MSV Packaging. What’s up with that???

Several customers may have noticed that the packaging for some of the recent sets of MSV strings has changed recently.  Unfortunately this is causing puzzlement and confusion among some of our customers.  Inquiring minds want to know “What’s up with it?”  So that is exactly what this blog entry is designed to address.

First, it is important to note we are the exclusive US distributor for MSV string products.   When we first began delivering sets to our customers, we chose to use our own custom packaging that we designed and created in consultation with Mauve Sports for USA customers.  Because the string was new to US consumers we believed it was important to increase the amount of information provided via the packaging and we wanted it to stand out for our vendors who display it in clubs and tennis retail establishments.  We felt the USA packaging was bold in color and clever in copy content.

Recently because our orders have grown so much thanks to the many fine US players who are using these strings, our special order unpackaged sets have not always been available as quickly as they have been needed.  As a result we have asked for and received pre-packaged sets that have the new Mauve Sports packaging that is used for English speaking customers throughout the world.

Our option with these pre-packaged sets is to cut them open and repackage them in our packaging, or to sell them in the European packaging.  In an effort to be environmentally friendly and not generate unnecessary waste, we have chosen to sell them to individuals ordering through us in the European packaging.  We try to use the USA packaging for retail resellers, but often times individuals ordering through our Guts and Glory web site will find the white packaging instead of the red.

The same great, freshly made product is enclosed in each package.  The product maintains its excellence as only the packaging varies.  We do apologize to those that have been confused by this.  The bottom line is the products are the same, the packaging is different due to efforts to be kind to our environment.

As always if you have any questions feel free to post them here and we will do our best to respond in a timely manner.

Surprise!

Brooke Austin, our 14 year old MSV sponsored dynamo dominated a new section of the USTA junior circuit this past weekend.  She entered her first 16 year old national tournament where she demolished all opponents.  She marched to the championship without dropping a set.  In fact the closest anyone came to her was 6 – 2, 6 – 2 in the second round.  Congratulations Brooke!  Champion of the Midland Texas National Open.

What are you waiting on?  Play the same strings Brooke uses, MSV Focus and Focus Hex!

Brooke’s Rockin’ the MSV Strings…so should YOU!

Our 14 year old sponsored dynamo, Brooke Austin continues to rock her full MSV setup.  Brooke is currently using a Hybrid of MSV Co-Focus and MSV Hex in the blue and black colors.

Recently Brooke won her age group at the prestigious Easter Bowl Tournament.  The Easter Bowl is the National Championship for USTA Junior players.  We want to congratulate to Brooke on her feat as US National Champion for 14 year old girls. Impressive.

As if being US Champion in her age group were not enough, Brooke participated on the World Team Junior qualifications in Boca Raton last week.  With a spotless singles record of 3 – 0 and a doubles showing of 2-1 Brooke was the YOUNGEST US junior selected for the team.  The team, featuring Brooke, will be competing in the world finals to be held in the Czech Republic this coming August.

New MSV Soft-Control Now Available in USA!

The newest MSV product, Soft-Control, has just hit the US shores and is available to you at an introductory price of $11.90 per 40′ set from Guts and Glory Tennis.

This particular string offers a unique construction, specifically designed to offer the comfort of traditional premium multis with the bonus of added control. Players who enjoy crisp playing multis, like Technifibre Bi-Phase and KLiP Excellerator are likely to enjoy the playability offered by this string.

Currently this 1330 thread multifilament string is offered in 1.25mm, 17 ga,  in the USA.

The diagram below provides a detailed look at the construction of this string product.

Winner!

As projected in our last BLOG entry, MSV Focus Hex was named “Poly of the Year” for 2008 in the annual StringForum survey.  This survey represents respondents from all over the world.

This is the second year running that MSV Focus Hex was named the people’s choice.  According to the same survey, it was also rated the #1 CONTROL STRING IN THE WORLD.

If you haven’t yet tried the two time survey champion for yourself, what are you waiting for???  It offers plenty of playability, spin, comfort and CONTROL.  It is available in multiple colors and gauges and is one of the more affordable poly-based strings in the marketplace today.

Go ahead and order some.  (You KNOW you want to!!!)

Happy New Year!

We’d like to take a moment to thank the users of our MSV string products.  2009 will bring some new and exciting products and updates.  MSV will unveil a new marketing logo.  One version of this logo is previewed here in the About Us section to the right of the home screen.

We expect that MSV will defend it’s title as String Forum’s “String of the Year” making it the highest rated poly-based string in the world for two years running.  An official announcement will be made as soon as results are made public.

MSV will launch a new string product in the first quarter of 2009.  Please be watching our blog for additional details on this new offering.

Until we next provide an update we hope you will continue using and enjoying the MSV string products brought to you by Guts and Glory Tennis.

