Why I'm done messing around with strings (for now)

Doubles · 11-04-2012, 07:13 PM

I've made countless threads on strings. I've written in even more playtest threads than I can think of. Today, I played a set with Prestige Pro strung with Black Magic mains OGSM crosses at 49/51. I played no worse with that than I ever did with Gut/Poly or full poly. Maybe it's taken longer for me to realize it that some others, but today confirmed it for me: a poly/syn gut hybrid is just as good for me as anything else. For the first time in a long time, I'm content with my strings.

mikeler · 11-05-2012, 04:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doubles

I've made countless threads on strings. I've written in even more playtest threads than I can think of. Today, I played a set with Prestige Pro strung with Black Magic mains OGSM crosses at 49/51. I played no worse with that than I ever did with Gut/Poly or full poly. Maybe it's taken longer for me to realize it that some others, but today confirmed it for me: a poly/syn gut hybrid is just as good for me as anything else. For the first time in a long time, I'm content with my strings.

See you back here next month.

Xonemains · 11-05-2012, 04:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeler

See you back here next month.

what are you talking about??

One bad loss next week and hes searching for a new combo already, LOL

no need to wait 1 month

ChicagoJack · 11-05-2012, 05:32 AM

Oh man, I hate to jump on the dog pile here when doubles seems so happy with his string. I can sorta intuit how that combo might work for at least one set. But I can think of a dozen low price options that play decently for a set. When those stiff poly mains start sawing thru the soft nylon crosses however, its a whole nuther deal.

Hunting for one string that meets all of your needs is exhausting and seemingly futile at times. I've resigned myself too in a way. I've resigned myself to the notion that I will always have a few dif set ups in my bag at all times. Gut/Poly for my doubles play, Black Widow 18 for those days its clear my best chance of winning is bashing from the baseline, Full gut if I'm practicing 3-4 days in a row and need to be nice to my arm.

Jack

Doubles · 11-05-2012, 08:54 AM

Well, I've already committed to reels of both, so I'll try different tensions, but I'm committed to this for a while.

Power Player · 11-05-2012, 09:29 AM

I love poly mains and OGSM crosses. I think it will work great for you personally.

OGSM is the best cross for me due to the feel and control. Add to that, a reel is under $40. That opens me up to spend a little more on my poly mains.

Of course I am using a close patterned stick so it helps a lot with durability.

Larrysümmers · 11-05-2012, 09:43 AM

i used polylon and nylon in a 14*18 mid for a while. not as bad as people think.

Darkhors · 11-05-2012, 09:51 AM

I used Iontec in the mains and OGSM in the crosses for a long time until I finally tried Beast XP at 38lbs (in a prestige pro). It was the best change I've made and I actually get more consistent playing time out of it than I did with the poly/syn combo. Granted, it's a little bit more expensive but I'm not restringing every week anymore. I'm able to hit for about 3 weeks (twice a week) with one racquet before I have to think about restringing.

You should definitely try it out. Between the comfort, control and feel, it's almost a no brainer.

Good luck,

DH

fortun8son · 11-05-2012, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChicagoJack

When those stiff poly mains start sawing thru the soft nylon crosses however, its a whole nuther deal.

It's actually more likely that the OGSM will cut through the Black Magic.
BM is so soft that it probably started notching just from weaving the crosses.

ushynoti · 11-05-2012, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Power Player

I love poly mains and OGSM crosses. I think it will work great for you personally.

OGSM is the best cross for me due to the feel and control. Add to that, a reel is under $40. That opens me up to spend a little more on my poly mains.

Of course I am using a close patterned stick so it helps a lot with durability.

I have played with OGSM in the mains and poly crosses, how does the reverse differ in feel? I am using the Federer stick.

Power Player · 11-05-2012, 10:51 AM

Its a little stiffer, but the control is awesome. Excellent ball feel if you like the feel of a crisper syngut.

pvaudio · 11-05-2012, 11:07 AM

As I said in my thread, I know what I like. It just took me being stupid to realize that the first great string I tested two years ago turned out to be the greatest string I've ever used. I play best with it because it feels right to ME, and simply play differently with other strings. By play I don't mean I play worse or better tennis, just that the feel is not what I'm looking for.

ChicagoJack · 11-05-2012, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fortun8son

It's actually more likely that the OGSM will cut through the Black Magic.
BM is so soft that it probably started notching just from weaving the crosses.

Huh, imagine that. If it's that kind of a soft poly, me now thinks Black Magic might be awesome to use as cross with gut mains.

