Hey Beckett. Great video again. I am a professional stringer and learned my craft from Warren Bosworth in Connecticut. So, that's to say I have learned from the best and I have been stringing since Leoina 66 (sp?). You are correct, there is no BEST string but there are better ones. Certainly agree with your Confidential and Sniper. Also, correct is that too many people play with polyester. I tell people that they should have a very fast swing speed to bend poly to do what it does best. Here's where poly fails, however.........playability duration. It plays great today, not so great two days from now and completely sucks after 6 days. My choice for the best string for strong club players.....KEVLAR mains(45lbs) with super soft mutlifilament in the crosses. Go spin, great control and plays today the same on day 45.
Hey Mark thanks for your comment! Its always a treat to hear from enthusiasts with rich histories like you. I have tried some kevlar setups before when they were making the rounds in the Talk Tennis threads but it didnt work for me. Very unique experience and I will be doing a video on it before Summer I think.
Solinco confidential and tour bite are better rated than hyper G if a little bit less arm friendly . Possibly confidential is best compromise between the stiffer tour bite and softer hyper G
I like Head Velocity MLT. Good suggestion on your part. I tried Poly but don't like the feel. I usually use gut but it's so expensive so I tried MLT a few months back and love the feel of it so now I am sticking to that. For gut I was using Klip Uncoated but now Klip seemed to disappear so for me I am sticking with Velocity 17 gauge. I just tried a hybrid with it. Velocity with Luxilon Rough but have't played with it yet so gotta try it to see how I like it.
I'm a 4.5 thats been playing for 20 years now and have tried it all over the years...my go to is Laserfibre's 17g polys (use in a 2015 blade 98 18x20). I loved the crisp feel of the james blake tour 17, but recently started using the laser smooth and it has good feel on slices, great spin and power, and not too hard on the arm.
Bought a reel of this after using NRG2. It’s a great string, really arm friendly and I have felt confident whacking up the tension to 60lbs to lower the power and increase control.
Here I used Tourna Big Hitter Silver 16 (round) and WC Silverstring 17. I have a rell of each and they are making me very happy, I play with PT630 and they matched very well with this racket. I really liked the Kirschbaum Pro Line Evolution as well. I didn't buy Tourna Big Hitter Silver 7 for fear and having a very high difficulty like Max Power which I found horrible.
After trying some poly's and a few multifilaments I ended up sticking with Solinco Tour Bite Soft 17g or 18g at 22-23kg, it what feels best but I have to admit that great feel doesn't last very long and not the best for arm conform if you don't hit properly. Because I almost never break strings (I end up changing strings long before that) some people have suggested me to try out synthetic gut or some multi, but last time I tried I didn't quite like the feel/spin. And trying lot of strings is not specially easy nor cheap 😅so yeah, these videos are quite helpful :)
I don’t think string breakage is an indicator for switching from poly to nylon. I used to string racquets for a woman who was top 500 in Germany and never broke her strings . I’d go for polys for beginners/hobby players as well, since there are so many cheap, good polys. Just lower the string tension to get sufficient power.
Imo that woman in German is an exception, not the rule. I heard that Su-Wei doesn't snap strings either. String breakage is just a guide line to help the majority of players choose when they aren't sure where to go. Most of the exceptions to the string breakage guide line will be experienced enough to know what they need in their string setup anyway. I don't see the point in going with poly's for a beginner when the injury factor is such a risk.
A very insightful video Beckett! Yes, “the best string for everyone” doesn’t exist, as it is up to personal preference. I can also vouch for Solinco Confidential as it is a very reliable, responsive and not an arm breaker of a string and looks good!
New player. 2 months in, former athlete. Moving into 3.5 level in singles, have some decent power. Looking at something that had power, lots of spin and easy on arm. Thanks
I've used the Solinco Confidential at 53lbs and I really liked it because of the control and tension maintenance. Should I try Technifibre Razor Code or the soft one?? Also please suggest me any other alternatives as well. I'm a hard baseliner and got a big serve as well and currently using Head Youtek Speed Elite 285g unstrung. Thanks
My fav strings now (around 23 kg's): (Edged) Solinco Confidential 1.20 and Head Lynx Tour 1.25 (I want to try the 1.20 option). But now I play with cheaper options: Signum Pro Plasma Hextreme Pure 1.20 and MSV Focus Hex soft 1.20 (bought a reel) (Round) MSV co-focus 1.18 (also nicely priced!) I play with Poly's eventhough I am a pretty intermediate level in tennis. I started (Semi-beginner) with Head Sonic Pro Edge in a Head Speed Elite/Head Instinct MP. I never gave it a thought and it worked. In the last few years I really gotten a lot better and tested a few rackets and lots of strings (went down the rabbit hole lol). (Main racket now: 360+ Radical MP) I did try out a few Multi's, especially the Head Velocity MLT...but yes more power and comfort but all the precision and spin I got used to were completely gone! Tried a hybrid but that didnt last very long. So I went back to poly's but went a bit thinner in gauges.
what are your thoughts on Kirschbaum Spiky Black Shark, if u have tried it? what tension would you recommend stringing polys at such as head hawk power?
Stings are personal, as is all gear else in tennis. You just have to keep trying them to figure out whats good for you. Also are you still playing with the Iso 305? I just put some of the restring zero in mine and like the reults. Again its not the perfect string but it has a lot of good things going for it best part its a recycled p.e.t plastic. I like that
I’ve put it on the back burner because I had a huge stack of demos to get through for the channel. I kept the Extremes in my bag as control units, but also I still trust them for matches more than the ISO. Once I get through these demos I’m going to go back to trying to dial in new setups If you are interested, I’ve got an ISO customization video in the membership page
Thats cool, i actually have been playing the iso since it came out. I have my dialed in. Its heead heavy but im not sure on the ballance poinlt or swing weight cause i dont have the machines or board. But i added 5g starting at nine and going up a ways and added a babolat syn grip. I have it weighed up to around 335g strung. Think Delpotros stick but a little lighter and 98.
Hi. I'm an intermediate player looking to buy a racket+string setup that is powerful and spinny but still offers decent feel and control (so not crazy spinny and one-sided). Which racket and nylon string would you recommend? Thanks!
In general, but especially as a beginner, the player creates the spin. Since you don't necessarily have a style yet, your strokes are very malleable. This means that you are unlikely to experience serious benefits from one racquet to another. Just grab whatever racquet makes you want to play and string it with Prince SynGut Prism because it looks cool. There's no need to worry too much about your gear until you've become an intermediate player with concrete preferences and needs.
I try alot of top tier poly strings, Head Lynx Tour is my favorite by far. Cant wait to try Head Hawk Power. What i can hear from reviewers the string is awesome.
@@TennCom I'm playing a hybrid of Lynx Tour and Hawk Power right now. After a couple of sessions to settle down (felt really stiff at first) it's playing great (Extreme Tour) with more pop than straight Lynx Tour and better feel. I have not tried straight Hawk Power yet as I like shaped strings, but will do so at the next opportunity.
It doesn't matter just give me 1 that lasts and I'm good...my other friends who played pros used basically the strings that lasted unless your Federer who can afford whatever it's best to use long lasting strings...
Hi Beckett! It's always nice watching you. I'm an American living in Japan, and my favorite strings of late have been Technifibre NRG2, Triax, and X-One Biphase (in this order). I tried Head Velocity MLT, but found it too mushy, but maybe it was me or the racket I had it in. Recently, I asked my stringer about any recommendations he had, and he suggested a string called "Sunny Core" (Snauwaert). He just put it into two of my rackets, and they should be delivered tomorrow, so I have yet to try it out (he's in Osaka, and I'm out on a small island in Japan's Inland Sea). If you have any insights, I'd love to read whatever you have to share... peace!
I didnt know Snauwaert was still in business! I'd love to hear what you think of the strings. Japan seems to have a lot of exclusive products that we don't get in North America.
I know Sampras used natural gut strung at a very high tension but at some point toward the end of his career as a pro did he switch to poly or poly / gut hybrid? If not, anyone know if he switched to poly or a hybrid playing in the seniors games or does he still play gut?
Sampras switched to poly and a more up to date Babolat frame after retirement. IIRC he played an exhibition match with Andy Roddick and tried his racquet which made him realise he had been missing out.
Quick question! Long ago I randomly bought a set of hybrid strings from Solinco purely due to my favorite color being blue. It was A combination of Revolution and Tru Feel MTF strings, and it ended up being my favorite strings of all time. The pop and comfort was perfect for me. Fast forward 10 years, Solinco no longer makes Tru Feel and I have been trying to find a replacement with no luck. What is the closest string that you think I could replace the Solinco Tru Feel mtf string with? Thanks in advance!!
Idk I had to Google the string as I've never heard of it. It kind looks like Head RipControl so you could try that if you haven't yet, but I really have no suggestions.
Excellent video! Is there a big differens in the launch angle betweens strings? I find that may Blade 100v8 with Hyper G soft (1.20) goes alot higher over the net compared to my Wilson Shift 300g with RPM Power (1.25). Prefer the higher lauch angle of my Blade, but does not know if it is the racket or strings that are the reason (or thickness of the strings..).
In general, the more aggressive the shape of the poly, the higher the launch angle. RPM Power is also a very weird string with one of the lowest launch angles in any mainstream strings by a decent margin.
I used a hybrid stringing for years in a Head MP speed racket (gut and luxilon) but I found it too expensive. I then went to Vokl cyclone and I got really great spin but my elbow got sore. I now I have a new racket, a Yonex percept 100, and I used a Yonex Rexis speed multi. I liked the feel but it broke after playing only about three hours. So now I am trying a Babolat RPM soft poly, will give it a shot. I’m getting a bit confused. My main concern is not hurting the old elbow anymore.
Great video ! Any suggestion on what poly plays well on crosses with Babolat VS gut (black) on mains ? Currently using RPM 16 crosses with VS gut 16 on mains on a Pure Aero VS. Thanks in advance.
I made a community post asking for cross suggestions with gut. A very common suggestion was Yonex Polytour Fire because its silicone infused to help promoted snap back.
Have to disagree on nylon string beck. I don't break strings and yet my hitting partners noticed a huge jump in spin when I switched from alu power to hyper g. I don't need the durability sure, but hyper g gets better as it softens while alu just dies. Not to mention the spin, not the durability, is why poly is king.
yes, Imo the string breaking metric is way overrated. I'm not a string breaker and play thin poly... yes the spin is super, but better than that, is that when I lay into one more than usual, it still goes where it is supposed to go... Imo, that is the real merit of poly.
great video! I have remarked that your top choices were similar to mine as they rank high on TWU database for least tension loss, I wonder have you tried Kirschbaum Max power also ?
