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

[SteveI]

Originally Posted by Power Player

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.

The only downside I can see with the 4G is that is so low powered.. that you can get pushed around. Spin gereration is only ave in my book.

[Power Player]

Originally Posted by SteveI

The only downside I can see with the 4G is that is so low powered.. that you can get pushed around. Spin gereration is only ave in my book.

YEs, it is low powered. I strung it at 50 and I think 46-48 is really the ideal range. But I can hammer my forehand and serve and keep it in, so really I am just getting more control which helps a lot.

[StringingIrvine]

I too am on the same boat, I have been for the past 2 years. I always use MSV hex 18l mains and OGSM 18 crosses. I've consistantly played with a POG then Prestige MP and now a Pure Storm. Out of my 2 years of playing with this set up i've never have broken my crosses, its always the msv hex on the mains to go first.

Its fun to test strings, write reviews, recommend them to friends. However, I found on this hunt for the "magic set up" to make me a better player. Truth is there isn't that holy grail, so i decided to never change my string set up after two years and i could not be happier. Tension changes based on racket but other than that it's stayed relively the same.

Before there was that tiny part of me that wanted to say well its because these new strings have too much power, etc. That doubt has been removed by using the same set up for the past 2 years.

If a ball goes long, its me.
If a ball goes short, its me.
Not enough spin, its me.
Too much spin, its me.

Using the same set up gave me the ability to really magnify aspects of my game that needed improvement whereas using different string every two weeks added too many variables.

I just bought my fourth reel of msv hex and ogsm. =)

Anyone notice the price of OGSM went up a couple bucks? At least the 18g i've been using.

I know 18l and 18 are thin and a lot of people advise against it but i love the feel, and the bite. Not to mention it does make your racket a tiny bit more headlight compared to 17g or 16g. IMO my set up goes dead around the 3-4 week mark and my strings usually break around the 4 week mark so i don't ever have to worry about playing with bad strings.

I'm glad you found your peace with the poly / ogsm set up like i have =).

[SteveI]

Originally Posted by Power Player

YEs, it is low powered. I strung it at 50 and I think 46-48 is really the ideal range. But I can hammer my forehand and serve and keep it in, so really I am just getting more control which helps a lot.

I also would string it at 45-46. At 52, I could not get enough stick on my ground strokes and my serve was getting beat up pretty good. In my book, there are much better strings out here for my game at a better price.

[Or Tennis]

Originally Posted by ChicagoJack

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

It's nice to have different options, however, do you ever wonder if you'd play your most consistent tennis by getting used (muscle memory?) to only one setup? To elaborate, I know I have to hit the ball differently (harder) when I switch from a soft multi stringed racquet to a stiff poly stringed racquet.

[Power Player]

I agree with using the same strings. It is huge. You want everything to be the same. Whenever i settle in with a stick and a string job, i get noticabley better. One of the reasons i went straight to the 4g. I know it is one of the best options out there.

[DeShaun]

i am also finished chasing strings for now. have played my best tennis with full beds of forten nylon.

[COPEY]

Originally Posted by DeShaun

i am also finished chasing strings for now. have played my best tennis with full beds of forten nylon.

^Don't see posts like that too often, but hey, more power to ya!

[roadworkky]

There is a lot to be said for that. I bought a stringer a couple months ago and been changing so much that I never gave anything a chance. Find something that works and stick for a bit.

[COPEY]

Originally Posted by StringingIrvine

I too am on the same boat, I have been for the past 2 years. I always use MSV hex 18l mains and OGSM 18 crosses. I've consistantly played with a POG then Prestige MP and now a Pure Storm. Out of my 2 years of playing with this set up i've never have broken my crosses, its always the msv hex on the mains to go first.

Its fun to test strings, write reviews, recommend them to friends. However, I found on this hunt for the "magic set up" to make me a better player. Truth is there isn't that holy grail, so i decided to never change my string set up after two years and i could not be happier. Tension changes based on racket but other than that it's stayed relively the same.

Before there was that tiny part of me that wanted to say well its because these new strings have too much power, etc. That doubt has been removed by using the same set up for the past 2 years.

If a ball goes long, its me.
If a ball goes short, its me.
Not enough spin, its me.
Too much spin, its me.

Using the same set up gave me the ability to really magnify aspects of my game that needed improvement whereas using different string every two weeks added too many variables.

I just bought my fourth reel of msv hex and ogsm. =)

Anyone notice the price of OGSM went up a couple bucks? At least the 18g i've been using.

I know 18l and 18 are thin and a lot of people advise against it but i love the feel, and the bite. Not to mention it does make your racket a tiny bit more headlight compared to 17g or 16g. IMO my set up goes dead around the 3-4 week mark and my strings usually break around the 4 week mark so i don't ever have to worry about playing with bad strings.

I'm glad you found your peace with the poly / ogsm set up like i have =).

