My Journey with String

[doctorhl]

All the string talk reminds me of some recreational rackets that came out in the 50’s with wire strings. The spin imparted was incredible (if you had the strength to whip the 5 pound racket more than once).

[glacierguy]

Gut/poly is a nice setup. I use VS Touch mains at 58lbs with 10% pre-stretch and Isospeed Cream at 55lbs. The Isospeed Cream is supposed to be soft & easier on the arm, but I've never tried the stiffer polys. (And I use string savers too.) However, I often think I'm a sucker, because in rain I will play with a standard multifilament full bed, and sometimes feel that it's better than my fancy setup.

[luv_all]

Wishing you the best as you explore hybrids.

I am one of those with natural gut mains and a firm, round (smooth, untextured) polyester cross….. in various frames (pro staff RF, yonex 97, babolat strike tour, head prestige, tecnifibre T-Fight 325 18/19).
For me, there is nothing quite like gut mains with poly crosses. Not inexpensive, but certainly worthwhile for the power, spin and the great feel.

I have used all 5 of these cost-effective alternatives to natural gut mains:

A synthetic gut main is almost free, but will not feel as lively.

A multifilament main will cost less than gut. Choosing a firm, but powerful multi is key. Too soft a multifilament will lose tension quickly, feel mushy, will notch easily, and will break more quickly than natural gut.

A well coated multifilament like Tecnifibre x1 bi-phase will offer some of the power of a multi, but will slip more like gut.

Same cost but more durable: gut crosses with poly mains. Not quite as good in terms of feel. Better durability because the main is poly. Good spin. Decent power. Eventually the gut cross breaks….generally at about the time the main is dying.

Soft poly main with a hard poly cross. Excellent slip/spin. Great feel. Not as much power as a gut main.


Enjoy your exploring! Let us know your thoughts along the way!

Thank you ajchabria.

So yesterday I strung one of my rackets up with Wilson Natural Gut in the mains at 60 lbs and Luxilon ALU Power Rough 125 in the crosses at 57 lbs. The Federer setup essentially. Even did the 10 string savers in the same pattern.

Today I tried it out. All I can say is wow. Feel and comfort were incredible especially after break in but even beforehand. Power/liveliness was greatly increased but highly controllable. Interestingly launch angle was different from polys. It seemed much more consistent, always strictly perpendicular to the racket whereas with polys it would often be slightly upward. Shots that would just clear the net with polys went into the middle of the net with this setup, and shots that would go out with polys would land just inside the baseline with this setup.

I would contend that topspin was increased. A true brushing of the ball was so much easier and consistent. Low buggy whip forehands were easy to perform.

Ive told my wife before that I’m cursed with expensive taste for alcohol. Sadly it looks like this is the case for strings as well. I will still try other setups, but as you say this will probably be the best I experience. I’ll give the synthetic gut a try with a poly, as well as other brands of natural guts (like Babolats) with different polys…but man this one is good. I’ll keep you guys posted!

[ajchabria]

…

I plan to branch into hybrid setups …..
Offhand I assumed synthetic gut was just a cheap version of natural gut with similar but not as good characteristics…but it seems like the two strings are considerably different.

How do you guys have your strings set up in your rackets? Especially any pro staff 97 users.

Wishing you the best as you explore hybrids.

I am one of those with natural gut mains and a firm, round (smooth, untextured) polyester cross….. in various frames (pro staff RF, yonex 97, babolat strike tour, head prestige, tecnifibre T-Fight 325 18/19).
For me, there is nothing quite like gut mains with poly crosses. Not inexpensive, but certainly worthwhile for the power, spin and the great feel.

I have used all 5 of these cost-effective alternatives to natural gut mains:

A synthetic gut main is almost free, but will not feel as lively.

A multifilament main will cost less than gut. Choosing a firm, but powerful multi is key. Too soft a multifilament will lose tension quickly, feel mushy, will notch easily, and will break more quickly than natural gut.

A well coated multifilament like Tecnifibre x1 bi-phase will offer some of the power of a multi, but will slip more like gut.

Same cost but more durable: gut crosses with poly mains. Not quite as good in terms of feel. Better durability because the main is poly. Good spin. Decent power. Eventually the gut cross breaks….generally at about the time the main is dying.

Soft poly main with a hard poly cross. Excellent slip/spin. Great feel. Not as much power as a gut main.