I’m a pretty big hitter and was thinking of switching to a multifilament from poly. I had Solico Confidental on my Wilson 100 v8 at 25kg and I felt like I had to swing too hard with my one handed backhand. Would Wilson sensation at 24kg do the job or should I just stick with a poly and drop the tension to 21-22kg?
First of all, great video!!! Pretty instructive on the basics of monofilament strings. Have you tried PolyStar Strike? It lasts long on my experience, has indentations to increase bite a little without changing the round shape not to reduce snapback. Good spin, a little boardy. Not sure if easy to come by in America. REALLY cheap. This was a briefing as my original comment was becoming too long, here it is (feel free to skip it); My first poly was polystar strike 1.35. Coming from Prince's syngut and whatever my Prince Tour 100L had pre-strung, it felt really firm and boardy (which I liked), with a lower launch angle and tons of topspin. After that I came back to syngut briefly just to tell the difference, and then made the rounds on some "good" or at least more expensive polys like yonex pro tour, Luxilon Smart, Wilson revolve spin, or even hyper-G (still more expensive than polystar, they are REALLY budget strings). It felt better than syngut but not much better than ps strike (except maybe revolve which really enhanced the spin potential of my ezone 98). So I came by another set (this one 1.25) for my Blade 98s, still felt good, although not as surprising. I think it holds tension pretty decently compared to the others I've tried, and it's a very interesting string as it is texturized, but instead of an extruded shape or bumpyness like ALU /RPM rough, it has indentations that keep its shape round but still feels rough to the touch. I now have a 1.30 reel and really like it, but would like to know your opinion if you have the time and the curiosity, as my experience is yet pretty short and I tend to like most polys (currently I string PS strike, Isospeed basline control, and Babolat pro last, which are three of the most cheap reels you can find -40€ or lower- and like all three of them well enough). So, if this sticks to the back of your mind and you eventually get to try it (or have already!) I'd love to hear your impressions!
Hey Beckett. Do you have any other recommendations for alternative poly's to the big 3? Here in Australia, we don't seem to have a supplier of Tourna Silver 7 or Grapplesnake strings. Would love to have suggestions for other spin-friendly and good tension maintenance strings that don't break the bank.
I haven't tried it yet, but it sounds like people are really enjoying Head Hawk Power as a replacement for ALU Power. Confidential would be my go-to if I was playing down under.
Hey man I think Grapplesnake themselves might ship to Australia if you purchase off their site, haven't tried myself but I remember seeing somewhere that it was an option. hopefully I'm not misremembering. Alternatively though there is Solinco Barb Wire, put it in my racquet a month back and have been loving it, feels like I can't miss with them.
Great video, very grateful. Recommendations for a prostaff v14 97, string and tension? I currently have it with Hyper-G 1.25 at 54 lbs. I think it´s a very high tension. If you were to try Confidentia 1.30 lbs, what tension do you recommend? Any other string or tensions?
Confidential 1.30 is would personally string at 50lbs, maybe even going down to 49lbs. I really liked Tour Sniper in mine, I think the crisper feel really compliments the ProStaff well, one of the reasons ALU Power is so popular in that frame.
Hi Beckett. Thank you for all your videos. Good balance of personal opinion and being scientific. I have a question on strings; I have been using RPM Blast 1.20 on my Head Speed Pro. I love the spin potential and crisp. HOWEVER if I do not do a full swing or hit the sweet spot, I get very low power due to the stiffness. Do you have a few recommendations on alternatives? I'm happy to consider multifilaments but afraid it could be TOO powerful? Have been using poly strings for the last 10 years. I used to enjoy Luxilon Alu Power 125 too - however during matches, I find it hard to kill off a point and have to grind really hard. It lacks pace + spin. Thanks in advance for your advice.
I think ReString Zero would be a good move if the shipping to your location is decent. I've moved a lot of my clients (I string locally) who are around 3.5ish to Zero from RPM and they are all living the increased forgiveness, spin and durability. I don't think going to a multi will too powerful at all. I personally have no control issues with hybrids, they just break quite quickly for me because I hit with a lot of spin. If you do go this route, I recommend stringing your normal tension with the poly but +2lbs on the nylon. We are going to be doing some videos on hybrids later this fall, as I think they are under utilized at all level (except pro's who use about 50% gut hybrids).
can you recommend me a tennis string? i was playing with pure drive with RPM Blast at 52 Tension for 3 months. ive experienced tennis elbow and im looking into hybrids or multifilaments. ive now swapped my racket to wilson blade 98 What string should i start? I still like to play with lot of spin but i want to preserve my elbow. :) can i hit spin with multifilament like x1 biphase or i have to hybrid it?
If you want to go with a full nylon setup, I would recommend starting with Tecnifibre Triax. You'll get better durability, plan and control than with almost any other nylon. Start at 52lbs.
@@TennCom Thank you for the video! Full bed of Solinco Tour bite/ Grapplesnake tour sniper/ solinco Confidential/ restring Sync which one would you say has better control, spin and feel with an ezone 100 for doubles tournament play? Also which one do you think is the most durable out of these?
I am an intermediate player, habit of hitting outside the court. My Current config is Yonex eZone 100, + Solinco Confidential 16L. I somehow dont get the same amount of spin with confidential as i used to get with RPM blast or Hyper G. I am looking for control, + spin with my strings. Also, I have hardly ever broken my strings. Kindly suggest the strings & the respective tension as well.
I'm looking at returning to tennis after 15 years, and even then I had an old racket (that I loved). Choosing a racquet and strings seems much harder than I expected! I recently had a knock-about with a club player and was surprised at how ok I was. It came back quick. So, any suggestions on where to start for not a beginner, but someone that is maybe a lower third intermediate, but hopes to get better relatively quickly?
Vs gut mains 130 & lynx tour champagne 125 23/22 kgs prestretch 10% both. best 4 power SPIN confort and durability (u can restring crosses until gut breaks). From Aero VS to Dunlop Cx 200 tour.. Be careful, ADDICTIVE SETUP
@@vanodne no, i mean that after 6-8 hours lynx lose tension (10 days without hitting a ball!), gut tension lasts months IF doesnt break (no wet allowed!)
Not sure if ull reply since the video was released more than a year ago but why not ask, im looking for string to help with power (the pop feeling) and spin (im using pure aero plus if that helps) just to note i dont have alot of selection when it comes to brands, atm i can find tecnifibre yonex wilson and babolat
Could you recommend anything poly but modern, soft(ish) and round? Possibly 1,20. Currently use Razor soft in aero 98. Thanks! Cool and unique video! ❤
Next August, Grapplesnake is releasing a new string which is made of a very large composition of metal compared to typical poly's with metal additives (ALU Power) so it has this rough texture and a very unique feel thats both firm and responsive with excellent pall pocketing. Its called paradox pro. If you can't wait till then, I had a lot of fun with Hawk Power.
One of the guys on my college team was using genesis white magic, I was using a full bed of RPM before. I tried it and I loved it, even better it was only $7 a set lol. Then genesis sponsored our school and we’re using their Hexonic line. Wellllll now I’m down a rabbit hole of genesis strings lmao. They’re so good but also so price friendly that I’m gonna experiment a ton with them lol
Love your contents! I am getting my wife a new racket who has started tennis for 8 months. I am thinking to get ezone 100L, not sure about which string to put. She mostly hit quite flat and quite hard. I heard good things about hybrid strings, natural gut on main and poly on the crosses. Do you have any string recommendation?
@@TennCom her friend happened to give her VS touch hybrid RPM, would that still be okay for her? And for the tension is it still both main and crosses at 50?
So my storehouse of string from the mid-90's (many spools) is about gone. Looking for a recommendation of something new but possibly a close feel... I normally use Kevlar core mains and Synthetic Gut cross strings - I'm a control freak and have my tension about 15 over max recommendation. Either I didn't have the foresight of tech changing, or was just happy to know I'd be set for many years to come. Open to a suggestion if you have one!
I'd try a "normal" poly first just to see if you like the snapback feeling. You probably won't at first as it'll take some getting used to. Whatever is cheap in your area, but Kirschbaum Max Power comes to mind as something stiff and low powered. If that doesn't work, RPM Power or Grapplesnake Paradox Pro are the two polys with the best directional control due to their lack of snapback. Drop tension by 15lbs and trust the spin to bring the ball down. If none of that works, you can also try poly crosses with your kevlar at a say 5lbs less tension. It'll still feel very firm but you'll get more spin. I think if you commit 2-3 weeks of getting used to the poly, you'll probably win more points due to the heavier ball you'll hit, assuming you can keep your swingspeeds the same.
Love rpm blast in babolat pure drive and aerodrive but realllllllly bad at retaining tension. I m only a boderline 4.0 player and it doesnt last one 2 hour session. Alu power is good (overrated) but overpriced for wht it is . 17g tourbite is the best of both worlds , holds tension very very good (both on my babolats and wilsons blade and pro staff) , fantastic spin, and i like the feel. Tourbite my choice.
it depends. When I used Yonex, I always did split tension (49/46). Whenever I do split tension, I'll do a two piece. I'll also do a 2 piece if it allow me to string the cross from the top down. Otherwise, I string one piece because I think fewer knots looks cleaner.
Do you know how to clean a tennis racket before stringing it? I can't find videos or a document that explains the step by step in detail. I have difficulty removing the glue from the racket saver and clay residue.
Windex (or glass cleaner) for the dirt and grime and rubbing alcohol for the glue. In tough spots I've used Goo-be-gone or just rubbed the sticky stuff off with my thumb, leaving the skin pretty raw for a few days.
Nice video! Any strings you recommend to use as a hybrid w/ Yonex polytour pro? Currently use the latest Ezone 98 with polytour pro yellow 16g at 50lbs in the mains and head velocity 16g at 52 in the crosses. Next time I string want to make it a little bit stronger
@@TennCom any recommendations if I were to stray away from the Polytour Pro on the Ezone 98? Poly and Multi/Synthetic hybrid combo? Good overall setup rather than focusing on power/spin.
One thing I learned recently with Yonex PTP in a hybrid as a cross - I didn't like it as much as a stiffer poly cross like 4G. Softer poly cross with a soft gut/multi mains didn't feel great for me, but could be just personal preference.
Hello TennCom. I had few issues with my arm before! A friend of mine suggested me to use natural gut string and I did. I brought the Babolat Vs Touch. And since then, my arm issue was solved. I love the feel, comfort with a decent power and spin. But, it's very expensive. I'd like you to suggest me an another string type cheaper than the Babolat vs Touch or a different version of the Babolat with the same specs. It will be helpful. Thanks a lot!
If you can find Babolat Tonic, its like VS Gut but the factory seconds. Still plays great, just not quite as perfect. Otherwise, there's not much else that can really replace gut. I think Tecnifibre probably makes the best multifilament nylon, X-One BiPhase for power and feel or Triax for spin and durability.
