@ LordMang4, Thicker strings will lead to a stiffer stringbed, and thus less power and more control. The gauge of the strings affect power/control/spin, but the composition of the string affects it more. Two different strings are going to have a much different feel than two of the same strings in different gauges. So, Siobhan mentioned the lack of power in her review in relation to other types of strings, not gauges. Andy, TW
@ Christopher Juhn, Sorry, Siobhan must have misread your question. That hybrid will work nicely, combining the control and spin potential of 4G with the comfort and power of FiberGel. If you don't break strings often, I'd recommend putting the FiberGel in the mains for a more comfortable feel, especially since you hit so flat. Those are two great strings that will work well together in a hybrid. Andy, TW
Yes, particularly if you have a faster swing. This string is stiffer and really allows you to swing hard and fast at the ball and it does what great polys do and drop in the court. I definitely suggest giving it a try if you're a poly player looking for something with a deader feel, and more control and more power (with those fast swings). Siobhan, TW
@ nicote88, We appreciate the kind words and feedback. Unfortunately, TiMo is not currently on our list of strings to test, but we will take note of your interest and perhaps do it at a later time. Andy, TW
@ Harry Wang, It offers a less powerful, more control-oriented response compared to ALU Power. It's a little stiffer and will allow you to swing out on the ball a bit more without fear of it going long. However, it won't quite pocket the ball as well or be as comfortable as ALU Power. Andy, TW
@ Francis Escueta, 4G will feel a bit stiffer but at the same time livelier, and it will have better tension maintenance and control. Co Focus will give you a bit more spin and a slightly more muted response. The strings will be similar in terms of durability, but the playability of 4G will last longer than that of Co Focus. Andy, TW
@ CapitanReevs, 4G will be stiffer feeling and will offer better control and tension maintenance compared to BHB7. BHB7 will be crisp feeling, lively, and offer more power, spin and comfort. Andy, TW
@ Bob Jones, The ALU Power hybrid will provide with a little crisper, livelier feel with a bit more pop. The 4G hybrid will have a little better control and tension maintenance. Both would work great though, you're not going to go wrong with either choice. Andy, TW
@ dliu088, Both strings are lively and powerful, but 4G will feel stiffer when the ball hits the strings. The ball doesn't quite sink into the 4G stringbed like it does with RPM. Tension maintenance with 4G is incredible, so the playability will last longer than RPM. RPM will offer more spin potential and good control, and 4G will offer decent spin but excellent control. Andy, TW
@ 8380ShockWave, Both strings will be fairly low-powered, but 4G will feel even stiffer and lower-powered than RPM Blast. It offers exceptional control and tension maintenance for a polyester. RPM Blast will be a touch livelier and offer easier access to spin. Personally, I'd go with RPM Blast, but if control and tension maintenance is your priority then you can't go wrong with 4G either. Andy, TW
@ Jonathan Guray, We prefer 4G to BB Original. They are similar in that they are both stiff, control-oriented polys, but we found 4G to have a little more liveliness, playability and tension maintenance. Andy, TW
@ CorbinP21, If you break strings somewhat often and you're looking for a stiffer, more control-oriented feel, go with a nice polyester like Babolat RPM Blast or Tourna Big Hitter Black 7. If you don't break strings and you want a more powerful and comfortable feel, go with a nice multifilament like Tecnifibre NRG2. Andy, TW
@@JimConzelman, Brittany and Siobahn both mentioned it can be a bit under-powered for their preferences, especially in a more control oriented racquet. Also, not mentioned in this video, but it did test as the stiffest poly in our TW University lab, so probably not a great choice for those who need some comfort from their strings. Troy, TW
@@tenniswarehouse do you recommend referencing the database if trying to minimize tension loss & maximize playability duration (assuming those are synonymous)? So then the Tourna Silver 7 Tour would be at the top?
@Juan Turloi, A general rule of thumb for switching from multifilaments to polyesters is you want to drop you're tension about 10% of what you were at previously due to the added stiffness of the poly. Therefore, I'd say go down to about 50 lbs for a similar response to the X-One. Andy, TW
@ Wen x, Depends on what you are looking for. If you don't break strings very often and you want more power and comfort out of your strings, I'd recommend going with NRG2. If you do break strings and you want a stiff, control-oriented feel, go with a nice polyester like 4G. For a blend of the two and good access to spin, go with a hybrid. Andy, TW
@ Bob Jones, RPM Blast will give you tons of spin and good control, but not as controlled as 4G. It will also lose tension faster than 4G will. Andy, TW
@ T David, Both strings offer great ball feel. RPM will offer a bit more ball pocketing, as the ball feels like it's on the strings a little longer and then springs off the racquet. 4G feels a little stiffer, but the ball still seems to jump off the strings with lots of energy. Andy, TW
@bhsqb11, We will be reviewing those strings in the near future, so stay tuned! I've played with the Tornado before, and I'd say that it is somewhat similar to ALU Rough, except that it is a little more dead feeling and doesn't have as much spin potential. It will provide you with a little more control than Rough. Andy, TW
