Excellent chat! I love 17, and feel it’s worth it because of the added feel, spin and power. I also enjoyed the chat about hybrid stringing and how messing with gauges and tensions affects things. Thanks!
Old Age has a bit to do with this, also. No longer thrash the ball as heavily, so thinner gauge leads to better shaping on the ball trajectory. I'm now using natural gut in the crosses, with 17-gauge soft poly mains.
After watching your other video about someone's offer, I began to string my daughter's Babolat Pure Aero Team 2023 racket 25-23 (2kg difference) and, Viola! It's excellent. Recently I learned Carlos Alcaras uses the same tension. Thanks mate!
I think this depends on a lot of factors. I use a pro staff v13 and the string pattern is such that it doesn't produce much topspin. So I like strings that are thinner to give just a little more topspin. I use tour bite 16L on the mains and 17 gut on the crosses. I use to break strings every week but now that I've had to hit more flat, I find that my strings last way longer even past death.
18g in Confidential is going to break fast because the crosses will saw through the mains. Too sharp. But use Hyper-G 18 crossed with a round, very slippery cross such as Head Hawk 17, and it will last for a reasonable amount of time. Head Hawk has one of the lowest string-to-string friction, but there are few others too, such as Solinco Outlast (that's why it outlasts) and Luxilon Element. Check out the Tennis Warehouse data page. I love Hyper-G 18 crossed with Hawk 17. It's a bit stiff but it's good spin and control and durability.
I was using 17 gauge volkl cyclone or tier one black night. I was missing the feel from syn gut or multi, so I went back to a hybrid. I bought 16g syn gut and 17g round poly. I went with cheap reels and I cannot complain. I am not missing full beds of poly.
Interesting. In some other video you talked about how often to change strings and your advice was to do it yearly same as you play weekly. So for example if you play twice a week, do it twice a year. In this video you are talking about a few hours of play. I am confused...
I’m following the same rule of thumb you are. I think he is talking about competitive players and bigger hitters choosing thinner strings that have more touch and feel but break faster than thicker strings. I think I’ve only broken a string once in my life so I just took it as an interesting conversation that doesn’t really apply to me. 😀
I learned to play in the 1970’s so I use a hybrid of 17 VS gut mains and 18 luxilon Ace crosses and get about 3 1/2 ,4 months out of each string job. I do hit flatter than todays players though.
Even though I'm right-handed, I play tennis with my left which is weaker, which is why I can go for years without ever breaking the string. So recently I tried using the Yonex Polytour Pro 18 gauge and experienced great feel, spin, power, and still, 'cuz of my weaker arm, it still doesn't break. So I shifted to that from the 17 gauge.
I am an amateur player, always use 16 gauge and never break a string,literally. Now I kinda wanna try thinner string. Considering that I'm not a power hitter, and if not take durability into account, do you think 18 gauge is a good try for me? Many thanks.
back when I played competitively I strung my rackets with Prince ProBlends.. that was about the only thing back 20 years ago that I could do to get more than a few matches out of my strings. I could make it through a tournament on those and then it was pretty much time to cut it off and restring.. of course I was stringing it myself. Now I could essentially practice on a set of those for a week as well because I wasn't bombing the ball as much during practice.. I wish I could have used different strings that had better feel but it was all about trying to make it through a full day of tournament play. I preferred Hybrid with Nat Gut for the feel because I was a Serve and Volley player but... Nat Gut would break too fast so I had to stop doin that. Most people thought my racket felt like tryin to hit the ball with a club(I was usin a Prostaff 6.1 Stretch which was a pretty stiff player's racket as well) but I got used to it and even 20 years later was hard for me to move on to a newer racket(closest I could find was an RF97 13.0)
I use 16L because I've been using it for 20 years and it's what I am used to. I switched to Hyper-G from ALU Power last year for durability and comfort and it's been a big improvement at the cost of feel. Would going to 16 be even better? I may give it a try this year but I'd have to figure out which tension to use.
Sign of a good player. Oh, News flash...I broke my strings. Usually it's a ball miss hit near the top of the frame. Cuddos to breaking your strings in the middle.
