Strings for my Racquets

[smashin']

Hey everybody; it's been quite a while since I've dropped in here..guess I've just been real busy. Anyhoo, I need some advice on strings. I'm using a Yonex Carbonex 21 with BG-65, and I just noticed my string is fraying a bit. I don't really want to replace it with more BG-65; I want something nice. What about 65Ti or 68Ti? Or 70Pro? What would you guys recommend?

Also, I have another racquet. I don't know if you noticed or not, but there's been a drawing on Yonex's website to win an MP series racquet and, well, I won it! (I know.....I can't believe I actually won something...I never win anything...). Anyhoo, it's a MP23. I haven't actually gotten to use it yet since I just got it Tuesday. However, it came with the strings that also came on my first, $10 Yonex racquet. So, I'm guessing I should also replace those strings. What kind of strings would you suggest for this racquet?

Thank you very much!!

[redkingjoe]

Hey everybody; it's been quite a while since I've dropped in here..guess I've just been real busy. Anyhoo, I need some advice on strings. I'm using a Yonex Carbonex 21 with BG-65, and I just noticed my string is fraying a bit. I don't really want to replace it with more BG-65; I want something nice. What about 65Ti or 68Ti? Or 70Pro? What would you guys recommend?

Also, I have another racquet. I don't know if you noticed or not, but there's been a drawing on Yonex's website to win an MP series racquet and, well, I won it! (I know.....I can't believe I actually won something...I never win anything...). Anyhoo, it's a MP23. I haven't actually gotten to use it yet since I just got it Tuesday. However, it came with the strings that also came on my first, $10 Yonex racquet. So, I'm guessing I should also replace those strings. What kind of strings would you suggest for this racquet?

Thank you very much!!

Yonex Cab21 is a classic.

We have Cab21special, AT700, Ti10, 2X Ti-swing power sx, 2X Gosen and AT800OF.

1 We have tried many diff strings at diff tension. Except the AT800, all of those are settled down with using BG68ti at tension of 23lb or 24lb. Very good playablility, smashing power and especially excellent at durability. We have no complains on BG68ti untill we tried BG65 at high tension.

2 The AT800 is the most recently strung racket. The AT800 was strung with BG65 at very high tension. (one time at 27lb and after breaking the second time at 28lb). I must admit that BG65 at high tension is much better than BG68ti in control and play feel. The high tension use of BG65 was recommended by some pro and my son's coach, who is Hong Kong Team member. The coach uses high tension BG65 for all his competitions and daily playing(I was told BG65 is heavy guage so it's good for high tension).

3 I have done an extensive research with a lot of "knowledgeable guys(who try, play and compare a lot)". Most of them recommend either:
a) BG65 at high tension(eg 28lb to 30lb) or
b) BG66mark2 at tension of 24lb or 25lb(the vote on BG66 is very overwhelmingly high)

4 Guys in my club are swcithing from BG68ti to BG66mark2. I think I would try BG66mark2 the next time when strings break again.
red

[smashin']

Thanks for all that info, red. I'm not sure that I can get a hold of BG66mark2. What would you think of BG80/85/70PRO/68Ti instead? I don't think I'm at a point in my game yet where strings will make a big difference, I just figured that since I have to replace it anyways, I'd play around with it and see if I can see any differences.

Thanks!

[redkingjoe]

Thanks for all that info, red. I'm not sure that I can get a hold of BG66mark2. What would you think of BG80/85/70PRO/68Ti instead? I don't think I'm at a point in my game yet where strings will make a big difference, I just figured that since I have to replace it anyways, I'd play around with it and see if I can see any differences.

Thanks!

1 Before we settled down with 68ti, we had tried 80. At one point of time, one Ti-swing used 80 while the second Ti-swing used 68ti. Both at 23lb and strung by the same guy at the same shop almost same time.

2 Indeed we liked 80 a little bit more except we don't like the "short-lifeness". Break too soon and too fast when compare to 68ti. It's almost a year ago that we tried but I remember that the 80 only lasted for half of the life-time of 68ti!!!!!

3 If u don't think ur at a point in ur game where strings will make a big diff(after trying so much I totally agree with u regarding the point on string's role; besides, each sting has diff characteristics, +ve and -ve and indeed more a personal taste): realistically speaking, I will go for BG68ti.(I like the idea of high durablility: save money and time for re-string :D ).