@bhsqb11, With that setup, you are combining the best of both worlds...the comfort and feel of the gut and the control and spin potential of the poly. Many people find a full bed of polyester to feel too stiff, so using the gut in a hybrid makes the stringbed a lot softer and more comfortable. It's a great option for many players. Andy, TW
@ Hinley Chan, For spin, you might want to go with ALU Power Rough. 4G will feel a little stiffer and more controlled, and also maintain tension better. ALU Power Rough grabs the ball very well and provides a little more spin and power. Andy, TW
@ rookiemail, I would string 4G around the same tension that I would string Cyclone and Tour Bite. They all possess a slightly different feel, but I wouldn't say any one of those strings produces significantly more or less power than the others. As for the Volkl racquets, I'd string the PB Mid 2-3 lbs tighter than the Organix Mid since it possesses a little more pop. Andy, TW
@ Hinley Chan, Both would play great. A hybrid would make it a little softer-feeling and more comfortable, but a full bed will give you the ultimate control. If you are not used to a full bed of polyester, I'd recommend going with a hybrid. Andy, TW
@ itislorraine, The X-One Biphase is a multifilament string, designed to replicate the soft feel of natural gut. 4G is a polyester string that is much stiffer but provides better control and allows you to take bigger cuts at the ball. The X-One will be much more comfortable, softer and provide more power than 4G. Andy, TW
@MJumpman23ism, For me Lux 4G lasts longer on the playability front. It holds tension better and I can get three to four weeks out of it depending on how hard/long I'm training. There are slight differences in playability between the two, but they are both great co-polys that offer lots of spin and control. Hope that helps, Chris, TW
@ MJumpman23ism, Those are three of the best strings on the market, so I don't think you can go wrong with any of them. Personally, I'd go with RPM, then ALU Power, then 4G. RPM is best for spin, 4G for tension maintenance, and ALU Power for comfort and power. Andy, TW
you can get decent spin from any set up, including the hybrid you mentioned. Keep in mind: anything with RPM in the mains is going to have exceptional spin, so you should give it a try. If something is lacking, than you could go on a search and look for strings with higher spin values. If nothing is lacking, than look no further. Jon, TW
@ Anton Nguyen, It won't offer the same amount of spin, but the 4G will provide more control and better tension maintenance compared to the ALU Power Rough. Andy, TW
@ DrPepprFan, 4G will feel stiffer, but strangely more lively. It will also offer better control and tension maintenance. Spiky Shark will offer tons of spin with good control as well. Andy, TW
@ Hinley Chan, It could work but it isn't too common. The idea behind a hybrid is you are getting some the control and spin of a polyester and some of the power and comfort as natural gut or a multifilament. By doing a hybrid of two polys you probably wouldn't notice a huge difference between that and just a full set of your favorite one. Andy, TW
Sorry, it was the weekend and we didn't check youtube yesterday. The difference is the gauge. The thinner gauge is 1.25, 16L. Half-gauges are represented by the letter L, for "light". A 15L is between a 15 and 16 gauge. Thinner strings offer greater feel, power and spin potential than a thicker string of the same material and construction. They also have less durability, meaning they break quicker. Siobhan, TW
@ MJumpman23ism, 16 and 16L will play very similar, and gauge is kind of a personal choice. A thinner gauge will offer a little more feel, playability and access to power and spin, while a thicker gauge will offer more control and durability and a slightly stiffer feel. Personally, I prefer a thinner gauge, but there are other playtesters here that enjoy a thicker gauge. If you're not a string breaker, I'd go with the thinner gauge though for more playability. Andy, TW
Sorry I misunderstood the question. Sure, you can buy a set or a reel of 4G and we can cut the length off or cut it in half, string it up as a hybrid for you and send you the rest or other half of the string when we send you the racquet. I just meant you can't buy as a half set as is right now. Siobhan, TW
@bhsqb11, We will most likely be reviewing Silver String sometime in the future, but we have no exact time table for it right now. If you're looking for a string with great tension maintenance, look no further than 4G. It passed our TW University tension maintenance tests with flying colors and is one of the best strings on the market for that. Andy, TW
@ Cali Xiong, Try Tourna Big Hitter Black 7 or Head Sonic Pro Edge. They will offer a similar crisp feel with great spin, but will be softer and livelier. Andy, TW
@ Boris Lau, 4G is a great string and is definitely worth a try, but you also just increase your tension by a couple of pounds in order to harness the power and get a little more control out of the string. If you like the feel of RPM but just want more control, string your racquet at 57 lbs next time you get it strung and see what you think. Andy, TW
Spin comes primarily from your racquet's angle of attack and head speed. Someone with sound topspin mechanics would get exceptional spin from Blast/NXT. We have a machine which calculates what we believe to be the primary string related elements of spin, that being ball/string friction and string/string friction. You can check the results here. You will notice that NXT is not rated high for spin, but, as I said, once you factor in the player's stroke, cont..