MSV Strings now available at Tennis Warehouse

Brooke Austin – Our Sponsored Dynamo!

Brooke Austin, MSV’s first sponsored player in the USA continues to dazzle on the courts. Our 12 year old dynamo has had a very busy summer amassing an overall record of 162 – 18 and has a wide lead in the points standings as the #1 rated 12 year old in the USA.

Most recently Brooke won the USTA National Open in the 14 year old division. In her tournament prior to that she was crowned the singles and doubles champion at the USTA National Clay Court Championships in the 12 year old division. Prior to that she was the champion of the Midwest Open Championships in the 14 year old division.

Brooke’s busy summer will continue as she has been invited as 1 of only 2 USA representatives in the Junior World Championships which will be held in Montreal in the coming weeks. After that it is on to the Nike World Tour Championships followed by an appearance at the USTA All-Star Camp in California.

MSV is proud of Brooke and her continued accomplishments. Brooke’s racquet is powered by MSV Hex 1.23mm strings. She is currently using black, but has also used the red version. Our blog will keep the public abreast of Brooke’s progress in the coming weeks.

MSV Updates

Hello fellow MSV fans!

It’s been several weeks since our last blog entry and we thought we would provide some new information.

First, we welcome the Weymouth Tennis Center in Weymouth, MA as a partner in selling and promoting the MSV string products.

Second, we have just received a new shipment of strings.  We now have 1.27mm MSV Focus Hex available in Red, White and Black…both sets and reels.

Third, we now have the new MSV Focus EVO available in amber and the new CRYSTAL color.  The CRYSTAL strings present a striking appearance and will soon be available through the Guts and Glory web site.

Fourth, we have started using the term “poly-based” when we refer to today’s new generation strings. The previous term we had been using was “co-polymer” and this was not a 100% accurate description as we believe “poly” and “polymers” need to have greater distinction.

Finally, MSV has created a heavy-duty pathfinder awl for stringers.  (See above rendering) We will also have this tool available on our web site in the coming days.  This stainless steel tool features the most sturdy construction we have seen of a pathfinder awl.  Definitely a quality tool that serious stringers will want to add to their tool chest and beginners will be able to use to help get out of tight spots.

Copoly Hybrids – How to Match

Each week we receive questions from customers seeking advice about hybrid string setups, specifically with copolymers.  This post seeks to provide a general guide to those who are considering a copoly hybrid.

Generally the first decision to make is whether to use the copoly as the main or the cross.  The answer to this will depend on what the player is seeking to accomplish.  If s/he is seeking greater durability, in most cases the mains will be the copoly with a synthetic gut cross string.  (This can vary according to hitting style, but the majority of players we serve break the mains before the crosses.)  If the player is seeking to add additional control to an existing synthetic gut or natural gut setup, then the copoly is sometimes used as a cross string.

Many who approach us already know where they want to use the copoly string.  The more important question to them, is what to use as a complimentary string?  One advantage of using a hybrid over a full copoly setup is a softer partner in the stringbed can result in greater comfort.  Because the goal is often adding increased comfort, the thought is to use an ultra-comfortable multifilament string.  The question is which one is most durable?

We believe the concept of using a multifilament string in hybrid with a copoly is flawed thinking.  There are two primary reasons behind this belief.

1.  Multifilament strings do not hold up well at all in a hybrid with a copoly string.  Either as a main or a cross, the copoly string, being infinitely stiffer, will act like a saw, cutting through the multifilament in a relatively short period of time.

2.  The playing characteristics of the copoly will dominate the stringbed.  The copolys possess very distinct playing properties and while they can be softened with a synthetic stringbed partner, they will still dominate the stringbed.

Because the copoly is a dominant string, we believe it is extremely difficult for even advanced recreational and league players to be able to distinguish a difference between a hybrid consisting of a soft solid core synthetic gut or a multifilament string.  (NOTE:  We do believe a hybrid does offer a  more comfortable and different playing stringbed than a full copoly setup.)

Since a stringbed consisting of a soft solid core synthetic gut and copoly will play nearly identical to a hybrid of a multifilament and copoly, we believe the soft solid core synthetic is definitely the way to go.  There are two key advantages:

A.  The softer synthetic gut string will last longer.
B.  The softer synthetic gut will cost less!

We are currently playtesting a variety of hybrid setups and will post results when there is enough data to be of interest.  In the interim we will list some of the soft solid core synthetics that we have a great deal of success in using with our local stringing customers.

LaserFibre Classic Synthetic Gut (Comes in a variety of colors!)
LaserFibre RuffCut (A textured option for optimal spin)
LaserFibre LaserTour (A premium solid core that holds tension well!)
LaserFibre LaserLite XL
Forten Sweet Synthetic Gut
Signum Pro Ultra Power SF
Yonex Tournament 80 Spin
Signum Pro Topspin SF

We have a great deal of experience with MSV hybrids and invite you to contact us if you have specific questions you would like us to address.