4 We really like BG65 at high tension. (how about try it on the MP gift but beware of the frame). When BG65 is with high tension, it's a totally diff beast. BG65 at low tension (21,22,23 lb) was the first strings that came arcorss our string playing life. We dislike the low tension BG65 so much that we were really shocked to try the BG65 at very high tension.

5 The next time we string we will either do BG65 at high tension or BG66mark2 at 24/25lb.

6 What do you guys think?
red

[smashin']

Thanks for that little bit of insight....sounds like I'll probably go with BG-68Ti for my Cab21 if no one else persuades me otherwise. What tension do you think I should get is strung on my Cab21? I don't think I'd need it to be strung too tight.

How tight do you have to string BG-65 to get it to 'come alive'? Is that tension within the limits of a MP23? I don't want to put too much stress on my frame. I mean for one, the racquet will have to be shipped across at least 3 states between here and there - and then back. I don't want it strung so tight so as to increase the risk of cracks by too much, ya know what I mean? If I'd have to string it really tight to get it to 'come alive', then maybe I could just try BG-80 or something else. I don't know. As my game is not nearly good enough yet to benefit from different strings, this is all in the name of (very unscientific) experimentation.

BTW, I notice you keep saying that 'we string' and 'we did'; just kind of curious, do you have a shop or something or some folks that you do all this experimenting with?

Thanks!!

[redkingjoe]

Thanks for that little bit of insight....sounds like I'll probably go with BG-68Ti for my Cab21 if no one else persuades me otherwise. What tension do you think I should get is strung on my Cab21? I don't think I'd need it to be strung too tight.

How tight do you have to string BG-65 to get it to 'come alive'? Is that tension within the limits of a MP23? I don't want to put too much stress on my frame. I mean for one, the racquet will have to be shipped across at least 3 states between here and there - and then back. I don't want it strung so tight so as to increase the risk of cracks by too much, ya know what I mean? If I'd have to string it really tight to get it to 'come alive', then maybe I could just try BG-80 or something else. I don't know. As my game is not nearly good enough yet to benefit from different strings, this is all in the name of (very unscientific) experimentation.

BTW, I notice you keep saying that 'we string' and 'we did'; just kind of curious, do you have a shop or something or some folks that you do all this experimenting with?

Thanks!!
1 BG65 in order to show goodness has to be at least 28lb. U r right that this might affect the MP23's frame and might even void the warranty.
2 Practically speaking putting bg68ti on MP23 and cab21 might be a good idea.(so you can compare the 23 with the Cab21 with same string, same tension, same....)
3 We have tried 22,23,24lbs with bg68ti on the 2 ti-swing. 23lb is definitely better than 22lb. We like 24lb a little bit more than 23lb but 24lb does not win in every aspect over 23lb.(the test is same racket model, same string, same guy stringing at similar time with lenghty playing but with only diff tension). Tension is very personal.
4 From the first post that you made here in this thread, I know you are a wise guy, very objective and practical. We= me, my son and the coach, hehehe :D :D : we love "controlled" experiment " other things remain constant" and only change one variable each time, very slow in progress.
5 I'm waiting someone to perusade you on the strings.
red

[smashin']

All right; I'm not stringing anything THAT tight...at least not for a while yet. So, going with BG-68Ti on both of them sounds like a pretty good idea to me; that way I really can compare them directly; good point.

Hehe, I'm not exactly sure what in the world you read that led you to believe that I'm a wise, objective guy.....but hey, if you say so....I'm not one to argue.... :D :D

What all else have you 'we' experimented with?

Thanks!

[redkingjoe]

All right; I'm not stringing anything THAT tight...at least not for a while yet. So, going with BG-68Ti on both of them sounds like a pretty good idea to me; that way I really can compare them directly; good point.
Hehe, I'm not exactly sure what in the world you read that led you to believe that I'm a wise, objective guy.....but hey, if you say so....I'm not one to argue.... :D :D
What all else have you 'we' experimented with?
Thanks!

1 "We" besides strings & tension also compared:
a)code of YY, UK/GR/SP/CP/CN, diff code on same model eg AT800
b) same string BG80, specifically, between "exported version" and "domestic Japan" version even both made in Japan
c) indoor shoes YY, Mizuno, adidas, nittaku and Prince
d) socks

Anyway, testing weapon is interesting("I" also test hifi...)