Enjoy your exploring! Let us know your thoughts along the way!

[ajchabria]

…

I plan to branch into hybrid setups …..
Offhand I assumed synthetic gut was just a cheap version of natural gut with similar but not as good characteristics…but it seems like the two strings are considerably different.

How do you guys have your strings set up in your rackets? Especially any pro staff 97 users.

Wishing you the best as you explore hybrids.

I am one of those with natural gut mains and a firm, round (smooth, untextured) polyester cross….. in various frames (pro staff RF, yonex 97, babolat strike tour, head prestige, tecnifibre T-Fight 325 18/19).
For me, there is nothing quite like gut mains with poly crosses. Not inexpensive, but certainly worthwhile for the power, spin and the great feel.

I have used all 5 of these cost-effective alternatives to natural gut mains:

A synthetic gut main is almost free, but will not feel as lively.

A multifilament main will cost less than gut. Choosing a firm, but powerful multi is key. Too soft a multifilament will lose tension quickly, feel mushy, will notch easily, and will break more quickly than natural gut.

A well coated multifilament like Tecnifibre x1 bi-phase will offer some of the power of a multi, but will slip more like gut.

Same cost but more durable: gut crosses with poly mains. Not quite as good in terms of feel. Better durability because the main is poly. Good spin. Decent power. Eventually the gut cross breaks….generally at about the time the main is dying.

Soft poly main with a hard poly cross. Excellent slip/spin. Great feel. Not as much power as a gut main.


Enjoy your exploring! Let us know your thoughts along the way!

[ajchabria]

…

I plan to branch into hybrid setups …..
Offhand I assumed synthetic gut was just a cheap version of natural gut with similar but not as good characteristics…but it seems like the two strings are considerably different.

How do you guys have your strings set up in your rackets? Especially any pro staff 97 users.

Wishing you the best as you explore hybrids.

I am one of those with natural gut mains and a firm, round (smooth, untextured) polyester cross….. in various frames (pro staff RF, yonex 97, babolat strike tour, head prestige, tecnifibre T-Fight 325 18/19).
For me, there is nothing quite like gut mains with poly crosses. Not inexpensive, but certainly worthwhile for the power, spin and the great feel.

I have used all 5 of these cost-effective alternatives to natural gut mains:

A synthetic gut main is almost free, but will not feel as lively.

A multifilament main will cost less than gut. Choosing a firm, but powerful multi is key. Too soft a multifilament will lose tension quickly, feel mushy, will notch easily, and will break more quickly than natural gut.

A well coated multifilament like Tecnifibre x1 bi-phase will offer some of the power of a multi, but will slip more like gut.

Same cost but more durable: gut crosses with poly mains. Not quite as good in terms of feel. Better durability because the main is poly. Good spin. Decent power. Eventually the gut cross breaks….generally at about the time the main is dying.

Soft poly main with a hard poly cross. Excellent slip/spin. Great feel. Not as much power as a gut main.


Enjoy your exploring! Let us know your thoughts along the way!

[luv_all]

Wow 10 years since the last reply on this thread! I am now beginning my journey with strings in earnest. Purchased my own stringing machine a while back and have 4 Wilson Pro Staff 97 v13s.

I’ve been playing tennis since about 2005 but haven’t kept track of what strings were used in my rackets until the last few years. The stringer I used for about a year up until I got my machine used Signum Pro-Poly Plasma Orange due to its low cost but good characteristics. I tried it at tensions between 55-58 lbs and found it to be a good string. But of course how strings behave and feel are relative to one’s experience with other strings. This is what I seek to do.

The first testing I’ve done is with a full bed of Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power Rough 16L on one racket and Tourna Big Hitter Silver Rough 17G on another racket, both at 57 lbs. My initial thoughts, first off with regard to stringing, the Luxilon was very challenging to string due to its stiffness and roughness…basically felt like working with barbed wire. The Tourna was actually quite smooth, the roughness was very subtle and therefore easier to string with. In terms of playability, it did feel like the Luxilon bit into the ball more and gave me more spin. But once I lost some tension, it felt quite uncomfortable to hit with, almost like I was using an aluminum panel (ironically I believe this string is made with aluminum). The Tourna didn’t take quite as much bite it seemed but was more comfortable to play with, and reminded me of the Signum.

