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Big Hitter Blue String Review

September 12, 2016
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Big Hitter Blue

2007 Racquet Sports Industry Independent String Test
RSI January 2008 Vol 36 Number 1

Overview:
Unique Big Hitter Blue is a monofilament string made with polyether. The use of polyether in this advanced German string formulation allows for a much softer string that absorbs shock and increases comfort, while retaining the incredible durability, power and resistance to movement of the best new generation, co-polymer polyester strings.  Big Hitter Blue offers control and comfort at normal swing speeds, but when power is wanted, long, fast swings with Big Hitter Blue create an ultra powerful pop. The extra durability allows players to use a thinner gauge for more bite and accuracy, while expecting the same or better string life.

In The Lab:
We tested the 17-gauge Unique Big Hitter Blue. The coil measured 40’ 3”. The diameter measured 1.23-1.26 mm prior to stringing, and 1.20-1.23 mm after stringing. Big Hitter Blue strings up about the same as other poly strings, despite its slightly different formulation. One end was pre-cut at an angle, which was nice. The blue color is a nice change from other strings, especially considering that it doesn’t come off during play: The color is part of the string.

On The Court:
The string was tested for five weeks by 39 USRSA playtesters, with NTRP ratings from 3.5 to 6.0. These are blind tests, with playtesters receiving unmarked strings in unmarked packages. Average number of hours playtested was 32.1.

Our playtest team gave Unique Big Hitter Blue 17 fantastic scores in three categories important to big hitters. Big Hitter Blue 17’s scores for Spin Potential put it in third place of the 116 strings we’ve playtested for publication. Its scores were also good enough for fourth-place finishes in both Durability and Resistance to Movement. It’s interesting to note that another Unique string, Tourna Poly Big Hitter, is still in first place in Resistance to Movement, and is in second place in Durability. (See the May 2004 issue of RSI for the full playtest report on Tourna Poly Big Hitter.)

Conclusion:
Unique Big Hitter Blue 17’s high scores in these three categories helped it earn an overall average score of 10th overall.
Our playtest team also awarded Big Hitter Blue 17 scores well above average for Playability, Power, Control, and Tension Retention.
Two playtesters broke the sample during play, one at three hours and one at five hours.

Big Hitter Blue’s playing characteristics won’t be for everyone, but if you’ve tried other poly strings containing ether and found you like the way they play better than you like the price, Big Hitter Blue may be just the ticket, costing about half that of its most direct competitor on the market.

Playtest Comments:

“I’ve never been a big polyester fan. This string has changed my mind. I can’t believe how playable and comfortable this string is. This string has the best of both worlds: playability and power.” 5.5 male all-court player using Prince O3 Hybrid Tour (16×18) strung at 54 pounds

“It’s about time somebody made a truly comfortable polyester. While I do tend to favor polyester strings, this one really stands out. It requires no adjustment period. It’s one of those strings that you know you’re going to like right after you hit the first ball.” 3.5 male serve-and-volleyer using Head i.Radical MP strung at 63 pounds

“This polyester is as good as any I’ve tried. What make it special are the high power level and exceptional comfort.” 5.0 female all-court player using Head Liquidmetal 4 strung at 57 pounds

“The only thing not to like about this string is the excessive coil memory. The combination of power, control, spin and feel make this one of the best polyesters I’ve used.” 4.0 male all-court player using Wilson Sledge Hammer 3.8 strung at 62 pounds

“This string does not move or notch during the first ten hours. Given my playing style, this fact is pretty impressive. The best feature of this string is the spin potential. It is worth noting that the spin was even better than with my typical set-up, which has thin Kevlar mains. I am considering a switch.” 4.0 male all-court player using Yonex RDX 500 MP strung at 60 pounds

“This is a high performance string. It seems to have it all: control, durability, touch, and comfort.” 4.5 male all-court player using Head Liquidmetal 4 strung at 56 pounds

“As a multifilament user, I tend not to like the stiffness of polyester. This string, however, is extremely playable. The combination of power, spin, control, and comfort is truly impressive. Perhaps it’s time to make a switch.” 5.0 male all-court player using Babolat Pure Control Zylon 360 strung at 50 pounds

“This string has good power and plays as well as the top polys on the market. It is not recommended to those looking for a soft response, but it would be a great choice for baseliners who take big swings.” 4.0 male all-court player using Fischer Pro No. One strung at 63 pounds

“The playability is higher than I expected for a durability string. Power is very easy to produce, but control is only average.” 4.5 male all-court player using Babolat Pure Drive strung at 58 pounds

“Though this string starts fairly stiff, it settles quickly and becomes quite playable. This is the perfect string for those who are searching for durability, power, and spin.” 4.5 male all-court player using Head FXP Radical Team strung at 53 pounds

“This is a very playable polyester with incredible spin and control. It is also surprisingly comfortable. Notching is minimal and the durability is wonderful. After 20 hours it does lose a little tension.” 6.0 male all-court player using Wilson nSix One Tour strung at 54 pounds

“This string has decent spin potential and surprisingly high power. The most surprising element, however, is the touch.” 4.0 male baseliner with heavy spin using Prince Triple Threat Hornet strung at 53 pounds

“High marks for durability. This string has a somewhat harsh response and does not provide adequate spin until it settles in. I prefer more comfort and touch. I’m impressed, however, by how easy it is to keep the ball in the court. I never have to worry about taking a big swing.” 5.0 male all-court player using Wilson Pro Staff 6.1 strung at 60 pounds

“This string has a very crisp feel at net. Depth is easy to control from the baseline. While I would not call it a comfort string, it does not feel nearly as boardy as its peers.” 4.0 male baseliner with heavy spin using Wilson nSix One 95 (68 Holes) strung at 56 pounds

“Great control and durability. Pretty comfortable for an otherwise stiff string. Topspin hitters will enjoy this. I would stock it.” 4.5 male all-court player using Völkl DNX 8 strung at 56 pounds

“This is a very playable polyester. While I would prefer more spin and touch, control is quite high.” 5.5 male baseliner with moderate spin using Babolat Pure Drive (with Cortex) strung at 60 pounds

“This string has good playability and a soft feel. I would definitely recommend it to people who want to experiment with polyester. It is not as playable as a multifilament, but it will satisfy players looking for a more comfortable durability string.” 5.0 male all-court player using Wilson nSix One 95 (68 Holes) strung at 55 pounds

“This is a soft poly with good control. It would be great for baseliners and spin-doctors. Those looking for touch might have to make some adjustments. The comfort is higher than expected for the breed.” 3.5 male baseliner with moderate spin using Prince Michael Chang Graphite MP strung at 60 pounds

“The stringbed is crisp and responsive, with great spin. It has good control and performs well on touch shots. Off-center hits, however, are slightly jarring.” 4.5 male all-court player using Head Liquidmetal Radical MP strung at 57 pounds

“This string would be perfect in a hybrid with a natural gut cross. The control and durability are excellent. The comfort and playability are what you would expect from a polyester.” 4.0 male all-court player using Prince Precision Mono strung at 55

“Great durability and loads of power. Spin potential is also extremely high. Since it does lose tension pretty quickly, I would string it on the tight end. ” 4.5 male all-court player using Wilson n5 strung at 62 pounds

“This string is initially quite stiff. It loses tension fairly quickly, however, and becomes very comfortable and playable. The non-existent power and feel rival my current string. The spin and durability make this a good string for the baseline topspin game.” 4.5 male serve-and-volleyer using Völkl DNX 10 Mid strung at 54 pounds

“This is a solid offering. Good playability and exceptional durability. It doesn’t play quite like the top multifilament nylons, but it’s a great option for string breakers looking for a little extra touch and comfort.” 5.0 male all-court player using Wilson nSix One 95 (68 Holes) strung at 60 pounds

“This is a very comfortable poly, but it does lose tension after 10 hours. The control and spin make this a very user-friendly string.” 5.0 male all-court player using Prince O3 White MP strung at 60 pounds

“This string has no major flaws. It plays like a typical polyester and is recommended to hard-hitting string breakers. While I did find it very easy to play with, it lacked the ‘wow’ factor.” 5.0 male all-court player using Head Liquidmetal 1 MP strung at 61 pounds

“While this is probably a great choice for polyester fans in search of durability and low power, I would not recommend it to those looking for comfort and touch. ” 4.5 male all-court player using Völkl Tour 9 strung at 57 pounds