I have one racquet with 19 tour bite. I've had it for a few months. I strung it with 19 to reduce the sail long and give it more feel and power. It works well. I serve 100 and it is still intact.
@@juju-rt8ek19 for me in v-square volkl. I am 65 now but l can afford restringing and keeping them fresh. I played frequently and rotate 5 frames. No problems. Very arm friendly.
For me it's the arm. Anything over 1.20 starts hurting my shoulder and elbow no matter how low the tension. I'm not a string breaker but if I could I would play with thicker string and higher tension.
I go against the herd. I string for the combination of playability and durability. And, I use 15 or 15L gauge synthetic gut or nylon string with 16g poly strings. I also like to use15g 15g
There’s a theory that poly strings have X amount of optimal playability time, and then are dead / should be cut out. If you agree with that theory / concept, you could argue it would make most sense to put the gauge string in your racket that aligns as close to X as possible. I myself actually prefer thinner gauges as I prefer the lighter weight in the hoop, which I find very noticeable (unfortunately 🙈😂). My 2c 👍
Can't speak for durability but I switched from 16 to 17. 16 has a significantly lower launch angle and much less power. That's just my experience tho. Its also more stiff so you feel the ball less. 17 definitely feels alot better.
Well, If 17 gauge ist not determining the string gauge clearly, then why use this arcaic method? If you want 1.25 then just say 1.25 instead of some random numbers. Furthermore, everybody makes their own definition of what is a thicker string. For me personally, 1.25 is already the thicker choice. I do not see any benefit in using strings that outlast their own elasticity. And as I am using flexible racquets and start to age a little, my strings tend to just lose their elasticity and feel awkward. I had to cut out the last year's strings intact but worn out anyway. So vice versa of your definition I would suggest that a string that does NOT break after 10 hours of play time is too thick. But stringing every 2 hours is a nightmare, I would not want to do that.
I know you want to educate the players, but do you think that you are making an attempt to save them money because of the high cost of stringing at a shop? As I remember, 3 or 4 string jobs could buy a new racquet. String job takes about 30 min.
In lawyering , spin is a made up story. .....I have to say, once you find the right racquet and strings and tension, you know when its time to restring for that great feeling you have when you hit it well. You choose a stringer like a barber or hairdresser
Why do people drive sport cars that are more expensive to drive and break down more often in stead of a good dependable Toyota? I play with 1.10 and 1.15 thickness strings in generally dense string patterns. Control, touch, feel, dwell time, grip on the ball.. The thinnest tour bite is 1.05 mm I play with 1.15 in the main and 1.10 in the cross and a string job for me lasts about 12 hours? And i use spin above average compared to other players
Seriously why does 18g only last poor Harry 4 hours? Where does he get this from? You can keep strings on a racket for a year. REMINDER, recreational players DO NOT NEED to change their strings. It’s only serving the stringers business and the stringing company.
@@bournejason66 They should a few times a year, but they can't tell the difference. A lot of rec players don't change the strings. They buy new racquets at cheap sports shops
@@bournejason66 not at all. You are playing friends, the objective is to have fun, a little fitness and a break from work. There are no golden medals if you win, there is no money involved, there is no traveling to play in venues, you are playing Barney the overweight dentist or Janet the housewife, I believe that is called ‘recreational’ ?? There is no reason for poor Harry to change his strings other than to promote his stringing business. It’s the same with shooting baskets with friends at the local school yard, is there a need for brand new basketball and shoes to do this ? Of course not. There is no need to go crazy with tennis strings haven’t you heard the stories where someone is cleaning out there closet and they pull out a racket from 20 years ago and the strings looked practically new and it was just as fun to hit with it ? And if someone put strings on a racket and they lasted only 4 hours doesn’t that tell you there is something wrong with that person and how they play or with the string itself ???
