Pacific Classic 1.25 x MSV Co-Focus 1.18

[Ross K]

Thanks gentlemen ^.

[Smasher08]

For those of you looking for backup setups:



Gosen OGSM 1.23 x MSV Co-Focus 1.18 @ 44 x 40 lbs

I'm currently playing with Pac x CoF @ 48x44, and tried this setup about a year ago at 52x48 -- hated it.

But after reading a thread on syngut mains x poly crosses and one on ELT where syngut @ 35 has been getting rave reviews, I decided to give it another try -- albeit considerably looser strung. Now that outdoor season is beginning where I live, I need a reliable backup setup that can handle moisture and the occasional puddle.

I have to say that off the bat I was much more impressed than the last time. A year ago there was no feel, no power, and no spin. Eight pounds looser and the difference was considerable: it was much more comparable to my usual setup, probably 90% of the power, 85% of the spin, albeit 75% of the feel. No string movement, and it seems arm-friendly.

For an occasional backup stick when there's inclement weather, not bad at all. It seems to be solid and reliable, and I didn't mind at all playing long stretches with it.

I'm now tempted to give Isospeed Energetic 1.20 x CoF another shot as well to compare. But I'm certainly content enough to stick with this for a while.

[lcalamar]

I've been going back and forth between Classic and ToughGut to go along with CoF (52/48 ).

Main reason I went to ToughGut was for durability and for me - easier to string.

However - getting better at stringing the Classic, using string savers, the durability issue is solved.

I do prefer the Classic as it plays a little softer and I can also play more aggressive with it. So I'm going back to 100% Classic w/CoF.

[Ross K]

Still thanking my lucky stars that I ever stumbled across this thread and felt prompted to begin looking at gut/poly at all.

Presently liking VS/CoF massively in my Blade 98, and look forward to contrasting later with Pac Classic/CoF. Tried the latter in several frames and it was just everything I could ask for and more in particular two frames. Where it hasn't worked so well for me previously has been in more powerful open rackets, which is surely due to too low tensions.

Anyhow, just 'reporting back'... TBH I'm still staggered and delighted by the duration, performance, value for money and comfort these set ups provide.

[Pbarrow]

I am also thankful for this thread and enjoying the set up but am perplexed by the longevity that you guys are getting. I love the playability but suffer from a severe trampoline effect after about 12 to 15 hours. I feel like I have to restring even though I have not broken a string to get the control back.

[Smasher08]

Originally Posted by Pbarrow

I am also thankful for this thread and enjoying the set up but am perplexed by the longevity that you guys are getting. I love the playability but suffer from a severe trampoline effect after about 12 to 15 hours. I feel like I have to restring even though I have not broken a string to get the control back.

Weird! What's your racket, and what tensions are you stringing at?

[Pbarrow]

Originally Posted by Smasher08

Weird! What's your racket, and what tensions are you stringing at?

Head Extreme Pro 2.0 16x19
16g gut mains at 55#, 17g Co-Focus at 50# on Stringway drop weight

This is the third set of similar string jobs that play GREAT for 10-12 hours and then feels like a rapid drop off into the awful trampoline loss of control. I read somewhere else on these threads that this can happen while the poly is dying and then after its dead its playable again. But I haven't had the patience to try to play through this period. I am going to restring one tonight and maybe leave the other to experiment; either by recycling the gut or measuring how long it takes on a ball machine to get out that phase. Ideas?

[Smasher08]

Originally Posted by Pbarrow

Head Extreme Pro 2.0 16x19
16g gut mains at 55#, 17g Co-Focus at 50# on Stringway drop weight

This is the third set of similar string jobs that play GREAT for 10-12 hours and then feels like a rapid drop off into the awful trampoline loss of control. I read somewhere else on these threads that this can happen while the poly is dying and then after its dead its playable again. But I haven't had the patience to try to play through this period. I am going to restring one tonight and maybe leave the other to experiment; either by recycling the gut or measuring how long it takes on a ball machine to get out that phase. Ideas?