While I like the rationale behind this post, I think one has to understand what he/she is after going in. In Irvine's case, which is probably similar to a lot of people who become addicted to testing strings, if you're looking for something that's going to transform your game, then you're going to be in for a long ride with not much to show for it in the end but an empty wallet. If, on the other hand, you simply like to test different strings, like seeing what's out there or maybe looking to find several strings you like for future use, no problem. Then there are those who simply do it as a hobby because they enjoy experiencing the various playing characteristics, writing reviews, sharing their experiences (Mikeler). In the process I think Mikeler settled on Microfibre for his go-to multi, but it certainly hasn't stopped him from testing; it's just what he does.

I have a reasonably large inventory of strings, and while I can't say I've found a string that's truly wowed me, I enjoy testing what I have just to see what I like/don't like. I also want to be able to tell the people I string for what my experience was with a given string. That's pretty much it. Am I addicted? Probably definitely lol, but I know better than to expect a string to make me a better player.

[mikeler]

Originally Posted by COPEY

While I like the rationale behind this post, I think one has to understand what he/she is after going in. In Irvine's case, which is probably similar to a lot of people who become addicted to testing strings, if you're looking for something that's going to transform your game, then you're going to be in for a long ride with not much to show for it in the end but an empty wallet. If, on the other hand, you simply like to test different strings, like seeing what's out there or maybe looking to find several strings you like for future use, no problem. Then there are those who simply do it as a hobby because they enjoy experiencing the various playing characteristics, writing reviews, sharing their experiences (Mikeler). In the process I think Mikeler settled on Microfibre for his go-to multi, but it certainly hasn't stopped him from testing; it's just what he does.

I have a reasonably large inventory of strings, and while I can't say I've found a string that's truly wowed me, I enjoy testing what I have just to see what I like/don't like. I also want to be able to tell the people I string for what my experience was with a given string. That's pretty much it. Am I addicted? Probably definitely lol, but I know better than to expect a string to make me a better player.

It took me a long time to find my beloved DM setup. Had I not tested a lot of strings, I never would have found it. Food for thought...

[COPEY]

Originally Posted by roadworkky

There is a lot to be said for that. I bought a stringer a couple months ago and been changing so much that I never gave anything a chance. Find something that works and stick for a bit.

Indeed. Mind you, I wasn't making fun of him - not in the least. In fact, I like that he prefers a string many consider garbage. I always tell people there's no such thing as garbage string, not really. It's all about what you like.

Originally Posted by mikeler

It took me a long time to find my beloved DM setup. Had I not tested a lot of strings, I never would have found it. Food for thought...

True, Mikler...but you're still testing. That was my point (junky) lol.

[Doubles]

Originally Posted by DeShaun

i am also finished chasing strings for now. have played my best tennis with full beds of forten nylon.

Good to hear you're content with something that's cheap and consistent. Most players can't say that.

[Doubles]

Originally Posted by Power Player

I agree with using the same strings. It is huge. You want everything to be the same. Whenever i settle in with a stick and a string job, i get noticabley better. One of the reasons i went straight to the 4g. I know it is one of the best options out there.

So, it's not the same string that we playtested a while back? Because I remember hating that string.

[Power Player]

I didnt playtest 4g. I paid full price for it, so trust me, I'm looking for reasons to spend less...lol.

[Doubles]

Originally Posted by Power Player

I didnt playtest 4g. I paid full price for it, so trust me, I'm looking for reasons to spend less...lol.

I see. I tried it and thought that it was bland. It didn't feel much different than Gosen Polyon. To some that might be nice, but to me, it meant harsh and with poor tension maintenance. Knowing Lux, I knew they would charge top $$$ for it, so I never really looked into it once it came out.

[mikeler]

Originally Posted by COPEY

Indeed. Mind you, I wasn't making fun of him - not in the least. In fact, I like that he prefers a string many consider garbage. I always tell people there's no such thing as garbage string, not really. It's all about what you like.



True, Mikler...but you're still testing. That was my point (junky) lol.

I'm actually back in hiatus for now. How will I know what the best string is for me if I don't test them all?

At this point, I think I've found my holy grail. So you are right, it is just an addiction.

[Power Player]

Originally Posted by Doubles

I see. I tried it and thought that it was bland. It didn't feel much different than Gosen Polyon. To some that might be nice, but to me, it meant harsh and with poor tension maintenance. Knowing Lux, I knew they would charge top $$$ for it, so I never really looked into it once it came out.

the tension maintenance so far is outstanding to me. Better than any poly I have used before.

[bad_call]

i would play test strings but the time and resource ($) required would cut into brewing, work, etc. so for now will ask the tennis buds their suggestions then decide.

[mikeler]

Originally Posted by bad_call

i would play test strings but the time and resource ($) required would cut into brewing, work, etc. so for now will ask the tennis buds their suggestions then decide.

Well, you do have to hit with something in your racket. The only way you miss out on beer funds is if you try higher end strings...like I sometimes do.