Your Favorite Multi? (comparing multi strings)

mnttlrg

Professional
I am just starting to try out some multi strings in my crosses (poly mains), and so far I've really enjoyed it. I hit with a lot of power / spin, but I hate having too much rubber band / trampoline effect and how it creates variations in response off of the string bed, so this setup has felt pretty good to me thus far.

I am just curious how the various multi's compare to one another:
What do you look for in a multi string? What makes a multi good or bad? What aspects change from one multi to the next, and what do they have in common?

Can you please list some multi's you've tried and tell me what you liked or didn't like about them?

Thanks!
 

ONgame

Semi-Pro
I enjoyed Wilson NXT Control 16g - solid feel, good control
I hated X1 Biphase 16g - no prestretch, too much power even at 60lbs
Both fullbed

Go check the thread "Mikeler's multis", the guy playtested like 60 different multifilament strings and has reviews on all of them.
 

ByeByePoly

G.O.A.T.
If you like medium power, muted, not mushy ... Velocity, HDX. Choice probably won't matter as much as a cross behind poly.
 
NXT power if you like comfortable and powerful, it is also very slippery.
Velocity for a firmer more muted response, also slippery for a few hours.
PPC for power and comfort between the two mentioned above.

I also like multifeel very much and tier one triumph (low powered).

If your poly mains are shaped or textured I would advise against multifeel and PPC (no snapback at all).
 

Jster

Professional
I enjoyed Wilson NXT Control 16g - solid feel, good control
I hated X1 Biphase 16g - no prestretch, too much power even at 60lbs
Both fullbed

Go check the thread "Mikeler's multis", the guy playtested like 60 different multifilament strings and has reviews on all of them.

Yep, but after tw restructured the forum. Most shortcut links to his reviews are dead.
 

KaiserW

Hall of Fame
My favorite is NXT Control but it is expensive and since just in your crosses I would go cheaper.

PPC mentioned above is a good choice. Nice string and on the cheaper side for a multi.

If you want to go even cheaper I think syn gut should work fine also.
 

jered

Rookie
All multis seem to get shredded too fast in my RF97A but my favorite is Multifeel. A little more durable than most with good control and spin for a multi. Got tired of stringing so often though so I moved on to Kevlar/ZX hybrid.
 
Really like Gamma live wire XP. When hybrided with a smooth poly, lasts a long time. Don't like babolat excel in same configuration. Doesn't last as much.
 

Hokiein304

New User
I've played Head Velocity, Head RIP Control, and Wilson NXT...like all three, great feel and durability. Hit a friend's racquet with Gamma Live Wire and was pleasantly surprised by the feel, but don't know about durability.
 

JustTennis76

Hall of Fame
Grab some Prince Premier Control for $89 a reel on TW and call it a day. It has the best price to performance ratio. It's not too powerful and not too soft either. Very good middle ground between power and comfort. Can't go wrong. I purchased Prince Premier Attack(former name for PPC) 2 reels few years ago and I still use it in a lot of options.
 

Steve Huff

G.O.A.T.
Personally, I like Alpha Sphere. It soft. I get a little higher trajectory on my shots, but ball seems to land where I aim it. Feels good to serve with. Has good durability for a multi.
 

MAX PLY

Hall of Fame
NXT user for years then switched to X-one Biphase. Have not regretted it. I’d also give a shout out to two Tourna strings if you don’t want to spend the cash for NXT or X-one—try either the Quasi-gut or the Irradiated by Tourna (I’ve hit both and was pleased, particularly at that price).
 

Muppet

Legend
NXT Duramax is a great string. I tried it on my MW signature racquet. It was well cushioned due to the large amount of polyurethane in its makeup. But it still feels crisp enough and has great spin, even more so compared to other multis. Reviews say that it's very durable and lasts a long time. It's high priced though. And the gauge is thick for a 16g string. I played it on an 18x20 and it had very good performance, but it did feel kind of thick.
 

junior74

Talk Tennis Guru
The most control oriented multi I've tried is NXT Control.

The most comfortable multi I've tried is Pro Supex Maxim Touch.

