Solinco has been hard at work for a few years on a new string, and it has finally been released. Here is my Solinco Confidential string review.
Solinco is an American company behind some highly popular polyester strings. They are more known for their control-oriented and spin-friendly poly strings such as Solinco Tour Bite and Solinco Hyper-G (click for my review), but they also make tennis racquets and multifilament strings.
You can check out Solinco Confidential from my friends at Tennis Warehouse, Tennis Warehouse Europe and Tennis Only.
I have enjoyed both Tour Bite, Tour Bite Soft, and Hyper-G and was very curious about their new poly, Confidential. Like their other flagship strings, it is a stiffer poly string with an emphasis on control, tension maintenance, and spin generation. I strung it up in my HEAD Graphene 360+ Prestige Mid and Prince Phantom 100X 305 for this Solinco Confidential string review.
Solinco Confidential Characteristics
I want to point out that this string is not for beginners or lower-level intermediate players. This string is all about control, so players who are just starting out would be better off with a softer string with a more powerful response.
Gauge: I tested Solinco Confidential in 1.25 gauge (I have later tested it in a 1.20 gauge and prefer that!)
Stiffness:Â The string is somewhere between Tour Bite and Hyper-G. Softer than Tour Bite, but a bit stiffer than Hyper-G.
Player: More advanced players with full strokes and no arm issues. If you like to hit big, this is the string for you.
Test Racquets: I chose a crisper midsize (Prestige Mid) and a softer 100 sq inch racquet (Phantom 100X) to be able to understand what the string does in different racquets.
Profile: 4-sided
Color:Â I think it is called gun-metal gray.
Installation: Pretty normal for a stiffer poly. Quite a sharp string so watch your fingers :)
Tensions: 50 lbs in the Prestige Mid and 52 lbs in the Phantom 100X
Tension maintenance: After settling in after 1-2 hours, this string holds tension and playability extremely well. Top marks.
How does it play?
My first hour with Solinco Confidential was not great. I thought the string felt stiff and board-like. But after the first hour, the string had settled in and some of the stiffness had gone, and I started to see it differently. It did not take me long to understand that this is another high-quality string from Solinco. It was not harsh on the arm, and I felt like it rewarded you for going after the ball. The spin potential is excellent, but I think the control aspect is even better. It could have been named “Solinco Confidence” instead of Confidential.
At first, I was worried about the stiffness of the string, especially considering my recent arm issues (which are now much better thanks to rehab and regular Flexbar exercises). However, once it settled, it was quite comfortable. I still would not recommend it if you are worried about wrist or elbow pain. Then you should do rehab, rest, and play with a multifilament or gut string.
Summary
I found control and tension maintenance to be the outstanding features of this string. If you are a string breaker or string abuser – you will definitely enjoy it. Tour Bite offers a bit more spin, but they are quite close in generating spin, and the added comfort of Confidential is a winner.
If you like to rip the ball and want a string that is durable, control-oriented, and spin-friendly without breaking your arm – Solinco Confidential is a good option. It is not a soft poly, though, but relatively comfortable for a stiff, controlled string. I have not tried it in a hybrid setup, but that could be an interesting idea if you want a softer feel.
I think I still hold Hyper-G as my favorite Solinco string, but for more powerful racquets with an open pattern, this is high on my list. Let us say you are using a Clash Tour that makes your string move like crazy; then, I think this string could come in handy!
Have you tried Solinco Confidential? What did you think about it?
22 comments
Have you tried to full line of Solinco? I have used the Hyper G at 16 and 17 and prefer the 17 by a bit. I’m very intrigued by the revolution and wanted to know if you’ve tried it and what you think of it. Great work as always and keep it up!!!
I haven’t tried all Solinco strings, but the main ones except for Revolution :( Hopefully soon. Thanks!
Hi Jonas
I usually play on clay courts.
But my game is focused on flat balls.
I´m trying to change to more spin balls.
I use a Blade 98 2015 18×20.
Do you think I should change the string or the racquet (to a more spin friendly)?
Or tecnique rules in this case?
Regars.
Hi,
I think technique is the main answer, but sometimes a more spin-friendly frame will help you change your technique a bit. Perhaps you can try the Clash 98 if you want a bit more free spin.