I plan to branch into hybrid setups soon. The article mentions 5 hybrid setups, 2 geared for power and 3 for spin. The recommended premium setup seems to be what a lot of pros use, natural gut in the mains with a rough poly/co-poly in the crosses which is strung ~3 lbs lower. Although I will certainly try this to see how it feels and performs, I would prefer a more cost effective version of this. Offhand I assumed synthetic gut was just a cheap version of natural gut with similar but not as good characteristics…but it seems like the two strings are considerably different.

How do you guys have your strings set up in your rackets? Especially any pro staff 97 users.

[GeoffWilliams]

Another thing I'm going to try is wax candle, or a crayon, used on the cross junctions only, on a rough string, like ashaway kevlar. The silicone spray, or the teflon wax spray, just is too much lube.

[julian1]

Gut in mains-a bit related thread

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=360196

regards,
Julian

julian mielniczuk uspta certified pro juliantennis@comcast.net Ph.D
www.julianmielniczuk.usptapro.com Courtside Tennis Club,Bedford,MA

[GeoffWilliams]

Yes, he's using a wilson 6.1 16x18. the broken string was 4th main about 1/3 down from top of head. I'm a little confused by the new stringing dynacmics so excuse me for sounding lost, but generally speaking, do I have it right that the mains were the typical string to break in the days of non hybrid stringing and therefore the new durable (stiff) strings are put in the mains and the crosses are typically more lively lively strings with more "feel" (softer)? What string characteristic actually allows for extra spin, or is that more of a function of the racket?

You are talking about the 4th cross down from the top of the hoop, not the main, so his cross broke first, not the main. So it was not a shear break. If you strung bhbr/bbo, and the bbo broke first in just two days, he hits like a pro. The crosses ususally saw through the mains first, and the mains are the first to break. Spin is a function of both open pattern frames, and a spin string such as spiky shark, barb wire, ashaway kevlar 16g, ace 18g lux, etc. A thin string will bite more. A textured or twisted string will bite more. A nubbed string will bite more than a plain round string. It's also a function of snap back and grab. That equation is determined by the hybrids' slipperiness, too much or too little and the ball will not be grabbed and held, for the most spin. Murray uses alu/vs team, while Fed and Djokovic use vs team/alu. Why is that? Fed has an RA of 65, Murray an Ra of 60, and Djokovic an Ra of a reported 51. Why so vast a range for top players on frames, and RA, yet, the same string hybrid combos? Because that combo provides the most power/control there is. Your son is in need of the ash/alu combo, due to his extremely hard hitting, and open pattern frame. Try the ash/alu hybrid for durability and spin. Then go back to the bhbr/nrg2 or bbo. The nrg2, due to its softer nature, will allow for more control than the bbo, if not strung to suit his frame and game. The bbo will allow for more power, and a higher tension due to its stiffer cross bbo, yet it feels paradoxically soft for such a stiff string as its made of fluorocarbon resin imbued with aluminum and teflon particles. Even if you have to restring the bhbr, who cares, as it's only $80/reel. The nrg2 is $215/reel, as is the bbo, so the crosses will cost more than the mains in either hybrid. Same with the ash/alu, as the alu costs more than the ash/per reel.

If you place the power string in the mains, and the stiff string in the crosses, unlike Murray, you will have flatter shots, more power, and less control. Vice versa, more control, higher shots, less depth, fewer shots out long. Just try the bhbr/nrg2 combo once, then the ashaway/alu combo once. The ash. will last twice as long if not more, but have less power and control, unless you string like a master.

Tecnifibre NRG2 is the next best thing to natural gut. One of the most comfortable and responsive strings available. NRG2 also offers outstanding feel, power and playability. So control will come at a price, but it is easier on the arm than the ash./alu combo, and less durable. Durability is meaningless in a match.

[hmkuchta]

If you broke the bhbr in two hours, you will break the lux as well, as the stiffness rating is similar 233 vs 266. Thicker string will give more durability, and less spin. Performance issues: lux mains bbo will not be as soft, nor as powerful. The bbo is used by many spanish grinders and was used by Agassi with a vs team gut hybrid in his oversize 105 sq. in. frame. Lux in the mains defeats the purpose of a spin string in the mains. Sounds like you need a durable main like ashaway kevlar 16g. I would try that in a hybrid with alu power as cross, but it may hurt your elbow. What you get in durability, you pay for with pain.. Was it a grommet shear break? I find it very durable but I use it in an 18 x 20. Sounds like he is using an open pattern.

