antony

Hall of Fame
wasabi from toroline and big spin from another company
I did not find Big Spin to be associated with control when I tried it. It was almost as if feel and control was given up for spin on the ball. I have not played Wasabi yet (have a bunch of sets of it) but I don't think that particular string had marketing for control. Their site says: "Wasabi is a four sided (square) shaped co-poly tennis string designed to blow your opponents off the court. Hit heavier or your money back!"

Super Toro and Caviar do feel like control oriented-strings to me though, and so did Mayami Tour Hex
 
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Nostradamus

Bionic Poster
I did not find Big Spin to be associated with control when I tried it. It was almost as if feel and control was given up for spin on the ball. I have not played Wasabi yet (have a bunch of sets of it) but I don't think that particular string had marketing for control. Their site says: "Wasabi is a four sided (square) shaped co-poly tennis string designed to blow your opponents off the court. Hit heavier or your money back!"

Super Toro and Caviar do feel like control oriented-strings to me though, and so did Mayami Tour Hex
Agree with what you said. I also have been using Luxlilon alu power lately and its very very good string especiallly on the spin. but my arm is starting to hurt now. so this is a trade off for sure. If i go to more arm friendly string like babolat RPM rough, i have to give up some control and spin potential
 

antony

Hall of Fame
Agree with what you said. I also have been using Luxlilon alu power lately and its very very good string especiallly on the spin. but my arm is starting to hurt now. so this is a trade off for sure. If i go to more arm friendly string like babolat RPM rough, i have to give up some control and spin potential
I’ve been trying out a sample set of Toroline ether at my normal tension at 59lbs and it feels like it has good control but seemingly better spin than Super Toro and Caviar, FWIW. $4 shipped with code “GAMEON”. I am liking the string so far.
 

landcookie

Semi-Pro
@galapagos Doood great job on the thread and loving the reviews!

I play with TC100 16x19 27.5 inches myself so your reviews in the TC 95 is great for me. I string with Poly Tour Pro 1.30 @ 57/55 in my 63 RA and it's great. All the comfort, power, spin, control and predictability I need from a string (like you said, boring but solid - exactly what I need). My one knock is that it feels a bit too high powered at times, even at 57/55, especially in a racquet like the TC 100. I'm weary of going higher in tension for arm health/racquet longevity purposes.

You seem to rate 1.30 Razor Code highly - how would you say the Razor Code compares to PTP in your Angell?
 

galapagos

Hall of Fame
@galapagos Doood great job on the thread and loving the reviews!

I play with TC100 16x19 27.5 inches myself so your reviews in the TC 95 is great for me. I string with Poly Tour Pro 1.30 @ 57/55 in my 63 RA and it's great. All the comfort, power, spin, control and predictability I need from a string (like you said, boring but solid - exactly what I need). My one knock is that it feels a bit too high powered at times, even at 57/55, especially in a racquet like the TC 100. I'm weary of going higher in tension for arm health/racquet longevity purposes.

You seem to rate 1.30 Razor Code highly - how would you say the Razor Code compares to PTP in your Angell?
thank you sir !
unfortunately I haven't tried PTP 1.30 in Angells (I wish to try it one day!). Just 1.25 and I wasn't a big fan.
If you want to temper the power potential without adding anything "weird" to the shot then I think your best chances are with Luxilon Original, Tecnifibre Razor Code and Mayami Tour Hex 1.28.
 

landcookie

Semi-Pro
thank you sir !
unfortunately I haven't tried PTP 1.30 in Angells (I wish to try it one day!). Just 1.25 and I wasn't a big fan.
If you want to temper the power potential without adding anything "weird" to the shot then I think your best chances are with Luxilon Original, Tecnifibre Razor Code and Mayami Tour Hex 1.28.
Nice nice - I was always on the spin monster bandwagon until my game developed and now fully appreciate the predictability that round strings offer even though my game is based on dictating with power and spin. What I really like about the PTP is that it allows me to play within myself, and not having to go balls to walls all the time in order to do that (hello UEs).

I am super keen to try the Razor Code after reading your review - how long did the 1.30 last you playability-wise, and does the string change over time?
 