I am a beginner, I can generate power with no effort, however, I do have problems to generate lots of spin. I am currently using a Mayumi big spin in a ezone 100, thinking about changing to a hyperg or solinco confidential. Do you have any recommendations?
Probably not the advice you are looking for, but at the beginner level, changing equipment can be a wild goose chase. As a beginner, the world is your oyster in terms of technical improvement. Making improvements to your game will help you so much more. It's when you level plateaus that it becomes more important to change your equipment because you might not have the time/resources to make technical changes.
Hi - like the video - what would recommend for vcore 98 2023 model - like spin - I am not a youngster any more so need something that will not kill my arm.
Need some advice! I have 2 Wilson 18x20 v8 rackets. I can’t get new rackets… but I am lacking for power! So which strings should I get? I can create my own spin, so def looking for power. I’ve tried NXT power but the durability was killer.
Stupid question but if you were to bring a stringer 1 pack of strings to be used in a hybrid, would you be able to get another hybrid job done with the same pack of strings?
Usually but not always. If its poly and you need to string the mains of two 18x20 racquets, it might not work, especially if you have a crank or drop weight machine where you need extra string to feed into the tensioner. Should be fine in other senarios though.
I appreciate the video…if money isn’t a consideration….it’s VS all the way. I am 68 years old and been a teaching pro and stringer since I was in my late teens…my total rackets strung are 20k plus. As soon as I hear or read about poly strings…my elbow throbs. I have tried a VS/RPM hybrid (10 years ago) and within 15 minutes my elbow was feeling it. I would like to try it again, any suggestions as to how low I can go with the polys tension and still get a crisp feel. I have just switched over to the newest ProStaff 97 V14….any help is appreciated! Thanks…Scott
There are guys stringing ALU Power on tour as low as 19lbs. I think 40lbs is probably a better place to start and then you can go down in tension by 5lbs increments to see what you bottom end is.
Hi Beckett! Great video! Loved the little history lesson in polys (this is actually my second view in 4 months). Big poly fan here, no wrist-elbow-arm problems, like a stiff full-bed at 50+. Recently started testing some hybriding with multis to see if the extra power was worth it, using as a guide the TWU string database (of which I'm a little suspicious anyway). Going for the softer (although this is really secondary), most powerful and with the lowest string-friction. Currently trying Gosen AK PRO CX with Silver 7 Tour at the mains, not sure tho if it's a great idea to pair a soft multi with a shaped poly (but so far so good). Have in the drawer some Velocity MLT (which you actually recommend here), Babolat Syngut (in black, which I fear may compromise friction a little? also, smells like shit), and Babolat Xalt (they were giving them away in a promo in TW, not much reviews out there yet, it's marketed as comfort + control). What would be your recommendations for a cross? Or would you just go for soft, power-oriented polys if I really like the stiff feel and low launch angles? Also, what multi do you think plays more close to natural gut? Although I understand nothing plays quite like it or even close, but what would you go for if you wanted the extra power but not to pay the ~30 bucks or so that would be a half set of nat? (needless to say, the cheaper you can go, the better) Thanks in advance, keep up the great content, and wish you a fast recovery!
Thanks so much for your kind words. I think TF X1 Biphase is probably the closest to natural gut. I haven't come across anything newer that has captured the same popularity as x-1. I'm still on the fence on the best way to go for nylon main setups. Do you go for a slick poly for snapback or do you try to lock the stringbed with something rough? I'm going to be doing more hybrid stuff this fall (was part of the plan even prior to my elbow thing, though its not related to impact stress) so hopefully i have a better idea soon. I recently did a video which was on the possible downsides of snapback, which you may enjoy
@@TennCom yes, already seen it (and really enjoyed it, made me re-think a little my obsession with polys). I always wondered why Fed and Nole used ALU rough in the crosses instead of rounded "slick" poly, I always assumed the intention was to allow some measure of snapback to the gut, especially since Fed manages to put some Nadal-level RPMs in his balls when he so chooses to. So your theory is that it's meant to lock the strings into place (because obviously if they won't snap back, more spin is produced when they don't slide)? Curiously enough, ALU rough has the same string-friction COF as normal ALU power according to TWU's database (of which, as I said, I'm a little suspicious). Although I guess that maybe even if that value was reliable, it measures the friction of a full bed, and prolly the texture of a nat gut would for sure interact differently with a smooth and a rough surface. Also, do you think hitting the ball at 1/3 down the crosses' sweetspot also would generate more spin due to the "trampoline" angle of the strings, even assuming 0 snapback? Thanks for the recommendation! I'll surely give it a try. Have you looked into powerballs for your elbow?
Hyper G is excellent in my opinion from the baseline. But after 10 hours or so it just turns into a trampoline and launch angle gets crazy high!!! Poly Tour Pro (yellow) is the goat imo!!!
@@cjcobb6906 exactly my experience also. Or actually it was 9 hours. Any reccomendations for similar strings with a bit better durability? I really like this string.
Hi Beckett, been watching your channel recently and found it very insightful. I must string at least at 55 with poly and 60 with multi. hyper g 19 at 57 in my clash or x-one at 60. otherwise the ball flies on me. I can’t play with confidential at any tension, and alu doesn’t do anything for me either. Why?
I would have to see footage of you playing to know for sure, but I'm guess its technique related or some sort of mental hurdle. If that's the string and tension that you like, I don't see a big reason to change though. That said, those are very high tensions for the Clash, which was originally designed to be strung in the low 40's, so just watch out for frame deformation.
I need help choosing the recommenced strings for head gravity mp. I’m a beginner looking more for control and spin. I think I can generate power more natural and easier. I really appreciate it. Thanks
Hi Beckett, thanks for your videos which are always well done and interesting. I usually play with ezone 2022 and polytour rev (21,5-20,5 kg), but for some time now I have tried with great surprise a reverse hybrid with head velocity on the verticals. Which monofilament would you recommend on the horizontals that would fit well with the velocity without sawing them off too soon?
Polytour Fire is actually a great suggestion by Nak because its got a wax-infused construction. Very slippery and one of the best cross strings for gut setups. I also like Tecnifibre Red Code Wax. If you need a softer option, Grapplesnake Tour M8 has lubrication built into the string, so its not just a coating which will wear off like RPM Blast.
@@TennCom & @Nak slipperiness in the crosses is important for poly and multi mains. Using gut on mains slippery crosses will cause tons of spin and launch angle BUT total lost of control/consistency! But u r gonna test that in the next video👍
Hello!!! excellent your video!! I like it a lot!! I want to ask you a question, change from a pure aero 2019 to a vcore 100 2023, but I keep noticing lack of control, the next test I will do will be a wilson blade v8 16x19 or a pure aero 100 2022, which do you think is better of the two? I play quite aggressive in the background and I'm fed up with the lack of control and the mistakes at the back of the track, THANK YOU!!!
I like the Aero a lot more than the Blade. I find the Blade too light and low powered for most players. That said, if the VC100 isnt giving you enough control, the Aero probably won’t either
@@TennCom The options I have right now are…. yonex vcore 98 2023, wilson blade 98 v8, 16x19, do you recommend any knowing my story? thank you so much!!!! ❤️🎾
what is the best rope? luxilon alu power? or solinco tour sting? I think the luxilon chain gives me more consistency and a better feeling… the problem is not the price for me, in an ezone 100 which would you put of the two? thank you so much!!!!!
I play with head speed pro with Hyper G but really struggle to know what tension to string at. I play at the upper end of the club comp level. What string would you recommend I try and what tension I'm doing for a durable powerful string.
tension really just adjusts the launch angle. the looser you string, the higher the launch angle, allowing for easier depth. the tighter you string, the lower the launch angle, making it hard to get depth. so if you are missing long, string tighter. if you are missing in the net, or not penetrating the court, string looser. Try adjusting your tension, but stick with Hyper-G to isolate the variables and see how the changes impact your game. I recommend doing 3-5lb increments to make sure that you notice the change.
Great Video! Is there a nylon or multifilament string that you recommend that the strings don't get so out of place? I switch to polyester for that reason but I want to give nylon/multifilament another chance.
Head Velocity black is the slipperiest one. When its fresh, it will go back into place, but all nylons will start to fray, increasing friction, so they will all get stuck. If being stuck out of place is a deal breaker, but you still want some extra forgiveness, I recommend tryin a hybrid set up. Use your regular poly string with a nylon cross. For a poly that's extra soft, you can try Luxilon Element to try to mimic the full nylon feel.
I dont have a clue on where to start, I have been using a hybrid of Yonex PT pro /PT Spin, at 52LBs, on a ProStaff 97L V13 (290g), I replace them in average every 2 weeks, but I do feel that I streching them out a lot, since TBH I feel that they loose tension around 3-4 hours of play, I play tennis at least 1:30 hrs almost daily, and I been playing this consistent for the last 1.5 year, I dont have any arm or elbow issue, I fell I have a decent amount of swing speed and spin, having saaid all that I would love to hear some recommendation, I also feel that I may need to upgrade my raquet, but thats another topic. Thank you so much
If you are looking for better tension maintenance, the best I've tried are Tourna Silver 7 Tour, Solinco Confidential and Grapplesnake Tour Sniper. Try one or all of these and see if you get better results.
Hey man, im a recreational intermediate level player and i will buy a new 2021 pure drive but i dont know what to string it with. would the rpm blast suit me or would you have any other suggestions? and what would you say about the tension i should use especially on a power heavy racket like the pure drive?
I think you should try Grapplesnake Irukandji, its designed specifically to be a cross string for gut and it shaped like a pill. Other honorable mentions are Babolat RPM Rough and Yonex Polytour Fire.
Hey Beckett, I was wondering what your opinion is on hybriding two round polys. Do you think there is a universal rule of thumb for stiffer string in the main vs cross or is it just a personal preference? Same question for gauge. I have been debating a Yonex PTP and Kirschbaum Max Power hybrid as I want my usual Yonex PTP setup to stay controlled a bit longer and have a touch more spin, while I don't want to spend the extra money for Strike or Rev. My initial thought is PTP 1.25 mains and KMP 1.20 crosses, but I am worried about mains losing tension faster than crosses, and if I reverse worried about having thicker crosses. I see a lot of conflicting opinions online so would love to hear your take! Thanks!
