I've been stringing at a club for about 10 years using only Wilson and luxilon. I have had issues with sensation breaking early...especially 17g. There was a period where the 17g was often breaking during the actual stringing, so we only order the 16 now. Great video....so glad you mentioned this.
I like this channel, feels like behind the scene and reality check on products. No hype, no bull review, also thanks as I dodge a bullet on this one as I'm looking for multis, gonna get yonex rexis
Great vid man. I DO understand what you mean. I've been stringing racquets for over 35 years and my mentor has been stringing for over 45 years. It is TRUE that we come through batches that don't last as long. I 've been through some Luxilon Alu Power that was a fake or a bad batch. And since Wilson bought the company the prices have sky-rocketed. So, my mentor told me that it was over with the Luxilon and we switched to Solinco Tour Bite: the best move we did in recent years. I know you like Solinco Confidential; they make awesome strings! I'm also very found of Volkl strings;excellent quality for the price. And they love it too at Tennis Warehouse. Thanks for sharing your journey with us. M.G.
NXT is my favorite string, i've been using it the last few years. I haven't had it broke like you described here. Always broke in the center/upper-center, after it get real froth (2-4 weeks). I've tried Bi-Phase, Xcel, NRG2, Gamma Prof (also I like, but most stores dont carry it) etc. I love the feel and power of the NXT, almost gut like. I also use string saver to extend the life for another week or so..
Greetings from Mexico City. I used to play with Sensation at 54 lbs and stopped because I never got the feel and power I wanted, and it moved a lot. Then I switched to Luxilon Savage also at 54 lbs, it improved the feeling and the power, and the sound was better but was hurting my arm, my racket was a Wilson Prostaff 100. Then I switched to a Wilson Burn 100S (yes, with countervail) and my stringer recommended NXT 16g on the mains at 53 lbs hybrid with Luxilon ALU Power Fluoro 17g on the crosses at 50 lbs; it was magic. Have been using the combination for 7 years now and love it. I’ve recently switched rackets to a Yonex Ezone 100 (300 g) and the string combination is still doing the job. It is fair to say, I do not break a lot of strings, sometimes I have to cut the strings out when they lose tension.
My multi mains always break within 2-3h of play and I never though it was premature. You don't play multis for their durability but rather for the comfort, power and feel they provide. I broke once or twice near the grommet as you did but that was in nearly shanked serves on both occasions, which I would not attribute to the string. Having said that I think sensation is a pretty average string which does not stand out in any category (not even in price). I like NXT.
I just viewed your video a few days ago ( and a player / stringing customer ) of mine broke the sensation plus 17 g strung the same way after about 4/5 hits and it lasted her not even 2 weeks ! ... she had gamma live wire in her racquet previously for over 5 years !!! Crazy timing ! Thanks for sharing !!
Thank you so much for your deep insightful analyses. I am really enjoying all your videos. I have been playing for 25 years and your recommendations are really helpful and I totally agree with some of them such as Wilson Sensation and NXT which I never liked despite their popularity. Just like you said, I have always thought Gamma multis are way better.
I hear your frustration and anger and I respect you making a video venting at manufacturers who take our hard earned money and are less than honest with us about their products .... It's become Cancerous in Tennis.
Yes it has happened to me.. a friend of mine uses Sensation and I string for her. She isn't the hardest hitting player nor is she very good, but she generally hits a clean ball. I have been stringing for her for years and she never breaks strings, but last year she actually broke a string within a week after stringing, right at the spot that you mention. I had to restring feeling bad as I thought I did a bad job, so this is a very redeeming video to watch. Thanks for that!
Can you do a review of all the different natural guts on the market? i. e. Babolat VS, Luxilon, Volkl, Wilson, etc. After trying a few, it's extremely clear that different brands of natural gut can vary significantly!
Also something that the public needs to be aware of. When you're using a 17 gauge string and a player Miss hits the ball, can cause string breakage rather easily. I recall number of years ago I used to use the Pro Staff 85. I use Prince synthetic gut 17g. Great string at the time for that rocket. Out of maybe twelve rackets, I always seem to be rotating three or four Rockets daily with my local Stringer. Not necessarily because of the concept was hitting the ball incorrectly, but because it is a low gauge string. I mean to say that the string is not breaking in The Sweet Spot, from your video it Sims 2 be breaking at the top of the racket. Above The Sweet Spot, the player is Miss hitting the ball. Above The Sweet Spot. They are hitting at the top of the sweet spot. Therefore the players should focus more on The Sweet Spot. Unless going with a multiple blend string, which has less feel not has good as a 17 gauge string, is much more forgiving .The Sweet is not on top of the racket.
I use a hybrid of NXT 17g Comfort (sometimes NXT 17g Power) for the mains and Sensation 17g for the crosses on Head Speed RevPro racquets. I also use NXT black sometimes. I've never had a problem with breakage, but your channel is great.