-Jack

fortun8son · 11-05-2012, 12:02 PM

It's a surface softness.
I got a sample set from USRSA and tried stringing it in the mains with Head PPS 17 crosses.
I was not impressed with the visible notching while stringing it.
PPS is a bit rough. OGSM may have been a better choice.
I hear it plays well, though. (at least in fullbed)

Steve Huff · 11-05-2012, 04:19 PM

Have you tried Zyex yet?

Doubles · 11-06-2012, 07:45 AM

Zyex? No, though I've heard some good things about it.

Doubles · 11-07-2012, 08:45 PM

6 hours in and my strings are holding up relatively well, I might get another two-ish hours out of them. I'm also going to try Syn gut mains, Black Magic crosses at 53-51, and then full black magic at 42-44 after this to see which set up I prefer the most.

2ManyAces · 11-08-2012, 04:44 AM

I will be going from full poly to ogsm crosses and poly now. I am excited to see how it plays. The thing I hated about full poly was the trampoline-ish feel when it died after 6 hours.

sundaypunch · 11-08-2012, 05:41 AM

I also love the poly / OGSM combo. I recently tried Forten Sweet as a cross instead of OGSM. Soooooo nice if you like a softer, plush feel. I am now getting all of the things I liked about a full poly setup, but with a less harsh feel and cheaper price.

Power Player · 11-08-2012, 05:53 AM

Agree..the 4g/ogsm setup I am testing out is killer. Im going to throw some cyberflash/ogsm in my other stick at the same tension just to do a little compare and contrast.

11-04-2012, 07:13 PM	#1
Doubles Hall Of Fame Join Date: May 2010 Location: Approaching the net Posts: 3,284	Why I'm done messing around with strings (for now) I've made countless threads on strings. I've written in even more playtest threads than I can think of. Today, I played a set with Prestige Pro strung with Black Magic mains OGSM crosses at 49/51. I played no worse with that than I ever did with Gut/Poly or full poly. Maybe it's taken longer for me to realize it that some others, but today confirmed it for me: a poly/syn gut hybrid is just as good for me as anything else. For the first time in a long time, I'm content with my strings. __________________ All aboard the Gulbis bandwagon!

11-05-2012, 05:32 AM	#4
ChicagoJack Professional Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,326	Oh man, I hate to jump on the dog pile here when doubles seems so happy with his string. I can sorta intuit how that combo might work for at least one set. But I can think of a dozen low price options that play decently for a set. When those stiff poly mains start sawing thru the soft nylon crosses however, its a whole nuther deal. Hunting for one string that meets all of your needs is exhausting and seemingly futile at times. I've resigned myself too in a way. I've resigned myself to the notion that I will always have a few dif set ups in my bag at all times. Gut/Poly for my doubles play, Black Widow 18 for those days its clear my best chance of winning is bashing from the baseline, Full gut if I'm practicing 3-4 days in a row and need to be nice to my arm. Jack __________________ (9) Donnay Pro One, 16x19 \| 12.4oz, -12Pts, ~330sw Mains: Babolat Tonic Gut, X's: Red WC Mosquito Bite \| 54/50 lbs. Last edited by ChicagoJack : 11-05-2012 at 06:56 AM.

11-05-2012, 08:54 AM	#5
Doubles Hall Of Fame Join Date: May 2010 Location: Approaching the net Posts: 3,284	Well, I've already committed to reels of both, so I'll try different tensions, but I'm committed to this for a while. __________________ All aboard the Gulbis bandwagon!

11-05-2012, 09:29 AM	#6
Power Player G.O.A.T. Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: On my iPhone Posts: 13,562	I love poly mains and OGSM crosses. I think it will work great for you personally. OGSM is the best cross for me due to the feel and control. Add to that, a reel is under $40. That opens me up to spend a little more on my poly mains. Of course I am using a close patterned stick so it helps a lot with durability. __________________ 🐐ing

11-05-2012, 09:51 AM	#8
Darkhors Rookie Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: The D Posts: 226	I used Iontec in the mains and OGSM in the crosses for a long time until I finally tried Beast XP at 38lbs (in a prestige pro). It was the best change I've made and I actually get more consistent playing time out of it than I did with the poly/syn combo. Granted, it's a little bit more expensive but I'm not restringing every week anymore. I'm able to hit for about 3 weeks (twice a week) with one racquet before I have to think about restringing. You should definitely try it out. Between the comfort, control and feel, it's almost a no brainer. Good luck, DH __________________ Head UTek Prestige Pro - Stringway ML100-T92