@ Timmy Le, It would play great in the 99S. It would offer tons of control and allow you to really maximize your racquet head speed to get the most spin you can out of the frame. Luxilon even makes a version (4G S) specifically for the 99S. It's a thicker gauge so that it will last longer in the open string pattern. Andy, TW
@ AKATennis, Our playtester Troy loves his strings at low tensions (in the low to mid 40s) and has played with 4G. He said he actually preferred it at a low tension (42 lbs) in order to get some more comfort. He also said he didn't lose control and the string still provided a solid feel and a "nice pop sound". Andy, TW
@ roberthughes178, 4G is one of the best when it comes to durability and tension maintenance. RPM will be a bit softer and offer better spin. Those are two of the best strings around, so you're not going to go wrong with either. Pick your string based on what attributes you want out of your strings, either more spin or more control/durability. Andy, TW
@ rladuddls3004, Typically, a hybrid set up is used with two different types of strings, like a polyester and multifilament, in order to get the features of both strings. RPM and 4G are both polyesters, which play somewhat similar, but you could absolutely hybrid them if you would like. I may suggest using one of those two with a multi like Tecnifibre NRG2 to add a little more comfort and power. Try your typical tension and then adjust from there on your next stringjob. Andy, TW
@bhsqb11, Your power level would be about the same due to your increase in tension in the mains, maybe slightly more than your old setup due to the gut being in there. With that said, you will get less spin potential than your full bed of poly. That is unfortunately the trade off; in order to get more comfort and feel you have to sacrifice the spin potential of the full bed of poly. Andy, TW
@ TheLogRat, If you're looking for a softer string with more feel, go with a nice multifilament like Wilson NXT. 4G is an excellent string, but it is very stiff and lower-powered. Andy, TW
@Federer Fann, You will enjoy that hybrid! With the Sensation, the 4G won't be as stiff and shouldn't hurt your arm, but you will still get the playability out of it. Give it a go! Michelle, TW
@ henrikelud, This would be a good string if you typically play with polyester strings. You may also want to try a softer poly (like Head Sonic Pro Edge) or even a multifilament like Tecnifibre NRG2 if you don't break strings often and want a little more comfort. I'd go with 53 lbs with a poly and 56 lbs with a multi. Andy, TW
@Neil Murthi, 4G Rough will give you a noticeable boost in ball grab and spin over 4G, but it doesn't have as much control. 4G Rough is lower-powered than ALU Rough, which allows you to generate more racquet head speed without the ball flying long. Thus, you can get more spin with it. Andy, TW
@cole devon, 4G will give you more control, a deader feel and better tension maintenance while ALU Power will give you more power, comfort and a crisper feel. It really comes down to personal preference as far as which string is better. Andy, TW
I apologize, no was too definite of an answer. Two playtests were done by Luxilon (the playtest was through them, not us) in the winter. One string was gold and the other was green. We're looking at a thread that was posted about the gold prototype string, and the coloring looks to be a little different than the 4G. BUT we could be wrong, and because it was conducted by Luxilon we have no record of it. Sorry I can't be more helpful! Siobhan, TW
@ Carlos Betanzos Valenzuela, ALU Power will be the more comfortable and powerful of the two frames, and it will also offer great control as well. Try ALU Power! Andy, TW
Polys don't offer much in the way of power, but you can string them low for more juice and still find control. Try Tourna Big Hitter 7 Black and Dunlop Black Widow as both offer more pop than a lot of other poly strings. Luxilon 4G will likely hold tension better than most, but I would string it 2-3lbs lower to get more pop from it. Hope that helps, Chris, TW
@ William Walsh, That's going to be pretty stiff and low-powered. I may suggest going down in tension a bit in order to make it a bit more comfortable for your arm. Andy, TW
@Michael Flanigan, Luxilon 4G would be a perfect choice for you as it offers exceptional control and tension maintenance for a polyester string. I think the thicker gauges will be too stiff, so I'd try 16 gauge and see what you think. Andy, TW
That makes sense now. Thank you for clarifying that Siobhan's comment was in regards to other strings, not different gauges of the Luxilon 4G. While her comment might have been understood by the majority of TW customers and experienced tennis players, I was a little confused as a relatively newcomer to the game.
@ rladuddls3004, 4G will actually feel stiffer than ALU Power Ice, so it may not be your best option. I'd suggest going to a softer co-poly like Dunlop Black Widow or Tourna Big Hitter Black 7 to provide a bit more comfort. Andy, TW
@ SanchezBrooklyn, It does play great in a Steam 105, but it's also somewhat stiff feeling, and may not suit you best. I would try a softer polyester string like Dunlop Black Widow or Volkl Cyclone Tour at 57 lbs and see what you think. Andy, TW
@ Cali Xiong, 4G will be the stiffest feeling of all of them, and lower-powered than all of them except for Red Code. 4G is special for its control and tension maintenance, so that's where it would have the edge over those other strings. It won't offer the same kind of spin potential as RPM Blast or Cyclone though. Andy, TW
@ Jonathan Lin, It sounds like you're pretty dialed in on your equipment...awesome! I would try for 4G at 60 lbs and see what you think. It's a little less powerful than RPM, so by dropping tension a pound I think you'll get the feel you want. But we have to get you in a softer poly like Tourna Big Hitter Black 7 to save that arm man! Maybe try it in the near future when you have a little break from competition. Andy, TW
@ rladuddls3004, I would string it at 50 lbs, because it's going to be fairly low-powered like the second string you mentioned. The 10% lower suggestions is for people that are coming from the world of multifilaments. Andy, TW
Andy, happy to hear about the tension maintenance of 4G. I would like to know your personal opinion regarding the following points: 1. How much higher, or lower, would you string 4G compared to Cyclone? (16 gauge for both) 2. How much higher, or lower, would you string it compared to Tour Bite? 3. Lastly, would you string the Organix Mid higher than the PB Mid? You guys seem to be finding a little bit more pop with it relatively to the older model, right..? Thanks a lot :)
Absolutely helps! In my Journey through the world of Poly ... I have found my favorite tension is 50lbs + or - in my Tour 90's. I can't help but watch the review of the Kirschbaum compared to others and during the review and demo, Siobhan seemed to be getting lots of Power on her shots with the PLX17.
@ExpertHipHop, No decision has been made as of yet about reviewing the Natural Gut strings, but we know they are popular and we will keep your concern in mind. Andy, TW
How would this string play in the Pro Staff 97 (Thinking about stringing at 50 pounds)? I've suffered from tennis elbow/wrist problems from other polys such as RPM blast, but I've heard this string is pretty soft for a poly and feels plush (it certainly felt that way in the new burn 100s I demo'd).
@ Ian Lastname, 4G is actually one of the stiffest and lowest powered strings on the market, so I definitely wouldn't consider it arm-friendly. If you are wanting a bit more comfort and relief from your arm pain, I'd suggest going with something softer like Y-Tex Quadro Twist or Volkl Cyclone Tour. Andy, TW
Is there any other poly that has better tension maintenance/playability duration than 4G? Needless to say this was a very informative review as always!