“The power level is uniquely low, so it is recommended to people looking for more control. After several hours of play, my arm felt a little tired. I had to work overtime to get any pace on the serve. This could be the perfect choice for over hitters.” 4.5 male all-court player using Head i.Prestige Mid strung at 53 pounds

“Stringing takes a little longer because of the coil memory. This string has a stiff feeling at impact. While it is not very comfortable, spin is very easy to produce. Those in search of a softer response are advised to hybrid it with a soft cross.” 4.0 male all-court player using Babolat Pure Drive + strung at 58 pounds

“Aside from the durability, there is nothing about this string that grabs one’s attention. It does not standout from the other polyesters that I’ve used.” 4.5 female all-court player using Prince More Precision MP strung at 63 pounds

“Durability, control, and resistance to movement are the top attributes. While power, playability, spin potential, and tension maintenance are good, touch and feel are lacking. This is a good overall string, but it is most likely designed for hard hitters with durability concerns.” 5.0 male all-court player using Wilson Hyper Pro Staff 6.1 strung at 55 pounds

“This is a lively and responsive polyester. It loses resilience pretty quickly, though. It would play better in a hybrid.” 5.0 male all-court player using Head Liquidmetal 2 strung at 60 pounds

“While this is not going to convert the natural gut user, it is a nice polyester. Not my cup of tea, but no major adjustments required.” 6.0 male all-court player using Prince O3 Speedport Red strung at 70 pounds

“Tension maintenance is excellent. A little harsh, though, during warm-up. Notching occurs almost instantly. This is a powerful polyester.” 5.0 female baseliner with heavy spin using Prince O3 White strung at 55 pounds

“Holds tension well. Great control when taking a full swing, but lacking touch and feel on softer strokes.” 4.5 male all-court player using Head Metallix 10 strung at 60 pounds

“This is a stiff string. It is not recommended to those who like a long dwell-time or a cupping effect. It also does not have great touch and feel.” 4.0 male all-court player using Head Flexpoint 6 MP strung at 45 pounds

“This is a very stiff string. Plays like Kevlar. Not recommended for light, stiff frames or short, slow stroke styles.” 6.0 male all-court player using Head Flexpoint Radical MP strung at 60 pounds
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Big Hitter Silver String Review

September 12, 2016
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Big Hitter Silver

2004 Racquet Sports Industry Independent String Test
RSI May 2004 Vol 1 Number 4

Overview:
Unique Tourna Poly Big Hitter is a monofilament “poly” string of the type that is becoming increasing popular both on the pro circuit and with hard-hitting juniors and even club players. Unique’s poly is actually a very soft poly-poly ether with aluminum fibers added, which gives them the durability you expect from a poly string, with more playability, power, comfort, and control. Tourna Poly will be welcomed by players with fast swing speeds, and by those who tend to break strings.
Unique Tourna Poly Big Hitter is available in 16 and 17 gauges in silver only.

In The Lab:
We tested the 16 gauge Tourna Poly Big Hitter. The coil measured 41 feet 1 inch. The diameter measured 1.25 mm to 1.29 mm prior to stringing, and 1.20 mm to 1.26 mm after stringing. Tourna Poly Big Hitter strings up more or less like a typical poly, although it certainly isn’t as stiff as some of polyester strings available, so stringing speed was on par with some nylon strings. Stringing speed was helped by the fact that Tourna Poly seems to elongate very little, so you don’t have to wait forever for the tension head to come to rest before clamping off. Another nice touch is that the ends are pre-cut at an angle so you don’t need to trim them before starting.

On The Court:
Tested for five weeks by 39 USRSA playtesters, with NTRP ratings from 3.5 to 6.5. These are blind tests, with playtesters receiving unmarked strings in unmarked packages, to reduce preconceptions and biases regarding manufacturers, type of construction, and materials. Average number of hours playtested was 22.7.

It is not unusual for our playtesters to be divided about the merits of any given string, especially when that string is a poly. What is surprising, therefore, is not that some playtesters loved Tourna Poly while some hated it, but that those who loved it really loved it. In fact, they rated it number one of the 80-some strings we’ve playtested in resistance to movement, and second overall in durability (first place went to a Kevlar string). Control ratings were above average, while power, tension retention, and overall ratings were all well above average.

Conclusion:
For a string that sells for under $6.00 per set to rate this highly is extremely impressive, and if you want more, check out the price of the reel. Tourna Poly out-rated many higher-priced strings, including some that could be considered its direct competition. For those looking for a durable string at a reasonable price, with comfort and playability far exceeding that of Kevlar, Unique’s Tourna Poly Big Hitter is an obvious candidate.

Playtest Comments:

“A polyester string — my favorite! Good power, average tension loss, and no string movement. Of course it’s durable, but that doesn’t take away from the playability. It does not hurt your arm! Stringers don’t recommend poly because it’s harder to string. Good. More business for me.” 5.0 male baseliner with moderate spin using Head i.xSpeed strung at 50 pounds CP (Head Ultratour 17)

 

“While stringing my racquet I thought I would hate this string. It had excessive coil memory and it just did not have the ‘feel’ of a string that I would like. When I took it out to play, all I could think about where all the negative things I would encounter. After about five minutes of playing, though, I realized I was no longer thinking bad things about this string. The touch, feel, control, and power were there, and I was really enjoying playing with it. One set had me hooked on it. I traded off with my other racquet and string, and kept coming back to this one as the more playable. After 20 hours of playing, it’s the racquet I pull out of my bag first when I play. This one is a big surprise.” 4.5 male all court player using Wilson Pro Staff Torch strung at 63 pounds LO (Babolat Conquest 16)

 

“This string was about as unpleasant to string as any other poly, but its performance is terrific. This is the best durability string I’ve used in a very long time.” 4.5 male all court player using Head Ti.Radical OS strung at 65 pounds LO (Wilson Stamina 16)

 

“Somewhat less coil memory than other polys. I was most impressed with this string: All the qualities of a polyester (power plus durability) but not the expected weaknesses (limited playability, lock of comfort, significant loss of tension). Highly recommended. I intentionally strung it without dropping the tension. It lost only eight percent, and then stabilized. It broke in quickly and everything was fine.” 5.0 male all court player using Head i.S6 OS strung at 61 pounds LO (Wilson NXT 16)

 

“Plays and feels exactly like the Luxilon Alu Power I use. Identical in every way. Excellent string. Highly recommended!” 3.5 male baseliner with heavy spin using Head Trysis 300 strung at 62 pounds CP (Luxilon Alu Power 16L)

 

“A good durable string. Feels like a polyester, but not as stiff. The thin gauge is nicer on the arm. No string movement. Still playing with it and it shows no signs of breakage. Definite keeper.” 5.0 male all court player using Head i.prestige mid strung at 55 pounds LO (Head Intellitour 17)

 

“I like this string. It plays like a good synthetic. It seems a little stiffer than normal, which I really like. The string has a firm feel to it.” 5.5 male serve and volleyer using Prince More Game Mid strung at 63 pounds CP (Prince Synthetic 16)

 

“This string had the typical coil memory and friction burn of other polys. On court, not a bad feeling polyester-type string. Above average control and spin capability. Held tension very well and didn’t move or appear to notch. Again, one of the better polyester strings with which I’ve played.” 6.5 male all court player using Wilson H Tour strung at 54 pounds LO (Head FiberGel 16)

 

“This is a nice poly string. It felt a lot like Luxilon Alu Power, but not quite as stiff. Dropping the tension 5 percent is key. I liked this string and would recommend it to advanced players looking to switch to a polyester string.” 5.5 male all court player using Wilson Hyper Pro Staff 6.1 strung at 60 pounds LO (Wilson Sensation 16)

 

“Not a bad string!” 6.0 male baseliner with heavy spin using Head Radical OS strung at 66 pounds LO (Head Intellitour 16)

 

“Easier to string that most polys. Nice bounce from the stringbed, with no dampener needed, it’s so quiet. Enjoyed its feel. It’s close to the durability of the Kevlar I normally use, but with the comfort of a nylon.” 5.0 male all court player using Dunlop 400G strung at 55 pounds CP (Tenex Hy-Kevlar 16)

 

“As soon as I opened the package and realized how stiff this string is, I expected to spend the next 15 test hours with a sore arm trying to get my shots not to land short in the court. This was not the case, and in fact I was so comfortable with this string that I used it in competition against our arch rivals. It strings up like other polys, some coil memory but nothing earth-shatteringly bad. I find the test sample easy to hit with, with good control, enough power, and good spin. The strings locked into position and did not notch. I had no problems with vibration or arm pain.” 3.5 male all court player using Head Liquidmetal Radical OS strung at 55 pounds LO (Klip Blast 16)

