Following the new MXG racket line, Head has also released a new string that 'matches these frames perfectly'. Mike tested this Head Primal 16 stringing .
At the beginning of May, Head surprised with the release of the revolutionary new MXG racket line. For months the brand worked quietly on the MXG 3 and MXG 5 with the groundbreaking magnesium injected bridge. Subsequently, Head also released a new string: the Head Primal 16. Mijnracket.nl player Mike has extensively tested this hybrid string.
Specifications:
Brand: Head Type: Primal 16 (Hybrid) Gauge: 16/1.30 mm String type: hybrid stringing. This string consists of a special multi-mono polyester length string, which means a polyester string with 8 cores. This provides controllable power. The width string is a full PA multifilament for extra comfort and vibration damping. Comparable strings: Babolat RPM Blast 16/Xcel 16 and Prince Warrior Hybrid ControlTested by:
Name: Mike Playing strength: 4/4 Type of player: more classic player, flat groundstrokes, generates little spin. Had shoulder problems until recently Racket: Head MXG 3 (100 sq/inch, 16/18 stringing pattern) Stringing hardness: 24/23 kg with a stringing range of 22-26 kilos Testing time: 3 hours Favorite string player: Diadem Solstice Power 17Judgement:
Durability: 7 Tension retention: 8 Spin/slice: 7.5 Ball feeling: 8 Power: 8.5 Control: 8 Comfort/arm-friendliness: 8.5
Setup and stringing the string:
The Head Primal 16 hybrid string is quite easy to string. The anthracite colored string is the monofilament string for the length strings. The black string is the extremely soft multifilament string for the width strings. Stretching the longitudinal strings is self-explanatory. The width strings are clearly softer than the length strings. I would therefore recommend using a starter clamp for the width strings. Then I would string either a width string or 5, or all of the width strings before tying the 'starting knot' of the width strings. This way you can never pull the relatively soft and flexible width string through or too far into the double tubing for the starting knot and you always place it 'safely'. In any case, you can never go 'wrong' by using a starter clamp when stringing in 2 pieces, but that's besides the point. The multifilament string is very flexible and therefore very easy to thread. Make sure that you guide this width string sufficiently so that it cannot burn in when threading.
I tested the Head Primal 16 hybrid in the new Head MXG 3. This hybrid stringing was specially released with the new MXG rackets, because it complements the racket line perfectly.
Review Head Primal 16:
At the first contact you will immediately notice that the Head Primal 16 is a nice, lively string combo! There is more than enough power in this string. It is easy to accelerate, making it easy to get extra length in the strokes. The damped feel of the string is also immediately noticeable: this hybrid has a comfortable feel. I really liked this for two reasons. First of all, this caused little impact on my sensitive shoulder. Secondly, this meant that the quite stiff Head MXG 3 actually didn't feel stiff at all when playing. I definitely wouldn't say the MXG 3 has an RA (stiffness) value of as much as 72! The string therefore provided nice comfort in a fairly stiff racket.
Control and ball feeling
The slogan for the new MXG racket line is: 'Power under Control', or optimal power while maintaining control. This Head Primal 16 complements this racket line perfectly in that respect. So to speak, I was very pleased with the power of this string. The control and ball feeling are also excellent. In addition to comfort, the soft width string also provides extra touch/feeling. I noticed this, for example, when serving and filling. The string grips the ball easily, which made my slice serve (from the right outwards) in particular very easy. At the net I thought the MXG 3 with this Head Primal 16 excelled! I did not expect this from a power-oriented racket with a matching string. Hard balls were very easy to parry, with the string absorbing much of the vibration. But emotional volleys were also easy to play. The string has a nice touch!
Spin/Slice
I found the spin and slice with the Head Primal 16 to be more than sufficient. When playing, it is clearly noticeable that it is a hybrid stringing. I mainly play with polyester strings in both length and width. With many of these strings, the length string can slide more easily over the width string and then jump straight back to its original position. This extra snapback that you have with many poly's provides more ball rotation. With this Head Primal 16 you have less of that due to the multifilament width string.
Durability and overall impression
Durability is not the strongest point of the Head Primal 16. I found the width string so soft that it started to show visible wear after three good sessions on gravel. The string would not have lasted much longer. I also think that the length string could easily have been 17/1.25 mm thick. This would have given it a bit more liveliness and feeling. Nevertheless, the Head Primal 16 has very pleasant playing characteristics, making it recommended for players who want to combine the best of polyester and multifilament. Even infrequent string breakers who are looking for a nice mix of power and control will certainly appreciate this string. In addition, there is also a group of players who find sliding the strings particularly annoying, but hardly or not at all. The Head Primal 16 could also work well for this group. Tip: do not string this string too hard to benefit from its optimal playing characteristics!