Yes, he's using a wilson 6.1 16x18. the broken string was 4th main about 1/3 down from top of head. I'm a little confused by the new stringing dynacmics so excuse me for sounding lost, but generally speaking, do I have it right that the mains were the typical string to break in the days of non hybrid stringing and therefore the new durable (stiff) strings are put in the mains and the crosses are typically more lively lively strings with more "feel" (softer)? What string characteristic actually allows for extra spin, or is that more of a function of the racket?

[GeoffWilliams]

If you broke the bhbr in two hours, you will break the lux as well, as the stiffness rating is similar 233 vs 266. Thicker string will give more durability, and less spin. Performance issues: lux mains bbo will not be as soft, nor as powerful. The bbo is used by many spanish grinders and was used by Agassi with a vs team gut hybrid in his oversize 105 sq. in. frame. Lux in the mains defeats the purpose of a spin string in the mains. Sounds like you need a durable main like ashaway kevlar 16g. I would try that in a hybrid with alu power as cross, but it may hurt your elbow. What you get in durability, you pay for with pain.. Was it a grommet shear break? I find it very durable but I use it in an 18 x 20. Sounds like he is using an open pattern.

[hmkuchta]

His arm hurts due to the pht, which can cause arm problems, and the stiffness rating of the frame at 63, the mp tour diablo?
That's a 16 x 18. The nxt sensation has a lot of tens. loss. Big hitting of any kind will cause it and arm pain, but the pht is hurting him, not the nxt. 66lbs is higher than most string, but tens. loss is a big issue with him. I would at least try: bhbr/bbo, strung at 66lbs on bhbr mains, and the bbo at the top of the hoop: 64lbs, for the first 11 crosses down from the top of the hoop, and then for the last seven crosses down, up to 75lbs. That will firm up the job more until it breaks, but some say it causes more frame stress. I've never had a problem with that technique, and it helps me with the same issue. If he's a big hitter he will love that combo, as the bhbr has way more spin pop than the pht but since it's a copoly, it feels softer than pht but pht is listed as less stiff, the stiffness ratings (188 vs 233) don't always pan out, and will cause less arm pain! Copolys feel softer than polys even if listed stiffer. One of the advancements of string technology is the softness and fewer injuries caused by copolys. The springy feeling he's complaining about is the tension and how it relates to his frame/string he's using. Try it once and see if it works for him. To be part of the article, we would need to ask or see how he plays.

Geoff - I put the bhbr in the mains and they broke after 2 hours of hitting; if I put the bhbr in the crosses and the bbo in the mains would durability increase? how about other performance factors?

[hmkuchta]

His arm hurts due to the pht, which can cause arm problems, and the stiffness rating of the frame at 63, the mp tour diablo?
That's a 16 x 18. The nxt sensation has a lot of tens. loss. Big hitting of any kind will cause it and arm pain, but the pht is hurting him, not the nxt. 66lbs is higher than most string, but tens. loss is a big issue with him. I would at least try: bhbr/bbo, strung at 66lbs on bhbr mains, and the bbo at the top of the hoop: 64lbs, for the first 11 crosses down from the top of the hoop, and then for the last seven crosses down, up to 75lbs. That will firm up the job more until it breaks, but some say it causes more frame stress. I've never had a problem with that technique, and it helps me with the same issue. If he's a big hitter he will love that combo, as the bhbr has way more spin pop than the pht but since it's a copoly, it feels softer than pht but pht is listed as less stiff, the stiffness ratings (188 vs 233) don't always pan out, and will cause less arm pain! Copolys feel softer than polys even if listed stiffer. One of the advancements of string technology is the softness and fewer injuries caused by copolys. The springy feeling he's complaining about is the tension and how it relates to his frame/string he's using. Try it once and see if it works for him. To be part of the article, we would need to ask or see how he plays.

Geoff - I put the bhbr in the mains and they broke after 2 hours of hitting; if I put them in the crosses would durability increase? how about other performance factors?

[GeoffWilliams]

That's the truth, as the microscopic fibers absorb water (made from cow intestines, or sheep with the cheaper indian gut), but Nrg2 or x1 biphase are ok subs, both made by technifibre. I've seen gut immersed in water and become spongy and enlarge. They coat gut with a compound that delays the absorption, but it wears off as soon as you hit with it!

fed, joker, nadal frames