 

“For a stiff string (poly?) I was surprised how well it played. Decent power, good control, very good spin potential, and zero string movement. Almost no notching after 15 hours of play, which is unusual for me. Seemed to lose tension more quickly than normal. A good option for frequent string breakers.” 4.0 male all court player using Topspin CL628 strung at 60 pounds CP (Gamma XP 17)

 

“This appears to be another typical long-lasting poly string. It is very durable, and it maintained tension through the playtest. From a comfort standpoint it is not overly stiff, and it generated decent power and control. I would definitely recommend this string to string breakers.” 4.5 male all court player using Prince More Game MP strung at 55 pounds CP (Prince Perfection 16)

 

“This string lasts forever! However, it is stiff, dead, and did not feel anywhere close to the multifilament string I usually use in terms of playability. It would be a great string for a hard-hitting player who goes through strings quickly.” 5.5 male all court player using Prince AirStick strung at 60 pounds LO (Wilson Sensation NXT 17)

 

“Best string for string breakers with good feel.” 3.5 male baseliner with heavy spin using Mid plus strung at 60 pounds LO (Wilson Extreme 16)

 

“Good choice for early string breakers. Durability strings normally do not have good playability, but in its class this appears to be one of the better ones.” 5.0 male all court player using Head i.radical OS strung at 60/58 pounds CP (Wilson Sensation NXT 17)

 

“Although I rated this string as having excessive coil memory and some friction burn during stringing, these are normal in my experience with poly strings. This string reminded me of Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power. It is simple to work with, has average ability to hold tension, and nice power at first, although it lost feel as the string relaxed.” 5.0 male all court player using Wilson H Tour strung at 55 pounds CP (Wilson Stamina Spin 16)

 

“Stringing was typical for a polyester type of string, that is, “coily.” I nicked the string cutting off the plastic tie. I liked this string better than most polyester strings, but I wouldn’t play with it unless durability was my highest priority. The big plus was that this string resisted movement pretty well.” 5.0 male baseliner with heavy spin using Wilson Surge X strung at 60 pounds LO (Wilson Sensation 16)

 

“Out of the gate, this string was wonderful. There was coil memory, but no more than any other polyester. I was happy to use it during a local tournament. Although I strung it at 65 pounds, I should have increased this by a few pounds because I noticed some softness when I started hitting with it. For the first nine hours of play, things were great, but after that I noticed a “boing” sound on impact. Along with that sound came a loss of control. The remaining nine hours of play were not pleasant.” 5.0 male all court player using Dunlop 300G strung at 65 pounds CP (Wilson Sensation 16)

 

“This test string would definitely be okay for a big time string breaker. I like a more playable, softer string in my racquet. I had difficulty getting spin on the ball. The power was good. The resistance to movement and holding tension aspecs of the string were awesome! I would consider using it as the mains in a hybrid string job.” 5.5 male touch player using Head i.X3 MP strung at 57 pounds CP (Wilson Stamina / Sensation 17)

 

“This string provides very little power, but excellent directional control. It does not complement my power-based playing style, but it might suit a Wilander-type control player.” 5.0 male all court player using Gosen Secret Carbon strung at 62 pounds LO (Gamma Live Wire XP 16)

 

“Although I don’t hit regularly with a lot of topspin, this string does respond satisfactorily when topspin is needed.” 3.5 male baseliner with moderate spin using Wilson Hammer 5.2 strung at 56 pounds CP (Gamma synthetic 17)

 

“A typical poly string. In my opinion, good for big hitters concerned with durability and/or the trampoline response in the sweet spot. If I were to try this string again, I’d lower the tension another five pounds.” 5.0 male all court player using Prince More Attack strung at 58/55 pounds CP (Babolat Control / Head FiberGel 16L)

 

“I rarely break strings so it’s difficult for me to gauge durability. This string did bother my arm a little, but that may be remediable by stringing five pounds looser.” 3.5 male all court player using Prince Graphite II strung at 62 pounds CP (Kirschbaum 16)

 

“This is a great string for string breakers but not lively enough for me. There was a pretty rapid tension loss. On the plus side, I felt that I had more control with this string. I just didn’t care for the feel compared to my regular string.” 5.0 male all court player using Babolat Pure Drive strung at 58 pounds CP (Tecnifibre E-Matrix 17)

 

“This string is very similar to Luxilon Big Banger. However, I would string at more than five pounds below my present string. Very good control for first 12 hours, then the tension seemed to go away. The string lacks the power initially but got better after 6-8 hours.” 4.5 male baseliner with moderate spin using Pro Kennex Core 1 #6 strung at 54.5 pounds CP (Gamma TNT 18)

 

“Average poly string. I had a hard time with topspin at first due to the tension drop, but slice and volleys were excellent. Durability is a plus, especially as my normal string is a generic nylon that lasts ten hours tops.” 4.0 male using Volkl Catapult V1 MP strung at 53 pounds CP (Hex Power 17)

 

“Average string, with a board-like feeling. Poor resiliency. Handles topspin well, but loses in the feel category.” 4.5 male all court player using Head i.S2 strung at 60 pounds LO (Wilson NXT 16)

 

“Overall durability was great, but for me I can rate the control, touch, or feel as being pleasant.” 5.5 male baseliner with heavy spin using Wilson Pro Staff Triad 6.0 strung at 62 pounds LO (Gamma synthetic gut 16)
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Quasi Gut String Review

September 12, 2016
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Quasi-Gut

2010 Racquet Sports Industry Independent String Test
RSI APRIL 2010

Overview:
Quasi-Gut is an advanced multifilament nylon string meant to play and feel like natural gut, while maintaining better durability. Tourna Quasi-Gut is constructed from thousands of tightly wound microfibers, each permeated with and contained in a new thermo-elastic polyurethane resin. This high tech resin greatly increases the durability and weather resistance of the string without compromising its natural gut like performance.
Tourna Quasi-Gut is for advanced players who love the feel and performance of natural gut but need added durability, as well as to players who prefer a lively, responsive and powerful string, and players who suffer from tennis elbow or arm soreness.

In The Lab:
After 24 hours (no playing), stringbed stiffness measured 71 RDC units, representing a 8 percent tension loss. Our control string, Prince Synthetic Gut Original Gold 16, measured 78 RDC units immediately after stringing and 71 RDC units after 24 hours, representing a 9 percent tension loss.
In our lab testing of 833 different strings, we found that Unique Tourna Quasi-Gut has a stiffness of 185 lbs/in. and a tension loss of 15.59 lbs. Tourna Quasi-Gut is lighter than average, adding 13 grams to the weight of our unstrung frame.

Being soft, Tourna Quasi-Gut is a pleasure to string, although as with other polyurethane strings you have to be judicious when pulling the crosses to avoid friction burn.

On The Court:
The string was tested for five weeks by 36 USRSA playtesters, with NTRP ratings from 3.5 to 6. These are blind tests, with playtesters receiving unmarked strings in unmarked packages.
Our playtest team found Tourna Quasi-Gut 16 impressive even for a soft nylon, giving it ratings in the top twenty in four separate categories: 5th overall for Touch/Feel, 6th overall (tie) for Playability, 7th overall (tie) for Comfort, and 11th overall (tie) for Power. Bolstering these results are the teams’ well-above-average ratings for Tourna Quasi-Gut for Control, Spin Potential, and Tension Retention. As a result, Unique Tourna Quasi-Gut  16 is tied for 16th overall out of the 140 strings we’ve playtested to date for publication. Additionally, our playtest team told us that Tourna Quasi-Gut 16 doesn’t sacrifice playability for durability or vice versa.

Conclusion:
It’s great to have a soft nylon score well in Touch/Feel, Playability, Comfort, and Power, with two of the playtest team comparing it favorablity to natural gut. That’s what you might expect from Unique Tourna Quasi-Gut 16. Then, out of left field, it also garners good marks for spin potential, and two members of the playtest team compare it favorably to polyester. According to our playtest team, this ain’t your father’s nylon string.