I haven't discovered anything conclusive regarding the different stiffnesses between poly's in hybriding. This is something I'm personally quite interested in and will make it a project before Summer. I want to play tournaments this season so im going to try to develop a new go-to setup designed purely for winning
Hey, Beckett... Great video. Question... I'm 6ft 1' 190 lbs. I'm a 4.5 with a big power game/strokes. I use to use Volkyl Cyclones 1.25mm at 48lbs (as low as 42lbs) on my Head Speed MP 100 and Yonex Ezone 100 (for durability, as I'm a string breaker; primarily on the center mains) but found they have "zero" feel and feel rather dead. I'm looking for a string or string combo that gives me more feel, (pocketing) but doesn't sacrifice too much of the durability and power (if that exists without sacrificing) (I know you're a big fan of Grapplesnake, not sure if theirs a combo there that fits) (Or if you can recommend a different string/setup) Hopefully you got me and this wasn't too confusing or too detailed. Love your vids... Keep it up! -Ronnie
Hi Ronnie, thanks for all the info. It really helps me give a good suggestion. As mentioned in the other comment, Tourna Silver 7 Tour is a great choice. It plays very similar to my Grapplesnake Tour Sniper, but TS is softer feeling. Both of these strings are in the same power level as Cyclone (I've gone through reels of Cyclone in the past) but will offer a way more connected feel with 5x longer tension maintenance. I've found that Cyclone is slightly more resistant to breaking, but not enough to make it worth the poor tension maintenance. Spin is not as good as Cyclone, but that doesn't seem to be a huge priority for you.
Very informative video! Appreciate the history. Any suggestions for someone like me who breaks multis in less than 10 hours, but can't break a hybrid setup?
@@MoonDoy2 Tbh I think this is a fine setup. A very good setup actually. At that low of a tension, with a very soft poly cross, I don't think that trying to find a full-multi setup is going to yield much benefit.
Hey TennComm, great video! I'm considering buying a Vcore 95 or an Extreme Tour, as I want a controlled but spin friendly response from my rackets, while being comfy. The 95 size of the vcore throws me off, and the inconsistent stringbed people have talked about for the extreme tour. Could you lend me your thoughts?
I dont think the ET has an inconsistent stringbed. Imo its one of the most predictable and the dropoff in playability outside the stringbed is very gradual. I haven't tried the new VC95 yet though
The extreme tour I would describe as a control orientated spin racket and it will be more forgiving than the vcore, if you happen to want even more control that can be achieved with string choice and tension
Nylon strings are more elastic in the way that they are both stretchier than poly and better at returning to their initial position. The reason your sweet spot feels good is because you are getting a good trampoline effect. This only happen with poly on centre, because you need enough distance from the edge of the frame to get the ball to sink in the the stringbed. Since nylon is stretchier, you get need less distance from the edge of the frame to get a similar trampoline effect.
I play futures level, I play with a 460gr racket, crazy racket. Balanced at 25cm 🤣. Used to play with isospeed endurance. 1.35. I switched without trying to rpm 1.35 orange rough, and I have to say isospeed are way better.
@@lucaritivoi8407 changed completely setup, I’m now playing with Vcore 95 at around 348gr. I love that racket. It seems like cheating to me. So much control yet the power is there
Hi your comment with nylon string interested me. Been hitting with poly for a long time love it but i can not remember the last time I snap my string. Would usually cut the string out a month in, I know i should do it sooner but hope to snap the string. I played with X one biphase back when i first started hitting and love it but that was 10 years ago. wanted to try it a again was wonder what tension should i put it, if I would usually string 16l alu power at 47LB.
@@Amariths1 You'll be getting a lot more ball pocketing. Power and feel outside the sweetspot will also be way better. You'd need to go to natural gut to get more pocketing and controllable power.
For the nylon strings shoos I used them all in black color or are there particular colors for each string I should go for first. I know MLT black has the best SnapBack for that string . What about Techni and Prince?
Hi Beckett…I’m more an advanced hard hitter, like to hit flat but also rip balls to…44yrs old now though probably fitter and stronger than in my 20s, I was using Speed Pros @48lbs with varying polys(was at 54lbs but I get elbow pain around that tension) Now I’ve just changed racquets to Extreme Tours as I love how they feel and easy to use, came with Lynx @52-54lbs(it feels)and whilst it feels sensational and I’m landing far more shots at this tension, my arm started hurting again…what kind of setup could you suggest to maybe keep the tension above 50lbs where I find more consistency? I’m a bit of a brand fag haha so I like sticking to HEAD or non racquet manufacturers strings😅 cheers mate
Sticking with Head, Lynx Tour should give you more spin and control, plus the edge will help you with ball bite so you can grab the ball a bit harder. A lot of people still get good control out of LT with below 50lbs, but 52ish should be good for you. Other brands, RPM Power is pretty good, but that's Babolat, but lots of control, low launchy angle and super connected feeling. Similar to RPM is Grapplesnake Paradox Pro, but I worry about your elbow with that.
@@TennCom cheers, I’ve tried RPM Blast and did like it, I’m not really that strict on my brands if I find something I like haha…I’ve got a set of mlt velocity to try but probably won’t get much life out of it, was thinking to try it in a hybrid with Lynx or Hawk if that would work
@@TennCom thank you 🙏🏻 any racquet suggestions for an intermediate player that uses spin heavily? i was looking at the babolat pure aero, wilson shift and head speed pro. Any other recommendations?
I don't know if anyone will see this and have a decent answer but I play with a full bed of poly. I do not break my poly strings although I do use a thick gauge. But I break synthetic gut in like 2 sessions. I've played with poly for years now so idk. I have advanced strokes and hit a very heavy ball lots of kick at a strong 5.0 level. Nonetheless, I am not a tennis equipment nerd so idk what strings would work. Synthetic gut ticked me off cus I break it ALL THE TIME. would a hybrid set up be more beneficial? natural gut with poly?
You could definitely try a hybrid setup. For poly's I find that 1.25mm is a good gauge for most players. I know some very advanced players who still put syn gut in the crosses and some are as young at 16. Natural gut is also a very underrated choice. The way Babolat treats their gut has resulted in my better durability. I was able to put a solid 10h on the 15L gut with a slick poly in the cross (Red Code Wax). I would start with experimenting with your normal poly in the mains and your normal syngut in the crosses and see how your playability it. If you are a flatter hitter, this might even play better for you when compared to full poly, as i think the nylon brings superior directional control and feel.
@@TennCom I hit with a lot of spin but can flatten out the ball for approach shots. My game is definitely about overpowering people with heavy strokes though. I have played with either RPM Blast or Luxilon ALU power in a full bed for the past 8 years. I've been looking into a lot of hybrid setups from TennisSpin and your channel and I'll probably try VS gut with a new poly in the crosses. Or a spin friendly multi and a poly in the crosses. idk lol. Thanks for replying! Durability is definitely a concern but ive never been that sensitive to tension loss either. I play with a low(ish) tension as far as I know already. I'll continue the search and appreciate the help/ suggestions.
I like how you integrate tennis history and clips into the videos as well 👍🏽
Hey Beckett. Great video again. I am a professional stringer and learned my craft from Warren Bosworth in Connecticut. So, that's to say I have learned from the best and I have been stringing since Leoina 66 (sp?). You are correct, there is no BEST string but there are better ones. Certainly agree with your Confidential and Sniper. Also, correct is that too many people play with polyester. I tell people that they should have a very fast swing speed to bend poly to do what it does best. Here's where poly fails, however.........playability duration. It plays great today, not so great two days from now and completely sucks after 6 days. My choice for the best string for strong club players.....KEVLAR mains(45lbs) with super soft mutlifilament in the crosses. Go spin, great control and plays today the same on day 45.
Hey Mark thanks for your comment! Its always a treat to hear from enthusiasts with rich histories like you. I have tried some kevlar setups before when they were making the rounds in the Talk Tennis threads but it didnt work for me. Very unique experience and I will be doing a video on it before Summer I think.
I use a confidential/gut hybrid and i've been using it for a while. I highly recommend
Solinco confidential and tour bite are better rated than hyper G if a little bit less arm friendly . Possibly confidential is best compromise between the stiffer tour bite and softer hyper G
This video explained my endless string questions. Thanks man!
I like Head Velocity MLT. Good suggestion on your part. I tried Poly but don't like the feel. I usually use gut but it's so expensive so I tried MLT a few months back and love the feel of it so now I am sticking to that. For gut I was using Klip Uncoated but now Klip seemed to disappear so for me I am sticking with Velocity 17 gauge. I just tried a hybrid with it. Velocity with Luxilon Rough but have't played with it yet so gotta try it to see how I like it.
How is NG expensiveit last much longer then MLT and you do not have to pay stringing!
I'm a 4.5 thats been playing for 20 years now and have tried it all over the years...my go to is Laserfibre's 17g polys (use in a 2015 blade 98 18x20). I loved the crisp feel of the james blake tour 17, but recently started using the laser smooth and it has good feel on slices, great spin and power, and not too hard on the arm.
I totally forgot about Laserfibre! They were all the rage a few years ago but havent heard much from them since
Love X-one Biphase after using Wilson NXT for years. Really great feel to that string.
Bought a reel of this after using NRG2. It’s a great string, really arm friendly and I have felt confident whacking up the tension to 60lbs to lower the power and increase control.
Take my upvote! What a great presentation 👍
thanks!
Hyper g color markets itself very well. You can always tell who has it, it pops on the court! I personally like it.
It’s a string for people who cannot hit with spin.
@@msalvs??????
Here I used Tourna Big Hitter Silver 16 (round) and WC Silverstring 17. I have a rell of each and they are making me very happy, I play with PT630 and they matched very well with this racket. I really liked the Kirschbaum Pro Line Evolution as well. I didn't buy Tourna Big Hitter Silver 7 for fear and having a very high difficulty like Max Power which I found horrible.
After trying some poly's and a few multifilaments I ended up sticking with Solinco Tour Bite Soft 17g or 18g at 22-23kg, it what feels best but I have to admit that great feel doesn't last very long and not the best for arm conform if you don't hit properly. Because I almost never break strings (I end up changing strings long before that) some people have suggested me to try out synthetic gut or some multi, but last time I tried I didn't quite like the feel/spin. And trying lot of strings is not specially easy nor cheap 😅so yeah, these videos are quite helpful :)
I don’t think string breakage is an indicator for switching from poly to nylon. I used to string racquets for a woman who was top 500 in Germany and never broke her strings . I’d go for polys for beginners/hobby players as well, since there are so many cheap, good polys. Just lower the string tension to get sufficient power.
Imo that woman in German is an exception, not the rule. I heard that Su-Wei doesn't snap strings either. String breakage is just a guide line to help the majority of players choose when they aren't sure where to go. Most of the exceptions to the string breakage guide line will be experienced enough to know what they need in their string setup anyway. I don't see the point in going with poly's for a beginner when the injury factor is such a risk.