One string job costs about 30 usd or more, 10 usd for good grip and overwrap, 7 usd for dampener 15 for the strings. 60 usd 3 string jobs an hour 180 usd per hour. Is that close? 10 usd in most asian countries for restring
I agree....delete this video..... We have established this is a click bait channel these days..... Pls focus on quality content not just quantity of content
I go against the herd. I string for the combination of playability and durability. And, I use 15 or 15L gauge synthetic gut or nylon string with 16g poly strings. I also like to use15g 15g
I go against the herd. I string for the combination of playability and durability. And, I use 15 or 15L gauge synthetic gut or nylon string with 16g poly strings. I also like to use15g 15g
I go against the herd. I string for the combination of playability and durability. And, I use 15 or 15L gauge synthetic gut or nylon string with 16g poly strings. I also like to use15g 15g
I go against the herd. I string for the combination of playability and durability. And, I use 15 or 15L gauge synthetic gut or nylon string with 16g poly strings. I also like to use15g 15g
Excellent chat! I love 17, and feel it’s worth it because of the added feel, spin and power. I also enjoyed the chat about hybrid stringing and how messing with gauges and tensions affects things. Thanks!
Old Age has a bit to do with this, also. No longer thrash the ball as heavily, so thinner gauge leads to better shaping on the ball trajectory. I'm now using natural gut in the crosses, with 17-gauge soft poly mains.
Awesome backdrop of the old tennis racquets on the wall!
After watching your other video about someone's offer, I began to string my daughter's Babolat Pure Aero Team 2023 racket 25-23 (2kg difference) and, Viola! It's excellent. Recently I learned Carlos Alcaras uses the same tension. Thanks mate!
Keep the videos, been watching u since covid, love it.
good video. thin polyesters are great and last just as long as multifilaments.
I think this depends on a lot of factors. I use a pro staff v13 and the string pattern is such that it doesn't produce much topspin. So I like strings that are thinner to give just a little more topspin. I use tour bite 16L on the mains and 17 gut on the crosses. I use to break strings every week but now that I've had to hit more flat, I find that my strings last way longer even past death.
Is Tourna Silver his go to string?
Recently switched to poly and more recently to 17 gauge hyper g. no issues breaking strings yet. Used for about 12-15h so far.
18g in Confidential is going to break fast because the crosses will saw through the mains. Too sharp. But use Hyper-G 18 crossed with a round, very slippery cross such as Head Hawk 17, and it will last for a reasonable amount of time. Head Hawk has one of the lowest string-to-string friction, but there are few others too, such as Solinco Outlast (that's why it outlasts) and Luxilon Element. Check out the Tennis Warehouse data page. I love Hyper-G 18 crossed with Hawk 17. It's a bit stiff but it's good spin and control and durability.
17 ptp yellow is so much better than the 16 tbh. More bite, spin, snaoback and whole lot more.
How abput 17 vs 16l is it really different
@@Bambotb I meant 16l. Feels like different strings really.
@@testtestph how so
I was using 17 gauge volkl cyclone or tier one black night. I was missing the feel from syn gut or multi, so I went back to a hybrid. I bought 16g syn gut and 17g round poly. I went with cheap reels and I cannot complain. I am not missing full beds of poly.
Babolat string savers (made of Teflon), even on a full bed of poly. Prevents notching and maintains spin far longer than bare poly.
Interesting. In some other video you talked about how often to change strings and your advice was to do it yearly same as you play weekly. So for example if you play twice a week, do it twice a year. In this video you are talking about a few hours of play. I am confused...
I’m following the same rule of thumb you are. I think he is talking about competitive players and bigger hitters choosing thinner strings that have more touch and feel but break faster than thicker strings. I think I’ve only broken a string once in my life so I just took it as an interesting conversation that doesn’t really apply to me. 😀
I learned to play in the 1970’s so I use a hybrid of 17 VS gut mains and 18 luxilon Ace crosses and get about 3 1/2 ,4 months out of each string job. I do hit flatter than todays players though.
Even though I'm right-handed, I play tennis with my left which is weaker, which is why I can go for years without ever breaking the string. So recently I tried using the Yonex Polytour Pro 18 gauge and experienced great feel, spin, power, and still, 'cuz of my weaker arm, it still doesn't break. So I shifted to that from the 17 gauge.