(PS It's from the logical reasoning from each post that you made in this thread, I can c real success academically if you have the passion to go on. U better post more here and also get more friends to join in. This is an excellent forum)

[smashin']

haha...thanks for that bit of encouragement....indeed it is truly amazing what one can do when one applies himself....alas, that it is so hard to apply oneself...

What do you mean by you test 'hifi'?

[redkingjoe]

It is to my surprise that the japan domestic BG80 was better (slightly more powerful and control)than the export version.(again, same shop, same tension, same ti-swing....) Very strange. Has anyone tried compare the export vs domestic version of strings? :confused: :confused: :confused:

When picking the strings, I would like to get the domestic japan version with all the japan words on it (but it's more expensive) if available.

bubs: let's share our experiences on strings for racquets

red



( u started a very good thread don't kill it yourself with off-topic get bak hifi=stereo system)

[Phil McBride]

Ti strings are complete and utter tosh, the coating means you slice more and have a few more miss hits than you would normally.

If you are a beginner/intermediate then try and steer clear of the Ti, their only good point is the repulsion or bouncebackability :D

Try something safe like the BG80, mine has lasted for the last 4 weeks and I see that as an improvement although I do feel it loses tension so maybe string a couple/few pounds more than your playing tension until the creep sets in and the tension lessens after a few hitting sessions?

If you are a capable player then you could try natural gut, hardly ever snaps because only really takes tensions of <25lbs but it is very expensive :( , you should notice the difference straight away ;)

[smashin']

4 weeks, huh.......I haven't changed my strings in, umm, about 7 months.....I play twice a week for about 3 hours each day. I really don't want something I'm going to have to send off more often than this BG-65. How come y'all replace yours so much? Play more? Play harder? Pickier?

[Loafer]

yeah, i have to agree with you Phil.

I just had mine done recently with ti strings and wont do it again. i have to "reset" the strings almost every rally as the coating means they are VERY slippery within the pattern

[smashin']

hmm...I must admit I don't understand this at all. The titanium makes them slippery? How come? 'Within the pattern'? What do you mean by 'reset'? Sorry for my ignorance...

What's the difference in BG-80 and BG-85? From what I've read about BG-70PRO, I don't think I want that.

Thanks!

[Phil McBride]

Just plain picky according to the guy that strings my rackets :rolleyes:

Titanium is a slippery coating, the strings slide about in the stringbed pattern meaning the strings move and you need to keep re-adjusting them into the original pattern, one string moves towards another in its parallel.

The other thing is that the shuttle also slides off the string giving more mi****s and slices.

[smashin']

I guess I'm interested in BG-80, then. What's the difference between BG-80 and BG-85? What's the average life span? When I go play Monday night, I reckon I'll look and see what most of them are using.

Thanks!

[Phil McBride]

I guess I'm interested in BG-80, then. What's the difference between BG-80 and BG-85?

5

What's the average life span?

Depends on how often you play, how long for, what kinds of shots you hit and how good your technique is.

You don't like asking easy questions do you? :p

[smashin']

haha; no, I really don't like asking easy questions. I guess that's why everybody stopped answering my questions on another forum...

Some more information:
Depends on how often you play
two evenings a week

how long for
about three hours

what kinds of shots you hit
whatever kind of shot I can think of before the birdie goes by me...lol. I do a lot of smashes even though I shouldn't since I hit 'em in the net all the time. I used to do a lot at the net and I'm wanting to bring that back into my game.

and how good your technique is.
I've been told my technique is all wrong. I've tried to work a bit with two people and correct it, but they weren't really committed and I don't guess just playing twice a week is really enough to do a lot and what I'm doing works, so......horrible technique....


Now, let me rephrase my first question.....What is the difference in the characteristics and life span of BG-80 and BG-85? :p

[redkingjoe]

I don't think I'm at a point in my game yet where strings will make a big difference, I just figured that since I have to replace it anyways, I'd play around with it and see if I can see any differences.

1 We really agree that BG80 had better control than BG68ti( liked I first posted here). However, we didn't buy BG80 anymore only because it lasted half the life as BG68ti. BG68ti last almost as long as BG65.