4G is pretty much at the top of the charts for tension maintenance, but you could also check out Tourna Big Hitter Silver 7 Tour, Kirschbaum Max Power, and Dunlop Explosive Speed. Troy, TW
Im thinking of stringing this onto my Pure Strike ProjectOne7 racket and replacing my RPM Blast strings. I've had one of my first rackets (the nfury) strung up with this string with 55lb of tension. From what I've seen in the previous comments, you guys say that it is a stiff unforgiving string with low power, but it acts like a trampoline (probably due to tension loss) on my old racket. Anyways, the reason why I am replacing RPM Blast is because I put crazy amounts of top spin in my shots and I need strings with more power; however, like you guys previously stated, the string offers low power (just like the RPM Blast), but I am also looking for a string that has good tension maintenance. Any string recommendations would for either power or tension maintenance would be appreciated. Luxilon 4G, Sigma Pro Poly, Babolat Origin, and Solinco Hyper G are on the top of my lists right now. Thank you.
@ Vincent Flores, Babolat Origin will have the most power and best tension maintenance of the ones you mentioned, but it won't quite have the same spin potential that you're used to. 4G is quite stiff and won't give you the power you're looking for. Origin would be a good one to try, or if you want a bit more spin then I'd suggest checking out Kirschbaum Pro Line II. Andy, TW
Hi tw, I understand that 4g holds tension better than most polys, but is that it's only specialty, or does it okay differently from strings that Lux Alu power
Hi TW, In terms of arm-friendliness, on a relative basis how would you compare 4G, ALU Power, and ALU Power Rough? I'll throw in RPM Blast as well for comparison. Separately, thanks for all the great racquet and string reviews, which are a great resource. I've learned a ton from you guys (and ordered some products)! Many thanks.
@ tenniswarehouse Could you guys review the Weiss CANNON strings? I would love to see your guys' review on them because I know a lot of people who would be interested.. including me :D
Hi, what would be the differences between a hybrid of Luxilon ALU Power and Technifibre x-one biphase and a hybrid of Luxilon 4G and Technifibre x-one biphase be?
You wrote that thinner strings offer greater power than a thicker string of the same construction. But in your review of the Luxilon 4G 16L, you wrote that you thought that string didn't offer much power at times and was both a blessing and a curse depending on the situation. So which is it? Do thinner gauge strings offer greater power or lesser power? Thanks.
Hi I am using the Babolat Ballistics. I like it but it's giving me tennis elbow every time I generate my own power. I personally like soft strings. What would be a good replacement?
Hi TW, Great review as always. I do have a question about the strings in comparison to other strings. I play with a babolat pure control tour, with 1.25 luxilon 4G strings. However when i play on clay I can max play 5 hours before snapping the strings, so it's a pretty costly hobby with these strings. I do love them however, but how would the 1.30 compare to the 1.25, in terms of playability and durability? And how would the dunlop explosive 17, solinco Hyper-G16, tourna poly big hitter and the polyfibre TCS 16L strings compare (which would be most similar to the 1.25 4G strings)? Thanks in advance for your help guys!
@ Chuckie483, The 1.30mm will be slightly lower-powered but will give you better durability. If you're looking for a similar feel to your current string, I'd suggest going with the 1.30mm version of 4G while dropping your tension 2 lbs to account for the loss of power. All the other strings you mentioned will be softer and more powerful than 4G while giving you similar durability in the same gauge. Andy, TW
@ LordMang4,
Thicker strings will lead to a stiffer stringbed, and thus less power and more control. The gauge of the strings affect power/control/spin, but the composition of the string affects it more. Two different strings are going to have a much different feel than two of the same strings in different gauges. So, Siobhan mentioned the lack of power in her review in relation to other types of strings, not gauges.
Andy, TW
@ Christopher Juhn,
Sorry, Siobhan must have misread your question. That hybrid will work nicely, combining the control and spin potential of 4G with the comfort and power of FiberGel. If you don't break strings often, I'd recommend putting the FiberGel in the mains for a more comfortable feel, especially since you hit so flat. Those are two great strings that will work well together in a hybrid.
Andy, TW
Yes, particularly if you have a faster swing. This string is stiffer and really allows you to swing hard and fast at the ball and it does what great polys do and drop in the court. I definitely suggest giving it a try if you're a poly player looking for something with a deader feel, and more control and more power (with those fast swings).
Siobhan, TW
@ nicote88,
We appreciate the kind words and feedback. Unfortunately, TiMo is not currently on our list of strings to test, but we will take note of your interest and perhaps do it at a later time.
Andy, TW
@ Harry Wang,
It offers a less powerful, more control-oriented response compared to ALU Power. It's a little stiffer and will allow you to swing out on the ball a bit more without fear of it going long. However, it won't quite pocket the ball as well or be as comfortable as ALU Power.
Andy, TW
@ Francis Escueta,
4G will feel a bit stiffer but at the same time livelier, and it will have better tension maintenance and control. Co Focus will give you a bit more spin and a slightly more muted response. The strings will be similar in terms of durability, but the playability of 4G will last longer than that of Co Focus.
Andy, TW
@ CapitanReevs,
4G will be stiffer feeling and will offer better control and tension maintenance compared to BHB7. BHB7 will be crisp feeling, lively, and offer more power, spin and comfort.
Andy, TW
@ Bob Jones,
The ALU Power hybrid will provide with a little crisper, livelier feel with a bit more pop. The 4G hybrid will have a little better control and tension maintenance. Both would work great though, you're not going to go wrong with either choice.
