Recommend a hybrid set-up for 1st time user

AlfaAce · 12-30-2012, 08:45 PM

I have 2 Babolat PD2012s. I've only played them with full beds of nat gut strung between 60-62# (which backs off to 54-56 after 1-2 weeks). I like that combo very much, but I am thinking about experimenting with a nat gut/poly hybrid. Could you please recommend a poly and appropriate tensions based on the current set-up I like (mentioned above)?

From what I've read here, 4G holds its tension best. But what tension combo with the NG? Other recommendations welcome. Thanks!

BlueB · 12-30-2012, 09:30 PM

I just posted this in another thread...
Any smooth slippery poly. String it about 10lbs lower then the gut mains and enjoy. It'sonly there to allow gut to snap back into position upon hit and for a tiny bit more control.

NLBwell · 12-30-2012, 10:16 PM

10 lbs seems an awful lot due to stress on the frame. Are you sure you don't mean 10%? I use 3-4 lbs with no problems, and I believe others have said they use a 6 lb difference without problems. Some, however have experienced misshapen frames with differences of 6 or more pounds.

maxpotapov · 12-31-2012, 05:58 AM

People are talking about Dunlop Ice as a 3x cheaper alternative to 4G.
Another leader in terms of long playability is Weiss Cannon Mosquito Bite

BlueB · 12-31-2012, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NLBwell

10 lbs seems an awful lot due to stress on the frame. Are you sure you don't mean 10%? I use 3-4 lbs with no problems, and I believe others have said they use a 6 lb difference without problems. Some, however have experienced misshapen frames with differences of 6 or more pounds.

I do mean 10 lbs. Softer you string the cross, easier for mains to snap back.
I've strung at least 6 different frames like that, no priblems. Gut stretches a lot more then poly. It actually feels softer at 55 then poly at 45.
I also did 10 lbs difference witj syn gut / poly combo.

ChicagoJack · 12-31-2012, 09:40 AM

Hi AlfaAce,

Any Gut/Poly is going to be pretty awesome, and very spin friendly, but having said that there's some subtle but noticeable differences among the many that I've tried. Here's Just a few quick reccos fer ya.

1. Gut Mains, MSV Co-Focus 17L : Almost clownish amounts of spin, stays playable a very long time. Inexpensive.

2. Gut Mains, WC Scorpion : Control oriented, a bit less "wild" feeling than Co-Focus, very predictable response.

3. Gut Mains, LUX 4G: The absolute gold standard when it comes to tension maintenance for poly, there is nothing better in that regard. However, it's one of the stiffest polys made. Out of 239 polys tested, (ranked softest to stiffest in descending order) it ranks #232 at 273 lb per in., with the softest polys in the 160's.

4. Gut Mains, Polyfibre Hi Tec 18: Comfortable, really comfortable. Excellent control, touch. I wish it held tension a bit better, but it falls into the middle of the pack / acceptable average range on that regard. As I'm about 90% recovered from a nagging case of TE, and I put a premium on arm safety, It's my current set up.

My particular area of interest is the soft, low friction co-polys. I have a thread started with a quite extensive list of all of them, posted with the tension loss digits for each. http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=442868 Unfortunately I've not had the time to update, or demo string lately, but there is a lot of good info on the first page.

While BlueBee is correct that lower cross tensions facilitates low interstring COF, stringing the crosses 10lbs looser initially is fairly uncommon, with most opting for the crosses at 2-6 lbs looser. Having said, that most people have no idea how quickly poly looses tension. Some Polys can drop from 60 lbs to 35lbs in just a few hitting sessions, while gut Ms might drop into the low 50's at the most in that same time frame. What this implies is that quibbling over the ratio of the initial tension, is less an issue than the long term tension maintenance of the poly Xs.

Best of luck! Feel free to ask if you have any follow up.

-Jack

AlfaAce · 12-31-2012, 06:15 PM

Great advice! Thank you all and best wishes in 2013!!!

Disneos · 01-03-2013, 09:57 PM

Solincos revolution 17 & true feel 16 hybrid! Or you could try isospeeds half set hybrid selection

12-30-2012, 08:45 PM	#1
AlfaAce Rookie Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Northern CA Posts: 195	Recommend a hybrid set-up for 1st time user I have 2 Babolat PD2012s. I've only played them with full beds of nat gut strung between 60-62# (which backs off to 54-56 after 1-2 weeks). I like that combo very much, but I am thinking about experimenting with a nat gut/poly hybrid. Could you please recommend a poly and appropriate tensions based on the current set-up I like (mentioned above)? From what I've read here, 4G holds its tension best. But what tension combo with the NG? Other recommendations welcome. Thanks!

12-31-2012, 05:58 AM	#4
maxpotapov Professional Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Ukraine Posts: 1,155	People are talking about Dunlop Ice as a 3x cheaper alternative to 4G. Another leader in terms of long playability is Weiss Cannon Mosquito Bite __________________ www.youtube.com/maximpotapov

12-31-2012, 09:40 AM	#6
ChicagoJack Professional Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,326	Hi AlfaAce, Any Gut/Poly is going to be pretty awesome, and very spin friendly, but having said that there's some subtle but noticeable differences among the many that I've tried. Here's Just a few quick reccos fer ya. 1. Gut Mains, MSV Co-Focus 17L : Almost clownish amounts of spin, stays playable a very long time. Inexpensive. 2. Gut Mains, WC Scorpion : Control oriented, a bit less "wild" feeling than Co-Focus, very predictable response. 3. Gut Mains, LUX 4G: The absolute gold standard when it comes to tension maintenance for poly, there is nothing better in that regard. However, it's one of the stiffest polys made. Out of 239 polys tested, (ranked softest to stiffest in descending order) it ranks #232 at 273 lb per in., with the softest polys in the 160's. 4. Gut Mains, Polyfibre Hi Tec 18: Comfortable, really comfortable. Excellent control, touch. I wish it held tension a bit better, but it falls into the middle of the pack / acceptable average range on that regard. As I'm about 90% recovered from a nagging case of TE, and I put a premium on arm safety, It's my current set up. My particular area of interest is the soft, low friction co-polys. I have a thread started with a quite extensive list of all of them, posted with the tension loss digits for each. http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=442868 Unfortunately I've not had the time to update, or demo string lately, but there is a lot of good info on the first page. While BlueBee is correct that lower cross tensions facilitates low interstring COF, stringing the crosses 10lbs looser initially is fairly uncommon, with most opting for the crosses at 2-6 lbs looser. Having said, that most people have no idea how quickly poly looses tension. Some Polys can drop from 60 lbs to 35lbs in just a few hitting sessions, while gut Ms might drop into the low 50's at the most in that same time frame. What this implies is that quibbling over the ratio of the initial tension, is less an issue than the long term tension maintenance of the poly Xs. Best of luck! Feel free to ask if you have any follow up. -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 : 12-31-2012 at 10:05 AM.

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