2 We strung BG80 two times, one with "Japanese domestic version"and the one with "export verion", both broke very soon and we hated to spend the timeand money in re-stringing.

3 We finally settled down with "BG65 at high tension" because its durable enough and even play better than BG80.(BG65 is a thick cable and if you apply high tension to it, it will be "thinner" in play feel and come close to BG80)

4 We had used BG68ti for quite a while too. It's not as good as BG80 or BG65 at high tension and we will not use it anymore. Nevertheless, 68ti is very very durable and we didn't have problems with "slippery" I think it's a matter of getting used to type of string(like when someone switch from Cab to AT rackets). Many guys in my club is still using BG68ti happily.

[redkingjoe]

1 haha; no, I really don't like asking easy questions. I guess that's why everybody stopped answering my questions on another forum...

2 and how good your technique is.
I've been told my technique is all wrong. I've tried to work a bit with two people and correct it, but they weren't really committed and I don't guess just playing twice a week is really enough to do a lot and what I'm doing works, so......horrible technique.... :p

1 How dare those guy ignoring you? Got to teach them a lesson...show them some colour...hehehe...i'm in the business of consulting...no question is easy to answer....i fink

2 it's more difficult to correct mistakes. i have spent load of time in watching and observing the coach as well as discussing with the coach: it takes less than an hour to learn wrong technique but it might take forever to correct. good luck and don't give up.

[Loafer]

hmm...I must admit I don't understand this at all. The titanium makes them slippery? How come? 'Within the pattern'? What do you mean by 'reset'? Sorry for my ignorance...

What's the difference in BG-80 and BG-85? From what I've read about BG-70PRO, I don't think I want that.

Thanks!
yeah sorry,

the ti is a "shiny" coating on the strings, supposedly making them stronger more power etc, but in reality it makes them slip and slide like a couple of slippery slidey things.

i basically mean I keep having to straighten the strings as they slide all over the place and i move them back to make "even" squares - ie resetting the "pattern" (pattern being the neat squares)

[redkingjoe]

the ti is a "shiny" coating on the strings, supposedly making them stronger more power etc, but in reality it makes them slip and slide like a couple of slippery slidey things.

dear loafer,
could you please clarify whether you were talking about bg65ti or 68ti? BG65ti is extremely slippery (may be due to thick and heavy guage)and make slicing shot a problem. but when we compared BG80 to bg68ti, bg68ti was only slightly having less "control" and "playfeel" than 80. but 68ti is having 2 times longer life. May be due to a thinner guage, bg68ti is not as slippery as 65ti.

Since my son and his peer are having intensive training/playing (20hrs+ per week) that we picked 68ti under "cost and benifit" ananlysis. if budget is not an issue, will get BG80. nevertheless, we are pretty much settled down with BG65 at high tension and are tempted to try BG66mark2.

dear smashing': given the high cost of stringing under your situation, need to think about seriously the choices.

[Phil McBride]

but 68ti is having 2 times longer life. May be due to a thinner guage, bg68ti is not as slippery as 65ti.

The opposite should be true, the thinner the gauge the less robust the string. Thicker strings should be more durable than thinner strings.

BG65 and BG63 are the ones that can take the higher tensions easily and would be better suited to hte tensions at 30 or above.

I have never tried the BG65Ti but the bad experience with the 68Ti put me right off the titanium coating on strings, they just feel horrible.

Whoever thought of coating strings with titanium should be shot :eek:

[smashin']

Red was not saying thatBG68ti lasts longer because it's of a thinnger gauge; he was saying that it's not as slippery because it's a thinner gauge.


Now, I'm really confused!!! I just got back from playing tonight, and I got to try out some different strings. One guy had a 3U MP88 with BG70PRO and another guy had a 3U MP88 with BG65ti. So, I jumped at this chance and played a game, constantly switching between the two racquets. I had absolutely no problems using either string; they both worked just fine with me. The BG65ti seemed to me to be more of a control string and had less repulsion and more feel. (It almost felt like the birdie was going through the racquet or like it wasn't even hitting the racquet.) The BG70PRO felt a lot more powerful. I had read that you have to hit really hard to make the BG70PRO do much of anything, but I had no problem getting a nice 'pow' on my smashes. I played two or three games with the BG70PRO and one game with the BG65ti, though I realized tonight that I've played with that racquet before, so I've actually used the BG65ti before a good bit.