Andy, TW
@ dliu088,
Both strings are lively and powerful, but 4G will feel stiffer when the ball hits the strings. The ball doesn't quite sink into the 4G stringbed like it does with RPM. Tension maintenance with 4G is incredible, so the playability will last longer than RPM. RPM will offer more spin potential and good control, and 4G will offer decent spin but excellent control.
Andy, TW
@ 8380ShockWave,
Both strings will be fairly low-powered, but 4G will feel even stiffer and lower-powered than RPM Blast. It offers exceptional control and tension maintenance for a polyester. RPM Blast will be a touch livelier and offer easier access to spin. Personally, I'd go with RPM Blast, but if control and tension maintenance is your priority then you can't go wrong with 4G either.
Andy, TW
@ Jonathan Guray,
We prefer 4G to BB Original. They are similar in that they are both stiff, control-oriented polys, but we found 4G to have a little more liveliness, playability and tension maintenance.
Andy, TW
@ CorbinP21,
If you break strings somewhat often and you're looking for a stiffer, more control-oriented feel, go with a nice polyester like Babolat RPM Blast or Tourna Big Hitter Black 7. If you don't break strings and you want a more powerful and comfortable feel, go with a nice multifilament like Tecnifibre NRG2.
Andy, TW
Yet this is a review of the 4G and you said nothing on what you don't like about this string
@@JimConzelman, Brittany and Siobahn both mentioned it can be a bit under-powered for their preferences, especially in a more control oriented racquet. Also, not mentioned in this video, but it did test as the stiffest poly in our TW University lab, so probably not a great choice for those who need some comfort from their strings. Troy, TW
@@tenniswarehouse do you recommend referencing the database if trying to minimize tension loss & maximize playability duration (assuming those are synonymous)? So then the Tourna Silver 7 Tour would be at the top?
@Juan Turloi,
A general rule of thumb for switching from multifilaments to polyesters is you want to drop you're tension about 10% of what you were at previously due to the added stiffness of the poly. Therefore, I'd say go down to about 50 lbs for a similar response to the X-One.
Andy, TW
@ Wen x,
Depends on what you are looking for. If you don't break strings very often and you want more power and comfort out of your strings, I'd recommend going with NRG2. If you do break strings and you want a stiff, control-oriented feel, go with a nice polyester like 4G. For a blend of the two and good access to spin, go with a hybrid.
Andy, TW
@ Bob Jones,
RPM Blast will give you tons of spin and good control, but not as controlled as 4G. It will also lose tension faster than 4G will.
Andy, TW
@ T David,
Both strings offer great ball feel. RPM will offer a bit more ball pocketing, as the ball feels like it's on the strings a little longer and then springs off the racquet. 4G feels a little stiffer, but the ball still seems to jump off the strings with lots of energy.
Andy, TW
@bhsqb11,
We will be reviewing those strings in the near future, so stay tuned! I've played with the Tornado before, and I'd say that it is somewhat similar to ALU Rough, except that it is a little more dead feeling and doesn't have as much spin potential. It will provide you with a little more control than Rough.
Andy, TW
@bhsqb11,
With that setup, you are combining the best of both worlds...the comfort and feel of the gut and the control and spin potential of the poly. Many people find a full bed of polyester to feel too stiff, so using the gut in a hybrid makes the stringbed a lot softer and more comfortable. It's a great option for many players.
Andy, TW
@ Hinley Chan,
For spin, you might want to go with ALU Power Rough. 4G will feel a little stiffer and more controlled, and also maintain tension better. ALU Power Rough grabs the ball very well and provides a little more spin and power.
Andy, TW
@ rookiemail,
I would string 4G around the same tension that I would string Cyclone and Tour Bite. They all possess a slightly different feel, but I wouldn't say any one of those strings produces significantly more or less power than the others. As for the Volkl racquets, I'd string the PB Mid 2-3 lbs tighter than the Organix Mid since it possesses a little more pop.
Andy, TW
Tennis Warehouse -Rewolucja-Kirscbaum
@ Thomas McMichael,
Yes, Kei currently uses this string.
Andy, TW
@ Kevin Dang,
We are currently playtesting a Weiss Cannon string at the moment, so look for the review to be posted in the next few weeks.
Andy, TW
@ Hinley Chan,
Both would play great. A hybrid would make it a little softer-feeling and more comfortable, but a full bed will give you the ultimate control. If you are not used to a full bed of polyester, I'd recommend going with a hybrid.
Andy, TW
@ itislorraine,
The X-One Biphase is a multifilament string, designed to replicate the soft feel of natural gut. 4G is a polyester string that is much stiffer but provides better control and allows you to take bigger cuts at the ball. The X-One will be much more comfortable, softer and provide more power than 4G.
Andy, TW
@MJumpman23ism,
For me Lux 4G lasts longer on the playability front. It holds tension better and I can get three to four weeks out of it depending on how hard/long I'm training. There are slight differences in playability between the two, but they are both great co-polys that offer lots of spin and control.
Hope that helps,
Chris, TW
Between the 125 and 130?
@ MJumpman23ism,
Those are three of the best strings on the market, so I don't think you can go wrong with any of them. Personally, I'd go with RPM, then ALU Power, then 4G. RPM is best for spin, 4G for tension maintenance, and ALU Power for comfort and power.
Andy, TW
you can get decent spin from any set up, including the hybrid you mentioned. Keep in mind: anything with RPM in the mains is going to have exceptional spin, so you should give it a try. If something is lacking, than you could go on a search and look for strings with higher spin values. If nothing is lacking, than look no further.
