AdvantageStringing.com

Kirschbaum Pro Line Evolution Review

2012-02-13T09:18:00.000-08:00

Today, I have a guest reviewer reviewing a brand new string from Kirschbaum called the Pro Line Evolution. Thanks to one of my customers, Eric Berner (college player), for his insight on this test. Kirschbaum has several excellent strings and one that I actually played for several months was the Pro Line II.

The Evolution's claim to fame is that it is pre-stretched (as are all Kirschbaum's poly strings) and that it is 10% lighter than typical poly strings. However, the real test is how it performs. That's where our playtest comes in.

The playtest:

Kirschbaum Pro Line Evolution is the newest offering from Kirschbaum. This new string is an update to their popular Pro Line II string. Bring a huge fan of Pro Line II, I couldn’t wait to try this new string out. Coming in a bright blue color and a new technology that reduces the mass of the string by 10% to enhance spin and power, this string is a must try. I strung this up in my Dunlop Biomimetic 200 at 58 lbs. I must say, the string looks great in this racquet.

My first hit with the Evolution was less than pleasing. My serves were flying long, my groundstrokes had very little spin and lacked pace and depth, and my volleys would sit up for my opponent to easily put away. After the first few hours with these strings I was ready to cut them out. There was hardly any feel, power, or spin potential to be found.

The second day I went to hit with these, my mind was changed. The strings seemed to soften up a bit which allowed from great ball pocketing. I could take huge cuts at the ball with confidence that they would drop in. I felt like my serves had more kick and slice when needed, but I could hit a strong flat serve with ease, too. The power was an added bonus once these got broken in.

Volleying with these strings is probably one of my favorite aspects about them. They feel soft like a multi, but allow me to have the control of a poly. When hitting drop volleys it feels like the strings just catch the ball and allow you to do as you please with it.

There was a little drop in tension after the first few hours that I played with these strings. That sort of softening of the string bed allowed me to feel the ball pocketing characteristic in which I enjoy in my strings. I felt that on the second day of hitting the spin, power, and feel of the string were all as advertised and even better.

I have been playing with this same set for two weeks now and there is minimal notching and absolutely no string movement at all. This string has felt the exact same as the second time I stepped on court with it. This is definitely one of my favorite poly strings that I have ever hit with.

Thanks again Eric for your review!

Keep hittin'

Dan

Tourna Big Hitter Blue Rough 16ga Review

2012-02-07T14:11:00.000-08:00

This is an "older" string and not one of the latest strings to come out but I thought it was time to report on this poly string. After all, it got a ton of hype (to us nerd string aficionados!) when it came out a year or so ago. After the Racquet Sports Industry had tested it, they said it was the 2nd best string they tested, losing out only to a premium natural gut. With this in mind, it was way past time to try this string out.

My test racquet and setup are as follows: Volkl PB 10 Mid, Tourna Big Hitter Blue Rough string (BHBR) 16 ga @ 58#. I usually string poly at a little lower than this but I have read that this is a softer string and produces more power than usual polys so I decided to string it up for more control. I had about 1 1/2 hours on court playing indoors on a medium fast hard court.

The Test:

For serves, there's one word, WOW! I felt complete control over every shot (sure, they didn't all go in but it felt like they were going to!). On the deuce and ad sides, I could hit the outside corners better than my beloved Genesis Twisted Razor setup that I have played for 8 months. Spin was better than average and I could kick it with ease.

Running crosscourt forehands were remarkably successful with 2 or 3 outright winners on shots that are usually just "keep 'em in play" shots. I left my opponent looking at me with a "did you really just hit that shot?" look that was completely satisfying. Shots that usually would have been a few inches out landed inside the lines. The feel was excellent and there is absolutely no jarring or shock to my arm, even on mishits. This really IS a soft playing poly. Lots of strings claim softness - BHBR delivered. Power was equally impressive as I hit several balls past my opponent on forehands and backhands. Touch is better than most polys but still not as good as a natural gut or even some synthetics. I dropped a ball over the net that my opponent had no chance in retrieving. I could generate lots of spin and really pin my opponent back with a high spin, looping shot that was difficult to handle. This is definitely in the "spin string" category.

I only hit 1 overhead but it was solid and penetrating. If serves are any indication of how the overheads would go, then I see no reason why this string wouldn't be just as good. This is a soft string with good power and so the ball felt nice on the strings. I felt in complete control and could slice and dice the volleys as well. I'm no longer play a serve and volley game but the time I spent there was pleasant.

I experienced no arm pain but to be fair, I only played less than 2 hours with it. Also, I don't know how long this string will last or how long it will play this well. That's a question to be answered in the days and weeks to come.

But for now...

I loved this string test. It's a soft, powerful poly that gives excellent control, too. Lots of strings claim power and control as their attributes but few deliver. I would rank these in my top 3 polys I have ever played. They would be (in no particular order), Luxilon ALU Power, Genesis Twisted Razor and this string, BHBR. If you want spin, BHBR delivered. If you want power, BHBR delivered. If you want control, BHBR delivered again!

I tried BHBR when it originally came out and liked it but I strung it too low for maximum benefit. This time, I strung it at the proper tension and the result is fantastic. Now I see why this string was rated so high when it first came out. I think that I will be keeping this string in my racquet for a while. At least until something better comes along. However, it's going to take quite a lot to get Big Hitter Blue Rough out of my stick.