The most powerful multi I've tried is WeissCannon Explosiv!

The best feel multi I've tried is Signum Pro Micronite.

The most spin friendly multi I've tried is Head Rip Control.

The best value multi I've tried is AlphaGut2000.
 

ByeByePoly

G.O.A.T.
The most control oriented multi I've tried is NXT Control.

The most comfortable multi I've tried is Pro Supex Maxim Touch.

The most powerful multi I've tried is WeissCannon Explosiv!

The best feel multi I've tried is Signum Pro Micronite.

The most spin friendly multi I've tried is Head Rip Control.

The best value multi I've tried is AlphaGut2000.

And the best multi multi briefi feedback was dat one 8-B(y)
 

junior74

Talk Tennis Guru
And the best multi multi briefi feedback was dat one 8-B(y)

You have experience with multi hybrids, yes? Perhaps you have some advice for OP?

Monogut Zyex is a better cross option for poly than multi IMO. Allows snap back and keeps the stringbed alive longer than a multi.
 

ByeByePoly

G.O.A.T.
You have experience with multi hybrids, yes? Perhaps you have some advice for OP?

Monogut Zyex is a better cross option for poly than multi IMO. Allows snap back and keeps the stringbed alive longer than a multi.

Did ... post #3 ... more briefy than yours. 8-B For my purposes, Velocity has been good as fb or a cross. I have not played ZX.
 

junior74

Talk Tennis Guru
Did ... post #3 ... more briefy than yours. 8-B For my purposes, Velocity has been good as fb or a cross. I have not played ZX.

I've mostly used multis as fb. I've found a soft poly with ZX cross has the same comfort with more control, and since I rely on spin, I prefer that setup. I can easily understand your love for Velocity. Very good allround qualities :) If you're ever tempted by a little more power, I suggest giving Maxim Touch a go. Really nice string, cheap in reel form. Have a nice weekend :cool:
 

ByeByePoly

G.O.A.T.
I've mostly used multis as fb. I've found a soft poly with ZX cross has the same comfort with more control, and since I rely on spin, I prefer that setup. I can easily understand your love for Velocity. Very good allround qualities :) If you're ever tempted by a little more power, I suggest giving Maxim Touch a go. Really nice string, cheap in reel form. Have a nice weekend :cool:

FB Velocity @52 or @54/52 is fine for power for me ... but I also have been using Origin/Velocity @55/52 ... and that is more power. I came from poly ... have to give it up, even noticed the poly in HDX (go figure), so my first criteria is control (poly adjacent). I hit moderate spin, the Velocity works there. I also shoot for 20 hours so I don't have to live at the stringer, so I need better than average multi main durability. Velocity surprised there ... plays pretty consistent to the 20ish hour.

Since I like the power bump of O/V .... I do experiment with different mains. HDX/V played great ... but again, my elbow gets a slight twinge. None with O/V btw. My next test is probably AK PRO CX/V ... been talkin to sir @Znak. Maybe Maxim Touch/V at some point. I stocked up on 10+ sets of V when TW had it at $5 ... hehehe. Does Touch fray? How durable? I prefer notching to fraying.
 

Znak

Hall of Fame
Gosen AK Pro CX – feel, control, crisp, power, my favourite all-round string to date.
Signum Micronite – comfort, control, decent spin, has a longer than normal break-in period I find.
Yonex Tour Super 850 Pro – comfort, lively, great multi
Yonex Rexis – cushy, great touch, definitely a different feel, easy on the arm

(@ByeByePoly I forgot to mention the latter to add to your list. Probably the softest string I've tried).

Ones I didn't enjoy as much:
Velocity – I'm in the minority, it was too muted, never felt quite connected to the ball
PPC, OGSM – honestly I didn't get much out of these, I didn't think it did anything poorly, but didn't do anything great either
Isospeed Control Classic – Mikeler liked this one alot, I found it suprisingly stiff, had some wrist pain after

On deck:
WeisCannon Explosiv, Tec Biphase & NRG2, Mantis Comfort
 
Last edited:

LoanStar

Rookie
Gosen AK Pro CX – feel, control, crisp, power, my favourite all-round string to date.
Signum Micronite – comfort, control, decent spin, has a longer than normal break-in period I find.
Yonex Tour Super 850 Pro – comfort, lively, great multi
Yonex Rexis – cushy, great touch, definitely a different feel, easy on the arm

(@ByeByePoly I forgot to mention the latter to add to your list. Probably the softest string I've tried).