D

Deleted member 781523

Guest
@galapagos I tried BBO based on your recommendation, and I really like it and think it suites my game nicely. I tried it in my dad's Phanton 97p, since I was scared of hurting my arm if it was strung in my 6.1 95 18x20. I liked BBO so much that I am willing to change to a flexible frame so I can use it without fear, but I don't want to move away from a closed string pattern. Anyway, sorry for being long winded: my question is have you tried BBO (or any 1.30m for that matter), in an 18x20? I worry it will be way to difficult to get the ball deep.
 

galapagos

Hall of Fame
Nice nice - I was always on the spin monster bandwagon until my game developed and now fully appreciate the predictability that round strings offer even though my game is based on dictating with power and spin. What I really like about the PTP is that it allows me to play within myself, and not having to go balls to walls all the time in order to do that (hello UEs).

I am super keen to try the Razor Code after reading your review - how long did the 1.30 last you playability-wise, and does the string change over time?
I usually cut strings earlier now to speed up the reviews. That being said I can say that at first Razor Code is very control oriented and maybe a bit dead (very low powered , less than Ice Code and Red Code). It holds the tension longer than Solinco Confidential but after few days of playing I noticed that the launch angle increased.

I tried it in various tensions. 24kg/23kg , 24kg/22kg and 23kg/23kg. I would say it likes "even" tension. I noticed that at 24/22 the power was bigger AND the launch angle increased too much. In my opinion it's connected with energy return at 88%. So the biggest variable over time was launch angle in my very open string pattern stick.

In RS305 18x19 and 1.25 razor code I could play for ages :) so depends on stick.
 

galapagos

Hall of Fame
@galapagos I tried BBO based on your recommendation, and I really like it and think it suites my game nicely. I tried it in my dad's Phanton 97p, since I was scared of hurting my arm if it was strung in my 6.1 95 18x20. I liked BBO so much that I am willing to change to a flexible frame so I can use it without fear, but I don't want to move away from a closed string pattern. Anyway, sorry for being long winded: my question is have you tried BBO (or any 1.30m for that matter), in an 18x20? I worry it will be way to difficult to get the ball deep.
no worries, happy to help !

what @blai212 said, you can string lower.
Example from tour:
Goffin had some issues with elbow or something I dont remember what it was but decided to switch from 18x20 Blade to 16x19 Blade to increase the comfort.
In order to compensate the string pattern difference he went up by 1kg on his 16x19.

He eventually went back to his 18x20 Blade later and is playing with lower tension.

I did not try Original in closed string pattern stick but I wouldnt be afraid to string it at 22kg or less. Also, my first experience with Original was with 2kg difference between mains and crosses (25kg/23kg in 16x19). At first it played too dead for me but oh my later the string played amazingly with so much spin potential and STILL very low launch angle. Many Original users from tour tried it (lowering tensions of the crosses) and I think it's the best string if you want to experiment with that. I didn't have as good results with any other strings with 2kg difference mains/crosses.

in conclusion: you can try to lower tension in general or just lower the tension on crosses.
 

blai212

Hall of Fame
i would imagine that BBO would work well in a hybrid as a cross string since it maintains playability/tension so well. If you use 16x19 but want the feel of 18x20, I would recommend stringing crosses few lbs tighter. On the flip side, if you want your 18x20 to play more like a 16x19, string crosses lower. Higher cross tension will feel more boardy similar to denser pattern while lower cross tension will feel more elastic similar to more open pattern frames
 
i would imagine that BBO would work well in a hybrid as a cross string since it maintains playability/tension so well. If you use 16x19 but want the feel of 18x20, I would recommend stringing crosses few lbs tighter. On the flip side, if you want your 18x20 to play more like a 16x19, string crosses lower. Higher cross tension will feel more boardy similar to denser pattern while lower cross tension will feel more elastic similar to more open pattern frames
It is too tick for cross string. Also tension is not among the best...
 

yessir

Semi-Pro
@galapagos what 1.30 should someone use for Head 360+ Emp ? My friend currently uses confidential 1.30 , 23kg but after about 5-6 hours goes just long ,10-20cm out of the baseline. What , since i dont have a clue about 100sq - open string pattern spin machine frames , would be a reference tension on these kind of frames ? I guess 23kg are on the low spectrum.
 

Nostradamus

Bionic Poster
Have you guys noticed that characteristics of Poly strings change drastically in winter vs summer. In the super hot summer , luxilon plays great but when it gets cold in winter, it turns too stiff. So in cold weather softer polys like RPM spin works better.
 

smithie

Professional
Have you guys noticed that characteristics of Poly strings change drastically in winter vs summer. In the super hot summer , luxilon plays great but when it gets cold in winter, it turns too stiff. So in cold weather softer polys like RPM spin works better.
Assuming summer as a baseline, I string 1-2 lbs lower in Spring and Autumn and then 2-4 lbs lower in winter. That way I don't notice that much of a change throughout the seasons.
 

