When I first had my machine, I was half way through stringing an MP99 at 48lbs believing it to be 24lbs before I started thinking something was wrong. So I stopped everything and rushed out to buy a fishing scale. The racket survived, and later on it was swapped for a noob racket from which I discovered the joy of ultra low tension strings. The racket is still going strong to this day.
Not sure if it did suvive. Might have broken a couple of times for me to start thinking there was something wrong. My first ever reel of strings was BG80 green.
It was a bg-80, 2 pieces string job on a 6-point crack machine. The cross string snapped 3 times at the knob until I finally got it through. Too bad I didn't get the chance to take the racket for a swing before it died. It would be like hitting on a rock surface. LOL
No offense to you but I don't see why there are so many posts about high tension. Using/playing at high tension doesn't mean or prove anything. I'd rather be a better player and play at 20lbs. than a marginal one playing at 35lbs. I always advocate and play at the lowest tension I can still feel comfortable with. Lower tension is easier on the string, racket, the stringer and player. It's a win-win-win-win situation. With that said, my ideal tension based on BG80 or MP: For control: 28.5/30.0 (~29lbs.) For power: 22.0/24.0 (~23lbs.) Overall: 25.5/28.0 (~27lbs.) In actuality, I'd prefer 27/29.5 but I have noticed there's a significant difference in durability (for me) between 25.5/28 and 27/29.5. So I opt to go 25.5/28.
I agree completely. The pros use these tensions because the need the accompanying control; their technique is good enough for them to generate power in spite of these insane tensions. Us lesser mortals, however, will mishit, causing immediate breakage. Even my club of mostly high school students know that 21-24lb is the "butter-zone" for keen club players. I recall a men's doubles match where Flandi Limpele went through 4 rackets in 5 rallies, and I think he was "only" using 30lb! (Mind you, did anybody see the mixed doubles semi-final from this year's All England between England and China? Game one, the Chinese man snapped his racket at the shaft attempting a backhand drive - it seems rackets just aren't safe in professional hands...)
I did a 33x36 on my w7...for the hell of it I didn't play with it until 2 weeks after, think it's about 30lbs now... playing with it, I don't like it...I could "handle" it, and clearing wasn't a problem, nor did my joints suffer... but my smashes were horrible! the sound echoed in the gym, but the speed was total crap...Or it felt that way anyway... also the little voice int he back of your head "if you mishit there'll be graphite everywhere"..not comforting..
You mad man!! Although hearing about how durable this racquet is i'm starting to get tempted to buy one now
it's just an lbs above Pete's regular tension ...but it was fun to try... the string was Toalson BG65 (clone, 0.70mm)...I could hear it creak when I tensioned it (which was about 2-3 drops of the weight, compared to my regualr 1-2 drops...) funny thing is, when you string a racket, and string the top crosses, you can see the rackethead moving (bulging in the direction fot he tensioner)...it was a lot less than I expected... I really think it could handle 40lbs...though I'm afraid to try...
I don't think I will... the 36lbs was just for fun..to scare some people.. "here, here, listen *PLiiiiiNG*" -"what the....." *period of silence* -"so, how tight is that?" "36lbs" -"sorry?" But I didn't find it as magical as it sounds...no awesome touch, no power...not for me..
it wasn't dead, and I could reach the baseline...but I wasn't feeling comfortable... I don't want to struggle with my equipment, when I step on court I want to play, learn (or win)...and I definatly dón't want to be bothered by my equipment...(which, for me, includes having to hit harder to get the same distance) though I understand that's different for everybody,,,
