VS Gut mains and poly crosses

[parasailing]

Originally Posted by mrtrinh

So since pacific classic is slightly stiffer than VS, do you guys still pre-stretch? With klip legend i always did a slight pre-stretch since it is more on the crisp side. This will be my first time playing with classic. I plan on using classic gut mains/hyperion crosses

I think Pacific strings are way stiffer than the original VS string so if you pre-stretch, it shouldn't be too much of an issue. I have tried doing a pre-stretch of Tough Gut and Prime and they don't really stretch much.

[SlapShot]

I don't prestretch when I string Pacific - just string it up at 56# on a lockout and away we go.

[TenFanLA]

Originally Posted by parasailing

...Since I broke my VS/0S string setup, I am finally going to be able to test VS/4S and provide feedback.

Looking forward to your vs/4s review. How long did vs/0s last you? What vs gauge? I've been using TonicBF BT7/4s at 52/47 and it's lasting me a LOT longer than vs/other polys.

[parasailing]

Originally Posted by TenFanLA

Looking forward to your vs/4s review. How long did vs/0s last you? What vs gauge? I've been using TonicBF BT7/4s at 52/47 and it's lasting me a LOT longer than vs/other polys.

It lasted about 15 hours for me and I didn't have to restring the crosses. For testing, I primarily use VS Team 17 gauge mains and if possible 17 gauge on all my string setups. I know it's only about 10-15% difference in feel and comfort between VS Touch 16 and VS Team but I am willing to trade durability for that extra feel.

The only gripe I had with 0S was temperature sensitivity. The hitting qualities changes considerably depending on whether you are hitting in low 50s to 60s or high 80s and up. It definitely plays better in warmer conditions than colder temperatures which made it feel a bit pingy. I initially though the strings went dead since all my other setups start to ping when they go dead in my racquets but discovered that it was the weather that made it play so different.

I didn't experience this issue with PLE but PLE requires me to cut out the cross around the 10 hour mark which is when I started to feel the ping. Ltec on the other hand lasts a bit longer and I would definitely put it in my top 3 category.

For now, ranking is listed below until I try out 4S.

1. Pro Line Evolution
2. Ltec 0S
3. Signum Pro Poly Plasma Orange
4. WC Silverstring
5. Luxilon Alu Rough

[tennisplayer1993]

Originally Posted by parasailing

That's a good combination only if you have the money to spend as Alu Power doesn't last very long. You might get up to 5 hours of great playability before it becomes a dud.

yeah lol i actually play with head sonic pro strings for the most part. But if I could afford it, I would definitely have that combo lux alu power/vs team.

[tennisinoc]

Anyone have feedback on Pro Hurricane 18 as a cross?
RSI has it as #2 in the stiffness chart.

[kazamzaa]

Originally Posted by tennisinoc

Anyone have feedback on Pro Hurricane 18 as a cross?
RSI has it as #2 in the stiffness chart.

I have! VsTouch/Hurricane Pro 1.18 at 62/59 lbs in a 98 sq inch head (rdis100mp).
Besides that the tension was too much, I'd say it is not a good gut/poly cross string. It dies really fast. The power level drops fast after 2 hours. It also chews in the mains more than you would expect. I had no arm issues with it, but I had to restring pretty fast because it died.
I've found that TimothyO was right about the msv co-focus and msv focus-hex. They are really good for crosses. They age very well, they are soft and smooth.
I copied my current setup from TimothyO. I use bio200 with vstouch/focus-hex at 56/53 (maybe 57/54 next). Beautiful combination of power, spin, comfort and touch.

[SlapShot]

Originally Posted by SlapShot

Strung up one of my sticks with Pacific Classic/PL Evolution last night - had a lesson scheduled today, but my coach had to cancel due to a family emergency, so I may not get to hit with it until this weekend.

I will certainly say that it strung up nicely for a poly - it felt stiff coming out of the package but weaved quite well. I think it seems softer on the stringing side than PL2, but maybe I'm just crazy.

As an update, I've got a couple of hours on the Pacific Classic/PLE setup. So far, playability is very good, spin is very good, but the feel is just a little bit more muted than I like. It's certainly useable, and I'll use it until it is worn out, but I think I'd look for something a touch more crisp over the long run.