Playtest Comments:

“Wow! In 20 years I have not experienced a string quite like this. It combines the best qualities of a polyester and multifilament nylon.” 5.0 male all-court player using Wilson K Tour strung at 66 pounds CP (Luxilon TIMO 18)

“All day comfort. Big topspin from the baseline. Touch and placement are effortless. Very solid feel at impact. Great control.” 4.5 male all-court player using Wilson nTour strung at 58 pounds CP (Head Sonic Pro 16)

“As a polyester player, I expected this string to be too powerful. Not so. The control is great and the feel is crisp. Very little string movement. Adequate spin, especially on kickers.” 4.5 male all-court player using Prince EXO3 Rebel (hole inserts) strung at 62 pounds LO (MSV Focus Hex/Prince Synthetic Gut Multifilament 17L/17)

“Excellent playability. Firm and responsive. Great control from the baseline and net.” 4.0 male baseliner with heavy spin using Wilson nTour strung at 58 pounds CP (Signum Pro Poly Plasma 18)

“This string has the control, power, comfort, and general responsiveness of natural gut.” 4.5 male all-court player using Volkl Power Bridge 1 strung at 58 pounds CP (Forten Dynamix 16)

“I am returning to the game from a hand injury. This string is exactly what the doctor ordered. Quiet and vibration free. Easy power.” 5.0 male all-court player using Head Flexpoint Radical MP strung at 53 pounds CP (Polyester 16)

“Good control despite the higher power level. Handles high tension very well. Decent bite and very little string movement.” 4.0 male all-court player using Prince O3 Speedport Pro White MP strung at 74 pounds CP (Wilson Sensation/Prince Synthetic Gut w/Duraflex 17/18)

“Wow! Now I understand what is meant by the term ‘controlled explosion.’ These strings are very ‘gut like.’ Comfort and touch are outstanding. This could easily become my string of choice.” 4.5 male all-court player using Wilson nPro strung at 60 pounds LO (Wilson Sensation 16)

“This is one of the best strings I have ever tested. One can’t help but notice the blend cocktail of power, comfort, and control.” 5.0 male all-court player using Head Liquidmetal 4 strung at 58 pounds LO (Luxilon Original 16)

“This is one of the best multifilaments I have ever used. Where do I sign?” 4.0 male baseliner with heavy spin using Babolat Pure Drive Roddick strung at 63 pounds LO (Luxilon Alu Power Fluoro 17)

“Excellent feel. Surprisingly good durability for a nylon multifilament. Very responsive.” 4.0 male serve-and-volley player using Wilson K Six One (68 holes) strung at 60 pounds LO (Wilson NXT 16)

“Excellent bite and resistance to movement. This string has much higher durability than is common for the breed. It provides some of the advantages of polyester without the stiffness.” 4.5 male all-court player using Head MicroGEL Prestige Pro MP strung at 55 pounds CP (Luxilon Alu Power Rough/Head UltraTour 16L/17)
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Big Hitter Blue Rough String Review

September 12, 2016
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Big Hitter Blue Rough

2011 Racquet Sports Industry Independent String Test
RSI February 2011

HIGHLIGHTS:

Out of 149 strings tested to date (Feb, 2011)

#1 in SPIN

#1 in CONROL for a polyester

#2 best overall string tested to date (#1 Premium Natural Gut)

#3 Resistance to Movement

Overview:
Tourna Big Hitter Blue Rough from Unique is an advanced German-engineered monofilament string made with polyether.  Polyether makes the string softer and more forgiving, increasing shock absorption and comfort, while retaining an incredible combination of power, durability and resistance to movement. The “rough” appellation means it is extruded with a pentagonal shape and then twisted, providing a string with serious bite and spin potential. Tourna Big Hitter Blue Rough is designed for advanced players looking for a powerful poly that provides extra bite and superb ball pocketing.

In The Lab:
Big Hitter Blue Rough 17 measures and feels much thinner than Big Hitter Blue 17, but otherwise they feel similar during installation. Just about any shaped or textured string is going to be more difficult to install than a comparable smooth string, but Tourna Big Hitter Blue Rough is at the high end of the ease-of-use scale for such strings. The spiral shape didn’t saw on the mains while installing the crosses, and the seemingly prominent ridges did not cause Big Hitter Blue Rough to kink, spin, or otherwise turn itself into a rat’s nest when pulling it past a blocked hole. If you have sworn off spiral strings because of headaches when installing the crosses, Tourna Big Hitter Blue Rough makes the process painless. Speaking of weaving the crosses, Big Hitter Blue Rough has a similar feel to its cylindrical siblings, meaning that the string is dry without dragging on the mains, and smooth without being slippery. As with other Big Hitter Blue strings, the color is part of the string and doesn’t come off during play.

On The Court:
There’s not much to say about the playtest scores other than the fact that “Blue” blew the doors off the ratings, ending up in second place out of the 149 strings we’ve playtested to date for publication. As parts of this incredible overall score, Tourna Big Hitter Blue Rough 17 finished in first place in Spin Potential, in third place for Resistance to Movement, in fourth place for Control, in thirteenth place for Tension Retention, and in nineteenth place for Power. That’s five top-twenty finishes out of nine categories … for a “poly.” Our playtest team also ranked it well above average for Playability and Durability.

Conclusion:
In case you’re not impressed that Tourna Big Hitter Blue Rough 17 has the second-best ranking of all the strings we’ve ever tested, it might interest you to learn that the only string to better it in the rankings is a premium natural gut. And in the Control category, Tourna Big Hitter Blue Rough 17 is our highest-ranked “poly” string to date.
As for the top ranking Tourna Big Hitter Blue Rough 17 received in the Spin Potential category, some might say that the real test for a “spin” string is when your opponent notices something different in how your ball comes off your strings. Coincidentally, one of our playtesters mentioned this (as have others who have experienced Tourna Big Hitter Blue Rough 17 from the “wrong” side of the court), backing up another playtester’s comment that “kick serves bounce to the moon.”

Playtest Comments:

“Excellent combination of feel, power, and spin. This is a topnotch polyester.” 4.5 male all-court player using Head Liquidmetal Radical MP strung at 55 pounds LO (Babolat RPM Blast 16)

“This is comfortable polyester with very pronounced spin.” 5.0 male baseliner with heavy spin using Wilson K Blade strung at 54 pounds CP (Wilson NXT 17)

“This string comes alive on big swings. The combination of comfort, control, and power is impressive. Polyester has come a long way.” 4.5 male all-court player using Wilson K Six One (68 Holes) strung at 54 pounds CP (Gamma Zo Magic 16)

People actually noticed my increased spin and control from off the court! This poly excels in every category.” 4.0 male baseliner with heavy spin using Wilson K Four strung at 59 pounds CP (Gamma Live Wire 17)“This is a high-end polyester with excellent bite, power, and control.” 4.0 male baseliner with heavy spin using Prince Triple Threat Hornet strung at 60 pounds CP (Tecnifibre Black Code 17)

“Great feel, spin, and control!” 5.0 female baseliner with heavy spin using Wilson BLX Pro Open strung at 57 pounds CP (Gamma Live Wire 16)

“This is one of the best strings I have ever tested. The balance between comfort and durability is perfect. The control and spin are impressive. This is not a niche poly. It complements a wide range of playing styles.” 5.0 male all-court player using Wilson BLX Six One Tour strung at 52 pounds LO (Wilson NXT 17)

“This string has a potent combination of power and spin.” 5.0 male all-court player using Dunlop Aerogel 4D 5 Hundred Tour strung at 60 pounds CP (Head Sonic Pro 16)

Excellent spin and control. Outstanding tension maintenance. As a multifilament nylon user, I find this poly to be very playable.” 4.5 male all-court player using Wilson nPro strung at 53 pounds LO (Wilson NXT 16)

This string has pronounced dwell time, which provides a cupping effect. The playability, control, and power are unusually good.” 4.5 male baseliner with moderate spin using Babolat Pure Drive strung at 60 pounds CP (Babolat VS Touch 16)

Stringing is effortless. Incredible touch for a polyester. More than sufficient power, spin, and control. I would recommend this to anyone I’m not playing against.” 4.0 male serve-and-volley player using Head Youtek Speed MP 70 Holes strung at 52 pounds CP (Genesis Hexonic 17)

Topspin and slice players will get a lot out of this string. Hitting out is easy because the ball comes down very dramatically. Kick serves bounce to the moon.”  female all-court player using Wilson K Six One 68 Holes strung at  pounds CP (Head Sonic Pro )

“Solid feel from the backcourt. Great spin control on serves. Players curious about polyester should start here.” 4.5 male all-court player using Wilson Khamsin Five FX strung at 62 pounds CP (Luxilon Original Rough 16)

“Great tension maintenance for a poly. Crisp but not boardy. This string has more touch than its peers.” 4.5 male baseliner with moderate spin using Head MicroGEL Prestige MP strung at 55 pounds CP (Head Sonic Pro 17)
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Quasi Gut Armor Playtest Report

September 9, 2016
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STRING PLAYTEST

Tourna Quasi Gut Armor 16

Tourna Quasi Gut Armor is a multifilament made from thousands of twisted nylon filaments impregnated and coated with polyurethane, making it an update to the original Tourna Quasi Gut. Quasi Gut Armor includes two additional strands of heat-treated co-poly ribbons in the outer layer to increase durability.

