What's Special about Babolat Origin?

JustTennis76

Hall of Fame
I hit with one of my friend's racket that had this string in a full bed over the weekend. It played decent and had good feel and power and comfort but nothing more. I don't understand the hype about this string and is $21.95 a set which is slightly less than a low end natural gut. My regular setup is volkl cyclone with a synthetic cross and it plays better with more spin and control and is very economical. Has anybody else thought the same way about this string?
 

bigserving

Hall of Fame
I found Origin to be a very complete string. It had no real or glaring weakness. I gave it high ratings in every category. Very nice and a very pleasurable string to play with. It really seemed like it had something for everyone.

So many other strings have power but not great spin. Or, great spin but not comfortable. Or, comfort but no feel. Origin was above average across the board.
 
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Noisy Ninja

Semi-Pro
I agree with bigserving's assessment of Babolat Origin; it's a jack of all trades. No glaring weaknesses. The thing that stood out most for me is that it feels very crisp...for such a comfortable and powerful string. It's the good feedback upon contact that makes it special; even natural gut does exhibit the same amount of crispness or feedback. Its tension maintenance and durability isn't as good as natural gut...but definitely better than any other multifilaments offered on the market.
The OP is comparing a poly hybrid setup to a full Origin setup; that is probably not a fair comparison if you typically use/prefer a poly hybrid setup. If you compare a full Origin setup to a full multi/natural gut setup...I suspect the OP's opinion of Babolat Origin may change.
 

JustTennis76

Hall of Fame
I agree with bigserving's assessment of Babolat Origin; it's a jack of all trades. No glaring weaknesses. The thing that stood out most for me is that it feels very crisp...for such a comfortable and powerful string. It's the good feedback upon contact that makes it special; even natural gut does exhibit the same amount of crispness or feedback. Its tension maintenance and durability isn't as good as natural gut...but definitely better than any other multifilaments offered on the market.
The OP is comparing a poly hybrid setup to a full Origin setup; that is probably not a fair comparison if you typically use/prefer a poly hybrid setup. If you compare a full Origin setup to a full multi/natural gut setup...I suspect the OP's opinion of Babolat Origin may change.

You are correct. I may be comparing apples to oranges here. Overall, I liked the Origin string but it does not produce the amount of spin than my regular setup. So, this is not a knock on the origin string at all. I will stick with my regular setup.
 

SteveI

Legend
Hello All:

I was one of the TW Playtesters for this string. The string indeed is quite unique. Does not really have a weakness. This string also holds tension great and does have a very long play period. I played the string for over 20 hours.. full bed and the tension never really seemed to change. Easy on the arm.. super consistent string bed and string movement was very close to a fresh set of poly. The spin was not the best (compared to ploy)... but I tested a 16G... and I never play a poly in a 16G.

If you are not a string breaker or a big spin player.. I could see this string being a great value. Flatter hitter would love this string IMHO.

Regards,
SteveI
 

junior74

Bionic Poster
I really like it. There are tennis players that have other priorities than just spin :)

I like its controllable power; there is really a lot of power when you pull the trigger, still it is firm enough to block big serves back with control. Also, it offers a consistency through its lifespan that is unmatched IME.
 

Readers

Professional
Hello All:

I was one of the TW Playtesters for this string. The string indeed is quite unique. Does not really have a weakness. This string also holds tension great and does have a very long play period. I played the string for over 20 hours.. full bed and the tension never really seemed to change. Easy on the arm.. super consistent string bed and string movement was very close to a fresh set of poly. The spin was not the best (compared to ploy)... but I tested a 16G... and I never play a poly in a 16G.

If you are not a string breaker or a big spin player.. I could see this string being a great value. Flatter hitter would love this string IMHO.

Regards,
SteveI

How does it compare to NG though?
 

JustTennis76

Hall of Fame
If I put origin in the mains and Gosen Polylon in the crosses, would that be an arm friendly setup? I am thinking about 48 lbs for Origin and 45 lbs for polylon in my prestige mid. I want to use polylon just to bring the overall cost down of the string job.
 

jim e

Legend
Seems odd that TW lists the string under Multifilament, where the string is described as a monofilament.
I agree with Stevel comment above, that the string plays like a stiff natural gut, but that was having the gut and origin at same high tensions.
If I hit with origin again, I would most likely reduce the tension somewhat.
 

MixedMaster

Semi-Pro
I've said a few times in different posts on here that if I ever wasn't able to buy nat gut I'd switch to Babolat Origin. I felt it played that well and was really consistant.
 

Noisy Ninja

Semi-Pro
If I put origin in the mains and Gosen Polylon in the crosses, would that be an arm friendly setup? I am thinking about 48 lbs for Origin and 45 lbs for polylon in my prestige mid. I want to use polylon just to bring the overall cost down of the string job.
Yes, installing Origin in the mains and Gosen Polylon in the crosses will indeed make for a very arm friendly setup. My only concern is that you are coming from a poly main - synthetic gut cross setup as your default. It might be a big transition in feel going to the opposite end of the spectrum and not everyone ends up liking it. You get great arm comfort, power, and ball pocketing...with a soft string in the mains...but some people simply prefer a setup that bites the ball more (spin potential) and feels more boardy.
What I would suggest is that you first try a poly in the mains and Origin in the cross. You will get improved power and and arm comfort..but still maintain really good spin potential. As many have opined about Origin...it doesn't excel at any one facet...but is a very good string with no real weakness. I actually think it excels as a cross string for some people because of its attributes.
I'm currently using a Yonex Poly Tour Fire - Babolat Origin at 52-54. I actually prefer this setup better than a natural gut-poly setup. I get way more spin potential and directional control is also better. Installing a soft string in the mains is great if your aim is to get more power and ball pocketing...but for me...it's just too much power and there is only so high I am willing to increase my mains before the variance between main & cross (poly) tension becomes too wide for my liking.
I'm not a big string breaker and I find Yonex Poly Tour Fire - Babolat Origin plays really well for an extended duration. Definitely an upgrade over using a synthetic gut in the cross in my view. The one thing I definitely notice about this setup is that there is noticeably more string snap back (spin potential) that is very audible. It might be a combination of the new silicone infused Yonex string working in conjunction with a smooth & slick cross string (Origin) that also provides some ball pocketing. In any case, I highly recommend the setup if you ever get the opportunity to try it out.
Good luck.
 

SteveI

Legend
I would use IsoSpeed Baseline in the crosses... Polylon would firm up the Origin.. and really IMHO... not be a good combo with the Origin. You are using a 93 inch 18 x 20 frame correct?

Good luck
 

DUROC

Professional
Seems odd that TW lists the string under Multifilament, where the string is described as a monofilament.
I agree with Stevel comment above, that the string plays like a stiff natural gut, but that was having the gut and origin at same high tensions.
If I hit with origin again, I would most likely reduce the tension somewhat.

Technically it's a multi that's heated and treated in that it becomes solid.......kind of like a super monofilament. I use it full bed in the Tour 100P sticks at 63lbs and the why it maintains tension is fantastic.
 

JustTennis76

Hall of Fame
I would use IsoSpeed Baseline in the crosses... Polylon would firm up the Origin.. and really IMHO... not be a good combo with the Origin. You are using a 93 inch 18 x 20 frame correct?

Good luck
Yes, using the prestige mid 93. I have moved away from the thought of using polylon. I may just stick with using cyclone mains and some origin in the crosses like Noisy Ninja was saying. It would be an expensive setup but if it lasts longer I don't mind.
 
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