For people wanting a softer poly to cross with gut, I'd say PLE is in the running for sure. It's got good amounts of pop and ample bite.

[parasailing]

I got a set of Bow Brand Championship gut so looking forward to trying out them out this weekend. Going to hybrid it up with Ltec 4S and compare against VS Team to see how they both play.

I am hoping it plays like the old VS Team so at least I can stop hunting for older sets of VS on the great auction site.

[parasailing]

Okay finally strung two racquets at 59lbs gut mains and 52lbs poly cross using Wilson Natural gut 17g and Bow Brand Championship 17g just for a comparison with Ltec 4s as the cross.

I use the Wilson natural gut 17g since I running low on the original VS team and it appears the set that I got is still has that stretchiness as the original VS. For those that have used the original VS, there is nothing like it in terms of the feel when you strike the ball. It is just sublime .

TenFanLA - Did you notice that Ltec 4S is a tad stiffer to weave similar to Alu Power? I found Ltec 0S easier to string as it was a little bit more flexible.

The Bow Brand is pretty good, not up to VS but better than Pacific as it was a tad stiffer in feel than VS. Maybe a few more hours of hitting will loosen up the feel.

Ltec 4S does play like Alu Power and the combination of the two feels so good. To me, Ltec 0S is a bit softer and a tad more powerful than 4S which has a bit more control and is crisper.

[TenFanLA]

I think the squoval structure of 4s makes it a little tougher to weave than the smooth, oval 0s. I'm not sure which is stiffer, 0s or 4s. For me, playing with vs/0s or vs/4s is like driving a Ferrari vs. Lambo. Either one is pure pleasure to play with. I use 4s because I get ~20% more playing time with 4s than with 0s, because 4s takes longer to eat thru gut probably due to 4s squoval shape.

[mrtrinh]

Tried Pacific gut for the first time. I have to say I love it more than babolat vs. Strung up Pacific classic mains with Hyperion crosses and I have never had more spin and power. It took an hr to adjust to the power but once I was tuned in I was painting lines. Only thing I was disappointed in was the durability. The gut began fraying after an hr.

[parasailing]

Originally Posted by TenFanLA

I think the squoval structure of 4s makes it a little tougher to weave than the smooth, oval 0s. I'm not sure which is stiffer, 0s or 4s. For me, playing with vs/0s or vs/4s is like driving a Ferrari vs. Lambo. Either one is pure pleasure to play with. I use 4s because I get ~20% more playing time with 4s than with 0s, because 4s takes longer to eat thru gut probably due to 4s squoval shape.

So far after 4 hours on the court, it's hard for me to figure out which is better 0S or 4S. You are right, both play really well and you can't go wrong with either one. I guess tension maintenance will be the deciding factor between the two.

[Bman610]

Originally Posted by parasailing

So far after 4 hours on the court, it's hard for me to figure out which is better 0S or 4S. You are right, both play really well and you can't go wrong with either one. I guess tension maintenance will be the deciding factor between the two.

Any update on the 2

[parasailing]

Originally Posted by Bman610

Any update on the 2

Now that you brought it up , I actually have an update. After 8 hours hitting, I can say 4S is probably going to be by official setup replacing Pro Line Evolution if price isn't an issue since PLE is way cheaper than Ltec strings. But I don't like stringing it as much as Pro Line Evolution or Ltec 0S as stiffer to weave similar to stringing Alu Power.

4S does feel a tad crisper than 0S and offers a bit more control but you really can't go wrong with either setup.

My favorite 3 selections listed below:

Go with VS mains and Pro Line Evolution if looking for more pop.
Go with VS mains and Ltec 4S for a crisper feel.
Go with VS mains and Ltec 0S if you looking something in between.