Jon, TW
@ Anton Nguyen,
It won't offer the same amount of spin, but the 4G will provide more control and better tension maintenance compared to the ALU Power Rough.
Andy, TW
@ DrPepprFan,
4G will feel stiffer, but strangely more lively. It will also offer better control and tension maintenance. Spiky Shark will offer tons of spin with good control as well.
Andy, TW
@ Hinley Chan,
It could work but it isn't too common. The idea behind a hybrid is you are getting some the control and spin of a polyester and some of the power and comfort as natural gut or a multifilament. By doing a hybrid of two polys you probably wouldn't notice a huge difference between that and just a full set of your favorite one.
Andy, TW
Sorry, it was the weekend and we didn't check youtube yesterday. The difference is the gauge. The thinner gauge is 1.25, 16L. Half-gauges are represented by the letter L, for "light". A 15L is between a 15 and 16 gauge. Thinner strings offer greater feel, power and spin potential than a thicker string of the same material and construction. They also have less durability, meaning they break quicker.
Siobhan, TW
@ MJumpman23ism,
16 and 16L will play very similar, and gauge is kind of a personal choice. A thinner gauge will offer a little more feel, playability and access to power and spin, while a thicker gauge will offer more control and durability and a slightly stiffer feel. Personally, I prefer a thinner gauge, but there are other playtesters here that enjoy a thicker gauge. If you're not a string breaker, I'd go with the thinner gauge though for more playability.
Andy, TW
Sorry I misunderstood the question. Sure, you can buy a set or a reel of 4G and we can cut the length off or cut it in half, string it up as a hybrid for you and send you the rest or other half of the string when we send you the racquet. I just meant you can't buy as a half set as is right now.
Siobhan, TW
@bhsqb11,
We will most likely be reviewing Silver String sometime in the future, but we have no exact time table for it right now. If you're looking for a string with great tension maintenance, look no further than 4G. It passed our TW University tension maintenance tests with flying colors and is one of the best strings on the market for that.
Andy, TW
@ Cali Xiong,
Try Tourna Big Hitter Black 7 or Head Sonic Pro Edge. They will offer a similar crisp feel with great spin, but will be softer and livelier.
Andy, TW
@ Boris Lau,
4G is a great string and is definitely worth a try, but you also just increase your tension by a couple of pounds in order to harness the power and get a little more control out of the string. If you like the feel of RPM but just want more control, string your racquet at 57 lbs next time you get it strung and see what you think.
Andy, TW
Spin comes primarily from your racquet's angle of attack and head speed. Someone with sound topspin mechanics would get exceptional spin from Blast/NXT. We have a machine which calculates what we believe to be the primary string related elements of spin, that being ball/string friction and string/string friction. You can check the results here. You will notice that NXT is not rated high for spin, but, as I said, once you factor in the player's stroke, cont..
@ Timmy Le,
It would play great in the 99S. It would offer tons of control and allow you to really maximize your racquet head speed to get the most spin you can out of the frame. Luxilon even makes a version (4G S) specifically for the 99S. It's a thicker gauge so that it will last longer in the open string pattern.
Andy, TW
@ AKATennis,
Our playtester Troy loves his strings at low tensions (in the low to mid 40s) and has played with 4G. He said he actually preferred it at a low tension (42 lbs) in order to get some more comfort. He also said he didn't lose control and the string still provided a solid feel and a "nice pop sound".
Andy, TW
Siobhan Cavan does an excellent job hosting this review. I hope she does future string reviews or racket reviews in the future!
@ Jonathan Luk,
Try hybriding with Wilson NXT, and string it 2-3 lbs tighter than you're stringing your 4G at.
Andy, TW
@ roberthughes178,
4G is one of the best when it comes to durability and tension maintenance. RPM will be a bit softer and offer better spin. Those are two of the best strings around, so you're not going to go wrong with either. Pick your string based on what attributes you want out of your strings, either more spin or more control/durability.
Andy, TW
@ rladuddls3004,
Typically, a hybrid set up is used with two different types of strings, like a polyester and multifilament, in order to get the features of both strings. RPM and 4G are both polyesters, which play somewhat similar, but you could absolutely hybrid them if you would like. I may suggest using one of those two with a multi like Tecnifibre NRG2 to add a little more comfort and power. Try your typical tension and then adjust from there on your next stringjob.
Andy, TW
@ davidjcable,
That would play great! Smart of you to go down in tension to get enough comfort and playability for your arm.
Andy, TW
@ Stimpy Gilford,
Try it with Tecnifibre NRG2 or Babolat XCel. Both are great multifilaments that aim to replicate the feel of natural gut.
Andy, TW
@PolarBear9895,
Siobhan is a little closer to semi-western rather than a western grip forehand.
Andy, TW
@bhsqb11,
Your power level would be about the same due to your increase in tension in the mains, maybe slightly more than your old setup due to the gut being in there. With that said, you will get less spin potential than your full bed of poly. That is unfortunately the trade off; in order to get more comfort and feel you have to sacrifice the spin potential of the full bed of poly.
Andy, TW
@ TheLogRat,
If you're looking for a softer string with more feel, go with a nice multifilament like Wilson NXT. 4G is an excellent string, but it is very stiff and lower-powered.
Andy, TW
@Federer Fann,
You will enjoy that hybrid! With the Sensation, the 4G won't be as stiff and shouldn't hurt your arm, but you will still get the playability out of it. Give it a go!
Michelle, TW
I just shot this review yesterday. Hope to have it done for next week.