I have been a Pro stringer for 50 years. I refuse to carry NXT because it is expensive, but it tends to fall apart, really pissing off the customer. I use NRG2 or Gamma Livewire instead. One thing about where the string is breaking, near the frame at the head. This is absolutely a sign of a string with a very low tensile strength. Any off center hit will easily stretch that small, unsupported segment of string instantly past it's breaking point. The USRSA used to publish string tensile strengths, but they have become total joke over the years. They publish no useful info. In general, traditional core/wound synthetics have a very high breaking point, and poly's very low. A common breakage point for poly's is in the same place, for the same reason. Polys have good resistance to friction, but low tensile strength. Copolys have been getting better. If you could do an experiment, put one end of a Sensation strand in a vise, and attach a pound scale to the other end, and pull it until it breaks. Note the poundage when it breaks. It probably breaks way sooner now than an old coil would. Anyway, low tensile strength is why it's breaking. They must have changed the composition.
wow, very admirable your honest opinion and helpful to users like us...I'm a big fan of X-One biphase, but because of the high price of it, I bought the sensation reel (at a sale) last year, I wish your video existed last year...but one thing for sure, Sensation doesn't have much of sensation as I mostly use it in my cross as hybrid (compared to X-One)
i used nxt for like 2-3 months probably 6-8 months ago. The string was great to me, it wore fast but that's what your signing up for when you put it in your racket. Maybe that was before they changed it though
Wilson NTX saved my arm when I started playing again. I was about to stop playing until a club pro strung it up for me after seeing me in pain. That is when I got into stringing. I don't use them now because I just tried so many other strings.
I string as a hobby for a few friends, and I have Sensation Control which only comes in 16 gauge Natural. I think it's an OK string, but I won't carry it going forward, because Head Velocity is the preferred multi.
I’ve been using sensation string for years and have never had it break in a weird spot or prematurely. Probably snap it every 4 or so times I hit, but that’s just how it is with your synthetics.
I string racquets on my own. And for some reason technifibre x-one biphase does the same thing and my friend bought a whole reel... and it is the only mutli-filament string that breaks like that
It might be that the stringing clamp weakened the string at that point - the clamps can have quite a bite on them, and I would imagine multifilament designs are more vulnerable to clamping damage. Also, nonparallel drilled holes in a racket create high stress points where the grommet pinches the string (still don't understand why all decent rackets don't have parallel drilled holes as standard). Nonetheless, the string seemed to be unfit for purpose. Wlison should have done some lab tests to find out what was going on.
@@mlzu. honestly, if your NXT doesn't break for 3-6 months, you could probably string the mains with natural gut and it would probably last you an entire year. Gut plays so much better than multi, holds tension much better, and also takes longer for a poly to saw through. The only reason I would go with multi over gut is if I played in an area that is very high in humidity, or if I am unable to store my rackets away from excessive hot/cold temperatures.
Thanks for the great video, your warning and experience. That’s so important, especially when you start playing and don’t know lot of things. I literally learn every day with you!
Just last week I got a Wilson Pro Staff 97 v13. I bought it unstrung but it arrived strung. With..... Wilson Sensation ! Now I was kinda happy my racquet was at least strung with a multi, which I prefer (Velocity MLT is my multi of choice). But now that I've see THIS video I'm not going to be surprised or pissed off if it suddenly breaks (prematurely). Next stop: Velocity MLT ! Thanks Harry!👍
I've been using Wilson sensation 17. When I break my string, it's always in the sweet spot and that after a reasonable amount of playing time. Using Wilson Pro Staff 85 at 62psi
Thanks, I am new to stringing. I have done only my racquet and my 7 year old son's racquet. This exact thing happened to me two times with sensation 17 gauge and I thought it's ok I need to learn. Your video gave me self confidence that there might be a string problem
First of all great channel! Learning a lot about new materials as restarter at tennis after 20 year abstinence. Exactly as you described Wilson sensation breaking on the mains after a few hours of play.
Damn. I just asked my local shop to restring both racquets with this string. I've been using Sensation for a few years now and never had this premature breakage situation. Will update here if it happens. Thanks for the honest review and update.
Good day! love your videos :) I have a question regarding stringing. Normally as a Federer fan, I string my rackets with gut at the mains (58lbs) and Luxilon at the crosses (55lbs). Since the stringer didn't have these strings, and in my eyes the next best string he had was the Wilson Sensation Comfort, I told him to string this at Mains 58lbs and Crosses 55 lbs. When I received my racket he did the entire racket at 60.5 lbs (I assume because I only see 2 knots that he tied instead of 4 knots) and his reasoning was because after 3 matches it will be 58 lbs. So my question is, was it weird from me to ask to drop 3 lbs in the mains/crosses if he only uses 1 same string? Is it pointless? And is he in the wrong for stringing it tighter than what I asked even though his intention was to help me? I played today and it was like hitting with a brick wall in my hand. Hope to hear your opinion about this because I don't know whether to complain and make him re-string it or not. Thank you!
NXT and Sensation are my favourite strings. And mine always broke at the centre. My fray pattern is always at the centre, and only a little bit of fray and notch on off centre. I string NXT or Sensation at main 52, RPM blast at cross 48. Playing with head speed pro 2012/2013. 18x20.
That was my old setup, I don’t use those strings anymore. Super dense string pattern prevented the poly from chewing through the multi quickly. Open string pattern facilitates poly to cut through multi very fast.