@@TennCom , I love watching Su-Wei (she uses PolyTour Pro...
the best string is confidential
I see what you did there
Pure Aero 98 strung with RPM Blast 53lbs is the best setup I've played with. Power, control, feel... It can do it all
(I play on clay mostly)
i recommand diadem pro-x! i used over 40 different strings but it's the best i've ever used. especially maintenance
I just got a set of this for review (along with Solstice Power and Black) so I’m excited to try it
@@TennCom can't wait to see the review
This is a godd*mn good video. No wasted effort. All meaningful content.
A very insightful video Beckett! Yes, “the best string for everyone” doesn’t exist, as it is up to personal preference. I can also vouch for Solinco Confidential as it is a very reliable, responsive and not an arm breaker of a string and looks good!
I would say RPM Blast and Alu Power. When u hit hard enough, the response from these strings are amazing
Yes for sure the best although there durability is trash I break rpm blast every 2 days
@@yt_jordan7613 RPM hurts my wallet the most. But if I am going to a tournament, I have the most confidence with RPM
New player. 2 months in, former athlete. Moving into 3.5 level in singles, have some decent power. Looking at something that had power, lots of spin and easy on arm. Thanks
I've used the Solinco Confidential at 53lbs and I really liked it because of the control and tension maintenance. Should I try Technifibre Razor Code or the soft one?? Also please suggest me any other alternatives as well. I'm a hard baseliner and got a big serve as well and currently using Head Youtek Speed Elite 285g unstrung. Thanks
My fav strings now (around 23 kg's):
(Edged) Solinco Confidential 1.20 and Head Lynx Tour 1.25 (I want to try the 1.20 option).
But now I play with cheaper options: Signum Pro Plasma Hextreme Pure 1.20 and MSV Focus Hex soft 1.20 (bought a reel)
(Round) MSV co-focus 1.18 (also nicely priced!)
I play with Poly's eventhough I am a pretty intermediate level in tennis. I started (Semi-beginner) with Head Sonic Pro Edge in a Head Speed Elite/Head Instinct MP. I never gave it a thought and it worked.
In the last few years I really gotten a lot better and tested a few rackets and lots of strings (went down the rabbit hole lol). (Main racket now: 360+ Radical MP)
I did try out a few Multi's, especially the Head Velocity MLT...but yes more power and comfort but all the precision and spin I got used to were completely gone! Tried a hybrid but that didnt last very long. So I went back to poly's but went a bit thinner in gauges.
I like Head Velocity MLT, but only a few bucks more is Wilson NXT. Very plush feel. Very comfortable.
Who is the guy with the volkl c10 pro hitting the slo mo forehand?
what are your thoughts on Kirschbaum Spiky Black Shark, if u have tried it? what tension would you recommend stringing polys at such as head hawk power?
I haven't and I always like to start at my normal tension and then adjust from there
Stings are personal, as is all gear else in tennis. You just have to keep trying them to figure out whats good for you. Also are you still playing with the Iso 305? I just put some of the restring zero in mine and like the reults. Again its not the perfect string but it has a lot of good things going for it best part its a recycled p.e.t plastic. I like that
I’ve put it on the back burner because I had a huge stack of demos to get through for the channel. I kept the Extremes in my bag as control units, but also I still trust them for matches more than the ISO.
Once I get through these demos I’m going to go back to trying to dial in new setups
If you are interested, I’ve got an ISO customization video in the membership page
Thats cool, i actually have been playing the iso since it came out. I have my dialed in. Its heead heavy but im not sure on the ballance poinlt or swing weight cause i dont have the machines or board. But i added 5g starting at nine and going up a ways and added a babolat syn grip. I have it weighed up to around 335g strung. Think Delpotros stick but a little lighter and 98.
Hi. I'm an intermediate player looking to buy a racket+string setup that is powerful and spinny but still offers decent feel and control (so not crazy spinny and one-sided). Which racket and nylon string would you recommend? Thanks!
In general, but especially as a beginner, the player creates the spin. Since you don't necessarily have a style yet, your strokes are very malleable. This means that you are unlikely to experience serious benefits from one racquet to another. Just grab whatever racquet makes you want to play and string it with Prince SynGut Prism because it looks cool. There's no need to worry too much about your gear until you've become an intermediate player with concrete preferences and needs.
A true tennis string guru! Thank you - "Net Ninja'
I try alot of top tier poly strings, Head Lynx Tour is my favorite by far. Cant wait to try Head Hawk Power. What i can hear from reviewers the string is awesome.
Lynx Tour is cool but not a spin monster and launch angle is high
I'm also quite interested in trying Hawk Power.
@@TennCom I'm playing a hybrid of Lynx Tour and Hawk Power right now. After a couple of sessions to settle down (felt really stiff at first) it's playing great (Extreme Tour) with more pop than straight Lynx Tour and better feel. I have not tried straight Hawk Power yet as I like shaped strings, but will do so at the next opportunity.
Have you noticed how oddly heavy LT is? Definitely increases swingweight.
@@vanodne Yes I've noticed it to feel heavy as well. I've read other people that have shared that experience too. Are you keep LT in the mains?
It doesn't matter just give me 1 that lasts and I'm good...my other friends who played pros used basically the strings that lasted unless your Federer who can afford whatever it's best to use long lasting strings...
Rickey Franks I use Grapplesnake M 8 ,,And Restring Zero so sweet last longer as well.
Luxilon alu power 1,25, the best!!!!!!❤
Great video, thank you
Hi Beckett! It's always nice watching you. I'm an American living in Japan, and my favorite strings of late have been Technifibre NRG2, Triax, and X-One Biphase (in this order). I tried Head Velocity MLT, but found it too mushy, but maybe it was me or the racket I had it in. Recently, I asked my stringer about any recommendations he had, and he suggested a string called "Sunny Core" (Snauwaert). He just put it into two of my rackets, and they should be delivered tomorrow, so I have yet to try it out (he's in Osaka, and I'm out on a small island in Japan's Inland Sea). If you have any insights, I'd love to read whatever you have to share... peace!
I didnt know Snauwaert was still in business! I'd love to hear what you think of the strings. Japan seems to have a lot of exclusive products that we don't get in North America.
@@TennCom , it plays very much like Triax, but looks a lot nicer in the racket...
How is the durability compared to nrg2?
Dunlop black widow was the best haha
Heavy Rip and aggressive baseliner, top 10 national as a junior.
Well made video. Good trip down memory lane and good overall string education. Sharing widely
Thanks dawg, glad to see your comments again!
I know Sampras used natural gut strung at a very high tension but at some point toward the end of his career as a pro did he switch to poly or poly / gut hybrid? If not, anyone know if he switched to poly or a hybrid playing in the seniors games or does he still play gut?
I'm actually not sure, though I do think he used very thin gut 1.20mm which I thought was interesting.
Sampras switched to poly and a more up to date Babolat frame after retirement. IIRC he played an exhibition match with Andy Roddick and tried his racquet which made him realise he had been missing out.
Quick question! Long ago I randomly bought a set of hybrid strings from Solinco purely due to my favorite color being blue. It was A combination of Revolution and Tru Feel MTF strings, and it ended up being my favorite strings of all time. The pop and comfort was perfect for me. Fast forward 10 years, Solinco no longer makes Tru Feel and I have been trying to find a replacement with no luck. What is the closest string that you think I could replace the Solinco Tru Feel mtf string with? Thanks in advance!!
Idk I had to Google the string as I've never heard of it. It kind looks like Head RipControl so you could try that if you haven't yet, but I really have no suggestions.
Excellent video! Is there a big differens in the launch angle betweens strings? I find that may Blade 100v8 with Hyper G soft (1.20) goes alot higher
over the net compared to my Wilson Shift 300g with RPM Power (1.25). Prefer the higher lauch angle of my Blade, but does not know if it is the racket or strings
that are the reason (or thickness of the strings..).
In general, the more aggressive the shape of the poly, the higher the launch angle. RPM Power is also a very weird string with one of the lowest launch angles in any mainstream strings by a decent margin.
@@TennCom Thank´s, that might explain it then. Keep up the good work with your channel.
I used a hybrid stringing for years in a Head MP speed racket (gut and luxilon) but I found it too expensive. I then went to Vokl cyclone and I got really great spin but my elbow got sore. I now I have a new racket, a Yonex percept 100, and I used a Yonex Rexis speed multi. I liked the feel but it broke after playing only about three hours. So now I am trying a Babolat RPM soft poly, will give it a shot. I’m getting a bit confused. My main concern is not hurting the old elbow anymore.
Great video ! Any suggestion on what poly plays well on crosses with Babolat VS gut (black) on mains ? Currently using RPM 16 crosses with VS gut 16 on mains on a Pure Aero VS. Thanks in advance.
I made a community post asking for cross suggestions with gut. A very common suggestion was Yonex Polytour Fire because its silicone infused to help promoted snap back.
@@TennCom thank you !
Have to disagree on nylon string beck. I don't break strings and yet my hitting partners noticed a huge jump in spin when I switched from alu power to hyper g. I don't need the durability sure, but hyper g gets better as it softens while alu just dies. Not to mention the spin, not the durability, is why poly is king.
yes, Imo the string breaking metric is way overrated. I'm not a string breaker and play thin poly... yes the spin is super, but better than that, is that when I lay into one more than usual, it still goes where it is supposed to go... Imo, that is the real merit of poly.
great video! I have remarked that your top choices were similar to mine as they rank high on TWU database for least tension loss, I wonder have you tried Kirschbaum Max power also ?
I haven't tried Max Power yet, but its on my list of curiosities.
I’m a pretty big hitter and was thinking of switching to a multifilament from poly. I had Solico Confidental on my Wilson 100 v8 at 25kg and I felt like I had to swing too hard with my one handed backhand. Would Wilson sensation at 24kg do the job or should I just stick with a poly and drop the tension to 21-22kg?
First of all, great video!!! Pretty instructive on the basics of monofilament strings.
Have you tried PolyStar Strike? It lasts long on my experience, has indentations to increase bite a little without changing the round shape not to reduce snapback. Good spin, a little boardy. Not sure if easy to come by in America. REALLY cheap.
This was a briefing as my original comment was becoming too long, here it is (feel free to skip it);
My first poly was polystar strike 1.35. Coming from Prince's syngut and whatever my Prince Tour 100L had pre-strung, it felt really firm and boardy (which I liked), with a lower launch angle and tons of topspin. After that I came back to syngut briefly just to tell the difference, and then made the rounds on some "good" or at least more expensive polys like yonex pro tour, Luxilon Smart, Wilson revolve spin, or even hyper-G (still more expensive than polystar, they are REALLY budget strings). It felt better than syngut but not much better than ps strike (except maybe revolve which really enhanced the spin potential of my ezone 98). So I came by another set (this one 1.25) for my Blade 98s, still felt good, although not as surprising. I think it holds tension pretty decently compared to the others I've tried, and it's a very interesting string as it is texturized, but instead of an extruded shape or bumpyness like ALU /RPM rough, it has indentations that keep its shape round but still feels rough to the touch. I now have a 1.30 reel and really like it, but would like to know your opinion if you have the time and the curiosity, as my experience is yet pretty short and I tend to like most polys (currently I string PS strike, Isospeed basline control, and Babolat pro last, which are three of the most cheap reels you can find -40€ or lower- and like all three of them well enough).
