Rumours, my dear Charlie-SWUK, rumours ... it came about when I questioned how is possible for a so-and-so manufacturer who was never famous for badminton strings vis a vis Gosen suddenly are able to come out with a couple of strings that are so good (at that time) that it managed to garner a hefty market share. That was when I was told the "story" of a magical OEM factory and the super secretive quality control .... True or not ... God knows as I have never been to that factory. But it was a great story !! PS: Consequently, I never used their strings anymore and switched to the OEM own brand instead hahaha !!!! Cheaper !!!
Yep, as I had posted in the G-Tone 5 thread, Gosen and Ashaway are most likely the two main companies doing R & D and manufacturing in the racket string industry, likely more so in tennis than badminton due to more money involved.
And that makes me wonder about the Li Ning No. 1 string ? That is another anomaly in the development of badminton strings. A really good string from someone not really well known for strings. We all know about LN history with Kason for racquets. Strings ? Have they bought out some company (like Kason) or OEM it ? I was quite surprised when I read all the rave reviews about the string until I decided to try it myself and yup, it is that good. Kudos to LN IF they really have managed to develop it from scratch They do not have the history in great strings until now.
For Gosen strings, my favourite is actually R4x100 ... very thin (0.63) but then my tension is only 23lbs, so I am OK
I tried the LN#1 and found GT5 much better in almost all aspects, eg. repulsion, feel, control, sound...
G-Tone 5 hmmmm .... that will be my Christmas string then I have just strung all my racquets with LN No. 1 to be used for this quarter.
But avoid the blue and white ones as they fray quickly. Yellow and orange are great. Haven't tried green yet.
No that 110 is particularly think, but there's a THIN version of it? I'm tempted to order a single pack of that right now! Except I've got a couple of super-thin ones already lined up for testing.
You may not like R4x100 as it is rated as "soft feeling" compared to R4x110. For me, R4x100 is the ideal string for my game from Gosen at the moment (need to test out GT5 first).
I like soft! In fact I think I've no preference as long as I tension suits me. I'm happy with zymax 69 and BG80. Can't see anywhere to get the 100 though. The packaging of momome has me wanting to try it too. Also that colour selection: Pink, lavendar, "sax"?!?!?
In that case, R4x100 (0.63mm) has better characteristics than R4x110 (0.68mm) in terms power and spin. It only loses out on durability (no surprises there ) and the feeling is rated as "softer". Some of you guys use "monster tensions", so it is going to be COSTLY hahaha but once you tried R4x100, I doubt you will pick R4x110 unless you like the HARD feel. I have yet to try the G-Tone 5, so no comment there. So, for now, if it is Gosen, it is R4x100 for me.
I put some sky blue in my HX800P 29x30, it popped as I took it out of the frame. I guess it rules that string out for me.