Tourna tells us that Quasi Gut Armor is a powerful, natural-gut-like multifilament that is durable enough to hybrid with today’s co-polys, but soft enough to provide relief from the stiffness a full bed of co-poly can deliver.

Quasi Gut Armor is designed for players looking for a durable and comfortable multifilament, for use either on its own or in a hybrid with poly.

Quasi Gut Armor is available in 16 and 17 gauges in natural with a blue spiral.

In the Lab

We tested the 16-gauge Quasi Gut Armor. The coil measured 41 feet 7 inches. The diameter measured 1.30-1.32 mm prior to stringing, and 1.26-1.28 mm after stringing. We recorded a stringbed stiffness of 82 RDC units immediately after stringing at 60 pounds in a Wilson Pro Staff 6.1 95 (16 x 18 pattern) on a constant pull machine.

After 24 hours (no playing), stringbed stiffness measured 75 RDC units, representing a 9 percent tension loss. Our control string, Prince Synthetic Gut Original Gold 16, measured 78 RDC units immediately after stringing and 71 RDC units after 24 hours, representing a 9 percent tension loss. Quasi Gut Armor 16 added 14 grams to the weight of our unstrung frame.

The string was tested for five weeks by 35 USRSA play testers, with NTRP ratings from 3.5 to 6. These are blind tests, with play testers receiving unmarked strings in unmarked packages. Average number of hours play tested was 26.7.

During installation, Quasi Gut Armor is wonderful to handle. You do have to be a bit more persistent with blocked holes, but the blue spiral looks sharp, and is reminiscent of the old Victor Imperial natural gut.

On the Court

Judging by the comments, some of the play testers were grateful to take a nylon break from the typical poly we test. Still, the string has to perform on the court, and perform it did. Quasi Gut Armor received the second highest rating for Comfort of the 175 strings we’ve play-tested for publication to date — meaning the only string that bettered it in this category is a natural gut. Quasi Gut Armor also placed third overall in Touch/Feel, ninth in Playability, and tenth in Power. Quasi Gut Armor also rated well above average in Control. As a result, Tourna Quasi Gut Armor rated well above average overall.

Conclusion

It’s impressive anytime a string places highly overall in Comfort, but for Quasi Gut Armor — a nylon string with a touch of poly — to place second only to natural gut for Comfort, is astonishing. Back that up with three additional top-ten rankings in other categories, and you’re looking at a string that deserves serious consideration.

Playtester Comments

  • “This is a very comfortable string with great playability and excellent feel. Hopefully it will come on the market soon!” 5.0 male all court player using Babolat Aero Storm GT strung at 55 pounds CP (Babolat Synthetic Gut/Tecnifibre NRG2 16/17)
  • “High marks in all areas. Very little string movement. More control than power, but not underpowered. Tension maintenance is impressive. This impressive range of above average features should satisfy a wide range of playing styles.” 4.5 male all court player using Prince EXO3 Tour (18×20) strung at 57/60 pounds LO (Prince Synthetic Gut w/Duraflex 16)
  • “This string somehow provides it all, from touch and feel to control, spin and durability. No visible signs of wear after many hours of playing and teaching. It gives me confidence on full swings because I know the spin will bring the ball down. I would definitely carry this string.” 5.0 male serve-and-volley player using Wilson BLX Five strung at 61 pounds LO (Wilson NXT 17)
  • “Fantastic multifilament. This has the kind of comfort, control, and all around performance that makes a top seller.” 5.5 male baseliner with heavy spin using Mantis Pro 295 strung at 54 pounds CP (Spintex Exclusive HD 16)
  • “Great playability. I would recommend it to anyone who wants a crisp yet comfortable feel. It is predictable and controllable from the first hit. No adjustment needed. It doesn’t notch too much, which is amazing given the soft feel. I would definitely use this in the future, and recommend to almost anyone. Spin potential is the only downfall, but that is an acceptable tradeoff. A near perfect string from my perspective!” 6.0 male all court player using Wilson BLX Steam strung at 58 pounds LO (Wilson NXT 16)
  • “Lively, Lively, Lively. Excellent control and comfort, especially on finesse shots! I will add this to my inventory.” 5.5 male serve-and-volley player using Babolat AeroPro Drive GT strung at 52 pounds LO (Wilson NXT 17)
  •  “Great all around playability. It offers good pop without sacrificing control. Tension maintenance is impressive and string movement is minimal.” 4.0 male baseliner with moderate spin using Dunlop Biomimetic 600 Lite strung at 56 pounds LO (Wilson Sensation 17)
  •  “The string’s coating and excellent pocketing help grab the ball. Directional control is excellent. There is definitely some extra pop on my serve. All aspects of my game are more effective with this string.” 4.0 male all court player using Volkl Organix 4 strung at 59 pounds CP (Volkl V-Twist 17)
  • “This is not a niche string that excels in only one or two categories. It has impressive all round playability.” 3.5 male all court player using Prince EXO3 Tour (16×18) strung at 55 pounds CP (Forten Competition 16)
  • “This string feels incredibly smooth. The manufacturer got this one right. Players with hard, flat strokes will love this string. Spin players, not so much. It does lose tension, but this is not a deal breaker. I might switch to it.” 5.0 male baseliner with moderate spin using Volkl Boris Becker 10 strung at 60 pounds CP (Gamma Synthetic Gut 16)
  •  “A very comfortable string that won’t leave your arm in pain the next day. The more I play with it, the better it gets. it’s nice to take a break from polyester every once in a while.” 4.5 male all court player using Babolat AeroPro Drive GT strung at 60 pounds LO (Babolat RPM Blast 16)
  • “This string has surprising versatility and plays well across different strokes and court locations. It has a crisp feel and great control on big swings, but also offers ample touch and comfort on softer shots.” 5.0 male all court player using Wilson BLX Blade strung at 55 pounds LO (Prince Synthetic Gut Original 16)
  • “This string offers maximum comfort and a little extra power. It would add some nice feel to a hybrid. As a full set it would be great for the finesse player who wants comfort and touch.” 5.0 male all court player using Gamma RZR strung at 53 pounds CP (Gamma Zo Verve 16)
  •  “Very good feel and a tons of pop. For non string-breakers in search of comfort and power, this is a great option.” 5.5 male all court player using Wilson BLX Blade strung at 50 pounds CP (Luxilon Alu Power 16L)
  • “This string has exceptional pop, especially when compared to similar strings. The comfort level is very good. I would recommend it to most club players.” 4.0 male baseliner with heavy spin using Babolat AeroPro Drive GT strung at 45 pounds CP (Wilson Stamina 16)
  • “Impact on groundstrokes and volleys is comfortable. Nice pop on serves and overheads! This is a great string for finesse players. Very responsive on soft shots.” 4.5 male baseliner with moderate spin using Babolat Pure Storm GT strung at 58 pounds LO (Gamma Professional 17)
  • “Easy to string and easy to play with. This is just a nice performing string.” 4.5 male all court player using Babolat AeroPro Drive GT strung at 60 pounds CP (Gamma Professional 17)
  • “Very comfortable with some string movement in the beginning.” 4.5 male serve-and-volley player using Babolat Pure Drive Roddick GT strung at 59 pounds CP (Wilson NXT 16)
  •  “Comfortable but firmer than most multifilaments. Great power and feel. A little more precision due to the added firmness. I think it is a good control string for someone who doesn’t want the stiffness of a poly. However, it doesn’t provide the spin or durability of a poly.” 6.0 male all court player using Vantage Custom (16×19) strung at 56 pounds CP (Ashaway MonoGut ZX Pro 17)

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Mega Tac Playtest Report

September 9, 2016
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Tourna Mega Tac overgrip

According to Tourna, Mega Tac is the tackiest overgrip ever made, period. An exclusive polyurethane coating creates an ultra tacky surface that literally clings to your hand. Tourna also promises a very long tack time, with Tourna reporting tackiness for up to 14 hours.

