The J011yroger guide to strings.

[Rei]

Originally Posted by tbini87

the answer to how do you break a string is hit harder, with more topspin. or you could use a less durable string, but you should find the string that best works for your game and stick with it.

however, that is a silly question and shouldn't really even be asked. i am kind of like you where i play jc tennis with guys that break strings at least once a week, but i rarely ever break strings. however, it is a bonus for me, because i get the full life out of my strings before i have to cut them out and restring. some people just aren't string breakers, so don't worry about it. when they get mushy cut them out and restring.

Hey thanks, just ask out of curiosity. I normally hit even harder and more spin than that guy that breaks his string every now and then, it makes me wonder. But then again we use different string/ tensions/ guage/ rackets and play quite differently. He also plays more frequent than me.

[Rei]

oh one more question, apparently as I have stated I don't break string at all. Should I try natgut (and possibly stick with it?). I don't mind the cost because I don't break string at all. jo11roger also said gut hold tension the best. I don't play that often may be twice a week and it isn't that humid in London.

[tbini87]

^^ strings, gauges, tension, and string pattern, head size will all play a big role in breaking strings. you will be far more likely to break strings on an oversized racquet with an open pattern using a syn gut 17 gauge then if you were using a midplus with 16 gauge polyester.

it sounds like natural gut could work for you. i personally don't have any experience with it (because of the cost), but have only heard good things about it. expect plenty of pop, control, spin, and tension maint. don't really see how you could go wrong if you aren't a string breaker. give it a shot and let us know how it goes!

[Rei]

Originally Posted by tbini87

^^ strings, gauges, tension, and string pattern, head size will all play a big role in breaking strings. you will be far more likely to break strings on an oversized racquet with an open pattern using a syn gut 17 gauge then if you were using a midplus with 16 gauge polyester.

it sounds like natural gut could work for you. i personally don't have any experience with it (because of the cost), but have only heard good things about it. expect plenty of pop, control, spin, and tension maint. don't really see how you could go wrong if you aren't a string breaker. give it a shot and let us know how it goes!

I see, it's clear now. I never use anything larger than 100 sqinches/ always 18x20 pattern and always play 16g + Poly string so that does explain a bit.

Guess I will give Babolat VS a shot. This could turn out to be very good match for my current racket (nBlade 9. Thanks for your response!

[supermario343]

very good insight about strings i must say...i printed out a copy even lol B-)

[J011yroger]

Originally Posted by Tennisman912

J011yroger,

I also use poly and like textured strings. I have been using Alu Rough full and it lasts me about 8- 10 hours. Unfortunately, I am a string breaker ( also use 18x20 string pattern). Finding a good textured poly is hard. You may want to try my favorite type of this string, Kirschbaum Super Smash Spikey in 16 or 17 gauge as you prefer. It gives me more spin than the ALU and is the most textured poly I have tried. It is is hard on the arm though if you are prone to arm trouble. The extra texture may hurt your depth a bit but then you can just lower the tension to what you used in your n90. Just a thought.

I am in the process of switching to something with a bit more pop (getting old and lazy) and am really liking the K95 18x20. I love the extra control over the open version. Time will tell.

Hope you like or have tried the string.

TM

OK so I lied. Was at the sony ericsson and they had buy one get one free on Kirshbaum strings. Got 2 sets of super smash spikey and a t-shirt for 8 bucks.

J

[ryanq]

I just read the whole thing last night. It was a great read.

I have Dunlop Aerogel500Tour, baseliner (but sometimes pushing myself towards the net), Tension: 58-60lbs, okay to restring every 1-2 months. play 4times/week, 2hours/time.
strings right now: X-1biphase

I'm up for restring and have 1set of SPPPpure and Tecnifibre XR3. Im having a dilema if i should do a Hybrid or just full XR3. what would you suggest?

Thanks in advance.

[ryanq]

btw, not a string breaker, Eastern BH, Semi-western FH

[J011yroger]

Originally Posted by ryanq

btw, not a string breaker, Eastern BH, Semi-western FH

Full XR3, when you get more advanced, and pick up the batspeed to a level when you are breaking the multis in hours, then experiment with a poly blend.

J

[ryanq]

Originally Posted by J011yroger

Full XR3, when you get more advanced, and pick up the batspeed to a level when you are breaking the multis in hours, then experiment with a poly blend.

J

Thanks a lot.

[J011yroger]

No prob. Let me know how it works out for ya.

J

[Arthur]

Originally Posted by Arthur

This part is interesting to me, and it's consistent with my experience with string gauge in 18x20 racquets. 16's give me a more solid, penetrating shot. 17's and 18's give me a lighter, spinnier shot (good for the short angle and the "dipper" in doubles hit at the net player's feet, but not good for much else). Until now I've addressed this by using 16's, but it sounds like using 17's strung a little looser might let me have my dipper and my deep drive. (Or maybe I just need to practice flattening out my drives a little more using 17's.)