Happi

Hall of Fame
Assuming summer as a baseline, I string 1-2 lbs lower in Spring and Autumn and then 2-4 lbs lower in winter. That way I don't notice that much of a change throughout the seasons.

Winter is indoor tennis where I live, so no need for adjustment. However I agree with @Nostradamus that poly stiffens up whent it’s cold, perhaps poly/synt gut could be a solution.
 

smithie

Professional
Winter is indoor tennis where I live, so no need for adjustment. However I agree with @Nostradamus that poly stiffens up whent it’s cold, perhaps poly/synt gut could be a solution.
At my club we have a dome installed over a number of courts to allow 'indoor' play over winter, but as it isn't temperature controlled so the dome falls foul of the outside temperatures. I have no option but to drop my tension unfortunately otherwise as you said, poly gets too stiff.
 
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galapagos

Hall of Fame
I noticed stiff strings are more painful during humid days on clay rather than in colder days on hard courts. Ball is "wet" and heavier.
 

Westerwick

Rookie
Firestorm tension maintenance is not good: 3 hours max at my level
Rather unfortunate as this is a great string....
So, next (red code and alu power on short list)
See the same thing with Firestorm. Like it initially, but just doesn't last. I guess that doesn't matter much to Berrettini since he can get a new racquet every set. I'm finding that Firestorms little sister, Polaris seems to last longer, plays about the same with just a touch more pop and comfort.
 

blai212

Hall of Fame
[
Firestorm tension maintenance is not good: 3 hours max at my level
Rather unfortunate as this is a great string....
So, next (red code and alu power on short list)
yeah told ya so lol. Element has similar feel to firestorm…a tad more stiff but greater longevity.

See the same thing with Firestorm. Like it initially, but just doesn't last. I guess that doesn't matter much to Berrettini since he can get a new racquet every set. I'm finding that Firestorms little sister, Polaris seems to last longer, plays about the same with just a touch more pop and comfort.
I found polaris to feel less dense than firestorm and it can feel too mushy as a cross string with an already super soft main string.
Have you guys noticed that characteristics of Poly strings change drastically in winter vs summer. In the super hot summer , luxilon plays great but when it gets cold in winter, it turns too stiff. So in cold weather softer polys like RPM spin works better.
everything in tennis is effected by temperature (balls/strings/racquet). Balls bounce slower/lower/deader in cold weather while they fly in hot weather. Racquets/strings stiffen up in the cold and loosen up in the heat which is why you shouldnt leave your racquets in your car on a hot summer day or else your racquet warps and then your strings turn into wet noodles. Also, if you leave balls out in the cold, they die. Good luck hitting with those balls. Had a whole case of penns that I left in the garage during winter one year and they ALL DIED.
 

galapagos

Hall of Fame
today i will be testing Tour Hex 22kg/21kg. Much lower than my usual setup (24/23). Let's see. Tour Hex 1.28 has more control and definitely lower launch than Tour Hex 1.23.
On the other hand Tour Hex 1.23 has that nice pocketing feel and slightly better spin potential (just as you would expect from thinner strings).

I think Tour Hex 1.28 shares some traits of strings like Luxilon Original. When fresh it's stiff (hard to make it move) but the comfort is there i am just talking about the performance. Faster/slower response. Hopefuly that extreme drop in tension will unlock the pocketing sensation (more spin and slightly more power) without increasing launch angle above 1.23 tour hex at 24kg/23kg....tough mission xd

@topspn what do u think ? :)
 

topspn

G.O.A.T.
today i will be testing Tour Hex 22kg/21kg. Much lower than my usual setup (24/23). Let's see. Tour Hex 1.28 has more control and definitely lower launch than Tour Hex 1.23.
On the other hand Tour Hex 1.23 has that nice pocketing feel and slightly better spin potential (just as you would expect from thinner strings).