I can't believe you just said that they started breaking!! I had my prestige strung with vs touch. And didn't get a chance to play once, they broke. Went back to rip control, now my store don't have rip control so was told sensation is comparable....hope i get to try it
When they changed NXT I switched to nrg2. I have this recurring thought that technifibre who manufacturers NXT did something, something very slight to make sure nrg2 better 🤷♂️ anyways I personally play with nrg2 while stringing all my customers racquets with NXT because that's all people want smh & I still put sensation in the old timers racquets who won't change from it. In my opinion the French seem to make the best strings(I'm not french)
I'm French and here Tecnifibre is quite famous. We can find easily their strings in various tennis proshop. At the beginning I started stringing with Wilson Sensation like every beginner in the club but I never liked this string (no sensations lol, like a cheap synthetic gut). Because of this string I went to poly cause I thought every multi was like that and I injured myself as a beginner. After I talked to guys who know well strings and they advised me to try Tecnifibre multi such as X-One, NRG2 or other ones and once started with Tecnifibre multi I definitely loved these strings. Now I'm an intermediate player and I use Duramix 15L and like it. Concerning the Wilson Sensation I've recently worked in a big sport retailing store : Decathlon, in tennis. And lot of customer came with this kind of breaking with Wilson Sensation. First time I saw that, and I didn't know until watching this video it was a defect. Concerning Tecnifibre strings my only knock is it's very expensive. And when you start to break strings a lot you have to find an alternative and often change brand. The new HDMX 16g has very poor durability and that's a shame for the price you pay. As an hybrid string (mono multi) (they say it's for advanced player) you expect a better durability (10 hours for me as an intermediate player, such a shame, my Duramix 15L lasts me about 15 hours). X-One 17g (1,24) is my favorite but it doesn't last long as well. If you're not a string breaker you're gonna love it for sure.
I’ve used NXT for past 3 years and have not experienced anything as you said. My string usually frayed and broke near around the sweet spot. I string at 50# on Babolat Purestorm Tour.
So I tried the Wilson Duo Feel (Luxilon Element 1.25/Wilson NXT 16) for the first time and the Wilson string broke in the sweet spot after 2 weeks of use. Sad part is I really liked how the string felt. Debating on going back to a full bed of Luxilon Element or try for Wilson Duo Feel once more.
Natural gut is my first choice of string and Wilson NXT comfort 1.24 mm is my second choice I am playing with Wilson when the circumstances are humid.Each string wears but not as fast as what is reported here on this forum.
A little irrelevant to this conversation about multis. Most anyone who was using Sensation or NXT in their mains probably aren't switching to a firm, stiff poly like Hyper G.
If the player hits hard and near the top of the frame, many type of strings, including poly are going to break. But that´s customer fault, usually lack of feet movement. I used Sensation 17 as crosses for poly mains. Great string until it begins to fray, then it plays horrible. When it begins to fray, it´s time to change.
I bought a K90 from TW back around 2004 or 2005 and chose Sensation for the free string. I started hitting with it and lots of power and lots of spin. About a half an hour in, it was fraying moderately. They broke after an hour but in the middle of the strings. And so I looked for something more durable. I got a playtester RF97 from TW around 2016 or 2017 and they gave me a reel of NXT. Similar story as with Sensation. It started fraying quickly and broke overall within maybe two or three hours. Nice string though. Maybe I was stringing it too loosely but I don't want to use a string that lasts 1-3 hours. Your process is like trying to diagnose software bugs.
My club uses Sensation and NXT and I have not heard of any issues from the pro's that string there. I just got my PS G3's strung with Sensation/HyperG and it feels good. I am going to take your advice and try HyperG/Bi-phase next but I have to say after hitting with a friends Gut Hybrid I might want to go that route for awhile ;) Love the channel! Would be great to see you in the Peninsula sometime!
What about sensation Plus?, with the outer section with metallic ribbons it should last more, also the 16 gauge is 1.34mm so its thicker than other 16 gauges
Using sensation for years never a problem, string my own racquets as well...helps when you hit the ball in the middle of the racquet. Those types of breaks are from miss-hits...
Wasn't NXT formerly a Tecnifibre or Pacific string rebranded? That's why you couldn't get it in reels? I had stopped stringing it, primarily because I personally switched to Babolat, then Pacific, frames. I started using it again when a player of mine got sponsored by Wilson and I was surprised when he gave me a reel of it to do his sticks with. I never had any unusual breakage, though.
Yes I can confirm that Wilson NXT has severe issues with breaking in mains or crosses. My 13 year old uses NXT 15 gauge and it broke after 4 plays. We practice everyday for 2 hours. I experimented and did a hybrid and used NXT in the crosses and Luxilon on mains. The NXT still broke after less than 1 week of daily use even in crosses. Stay away from NXT!
Hi, we see this also with many different other strings with this point. A stringer told us that it happens most with HEAD rackets. Do you have logs of the racket where you noticed this too?
You can add Wilson Revolve Spin 1.30 to that list. I have a reel of it and 3 out of about 12 restrings so far have broken exactly like you show in the hoop and within the first 10 mins of a fresh restring! Funny thing is... those 3 times it was restrung by the same guy, a very experienced guy on a new stringing machine with an electronic tension head. This guy strings at the AO and each time he strung it, it broke in the frame in less than 10mins. Other people have strung it and it’s been fine, usually lasts me about 15 hours of hitting before breaking. The only thing I can think of is this guy strings REALLY fast, like 20mins. Can it be that fast tensioning and de-tensioning by the machine could do something to the string? Everyone else who strung it was much slower and they didn’t break unnaturally.
Recently bought a demo racquet that was strung with the Wilson Sensation Hit with it a couple weeks and just didn't like it. Seemed brittle and stiff. Replaced it within three weeks. Probably would have broke it but used other racquets instead. Have a friend just had his Wilson Clash strung with it and he hates it.
I have 17g nxt black in my new Volkl V1 Classic, exactly like the demo I tested from a store after demoing 20+ racquets. All the racquets had the same string. Based on only the racquets being different, the V1 Classic gave the best feel, stability, off-center success, spin, and control. And I didn’t like nxt on any of the other racquets, but on the V1 Classic it feels great. What do you recommend that’s better for the same combination of characteristics I seek?
Funny enough, I just had the same issue with Wilson Nat Gut, broke from same location.. never liked the feel of NXT , did not really feel like a comfy multi. They were selling the sensation strings at the wilson outlets for sometime.