So right now, I'm really confused...lol. I've played with BG70PRO and BG65ti, and I like them both, though I might like the 70PRO better; I'm not sure.

One other thing came of this: I've fallen in love with the MP88!! LOL It's more of a control racquet as it's even balanced, but I can get some good smashes from it, too.

Anyhoo, can anyone straighten me out on these strings?

Thanks a bunch!!

[redkingjoe]

Red was not saying thatBG68ti lasts longer because it's of a thinnger gauge; he was saying that it's not as slippery because it's a thinner gauge!!
Good observation smashing! You might have noticed that when Phil wrote, it was very late at night (or very early in the morning hehehe) !!!!

[QUOTE=smashin'] One guy had a 3U MP88 with BG70PRO and another guy had a 3U MP88 with BG65ti. So, I jumped at this chance and played a game, constantly switching between the two racquets.

So right now, I'm really confused...lol. I've played with BG70PRO and BG65ti, and I like them both, though I might like the 70PRO better; I'm not sure. [QUOTE] :

You didn't mention the tension here. One very important element about comparing "control" vs "power" is tension. Remember that I always say BG65 at high tension is good but low tension is bad on the BG65.


[QUOTE] no problems using either string; they both worked just fine with me.[QUOTE]

Than I think the durability will be more important now. How long do you want your string can last before you mail it for re-string? You want to mail the racket every 2 months and wait for 1 week before returning or you want to mail the racket 4 months. It sounds to me that BG65ti will last much longer than even 68ti.
BG70pro might be more expensive too.
I don't think you need to feel confused. When we have settled down with the racket that we like(Ti-swingSX), we bought two identical one just to test the most preferred strings and tension, keep "things" constant. test only one thing at one time.

[QUOTE]One other thing came of this: I've fallen in love with the MP88!! LOL It's more of a control racquet as it's even balanced, but I can get some good smashes from it, too. [QUOTE]

MP 88 is very balanced, but not very powerful. If you like the profile of MP88, must try MP99 and NS7000. They are also " balanced" racket but more powerful. My friend bought a NS7000 very recently and said that the play feel and control is much much better than all that he has AT700, AT800OF, AT800DE, MP99, Ti10, AT special edition.... (he loves to collect rackets).

I think it takes a lot of time of testing before forming our own opinion. (the others can only give you their "suggestion", "theory", "preference" which cannot represent your "like" or "dislike"
Good luck trying.

[denisdee]

I have never tried the BG65Ti but the bad experience with the 68Ti put me right off the titanium coating on strings, they just feel horrible.

Whoever thought of coating strings with titanium should be shot :eek:

I couldn't agree with you more on this. All types of ti-coated strings [regardless of brand] I've tried are just rubbish and I thought it was just me. Sweet are the traditional synthetic non-ti strings and even sweeter are the non-synthetic gut from Ashaway or Gosen. Its a shame they're becoming hard to come by. Expensive maybe but they're worth every penny.

[smashin']

You're right; I didn't mention string tension. But for good reason: I don't know it! lol However, considering the players and how often they restring their racquets, I can safely say that the BG65ti was strung a good bit tighter than the BG70PRO. The guy who has the BG70PRO has had that on it since he's had the racquet (as long as I can remember).

I think I'm going to try one racquet with BG80 and another with BG70PRO. Maybe better yet, I'll string 'em both with BG70PRO this time around, then when one needs restringing, I'll just send 'em both out to get 'em strung with BG80. That way I can still compare the racquets and still compare the different strings.

Yeah, I've played with an MP99 - and I love it!!!! I can tell that when (if) I ever get any money, I'm definitely going to be a racquet collector. I want a few more Carbonex racquets, a MP88, MP99, MP100, AT800,.....lol

I didn't get to talk to the guy that much last night, so I'll talk to him more next week. What do you think about me going for 70PRO now and then get 80 next time? Then maybe I can try a titanium string.

Thanks!!!!

[redkingjoe]

I think I'm going to try one racquet with BG80 and another with BG70PRO. Maybe better yet, I'll string 'em both with BG70PRO this time around, then when one needs restringing, I'll just send 'em both out to get 'em strung with BG80. That way I can still compare the racquets and still compare the different strings.