I think Tour Hex 1.28 shares some traits of strings like Luxilon Original. When fresh it's stiff (hard to make it move) but the comfort is there i am just talking about the performance. Faster/slower response. Hopefuly that extreme drop in tension will unlock the pocketing sensation (more spin and slightly more power) without increasing launch angle above 1.23 tour hex at 24kg/23kg....tough mission xd

@topspn what do u think ? :)
I haven’t tried TH in either gauge in a 48lbs tension. Lowest was 50lbs in a BP and highest was 54lbs in a PA. Generally speaking lowering tension in same racquet will give more pocket and a bit higher launch as it allows the mains to move more freely. Let us know the result of your comparison
 
D

Deleted member 781523

Guest
Firestorm 17 broke for me after about 4 hours of hard hitting in an 18x20 :( Nice string though, definitely has some “wow” factor from the baseline

Testing Hit Pro 17 now, it’s nice and responsive, but probably not worth the trouble of importing it into the US

next up, Alu Power ice blue!
 
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galapagos

Hall of Fame
Ok tour hex 1.28 at 22kg/21kg is not a good idea :p too lively. I will keep it at 23 or 24 kg or maybe i will switch to 1.23 tour hex and string it tighter or hybrid it with 1.30 hit pro… i love the dwell time of 1.23 tour hex but my backhand understands 1.28 tour hex better… hmmmmm
 

blai212

Hall of Fame
it’s confirmed. v7 blade and HG are a match made in heaven. Strung HG 1.25/GW 1.22 in v7 blade 98 16x19 at 37/36 and it felt amazing. Every v7 blade user should try HG hybrid in preferred gauge with soft copoly cross. Simply amazing.
 

yessir

Semi-Pro
it’s confirmed. v7 blade and HG are a match made in heaven. Strung HG 1.25/GW 1.22 in v7 blade 98 16x19 at 37/36 and it felt amazing. Every v7 blade user should try HG hybrid in preferred gauge with soft copoly cross. Simply amazing.

It has been confirmed ages ago :D
 

EggSalad

Hall of Fame
@galapagos I love this thread and thank you for doing it. (Your racquet thread is great too).

I was wondering out of this group below, which you would recommend as a main in a poly/synthetic gut hybrid?

I’m guessing the Mayami, but also wasn’t sure if a hyrbid with synthetic gut would make a difference.

I also typically use a 1.20 gauge as I play with a 18x20 pattern and use 16G synthetic gut.

Group A (round profile):
1. Tecnifibre Ice Code 1.30 (click) (rating: 6.9 / 10)

2. Luxilon Original 1.30 (click) : stiffness 213 - energy return 85% - spin potential 4.8 (rating: 7.3 / 10) - co-winner

3. Luxilon Alu Power Rough 1.30 (click) (rating 6.1 / 10)

4. Luxilon Alu Power 1.30 (and 1.25) (click)(rating 7.2 / 10)

5. Mayami Hit Pro 1.30 (and 1.25) (click) (rating 7.3 / 10) - co-winner
 

galapagos

Hall of Fame
@galapagos I love this thread and thank you for doing it. (Your racquet thread is great too).

I was wondering out of this group below, which you would recommend as a main in a poly/synthetic gut hybrid?

I’m guessing the Mayami, but also wasn’t sure if a hyrbid with synthetic gut would make a difference.

I also typically use a 1.20 gauge as I play with a 18x20 pattern and use 16G synthetic gut.

Group A (round profile):
1. Tecnifibre Ice Code 1.30 (click) (rating: 6.9 / 10)

2. Luxilon Original 1.30 (click) : stiffness 213 - energy return 85% - spin potential 4.8 (rating: 7.3 / 10) - co-winner

3. Luxilon Alu Power Rough 1.30 (click) (rating 6.1 / 10)

4. Luxilon Alu Power 1.30 (and 1.25) (click)(rating 7.2 / 10)

5. Mayami Hit Pro 1.30 (and 1.25) (click) (rating 7.3 / 10) - co-winner
Thank you for the question,
Why looking only at round strings? I’ve already seen some great performances with head lynx tour 1.25/gut 1.30 hybrid. I imagine tourna silver 7 could be interesting too…

from your list i would choose Alu power rough. I used to play with it (1.25) in yonex ezone dr and the spin was actually great. I think it should play the best in a hybrid with gut. Then maybe Luxilon Original… its kinda on the same performance shelf as 4g and we can already see some pros with that hybrid.
Ice code in my opinion will be too powerful, same with mayami hit pro. So your guesses were wrong ha! :)
 