A brief after-action report: I'm used to 16 gauge synthetic gut strung at 54 lbs. in my LM Radical midplus. Previously I had strung 17 gauge synthetic gut at 56 lbs. This time I strung Prince Original Synthetic Gut 17 at 54 lbs. and tried it out. (I know the idea was to string looser, but since I had strung 17 gauge tighter before, I went with 2 lbs. looser than my last try with 17's.) I tried it for about 8 hours, drills and doubles matches.

With the 17's, I felt like I had more spin on the ball and felt like I could swing faster and still not hit it out. Same stroke, more spin, more margin for error over the net. But it was at the net where I really felt the difference. Volleys felt lighter and weaker. They sat up and lacked weight and punch. Then I picked up my other racquet with 16 gauge Jim Courier synthetic gut at 54 lbs. I felt like a had a more solid, more powerful shot from all over the court. A bit less spin, but much more solid, especially at the net.

Maybe there's more going on here than just string gauge (maybe the racquet with the 16's also happens to have more weight in the head). Maybe I should drop the 17's down to 52 lbs. and then compare (though I don't know how that would change the feel at the net, which was the biggest difference I noticed). Or maybe I'm just the sort of unadventurous soul who likes what he's used to and nothing else. Bottom line, J011y, on this trial run, 17's did just what you said they would, but for some reason I still prefer the feel of 16's in my 18x20 racquets.

[J011yroger]

Originally Posted by Arthur

Or maybe I'm just the sort of unadventurous soul who likes what he's used to and nothing else. Bottom line, J011y, on this trial run, 17's did just what you said they would, but for some reason I still prefer the feel of 16's in my 18x20 racquets.

Yea man, I am the same way, I like what I like and that's it.

Bottom line is you need to decide how you want to play the game, and string with what allows you to do that best, then take it from there, and adjust on the other aspects of the game.

With the 17s you would probably volley much better if you strung it 4lb tighter, but then would suffer from the back court.

Up to you to chose one aspect of your game over another, or to split the difference.

J

[Gerry]

I need help to find which type of string would fit my game best, i hope you can give me some tips.

Right now i use poly (Luxilon Big Banger ALU Power 16L) at 57 and so far it's been very good, although i do feel it a little stiff and i'm not sure if my shoulder would be tired soon. The only reason i bought this string is because of the added spin and that it would not break, that is, i won't need to restring every month (i would like every, 3 months because of the cost).

I've never been a string breaker, i play 7 hours a week (average) and i would like a string that allows me to generate good spin (i dont hit much spin, but would like to) and keeps the tension for long time (2 - 3 months). Which string would you suggest? (if possible give me a "best option" and a "best low cost" option).

Thank you very much in advance.

G.

[Zhou]

Natural Gut keeps tension for long periods of time.

[J011yroger]

Originally Posted by Gerry

I need help to find which type of string would fit my game best, i hope you can give me some tips.

Right now i use poly (Luxilon Big Banger ALU Power 16L) at 57 and so far it's been very good, although i do feel it a little stiff and i'm not sure if my shoulder would be tired soon. The only reason i bought this string is because of the added spin and that it would not break, that is, i won't need to restring every month (i would like every, 3 months because of the cost).

I've never been a string breaker, i play 7 hours a week (average) and i would like a string that allows me to generate good spin (i dont hit much spin, but would like to) and keeps the tension for long time (2 - 3 months). Which string would you suggest? (if possible give me a "best option" and a "best low cost" option).

Thank you very much in advance.

G.

What is your playing level and style?

J

[Gerry]

Originally Posted by J011yroger

What is your playing level and style?

J

I'm a 4.0 player, baseliner (although sometimes i like to approach to the net). Im using a Head LM Radical MP.

G.

[J011yroger]

Originally Posted by Gerry

I'm a 4.0 player, baseliner (although sometimes i like to approach to the net). Im using a Head LM Radical MP.

G.

Nat Gut would be best, but probably something like Wilson NXT Tour/TechnifibreNRG2 would be a good baseline for you. Try that, and report what you like/don't like about it, and take it from there.

J

[Gerry]

Originally Posted by J011yroger

Nat Gut would be best, but probably something like Wilson NXT Tour/TechnifibreNRG2 would be a good baseline for you. Try that, and report what you like/don't like about it, and take it from there.

J

Thank you very much for your tip. I'll try one of those 2 you recommend and then i'll post how they performed.

G.

[bluegrasser]

I had spikey & excel in my PD, but soon the elbow swelled up with much pain, so I put in PSG duroflex (s?) - now when I get a short ball to the forehand side it goes ten feet out, literally..