2 years or so ago, I snapped 3 racquets in two hours. And I never ever break strings. It was nxt. stringer was on next court and as surprised as I was. Definitely never using nxt or sensation again. Plenty others like nrg2 or gut or gamma to choose from. I’m fact I don’t use Wilson strings anymore. Also snapped a wilson blade and the wilson rep replaced it at the store for me. Wilson quality is so bad in my experience.
That's crazy. I thought it was just me. I used to only use NXT on all my rackets and it would break in the same top area. I thought it was because I missed hit it and it was my fault...which again shanking is still my fault, but wow didn't know it was bad strings...thank you. I can forgive myself now :)
Just got my racket,(Wilson ProStaff 97L), and they recommend the Wilson sensation 16. I got it strung at 54, and I have had no problems with it yet. Then again I am new to tennis. I have had it for around 3 weeks now.
My name is Frank M. , I am using NXT Power 16 gauge for about a month and I have not have any problems so far in breaking at all , I love this string power and control , the o ly thing I do not like is not too good in the string department otherwise great string.....
Si cortas la cuerda en esa zona es porque le pegas mal a la pelota, no porque la cuerda sea mala. No podes confundir un jugar que golpea mal a una cuerda mala....
Hello tennis spin. I love watching your videos, keep it up! Could you do a string rating of the signum pro x-perience? I tested this string and I liked it immediately, maybe your other viewers liked it too? greetings
I broke my 15L wilson sensation in a speed mp after just 15 min. The shop told me "You wanted a multifilament, and that's it. This is a multifilament, what do you want?". 20€ for 15 min. Never again. In Europe, decathlon sells it.
I am now no longer use wilson sensation anymore.. to be honest it was my favourite tennis string.. but now i change to babolat rpm blast.. the babolat might not the same feel as wilson but it quite similar.. and not break easily as wilson did..
We can measure the swing weight and balance point of a racket. Maybe the world needs a device that can measure the elasticity or brittleness etc of a string.
It's nylon. I used to break 5 strings per day..... Until poly came along and now strings lasts 10-15 hours of hard hitting! I can't even break 16 or 18g. More power and spin too. #govegan #compassion
Well sir, I'm sure wasn't your lack of stringing skills. Wilson probably just produced bad string. Try not to stay up too late at night thinking about it. What I would strongly recommend, is recommend someone to go into a different string. And that you've had a lot of problems with these strings breaking within the same day. clarifying that it wasn't you that it was the strain
I use Alu power rough 16g mains at 61 and Wilson Sensation Power on crosses at 64. Gives the best of all worlds (soft/controlled/spin) in my blade 16/19 v7 pro stocks. Best feeling but I’m open level and break every two hitting sessions or so. Don’t mind the breaking, but as of late it’s been my crosses to break and I’ve never done that once in my life before the last few weeks (30 YO). I think if you accept the string as purely for comfort the breaking is easier to accept lol btw, love your channel. I’m a tennis nerd so always fun listening to someone else geek out on personal experiences in the tennis world.
Dude, you have become my youtube´s quarentine star..!!
I've been stringing at a club for about 10 years using only Wilson and luxilon. I have had issues with sensation breaking early...especially 17g. There was a period where the 17g was often breaking during the actual stringing, so we only order the 16 now. Great video....so glad you mentioned this.
does a 16 last longer, is thicker, and lasts longer than a 17?
best part of the video is when he threw the packet away lmao.
I like this channel, feels like behind the scene and reality check on products. No hype, no bull review, also thanks as I dodge a bullet on this one as I'm looking for multis, gonna get yonex rexis
Great vid man. I DO understand what you mean. I've been stringing racquets for over 35 years and my mentor has been stringing for over 45 years. It is TRUE that we come through batches that don't last as long. I 've been through some Luxilon Alu Power that was a fake or a bad batch. And since Wilson bought the company the prices have sky-rocketed. So, my mentor told me that it was over with the Luxilon and we switched to Solinco Tour Bite: the best move we did in recent years. I know you like Solinco Confidential; they make awesome strings! I'm also very found of Volkl strings;excellent quality for the price. And they love it too at Tennis Warehouse. Thanks for sharing your journey with us. M.G.
NXT is my favorite string, i've been using it the last few years. I haven't had it broke like you described here. Always broke in the center/upper-center, after it get real froth (2-4 weeks). I've tried Bi-Phase, Xcel, NRG2, Gamma Prof (also I like, but most stores dont carry it) etc. I love the feel and power of the NXT, almost gut like. I also use string saver to extend the life for another week or so..
I like Wilson nxt, I use it in the crosses. Sensation on the hand is terrible, durability is awful
Hello you use wilson nxt, power or confort?
@@juanantoniocanohidalgo5070 I was using comfort. Now after one year now, I recently switch to Technicfiber X-One BiPhase. I like even more than NXT
Greetings from Mexico City. I used to play with Sensation at 54 lbs and stopped because I never got the feel and power I wanted, and it moved a lot. Then I switched to Luxilon Savage also at 54 lbs, it improved the feeling and the power, and the sound was better but was hurting my arm, my racket was a Wilson Prostaff 100. Then I switched to a Wilson Burn 100S (yes, with countervail) and my stringer recommended NXT 16g on the mains at 53 lbs hybrid with Luxilon ALU Power Fluoro 17g on the crosses at 50 lbs; it was magic. Have been using the combination for 7 years now and love it. I’ve recently switched rackets to a Yonex Ezone 100 (300 g) and the string combination is still doing the job. It is fair to say, I do not break a lot of strings, sometimes I have to cut the strings out when they lose tension.