I am an amateur player, always use 16 gauge and never break a string,literally. Now I kinda wanna try thinner string. Considering that I'm not a power hitter, and if not take durability into account, do you think 18 gauge is a good try for me? Many thanks.
back when I played competitively I strung my rackets with Prince ProBlends.. that was about the only thing back 20 years ago that I could do to get more than a few matches out of my strings. I could make it through a tournament on those and then it was pretty much time to cut it off and restring.. of course I was stringing it myself. Now I could essentially practice on a set of those for a week as well because I wasn't bombing the ball as much during practice.. I wish I could have used different strings that had better feel but it was all about trying to make it through a full day of tournament play. I preferred Hybrid with Nat Gut for the feel because I was a Serve and Volley player but... Nat Gut would break too fast so I had to stop doin that. Most people thought my racket felt like tryin to hit the ball with a club(I was usin a Prostaff 6.1 Stretch which was a pretty stiff player's racket as well) but I got used to it and even 20 years later was hard for me to move on to a newer racket(closest I could find was an RF97 13.0)
also the very thin polyesters will make your racquet and balance lighter. So if you're looking for a lower swing weight, go for the thin guage.
I use 16L because I've been using it for 20 years and it's what I am used to. I switched to Hyper-G from ALU Power last year for durability and comfort and it's been a big improvement at the cost of feel. Would going to 16 be even better? I may give it a try this year but I'd have to figure out which tension to use.
Going 16 from 16L would be going thicker 😊
@@Vdkotsinyan I know. I'm curious about what the tradeoffs would feel like.
There are those people who don’t want to go thicker because they want to break their strings in front of their friends.
Sign of a good player. Oh, News flash...I broke my strings. Usually it's a ball miss hit near the top of the frame. Cuddos to breaking your strings in the middle.
Lol, for me it's easier to break the racket than the string.
I go for 1.3mm or 1.27mm if thats the thickest option. I want tension maintenance and control above everything else
I have alu power 18G on cross and Black Widow 17G on Main.
Comfortable should be ahead of everything
I play with that 19g hyper g for the comfort and launch angle
I have one racquet with 19 tour bite. I've had it for a few months. I strung it with 19 to reduce the sail long and give it more feel and power. It works well. I serve 100 and it is still intact.
@@juju-rt8ek19 for me in v-square volkl. I am 65 now but l can afford restringing and keeping them fresh. I played frequently and rotate 5 frames. No problems. Very arm friendly.
Don't know where you get the info for 3.5 and 4.0 players don't use poly, pretty much all players of 3.5 and 4.0 I know play with poly.
Well , they shouldn’t since the have a poor technique for the most part
For me it's the arm. Anything over 1.20 starts hurting my shoulder and elbow no matter how low the tension. I'm not a string breaker but if I could I would play with thicker string and higher tension.
You guys are so great
I Play Yonex Poly Tour String 1,20mm ;)
I go against the herd. I string for the combination of playability and durability. And, I use 15 or 15L gauge synthetic gut or nylon string with 16g poly strings. I also like to use15g 15g
Tourna silver 7 tour 17 is like 1.20. Measure it or weight it. It won’t be different then your Solinco 17
There’s a theory that poly strings have X amount of optimal playability time, and then are dead / should be cut out. If you agree with that theory / concept, you could argue it would make most sense to put the gauge string in your racket that aligns as close to X as possible.
I myself actually prefer thinner gauges as I prefer the lighter weight in the hoop, which I find very noticeable (unfortunately 🙈😂).
My 2c 👍
i was just thinking of this topic
Does solinco 1.20 really plays better than 1.25 ? I don't see how 0.05 can affect both playability and durability
Can't speak for durability but I switched from 16 to 17.
16 has a significantly lower launch angle and much less power. That's just my experience tho. Its also more stiff so you feel the ball less.
17 definitely feels alot better.
Well, If 17 gauge ist not determining the string gauge clearly, then why use this arcaic method? If you want 1.25 then just say 1.25 instead of some random numbers.