Keep hittin'
Dan

2011-12-06T07:19:00.000-08:00

Review of the Volkl Organix 10 325

Since my current frame is the Volkl PB10 Mid, I was eager to try this racquet. I feel that my Volkl is probably the best racquet I have ever hit with and one that would be tough to match, much less beat. With the new Volkl Organix 10 325, Volkl promises that racquets with Organix materials “will be loaded up with kinetic energy during ball impact and release it back again immediately and better handling, due to extraordinary vibration-absorbing properties”. They also say that there is “up to 30% more dynamic power”. Lots of information to digest but I just wanted to see how it plays. This test model is 98 sq in and has a 16x19 string pattern. The stiffness rating is in the mid 60’s and around 12 oz strung.

Groundstrokes

When I began hitting with this racquet, it felt like I was hitting with an old friend and the larger head size (98 sq in) allowed my confidence soar. This is a heavier racquet but it didn’t feel too heavy as the weight seems to be distributed just right. My arm felt all warm and fuzzy as I felt no arm discomfort. The string in this racquet was a synthetic gut and is not known for explosive spin. However, I was still able to get excellent spin. I was impressed with it on both sides as I was able to come over the ball or slice and dice very well. I love to move my opponents back and forth on my groundstrokes and this racquet delivered. I controlled it nicely and spin it as needed. I had good, solid power on both sides. When given short balls, it was point over!

Volleys/Overheads

With the 98 sq in head, I felt very comfortable at net and I was able to power through both sides equally. Control was there whether I was trying to punch it hard or just feather it. Solid as a rock! Overheads were consistent and powerful as I had no issues. The head size provided all the confidence I needed to put the ball away every time.

Serves/Returns

Serving is the only area where I felt it was a bit lacking. However, it’s not a bad serving racquet. It just didn’t have the power I wanted when called upon. Spin and control wasn’t an issue, only power. When I really leaned on it to crank an ace (hopefully!), it just didn’t deliver. I would like to experiment with different strings such as a co-poly or even natural gut. A different string might change up the playing characteristics offering more power. Returns, however, were great. I think the size of the head along with how solid the racquet is combined for an excellent returning stick. I could block it with ease on a rocket serve or return it with pace on a floater.

Overall, this is an excellent racquet for a 4.5 and above player. Singles or doubles players will find this racquet solid, comfortable and reliable. Keep in mind that this is a heavier racquet and the faint of heart need not apply. Also, the handle shape is different than other brands as Volkls are more angular so there’s a brief adjustment period. For better players, you’ll see excellent results on groundstrokes, volleys, returns and overhead. Be willing to sacrifice a small amount

on power serves. The upside to that is that you’ll gain a bit of control, so it’s still good news! I don’t know if Organix is responsible for the excellent results I had, but it certainly didn’t hurt! I’m staying with my Volkl PB10 Mid’s but I could play with this racquet with very little adjustment.

Keep hittin!,

Dan

2011-11-02T16:02:00.000-07:00

Review of the Prince EXO3 Tour 100 18x20

Donald Young switched to this racquet this year and his results are apparent. I don’t know if it’s just the racquet but there’s no denying the facts. His ranking has risen dramatically while using this racquet. Several other players are also using this racquet so it was time for me to take a look at why it’s gaining popularity. I was anxious to get this stick out on the court. This test racquet is about 11 ½ oz strung, 100 sq in, strung with a synthetic gut, an 18x20 string pattern and a stiffness rating in the low 50’s. This racquet had the open ports and not the optional grommets.

Groundstrokes

The first thing I noticed is that you can really feel the flexibility of this racquet. I currently use a pretty flexible racquet (Volkl PB10 Mid) but this one really bends on impact. It felt very comfortable and I was pleasantly surprised that I was able to generate good power, considering the flexibility. The flex allowed complete comfort for my arm. At first, I thought that I might need to add lead tape to the head to squeeze more power out of the frame. But after playing a set, that feeling went away. I found that with the extreme flexibility, I was able to control the ball and place it on a dime. Even with the larger head, it controlled the ball as well as my 93 sq in frame I currently have. Slice, flat or topspin, I could do it all. My confidence was way up every time I swung. The 18x20 string pattern contributed to the control factor and spin was excellent. I can imagine that if I installed a “spiny” co-poly, this might be considered one of the best frames out there (it still may be anyway). Frankly, other than possible lead tape, I don’t have any suggestions for improvement on groundies.

Volleys/Overheads

The light head and dense string pattern aided me in getting the racquet into position and control volleys but the lack of mass hurt me a bit in depth. I just needed to make sure that I punched through the ball to get the depth I needed. This is one area where lead tape would help. However, control was easy and I loved the touch. The flex allowed me to cup the ball and drop it where I wanted. Overheads were serviceable but I wouldn’t consider them powerful. The large head provided all the hitting surface I needed to put the ball away.