Tourna designed Mega Tac for players who prefer a durable, tacky grip, that works even in cold weather.

Mega Tac is available in Tourna’s trademarked light blue color, white, and black. The length is listed as XL (100 cm x 2.9 cm). The grips come in packs that include finishing tape.

The Testers

Tested by 30 USRSA playtesters (28 males, 2 females), with NTRP ratings from 3.5 to 6.0. Average number of hours playtested was 22.3. Prior to testing, we asked about grip preferences: 28 said they preferred a tacky grip; 2 said they preferred a dry grip. Testers were sent unmarked grips, so they were not aware of the brand or model of the overgrip.

Installation

Installing Mega Tac is straightforward. Neither end is tapered, so if you go for that look you need to trim it yourself. There is also no adhesive starter tab, but if you start with a square end, it’s easy to hold the grip in place for the first wrap. Mega Tac stretches nicely to avoid puckering in the transition from the butt cap to the grip, and we didn’t notice any narrowing as we pulled it into place. The finishing tape adhered well and we had no problems with overgrips unraveling at the top.

Finally, even as tacky as it is to handle, Mega Tac separated from itself and the replacement grip with no drama or residue during removal after the test.

On the court

Compared against some of the iconic overgrips on the market, Mega Tac really impressed our playtest team. They rated Mega Tac first overall in the Durability, Proper Tackiness, Retains Tackiness, and Tacky and Absorbent categories. Mega Tac also gained a second-place rating in the Absorption category, and third-place ratings in both the Initial Feel and Feel Over Time categories. As a result, Tourna Mega Tac is the highest-rated overgrip we’ve tested, by a large margin.

When you first start playing with Mega Tac, you may have to focus more on changing your grip position; it’s that tacky. After a few hours, though, Mega Tac seems to settle in to a still-high but easily manageable level of tackiness, and remains that way for hours. Compared to a conventional white grip, Mega Tac seemed cleaner, less worn, and much tackier after many hours of play.

Not surprisingly, nine playtesters told us that Mega Tac was too tacky. Eighteen reported that overall they prefer the overgrip they currently use. Otherwise, a clear majority reported satisfaction with Mega Tac’s length, width, compression, stretch, absorbency, and thickness.

Conclusion

When we say that Tourna Mega Tac is a really tacky grip, we mean that as a compliment. Tourna acknowledges that a product this extreme can be polarizing to players, and we saw some of that in the playtest results, but the amazing characteristics of Mega Tac obviously impressed the members of our playtest team.

Tourna says that Mega Tac grips you back, but really, you have to try it to believe it.

Comments

  • “The grip of the future. This grip grips you back. I love this grip! When can I get more? It’s hard to go back to my regular grip.” 4.5 male all court player using Babolat Pure Storm Tour (Babolat Feel Pro Tour)
  • “This was an excellent grip overall. It remained tacky throughout the test period and even though it became dirty and worn, it still remained tacky. The grip’s strengths are its durability, resistance to movement, and tackiness. My only recommendation would be to taper the ends for ease of wrapping. I would most likely switch to this grip, particularly if it were manufactured in different colors.” 4.5 male all court player using Prince O3 Blue (Tecnifibre Player’s Wrap)
  • “I really liked this overgrip! Great overgrip for players who sweat a lot (which I do). The feel was wonderful and it gave me that extra pop on my groundstrokes! I’m switching to this overgrip!!” 4.0 male all court player using Babolat Aero Pro Drive (Gamma Supreme)
  • “I believe the grip (size, comfort and feel) is 40% of the playability of the racquet. A major part of my business as a racquet technician involves grip work — enlarging, replacement for installing overgrips. Many players at all levels pay little attention to their grips. I frequently provide complimentary overgrips with new string jobs because the existing grips are so bad they will distract from the quality of the new strings. The test sample overgrip was a very pleasant surprise.” 3.5 male baseliner with moderate spin using Prince Thunder Rip (Prince Microzorb and Prince Duratac +)
  • “I really liked the test overgrip because of its tackiness. My hands don’t sweat a lot and I felt like I had a good hold of the racquet handle — no slipping or twisting in my hand.” 4.0 female all court player using Head Youtek Graphene Speed Pro (Wilson Pro Overgrip)
  • “Felt great immediately and never lost that feel. If you want a tacky grip, this is the one. Superb!” 4.5 male all court player using Prince Tour 100T ESP (Prince Resi Pro)
  • “This is a wonderful overgrip. I don’t know what the price is and would love to test it on a lot of my players.” 3.5 female all court player using Prince Scream (Wilson Pro Tour Overgrip)
  • “The temperatures where I live over the past six weeks were rarely over 45. So, I did not sweat much to test the absorbency of this grip. I usually play with a tacky grip, plus the Tacky Towel. But, I didn’t need to use the tacky towel with this grip. I liked the fact that the grip didn’t lose its tackiness, nor did it show signs of wear during the playtest. I hope it’s available in other colors than the signature blue.” 4.0 male all court player using Volkl Organix 4 (Yonex Super Grap)
  • “I definitely prefer a more tacky grip. I think this will be a good summer product.” 5.0 male all court player using Wilson Juice 100 (Wilson Pro Overgrip)
  • “For people who sweat a lot, I would highly recommend. Very tacky, lasts a lot longer than other grips and absorbs well.” 5.0 male all court player using Head Youtek Prestige (Head Contour)
  • “The overgrip is a sticky grip, which I like during the winter especially. In the summer, I prefer absorbent overgrips. I’ve used sticky overgrips in the past, but they tend to lose their stickiness fairly quickly. This overgrip has stayed sticky the entire time, and I’ve used it 2 times per week for at least 16 hours of play. I’m really impressed with this overgrip! How does it compare to my usual overgrip? Seems a bit cushier and stays sticky much longer.” 4.0 male all court player using Babolat Aeropro Drive Cortex (Wilson H2Overgrip)
  • “I never thought I would find a tacky grip better than the one I used for years – but, I did! Longer life, better feel. I am sold!” 5.0 male serve-and-volley player using Babolat AeroPro Drive (Yonex Super Grap)
  • “This grip is too tacky. It feels like there is glue on the grip when handled with a dry hand. The absorbency for a grip this tacky is very good. Players who love tacky grips will love this grip. At first glance, it looks like a Tourna product due to the colors.” 5.0 male baseliner with heavy spin using Wilson Pro Open BLX (Wilson Pro Overgrip)
  • “Super tackiness that lasts. Really grips your hand without being sticky. Would like a tapered/adhesive starting end. White would also be nice. Definitely would stock and use. A winner!” 4.5 male all court player using Prince Premier ESP (Babolat Pro Tour Traction)
  • “I was very impressed by both the tackiness and durability. At first, I was concerned about amount of tackiness being too much, but it worked out very well. I would have like to test it during our 100 degree days of summer.” 3.5 male all court player using Babolat Pure Storm (None)
  • “I could see some chronic grip slippers from sweaty palms really like this grip. A bit too much on the tacky side for my liking. Over time the grip became the level of tackiness I would like. It probably took a week or so. I think this would work well for those heavy sweaters in the summer time needing the extra gripping.” 5.0 male serve-and-volley player using Wilson BLX Five (Wilson Pro Overgrip)
  • “Felt great and looked good. I would definitely stock for sale and possibly switch for personal use depending on price point.” 4.5 male touch player using Head MicroGel Extreme S 2.0 (Genesis Supra 50)
  • “I have been playing with the original TournaGrip since the 80’s. That grip is more of an absorbent grip than a tacky grip so it’s hard to change old habits. This one would be a great winter grip (aside from the first few times, when it seemed almost TOO tacky – difficult to change grips). I think this grip provides value assuming price is comparable to others, because the tack lasts so long that players wouldn’t have to change it very often.” 4.0 male all court player using Boris Becker Delta Core London (TournaGrip Original)
  • “Simply a superior overgrip for those wanting a thick and tacky grip. I would prefer to see a thin and tacky option for players who want less comfort and more precision.” 5.0 male all court player using Wilson Blade 98 (None)
  • “Very tacky for the first few hours. Almost to the point of feeling like you will need too wash your hands. However, nothing is sticking to your hands. Retained a tacky feel even after 8-10 hours of play.” 4.0 male all court player using Wilson BLX Six One (TournaGrip Blue)

 

Test Ratings

TACKINESS
Too Tacky 9
About Right 20
Not Tacky Enough 1
LENGTH
Too Long 0
About Right 25
Not Long Enough 5
WIDTH
Too Wide 0
About Right 30
Too Narrow 0
COMPRESSION
Too Much Compression 0
About Right 29
Not Enough Compression 1
STRETCH
Too Stretchy 0
About Right 24
Not Stretchy Enough 6
ABSORBENCY
Too Absorbent 0
About Right 26
Not Absorbent Enough 4
THICKNESS
Too Thick 5
About Right 23
Not Thick Enough 2
RATING AVERAGES
Durability (1st overall) 4.0
Initial Feel (3rd — tie) 3.8
Feel Over Time (3rd overall) 3.6
Proper Tackiness (1st overall) 4.0
Absorption (2nd overall) 3.5
Retains Tackiness (1st overall) 3.7
Tacky and Absorbent (1st overall) 3.9

 

SPECIFICATIONS

Length – 40 inches (102 cm)

Width – 1.125 inches (2.85 cm)

Weight – 6 grams

Thickness – Added 3/32 inches (.09375 inches) to a 4¼-inch grip

 

KEY: Respondents ranked overgrip from a possible low of 1 to a high of 5. Values represent rating averages.

