Which string should I choose?
- Thread starter natkid
- Start date
tennisnoob3
Professional
hitting the wall on a fly is a technique issue and hopefully primarily a balance issue, not a string issue.
JediMindTrick
Hall of Fame
There's nothing wrong with the string, try not to hit with an open racquet face.
Jonny S&V
Hall of Fame
What they said, especially if you're hitting the fence on the fly with Lux at 12 yrs old... :-|
Polyesters like Lux enhance spin, but you need to generate it in the first place. I do not see why a flat hitter would choose polys - they offer less feel, less "flat" control, worse tension maintenance and some of them (Lux BB included) hurt your wrist/elbow/shoulder. They are invaluable for topspinners though.
Flat hitters typically benefit from using natural gut - it has better feel, more uniform control over flat shots, better tension maintenance, more power, less body damage, with moderate spin. Multifilaments are slightly cheaper & worser alternatives to natural gut in all categories, except they resist moisture better.
Monofilaments ("synthetic gut") are just cheap and mediocre. Some people like their feel, but most others would only use them to cross some more expensive string in hybrid setups.
Kevlar is for chronic string breakers. Flat hitters typically do not suffer from that as much as heavy topspinners.
OP: in your case, I would try to make an intermediate step and hybrid your favorite Lux with some high-end multi or even natural gut (in crosses first, then in mains) to see if you like the change.
Flat hitters typically benefit from using natural gut - it has better feel, more uniform control over flat shots, better tension maintenance, more power, less body damage, with moderate spin. Multifilaments are slightly cheaper & worser alternatives to natural gut in all categories, except they resist moisture better.
Monofilaments ("synthetic gut") are just cheap and mediocre. Some people like their feel, but most others would only use them to cross some more expensive string in hybrid setups.
Kevlar is for chronic string breakers. Flat hitters typically do not suffer from that as much as heavy topspinners.
OP: in your case, I would try to make an intermediate step and hybrid your favorite Lux with some high-end multi or even natural gut (in crosses first, then in mains) to see if you like the change.
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Touch of Grey
New User
Typhoon- Genesis,
Synthetic Gut- Prince/Wilson
Synthetic Gut- Prince/Wilson
Hi,
First, I will mention a few basic things about strings that will help you find the best string. Then, I'll make a suggestion.
1. Almost every poly or co-poly string like Luxilon has less power than syn gut, multifibre nylon, or natural gut. Even all the co-poly's that have the word POWER in their name or description are still less powerful. Co-Poly strings give you more control and spin. The pros get more power from the co-polys because they can swing harder due to the enhanced control. But, if you swing the same speed, a co-poly string will not produce as much power as syn gut, multi, or natural gut.
2. Poly and Co-poly string is stiffer and harsher on the arm. Most manufacturers suggest stringing these 5 to 10% lower than your normal syn gut tension. If you like syn gut or multi at 60 lbs, you should try stringing a poly such as Luxilon around 54 lbs (10% less) and adjust up or down based on how you like it.
3. Very basic guidelines for tension: go up for more control, go lower for more power. For spin, I don't want to offer a suggestion because there are lots of opinions out there. My opinion is higher is better for spin but co-polys can give better spin at lower tensions.
4. If you play 3+ times a week, ALL strings need to replaced after 6-8 weeks if you have not broken them by then.
My recommendation for you is to try a good co-poly in the mains at 52 lbs and a syn gut such a Gosen Sheep, Gamma Syn Gut, or Klip Kicker (or several others) in the crosses at 55 lbs. I would use a 16G syn gut and a 17G co-poly. Good co-polys: Signum Pro Hyperion, Signum Pro Tornado, Lux ALU Power Flouro. There are many others but these are good. Be careful with raising the tension as polys are hard on the arm.
If you want a better string job but it will cost a bit more, use the co-poly in the mains but use a good multi like Tecnifibre NRG2 or Tecnifibre X1 or Dunlop Comfort (less $) in the crosses instead of syn gut in the crosses.
If you want more feel and power but less durability, try the softer multi in the mains at 55 lbs and the co-poly in the crosses at 52 lbs. Federer uses this type of setup with natural gut instead of multi mains.
First, I will mention a few basic things about strings that will help you find the best string. Then, I'll make a suggestion.
1. Almost every poly or co-poly string like Luxilon has less power than syn gut, multifibre nylon, or natural gut. Even all the co-poly's that have the word POWER in their name or description are still less powerful. Co-Poly strings give you more control and spin. The pros get more power from the co-polys because they can swing harder due to the enhanced control. But, if you swing the same speed, a co-poly string will not produce as much power as syn gut, multi, or natural gut.
2. Poly and Co-poly string is stiffer and harsher on the arm. Most manufacturers suggest stringing these 5 to 10% lower than your normal syn gut tension. If you like syn gut or multi at 60 lbs, you should try stringing a poly such as Luxilon around 54 lbs (10% less) and adjust up or down based on how you like it.