My multi mains always break within 2-3h of play and I never though it was premature. You don't play multis for their durability but rather for the comfort, power and feel they provide. I broke once or twice near the grommet as you did but that was in nearly shanked serves on both occasions, which I would not attribute to the string. Having said that I think sensation is a pretty average string which does not stand out in any category (not even in price). I like NXT.
That's experience talking right there. Need more guys like this to talk about their experience over the years.
This only comes with age. You have to put years into the game to develop this kind of knowledge
I just viewed your video a few days ago ( and a player / stringing customer ) of mine broke the sensation plus 17 g strung the same way after about 4/5 hits and it lasted her not even 2 weeks ! ... she had gamma live wire in her racquet previously for over 5 years !!! Crazy timing ! Thanks for sharing !!
Thank you so much for your deep insightful analyses. I am really enjoying all your videos. I have been playing for 25 years and your recommendations are really helpful and I totally agree with some of them such as Wilson Sensation and NXT which I never liked despite their popularity. Just like you said, I have always thought Gamma multis are way better.
I hear your frustration and anger and I respect you making a video venting at manufacturers who take our hard earned money and are less than honest with us about their products .... It's become Cancerous in Tennis.
Yes it has happened to me.. a friend of mine uses Sensation and I string for her. She isn't the hardest hitting player nor is she very good, but she generally hits a clean ball. I have been stringing for her for years and she never breaks strings, but last year she actually broke a string within a week after stringing, right at the spot that you mention. I had to restring feeling bad as I thought I did a bad job, so this is a very redeeming video to watch. Thanks for that!
About 8 years ago, I used to string a full bed of NXT. When the strings didn't fray on me, it broke always near the top like you said.
Probably changed the formula to make it cheaper and ended up making it break faster as a side-effect.
Can you do a review of all the different natural guts on the market? i. e. Babolat VS, Luxilon, Volkl, Wilson, etc.
After trying a few, it's extremely clear that different brands of natural gut can vary significantly!
Also something that the public needs to be aware of. When you're using a 17 gauge string and a player Miss hits the ball, can cause string breakage rather easily. I recall number of years ago I used to use the Pro Staff 85. I use Prince synthetic gut 17g. Great string at the time for that rocket. Out of maybe twelve rackets, I always seem to be rotating three or four Rockets daily with my local Stringer. Not necessarily because of the concept was hitting the ball incorrectly, but because it is a low gauge string. I mean to say that the string is not breaking in The Sweet Spot, from your video it Sims 2 be breaking at the top of the racket. Above The Sweet Spot, the player is Miss hitting the ball. Above The Sweet Spot. They are hitting at the top of the sweet spot. Therefore the players should focus more on The Sweet Spot. Unless going with a multiple blend string, which has less feel not has good as a 17 gauge string, is much more forgiving .The Sweet is not on top of the racket.
I use a hybrid of NXT 17g Comfort (sometimes NXT 17g Power) for the mains and Sensation 17g for the crosses on Head Speed RevPro racquets. I also use NXT black sometimes. I've never had a problem with breakage, but your channel is great.
I have been a Pro stringer for 50 years. I refuse to carry NXT because it is expensive, but it tends to fall apart, really pissing off the customer. I use NRG2 or Gamma Livewire instead.
One thing about where the string is breaking, near the frame at the head. This is absolutely a sign of a string with a very low tensile strength. Any off center hit will easily stretch that small, unsupported segment of string instantly past it's breaking point. The USRSA used to publish string tensile strengths, but they have become total joke over the years.
They publish no useful info.
In general, traditional core/wound synthetics have a very high breaking point, and poly's very low.
A common breakage point for poly's is in the same place, for the same reason. Polys have good resistance to friction, but low tensile strength. Copolys have been getting better.
If you could do an experiment, put one end of a Sensation strand in a vise, and attach a pound scale to the other end, and pull it until it breaks. Note the poundage when it breaks.
It probably breaks way sooner now than an old coil would.
Anyway, low tensile strength is why it's breaking. They must have changed the composition.
wow, very admirable your honest opinion and helpful to users like us...I'm a big fan of X-One biphase, but because of the high price of it, I bought the sensation reel (at a sale) last year, I wish your video existed last year...but one thing for sure, Sensation doesn't have much of sensation as I mostly use it in my cross as hybrid (compared to X-One)
Hey can you make a video about Prince products?
i used nxt for like 2-3 months probably 6-8 months ago. The string was great to me, it wore fast but that's what your signing up for when you put it in your racket. Maybe that was before they changed it though
Wilson NTX saved my arm when I started playing again. I was about to stop playing until a club pro strung it up for me after seeing me in pain. That is when I
got into stringing. I don't use them now because I just tried so many other strings.
I string as a hobby for a few friends, and I have Sensation Control which only comes in 16 gauge Natural. I think it's an OK string, but I won't carry it going forward, because Head Velocity is the preferred multi.
I’ve been using sensation string for years and have never had it break in a weird spot or prematurely. Probably snap it every 4 or so times I hit, but that’s just how it is with your synthetics.
I string racquets on my own. And for some reason technifibre x-one biphase does the same thing and my friend bought a whole reel... and it is the only mutli-filament string that breaks like that
It might be that the stringing clamp weakened the string at that point - the clamps can have quite a bite on them, and I would imagine multifilament designs are more vulnerable to clamping damage.
Also, nonparallel drilled holes in a racket create high stress points where the grommet pinches the string (still don't understand why all decent rackets don't have parallel drilled holes as standard).
Nonetheless, the string seemed to be unfit for purpose.