Serves/Returns

Even though I didn’t have all the power I wanted on serves, I was able to control the ball with ease. I was placing the ball in the deep outside corner on the ad side with ease and good pace on the ball. That’s a tough serve to hit but I was very consistent with it. Spin was good but not earth-shattering as I could hit a kick serve that was average in “kick-height”. Returns were as expected: fantastic! Whether blocking a big serve or blistering a weak serve, this racquet delivered. The tight string pattern helped keep the ball in play no matter the situation. Again, this is one area where lead tape may aid some in power and depth but I didn’t feel it would be necessary.

Overall, I loved this racquet. This is a great racquet for singles or doubles players in the 4.0 and above range and those who are looking for more control and/or comfort. If there is any thing to change, I might add lead tape to the head to beef it up a little. That is my only “iffy” thing about this frame. Additionally, there will be an adjustment period for most players coming from any of today’s stiff racquets. There will be a noticeable difference and they might feel that the racquet is bending too much. However, with persistence, you’ll see a great difference in the control of the ball and your arm will thank you for it. I want to lead the charge for players to switch from stiff racquets and play more flexible ones. This can help compensate for the stiff strings being used today and arms can be saved. I can see myself switching to this racquet which says quite a bit. It would be tough to rip my Volkl PB10 Mid from my hands but this racquet might be able to do it!

Better late than never to the Luxilon party

2011-08-03T13:57:00.000-07:00

Luxilon is the company that began all this poly string stuff back in the 90's with the Original Big Banger. Gustavo Kuerten started it all when he strung up his racquet with the stuff and proceeded to win the French Open 3 times and get to number 1. When pros figured out that they could hit the ball as hard as they wanted and the ball would stay in the court, the poly floodgates opened. Heck, it was actually known as the "Luxilon dip" because of the pronounced dip the ball would take near the end on the court, seemingly on a string, and falling in at the last moment.

I'm sure that every tennis professional on the planet has tried Luxilon in one form or another, but I read and listened to the negative Nellys about these killers. I read about the horror stories about after hitting with them for only an hour, your arm will literally fall off! OK, maybe that's stretching the truth a bit but many people have avoided this string, some have been abused by this string but for those using it correctly, wow!

Many poly strings can cause arm issues if they are not strung properly. Too tight and the vibration will cause havoc with your tendons. Generally, you need to string any poly string 10% lower (or more) to reduce the effects these strings inherently cause. Also, not everyone SHOULD use poly strings. Beginners through intermediates shouldn't because they won't realize the benefits. They just don't have the racquethead speed to make it work properly. Also, if you have or are prone to have any arm issues, don't get any poly string in your racquet. It can mess you up for a long period of time. Face it, any tennis is better than no tennis due to arm problems.

The main reason for using this type of string is due to the low power they provide. They are generally more "dead" than synthetics and certainly more "dead" than natural gut. More on that later. The big deal with advanced players and pros is that they can swing harder and get more spin and control without fear of the ball going out.

On to my testing. I have been testing one of the most popular strings on tour, the Luxilon Big Banger ALU Power (I actually used the "rough" version but they are essentially the same string). Now, I have not gone all the way with this string as a full bed but rather, I used a hybrid in the cross. I used a soft, synthetic gut, Wilson Hollow Core. This does have a softening effect on the stiffer Luxilon. Using this combo, I was able to up the tension a bit to 55# in the mains (Luxilon) and 59# in the crosses (Hollow Core). Generally, for any hybrid, the main string will contribute 60-70% to the playability with crosses giving 30-40%.

After testing, I'm in love! This combination provides tremendous power, spin and control. I have never hit a more powerful, consistent and controlled serve. Also, my groundstrokes are powerful and quite spinny. The control is exceptional as I feel like I can put the ball on a dime no matter what position I'm in. All-in-all, this is a great setup and I have never felt a twinge in my wrist, arm or shoulder. I do plan to try this full bed and with other cross hybrids for comparisons.

When reading about Luxilon strings, durability problems have come up. When I say durability, I don't mean how long before they break. Poly strings are known for not breaking but they are known for "going dead". After a certain period of time, polys stretch out and won't return to the original position. Think of a rubber band stretching, coming back, stretching, coming back and finally stretching but not coming back. That's "dead". Most synthetics and natural gut strings stretch and come back for a longer period of time. Many felt like ALU Power strings go "dead" very quickly after only a couple hours of play. Obviously, this isn't a problem for the pros because they change racquets after only a few games. No big deal for them. But for the rest of us, durability is an issue, especially since these are not cheap strings. I was well into 12 hours of play and I did not detect any major changes in playability. Perhaps this was due to the hybrid effect since the Hollow Core will stay lively for a good amount of time in comparison to the Luxilon.

I must say that I am sold on this string and that it will stay in my racquet. At least until I find the next great string. ;) However, it's going to take a lot to top Luxilon Big Banger ALU Power. Sure, I may be late to the Luxilon party but at least there's enough time to have fun!

Review of the Genesis Twisted Razor string

2011-03-07T12:20:00.001-08:00

Most of my experiences with textured strings have been less than exciting. The strings I have tested have had underwhelming results. Usually, they’re hyped and used as a great marketing tool but the texture makes little difference. Enter Genesis Twisted Razor 16L (1.27mm). Is this just another in the long line of twisted, shaped, textured, etc. strings? I took it to the court to experience it during a week-long playtest.

