Category Archives: String – New
New string information
Is This the Perfect Combination?
It seems like Ashaway had this very racquet in mind when they developed their Dynamite Soft 18 string! This blue string is a perfect match to the blue accent color on the Ultra 100 CV and Ultra Tour!
And, the gauge, a very thin 18, is a perfect match to the very stiff frame (73 RDC, 70 FF stiffness).
I think the 18 gauge string may not be durable enough for hard hitters but this combination could be very good for many players.
You can be the judge of that, of course.
The string tension of 48 lbs (21.7 kg) combined with the racquet stiffness returns an effective stiffness of 30.3 which is a very comfortable number.
This stiff, 100 square inch racquet, should pack a powerful punch with a weight of 318 gr (11.2 oz) and swing weight of 318 kg/cm^ (11.2 oz).
Ashaway Monogut ZX/ZX Pro – Update
As most of you know I am a big fan of Ashaway Monogut ZX (16g) and ZX Pro (17G) string. These models are PEEK mono filament strings that resemble polyester strings but these contain no polyester!
Here is the latest PR from Ashaway for your review.
Please let me know if you have any questions, and of course if you want to try this string.
Head Graphene XT Extreme MPA
As you know Head has made incredible strides in terms of racquet technologies and important players using them!
The racquets I received recently are the new Head Graphene XT Extreme MPA. Richard Gasquet, a talented and great player to watch, has been using the “Extreme” model for several years and has been making it into the late rounds at more tournaments!
The bright yellow finish with bright red and black certainly makes a statement! The black grip is a slight departure from the more usual white synthetic grip used on many racquets.
Head Graphene XT Extreme
The new model incorporates the ASP technology that allows the racquet to be strung either in a 16 x 19 pattern or a 16 x 16 pattern! One racquet two string pattern options! Great idea, I think!
ASP Insert
This model weighs in at 319 grams (11.25 ounces) with a swing weight of 322 (11.36 ounces) with a RDC flex of 60 (compare to 71 for the Babolat Pure Drive).
I installed a new Head string that is not polyester! The new string is Velocity MLT, a multifilament polyamide (nylon) with about 10.2% elongation. The string bed stiffness is a comfortable RDC 61 and DT of 38.
If you are considering a new racquet consider this one for sure!
Acelon Wildfire Hex String
For several months, as you know, we have been discussing “shaped” strings. Most of the current shaped strings are polyester based but now there is a new, or actually two (2), shaped strings that are primarily nylon material.
You all know the difference between polyester and nylon string so I am excited to have a “soft” option available. This option allows more serious players to experience what shaping can do (maybe contribute to spin) and the high elongation of a multi-filament string.
I have been using the standard round Acelon Wildfire for a long time and it is one of the best “value” oriented multi-filaments I have found. What is “value”? Of course it is different things to different players but I assign “value” to a string that will play well, protect wrist, arms and shoulders, and be reasonably priced. Most multi-filament strings are in the $35.00 range, so the Acelon Wildfire Hex at $31.00 does represent value.
To make this string even more valuable I am going to make it this periods “special” and offer either the 16 gauge or 17 gauge Acelon Wildfire Hex for $24.99 while this supply lasts.
Try it!
What Shape is Your String In?
Normally when we ask this question it is regarding the “playing” shape, i.e. how is the string bed stiffness, how is the notching, how long has it been in the racquet and some others.
However, this time the question is “what is the shape of your string?”
For many years tennis racquet string has been round. The round shape is fairly easy to manufacture, using many materials, including multi-filament constructions. Round strings present a uniform shape that reacts similarly regardless of installation procedure. Round strings typically provide uniform tensions because there is no “sides” to create additional friction during installation.
The last ten (10) years have seen the increase of polyester, or combinations called co-poly’s, as a tennis racquet string material. Along with this material came a new, for tennis racquet string, manufacturing process which is essentially extruding a molten material in a nice long continuos strand.
This process can produce a lot of string in a very short time! This processing technique can produce very inexpensively to be sure. It also allows for shapes! Almost any shape! All it takes is a “die” of the shape you want as the last thing the string sees before it gets to the cooling tanks or “embossing” wheels.
Make no mistake, however, these strings can be very technical in design and material formulations. So,if you pay $40.00 for a stringing using one of these strings don’t be surprised.
Back to shapes…
It is common to see three, four, five, six, seven, and even eight sided strings all over the place. Some of these strings present challenges in terms of installation and, therefore, performance because not only are they shaped they are “twisted”. Twisting a string creates huge variations in tension unless installed in a controlled way.
A couple of weeks ago a client presented me with a reel of Solinco string that is intended to be similar to the very popular Luxilon ALU Power Rough. The Solinco is silver, (the image below shows it sort of blue) low elongation, textured string, mostly typical of polyesters. The unusual property is that the shape of this string is oval! It should be noted here that Gosen, a major string manufacturer, has made oval shaped strings for years.
In addition to being oval the string is very aggressively “textured”, actually embossed, which, I believe contributes to the oval shape. Heres why. When the string is finishing the processing it is passed through an embossing wheel that creates small indentations in the string. When this happens the string will flatten out, or become oval. This process can also contribute to elongation.
Solinco Not Released 16L
If the manufacturer wanted the string to be perfectly round it would subject the string to a pulling process but this is not what I see in the Solinco string, which does not yet have a name.
Initial play tests show significant durability when paired with natural gut. Control seems to be better than average. When finished the strings seem to be laying flat against the corresponding cross string which could contribute to string movement.
So…what shape is your string in?
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