Wlison should have done some lab tests to find out what was going on.
i just strung up my Wilson Prostaff 97 today, Wilson NXT on the mains @ 59.5 lbs and crosses are Luxilon ALU Power Rought at 56 lbs
my nxt usually breaks in 3-6 months, and depending on how much I play.
@@mlzu. Yeah, it can last a few month if you dont hit with heavy top spin.
@@mlzu. honestly, if your NXT doesn't break for 3-6 months, you could probably string the mains with natural gut and it would probably last you an entire year. Gut plays so much better than multi, holds tension much better, and also takes longer for a poly to saw through. The only reason I would go with multi over gut is if I played in an area that is very high in humidity, or if I am unable to store my rackets away from excessive hot/cold temperatures.
Any recommendations to replace NXT Control?
Thanks for the great video, your warning and experience. That’s so important, especially when you start playing and don’t know lot of things. I literally learn every day with you!
Just last week I got a Wilson Pro Staff 97 v13. I bought it unstrung but it arrived strung. With..... Wilson Sensation ! Now I was kinda happy my racquet was at least strung with a multi, which I prefer (Velocity MLT is my multi of choice). But now that I've see THIS video I'm not going to be surprised or pissed off if it suddenly breaks (prematurely). Next stop: Velocity MLT ! Thanks Harry!👍
I've been using Wilson sensation 17. When I break my string, it's always in the sweet spot and that after a reasonable amount of playing time. Using
Wilson Pro Staff 85 at 62psi
2014-2016 those strings always broke had to restring tons .
Thanks, I am new to stringing. I have done only my racquet and my 7 year old son's racquet. This exact thing happened to me two times with sensation 17 gauge and I thought it's ok I need to learn. Your video gave me self confidence that there might be a string problem
been using sensation for years at 49lb and haven't had any issues... 4.5 baseliner with heavy spin
First of all great channel! Learning a lot about new materials as restarter at tennis after 20 year abstinence. Exactly as you described Wilson sensation breaking on the mains after a few hours of play.
Great video, I love how you incorporate some history into your information sharing and instruction, really appreciate and enjoy!!! Thanks!
NXT Comfort black feels better than the natural. Maybe it did not undergo the same change?
Damn. I just asked my local shop to restring both racquets with this string. I've been using Sensation for a few years now and never had this premature breakage situation. Will update here if it happens. Thanks for the honest review and update.
Did it happen?
@@MichaelD796 No, didn't happen. They lasted as expected and eventually broke via 'natural causes'.
Good day! love your videos :) I have a question regarding stringing. Normally as a Federer fan, I string my rackets with gut at the mains (58lbs) and Luxilon at the crosses (55lbs). Since the stringer didn't have these strings, and in my eyes the next best string he had was the Wilson Sensation Comfort, I told him to string this at Mains 58lbs and Crosses 55 lbs. When I received my racket he did the entire racket at 60.5 lbs (I assume because I only see 2 knots that he tied instead of 4 knots) and his reasoning was because after 3 matches it will be 58 lbs. So my question is, was it weird from me to ask to drop 3 lbs in the mains/crosses if he only uses 1 same string? Is it pointless? And is he in the wrong for stringing it tighter than what I asked even though his intention was to help me? I played today and it was like hitting with a brick wall in my hand. Hope to hear your opinion about this because I don't know whether to complain and make him re-string it or not. Thank you!
Right on bro!
Multis are way better than synth gut imo. Theyre more comfortable and hold tension better, and not that more expensive
NXT and Sensation are my favourite strings. And mine always broke at the centre. My fray pattern is always at the centre, and only a little bit of fray and notch on off centre. I string NXT or Sensation at main 52, RPM blast at cross 48. Playing with head speed pro 2012/2013. 18x20.
you are lucky!!!
Doesn't the RPM blast cut through the Sensation?
That was my old setup, I don’t use those strings anymore. Super dense string pattern prevented the poly from chewing through the multi quickly. Open string pattern facilitates poly to cut through multi very fast.
@@Freidrich842 got it. thanks.
I can't believe you just said that they started breaking!!
I had my prestige strung with vs touch.
And didn't get a chance to play once, they broke.
Went back to rip control, now my store don't have rip control so was told sensation is comparable....hope i get to try it
When they changed NXT I switched to nrg2. I have this recurring thought that technifibre who manufacturers NXT did something, something very slight to make sure nrg2 better 🤷♂️ anyways I personally play with nrg2 while stringing all my customers racquets with NXT because that's all people want smh & I still put sensation in the old timers racquets who won't change from it. In my opinion the French seem to make the best strings(I'm not french)
I'm French and here Tecnifibre is quite famous. We can find easily their strings in various tennis proshop. At the beginning I started stringing with Wilson Sensation like every beginner in the club but I never liked this string (no sensations lol, like a cheap synthetic gut). Because of this string I went to poly cause I thought every multi was like that and I injured myself as a beginner. After I talked to guys who know well strings and they advised me to try Tecnifibre multi such as X-One, NRG2 or other ones and once started with Tecnifibre multi I definitely loved these strings. Now I'm an intermediate player and I use Duramix 15L and like it.
Concerning the Wilson Sensation I've recently worked in a big sport retailing store : Decathlon, in tennis. And lot of customer came with this kind of breaking with Wilson Sensation. First time I saw that, and I didn't know until watching this video it was a defect.
Concerning Tecnifibre strings my only knock is it's very expensive. And when you start to break strings a lot you have to find an alternative and often change brand. The new HDMX 16g has very poor durability and that's a shame for the price you pay. As an hybrid string (mono multi) (they say it's for advanced player) you expect a better durability (10 hours for me as an intermediate player, such a shame, my Duramix 15L lasts me about 15 hours). X-One 17g (1,24) is my favorite but it doesn't last long as well. If you're not a string breaker you're gonna love it for sure.