The setup racquet is my usual: the Volkl PB 10 Mid. I strung it near the middle of the racquet’s range at 55#. My usual setup is Kirschbaum PL II 17ga (mains) at 57# and Natural Gut 16ga (crosses) at 60#.

The first time I went for a playtest I actually hated the string. It felt boardy and had no feel. As time went on, however, I realized that it was my fault because I started out at too high of a tension. I nearly cut them out and thought that it’s the usual over-hyped string but thought twice and decided to give it one more try. I’m glad I did because it turned out to be one of the best, if not the best, string I have ever tested.

The test:

Feel:

Touch shots were very nice. I could feel the ball on the strings and drop shots, touch shots and those little feel shots were there for me. The ball pocketing is noticeable and appreciated. Not quite natural gut but it was getting close. 8.5/10

Power:

My playing partner remained the same for the 5 times I played with this string. He commented that the ball was getting to him quickly and it was difficult for him to do much with the ball. My serves were going through the court with excellent pace and I could tell the ball was traveling as fast as any other “power” strings I have played before. I can’t give this string a 10 because I have tested some rocket launchers. Those strings will get a 10 for power but a 2 for control. The Twisted Razor is the perfect blend of power with control. 9/10

Control:

I felt like I was in complete control on every shot and my confidence was riding high. I was placing the ball with an accuracy that usually only comes in streaks. Every time I played with this string I was placing it where I was aiming. I rarely lost control on anything within reach. My opponent really didn’t like how I kept hitting great shots but I loved it! 10/10

Spin:

This is where it got crazy. My opponent said that he had almost no chance on balls I could set up on and came over with heavy topspin. The ball would leave my racquet with its usual trajectory but would come down violently on the other side. It was quite remarkable to see the ball dive! My kick serves were jumping high and my backhand slice was staying so low that my opponent frequently couldn’t dig them out. I have a picture of one of the balls after 3 sets and the nap was coming through. I guess Razor is the perfect word for it. One word for the spin it produces: WOW! 10/10

Durability/Tension Maintenance:

After 5 playtests, there is virtually no wear on the strings and they haven’t moved. I have never had to straighten them during play. This isn’t that unusual for poly strings. I forgot to check the tension after the first time out but after the 2^nd time, the tension loss was only -10.4%. After the 4^th time, -15.3% and the 5^th time, -17.3%. Overall, tension maintenance is excellent and well within acceptable range. Like a fine wine, the feel, control and spin just keep getting better with time. 9/10

Arm Issues:

I have seen a slight increase in arm pain during this playtest, but certainly not alarming. I suffered a wrist injury from a few years ago and so polys in general do have a tendency to cause a flare-up. This is why I usually play with a poly/natural gut hybrid. It softens the blow. However, I’m not concerned since this has been very minor and seemed to go away after the first couple of times of play. I would contribute this to the tension loss and finding my personal best tension. Personally, I am planning to string this up at around 48-50# next time. This should take care of any arm/wrist issues in the future. 7.5/10

Overall, I’m am very impressed with this string. Luckily, I stayed with the string through that first time out and went back on the court to keep trying. I am getting great control, spin and feel from the ball. If you are a better player and are looking to increase power, spin and control (who isn’t?!), this might be your string. I would suggest that you string it a bit lower than a normal poly, especially if you have any arm twinges. This string comes highly recommended (except to my opponents! – shhh, don’t tell ‘em). Genesis keeps cranking out great strings dating back from their initial offering, Black Magic, all the way through to this string. They’re all winners.

Keep hittin’,

Dan

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Review of the new Head Youtek IG Speed Lite

2011-02-21T16:03:00.000-08:00

Here's another playtest I did for tennisexpress.com - the Head Youtek IG Speed Lite.

Review of the Head Youtek IG Speed Lite

The first thing you notice when you pick up this racquet is that it’s light…very light. This racquet weighs in at nearly 2 ounces lighter than its big brother and current stick of Novak Djokovic, the Youtek IG Speed. As I prepared to test this racquet, I was wondering if it’s too light.

Groundstrokes

The overall lightness takes a bit of getting used to, especially if you’re used to a heavy racquet like I am. My current racquet weighs in at over 12 ounces and so there was an adjustment period. However, the adjustment was fairly quick and I found that I was able to generate deep shots with nice spin. This has a firm feel with the stiffness rating in the middle to stiff range (66). I did find that I needed to back off of my current fast swinging style as balls were hitting the back fence for a while. There isn’t much “plough through” like you get with a heavier racquet but if your strokes are short, there’s plenty of power to get the ball where you want it to go. I did find that I could direct the ball very well with a good amount of spin. The sweetspot is small compared to the headsize and shots outside that spot creates some stability issues, due mostly to the weight (or lack of) the frame.

Serves/Returns

Just like groundstrokes, there is an adjustment to this fast-moving racquet during serving. Even with the low weight, I found that I could get lots of power. Spin was good but not outstanding as my kick serves were average. The 102 sq in head gave me lots of confidence that I would find a large sweetspot but the sweetspot isn’t huge and I contribute it to the lack of weight in the frame. I did have a little problem getting the ball in the court on first serves. If I backed off the swing speed some, I could consistently get the ball in on first and second serves. Return power was there and a short backswing is your friend for control.