3. Very basic guidelines for tension: go up for more control, go lower for more power. For spin, I don't want to offer a suggestion because there are lots of opinions out there. My opinion is higher is better for spin but co-polys can give better spin at lower tensions.
4. If you play 3+ times a week, ALL strings need to replaced after 6-8 weeks if you have not broken them by then.
My recommendation for you is to try a good co-poly in the mains at 52 lbs and a syn gut such a Gosen Sheep, Gamma Syn Gut, or Klip Kicker (or several others) in the crosses at 55 lbs. I would use a 16G syn gut and a 17G co-poly. Good co-polys: Signum Pro Hyperion, Signum Pro Tornado, Lux ALU Power Flouro. There are many others but these are good. Be careful with raising the tension as polys are hard on the arm.
If you want a better string job but it will cost a bit more, use the co-poly in the mains but use a good multi like Tecnifibre NRG2 or Tecnifibre X1 or Dunlop Comfort (less $) in the crosses instead of syn gut in the crosses.
If you want more feel and power but less durability, try the softer multi in the mains at 55 lbs and the co-poly in the crosses at 52 lbs. Federer uses this type of setup with natural gut instead of multi mains.
Icedorb217
Semi-Pro
I agree with the 1-4.
To OP, how you described your playing style it sounded similar to mine. I generally use a shaped/twisted poly main and a cheaper synthetic gut. Here are my recommendations for you.
Polys: Polystar Energy, soft and powerful spin is decent. Genesis SpinX soft, powerful, and good spin. Another other spin strings worth checking out is Tourna Big Hitter Blue Rough.
Syn Gut: Gosen OG Sheep Micro, Forteen Sweet should suffice
Multi: Mantis Comfort Synthetic and some others. I dont now multis too well but this is supposed to have good feel and power.
Im going to assume price isnt an issue saying you currently use a full bed of Lux BB. I think a hybrid that might work for you is Tourna Big Hitter Blue Rough in the mains and Mantis Comfort Synthetic in the crosses. While the Mantis is called synthetic its actually a multi.
Head Sonic Pro Half Set 17 String Orange - $5.99 as main.
Cross any Nylon or Multy.
main 57 x cross 52-55Lb.
If you will need more spin try Kirshbaum Spiky Shark 17 at the same tension.
If you want to buy ready to use set, can recommend - Kirschbaum Hybrix Spin 17 (1.25) String - $13.80
If you do like Lux. you may keep it in main and mix it with some multy in cross. This should help to reduce power as well.
Cross any Nylon or Multy.
main 57 x cross 52-55Lb.
If you will need more spin try Kirshbaum Spiky Shark 17 at the same tension.
If you want to buy ready to use set, can recommend - Kirschbaum Hybrix Spin 17 (1.25) String - $13.80
If you do like Lux. you may keep it in main and mix it with some multy in cross. This should help to reduce power as well.
Icedorb217
Semi-Pro
How the hell is adding a multi going to reduce his power?
MuscleWeave
Semi-Pro
I'm also a flat hitter, and I like it that way. My opinion is that you're swinging too much racquet. The swingweight of that thing is crushing the balls. I think it's too much of a monster racquet to compensate for with tension hikes and dead strings. You'd probably end up hurting yourself. Luckily it would probably sell or trade pretty easily here on the FS/FT forum. You won't have to go down too sharply on the weight. Either lower the swingweight (balance), the actual weight, or some of each for your new racquet.
Or:
Volkl Cyclone 16 string, and adopt a topspin game where you just brush up on the ball.
Or:
Volkl Cyclone 16 string, and adopt a topspin game where you just brush up on the ball.
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T
Tenniskid0720
Guest
Well said.
MuscleWeave
Semi-Pro
The technique is called "flat hitting." It's a choice. And the heavy racquet is a liability.
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Winners or Errors
Legend
To the OP. If you're a flat hitter, hitting the ball <6" over the tape and hitting them into the fence on the fly, you are one powerful guy. If you, on the other hand, are talking about occasionally losing control of the ball and hitting it into the fence, well, that's just bad technique as others have said.
You haven't posted again since the beginning of the thread, so I am curious, which is it?
By the way, for my very flat backhand, I like poly's and am currently using an all SPPP 1.23 setup with great success. It is soft and doesn't seem to make my arm hurt. I hit my serve and forehand with a lot of spin, and it works for both.
You haven't posted again since the beginning of the thread, so I am curious, which is it?
By the way, for my very flat backhand, I like poly's and am currently using an all SPPP 1.23 setup with great success. It is soft and doesn't seem to make my arm hurt. I hit my serve and forehand with a lot of spin, and it works for both.