I’ve used NXT for past 3 years and have not experienced anything as you said. My string usually frayed and broke near around the sweet spot. I string at 50# on Babolat Purestorm Tour.
So I tried the Wilson Duo Feel (Luxilon Element 1.25/Wilson NXT 16) for the first time and the Wilson string broke in the sweet spot after 2 weeks of use. Sad part is I really liked how the string felt. Debating on going back to a full bed of Luxilon Element or try for Wilson Duo Feel once more.
Natural gut is my first choice of string and Wilson NXT comfort 1.24 mm is my second choice I am playing with Wilson when the circumstances are humid.Each string wears but not as fast as what is reported here on this forum.
Solinco Hyper G 17g is my preferred string. Great playability and very durable.
A little irrelevant to this conversation about multis. Most anyone who was using Sensation or NXT in their mains probably aren't switching to a firm, stiff poly like Hyper G.
If the player hits hard and near the top of the frame, many type of strings, including poly are going to break. But that´s customer fault, usually lack of feet movement. I used Sensation 17 as crosses for poly mains. Great string until it begins to fray, then it plays horrible. When it begins to fray, it´s time to change.
I bought a K90 from TW back around 2004 or 2005 and chose Sensation for the free string. I started hitting with it and lots of power and lots of spin. About a half an hour in, it was fraying moderately. They broke after an hour but in the middle of the strings. And so I looked for something more durable. I got a playtester RF97 from TW around 2016 or 2017 and they gave me a reel of NXT. Similar story as with Sensation. It started fraying quickly and broke overall within maybe two or three hours. Nice string though. Maybe I was stringing it too loosely but I don't want to use a string that lasts 1-3 hours.
Your process is like trying to diagnose software bugs.
I've used to next to power for the last 4 or 5 years and I've been very happy with it. However I did find the 18 gauge tend to break quickly
How about the yonex tour rev strings? Those are amazing strings
can we have a video on updated net and sensation now that there are new versions of control and power?
My club uses Sensation and NXT and I have not heard of any issues from the pro's that string there. I just got my PS G3's strung with Sensation/HyperG and it feels good. I am going to take your advice and try HyperG/Bi-phase next but I have to say after hitting with a friends Gut Hybrid I might want to go that route for awhile ;) Love the channel! Would be great to see you in the Peninsula sometime!
I use sensations 17g, but all of my breaks happen at the sweet spot. Maybe I will try a different multi the next time I re-string.
Interesting . I had 3 racquets break like that with sensation in 10 minutes playing doubles. Thought I shanked too many but now makes sense
I'm loving the dry delivery. 'where we put our spin... on your tennis'.
What about sensation Plus?, with the outer section with metallic ribbons
it should last more, also the 16 gauge is 1.34mm so its thicker than
other 16 gauges
Just bought a new pack of Wilson SENSATION. I will keep an update on when and how they will break or if they fixed it. :D
And?
Tried NXT about 15 years ago, frayed and broke after a few sessions. Easy on the arm, but not worth it IMO.
Tim T same here.
Using sensation for years never a problem, string my own racquets as well...helps when you hit the ball in the middle of the racquet. Those types of breaks are from miss-hits...
Where’s your store located
I also agree . It happened to my too. On Wilson sensation. I hit square sweet spot and it just pop on main line. String is shitty product.
Wasn't NXT formerly a Tecnifibre or Pacific string rebranded? That's why you couldn't get it in reels? I had stopped stringing it, primarily because I personally switched to Babolat, then Pacific, frames. I started using it again when a player of mine got sponsored by Wilson and I was surprised when he gave me a reel of it to do his sticks with. I never had any unusual breakage, though.
Yes I can confirm that Wilson NXT has severe issues with breaking in mains or crosses. My 13 year old uses NXT 15 gauge and it broke after 4 plays. We practice everyday for 2 hours. I experimented and did a hybrid and used NXT in the crosses and Luxilon on mains. The NXT still broke after less than 1 week of daily use even in crosses. Stay away from NXT!
Hi, we see this also with many different other strings with this point. A stringer told us that it happens most with HEAD rackets. Do you have logs of the racket where you noticed this too?
You can add Wilson Revolve Spin 1.30 to that list. I have a reel of it and 3 out of about 12 restrings so far have broken exactly like you show in the hoop and within the first 10 mins of a fresh restring! Funny thing is... those 3 times it was restrung by the same guy, a very experienced guy on a new stringing machine with an electronic tension head. This guy strings at the AO and each time he strung it, it broke in the frame in less than 10mins. Other people have strung it and it’s been fine, usually lasts me about 15 hours of hitting before breaking. The only thing I can think of is this guy strings REALLY fast, like 20mins. Can it be that fast tensioning and de-tensioning by the machine could do something to the string? Everyone else who strung it was much slower and they didn’t break unnaturally.
Actually one time it even broke about 3 strings in from the side at the BOTTOM of the head, again in like 10 mins of a fresh restring.
Recently bought a demo racquet that was strung with the Wilson Sensation Hit with it a couple weeks and just didn't like it. Seemed brittle and stiff. Replaced it within three weeks. Probably would have broke it but used other racquets instead. Have a friend just had his Wilson Clash strung with it and he hates it.
Let’s see a video on your Top Rated Solinco Polys and what string you would use in a tournament.