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Black 7 Playtest Report

September 9, 2016
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STRING PLAYTEST

Tourna Big Hitter Black 7

Tourna Big Hitter Black 7 is a six-sided geometric monofilament polyester (in this case, a co-polyester). According to Tourna, Big Hitter Black 7 is an ultra-playable string that bridges the gap between co-polys and multi-filaments. Designed to be extremely elastic, Big Hitter Black 7’s sharp edges grab the ball while the heat treated hyper-elastic materials hold it there until ready for launch. The increased dwell time and spin allow advanced players to hit a “heavy” ball with accuracy, without sacrificing comfort or durability. Tourna rates Big Hitter Black 7 as having a midrange power response. Tourna says that tension will remain stable until it’s time to restring, after some initial loss immediately after stringing, a characteristic of its Big Hitter line.

Big Hitter Black 7 is aimed at advanced big hitters looking for a softer poly that can generate spin and control, yet is durable enough for hard training and tournament play.

Big Hitter Black is available in 15L (1.28mm-1.30mm), 16g (1.25-1.27mm) and 17g (1.20mm-1.22mm) in black only.

IN THE LAB

We tested the 17-gauge Big Hitter Black. The coil measured 40 feet. The diameter measured 1.21-1.24 mm prior to stringing, and 1.16-1.18 mm after stringing. We recorded a stringbed stiffness of 74 RDC units immediately after stringing at 60 pounds in a Wilson Pro Staff 6.1 95 (16 x 18 pattern) on a constant pull machine.

After 24 hours (no playing), stringbed stiffness measured 68 RDC units, representing a 8 percent tension loss. Our control string, Prince Synthetic Gut Original Gold 16, measured 78 RDC units immediately after stringing and 71 RDC units after 24 hours, representing a 9 percent tension loss. In lab testing, Prince Synthetic Gut Original has a stiffness of 217 and a tension loss of 11.67 pounds, while Tourna Big Hitter Black 7 has a stiffness of 196 and a tension loss of 21.66 pounds. Big Hitter Black added 16 grams to the weight of our unstrung frame.

The string was tested for five weeks by 33 USRSA playtesters, with NTRP ratings from 3.5 to 6.0. These are blind tests, with playtesters receiving unmarked strings in unmarked packages. Average number of hours playtested was 23.2.

Tourna recommends stringing 5% lower than with nylon, so that’s what we recommended to the members of our playtest team.

There is no doubt that Big Hitter Black 7 is a geometric string from the moment you take it out of the package. The edges feel to be the sharpest we’ve ever felt. Because of this, your fingers catch on the mains when weaving the crosses, and pulling the crosses actually shaves tiny parts of the edges off the mains.

ON THE COURT

Tourna Big Hitter Black 7 certainly looks to be a “spin” string, and whether due to its edges, its gauge, its composition, or some combination thereof, it impressed our playtest team. They rated Tourna Big Hitter Black 7 the best string for Spin Potential of the 163 strings we’ve playtested to date for publication. But that’s just the frosting on the cake: Our playtesters also rated Big Hitter Black 7 as having excellent Power and Resistance to Movement. Rounding things out, our playtest team members rated Big Hitter Black 7 well above average in Durability, Control, Playability, Tension Retention, and Touch/Feel.

Two members of the playtest team broke the sample during the playtest period, one each at five hours and 12 hours.

CONCLUSION

With our playtesters rating Big Hitter Black 7 well above average or better in eight out of nine categories, it’s fitting that Big Hitter Black 7’s overall average score is the tenth highest of all time. If you have customers looking for more spin, the combination of the geometric cross-section and the on-court performance will convince them that you know your stuff.

COMMENTS

  • “Who says you can’t have it all? This string has an incredible combination of spin, control, comfort, and power. It handles low tensions very well. If you haven’t tried a co-poly yet, this is where you should start.” 4.5 male all court player using Babolat Pure Drive Roddick strung at 47 pounds CP (Solinco Tour Bite 18)
  • “This is the best poly I’ve ever used. It has amazing feel. Slice backhands are absolutely piercing. Spin artists will enjoy it more than flat hitters.” 5.5 male all court player using Wilson K Six One (16×18) strung at 55 pounds CP (Prince Synthetic Gut Original/Tecnifibre Black Code 17/17)
  • “This string ages nicely. After two hours, the ball starts to explode off the strings. This is recommended to players who want to know where the beef is.” 4.5 male serve-and-volley player using Head Youtek Prestige MP strung at 53 pounds CP (Wilson Hollow Core 16)
  • “Good feel, outstanding spin. This could be my new string.” 4.0 male all court player using Volkl V1 Classic strung at 56 pounds CP (Wilson Hyperlast Spin 19)
  • “This string has great bite, control, and feel. It allows you to put a ton of ‘action’ on the ball.” 6.0 male all court player using Wilson BLX Tour strung at 51 pounds CP (Wilson NXT 17)
  • “This is the best polyester I’ve tried. Tension maintenance is outstanding and comfort is excellent. Spin is magical. Two words: Fabrice Santoro.” 4.5 male all court player using Wilson Kobra Tour strung at 50 pounds CP (Tecnifibre Red Code 18)
  • “Nasty bite! Hitting heavy spin is effortless.” 4.5 male all court player using Wilson BLX Tour strung at 52 pounds CP (Luxilon Alu Power 16L)
  • “This sting’s sharp edges really bite into the ball. Topspin and slice shots are a joy to hit!” 4.5 male baseliner with heavy spin using Wilson nPro strung at 55 pounds LO (Signum Pro Poly Plasma 18)
  • “Excellent spin potential. The sound on contact is great. Impressive touch and power.” 4.0 male baseliner with heavy spin using Dunlop Biomimetic 500 Tour strung at 57 pounds LO (Solinco Tour Bite 17)
  • “Possibly the best string I have ever used. It has comfort, control, power, and amazing spin.” 4.0 male baseliner with moderate spin using Babolat AeroPro Drive strung at 57 pounds CP (Polyester 17)
  • “Spin on one handers is fierce. Depth is very easy to control. Slightly more comfortable than its peers.” 4.0 male all court player using Babolat Pure Storm GT strung at 55 pounds LO (Babolat RPM Blast 17)
  • “This string did not aggravate my sensitive tendons one bit. The ball takes a low trajectory off the stringbed. Power is high.” 4.5 male all court player using Prince EX03 Rebel (hole inserts) strung at 55 pounds LO (Solinco Tour Bite/Prince Synthetic Gut Multifilament 18/17)
  • “This poly has a rare blend of spin and comfort.” 5.0 male serve-and-volley player using Babolat Pure Drive + Cortex GT strung at 60 pounds CP (Luxilon Savage 17)
  • “Great bite! Holds tension well. Definitely not as stiff as most polys.” 4.0 male serve-and-volley player using Wilson BLX Six One (16×18) strung at 52 pounds LO (Wilson NXT 16)
  • “Outstanding power and spin. The sharp edges create more spin. The rebound angle off the strings is not as predictable as with my typical set up. This leads to control problems. Notching and wear are minimal after twenty hours of play.” 4.5 male all court player using Head MicroGEL Prestige MP strung at 58 pounds CP (Gamma Zo Twist 16)
  • “This string makes a sharp knife seem dull. It’s a great baseline tool for heavy spin.” 5.0 male all court player using Head Youtek Prestige Pro strung at 57 pounds CP (Luxilon Alu Power 16)
  • “This poly is neither too stiff, nor too soft. The bite remains impressive across a wide variety of shots and swing speeds.” 4.5 male all court player using Wilson BLX Pro Tour strung at 52 pounds CP (Head RIP Control 17)
  • “These stings definitely produce more spin than my typical string. My kick serve and backhand have noticeably more power. Feel is a little lacking, especially on shorter strokes like volleys and droppers.” 3.5 male baseliner with moderate spin using Volkl Organix 8 (300g) strung at 56 pounds CP (WeissCannon Black 5 Edge 17)
  • “This is softer than many of the copolys I’ve tried. It has a nice combination of control and power. It’s a keeper!” 4.5 male baseliner with heavy spin using Babolat Pure Drive GT strung at 54 pounds CP (Isospeed Control/Isospeed Professional 16/17)
  • “This string has no shortage of bite. It is friendlier than other polys.” 4.0 male baseliner with heavy spin using Babolat Pure Drive Roddick strung at 60 pounds LO (Luxilon Alu Fluoro 17)
  • “Kick serves and backhand slices have more action with this string. It errs on the side of control rather than power. The thinner gauge improves feel.” 4.0 male all court player using Head MicroGEL Radical Pro strung at 54 pounds LO (Mantis Comfort Polyester 16)
  • “The sharp edges take their toll during installation. The shaped construction does not increase bite. Playability is decent.” 5.0 male all court player using Head Youtek IG Speed Lite strung at 40 pounds CP (Polyester 16)
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Big Red Playtest Report