EggSalad

Hall of Fame
Thank you for the question,
Why looking only at round strings? I’ve already seen some great performances with head lynx tour 1.25/gut 1.30 hybrid. I imagine tourna silver 7 could be interesting too…

from your list i would choose Alu power rough. I used to play with it (1.25) in yonex ezone dr and the spin was actually great. I think it should play the best in a hybrid with gut. Then maybe Luxilon Original… its kinda on the same performance shelf as 4g and we can already see some pros with that hybrid.
Ice code in my opinion will be too powerful, same with mayami hit pro. So your guesses were wrong ha! :)

Thank you! I prefer round poly because of predictability. My mid court and volleys will sometimes sail on me with shaped poly.
 

tdhawks

Professional
Big fan of Tour Hex. Wish it was thinner but oh well.

I did a hybrid with Ghostwire at 44lbs and it was very spin oriented and plush the entire time until I cut it out.

I tried of Wasabi with Ghostwire and Cavier with Ghostwire both at 44lbs and they were both super stiff for the first two hours before loosening up. My elbow did not enjoy.
 

galapagos

Hall of Fame
I think I will try tour hex 1.23 and hit pro 1.30 hybrid :)
still want to try big spin / tour hex hybrid.

also maybe signum pro firestorm in a poly/poly hybrid... ohh so many options xD
 
D

Deleted member 781523

Guest
Alu power ice blue 125… such a nice string! Best volleying and serving poly I’ve used, just such a smooth blend of power/control/spin. The only issue I had was that I could sometimes overhit.. maybe a little too much free power? Anyway, I’m not breaking any news about this 15 year old string, it’s just terrific
 
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galapagos

Hall of Fame
Alu power ice blue 125… such a nice string! Best volleying and serving poly I’ve used, just such a smooth blend of power/control/spin. The only issue I had was that I could sometimes overhit.. maybe a little too much free power? Anyway, I’m not breaking any news about this 15 year old string, but it’s just terrific
So true. Yes. Alu power is a bit responsive which can be experienced as „lively” . But lot of spin and feel. One of the best (and expensive haha). I like the color a lot!
Its probably in my head but i liked blue color more than silver. More comfortable maybe?
 

yessir

Semi-Pro
So true. Yes. Alu power is a bit responsive which can be experienced as „lively” . But lot of spin and feel. One of the best (and expensive haha). I like the color a lot!
Its probably in my head but i liked blue color more than silver. More comfortable maybe?
Can someone please explain to me wth happens with alu power? I always wanted to try this one but you guys here on tt are all saying it lasts 3 hours , whats that supposed to mean?
 

SinneGOAT

Legend
Can someone please explain to me wth happens with alu power? I always wanted to try this one but you guys here on tt are all saying it lasts 3 hours , whats that supposed to mean?
In the beginning it is really nice. Like, amazing. Then after a few hours it loses control, it doesn’t have the same responsive feel and ball response, and it stiffens up. It gets kind of launchy and uncontrollable.
 

blai212

Hall of Fame
Sorry if this is a duplicate request, but would love to see your take on SPPP. Seems like a great offering for those who aren't willing to restring firestorm every 3-5 hours.
SPPP is a low powered poly with good tension maintenance. Firestorm is much softer more powerful poly. Signum pro just came out with polaris which is supposed to be a re-engineered version of firestorm that has better duration however not as ‘sturdy’ feeling, softer but less powerful
 

Westerwick

Rookie
SPPP is a low powered poly with good tension maintenance. Firestorm is much softer more powerful poly. Signum pro just came out with polaris which is supposed to be a re-engineered version of firestorm that has better duration however not as ‘sturdy’ feeling, softer but less powerful
Polaris seems a bit more powerful than Firestorm, but otherwise agree. Firestorm just doesn’t last. If you are Matteo Berrettini, it probably doesn’t matter simce you can get a new racquet each set. As for the rest of us mortals, doesn’t make as much sense.
 

galapagos

Hall of Fame
Polaris seems a bit more powerful than Firestorm, but otherwise agree. Firestorm just doesn’t last. If you are Matteo Berrettini, it probably doesn’t matter simce you can get a new racquet each set. As for the rest of us mortals, doesn’t make as much sense.
In Europe its a very cheap string. I think cheaper than volkl cyclone so it makes some sense to string it Just more often. Of course not perfect but always an option. I play with 95” headsize mainly so i think tension loss hits a bit slower than in 98” or 100”
 
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