TWU: Wilson Sensation vs Sensation CONTROL

[AemiliusRex]

Experimenting with new strings for my daughter, love the TWU database and tools, but noticed that the string stiffness for Wilson Sensation Control is lower than that of Wilson Sensation (150 vs 169 lb/in). But the string description says that WSC is stiffer than WS. So I was wondering, whether the data in the TWU database is maybe accidentally swapped? Would make sense that WS is at 150 and WSC at 169, not the other way around, no? Thanks!

 

[CopolyX]

http://www.tennisindustrymag.com/articles/2013/06/14_string_playtest_wilson_sens.html

 

[SpinToWin]

Sensation Control felt softer to me too.

 

[AemiliusRex]

Thanks guys!

My question was about this...

The Compare Strings Tool at TWU says:

Wilson Sensation 16 - Stiffness 169 lb/in
Wilson Sensation Control 16 - Stiffness 150 lb/in

From what I've read, WS should've been softer than WSC, so I though the TWU Tool had the values mixed up, swapped, but I guess not.

We are basically looking for a more durable substitute to Babolat Xcel French Open. Great string for a kid, but they break every week, and she's only 11 years old. They should last much longer, given the price.

So experimenting with the Wilson Sensations, just trying to find out which one is officially softer, the WS or the WSC.

Also trying the Dunlop Pearl. But I guess Dunlop discontinued the Pearl and moved on to the Silk. So if the Sensations last longer than the Xcel FO, we'll go with them, just need to figure out whether WS or WSC.

 

[jwocky]

@Emil Temenugov - @CopolyX linked an article from tennisindustrymag in post #2 (read In The Lab paragraph) that states WSC has a stiffness of 197 based on their tests.

 

[CopolyX]

Dont forget that the dynamic stiffness has a reference tension ( that is a good number to understand). so your mileage/stiffness may vary.
What to drop the stringbed stiffness a bit, drop the tension a bit.

 

[SavvyStringer]

If you're stringing for your daughter so that cost isn't a true concern try Dunlop S-gut. I know it's not a multi but I've been trying people that usually play NRG2 on it based on its low stiffness rating and they all seem to like it. Especially at 1/4 the cost.

 

[AemiliusRex]

@AemiliusRex - @CopolyX linked an article from tennisindustrymag in post #2 (read In The Lab paragraph) that states WSC has a stiffness of 197 based on their tests.

Well, TWU says 150 lb/in for the WSC, but anyhow, I guess it's relative. Is there a review of the WS to see if it's more or less than WSC's 197? Can't find one...

 

[AemiliusRex]

If you're stringing for your daughter so that cost isn't a true concern try Dunlop S-gut. I know it's not a multi but I've been trying people that usually play NRG2 on it based on its low stiffness rating and they all seem to like it. Especially at 1/4 the cost.

Sure, TWU says stiffness of 158, worth a try, hopefully more durable since it's a mono, not a multi nylon. Thx!

 

[CopolyX]

my 4 grew up on nat. gut, yep I am make of money nor do I have a money tree in my back yard.
it was just the very best for them and best for there growing bodies and evolving game...
It like at less 33% or more softer ..even at creeping higher tensions...
to this day, they still do a nat. gut / copoly hybrid.
they also learned to string at a early age also.

 

[AemiliusRex]

my 4 grew up on nat. gut, yep I am make of money nor do I have a money tree in my back yard.
it was just the very best for them and best for there growing bodies and evolving game...
It like at less 33% or more softer ..even at creeping higher tensions...
to this day, they still do a nat. gut / copoly hybrid.
they also learned to string at a early age also.

She doesn't like how natural gut peels, says peels like "hangnails". So yucky!

Thinking also of Wilson NXT Duramax 16, good tech. data at TWU, but the user reviews are bad...

 

[CopolyX]

She doesn't like how natural gut peels, says peels like "hangnails". So yucky!

Thinking also of Wilson NXT Duramax 16, good tech. data at TWU, but the user reviews are bad...

Just have patients and keep trying.
Also sometimes that first impression can push players away and they get a negative associations.
With any string or string type it is always a trail and error.
It could be the reference tension or the actual string itself. This could take a number of attempts or other brands(or other sub types).
But most rec player really don't have the time, patients, process, resources nor cash to properly test a string.
Quick example: if she tried a funky multi string that felt like hangnails, would she block out all multis?
Everyone have a difference preference, bias or prejudice on a string(s) as you know.
Key is to stay open, be creative, be string blind, log the results, be positive..
Many strings with the right recipe have surprised me and others.
It is certainly not easy to find the best string setup for your game.
Just read threads here, most will resort to: find a string for me please....hmm..really.....

Best of luck for you and your daughter.
I know you will find her the best string setup for her game.
Educate her, guide her and make it fun!
She is very luck to have a great dad.

 

[AemiliusRex]

The Wilsons didn't work out, so trying Natural Gut now. Tried Babolat VS Touch 16g at 55/53lbs (25/24kg, her usual favorite tension for the Babolat Xcel FO), but it was way too bouncy. Trying Babolat Tonic+ Ball Feel now, but tighter, at 58/56lbs. We'll see.

 

[AemiliusRex]

The Wilsons didn't work out, so trying Natural Gut now. Tried Babolat VS Touch 16g at 55/53lbs (25/24kg, her usual favorite tension for the Babolat Xcel FO), but it was way too bouncy. Trying Babolat Tonic+ Ball Feel now, but tighter, at 58/56lbs. We'll see.

