the square string market.
I did test the string at some point by cutting a couple of foot section and pulling a lot of tension on it, like 75 pounds, and it didn't break. I agree with @JBH that it's likely a twist combined with the sharp bend around a grommet that causes these shear breaks.
@USPTARF97 the S7T seems to wear down it's shape and essentially become a round string after not that long, but it still manages to retain good bite on the ball. You are right thought that out of the reel, the sides wouldn't make it good in a gut hybrid.
@FIRETennis I would love for the S7T material to be extruded as a square shape! I think it would give the Solinco strings some solid competition in the square string market.
Great string as well. It’s a toss up which one I like the best.
Injured Again
Hall of Fame
Isn't BHB7 more powerful than S7T but with worse tension maintenance?
AM75
Hall of Fame
Nope, I think it's less powerful, gives more control and the spin is better. Tension maintenance is worse, true. But as it said above, it's probably my personal impression.
FIRETennis
Professional
I've tried BHB7 side by side with BHS7T and I personally prefer the Silver 7 Tour.
BHB7: more muted, lower launch angle, slightly inferior tension maintenance relative to Silver
BHS7T: crisp, higher launch angle, ridiculous spin, tension maintenance similar to gut/poly.
BHB7: more muted, lower launch angle, slightly inferior tension maintenance relative to Silver
BHS7T: crisp, higher launch angle, ridiculous spin, tension maintenance similar to gut/poly.
SteveI
Legend
Hello All:
Years ago... when Big Hitter Black 7 17G was released.. I picked up a reel and set out sets. This is the play testing data that was produced.
Hope this is of some help. BTW.. it was released in 2011.
Below is the TW review..
Years ago... when Big Hitter Black 7 17G was released.. I picked up a reel and set out sets. This is the play testing data that was produced.
Hope this is of some help. BTW.. it was released in 2011.
Below is the TW review..
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Why only 10hrs? Just tension loss or something else?
Strings start to notch a bit, loss of tension but not unplayable. Avoiding waiting for it to get stiff or unplayable before changing the strings. Have thought about seeing how long the strings will last in one of my frames before it breaks. Have yet to break a string with BHS7T.
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Does it stiffen up noticeably later in it's life? I have noticed that a few times with various polys. If it does, I might have to drop this one from my short list of strings to try after my current reel of WCUC is done. I don't like that characteristic in a poly at all.
BHB7 is a great string and more powerful than BHS7T. The only downside I found with BHB7 was having a hard time hitting my spots on the serve.
Weiss Cannon are good strings no doubt. WCSS I played for awhile. Easy on the arm but the 50% loss of tension was too much. By the end of the first set would be playing with a completely different set up.
Poly strings stiffen up mainly from becoming notched and sliding less later in their life. The loss of tension and notching of the string provide a stringbed that is stiffer, provides less spin, and loss of control.
BHS7T is more durable in this sense than most polys I have used. Only has a tension loss of about 20% where strings like Alu Power lose 45-50% and the notching is minimal with BHS7T. That being said it isn’t indestructible but it maintains everything that I want out of a poly string for 8-10hrs. Can’t ask for much more.
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So would you say that BHS7T starts locking after 10 hours or so for you and that's the difference?
I'm not necessarily afraid of trying a poly string with big tension loss, but I don't like it when the feel changes noticeably.
I think WCUC is close to 50% tension loss according to TWU, but I find that it seems to level off after the initial drop. I've had that experience with quite a few polys. I just let my freshly strung frames sit in my bag for a week or two and I never experience that drop. I can play WCUC happily until it breaks which can be up to 30 hrs. depending on how much time I get in singles vs doubles. It doesn't lock up at all in my experience. The only thing that happens besides notching is the crosses tend to flatten a bit, but it's not such a big effect on the way that the strings grab the ball that I feel it would make me want to go to fresh strings.
I like these types of anecdotal reports from people on strings. It really helps narrow things down if you get a few similar reports from people on things that might be a deal breaker, and string life with polys is a mixed bag. Having been able to find several polys over the years I can happily play until breakage I don't want to waste any time or energy on strings that I likely won't want to play until they break. I know a lot of people are ok with cutting out strings, but I haven't had to do that in years.
Have found that at 8-10hrs the play is still good even though I feel there is a bit of tension loss. Just know that pushing the limit on keeping poly in a frame is taxing on the arm. 8-10hrs at $6.00 a frame is good with me. I only hit 2-3 hrs a week and spend 2-3hrs a week in the gym. String a frame once a month and it’s all good.
Makes sense. I play with a Rossignol F230. It's super soft. I can probably get away with more than most in terms of string stiffness, but I still gravitate to the softer polys. I think WCUC is rated softer than a number of nylon strings.
Injured Again
Hall of Fame
My personal experience is that S7T doesn't experience a big change in playability up until about the last hour before it breaks. For me, that's in about the 12-14 hour range. That last hour doesn't feel more harsh - the thing I notice most is loss of launch angle and spin capability, and the mains get stuck out of position by significant margins. Until that last hour, S7T is one of the most stable performing poly strings I've tried.