Volleys/Overheads

As you can imagine, this racquet was excellent around the net. It felt like a feather in my hand and quick reaction shots were a joy. For a minute, I thought I had the hands of McEnroe since my reaction time was so good! I came back to reality as soon as I realized that it’s the racquet, not my quickness. Darn! When struck in the middle of the racquet, volleys were solid and deep but since it’s pretty stiff and powerful, you need to keep it short and sweet. Overheads were solid and as long as I hit the middle of the racquet face, no problems. However, outside the sweetspot and the stability went down substantially.

This is a very light-weight racquet that provides an adequate overall blend of spin, power and control. Beginners through intermediates players will appreciate the strong points of the racquet – maneuverability, power, a firm feel and the 102 sq in size. My question at the beginning of this review about it being too light will depend on the type of player you are and what you’re looking for. If you’re a player that takes short, precise strokes, this could be a good version for you. Players looking for a light racquet with plenty of power and who can find the sweetspot pretty well will also enjoy this stick. If you’re a better player wanting a “player’s racquet”, you might want to step up to the heavier Youtek IG Speed.

Keep hittin'!!!

Dan

Review of the new Babalot Pure Storm Tour Plus

2011-02-21T14:43:00.000-08:00

As a regular playtester for tennisexpress.com, I wanted to blog my playtest results here for everyone to see. Thanks for your support!!

Review of the Babolat Pure Storm Tour Plus GT

As the old saying goes, size does matter. With the additional ½” added to the length of the racquet, one might think that power would be the main feature. When you look at the racquet, it looks longer. When you play with it, you can’t tell the difference. As you will see, this racquet has more than size on its side.

Groundstrokes

I expected some loss of control with the plus version but I was very pleased that I didn’t even notice the added length. Groundstrokes were consistent and smooth and I got good results with my usual strokes (long and fast). Topspin was generated easily but it’s not a “topspin racquet”. I must say that this racquet was the best racquet I have ever hit on slice backhands. I was the surgeon and the court was my patient! My opponent frequently complained that the ball never came up and was very difficult to get a play on it. Ohhh, I like that!!

Serves/Returns

As much as I loved the slice backhand with this racquet, I also was in love with the serve. I got excellent kick and I frequently handcuffed my opponent with the jumping ball. I could generate excellent power and control, too. This was a true servers’ racquet. I’m sure the additional ½” helped with all this. On the return, I only needed short strokes to get the ball back with plenty of power and control. Since this is a fairly powerful stick, a shorter stroke on returns is necessary to get the job done. The extra reach came in handy on those wide serve returns. I surprised myself a couple of times on how far I could reach with this racquet.

Volleys/Overheads

With the midsize+ head, getting the racquet on the ball was no problem. Just don’t swing on the volley (you shouldn’t anyway!) because it’ll fly a bit. A short, sharp punch is sufficient for power and control. It was a tiny bit cumbersome on tight shots in close to the body but it’s not a deal-breaker, especially if you don’t visit the net too often. Overheads were a breeze and with the 98 sq in head, I felt confident that I would put the ball away every time.

This is a great racquet for the good to better player. The extra ½” was beneficial on those wide reach shots and serves, and the backhand backspin was like a little “slice” of heaven! As I was looking at the specs, I was surprised to see that it’s not a stiff racquet. However, it plays firm and no matter where the ball hits on the face, it feels very solid and with no elbow issues. A very unusual combination. This racquet has plenty of power, control and spin. If you’re a 4.0+ aggressive player who is looking for solid racquet with a bit of power, here’s your stick. Babalot really got it right with this racquet.

Keep hittin'!!

Dan

Prince Beast XP string review

2011-02-12T22:18:00.000-08:00

In 2010, Prince began distributing this string to playtesters with no information accompanying the string samples. They even set up a website (beastxp.com) but no one knew for sure who the company was or anything about the string. Upon inspection, it was apparent that it was a poly and it was green, but nothing else. What they did was brilliant because it allowed Prince to find out what playtesters actually thought of the string with no pre-conceived notions.

I received my sample after all the hoopla was over (for the most part) and decided it was time to string it up and see if it lives up to the hype Prince generated. Prince claims that their string is the world’s first thermo-poly string, featuring a secret alloy additive, that delivers improved trajectory control and feel for extreme precision. Ok, every company claims their string is either the first or the best at this or that but the proof is on court, not in the ad campaigns.

Prince claims 5 basic points - trajectory control, spin, tension maintenance, power and feel. Aren't these the same claims as every string, or racquet or anything else related to tennis makes? As a stringer, I get tons of string samples wanting me to test drive their "new" technology but rarely do they deliver on their claims. Let's take it on the court to see how the Beast xp stacks up to their hype.

The test racquet setup is as follows: Volkl Powerbridge 10 Mid; Prince Beast xp 16ga (mains) at 57# and Gaucho natural gut 16ga (crosses) at 60#. Natural gut in the crosses is my favorite setup because it's simply the best at nearly everything. But, it's expensive so I keep it in the crosses only. I realize that this may be cheating a bit on the overall playability of the string by hybriding it, but that's the way I usually play, so it's a fair test as a comparison.

