Confused about hybrid crosses?

[hoodjem]

I've been playing with quite a few hybrids, and like them, and plan to do some more experimentation--crossing something with BAM. I've been working on a list of cross strings.

Here's what I'm confused about:
I've seen a number of posts saying that the best string to use with a poly in a hybrid is gut.

But I've also seen a number of posts saying don't bother using an expensive multi/synth in a hybrid with poly because it's a waste, one will never feel the advantages.

So why would it be good to use (expensive) gut, but not good to use a (higher-priced) multi/synth?

If the multi cross is a waste, wouldn't the gut be an even bigger waste?

 

[deme08]

I'd go with multis in the crosses as hybrid with poly mains. For two reasons:

1, natural gut in the crosses is a total waste. unless and only if money is not an objetive for you.

2, multis are very close to natural gut in softness so they have the closest effect as natural gut in the crosses ie counter balancing the stiffness of poly in the mains, which is the sole reason for hybrid application.

 

[Bud]

I'd go with multis in the crosses as hybrid with poly mains. For two reasons:

1, natural gut in the crosses is a total waste. unless and only if money is not an objetive for you.

2, multis are very close to natural gut in softness so they have the closest effect as natural gut in the crosses ie counter balancing the stiffness of poly in the mains, which is the sole reason for hybrid application.

Gut dampens vibration better (from poly mains). In addition, It also holds tension better.

I like poly mains (45#) with something cheap and soft in the crosses like Forten Sweet or Forten Competition Nylon (50#). Make sure to pre-stretch the Forten well, though.

 

[TenniseaWilliams]

I'm with Bud, I use a cheap soft synthetic gut such as the Forten Sweet. I seem to be able to break multi's in the crosses at will with poly mains, don't really have an explanation for it. I would think the small gauge of the BAM mains would cut through it even quicker. On the other hand, the tournament nylon seems to lose playability even quicker than the poly, so I avoid the temptation to go super cheap.

Natural gut to me is superior, even in a hybrid as a cross. But it is subtle, and is not worth the money to me. It makes me sad to cut out ng at $12+ half-set, even when I know the poly is all bagged out and dead.

Very subjective stuff...waiting to be convinced otherwise.

 

[Casco]

I've been playing with quite a few hybrids, and like them, and plan to do some more experimentation--crossing something with BAM. I've been working on a list of cross strings.

Here's what I'm confused about:
I've seen a number of posts saying that the best string to use with a poly in a hybrid is gut.

But I've also seen a number of posts saying don't bother using an expensive multi/synth in a hybrid with poly because it's a waste, one will never feel the advantages.

So why would it be good to use (expensive) gut, but not good to use a (higher-priced) multi/synth?

If the multi cross is a waste, wouldn't the gut be an even bigger waste?

Gut for the crosses would provide some gut feel and power on demand and touch, and Poly in the main would give you the "bite" and control of a Poly.

 

[hoodjem]

It sounds like, with gut crosses, you do get what you pay for, and so maybe it's not a waste.?

 

[David Valencia]

It is very subjective. I tell my customers to try different combos and choose the right one for their game/budget.

My most popular hybrid is Laserfibre LaserPoly/Prince Syn. Gut w/Duralex combo for $20. The LaserPoly is the same string as Kirschbaum Super Smash.

I use Babolat VS Team 17/Lux BB Alu 16L combo which I get about 12 hours of play before the gut breaks.

 

[hoodjem]

^^^ David V,
Does the BB hold its tension for the full 12 hours?

 

[ClubHoUno]

It is very subjective. I tell my customers to try different combos and choose the right one for their game/budget.

My most popular hybrid is Laserfibre LaserPoly/Prince Syn. Gut w/Duralex combo for $20. The LaserPoly is the same string as Kirschbaum Super Smash.

I use Babolat VS Team 17/Lux BB Alu 16L combo which I get about 12 hours of play before the gut breaks.

I take it you use the Babolat VS gut 17 in the mains and the Lux BB ALU in the crosses in your hybrid ?

Do you really get 12 hours of play from the Lux BB ALU- don't you feel the Lux BB ALU goes dead before that ?
I used to play with Lux BB ALU Spin in a hybrid with Babolat VS Thermogut Touch and I felt the Lux BB ALU Spin went dead after 1-2 hours and I had to cut out the natural gut before it was even close to breaking.

Now I play with a hybrid of Babolat VS Thermogut Touch and Pacific Poly Force Xtreme 16L, which gives me circa the same amount of playing time as you get......8-10 hours without Babolat Teflon string savers and 12-15 hours with the use of Babolat Teflon string savers.

I really can feel the Pacific Poly Force Xtreme gives me far longer and better playability compared to the Lux BB ALU Spin did.

I agree that for the first hour of play, nothing beats Luxilon, but only tour players can afford to cut out their string after such a short time. The new Pacific Poly Force Xtreme 16L gives me far better tension maintenance, far better overall feel and much softer feel after the first hour, where the Lux goes pretty much dead for me.

To me the Pacific Poly Force Xtreme 16L is the best over all poly string out there. Pretty soft while still providing great spin control, great tension maintenance - for me at least playable for 12-15 hours.

You simply can't find another Poly string out there with the same great playing characteristics - the Weisscanon Silverstring is the only one, that comes close in overall performance to the Pacific Poly Force Xtreme 16L - but it does not beat it nor perform quite as good as the Pacific does.

 

[ClubHoUno]

^^^ Does the BB hold its tension for the full 12 hours?

NO !

The LUX goes pretty much dead after 1-2-3 hours of play.

If you want a better Poly string, that will hold the tension for 12-15 hours and play almost as great for the first hour, as the LUX, and FAR FAR FAR better after the first hour, then buy some Pacific Poly Force Xtreme 16L

WeissCannon Silverstrign 1.20 comes close to the Pacific Poly Force Xtreme 16L, but only close. Nothing in my view beats the Pacific Poly Force Xtreme 16L at the moment among Poly strings.

There is a reason that Pacific is the main ATP string sponsor at the moment - and one of the reasons could very well be this amazing string

PS/NB: I don not work for Pacific......nor do I have any interest in the company. They just made one heck of a great poly string........that's all.
I was a fan of LUX for 1-2 months until I tried this string......

 

[Nitro]

Poly wears straight through a good multi in an instant. Its like drawing a hot knife through butter repeatedly.

 

[hoodjem]

But gut seems to last longer. Is this a good reason for poly/gut hybrid?

 

[ledor]

gut (mains) do last long, use some elasto cross string savers to maximize it's life. Hybrid with a good tension stability cross poly like Cyberflash/SPPP.

Otherwise if you want to go poly mains, any soft multi, or synthetic gut like PSGD is a good idea, cause nat. gut in the crosses is a waste, like the #2 poster said.

 

[hoodjem]

^^^ so for you a gut/poly hybrid makes sense.