I had Ultra Cable in my racquet once, about a month ago, and as you said it was very resistant to notching and didn't seem to lock up much, but the power levels went down noticeable at about 15 hours. I'd really consider switching to it if it only came in a thinner gauge. I'd be willing to sacrifice durability for a bit more liveliness. That chunky gauge in my 18X19 really made the stringbed look super dense but it was still highly spin capable. I can only imagine how it would play at a size similar to 1.20 Hyper-G.
That makes sense because I haven’t gotten far enough with it to lose playability. With you on this being a stable performer. I’m not buying anything else to play full bed poly.
SteveI
Legend
September/October 2019 - Racquet Sports Industry
www.tennisindustrymag.com
For the 17G. TW did the 16G.
Injured Again
Hall of Fame
That seems like a pretty favorable review of S7T, and their stiffness rating is quite a bit less than provided by TW for the 16 gauge version.
SteveI
Legend
The number on the 16G for stiffness is pretty high for an older player or anyone with a tender arm, wrist.. shoulder.
Power output? The 17G reviews seem to be quite mixed for power output. Comments? The RSI play testers (3.4) seemed to think it had a lower power output for the 17G.
The Talk Tennis play testers seem to report the opposite.
Christoforos Giatzakis
Rookie
Did they string at generally higher tensions?
SteveI
Legend
That is a great question.... You can only see a few of the tensions listed. They had 31 play testers and you could not see data.. only the ratings of combined scores. The Talk Tennis play testers tend to string full poly about 50 lbs in general.. Nice insight.. thanks. I just got a couple of sets from a wonderful Talk Tennis member... hint.. he is often injured..
. I like to get a reference point on tension if possible before I waste the string and time.Christoforos Giatzakis
Rookie
I string it at 45 in 97 sqin 18x20... Very nice.That is a great question.... You can only see a few of the tensions listed. They had 31 play testers and you could not see data.. only the ratings of combined scores. The Talk Tennis play testers tend to string full poly about 50 lbs in general.. Nice insight.. thanks. I just got a couple of sets from a wonderful Talk Tennis member... hint.. he is often injured..
McLovin
Legend
Yeah, I was one of the playtesters for S7T, and I really liked it. Thought it was a softer, more powerful poly, with lost of spin. See my review here:
According to my review, I strung it at 48lbs.
If I hadn't come across Laserfibre Native Tour a month later, I likely would have picked up a reel of this. As it is, I have a set sitting around, and will likely pop it in my VCORE 98 + once clay season rolls around.
According to my review, I strung it at 48lbs.
If I hadn't come across Laserfibre Native Tour a month later, I likely would have picked up a reel of this. As it is, I have a set sitting around, and will likely pop it in my VCORE 98 + once clay season rolls around.
SteveI
Legend
TW is no longer carrying Native Tour... thought? Insights? Others have it for sale..
McLovin
Legend
I noticed that. I've seen some times where they remove items from the site if they are out of stock and don't have a definitive date when it will be back in stock. They've done it before w/ natural gut.
Injured Again
Hall of Fame
That is a great question.... You can only see a few of the tensions listed. They had 31 play testers and you could not see data.. only the ratings of combined scores. The Talk Tennis play testers tend to string full poly about 50 lbs in general.. Nice insight.. thanks. I just got a couple of sets from a wonderful Talk Tennis member... hint.. he is often injured..
I would never trust anyone who is always injured - there's just a certain amount of stupidity and probably bad karma involved that should be warning signs!
Just as a reference, I've found response to be good in the middle 40's for the 98 and 100 square inch racquets I've had long term demos with. v7 Blade 98 16X19 was great at 46 pounds and the 18X20 at 43-44 pounds. Pure Drive VS is at 46 pounds, and Pure Strike 16X19 at 45 pounds. My SW104 uses a proportional stringing method but is probably equivalent to a frame strung normally at 47/42 or thereabouts.
My experience is that if the tension doesn't feel good pretty much right off the stringer, it's not going to change that much. Tension loss is minimal for a poly so how it plays in that first 15 minutes is pretty much how it will play for the next 10-12 hours. I did have one person say to me that they did find the stringbed to settle a fair amount after stringing and I asked if they tried to even out the tension on the crosses after weaving and initially pulling tension. When they did that the next stringing, they said the stringbed was more consistent from beginning to end.
And yeah, I'm injured again and will need to shut it down for a few days.
jangotango
Semi-Pro
I had been going lower and lower gradually over time, reaching around 45lbs on my TT310. Just recently though, I was recommended to go 53lbs on the mains and 51 lbs on the crosses. Amazing! Same launch like 45 pounds but the control of 50.
SteveI
Legend
Can't wait to try this one out. Chris Edwards talked about the string not playing great for the 1st few hours when fresh, in the video review. Then he said it was consistent after than and played well for almost 3 weeks for him. He was impressed. Thanks to the injured one.. for the sets. He will be back strong as ever soon! Thanks for the advice on stringing all...
FIRETennis
Professional
That makes sense. I've tried both 16g and 17g side by side in matched racquets and there is a massive difference in stiffness, especially on off-center hits.
Tensions stability is same in both gauges.
17g provides easier spin.
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