The playtest: I started the test by playing a total of 4 sets of singles. The first thing I noticed is that my groundstrokes felt very comfortable and reliable. By reliable, I mean that the length of stroke was very predictible. I felt I could take full strokes and the ball would stay in. Now, I have played with other strings that would do this too but they were generally very stiff and harsh and potentially hard on your arm. The Beast xp strings had the predictiblity and they felt firm but not harsh. I would say that they leaned toward the soft side without being "mushy".

I finished the test with 5 sets of doubles and I must say that the Beast xp performed as good or better as a doubles setup. Again, the serve, volley and returns were outstanding and I felt in complete control. In doubles, you need to be precise with returns and this was fitting the bill.

While at the net, the strings controlled the ball beautifully. I was shocked how consistently I was hitting the ball deep into the court and with good punch. It is probably some of the best volleying I have done in quite some time. Feel at the net was the most outstanding characteristic of the string. Not something that you usually find in a poly. I was placing the ball with amazing precision. I was checking to make sure I was the one hitting those volleys!!

I felt completely confident at the baseline as my full strokes felt wonderful. The spin potential is very good but it's not outstanding. I have found that usually the best spinning strings are the stiffest but they're also the hardest on your arm. The Beast xp is a good feeling string with good spin.

My serve and overhead had lots of pop, spin and control and I was putting the serve in the spot I was aiming with excellent consistency. The ball just felt good coming off the stringbed.

What I was most surprised about this string is that I didn't find any real weaknesses. I forgot to measure the stringbed stiffness with my meter before hitting but it felt like there was very little tension loss.

The 1 downside (or maybe 2). This string is a bit pricey. It's up there with some Luxilon strings on price. The other possible downside to some might be the green color. Actually, I quite liked it and it didn't clash with the color of my racquet. ;) No one pointed or laughed (at least not to my face!). One thing I was initially disapointed about was that it's currently only available in a 16ga. I always play with a 17ga string as I feel it provides more "bite" However, this playtest dispelled any issues I had with it only being a 16ga.

Ok, let's sum this up. Prince claims 5 things - trajectory control, spin, tension maintenance, power and feel. Does the Beast xp deliver on any of these claims? My answer is yes on all 5 counts. Unlike most of the other string demos I get, this string actually delivered on their ad campaign. Refreshing! I think this string will be a great addition to the better player who wants to add better feel, power and control to their game vs the ordinary poly they currently use. Personally, I may have found a new string to go in my racquet!

Thanks,
Dan

Keep hittin'!!

Learning my craft

2010-10-24T19:40:00.001-07:00

I know that I usually review strings here but my experience below is related to strings and how I can help you make the best decision on what strings you use. Back to strings next time!

I recently attended the Grand Slam Stringer's Symposium in Orlando, Fl where some of the world's top stringers and racquet technicians gathered to learn and teach. This was a 4 day event that was jam packed with seminars and workshops where I was engulfed with string stuff. There were workshops on stringing, racquet customization, racquet technologies, string technologies, among other string-related topics. Frankly, this was a string nerds paradise where the talk was about strings, racquets and everything tennis. Sure, maybe not everyone would like to spend their time in Orlando doing this, but I felt like a sponge. Actually, I rarely left the hotel because I was so engrossed with the subjects inside.

While I was there, I decided to take the test for the Master Racquet Technician (MRT) certification. Actually, I had began studying weeks before the symposium so I could have a chance to pass this thing! This is a thorough exam testing everything from stringing, grip replacement and buildup, grommet replacement and an comprehensive exam on the racquet itself. Needless to say, this was a tough test and one that made me (and the other 6 test-takers) nervous and anxious to get it done. Nervously, we all went through the "hands on" portion (stringing, grip buildup, grommet replacement) and then it was on to the written test. This was a 90 minute exam that I completed with seconds to spare! Whew!

The next step was to wait on the results. I found out that I passed the hands on section with flying colors while in Orlando but I was nervous about the written exam. My results would come in about 10 days through the mail. I was quite happy to open that envelope and find that I had passed! I write this to you all being proud of the fact that this is a certification that is not easy and only about 600 or people in the world are MRT's. I wanted to get this certification proving to my customers that I am committed to providing superior service and providing good information about their strings and racquets.

As we all know, the strings are the only thing that hits the ball (well, that's the idea, anyway!) and the racquet you use DOES make a difference. I want to help you get the best strings for your racquet and enjoy this great game the way I do!

Keep hittin'

Dan

New String Test - Pro Supex Big Ace 17 gauge

2010-03-26T11:59:00.000-07:00

Strung up the Pro Supex Big Ace 17 (red) at 55# yesterday for a hit with the ball machine for an initial test. This is a much talked about string and is used by lots of players. After this initial hit, I can see why.

As you can see, I have a little different test format as I have a score based on a score of 1 to 10. Hope you like it!!