Otherwise, you can stay with your racquet and work on your technique. The Blade 98 2015 is a nice stick! Regards / J
Confidentially, I can tell you that my arm is probably too sensitive for this stuff.
But what I would like to know is what do you think of the 100X?
I understand! It is not an “arm-friendly” string. Review coming up for the 100X. A very nice racquet. Regards / J
? very interesting model by characteristics is New Prince Phantom 97P. Flexible, nice weight, and open string pattern. It would be nice to read review about it.
I have tried a number of the Solinco strings:
– Hyper G is my clear favorite, which I have tried in 16, 16L and 17 depending the string patterns. Has great spin, great control, and plays a bit dead (not a lot of feedback), which I like. It is also fairly comfortable for a poly. Much more so than Luxilon 4G or Tour Bite, which are noticeably firmer
– Tour Bite, I have only used a 16L in a Prince Classic Graphite 100, where I was still adjusting to the increased power level vs. the 93 / 95 sq. in. frames I was used to. So my feedback needs to be seen in light of this adjustment. I found the level of power substantially higher than the Hyper G, to the point where I could hardly control the ball. Everything was flying long by one meter vs. Hyper G, and it is also much livelier. The ball would launch from the string bed, and I would have no idea where it was going. Really not a string for me, but if one looks for a powerful poly, I can see how it can work
– Revolution, I played in a 17 gauge in a Phantom 93P 18×20. It has very good spin, similar to Hyper G, but plays even more dead, to the point where I had no feel at all. It also seems to be heavier than Hyper G, for some reason, by 2-3g vs. Hyper G 17. Durability was very good, slightly superior to Hyper G, but the lack of feel was a real issue
How does it compare to Tour Bite Soft?
It is much stiffer than Tour Bite Soft. But in turn, offers better durability and control.
I am thinking about this option to put in my Wilson Pro Staff 97 version of 315grams. With 23.5kg / 24kg. Which other string option do you recommend? I am a player who likes power and control. I have a game “very similar“ to Pete Sampras.
I have now tried Confidential, in a 16 gauge in my Prince Classic Graphite 100 at 52lbs, coming from Hyper G 16 at 52lbs as my normal setup.
I find it more predictable than Hyper G, with similar characteristics in the spin and power department. It isn’t “mushy, like the Hyper G is, meaning it’s a bit firmer, but nowhere near Tour Bite in my book. It’s still comfortable, at least in a plush frame like the PCG 100.
Overall, it’s the best Solinco string I have played with, and I am now switching to it for the foreseeable future.
 hi, I am planning to use Babolat Touch Tonic in the mains and Solinco Confidential 16L in the crosses. Do you think it’s a good combination? If yes, what tensions do you recommend?
Yeah, that sounds pretty good. It depends on a lot of things, but I would go 56 lbs on the Tonic and 54 lbs on the Confidential.
If you compare it with YTEX-Quadro, what would you say?
I haven’t tried Ytex Quadro properly – need to revisit that string to compare.
This string is actually five-sided and not four-sided… I checked under 30x magnification.
i use solinco hyper g soft
Hi, I’ve tried the confidential and I am in love with it. Great control and feel, and feels pretty dead which I like. I really got the sense of direction on my shots and all of my shots are going in. Both flat serves and kick serves are amazing, I feel like I really can control the direction and extra kick.
I’ve been thinking of hybriding the confidential and black widow. I’ve tried the black widow, I love it too. I found the spin the generation is better, however tension maintanance is not as good as the confidential.
Do you think it would be a good idea of the the confidential-black widow hybrid? I would really appreciate your thoughts.
Tried this as a replacement for Head Lynx Touch on a Head Radical MP. Will be cutting it out this week. I wanted to like it but it is terrible on the arm. My elbow and shoulder felt it after the first session to break it in, but it was even worse on the second day. It does generate a ton of spin and I could easily target my shots where I wanted them. It felt lower on the power scale than the Head string but not significant. But overall it wasn’t worth the abuse on my joints to get mildly better performance. I will continue to look for the perfect balance of control power and comfort.
Have you ever tried the tecnifibre 4s?? Wondering how it compares to confidential
I have not tried it, sadly.