William, TW
@ henrikelud,
This would be a good string if you typically play with polyester strings. You may also want to try a softer poly (like Head Sonic Pro Edge) or even a multifilament like Tecnifibre NRG2 if you don't break strings often and want a little more comfort. I'd go with 53 lbs with a poly and 56 lbs with a multi.
Andy, TW
@Neil Murthi,
4G Rough will give you a noticeable boost in ball grab and spin over 4G, but it doesn't have as much control. 4G Rough is lower-powered than ALU Rough, which allows you to generate more racquet head speed without the ball flying long. Thus, you can get more spin with it.
Andy, TW
Hey TW I am trying to decide between this string and luxilon ALU power and what tension would you recommend I play with a babolat aero pro drive.
@cole devon,
4G will give you more control, a deader feel and better tension maintenance while ALU Power will give you more power, comfort and a crisper feel. It really comes down to personal preference as far as which string is better.
Andy, TW
@ lewismcleod98,
It should be fine. A mis-weave like that will rarely affect the playability and tension maintenance.
Andy, TW
I apologize, no was too definite of an answer. Two playtests were done by Luxilon (the playtest was through them, not us) in the winter. One string was gold and the other was green. We're looking at a thread that was posted about the gold prototype string, and the coloring looks to be a little different than the 4G. BUT we could be wrong, and because it was conducted by Luxilon we have no record of it. Sorry I can't be more helpful!
Siobhan, TW
@ Carlos Betanzos Valenzuela,
ALU Power will be the more comfortable and powerful of the two frames, and it will also offer great control as well. Try ALU Power!
Andy, TW
Polys don't offer much in the way of power, but you can string them low for more juice and still find control. Try Tourna Big Hitter 7 Black and Dunlop Black Widow as both offer more pop than a lot of other poly strings. Luxilon 4G will likely hold tension better than most, but I would string it 2-3lbs lower to get more pop from it.
Hope that helps,
Chris, TW
@ Tej Thakkar,
Wilson NXT Control and Babolat XCel both have good durability for a multifilament. Give those a try.
Andy, TW
@ William Walsh,
That's going to be pretty stiff and low-powered. I may suggest going down in tension a bit in order to make it a bit more comfortable for your arm.
Andy, TW
@Michael Flanigan,
Luxilon 4G would be a perfect choice for you as it offers exceptional control and tension maintenance for a polyester string. I think the thicker gauges will be too stiff, so I'd try 16 gauge and see what you think.
Andy, TW
Tennis Warehouse Thank You! I really appreciate the quick reply!
That makes sense now. Thank you for clarifying that Siobhan's comment was in regards to other strings, not different gauges of the Luxilon 4G.
While her comment might have been understood by the majority of TW customers and experienced tennis players, I was a little confused as a relatively newcomer to the game.
@ rladuddls3004,
4G will actually feel stiffer than ALU Power Ice, so it may not be your best option. I'd suggest going to a softer co-poly like Dunlop Black Widow or Tourna Big Hitter Black 7 to provide a bit more comfort.
Andy, TW
@ SanchezBrooklyn,
It does play great in a Steam 105, but it's also somewhat stiff feeling, and may not suit you best. I would try a softer polyester string like Dunlop Black Widow or Volkl Cyclone Tour at 57 lbs and see what you think.
Andy, TW
@ MJumpman23ism,
It certainly would. It compliments a stiff, powerful racquet like those very well.
Andy, TW
@ 巴呆 斯,
This will play great in your Blade 98! Try it at 50 lbs and see what you think.
Andy, TW
@ Cali Xiong,
4G will be the stiffest feeling of all of them, and lower-powered than all of them except for Red Code. 4G is special for its control and tension maintenance, so that's where it would have the edge over those other strings. It won't offer the same kind of spin potential as RPM Blast or Cyclone though.
Andy, TW
@ Jonathan Lin,
It sounds like you're pretty dialed in on your equipment...awesome! I would try for 4G at 60 lbs and see what you think. It's a little less powerful than RPM, so by dropping tension a pound I think you'll get the feel you want. But we have to get you in a softer poly like Tourna Big Hitter Black 7 to save that arm man! Maybe try it in the near future when you have a little break from competition.
Andy, TW
@ bhsqb11,
We don't have any information about that at this time. Sorry!
Andy, TW
@Federer Fann,
Put the 4G in the mains. And I suggest stringing it mid-range. Maybe 55lbs!
Michelle, TW
@ Justin Lin,
This would be a great choice! Try it at 55 lbs and see what you think.
Andy, TW
@ rladuddls3004,
I would string it at 50 lbs, because it's going to be fairly low-powered like the second string you mentioned. The 10% lower suggestions is for people that are coming from the world of multifilaments.
Andy, TW
Hi guys
I love your product reviews, keep them coming.
And your testers team is just awesome.
I`m dying to see a review of Luxilon Timo
Andy, happy to hear about the tension maintenance of 4G. I would like to know your personal opinion regarding the following points:
1. How much higher, or lower, would you string 4G compared to Cyclone? (16 gauge for both)
2. How much higher, or lower, would you string it compared to Tour Bite?
3. Lastly, would you string the Organix Mid higher than the PB Mid?
You guys seem to be finding a little bit more pop with it relatively to the older model, right..?
Thanks a lot :)
Absolutely helps! In my Journey through the world of Poly ... I have found my favorite tension is 50lbs + or - in my Tour 90's. I can't help but watch the review of the Kirschbaum compared to others and during the review and demo, Siobhan seemed to be getting lots of Power on her shots with the PLX17.
Do more String reviews like this in the future love them
@ TheMijan123,
Throw a nice multifilament in like Tecnifibre NRG2 or Babolat XCel. That will help the playability.