Ones I didn't enjoy as much:
Velocity – I'm in the minority, it was too muted, never felt quite connected to the ball
PPC, OGSM – honestly I didn't get much out of these, I didn't think it did anything poorly, but didn't do anything great either
Isospeed Control Classic – Mikeler liked this one alot, I found it suprisingly stiff, had some wrist pain after

On deck:
WeisCannon Explosiv, Tec Biphase & NRG2, Mantis Comfort
After getting TE messing around with poly and poly hybrids last year, I've been going back and forth with fb Velocity and fb Yonex Tour Super 850 Pro. I'm pretty much split down the middle. I sense more feel and spin with the Y, but there is more string movement compared to Velocity. Y seems to fray and notch more quickly. I'd give the nod to V on tension maintenance. Both are easy on the arm.
 

USPTARF97

Hall of Fame
Gosen AK Pro CX – feel, control, crisp, power, my favourite all-round string to date.
Signum Micronite – comfort, control, decent spin, has a longer than normal break-in period I find.
Yonex Tour Super 850 Pro – comfort, lively, great multi
Yonex Rexis – cushy, great touch, definitely a different feel, easy on the arm

(@ByeByePoly I forgot to mention the latter to add to your list. Probably the softest string I've tried).

Ones I didn't enjoy as much:
Velocity – I'm in the minority, it was too muted, never felt quite connected to the ball
PPC, OGSM – honestly I didn't get much out of these, I didn't think it did anything poorly, but didn't do anything great either
Isospeed Control Classic – Mikeler liked this one alot, I found it suprisingly stiff, had some wrist pain after

On deck:
WeisCannon Explosiv, Tec Biphase & NRG2, Mantis Comfort

AK CX 16g or 17g?
 
Last edited:

am1899

Legend
https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/mikelers-multis.352048/
Mikeler's old multi evaluation thread. He has since moved back to polyester, but that would not invalidate his opinions.

I concur with @mikeler’s glowing review of Discho Multifibre / Signum Pro Micronite. It is the best all around multi I’ve ever used, bar none. No disrespect to the competition, but for me Discho Multifibre puts NXT, X-1, Xcel and a bunch of other flagship multis to shame. The only problem is, it’s not easy, if not impossible to get stateside these days - without importing from across the pond. It’s pretty bizarre to me why TW or other US retailers don’t carry the Signum Pro variant. I believe there were rumblings of it a few years ago. @TW Staff what say you?

Prince Premier Control doesn’t have near the crisp and comfy playability of the above, but at its price point, it’s very hard to beat. To be sure, it has a more muted feel that probably isn’t for everyone. But i found it remarkably durable for a multi, and it held tension pretty well.

I’d also give an honorable mention to Gamma Professional. Its not as comfy as Discho Multifibre, and not as durable as PPC. But if crisp gut like playability is what you seek, I think its right up there with some of the more commonly mentioned ones - NRG2, NXT, X-1, etc. (Honeslty I think it’s one of very few Gamma strings that’s worth spending money on...many of their offerings are rubbish, IMO).
 

am1899

Legend
Yonex Tour Super 850 Pro

Also a great string. (y)

Velocity is awesome too, especially given the price point. It does have that muted, perhaps rubbery feel that some may not fall in love with. But if the feel isn’t a deal breaker, there’s a lot to like otherwise, IMHO.
 
Last edited:

junior74

Talk Tennis Guru
FB Velocity @52 or @54/52 is fine for power for me ... but I also have been using Origin/Velocity @55/52 ... and that is more power. I came from poly ... have to give it up, even noticed the poly in HDX (go figure), so my first criteria is control (poly adjacent). I hit moderate spin, the Velocity works there. I also shoot for 20 hours so I don't have to live at the stringer, so I need better than average multi main durability. Velocity surprised there ... plays pretty consistent to the 20ish hour.