Darn, the Tonic broke after <3 hrs of sparring practice... :-(

I guess we'll go hybrid, WSC+Tonic or Xcel+Tonic...

 

[esgee48]

Babolat string savers or Tourna string savers if you don't spin as much. Any SG or Multi is not going to last very long based on your posts.

 

[AemiliusRex]

Babolat string savers or Tourna string savers if you don't spin as much. Any SG or Multi is not going to last very long based on your posts.

Thought of that, but her tennis coach wasn't too enthusiastic about the idea... But we can try.

Do you need to string the racket tighter or looser, or any other special changes if you use string savers?

Thanks!

 

[SavvyStringer]

Darn, the Tonic broke after <3 hrs of sparing practice... :-(

I guess we'll go hybrid, WSC+Tonic or Xcel+Tonic...

Where did the tonic break? Was it in a spot where it was actually a strike break not shearing off at a grommet or near the frame on a mishit?

 

[esgee48]

How many hours of practice is this 11 YO slugger logging? 15-20 hours is about all I would expect out of SG, multi or NG. Try Velocity mains with Bab Spiral Tech cross or FB Velocity? She may be too young to use all poly, but perhaps a soft poly main and a slippery Bab Spiral Tech or Ashaway Zyex cross may do the trick and last a full week. Problem with poly is short life. Have to cut them out 12-16 hours later. There is a thread about Kevlar/ZX, but I don't think she is a candidate for that combo either. This hybrid appears to be the successor to Pro Blend; but you have to bring your own power and is best in heavier frames.

String saver question! Depends on how many she plans to use. If she breaks her strings basically in the center of the string bed, then a 6x6 pattern there will help. You may have to reduce tension about 2# at most. For the soft strings she currently is using, I wouldn't do it, but that is your call.

 

[AemiliusRex]

Where did the tonic break? Was it in a spot where it was actually a strike break not shearing off at a grommet or near the frame on a mishit?

Yes, near the frame on a mishit, BUT, the sweetspot zone was so frayed off, would've broken too any minute...

 

[AemiliusRex]

How many hours of practice is this 11 YO slugger logging? 15-20 hours is about all I would expect out of SG, multi or NG. Try Velocity mains with Bab Spiral Tech cross or FB Velocity? She may be too young to use all poly, but perhaps a soft poly main and a slippery Bab Spiral Tech or Ashaway Zyex cross may do the trick and last a full week. Problem with poly is short life. Have to cut them out 12-16 hours later. There is a thread about Kevlar/ZX, but I don't think she is a candidate for that combo either. This hybrid appears to be the successor to Pro Blend; but you have to bring your own power and is best in heavier frames.

String saver question! Depends on how many she plans to use. If she breaks her strings basically in the center of the string bed, then a 6x6 pattern there will help. You may have to reduce tension about 2# at most. For the soft strings she currently is using, I wouldn't do it, but that is your call.

She does 9 hrs of practice per week (Mon-Fri), plus either sparring or tournaments on weekends.

Yeah, we're staying away from poly at the moment, too young. Her racket is the Babolat "spin machine" (Pure Aero Team), so maybe the FSI Spin system makes the strings rub and break more.

Feeling-wise, she liked and played best with the tighter Tonic+, even better than the Xcel FO, but I guess she'll need string savers, one way or another. I have the Elastocross II, will try them today.

 

[SavvyStringer]

She does 9 hrs of practice per week (Mon-Fri), plus either sparring or tournaments on weekends.

Yeah, we're staying away from poly at the moment, too young. Her racket is the Babolat "spin machine" (Pure Aero Team), so maybe the FSI Spin system makes the strings rub and break more.

Feeling-wise, she liked and played best with the tighter Tonic+, even better than the Xcel FO, but I guess she'll need string savers, one way or another. I have the Elastocross II, will try them today.

That racket is a string eater. Its so open in the middle its almost like playing with a spin effect racket. I would suggest trying Klip gut if you can get it. It's cheaper and may not play the same as VS but its still gut. I personally like VS tonic and pacific classic the best. I have also played volkls gut which feels alot firmer than either of the other two but maintains the same playability for the duration. They make a 15L tonic that is meant for durability but still plays fairly soft as well. If she's really blasting through it, you could try half gut, half syn gut to lower your cost. I would suggest gut mains with a syngut cross. It will hold tension better than a poly cross and still get the gut playability and feel.

 

[AemiliusRex]

So, no, the Tonic kept breaking and breaking, the Elastocross savers made things feel/bounce weird, so we're back to the Xcel FO. The lesser of all evils...

 

[AemiliusRex]

Accidentally came across Tecnifibre HDX Tour. The best of both worlds (nylon and poly)? Great reviews and references. Bought 2 packs, can't wait to try them!

 

[Rabbit]

If she likes the Wilson Sensation Control, you might want to throw a set of Isospeed Professional Classic 17 in her frame. The recommendation for this string is 10% tighter than normal. It is a fairly durable, arm friendly string. Control is pretty good with it as well. You have to pull the crosses slowly and fan because it will burn.

 

[AemiliusRex]

Accidentally came across Tecnifibre HDX Tour. The best of both worlds (nylon and poly)? Great reviews and references. Bought 2 packs, can't wait to try them!

Awesome strings, ideal for a junior player and durable. Staying with it. Good job Tecnifibre! Same specs like Xcel FO (according to the TWU data), but they last!

 

[The Big Kahuna]

Buy a reel of Gosen OG Sheep for the price of two sets of WSC - you can’t beat it for the money.


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