September 9, 2016
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Tourna Big Red 16

Tourna Big Red is a monofilament poly. According to Tourna, Big Red is a soft, comfortable, playable poly that is easy on the arm. Tourna designed Big Red as a control-oriented string with outstanding feel, with medium power to give players excellent accuracy and directional control. Additionally, Tourna tells us that Big Red has great tension maintenance and durability.

Tourna Big Red is intended for intermediate to advanced players.

Big Red is available in 16 and 17 gauges in Red only.

In the Lab

We tested the 16-gauge Big Red. The coil measured 41 feet 10 inches. The diameter measured 1.27 mm prior to stringing, and 1.26 mm after stringing. We recorded a string bed stiffness of 74 RDC units immediately after stringing at 60 pounds in a Wilson Pro Staff 6.1 95 (16 x 18 pattern) on a constant pull machine.

After 24 hours (no playing), string bed stiffness measured 69 RDC units, representing a 6.8 percent tension loss. Our control string, Prince Synthetic Gut Original Gold 16, measured 84 RDC units immediately after stringing and 77 RDC units after 24 hours, representing an 8.3 percent tension loss. In lab testing, Prince Synthetic Gut Original has a stiffness of 217 and a tension loss of 11.67 pounds, while Tourna Big Red 16 has a stiffness of 194 and a tension loss of 16.32 pounds. Big Red 16 added 16.3 grams to the weight of our unstrung frame.

The string was tested for five weeks by 31 USRSA playtesters, with NTRP ratings from 3.5 to 5.5. These are blind tests, with playtesters receiving unmarked strings in unmarked packages. Average number of hours playtested was 23.4.

Tourna Big Red feels stiff out of the package, which is not unusual for a poly. Coil memory made it a bit unruly on the mains, but installing the crosses was nice, as the mains offered just the right deflection during weaving. Even before getting the lab test results, it became obvious that Big Red wasn’t as stiff as it seemed, because we had to trim the end twice while negotiating a blocked hole. Finally, Big Red offers great feedback when cinching down knots.

On the Court

Our play test team found Durability to be excellent in Tourna Big Red, and Resistance to Movement and Control each to be well above average.

Conclusion

Big Red’s higher-than-normal installed weight implies a denser material, which might help explain its great durability and truly impressive measured tension maintenance. These characteristics at this price point should be exceptionally attractive to budget-conscious players.

Playtester Comments

  • “I was reluctant to string this sample, as I had just strung my frames with some expensive premium string. That being said, when I did string my racquet, I was totally impressed with all facets of this string, especially power, control, and comfort. I am eager to learn what specific brand, model, and gauge this sample is, as I want to play with it in the future.“ 4.0 male all court player using Head Youtek 6 strung at 50 pounds CP (Gamma iO 17)
  • “String has great control and resistance to movement. Plays fairly stiff with average power, but very good for putting spin on the ball. Has a firm feel on volleys and is great for hitting aggressive serves. Easy to keep the ball in the court.” 4.5 male all court player using Wilson Steam Spin strung at 64 pounds CP (Head Reflex MLT 16)
  • “This is a great all-around poly, with easily-measured power and plenty of control and spin. I was really impressed by how well the string maintained its playability, with minimal notching and consistent snap-back, even after 15 hours on the court.” 4.0 male baseliner with heavy spin using Prince Response strung at 48 pounds CP (Luxilon Alu Power Spin/Luxilon Alu Power Feel 16L/17)
  • “Frame broke during 9th hour of use. Stringmeter results: Reference tension = 52 pounds, average mains before any hitting = 50.9 pounds, average mains after nine hours = 48.9 pounds. A loss of only 3.93%! No notching, only negligible memory compression marks visible. No surface disruption on mains or crosses. Despite stiff appearance while coiled, this string relaxed nicely leading to simple installation. I really enjoyed this set. Appears to be a sensational product!” 4.5 male all court player using Dunlop iDapt Force strung at 52 pounds CP (Tecnifibre Pro Red Code/Gamma Synthetic Gut 18/16)
  • “Very good power from the baseline. Good spin production. Slight loss of control probably due to lower tension. Very good tension retention.” 3.5 male baseliner with heavy spin using Prince O3 White strung at 51 pounds CP (Ytex Square X/Ytex Touch 16)
  • “When I opened the package and saw the red string, I thought ‘Wow, I love the color, hope the string is as good as it looks.’ The string maintained tension better than most of the others I have tested. The power and control were definitely noticeable. I love the touch with these strings; you knew exactly where the ball was going to end up. I do not normally hit out, but with this string I could without losing control of the ball. Excellent string!” 5.5 male all court player using Babolat Pure Drive strung at 60 pounds CP (Babolat VS 16)
  • “This string is the best poly I’ve ever tested. It has the playability of a top-of-the-line synthetic gut and the power and control of a poly. Truly a string that maximizes your game. From the baseline controlled game to serve and volley play. For serving, the ball jumps off the strings with accuracy. Also, no significant effect on your arm after hours of play. This string seems to have it all. For me it is time to switch.” 4.5 male all court player using Head Radical Graphene strung at 53 pounds CP (Luxilon Alu Power Feel 18)
  • “With the plethora of polyester string choices on the market, this string does stand out from the crowd with massive spin and above average power! Feels slightly softer than my usual very stiff string. But this increase in power was complemented by the huge spin generated by this string. I would switch to this string in a heartbeat if it is moderately priced!” 5.0 male baseliner with heavy spin using Wilson BLX Pro Open strung at 58.5 pounds LO (Luxilon Alu Power 17)
  • “This string hit well! Recommended for anyone looking for a more durable string either in a full poly setup or in a hybrid. The hybrid would provide the durability and control of a polyester with a softer feel and power of a multifilament.” 3.5 male baseliner with heavy spin using Babolat Pure Drive Roddick strung at 60 pounds LO (Solinco Tour Bite 16L)
  • “Dynamic tension was 43 after stringing, so it seemed like a rather stiff string. It was a little bit stiffer than what I normally like, in the 39-41 range. After a few days of teaching it measured 41 and was still at 39 two weeks later. It could be coincidence, but the first several days it measured 39, I played the best I have played in several years. I would definitely try this string again. For a poly, it had very low coil memory out of the package so it was practically a breeze to string.” 4.5 male baseliner with moderate spin using Head Speed Pro Graphene XT strung at 43 pounds CP (Head Gravity 17/18)
  • “While it still had a poly feel, the playability was better than expected. This is one of the few strings that I would be willing to switch from a hybrid for.” 4.5 male all court player using Prince Textreme Tour strung at 49 pounds CP (Prince Tour XC/Prince Premier Control 16L/16)
  • “Loved the red color of this poly. Seemed to be a softer poly with very good feel. I got plenty of power at 45 pounds tension without the sacrifice of control. There was very little wear after 46 hours of play/teaching time. Very durable!” 3.5 male all court player using Dunlop iDapt 27.5 strung at 45 pounds CP (Wilson Sensation/Prince Synthetic Gut 17/18)

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