Groundstrokes

I felt I couldn't miss with this string. There wasn't a lot of power and spin was somewhere in the middle of what I have tested but control was outstanding. It's a bit mushy but not offensive and I could feel the ball on the strings nicely. I had no problem keeping the ball in and frankly, the ball landed a bit short at times. After a brief adjustment period, I re-adjusted and could get the ball deep regularly. Many times, the ball dropped in when I thought it was going out.
9/10

Serves

Again, control was there but I didn't feel any real "pop" on the serve. The spin was adequate but nothing special. I could direct the ball pretty well but it didn't feel like I was getting a lot of mph's. If you need more zip on your serves, these strings aren't it. However, if your serve needs reeled in a bit, this IS your string.
7/10

Volleys-O/H

Volleys felt real nice. Touch was excellent and control was evident. This is a very nice volleying string and I could direct the ball very nicely. This string is better than most poly strings I have tested because generally, feel isn't very good with poly strings. Big Ace is the exception. O/H's were solid and I felt confident placing them where I wanted.
9/10

Arm Issues

None. I never felt a twinge at any point during the hit. It felt soft and I feel that it would never cause any arm problems with me.
10/10

Initial Impressions - Overall

Even though I only hit for about an hour, I feel like I know this string. It's definitely a control string with a moderate amount of spin. A solid string that is for hard hitters and players who like to volley. One thing I really liked - the color! This is a beautiful red and never turned pink(ish). I could see myself using this string if I felt that I had started losing control. This string would reel me back in, I think.
8/10

My advice: if you want/need more control over your game and like poly, this may be your string. It's a solid choice for hard hitters and players who supply their own power.

I really want to see how this plays during an actual match. Weather permitting, that test will happen soon. More on that later.

Keep hittin'!!

Dan

Update on Genesis Black Magic and new tests

2010-03-01T10:03:00.000-08:00

Wow! 15+ hours with the Black Magic/Wilson Sensation hybrid test and it's still going strong. I've worked out with my ball machine and played singles and doubles with this string and it's preforming as good or better than ANY string combo I've ever tried. And I've tried a bunch, believe me. Everywhere from the cheapest string all the way through VS Natural Gut. Black Magic is soft, powerful and the harder you swing, the better the spin and control. It's a big hitter's dream. If you're a touch player, it may not be quite as good for your game but my volleying, touch and control has been more than adequate with this string.

The problem with most Poly string is that many are stiff, dead feeling and they wear out pretty quickly. Also, they have a tendancy to be hard on your arm and wrist. With the stringing cost being in the $20-$30 range (or more at some shops), getting only 4-6 hours (or less) isn't budget friendly. The trade-off is that tremendous spin and control can be achieved with them. Almost every pro uses poly but they can afford it. So, the question has been, spend the money and get great preformance for a short time and risk arm problems or continue to struggle with other types of strings where the preformance isn't as good but is more budget friendly?

Hmm...enter so-called 2nd and 3rd generation poly strings. Many of them are showing excellent preformance and many have very good longevity. The string costs are about the same but there are several strings that are entering the budget-friendly zone.

Well, this is the reason for my testing. I want to find an excellent selection of strings for you at a low cost that will last a reasonable amount of time without wrecking your arm.

Right now, Genesis Black Magic is leading the pack in these categories but the testing continues!! As of today, I have 2 new tests coming up: Genesis Spin-X, reported to be like Black Magic with enhanced spin and MSV Focus Hex, reported to be a soft, powerful string with great spin potential based on the hexagonal shape. Stay tuned for more on these strings!!

Keep Hittin'

Dan

That Old Black Magic

2010-02-10T15:11:00.000-08:00

In the latest in a series of string tests, I tested Genesis' offering of Black Magic poly string. Genesis is a relatively new company (started in 2009) that currently offers two strings. "Black Magic", in a 16 or 17gauge and "Spin-X", also in a 16 or 17gauge. I tested the 17gauge string. Of course, it's black! The Spin-X comes in either a red or silver color.

I used this in a hybrid set up using black magic in the mains at 57 pounds and Wilson sensation 16gauge in the crosses at 60 pounds. This proved to be a very powerful set up and was very easy on my arm. All through the testing period of about six hours of hitting, I never felt any pain in my arm, wrist or shoulder. As many of you know, some polys can cause pain to your arm depending on which string you use and the tension. My advice with polys is to be careful.

Now for the testing...

Forehands, backhands and serves seem to explode off of the racquet face. This seems to be a very powerful string but yet spin was very adequate. When I originally strung this, I waited two days before testing (due to weather and other factors). Sometimes with polys, there is a break-in period but not with this string. It felt comfortable from the start and the characteristics did not change through the testing period. There was only a minor drop in tension of about 3-4% during the testing. That's terrific!

My playing partner commented that my shots were coming across much faster but with a bit less spin than normal. I found myself hitting the ball flatter but when I was wanting to generate spin, I could do so with ease. Even though groundies were very good, this string seemed to shine on serves. My opponent said that he had to guess because the ball was coming at a pace he could not handle. I generally hit the ball hard but not usually this hard!

Overall, this string was soft, easy on the arm, powerful and predictable. This is a string that I would not only recommend but one that I would also be more than happy to play full-time. I will be adding this to my inventory for my customers in the near future.

This string was, in a word..."Magic"!!

Keep hitting,
Dan

All new string tests - Poly only

2010-01-24T19:22:00.000-08:00

I just ordered a few strings for testing. They are:

Genesis Spin X 17 gauge
Genesis Black Magic 17 gauge
Pro Supex Big Ace 17 gauge
Signum Pro Poly Plasma 17 gauge
Topspin Cyber Flash 17 gauge
Kirschbaum Pro Line II 17 gauge

Genesis is a fairly new line of strings and have been getting rave reviews. The rest are very well-received by players of all types. You'll notice that these are all thinner gauge strings (17) and they should offer a higher level of performance but may sacrifice a bit of durability. My hope is that, since these are poly strings, they will still have good lasting ability. My quest continues for the best strings to review and carry for my customers (and me, of course!).