EVO…Conquering the WORLD!

Paging Dr. Evil…

Dr. Evil…

Dr. Evil, the EVO is in! With it, you will defeat all your enemies! (Insert evil laugh here.)

Our first sets of the much anticipated MSV Focus EVO has arrived. It is currently available at Guts and Glory Tennis in 40′ sets. The color is amber (as pictured in previous post) and it is available in 16ga (1.30mm), 17ga (1.25mm) and 17L ga (1.20mm).

Just how evil is the EVO? Why not ask your opponents? They’re gonna hate this string!

MSV Focus EVO – Playtest

The newest copolymer from Mauve Sport Versand, EVO, is set to hit the US shores in the coming weeks. We have had the opportunity to playtest this new string, and it does not disappoint! In fact, we find it to be a great addition to the MSV family of copoly string products. Initially the string will be offered in 40′ sets only and the color will be amber. Later this summer US customers will be able to order 660′ reels and the color will be a very cool crystal.

We have found tension maintenance with this product to be outstanding. We measured the string during a 4 week playtest that represented approximately 12 hours of court time. The DT reading after stringing was 45. After the first match it dropped to 42, an initial loss of approx. 7%. After 3 weeks and 12 hours of play the DT reading remains at 40, a loss of approximately 11%. Playability remains very strong. This string surpassed our expectations in this area.

We have noticed some slight string movement, which is unusual for a copolymer, but it is not significant. Also some small notches have developed. It should be noted we are playtesting the 1.20mm in a racquet with a 18 x 20 stringbed.

When we installed the string we found it to be stiff. Our impression based on the stiffness of the string during the installation was that this string would not be comfortable and we honestly figured it would fail our playtest. However, the playability surprised us. Very smooth and comfortable ride. The power level was similar to the Co. – Focus, but we found pinpoint control with this string. Again, the comfort and smooth play was a surprise given how the string feels during installation. A very pleasant surprise.

One of the world’s most respected racquet technicians also playtested the MSV EVO in the 1.25mm for us. His feedback was outstanding. He told us: “Played two sets with it today. Evo has great control, very low impact shock, and excellent tension maintenance. Something extra is it has explosive power when you require it. Overall a great string for high level game…I will order some of this when it’s available.”

We are anxious to make this string available to our customers. Be watching. As soon as it arrives we will make it available on the Guts and Glory Tennis website. If you would like an email notice when it arrives, feel free to email us and ask to be notified when the MSV EVO arrives. We will then send you an individual notice. Initially the MSV EVO will only be available in 40′ sets. Reels will be available later in 2008.

MSV – Like a Chameleon

Okay, we all know MSV comes in cool colors, much like a chameleon. But even more impressive, are the versatile playing characteristics of this string.

How it performs will vary according to the frame you are using, particularly the density of stringbed and racquet stiffness. It will also vary according to tension being used.

If you are seeking a comfy copoly then stringing low is the way to go. If you prefer crisper performance, go higher and the string will deliver. Remember, the MSV Focus line is somewhat tension sensitive and you may need to try it at a couple different tensions to dial in your ideal string number. Once you find it you will be rewarded with a quality copoly experience! Oh yah, if you like the color of the chameleon in the image, MSV Co-Focus does come in this awesome color…we call it Caribbean Ocean Blue and it is a color only found in the MSV line of string products.

You wanted it…You got it!

In an effort to be responsive to customer requests, Mauve Sport Versand is pleased to add MSV Focus Hex in 1.27mm to its stellar lineup of string products. The 1.27mm version will eventually be available in white, black and red. We project it should be available for our customers in the USA in white by early May, 2008. As soon as it is available a notice will be posted here. If you would like to be personally notified via email when it arrives, please contact us.

Also scheduled to arrive in early May will be the new MSV Focus-EVO in 1.20mm, 1.25mm and 1.30mm. You’re gonna luv these new products from MSV!

MSV News

Some MSV Updates…

1. The new packaging for the MSV Co.-Focus and MSV Hex sets has arrived and it is absolutely fierce! Slick graphics will draw customers attention and surprise content of the reverse side of the card will be revealed below.

2. Thank you USA! Your demand for MSV string products continues to amaze. We are currently sold out of MSV Hex white in 1.23mm. We expected an order to arrive last week, but it must be visiting our friends in customs. We look for it to arrive soon, so please be patient with us.

3. “The World’s Most Ferocious Hybird” has also flown off of the shelves. We have temporarily removed it from our website because we are waiting for a new supply of the LaserFibre RuffCut string to arrive. It too, should arrive later this week and we will re-introduce this product as soon as we successfully restock.