Since I like the power bump of O/V .... I do experiment with different mains. HDX/V played great ... but again, my elbow gets a slight twinge. None with O/V btw. My next test is probably AK PRO CX/V ... been talkin to sir @Znak. Maybe Maxim Touch/V at some point. I stocked up on 10+ sets of V when TW had it at $5 ... hehehe. Does Touch fray? How durable? I prefer notching to fraying.

I can easily understand Velocity if you hit flatter. Maxim Touch is a little slicker, and more powerful. I play with heavy spin, and durability is very good. I also felt like the sweet spot got bigger with that string. It frays (again; I hit with heavy top spin), but it still plays pretty evenly until it snaps. Note that I use 16x18 in 100 head size. So notching is never a real issue. $5 is ridiculous :D

On the other hand, If I was a flat hitter, I would check Mantis Comfort to check it against Velocity. As I recall the two, Mantic is even more contrfl-oritened/ low powered.

Explosiv! is borderline crazy as a string. Incredibly powerful. Smells delicious, though: Smokin'! :cool:
 

ByeByePoly

G.O.A.T.
I can easily understand Velocity if you hit flatter. Maxim Touch is a little slicker, and more powerful. I play with heavy spin, and durability is very good. I also felt like the sweet spot got bigger with that string. It frays (again; I hit with heavy top spin), but it still plays pretty evenly until it snaps. Note that I use 16x18 in 100 head size. So notching is never a real issue. $5 is ridiculous :D

On the other hand, If I was a flat hitter, I would check Mantis Comfort to check it against Velocity. As I recall the two, Mantic is even more contrfl-oritened/ low powered.

Explosiv! is borderline crazy as a string. Incredibly powerful. Smells delicious, though: Smokin'! :cool:

I haven't found anywhere in states to buy Micronite or Mantis. I only found one place for Maxim Touch ... and only 17g ... I only use 16g.

I will pair with Velocity cross ... so multi main power is a non-issue. I doubt any string is much more powerful than origin, and origin/v @55/52 is about right for me ... where fb Origin red 16g @55 was a frickin rocket launcher. To me ... V = control and tamer.

I hit flattish ... but hit enough topspin to miss my rpm days. To me, you just have to accept you can't match poly spin with nylon ... end of story. I had TE, was scared of getting knocked out of tennis, and am past all serious tennis. Stupid to risk elbow with poly ... doesn't mean I didn't read the x-perience thread. I did picture green x-perience in my V1 Pros ... my new 2hbh deserves the big topspin. :p

So I still test different mains with V cross for two reasons ... in this order:

1) caught the string testing addiction ... can't stop :eek:
2) increased feel that a V cross can't kill
 

junior74

Talk Tennis Guru
I haven't found anywhere in states to buy Micronite or Mantis. I only found one place for Maxim Touch ... and only 17g ... I only use 16g.

I will pair with Velocity cross ... so multi main power is a non-issue. I doubt any string is much more powerful than origin, and origin/v @55/52 is about right for me ... where fb Origin red 16g @55 was a frickin rocket launcher. To me ... V = control and tamer.

I hit flattish ... but hit enough topspin to miss my rpm days. To me, you just have to accept you can't match poly spin with nylon ... end of story. I had TE, was scared of getting knocked out of tennis, and am past all serious tennis. Stupid to risk elbow with poly ... doesn't mean I didn't read the x-perience thread. I did picture green x-perience in my V1 Pros ... my new 2hbh deserves the big topspin. :p

So I still test different mains with V cross for two reasons ... in this order:

1) caught the string testing addiction ... can't stop :eek:
2) increased feel that a V cross can't kill

I've read people disliking Maxim Touch in 17g. I've only tried the 16g and it's a gem. It has very nice feel/ touch.
Disco Microfibre is supposedly the same string, or so I've heard somewhere. Edit: The same as Micronite!