I have 17g nxt black in my new Volkl V1 Classic, exactly like the demo I tested from a store after demoing 20+ racquets. All the racquets had the same string. Based on only the racquets being different, the V1 Classic gave the best feel, stability, off-center success, spin, and control. And I didn’t like nxt on any of the other racquets, but on the V1 Classic it feels great.
What do you recommend that’s better for the same combination of characteristics I seek?
Thanks i'm gonna try it out. I've had a few NXT break like that. The good stuff will frey before breaking. I think it might've been some old stock.
Funny enough, I just had the same issue with Wilson Nat Gut, broke from same location.. never liked the feel of NXT , did not really feel like a comfy multi. They were selling the sensation strings at the wilson outlets for sometime.
Which string would you recommend for control and please include tension and string size?
I had a brand new set of NXT 17 and it broke during stringing. Replaced the set with a fresh NXT 17 and it was fine after that.
I have a 10 year old pack of Wilson Sensation string sitting on my self. I'm going to try it next on my ProKennex racket.
Tennis Spin coming with the hard-hitting exposes! Love it!!
2 years or so ago, I snapped 3 racquets in two hours. And I never ever break strings. It was nxt. stringer was on next court and as surprised as I was. Definitely never using nxt or sensation again. Plenty others like nrg2 or gut or gamma to choose from. I’m fact I don’t use Wilson strings anymore. Also snapped a wilson blade and the wilson rep replaced it at the store for me. Wilson quality is so bad in my experience.
That's crazy. I thought it was just me. I used to only use NXT on all my rackets and it would break in the same top area. I thought it was because I missed hit it and it was my fault...which again shanking is still my fault, but wow didn't know it was bad strings...thank you. I can forgive myself now :)
Just got my racket,(Wilson ProStaff 97L), and they recommend the Wilson sensation 16. I got it strung at 54, and I have had no problems with it yet. Then again I am new to tennis. I have had it for around 3 weeks now.
You’re not going to break strings as a beginner player
@@TomSmith-gw6fn I mean, I am playing with 4.5 level players, and I am by no means hitting the ball soft.
@@TomSmith-gw6fn I have been playing for a little now. I was using a Babolat Aero Pro before I got the Pro staff 97L. Now I have a Pro Staff Autograph
My name is Frank M. , I am using NXT Power 16 gauge for about a month and I have not have any problems so far in breaking at all , I love this string power and control , the o ly thing I do not like is not too good in the string department otherwise great string.....
Wow. I haven't had an issue with it in my factory strung Six One 95 Wilson. Might not restring it with Sensation then.... interesting
I used to love the feel of sensation. Except they break in a week. Stopped using them.
I have had nxt break while stringing during the stretch to get the correct pounds.
Si cortas la cuerda en esa zona es porque le pegas mal a la pelota, no porque la cuerda sea mala. No podes confundir un jugar que golpea mal a una cuerda mala....
Hello tennis spin.
I love watching your videos, keep it up!
Could you do a string rating of the signum pro x-perience? I tested this string and I liked it immediately, maybe your other viewers liked it too?
greetings
I broke my 15L wilson sensation in a speed mp after just 15 min. The shop told me "You wanted a multifilament, and that's it. This is a multifilament, what do you want?".
20€ for 15 min. Never again. In Europe, decathlon sells it.
It's 2024. Have they fixed this QA problem ???????
Only used on hybrids as crosses and not had any problems but there were better Multis out there for hybrids so stopped using
Question when you said best case scenario put sensation(16g) on a cross. Is it fine if I put babolat rpm 17g on the mains?
What year was it that all the Sensation and NXT were breaking and is it still happening now?
It happened about 14 - 15 years ago but some of those strings may still be out there so beware.
I am now no longer use wilson sensation anymore.. to be honest it was my favourite tennis string.. but now i change to babolat rpm blast.. the babolat might not the same feel as wilson but it quite similar.. and not break easily as wilson did..
what is that all white racquet on the bottom row behind him?
I love this channel! Thanks for the awesome content!
We can measure the swing weight and balance point of a racket. Maybe the world needs a device that can measure the elasticity or brittleness etc of a string.
Check out TWU they have some info on energy return, tension maintenance and string stiffness, which are close concepts to those you mentioned
twu.tennis-warehouse.com/learning_center/comparestrings.php
It's nylon. I used to break 5 strings per day..... Until poly came along and now strings lasts 10-15 hours of hard hitting! I can't even break 16 or 18g. More power and spin too. #govegan #compassion
My record is 3 rackets, once.
What's your best sticky overgrip recommendation?
Tourna Mega Tac!!! The stickiest!
Well sir, I'm sure wasn't your lack of stringing skills. Wilson probably just produced bad string. Try not to stay up too late at night thinking about it. What I would strongly recommend, is recommend someone to go into a different string. And that you've had a lot of problems with these strings breaking within the same day. clarifying that it wasn't you that it was the strain
I use Alu power rough 16g mains at 61 and Wilson Sensation Power on crosses at 64. Gives the best of all worlds (soft/controlled/spin) in my blade 16/19 v7 pro stocks. Best feeling but I’m open level and break every two hitting sessions or so. Don’t mind the breaking,
but as of late it’s been my crosses to break and I’ve never done that once in my life before the last few weeks (30 YO). I think if you accept the string as purely for comfort the breaking is easier to accept lol btw, love your channel. I’m a tennis nerd so always fun listening to someone else geek out on personal experiences in the tennis world.
Breakage at the top below the hole could be the clamp weakened the string at that point.
You Da Man. Thanks for sharing your experience.
If he's been restringing 100s of rackets over two years with these strings breaking, why would he even stock it? That's his fault..