TRU PRO Hybrid vs FB Ghost Wire?

[ChanterRacquet]

I purchased the sample pack that has a set of each of Tier One’s strings (so no Firewire Boost).

I’m trying to get my wife away from FB NXT in her blade 104 due to longevity/expense etc. It is all about feel for her, she needs the ball contact feedback through the racquet to let her know how she hit the ball, hence NXT and its “feel”.

I strung up my blade 104 with FB cyclone tour 16 and she liked the extra spin, her angle shots were even more impossible to chase down as once they bounced, they were gone. So now her racquet has FB cyclone tour too, so she’s amenable to soft poly.

So...I’m trying to figure out the best way to use these strings from Tier One. Should I use the GW set purely as a cross with FW set so I’d get two sets of FW Boost? Or should I string up FB GW to ensure everything stays as soft and feely as possible? I want to keep the “feel” aspect for her. She’s played FB Ice Code, Triax, and various other things for me as we look for more spin/durability but we’re back to NXT on feel. Cyclone tour has been our first soft poly. So I figure GW as a cross is the thing to do, but what’s the feeliest Tier One main to pair it with? As the only hybrid they make, I reckon FW/GW = FW Boost is the one to go for but I’ve got sets of the rest so...?

 

[eah123]

None of the T1 polys except Ghostwire are as soft as Volkl Cyclone Tour. I tried Firewire Boost and cut it out after 1 session due to lack of feel and arm pain. So I suggest Ghostwire full bed for your wife.

 

[ChanterRacquet]

Are there any advantages to using VCTm/GWx over FB VCT?

 

[eah123]

Are there any advantages to using VCTm/GWx over FB VCT?

I have not tried it yet, but I think it would be worthwhile if you feel that you would like better tension maintenance than what you get with a full bed of VCT. Personally, I don’t mind the loss of tension with VCT as I sense it as increased pocketing/feel/string dwell time. When VCT loses tension, the strings retain the same elasticity, vs other strings become either too stiff or too springy.

 

[LocNetMonster]

Did you get a set of Triump in the demo pack?

String the Triump in the mains and put GW in the crosses. I put it a Pure Storm (17g T/19g FW) and was pleasantly surprised by the power and feel. I really enjoy with playing this combo.

 

[ChanterRacquet]

Yes, I got the one with Triumph. Was thinking of going FB on that since it’s $9 cheaper than NXT if all else fails.

How long does T/GW last you?

For reference, FB NXT is less than 10 hours (6-7?). With string savers double that or so. Shredding the crosses the whole time until one goes.

Recently tried NXT/Velocity. Notched through the NXTm in nothing flat. 16g all around. FB NXT lasted longer. I’m afraid GW would notch through Triumph the same way?

 

[LocNetMonster]

I've played probably three hours on the setup. I have six different setups/racquets in the bag. Was planning to hit with it more this week. There is a little notching and no fraying yet, but this is a 97in/16x20 frame. If it lasts the same amount of time -10+ hrs, every other Triump/GW setup would be almost free vs a FB of NXT

Are you 16 or 17g NXT? Most of my NXT users are back for restringing around 12 hours or so.

Another thought - have you considered 16g or 17g GW crosses with NXT?

 

[ChanterRacquet]

If it lasts the same amount of time -10+ hrs, every other Triump/GW setup would be almost free vs a FB of NXT

Very true! 16g in this 104”^2 16x19. I’ll consider anything to save some $$$ (which will very shortly include a few $$$ for a stringing machine). You find NXT more durable than Triumph, or better in some other metric?

 

[megamind]

I tried fullbed Ghostwire. It was pretty bad. Was a rocket launcher. I love it as a cross string though.

I prefer Isospeed Cream as a soft poly in the mains. Fullbed of that should work better imo

Alternatively, if you do give Ghostwire a try, maybe string it a few lbs tighter than her normal poly tension for some added control

 

[LocNetMonster]

You find NXT more durable than Triumph, or better in some other metric?

TBH, I don't have enough playing time with Triump to judge durability yet. Having used T1 strings for 4+ years I just got around to ordering it last month to try. I would rate NXT higher in terms of power, but lower in spin production. NXT, at the moment, is my go-to for folks with chronic arm problems or who want to avoid them. The breakage is a convenient 'restring reminder' for them. I've been searching for something cheaper for them, but Head MLT didn't doesn't cut it, nor Y-Tex MicroFiber X.