On another note, I have begun testing of the new Mantis strings and have found them to be solid but not too exciting. This is only after a couple hours of testing and the full review will be forthcoming.

Well, the winter has set in and the cold is here. Hopefully, you (and I) can get out a bit this winter and hold on 'til warmer weather. Hang in there, spring's coming!!!

Keep hittin',

Dan

New Strings from Mantis

2010-01-08T13:51:00.000-08:00

I'm looking forward to a shipment of test strings from a new company named Mantis. Looks like I'll be getting 2 polys and 2 synthetic gut strings to review. Mantis is a company from Europe that is mostly in the UK and they are attempting to break in to the US market. If you want to check them out for yourself, dial up http://www.mantis-sport.com/us/string.html and read all about them. However, if you want something other than the marketing spin, keep checking back here and see my unbiased review and testing.

I should be getting these strings soon along with a few others. It's going to be a busy winter league season this year as I am testing a bunch of strings!

Thanks for looking in!
Dan

New Wilson String Playtest

2009-12-31T12:40:00.000-08:00

Earlier, I told you about a new string from Wilson I received as a playtester for them. I just finished playtesting it and wow!!, it knocked my socks off! It's currently in testing only, but if it comes to market, it's a definite string to play. Power, exceptional spin and excellent durability. I'll keep you updated.

Dan

SuperString Review

2009-12-31T12:35:00.000-08:00

I posted this review over at stringforum.net on this string.

Here it is:

Most of my experience has been with other polys that feel similar to wire and are difficult to string. This was very easy to string for a poly and didn't have a lot of coil memory. The stringing went smooth and easy and tying knots was generally pretty easy. I had just strung a Luxilon Big Banger prior to stringing this and it was night and day. Luxilon Big Banger is a wild animal, hard to tame and the SuperString went my way during the whole process, not talking back once. This string was surprisingly soft for a poly. I think that this would be a good choice for someone who my need a softer string for their arm/wrist but still wants the benefits of a poly. I strung it at the tension as usual and no arm/wrist issues. I had suffered arm problems with another poly 12 months ago but there were no signs of problems here.

I tested this string outside in 60°F temperature, hard courts and tested during 1) giving instruction, 2) general rallying, 3) against a ball machine. No string movement during play and no apparent drop in tension.

There was decent pocketing and it provided average to slightly above average feel – especially for a poly. However, I felt like I could control this string and the spin was above average. I could feel the "poly drop" quite often and was surprised a few times that the ball dropped in. The tension felt good all through the time I had it and I didn't feel any noticeable drop in tension through the entire testing process. Volleys were decent but there wasn't as much feel as my "control" racquet. Of course, this is to be expected but the SuperString performed very well and adequate. Serves were a bit disappointing as there wasn't as much pop as I would have liked. The spin was good, but not great, and control was there. All in all, serving was good enough. If you are relying on your serve to win points, this may not be the right string for you – or you might need to lower the tension a few pounds. I did love the control and spin I got from this string and the softness it provided.

My "control" racquet string setup (Wilson KSix-One with natural gut mains / Wilson Sensation crosses - 60#, 2 piece) is one that provides great power, touch, spin and control. An identical racquet with the Nikita Soft 1.25 was nearly up to this performance. Unfortunately, this string broke after 1 3/4 hours (on an overhead - near the top/middle of the racquet) so a full comparison was not completed. However, I believe that this string provides excellent spin, control and has good pop. If natural gut is a 10, this is a strong 8.0. The only thing I would have liked to see different is durability. If this is set at a good price point, I would recommend this to my customers as long as the durability issue is resolved.

Edit: Since posting this review, I found that it is not a budget-friendly string and there are several strings that are a much better value. So, I would not recommend this string.

New String Playtest from Wilson

2009-11-17T15:53:00.000-08:00

I just received a new string from Wilson to playtest. Unlike known strings, this one is simply known as a number, not a name. Since it's a prototype, it's not available to the public and may never be available. Wilson will take all the playtesters reviews and make a decision on whether to bring it out or not. Of course, I'll keep you udated after the results come in from Wilson and let you know when and if it'll be available, and at what price.

After I'm done with my current playtest (SuperString Nikita Soft 1.25), I'll post that review and move on to this one. Keep watching...

Dan

SuperString Nikita Soft 1.25 Playtest

2009-11-14T19:06:00.000-08:00

I've been slected to playtest a new string from SuperString. Their website www.supertennistring.com indicates that the Nikita Soft 1.25 "Is a Co-Polymer composition of the extra-class. A complex mixture of new materials and additives (rubber) which provides a crisp soft feeling, elasticity and a high level of forgiveness and power."

I rec'd my playtest sample today and strung it up for a quick hit. Initial thoughts are that it is softer than many polys I've hit with and has good potential. Of course, I'll have to go through the complete analysis first before any final conclusions can be made. I'll be hitting tomorrow and through the week with it and will post my results after that.

In the meantime, it does look like it holds some promise. Now, let's see if it will live up to the company's marketing.

Dan