I didn't get to talk to the guy that much last night, so I'll talk to him more next week. What do you think about me going for 70PRO now and then get 80 next time? Then maybe I can try a titanium string.!!!

1 it will be good as long as you compare them in a controlled and objective way and try to test one thing at one time. "others remain constant".

2 i have no idea on BG70pro but it's wise to arrange testing BG80 first. BG80 will break fast so you can test more difference string earlier. the more u test the better your own experiences will be.

3 when talk about bg80 or bg85, seriously you should look out for BG66mark2 for testing. we indeed really have a lot of very very satisfied users on it indeed, indeed.

[smashin']

Ok, thanks. I'll ask this guy if HE knows of anywhere here who sells BG66mark2. I'll also go with BG80 first, I guess.

Thanks!

[Phil McBride]

Ok, thanks. I'll ask this guy if HE knows of anywhere here who sells BG66mark2. I'll also go with BG80 first, I guess.

Thanks!

By far the best thing to do is to tell your stringer how you play and ask him to recomend a string to suit your style.

Since you frequent Badminton Central there are diagrams for this in the equipment forum.

If you think otherwise then just plain try out as many strings as you can but I would start with finding the tension you like to use first, so you can compare all the strings fairly, and it goes without saying try them on the same racket :rolleyes:

[redkingjoe]

By far the best thing to do is to tell your stringer how you play and ask him to recomend a string to suit your style. :rolleyes:

i have come acrossed with some unscrupulous seller who either recommends "the highest margin items", "slow moving item" or the "dead stock"!!!! Be careful when you ask.

diagrams for this in the equipment forum.
:rolleyes:
the informational value is rather low for decision making purposes especially on "play feel", i think.


I would start with finding the tension you like to use first, so you can compare all the strings fairly, and it goes without saying try them on the same racket :rolleyes:
: that's the most professional way of testing. Phil is very professional in string's "thingy" and has very good methodology for comparision. follow him.

[smashin']

hmm....how would I go about finding the right tension for me? I guess I'd hafta say I'm a power player as I smash a lot, though I really need to start working on control. Maybe I'm an all-around player? Try it all but can't do any of it? :p I really have no idea what tensions I should use. Should I get the two racquets strung at different tensions? Or the same to better compare them? I assume the different racquets wouldn't be able to hold the same tension (i.e. I would think the newer MP could handle a higher tension than could my Cab21).

Thanks!

[Phil McBride]

OK string tension 101

the portion you use to hit the shuttle is called the string bed, the string bed has a "sweet spot" which is the area on the string bed where you are better hitting the shuttle from.

If you are using an iso racket the sweet spot is around the top two thirds of the string bed in from the frame about an inch. It is the maximum surface area of sweet spot you are looking for that suits your game.

The normal "mundane" tension would be from 21lbs-23lbs, the main strings are strung 2lbs less than the cross so you get the iso shape on your racket and maximum sweet spot.

Start trying your racket with 21lbs, and work from there.

The general consensus is that as you increase tension you lose power and gain control, there is less repulsion in the string bed and therefore the sweetspot decreases the higher the tension goes.

Pro's use higher tensions because they can generate the power through proper technique and they require absolute control ie. they are pros and have a more precise game than us wannabees so they can use a higher tension to give them that higher degree of control because they do not need the power aspect from the string because they can play properly and hit the shuttle with a smaller sweet spot.

Try out tensions starting at 21, then to 23 => 25 =>28 => 30 but don't go higher than this, if you are not able to produce the proper stroke technique then you will notice your arm getting more and more painfull after you reach 25lbs.

I would guess 23lbs would be good for you!

[smashin']

I don't want to go to 30lbs for the sake of my racuqets; not real sure I even wanna go to 25. But, you think both my racquets would be fine at 23lbs? I may just try this when I send 'em out probably next week to get 'em strung with BG80.

Thanks for the explanation!

[Phil McBride]

BG80 at 23lbs is what I use and it's fine (for me)

[smashin']

Thanks! I think I'll try it.

[redkingjoe]

BG80 at 23lbs is what I use and it's fine (for me)

1 23lb is the best to start with.
2 once u find the racket that u really like than start testing 2 same strings with 2 tensions.
3 during my son's career in badminton playing, it's my observation that the more experienced/skillful/powerful my son is the higher tension he prefers