Andy, TW
@ Muhammad Amirin Sallehouddin,
Luxilon Big Banger Original and Babolat Revenge would be a good similar ones to try.
Andy, TW
@ExpertHipHop,
No decision has been made as of yet about reviewing the Natural Gut strings, but we know they are popular and we will keep your concern in mind.
Andy, TW
If Luxilon decides to offer it then we will carry it, but right now they don't.
Siobhan, TW
@ nguyentommy86,
Try Tourna Big Hitter Black 7 or Dunlop Black Widow for a softer alternative that is still a polyester string.
Andy, TW
How would this string play in the Pro Staff 97 (Thinking about stringing at 50 pounds)? I've suffered from tennis elbow/wrist problems from other polys such as RPM blast, but I've heard this string is pretty soft for a poly and feels plush (it certainly felt that way in the new burn 100s I demo'd).
@ Ian Lastname,
4G is actually one of the stiffest and lowest powered strings on the market, so I definitely wouldn't consider it arm-friendly. If you are wanting a bit more comfort and relief from your arm pain, I'd suggest going with something softer like Y-Tex Quadro Twist or Volkl Cyclone Tour.
Andy, TW
Thank you for the quick replies! I will probably end up playtesting it either way :)
Hi, I tried this string and I really liked it, but it is a little bit too expensive. How would f.ex. Cyper Flash, Tour Bite or Hyper-G compare?
Siobhan, you have some insane racquethead speed!
Thanks, Andy! Appreciate your reply!
Is there any other poly that has better tension maintenance/playability duration than 4G? Needless to say this was a very informative review as always!
4G is pretty much at the top of the charts for tension maintenance, but you could also check out Tourna Big Hitter Silver 7 Tour, Kirschbaum Max Power, and Dunlop Explosive Speed. Troy, TW
@ dhar3472,
Yes, that would be a great setup to try!
Andy, TW
Im thinking of stringing this onto my Pure Strike ProjectOne7 racket and replacing my RPM Blast strings. I've had one of my first rackets (the nfury) strung up with this string with 55lb of tension. From what I've seen in the previous comments, you guys say that it is a stiff unforgiving string with low power, but it acts like a trampoline (probably due to tension loss) on my old racket. Anyways, the reason why I am replacing RPM Blast is because I put crazy amounts of top spin in my shots and I need strings with more power; however, like you guys previously stated, the string offers low power (just like the RPM Blast), but I am also looking for a string that has good tension maintenance. Any string recommendations would for either power or tension maintenance would be appreciated. Luxilon 4G, Sigma Pro Poly, Babolat Origin, and Solinco Hyper G are on the top of my lists right now. Thank you.
@ Vincent Flores,
Babolat Origin will have the most power and best tension maintenance of the ones you mentioned, but it won't quite have the same spin potential that you're used to. 4G is quite stiff and won't give you the power you're looking for. Origin would be a good one to try, or if you want a bit more spin then I'd suggest checking out Kirschbaum Pro Line II.
Andy, TW
Thank you very much!
Hi tw, I understand that 4g holds tension better than most polys, but is that it's only specialty, or does it okay differently from strings that Lux Alu power
Hi TW,
In terms of arm-friendliness, on a relative basis how would you compare 4G, ALU Power, and ALU Power Rough? I'll throw in RPM Blast as well for comparison.
Separately, thanks for all the great racquet and string reviews, which are a great resource. I've learned a ton from you guys (and ordered some products)! Many thanks.
It's neither of them? It looks a lot like the set I received and what the playtesters are saying lines up nice with what i experienced
Is this the string that Luxilon playtested last winter?
@ tenniswarehouse
Could you guys review the Weiss CANNON strings? I would love to see your guys' review on them because I know a lot of people who would be interested.. including me :D
Hi, what would be the differences between a hybrid of Luxilon ALU Power and Technifibre x-one biphase and a hybrid of Luxilon 4G and Technifibre x-one biphase be?
Does Siobhan use a western forehand grip?
You wrote that thinner strings offer greater power than a thicker string of the same construction. But in your review of the Luxilon 4G 16L, you wrote that you thought that string didn't offer much power at times and was both a blessing and a curse depending on the situation.
So which is it? Do thinner gauge strings offer greater power or lesser power?
Thanks.
Hello, how would these compare to a hybrid of Technifibre X-one biphase and Babolat RPM Blast?
Hi, also how would a hybrid of Technifibre x-one biphase and Babolat RPM blast compare?
Hi I am using the Babolat Ballistics. I like it but it's giving me tennis elbow every time I generate my own power. I personally like soft strings. What would be a good replacement?
PLEASE do a review on Luxilon Savage!
Hi TW,
Great review as always.
I do have a question about the strings in comparison to other strings.
I play with a babolat pure control tour, with 1.25 luxilon 4G strings.
However when i play on clay I can max play 5 hours before snapping the strings, so it's a pretty costly hobby with these strings.
I do love them however, but how would the 1.30 compare to the 1.25, in terms of playability and durability?
And how would the dunlop explosive 17, solinco Hyper-G16, tourna poly big hitter and the polyfibre TCS 16L strings compare (which would be most similar to the 1.25 4G strings)?
Thanks in advance for your help guys!
@ Chuckie483,
The 1.30mm will be slightly lower-powered but will give you better durability. If you're looking for a similar feel to your current string, I'd suggest going with the 1.30mm version of 4G while dropping your tension 2 lbs to account for the loss of power. All the other strings you mentioned will be softer and more powerful than 4G while giving you similar durability in the same gauge.
Andy, TW
thanks for the reply Andy, that's what i'm going to try!