The multi I'm waiting to get my hands on again - word is it will be released next month - is from Mayami Strings. I was privileged to get two demo sets to try. I put it in the mains with a smooth poly cross. It seems more durable (maybe by 3 or 4 hours) than NXT, about equal in power and surprisingly was more spin-friendly than I expected, which might have been because I put in a more open pattern stick (16x19/105sqin) instead of my usual Babalot Pure frames. I think the projected price point was around that of Triump, which would be awesome.

The other option to consider, and it may seem odd, is natural gut mains and poly cross. Comparing NG/GW at $26 vs FB NXT at $30. The other thing I and a client notice is NG seems to last about 3-4 hours longer than a multi with the same cross. The upfront cost is higher, but you make it up on the back end with a lower per set cost and longer performance. To muddy things more, NXT/GW hybrid would drop your cost down to $19/set, but you'd have to string more often than the other two choices.

 

[LocNetMonster]

I tried fullbed Ghostwire. It was pretty bad. Was a rocket launcher. I love it as a cross string though.

My feelings as well. For me, GW had no bite in FB. Trying to hit heavy spin the strings sounded like someone running their fingers across a chalkboard

 

[Pneumated1]

Are there any advantages to using VCTm/GWx over FB VCT?

I've asked myself the same question of late? I string my son's V-Sense 10 Tours with VCT mains/GW crosses, and I'm not sure the GW cross is necessary, unless it gives a more direct response than the shaped/twisted VCT cross. I would think friction/locking wouldn't be an issue with either, so I'm not sure there's a real need for the hybrid. @g4driver, you have an opinion on this? I've noticed from your posts that your VCT clients hit it full bed. I personally have Lynx Tour/GW in my Gravity Tour and Cyclone/GW in my UPs, but those mains are both firmer than the cross, so it makes sense. I've noticed that you use HGS/GW, so would VCT/GW be so different?

 

[ChanterRacquet]

I have definitely thought to go gut/poly. That is definitely in the running depending on how long this FB VCT lasts.

My wife has no arm problems so NXT is all feel right now, so we might get around to trying the Mayami multi, thanks for the heads up!

FB GW seems a no go, thanks!

 

[eah123]

My feelings as well. For me, GW had no bite in FB. Trying to hit heavy spin the strings sounded like someone running their fingers across a chalkboard

GW is a smooth poly, so it will have lower spin potential compared to shaped polys. But compared to multifilament strings that OP's wife is used to, it will have plenty of spin due to low friction snap back. Also, most female players hit with "flat" topspin, so don't really benefit that much from shaped polys vs. round polys in my opinion.

 

[Happi]

I have definitely thought to go gut/poly. That is definitely in the running depending on how long this FB VCT lasts.

My wife has no arm problems so NXT is all feel right now, so we might get around to trying the Mayami multi, thanks for the heads up!

FB GW seems a no go, thanks!

Check this thread out

The softest poly I’ve ever used in my life !

I have no hard data numbers or proof all feel on court .’does not feel like a poly trying to be a multi . It’s a poly for sure . Spin is fantastic. I’m using 18x20 too . I’m getting same spin I was with Alu power A lot softer than my volkl cyclone string as well .. I’ve used it for 5,hitting...

tt.tennis-warehouse.com

 

[ChanterRacquet]

There are some FB GW recommendations after all. Perhaps the solution is to stop being cheap and just buy some more GW...seems people use it as a cross with everything so not the worst thing to have around.

 

[Happi]

There are some FB GW recommendations after all. Perhaps the solution is to stop being cheap and just buy some more GW...seems people use it as a cross with everything so not the worst thing to have around.

I am stringing up an Angell TC95 18x20 tomorrow with FB GW 1.10 - hoping it will play great, time will tell.

 

[ChanterRacquet]

I am stringing up an Angell TC95 18x20 tomorrow with FB GW 1.10 - hoping it will play great, time will tell.

Let me know how it goes. The VCT was just put in so there'll be a couple weeks before we get around to restringing!

 

[Happi]

Let me know how it goes. The VCT was just put in so there'll be a couple weeks before we get around to restringing!

In my other TC95 18x20 I have VCT 18 in red, and about 6 hours, really like this string, so it will be interesting to see how they compare back to back.