Recently I bought decided to try some new models of strings. I only resumed playing after several years of inactivity, but all those years ago I was using mostly Yonex BG65, or Ashaway Rally 21 Micro (both 0.70mm). While looking at the various new string models, I came across Ashaway MicroPower. I wanted to try a thinner string, and the packaging on the MicroPower said 0.66mm thickness, and the lady at the store said that quite a number of her customers liked the string. So I thought to myself "why not?" Well, after two weeks of using the MicroPower on a Karakal M-Tec 80, I found that it has lost quite a bit of tension, to my displeasure. But what has me a bit more concerned is that only after I visited the Ashaway website did I realize that, at least where the info ont the webpage for MicroPower is concerned: http://www.ashawayusa.com/pages/bdmicropowers.html there is no MicroPower at 0.66mm thickness. I don't have a digicam with me so I cannot post a picture, but I swear that the packaging printed the thickness as 0.66mm, but the webpage states it as a 0.70mm string. (The package also stated the max recommended tension at 25 pounds, but the webpage has it as up to 33 pounds!) From what I can tell it is not a mistakenly packaged PowerGut 66 because my MicroPower is blue and PowerGut 66 comes in green and orange variants only. Am I overreacting? I don't want to mention where I got the MicroPower at "0.66mm" strung in case it is simply me being an idiot.
I don't know about other countries but here in the U.S. there is no such thing as MicroPower 0.66mm. MP is 0.70mm and MP-XL is 0.73mm. The only 0.66mm string available from Ashaway is Power Gut 66.
Thanks for the confirmation. I am going to borrow a digicam to take pictures of the packaging (good thing I insisted on keeping the packaging) and post the pics.
I have seen this too. I have seen ashaway string packaging from a variety of sources, including reputable shops, that recommend tension to be lower than ashaways website and marketing brochures. I don't know why this is. I meant to phone Goode Sport to ask them, but never got round to it. That disparity alone is not enough to indicate fake string.
Please be assured that I am not about to go off on a limb and claim that the string is faked branding or anything like that. I am actually inclined to think that the string is indeed manufactured by Ashaway. From the looks of the string it is indeed the MicroPower design. I should have clarified that the reason I started this thread is equal parts curiosity and and technical concerns: what do I mean? (1) If the recommended tension range is 25 pounds max, then I'd be risk averse and never consider stringing it at that level, most prob 24 pounds max. (2) If the thickness is indeed 0.66mm and not 0.70mm as advertised by Ashaway, then I would have at least a partial explanation for why the string has lost quite a bit of tension, and tends to be misligned after hitting especially hard shots. (3) And for all I know maybe Ashaway has introduced a new version of MicroPower but they never updated their webpages? I cannot dismiss this possibility. (4) Maybe this version of MicroPower is for certain markets only? I am based in Singapore right now. (All the more I am inclined to think the string is as legit as it gets.) Maybe I should try to do a bit more "sleuthing".
Exactly I have used this string for a long time, before switching to Micro-Legend. I ordered it from "kong-19" in this forum, who indeed live in Australia. I conclude in saying that there are many differents versions of strings available from Ashaway; depending on the continent you live in. (For the Asian continent, strings are a lot thinner ... for example)
I know Kong, nice guy from down under. And yes, lots of Ashaway stuff available outside the U.S. We, unfortunately, don't get to see it.
As far as I am aware micropower is either 0.7 or 0.73, as you say powergut is quite distinctive as its either bright green or orange.
That's because you live in Europe In Asia Micro-power is only 0.66 mm and blue color. Powergut 65 is 0.65 mm and Powergut 66 is 0.66 mm. Even the cosmetics are differents ... That's it ! There are differents versions of Ashaway strings depending on the place you live in. As for the other string manufacturer, I donno.
I have just changed in the last month from micropower XL to PG66 both are very good strings, but i am liking the extra power off the PG66 atm but the stringing bill is a bit higher, but that is to be expected
I took pics of the front and back packaging for the Singapore (and Malaysia?) distribution of MicroPower. Unfortunately, the image resolution is too low to discern the important details, but the writing at close to the bottom of the front indicates it's a 0.66mm version. Another detail that came to my mind is that unlike, say, Yonex (BG series) and Pacific (PC series), the Ashaway packagings are not sealed in airtight plastic packs. Does this matter in the longer run if the string is exposed even a little bit more to the outside environment?
Interesting packaging. Other than the Ashaway logo, the packaging looks nothing like the U.S. product.
i just bought a similarly packaged pg-66. This product is available here in a different packaging from another distributor.
if you can only string them to 25 lbs max no one would use them becasue that is kind of loose. has anyone tried to string it higher. i string at 28 would they hold?
I've strung PG66 (0.66mm) up to 29lbs. with no problems. I've strung PG65 and MP (both 0.70mm) up to 31lbs. no problems. Ashaway makes impressive string.
can someone please telll me why ashaways strings in asia are thinner?... weird.. cause i saw the 0.66 mm MP... i convinced myself that it must be a fake.. but after seeing your attached picture here, god, i'm not the only one who's hallucinating a 0.66 lol
come on pete... pg66 as we all know, isn't durable... yet you strung it 30x33... lol for me, it wouldn't last a week... i've yet to try the PG65..
Same thing with PG-65 at 30 lbs X 33 lbs. Great performance at that tension but pops at the slightly mishit.