Furthermore, everybody makes their own definition of what is a thicker string. For me personally, 1.25 is already the thicker choice. I do not see any benefit in using strings that outlast their own elasticity. And as I am using flexible racquets and start to age a little, my strings tend to just lose their elasticity and feel awkward. I had to cut out the last year's strings intact but worn out anyway.
So vice versa of your definition I would suggest that a string that does NOT break after 10 hours of play time is too thick.
But stringing every 2 hours is a nightmare, I would not want to do that.
Just go kevlar
The only way OG Tennis Spin breaks 17 gauge confidential in 4 hours is with miss hits lol
Durability for playability
I know you want to educate the players, but do you think that you are making an attempt to save them money because of the high cost of stringing at a shop? As I remember, 3 or 4 string jobs could buy a new racquet. String job takes about 30 min.
I would always take playability over durability.
In lawyering , spin is a made up story. .....I have to say, once you find the right racquet and strings and tension, you know when its time to restring for that great feeling you have when you hit it well. You choose a stringer like a barber or hairdresser
6:42 does harry have dyslexia or something? total opposite of what he means
‘Someone who likes Serve and volley’ ?? 98% do not ‘cannot’ play S/V.
the most popular is 1.25?? I USE 1.18 LOL
Playability over durability
only good decision when i can string because $
Why do people drive sport cars that are more expensive to drive and break down more often in stead of a good dependable Toyota?
I play with 1.10 and 1.15 thickness strings in generally dense string patterns. Control, touch, feel, dwell time, grip on the ball..
The thinnest tour bite is 1.05 mm
I play with 1.15 in the main and 1.10 in the cross and a string job for me lasts about 12 hours? And i use spin above average compared to other players
අංක එක
Seriously why does 18g only last poor Harry 4 hours? Where does he get this from? You can keep strings on a racket for a year. REMINDER, recreational players DO NOT NEED to change their strings. It’s only serving the stringers business and the stringing company.
Exactly!! Stories......prove it Harry.....
Recreational players don’t need to change strings??? 🤣
@@bournejason66 They should a few times a year, but they can't tell the difference. A lot of rec players don't change the strings. They buy new racquets at cheap sports shops
@@bournejason66 not at all. You are playing friends, the objective is to have fun, a little fitness and a break from work. There are no golden medals if you win, there is no money involved, there is no traveling to play in venues, you are playing Barney the overweight dentist or Janet the housewife, I believe that is called ‘recreational’ ?? There is no reason for poor Harry to change his strings other than to promote his stringing business. It’s the same with shooting baskets with friends at the local school yard, is there a need for brand new basketball and shoes to do this ? Of course not. There is no need to go crazy with tennis strings haven’t you heard the stories where someone is cleaning out there closet and they pull out a racket from 20 years ago and the strings looked practically new and it was just as fun to hit with it ? And if someone put strings on a racket and they lasted only 4 hours doesn’t that tell you there is something wrong with that person and how they play or with the string itself ???
@@juju-rt8ek all poor Harry is doing is bottling tap water and labeling it natural spring water.
Scrap this episode, needs to be redone. I give a 👍🏻 every episode but not this one. More confused after watching.
One string job costs about 30 usd or more, 10 usd for good grip and overwrap, 7 usd for dampener 15 for the strings. 60 usd 3 string jobs an hour 180 usd per hour. Is that close? 10 usd in most asian countries for restring
I agree....delete this video..... We have established this is a click bait channel these days..... Pls focus on quality content not just quantity of content
I go against the herd. I string for the combination of playability and durability. And, I use 15 or 15L gauge synthetic gut or nylon string with 16g poly strings. I also like to use15g 15g
I go against the herd. I string for the combination of playability and durability. And, I use 15 or 15L gauge synthetic gut or nylon string with 16g poly strings. I also like to use15g 15g
I go against the herd. I string for the combination of playability and durability. And, I use 15 or 15L gauge synthetic gut or nylon string with 16g poly strings. I also like to use15g 15g
I go against the herd. I string for the combination of playability and durability. And, I use 15 or 15L gauge synthetic gut or nylon string with 16g poly strings. I also like to use15g 15g