So, if this sticks to the back of your mind and you eventually get to try it (or have already!) I'd love to hear your impressions!
Interesting! I take a look to see if I can bring this string in to Canada.
Hey Beckett. Do you have any other recommendations for alternative poly's to the big 3? Here in Australia, we don't seem to have a supplier of Tourna Silver 7 or Grapplesnake strings. Would love to have suggestions for other spin-friendly and good tension maintenance strings that don't break the bank.
I haven't tried it yet, but it sounds like people are really enjoying Head Hawk Power as a replacement for ALU Power. Confidential would be my go-to if I was playing down under.
Hey man I think Grapplesnake themselves might ship to Australia if you purchase off their site, haven't tried myself but I remember seeing somewhere that it was an option. hopefully I'm not misremembering. Alternatively though there is Solinco Barb Wire, put it in my racquet a month back and have been loving it, feels like I can't miss with them.
Great video, very grateful. Recommendations for a prostaff v14 97, string and tension? I currently have it with Hyper-G 1.25 at 54 lbs. I think it´s a very high tension. If you were to try Confidentia 1.30 lbs, what tension do you recommend? Any other string or tensions?
Confidential 1.30 is would personally string at 50lbs, maybe even going down to 49lbs. I really liked Tour Sniper in mine, I think the crisper feel really compliments the ProStaff well, one of the reasons ALU Power is so popular in that frame.
@@TennCom Thank you very much for such a prompt response! Tour Sniper 1.25 at 50 lbs? If you hade confidential 1.25 would you recommend 50-52 lbs?
Hi Beckett. Thank you for all your videos. Good balance of personal opinion and being scientific.
I have a question on strings; I have been using RPM Blast 1.20 on my Head Speed Pro. I love the spin potential and crisp. HOWEVER if I do not do a full swing or hit the sweet spot, I get very low power due to the stiffness.
Do you have a few recommendations on alternatives? I'm happy to consider multifilaments but afraid it could be TOO powerful? Have been using poly strings for the last 10 years.
I used to enjoy Luxilon Alu Power 125 too - however during matches, I find it hard to kill off a point and have to grind really hard. It lacks pace + spin.
Thanks in advance for your advice.
I think ReString Zero would be a good move if the shipping to your location is decent. I've moved a lot of my clients (I string locally) who are around 3.5ish to Zero from RPM and they are all living the increased forgiveness, spin and durability. I don't think going to a multi will too powerful at all. I personally have no control issues with hybrids, they just break quite quickly for me because I hit with a lot of spin. If you do go this route, I recommend stringing your normal tension with the poly but +2lbs on the nylon.
We are going to be doing some videos on hybrids later this fall, as I think they are under utilized at all level (except pro's who use about 50% gut hybrids).
@@TennCom thanks very much Beckett!
Been using solinco tour bite 16 but gonna buy some solinco confidential next and give it a whirl.
can you recommend me a tennis string? i was playing with pure drive with RPM Blast at 52 Tension for 3 months. ive experienced tennis elbow and im looking into hybrids or multifilaments. ive now swapped my racket to wilson blade 98
What string should i start? I still like to play with lot of spin but i want to preserve my elbow. :) can i hit spin with multifilament like x1 biphase or i have to hybrid it?
If you want to go with a full nylon setup, I would recommend starting with Tecnifibre Triax. You'll get better durability, plan and control than with almost any other nylon. Start at 52lbs.
@@TennCom Thank you for the video! Full bed of Solinco Tour bite/ Grapplesnake tour sniper/ solinco Confidential/ restring Sync which one would you say has better control, spin and feel with an ezone 100 for doubles tournament play? Also which one do you think is the most durable out of these?
For non Poly users Head Velocity is a really nice string.
I am an intermediate player, habit of hitting outside the court. My Current config is Yonex eZone 100, + Solinco Confidential 16L. I somehow dont get the same amount of spin with confidential as i used to get with RPM blast or Hyper G.
I am looking for control, + spin with my strings.
Also, I have hardly ever broken my strings.
Kindly suggest the strings & the respective tension as well.
what is your current tension?
I'm looking at returning to tennis after 15 years, and even then I had an old racket (that I loved). Choosing a racquet and strings seems much harder than I expected!
I recently had a knock-about with a club player and was surprised at how ok I was. It came back quick. So, any suggestions on where to start for not a beginner, but someone that is maybe a lower third intermediate, but hopes to get better relatively quickly?
I would go for a hybrid setup. Your favourite poly so far in the mains and Head Velocity in the crosses
Vs gut mains 130 & lynx tour champagne 125 23/22 kgs prestretch 10% both. best 4 power SPIN confort and durability (u can restring crosses until gut breaks).
From Aero VS to Dunlop Cx 200 tour..
Be careful, ADDICTIVE SETUP
I am going to do a big video on Gut soon. Got over $200 of string shipped for it.
@@TennCom PLEASE try full bed ONLY on 95in racket and/or 18x20 (or dont try it at all). But try BOTH type of Hybrid setups!
Thank me later🤗👍
Are you saying that the Lynx Tour crosses will break before the VS Gut mains?? I find that hard to fathom.
@@vanodne no, i mean that after 6-8 hours lynx lose tension (10 days without hitting a ball!), gut tension lasts months IF doesnt break (no wet allowed!)
@@nakmuay5034 ty 4 your feedback. Any useful suggestion?
Not sure if ull reply since the video was released more than a year ago but why not ask, im looking for string to help with power (the pop feeling) and spin (im using pure aero plus if that helps) just to note i dont have alot of selection when it comes to brands, atm i can find tecnifibre yonex wilson and babolat
Could you recommend anything poly but modern, soft(ish) and round? Possibly 1,20. Currently use Razor soft in aero 98. Thanks! Cool and unique video! ❤
Next August, Grapplesnake is releasing a new string which is made of a very large composition of metal compared to typical poly's with metal additives (ALU Power) so it has this rough texture and a very unique feel thats both firm and responsive with excellent pall pocketing. Its called paradox pro. If you can't wait till then, I had a lot of fun with Hawk Power.
I am comfortable with Technifibre red code.. it maybe old but works on my head rackets..
One of the guys on my college team was using genesis white magic, I was using a full bed of RPM before. I tried it and I loved it, even better it was only $7 a set lol. Then genesis sponsored our school and we’re using their Hexonic line. Wellllll now I’m down a rabbit hole of genesis strings lmao. They’re so good but also so price friendly that I’m gonna experiment a ton with them lol
So Hexonic is your favourite at the moment?
Love your contents! I am getting my wife a new racket who has started tennis for 8 months. I am thinking to get ezone 100L, not sure about which string to put. She mostly hit quite flat and quite hard. I heard good things about hybrid strings, natural gut on main and poly on the crosses. Do you have any string recommendation?
I recommend stringing with a full bed of Head Velocity MLT 17 at 50lbs
@@TennCom her friend happened to give her VS touch hybrid RPM, would that still be okay for her? And for the tension is it still both main and crosses at 50?
So my storehouse of string from the mid-90's (many spools) is about gone. Looking for a recommendation of something new but possibly a close feel... I normally use Kevlar core mains and Synthetic Gut cross strings - I'm a control freak and have my tension about 15 over max recommendation. Either I didn't have the foresight of tech changing, or was just happy to know I'd be set for many years to come. Open to a suggestion if you have one!
I'd try a "normal" poly first just to see if you like the snapback feeling. You probably won't at first as it'll take some getting used to. Whatever is cheap in your area, but Kirschbaum Max Power comes to mind as something stiff and low powered. If that doesn't work, RPM Power or Grapplesnake Paradox Pro are the two polys with the best directional control due to their lack of snapback. Drop tension by 15lbs and trust the spin to bring the ball down.
If none of that works, you can also try poly crosses with your kevlar at a say 5lbs less tension. It'll still feel very firm but you'll get more spin. I think if you commit 2-3 weeks of getting used to the poly, you'll probably win more points due to the heavier ball you'll hit, assuming you can keep your swingspeeds the same.
@@TennCom much appreciated... Looking like I'll have some serious amounts of match time coming up to try these recommendations out.. I'm ok with that😉
Love rpm blast in babolat pure drive and aerodrive but realllllllly bad at retaining tension. I m only a boderline 4.0 player and it doesnt last one 2 hour session. Alu power is good (overrated) but overpriced for wht it is . 17g tourbite is the best of both worlds , holds tension very very good (both on my babolats and wilsons blade and pro staff) , fantastic spin, and i like the feel. Tourbite my choice.
Important video. Strings is a minefield and it’s so hard to know what to go for
Do you string your racquets one piece or two, and do you vary the tension between the mains and crosses?
it depends. When I used Yonex, I always did split tension (49/46). Whenever I do split tension, I'll do a two piece. I'll also do a 2 piece if it allow me to string the cross from the top down. Otherwise, I string one piece because I think fewer knots looks cleaner.
I really like the pro Kennex IQ Hexa, durable, spin oriented and relatively cheap
Very bad tension maintenance
Do you know how to clean a tennis racket before stringing it? I can't find videos or a document that explains the step by step in detail. I have difficulty removing the glue from the racket saver and clay residue.
Windex (or glass cleaner) for the dirt and grime and rubbing alcohol for the glue. In tough spots I've used Goo-be-gone or just rubbed the sticky stuff off with my thumb, leaving the skin pretty raw for a few days.
@@TennCom thank you! 👍
Nice video! Any strings you recommend to use as a hybrid w/ Yonex polytour pro? Currently use the latest Ezone 98 with polytour pro yellow 16g at 50lbs in the mains and head velocity 16g at 52 in the crosses. Next time I string want to make it a little bit stronger
That's my typical suggestion. I love Velocity. If you want more power, try X1 Bi-Phase or Wilson NXT.
Solinco tourbite diamond rough for poly hybrid or Solinco vanquish for multi hybrid
@@TennCom any recommendations if I were to stray away from the Polytour Pro on the Ezone 98? Poly and Multi/Synthetic hybrid combo? Good overall setup rather than focusing on power/spin.
One thing I learned recently with Yonex PTP in a hybrid as a cross - I didn't like it as much as a stiffer poly cross like 4G. Softer poly cross with a soft gut/multi mains didn't feel great for me, but could be just personal preference.