That's so weird! When I used to experience poly death, it happened somewhere around hours 20-25 and it wasn't a trampoline effect so much as it just felt terrible. But when I started stringing for myself (ie no prestretch) the sensation vanished.

You are a bit high in your tensions, and I don't know whether or not you have contemporary strokes (ie topspin) or classic (ie flat) ones, so I'm not sure whether there are simple adjustments that could be made to avoid this.

Do you have racquettune or a tension meter in order to determine whether or not you're truly experiencing rapid tension loss? I think getting that kind of objective data might be a helpful first step right now.

In any event, I do think that you should be getting 2-4x the time you're currently getting. That's been my experience anyway.

[Pbarrow]

Thanks Smasher, good idea on the racquettune, I'll tr that and see if I can get some data that will shed light. Modern strokes.

[Smasher08]

Originally Posted by Pbarrow

Thanks Smasher, good idea on the racquettune, I'll tr that and see if I can get some data that will shed light. Modern strokes.

That's so strange. Perhaps Big Kahuna can assist here since he has the same setup as you!

The only reason I can think of right now is such a remote possibility it's barely worth mentioning: improperly tied knots.

I feel ridiculous even typing it!

Even if your crosses are losing some tension, that should in theory be allowing your mains to deflect and snap back even more. And in any event, slightly changing the angle of your racket face to increase spin should more than compensate for it. But if things were that easy to fix, you probably would have done it subconsciously by now!

It's possible that you're just really sensitive to tensions, in which case restringing your crosses might remedy it (note: even though there are a lot of folks on these boards who've done this, it's still something that could potentially damage/break your racket -- so make sure you've got a 6-pt mount and make an informed decision).

Otherwise, I'd suggest taking racquettune readings both of the stringjob you feel has had it as well your newest one, and then take readings after every time you hit. That'll at least give you objective evidence about any tension loss.

[Pbarrow]

Originally Posted by Smasher08

That's so strange. Perhaps Big Kahuna can assist here since he has the same setup as you!

The only reason I can think of right now is such a remote possibility it's barely worth mentioning: improperly tied knots.

That is so interesting you mention that, because I had the same thought after reading your other comments. I am a novice stringer and still struggle with knots, so that is a very real possibility. I will focus a bit more on knots next time and see if that makes a difference.

I posted on the other gut/poly thread to try to get Big Kahanu's take, but he recommends stringing after 12 hours or so anyway, so that made me think my observations were more normal with this set up. I have heard others call this racquet a "string eater," so maybe that is one of the manifestations. I am using a full bed of Yonex PTP 125 now and it plays even better, so would likely restring that stuff every 12 hours anyway. Guess I'll get lots of practice tying knots!

[Smasher08]

Holy moley, we have a prime suspect!

The best advice I can give is for you to do Parnell knots for everything, get a starting clamp if you don't already have one, and add 5 lbs when you tension your last strings.

(If you don't already do all of these things.)

In case you're interested, there are some very good youtube videos for all of these.

[Pbarrow]

Agreed, and thanks for the tips. Do you add 5# to outside mains only or crosses too? I did buy a starting clamp after my first 3 jobs and you're right it's much better. The knots on synthetics seems easy, gut is medium hard, but that darn poly is tough to get the knots tight!

[Smasher08]

Originally Posted by Pbarrow

Agreed, and thanks for the tips. Do you add 5# to outside mains only or crosses too? I did buy a starting clamp after my first 3 jobs and you're right it's much better. The knots on synthetics seems easy, gut is medium hard, but that darn poly is tough to get the knots tight!

I do +5# on both mains and crosses.

If you haven't already seen this, imo this is one of the best youtube vids out there on tightening knots.

Personally I haven't found poly knots to be that much more difficult than any other ones. It may just be that it comes with practice!