Perhaps you'll like Explosiv! As I recall it, it has nice feel. And I remember loving that extra power on serves.

String addiction is fun and not that expensive :) I feel for those who have to buy every new racquet on the market...
 
Last edited:

ByeByePoly

G.O.A.T.
I've read people disliking Maxim Touch in 17g. I've only tried the 16g and it's a gem. It has very nice feel/ touch.
Disco Microfibre is supposedly the same string, or so I've heard somewhere.

Perhaps you'll like Explosiv! As I recall it, it has nice feel. And I remember loving that extra power on serves.

String addiction is fun and not that expensive :) I feel for those who have to buy every new racquet on the market...

I love my racqet ... I love my racquet ... I love my racquet ... I love my racquet
 

LoanStar

Rookie
After getting TE messing around with poly and poly hybrids last year, I've been going back and forth with fb Velocity and fb Yonex Tour Super 850 Pro. I'm pretty much split down the middle. I sense more feel and spin with the Y, but there is more string movement compared to Velocity. Y seems to fray and notch more quickly. I'd give the nod to V on tension maintenance. Both are easy on the arm.
Yesterday and today I only used the stick with fb Velocity and played great...control, access to spin when I needed it, arm feels good. I may just buy a reel of it and jump out of this rabbit hole (for a while at least):)
 

ByeByePoly

G.O.A.T.
Yesterday and today I only used the stick with fb Velocity and played great...control, access to spin when I needed it, arm feels good. I may just buy a reel of it and jump out of this rabbit hole (for a while at least):)

LOL ... jump out of the stringoholic rabbit hole ... good luck with that.
 

ByeByePoly

G.O.A.T.
16g, I almost only use a thicker gauge for multis.

One set of Gosen AK Pro CX 16g natural on the way (from TW of course 8-B) ... along with a 10 pack Tournagrip XL Original

I will string my second V1 Pro with AK Pro CX/Velocity @54/52. After hitting it for several hours, I will decide if I want to try the reverse in the other V1 Pro ... V/AK Pro CX @54/52 ... or maybe adjust tensions. I usually would have tested a multi fb first, but since I have tried several combinations with V cross, I will be able to get a read on AK Pro CX as a main only.

I will post after I hit with it. Man.... spring tennis started ... new string on the way ... excellent!!! :love:
 

1HBHfanatic

Legend
After getting TE messing around with poly and poly hybrids last year, I've been going back and forth with fb Velocity and fb Yonex Tour Super 850 Pro. I'm pretty much split down the middle. I sense more feel and spin with the Y, but there is more string movement compared to Velocity. Y seems to fray and notch more quickly. I'd give the nod to V on tension maintenance. Both are easy on the arm.

@mnttlrg
things i look for on a goodmulti:
comfort, the good feel needs to be there
control, above average in control, hard to find in a multi, but some are better at it
movement, important to me, some move right away, the good ones stay in place longer; as @LoanStar mentioned, this is where velocity shined over yonex.850
 

ByeByePoly

G.O.A.T.
Yesterday and today I only used the stick with fb Velocity and played great...control, access to spin when I needed it, arm feels good. I may just buy a reel of it and jump out of this rabbit hole (for a while at least):)
After getting TE messing around with poly and poly hybrids last year, I've been going back and forth with fb Velocity and fb Yonex Tour Super 850 Pro. I'm pretty much split down the middle. I sense more feel and spin with the Y, but there is more string movement compared to Velocity. Y seems to fray and notch more quickly. I'd give the nod to V on tension maintenance. Both are easy on the arm.

Try Y/V ... might get the Y feel ... and maybe Y mains stays straighter. Also ... maybe Y mains would notch slower against V cross. Both have similar string to string numbers in string comparison tool, but you never know for sure how two strings slide on each other until you try it. fyi ... by simply changing fb V from 52/52 to 54/52 ... I reduced mains movement ... and pretty much plays the same. I have a tight center 8 mains 16x19 ... so most of my string movement is outside of center 8 (yes ... I hit there some ... also fuzz found out there 8-B).
 
Top