PTP is also not that slippery which probably didn’t help your cause
Hello TennCom. I had few issues with my arm before! A friend of mine suggested me to use natural gut string and I did. I brought the Babolat Vs Touch. And since then, my arm issue was solved. I love the feel, comfort with a decent power and spin. But, it's very expensive. I'd like you to suggest me an another string type cheaper than the Babolat vs Touch or a different version of the Babolat with the same specs. It will be helpful. Thanks a lot!
If you can find Babolat Tonic, its like VS Gut but the factory seconds. Still plays great, just not quite as perfect. Otherwise, there's not much else that can really replace gut. I think Tecnifibre probably makes the best multifilament nylon, X-One BiPhase for power and feel or Triax for spin and durability.
Hello, I use a gravity pro, I am a player who relies on shots with a lot of force but they are not flat, they have spin, any recommendations bro?
Solinco Confidential, Grapplesnake Tour M8 or Lynx Tour all play well in that stick
I am a beginner, I can generate power with no effort, however, I do have problems to generate lots of spin. I am currently using a Mayumi big spin in a ezone 100, thinking about changing to a hyperg or solinco confidential. Do you have any recommendations?
Probably not the advice you are looking for, but at the beginner level, changing equipment can be a wild goose chase. As a beginner, the world is your oyster in terms of technical improvement. Making improvements to your game will help you so much more. It's when you level plateaus that it becomes more important to change your equipment because you might not have the time/resources to make technical changes.
Hi - like the video - what would recommend for vcore 98 2023 model - like spin - I am not a youngster any more so need something that will not kill my arm.
Have you tried Triax? It’s a very high performing multi with polyester-like qualities
Recommendation for the optimal Poly Tour Pro gauge for the Gravity Pro? Thanks!
I would start with 1.20mm and go to 1.25 if you need more durability
Lynx tour!!!! Will the hawk power be the next on the list ?
potentially down the road, yes, I've got a lot of projects on the go right now though
Need some advice! I have 2 Wilson 18x20 v8 rackets. I can’t get new rackets… but I am lacking for power! So which strings should I get? I can create my own spin, so def looking for power. I’ve tried NXT power but the durability was killer.
have you tried poly at low tension? Like 40lbs? That should be a lot more durable without being to uncomfortable.
@@TennCom i haven't! but good idea! i'll try that
Stupid question but if you were to bring a stringer 1 pack of strings to be used in a hybrid, would you be able to get another hybrid job done with the same pack of strings?
Usually but not always. If its poly and you need to string the mains of two 18x20 racquets, it might not work, especially if you have a crank or drop weight machine where you need extra string to feed into the tensioner. Should be fine in other senarios though.
I appreciate the video…if money isn’t a consideration….it’s VS all the way. I am 68 years old and been a teaching pro and stringer since I was in my late teens…my total rackets strung are 20k plus. As soon as I hear or read about poly strings…my elbow throbs. I have tried a VS/RPM hybrid (10 years ago) and within 15 minutes my elbow was feeling it. I would like to try it again, any suggestions as to how low I can go with the polys tension and still get a crisp feel. I have just switched over to the newest ProStaff 97 V14….any help is appreciated! Thanks…Scott
There are guys stringing ALU Power on tour as low as 19lbs. I think 40lbs is probably a better place to start and then you can go down in tension by 5lbs increments to see what you bottom end is.
You should try/review ReString zero!!!
I will. Its in my drawer, just had a knee injury that pushed reviews back about a week.
Hi Beckett! Great video! Loved the little history lesson in polys (this is actually my second view in 4 months).
Big poly fan here, no wrist-elbow-arm problems, like a stiff full-bed at 50+. Recently started testing some hybriding with multis to see if the extra power was worth it, using as a guide the TWU string database (of which I'm a little suspicious anyway). Going for the softer (although this is really secondary), most powerful and with the lowest string-friction. Currently trying Gosen AK PRO CX with Silver 7 Tour at the mains, not sure tho if it's a great idea to pair a soft multi with a shaped poly (but so far so good). Have in the drawer some Velocity MLT (which you actually recommend here), Babolat Syngut (in black, which I fear may compromise friction a little? also, smells like shit), and Babolat Xalt (they were giving them away in a promo in TW, not much reviews out there yet, it's marketed as comfort + control).
What would be your recommendations for a cross? Or would you just go for soft, power-oriented polys if I really like the stiff feel and low launch angles?
Also, what multi do you think plays more close to natural gut? Although I understand nothing plays quite like it or even close, but what would you go for if you wanted the extra power but not to pay the ~30 bucks or so that would be a half set of nat? (needless to say, the cheaper you can go, the better)
Thanks in advance, keep up the great content, and wish you a fast recovery!
Thanks so much for your kind words.
I think TF X1 Biphase is probably the closest to natural gut. I haven't come across anything newer that has captured the same popularity as x-1.
I'm still on the fence on the best way to go for nylon main setups. Do you go for a slick poly for snapback or do you try to lock the stringbed with something rough?
I'm going to be doing more hybrid stuff this fall (was part of the plan even prior to my elbow thing, though its not related to impact stress) so hopefully i have a better idea soon.
I recently did a video which was on the possible downsides of snapback, which you may enjoy
@@TennCom yes, already seen it (and really enjoyed it, made me re-think a little my obsession with polys).
I always wondered why Fed and Nole used ALU rough in the crosses instead of rounded "slick" poly, I always assumed the intention was to allow some measure of snapback to the gut, especially since Fed manages to put some Nadal-level RPMs in his balls when he so chooses to. So your theory is that it's meant to lock the strings into place (because obviously if they won't snap back, more spin is produced when they don't slide)?
Curiously enough, ALU rough has the same string-friction COF as normal ALU power according to TWU's database (of which, as I said, I'm a little suspicious). Although I guess that maybe even if that value was reliable, it measures the friction of a full bed, and prolly the texture of a nat gut would for sure interact differently with a smooth and a rough surface.
Also, do you think hitting the ball at 1/3 down the crosses' sweetspot also would generate more spin due to the "trampoline" angle of the strings, even assuming 0 snapback?
Thanks for the recommendation! I'll surely give it a try.
Have you looked into powerballs for your elbow?
Hey, Iam looking for a string for my Wilson Shift v1 pro. I want power, feel and durability from the string. Andy recommendations?
Are you looking mostly at poly's then?
@@TennCom I think so, yeah.
I bleed green with that hyper g. But I am enjoying that confidential lately
i just vomited thanks
@@TennCom 🤣
Hyper G is excellent in my opinion from the baseline. But after 10 hours or so it just turns into a trampoline and launch angle gets crazy high!!! Poly Tour Pro (yellow) is the goat imo!!!
@@cjcobb6906 I also love the Big Hitter Silver 7 Tour , Those strings are amazing.
@@cjcobb6906 exactly my experience also. Or actually it was 9 hours. Any reccomendations for similar strings with a bit better durability? I really like this string.
Hi Beckett, been watching your channel recently and found it very insightful. I must string at least at 55 with poly and 60 with multi. hyper g 19 at 57 in my clash or x-one at 60. otherwise the ball flies on me. I can’t play with confidential at any tension, and alu doesn’t do anything for me either. Why?
I would have to see footage of you playing to know for sure, but I'm guess its technique related or some sort of mental hurdle. If that's the string and tension that you like, I don't see a big reason to change though. That said, those are very high tensions for the Clash, which was originally designed to be strung in the low 40's, so just watch out for frame deformation.
I need help choosing the recommenced strings for head gravity mp. I’m a beginner looking more for control and spin. I think I can generate power more natural and easier. I really appreciate it. Thanks
what you using now?
Hi Beckett, thanks for your videos which are always well done and interesting.
I usually play with ezone 2022 and polytour rev (21,5-20,5 kg), but for some time now I have tried with great surprise a reverse hybrid with head velocity on the verticals. Which monofilament would you recommend on the horizontals that would fit well with the velocity without sawing them off too soon?
PolyTour Rev or Fire
Polytour Fire is actually a great suggestion by Nak because its got a wax-infused construction. Very slippery and one of the best cross strings for gut setups. I also like Tecnifibre Red Code Wax. If you need a softer option, Grapplesnake Tour M8 has lubrication built into the string, so its not just a coating which will wear off like RPM Blast.
@@TennCom & @Nak slipperiness in the crosses is important for poly and multi mains. Using gut on mains slippery crosses will cause tons of spin and launch angle BUT total lost of control/consistency!
But u r gonna test that in the next video👍
Hello!!! excellent your video!! I like it a lot!! I want to ask you a question, change from a pure aero 2019 to a vcore 100 2023, but I keep noticing lack of control, the next test I will do will be a wilson blade v8 16x19 or a pure aero 100 2022, which do you think is better of the two? I play quite aggressive in the background and I'm fed up with the lack of control and the mistakes at the back of the track, THANK YOU!!!
I like the Aero a lot more than the Blade. I find the Blade too light and low powered for most players. That said, if the VC100 isnt giving you enough control, the Aero probably won’t either
@@TennCom The options I have right now are…. yonex vcore 98 2023, wilson blade 98 v8, 16x19, do you recommend any knowing my story? thank you so much!!!! ❤️🎾
From what you’ve told me, I think the vc98 is the way
what is the best rope? luxilon alu power? or solinco tour sting? I think the luxilon chain gives me more consistency and a better feeling… the problem is not the price for me, in an ezone 100 which would you put of the two? thank you so much!!!!!
I play with head speed pro with Hyper G but really struggle to know what tension to string at. I play at the upper end of the club comp level. What string would you recommend I try and what tension I'm doing for a durable powerful string.
tension really just adjusts the launch angle. the looser you string, the higher the launch angle, allowing for easier depth. the tighter you string, the lower the launch angle, making it hard to get depth. so if you are missing long, string tighter. if you are missing in the net, or not penetrating the court, string looser.
Try adjusting your tension, but stick with Hyper-G to isolate the variables and see how the changes impact your game. I recommend doing 3-5lb increments to make sure that you notice the change.
Great Video!
Is there a nylon or multifilament string that you recommend that the strings don't get so out of place?
I switch to polyester for that reason but I want to give nylon/multifilament another chance.
Head Velocity black is the slipperiest one. When its fresh, it will go back into place, but all nylons will start to fray, increasing friction, so they will all get stuck. If being stuck out of place is a deal breaker, but you still want some extra forgiveness, I recommend tryin a hybrid set up. Use your regular poly string with a nylon cross. For a poly that's extra soft, you can try Luxilon Element to try to mimic the full nylon feel.
@@TennCom thank you so much for the answer! I will try that.
All Tecnifibre multis dont stick out of place
@@nakmuay5034 thank you for the hint!