[Hotrocks]

Parasailing- I currently changed to gut/poly after all the excitement on this board, use a IG Prestige Pro (52/4. Since VS Team gut is BT7 I have gone to Pacific Classic. Recently tried Bow Brand??? I find it hard to describe as you all, but my poly crosses were all over the place with Bow Brand, although it felt very close to Pacific Classic. I chose my strings by what feels good to me. When I change to gut mains, Signum Pro Tornado was my cross. I have tried CoFocus(1.1 but it seems it takes time to settle in. Currently trying Scorpion, which feels amazing and the new Signum Pro-Thunderstorm, another great poly. I have learned to use a poly with best Tension resilence as gut is not cheap. I don't mind spending a little extra for the perfect hybird, as this sport brings so much enjoyment. Most likely I haven't played as long as most on this board, I read the post that concern my interest's, and ALL OF YOU have most helpful. Just when you think you found the most "Perfect Setup", another new string emerges. Of thoughs that have not tried gut/Poly............It doesn't get any better!!!! Thanks to "All"!

[Hotrocks]

Originally Posted by parasailing

Now that you brought it up , I actually have an update. After 8 hours hitting, I can say 4S is probably going to be by official setup replacing Pro Line Evolution if price isn't an issue since PLE is way cheaper than Ltec strings. But I don't like stringing it as much as Pro Line Evolution or Ltec 0S as stiffer to weave similar to stringing Alu Power.

4S does feel a tad crisper than 0S and offers a bit more control but you really can't go wrong with either setup.

My favorite 3 selections listed below:

Go with VS mains and Pro Line Evolution if looking for more pop.
Go with VS mains and Ltec 4S for a crisper feel.
Go with VS mains and Ltec 0S if you looking something in between.

Do any of the poly's above have the tension maintanence as Weiss Cannon or Signum Pro, as we have gut in the mains? Appreciate your reviews!!!

[parasailing]

Glad you joined the hybrid club.

I also had a chance to try the Bow Brand Championship 17g as well as find it to be more like Pacific. It doesn't stretch as much as the original VS but it seems to play pretty well. If you can get it for a good price, it might be a good gut to go with that is slightly softer than Pacific if VS cost too much to justify the slight difference.

I find that VS original is worth it since with this hybrid setup, I am no longer breaking strings as fast as before when I use to string up a full bed of natural gut.

I have tried Scorpion and didn't really like how it felt in the crosses. It has a pingy feel to it which my top 3 do not have. SPPP was probably my top pick until I tried out those top 3 I listed. I will say Ltec 4S is pretty good at tension maintenance and is comparable to SPPP but offers less pingy fell. SPPP tends to go dead around 10 hours which I notice when it starts to ping. For me, this usually is what lets me know I need to restring the racquet.

I haven't tried Thunderstorm but heard good things about it but unless I heard from others how great it is, I think I am pretty much sticking to Ltec crosses until fellow TT members point out a new string that has potential.

[Samo]

I got a pack of gut and tried a hybrid with Tonic 15L mains and Sonic Pro 17 crosses. I use Head IG MP and I strung it at 25/24kg. I have a feeling it is a bit too low (occasionally balls on forehands fly out). Can anyone recommend what tension should I strung at?

I normally use Rip Control 16 mains and Sonic Pro 17 crosses @ 25/24kg.

[arche3]

Originally Posted by parasailing

Glad you joined the hybrid club.

I also had a chance to try the Bow Brand Championship 17g as well as find it to be more like Pacific. It doesn't stretch as much as the original VS but it seems to play pretty well. If you can get it for a good price, it might be a good gut to go with that is slightly softer than Pacific if VS cost too much to justify the slight difference.

I find that VS original is worth it since with this hybrid setup, I am no longer breaking strings as fast as before when I use to string up a full bed of natural gut.

I have tried Scorpion and didn't really like how it felt in the crosses. It has a pingy feel to it which my top 3 do not have. SPPP was probably my top pick until I tried out those top 3 I listed. I will say Ltec 4S is pretty good at tension maintenance and is comparable to SPPP but offers less pingy fell. SPPP tends to go dead around 10 hours which I notice when it starts to ping. For me, this usually is what lets me know I need to restring the racquet.

I haven't tried Thunderstorm but heard good things about it but unless I heard from others how great it is, I think I am pretty much sticking to Ltec crosses until fellow TT members point out a new string that has potential.

Lux 4g 16. Like ltec 0s / 4s as a cross but thicker feeling on the ball. Soft as well. I believe 4g 16 will be a great cross for summer months.