I dont have a clue on where to start, I have been using a hybrid of Yonex PT pro /PT Spin, at 52LBs, on a ProStaff 97L V13 (290g), I replace them in average every 2 weeks, but I do feel that I streching them out a lot, since TBH I feel that they loose tension around 3-4 hours of play, I play tennis at least 1:30 hrs almost daily, and I been playing this consistent for the last 1.5 year, I dont have any arm or elbow issue, I fell I have a decent amount of swing speed and spin, having saaid all that I would love to hear some recommendation, I also feel that I may need to upgrade my raquet, but thats another topic. Thank you so much
If you are looking for better tension maintenance, the best I've tried are Tourna Silver 7 Tour, Solinco Confidential and Grapplesnake Tour Sniper. Try one or all of these and see if you get better results.
Hey man, im a recreational intermediate level player and i will buy a new 2021 pure drive but i dont know what to string it with. would the rpm blast suit me or would you have any other suggestions? and what would you say about the tension i should use especially on a power heavy racket like the pure drive?
I would recommend trying a nylon string or a nylon hybrid at somewhere around 52lbs. I like Head Velocity MLT Black.
Thanks for video. Very Helpfull! What do you think is a best guy hybrid, what should I use on the crosses or the main next to gut ?
I think you should try Grapplesnake Irukandji, its designed specifically to be a cross string for gut and it shaped like a pill. Other honorable mentions are Babolat RPM Rough and Yonex Polytour Fire.
Hey Beckett, I was wondering what your opinion is on hybriding two round polys. Do you think there is a universal rule of thumb for stiffer string in the main vs cross or is it just a personal preference? Same question for gauge. I have been debating a Yonex PTP and Kirschbaum Max Power hybrid as I want my usual Yonex PTP setup to stay controlled a bit longer and have a touch more spin, while I don't want to spend the extra money for Strike or Rev. My initial thought is PTP 1.25 mains and KMP 1.20 crosses, but I am worried about mains losing tension faster than crosses, and if I reverse worried about having thicker crosses. I see a lot of conflicting opinions online so would love to hear your take! Thanks!
I haven't discovered anything conclusive regarding the different stiffnesses between poly's in hybriding. This is something I'm personally quite interested in and will make it a project before Summer. I want to play tournaments this season so im going to try to develop a new go-to setup designed purely for winning
For hybriding, most of the playing characteristics come from the main string, so if you prefer the PTP or KMP, put that in the mains.
Hey, Beckett...
Great video.
Question...
I'm 6ft 1' 190 lbs.
I'm a 4.5 with a big power game/strokes.
I use to use Volkyl Cyclones 1.25mm at 48lbs (as low as 42lbs)
on my Head Speed MP 100 and Yonex Ezone 100
(for durability, as I'm a string breaker; primarily on the center mains)
but found they have "zero" feel and feel rather dead.
I'm looking for a string or string combo that gives me more feel, (pocketing)
but doesn't sacrifice too much of the durability and power
(if that exists without sacrificing)
(I know you're a big fan of Grapplesnake, not sure if theirs a combo there that fits)
(Or if you can recommend a different string/setup)
Hopefully you got me and this wasn't too confusing or too detailed.
Love your vids...
Keep it up!
-Ronnie
Tourna Silver 7 Tour, Mayami Tour Hex, and or even Tier One Durafluxx. Beckett doesn't like Tier 1 strings but those are 3 I would check out.
I didn't try Durafluxx so maybe I'd like that one
Hi Ronnie, thanks for all the info. It really helps me give a good suggestion. As mentioned in the other comment, Tourna Silver 7 Tour is a great choice. It plays very similar to my Grapplesnake Tour Sniper, but TS is softer feeling. Both of these strings are in the same power level as Cyclone (I've gone through reels of Cyclone in the past) but will offer a way more connected feel with 5x longer tension maintenance. I've found that Cyclone is slightly more resistant to breaking, but not enough to make it worth the poor tension maintenance. Spin is not as good as Cyclone, but that doesn't seem to be a huge priority for you.
@@TennCom, thnx, Beckett!
Also...
Hope to see more of your "tier" videos soon!
They're a riot!
😂🤣😂
@@ericahlers3097 Thnx!
Very informative video! Appreciate the history. Any suggestions for someone like me who breaks multis in less than 10 hours, but can't break a hybrid setup?
Either thicker nylons for the full bed or thinner poly's in the hybrid.
@@TennCom Any recs? I currently use 49lbs Multifeel Mains 1.25mm and 46lb isospeed cream 1.23mm
@@MoonDoy2 Tbh I think this is a fine setup. A very good setup actually. At that low of a tension, with a very soft poly cross, I don't think that trying to find a full-multi setup is going to yield much benefit.
Hey TennComm, great video! I'm considering buying a Vcore 95 or an Extreme Tour, as I want a controlled but spin friendly response from my rackets, while being comfy. The 95 size of the vcore throws me off, and the inconsistent stringbed people have talked about for the extreme tour. Could you lend me your thoughts?
Extreme tour is the safer option
I dont think the ET has an inconsistent stringbed. Imo its one of the most predictable and the dropoff in playability outside the stringbed is very gradual. I haven't tried the new VC95 yet though
The extreme tour I would describe as a control orientated spin racket and it will be more forgiving than the vcore, if you happen to want even more control that can be achieved with string choice and tension
Can you explain the extra forgiveness that you get from a singut ou multi?
Nylon strings are more elastic in the way that they are both stretchier than poly and better at returning to their initial position. The reason your sweet spot feels good is because you are getting a good trampoline effect. This only happen with poly on centre, because you need enough distance from the edge of the frame to get the ball to sink in the the stringbed. Since nylon is stretchier, you get need less distance from the edge of the frame to get a similar trampoline effect.
I play futures level, I play with a 460gr racket, crazy racket. Balanced at 25cm 🤣. Used to play with isospeed endurance. 1.35. I switched without trying to rpm 1.35 orange rough, and I have to say isospeed are way better.
my man is playing with an axe
@@lucaritivoi8407 changed completely setup, I’m now playing with Vcore 95 at around 348gr. I love that racket. It seems like cheating to me. So much control yet the power is there
Confidential really is that good. I never liked any of the 3 main mentioned in the video. They all kind of suck compared to Confidential or Tour Bite.
Hi your comment with nylon string interested me. Been hitting with poly for a long time love it but i can not remember the last time I snap my string. Would usually cut the string out a month in, I know i should do it sooner but hope to snap the string. I played with X one biphase back when i first started hitting and love it but that was 10 years ago. wanted to try it a again was wonder what tension should i put it, if I would usually string 16l alu power at 47LB.
For you, I recommend a hybrid. Keep ALU in the mains at 47, but put X1 in the crosses at 50lbs. This is a dream set up tbh.
@@TennCom Awesome will give that a try. Doing this what would i look forward to out of curiosity?
@@Amariths1 You'll be getting a lot more ball pocketing. Power and feel outside the sweetspot will also be way better. You'd need to go to natural gut to get more pocketing and controllable power.
For the nylon strings shoos I used them all in black color or are there particular colors for each string I should go for first. I know MLT black has the best SnapBack for that string . What about Techni and Prince?
Velocity is the only one that I've noticed where one colour is especially good.
@@TennCom thank you for the response I’m planning on trying a full bed of mlt in the a gravity pro would you recommend 16 or 17g?
@@thehiddenfamily 17g is probably fine in the 18x20 pattern. If you have durability concerns, go with 16g though.
Hi Beckett…I’m more an advanced hard hitter, like to hit flat but also rip balls to…44yrs old now though probably fitter and stronger than in my 20s, I was using Speed Pros @48lbs with varying polys(was at 54lbs but I get elbow pain around that tension) Now I’ve just changed racquets to Extreme Tours as I love how they feel and easy to use, came with Lynx @52-54lbs(it feels)and whilst it feels sensational and I’m landing far more shots at this tension, my arm started hurting again…what kind of setup could you suggest to maybe keep the tension above 50lbs where I find more consistency? I’m a bit of a brand fag haha so I like sticking to HEAD or non racquet manufacturers strings😅 cheers mate
Sticking with Head, Lynx Tour should give you more spin and control, plus the edge will help you with ball bite so you can grab the ball a bit harder. A lot of people still get good control out of LT with below 50lbs, but 52ish should be good for you. Other brands, RPM Power is pretty good, but that's Babolat, but lots of control, low launchy angle and super connected feeling. Similar to RPM is Grapplesnake Paradox Pro, but I worry about your elbow with that.
@@TennCom cheers, I’ve tried RPM Blast and did like it, I’m not really that strict on my brands if I find something I like haha…I’ve got a set of mlt velocity to try but probably won’t get much life out of it, was thinking to try it in a hybrid with Lynx or Hawk if that would work
what tennis string and tension would be ideal for someone who likes to dropshot alot? (similar to alcaraz playstyle) Any help is appreciated!
natrual gut at high tension would probably be the best as it would give you the most predictability off the string bed
@@TennCom thank you 🙏🏻 any racquet suggestions for an intermediate player that uses spin heavily? i was looking at the babolat pure aero, wilson shift and head speed pro. Any other recommendations?
I don't know if anyone will see this and have a decent answer but I play with a full bed of poly.
I do not break my poly strings although I do use a thick gauge.
But I break synthetic gut in like 2 sessions.
I've played with poly for years now so idk.
I have advanced strokes and hit a very heavy ball lots of kick at a strong 5.0 level.
Nonetheless, I am not a tennis equipment nerd so idk what strings would work. Synthetic gut ticked me off cus I break it ALL THE TIME. would a hybrid set up be more beneficial? natural gut with poly?
You could definitely try a hybrid setup. For poly's I find that 1.25mm is a good gauge for most players. I know some very advanced players who still put syn gut in the crosses and some are as young at 16. Natural gut is also a very underrated choice. The way Babolat treats their gut has resulted in my better durability. I was able to put a solid 10h on the 15L gut with a slick poly in the cross (Red Code Wax). I would start with experimenting with your normal poly in the mains and your normal syngut in the crosses and see how your playability it. If you are a flatter hitter, this might even play better for you when compared to full poly, as i think the nylon brings superior directional control and feel.
@@TennCom I hit with a lot of spin but can flatten out the ball for approach shots. My game is definitely about overpowering people with heavy strokes though. I have played with either RPM Blast or Luxilon ALU power in a full bed for the past 8 years. I've been looking into a lot of hybrid setups from TennisSpin and your channel and I'll probably try VS gut with a new poly in the crosses. Or a spin friendly multi and a poly in the crosses. idk lol. Thanks for replying! Durability is definitely a concern but ive never been that sensitive to tension loss either. I play with a low(ish) tension as far as I know already. I'll continue the search and appreciate the help/ suggestions.