Anyone else like their racquet setups boardy? - Page 3

Power Player · 12-06-2012, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlm

I just used weisscannon SS in my rebel 98 at 68 lbs. and it was not boardy at all. Actually I really liked the feel even at that tension. You are right about SS having great control, that is one of its best characteristics.

68? Are you serious?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dasol

One quick question:

I think many of 18X20 users prefer 17 gauge to 16 gauge string and I am wondering whether there is really a big difference between them. I guess thicker string will make your racquet feel tighter and boardy, but many 18x20 players say they, while they like tight and boardy feel, cannot handle 16 gauge string. I personally do not feel significant difference between these two gauges and I think my flat forehand go well with 16 gauge and 18X20 pattern.

Do you think 18X20 pattern should go with a thiner string like 17, since a thicker string like 16 will make the feel too tight and boardy?

Thats a great question. I use 17 gauge mains on the poly but 16 gauge crosses right now. Feels great.

tlm · 12-07-2012, 03:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Power Player

68? Are you serious?

Thats a great question. I use 17 gauge mains on the poly but 16 gauge crosses right now. Feels great.

I am definitely serious. Have you ever tried 68 lbs. with full poly? Depending on what poly and racket you use it will not play anywhere near as stiff and harsh as most would think.

It would surprise a lot of people on how good high tension poly can play, but there are to many that are not adventurous enough and only go by what they hear instead of actually trying something new.

One of my hitting partners uses a blx 90 with bb ace at 70 lbs. and when it is new it actually feels soft, again many will never believe this but the difference is I have tried it many times. There is another guy we hit with who claims we are crazy and poly is unplayable above 55 lbs.

One day my friend with the high tension racket let the naysayer try his racket which was just freshly strung at 70 lbs. but he told him it was strung at 55 lbs. and all he could say was how soft it felt and that the racket was much more flexible than his. Which was not true because the blx 90 has a flex of 65 and the speed that he usually uses is 64. This is the guy that says poly is not playable at high tension because he knows from reading about it.

sansaephanh · 12-07-2012, 03:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlm

One of my hitting partners uses a blx 90 with bb ace at 70 lbs.

My arm just grew a mouth to thank me for not doing this.

bb ace @ any tension = death. bbace @ 70 = murder.

pvaudio · 12-07-2012, 05:43 AM

kiteboard has suggested stringing up to 80lbs on poly before.

Power Player · 12-07-2012, 05:45 AM

Yeah I would never string poly that high. It's just not a good idea, and unless a lot of accomplished players start doing this and raving about it, I'm going to pass on ever trying it..lol. Most players are going lower in tension now for a reason...

pvaudio · 12-07-2012, 10:35 AM

kiteboard also recommends a lot of things that should not be tried.

purple-n-gold · 12-07-2012, 10:43 AM

^yeah poly hybrids, just dont see no reason. 60-62lbs is as high as I'll go, and lately think thats too high. With the cooler temps 55lb is going to be the max.

Boricua · 12-07-2012, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pvaudio

kiteboard also recommends a lot of things that should not be tried.

Is LTEC one of them? Just a guess.

pvaudio · 12-07-2012, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by purple-n-gold

^yeah poly hybrids, just dont see no reason. 60-62lbs is as high as I'll go, and lately think thats too high. With the cooler temps 55lb is going to be the max.

I have no problem with poly hybrids or L-Tec. It's the forcing your blood pressure to skyrocket in order to remove the negative energy in an injury to make it heal more quickly that I start to take issue with.

tlm · 12-07-2012, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sansaephanh

My arm just grew a mouth to thank me for not doing this.

bb ace @ any tension = death. bbace @ 70 = murder.

My hitting partner has been using that string at 70 lbs. for years now, no problems and he is a 4.5 level player.

tlm · 12-07-2012, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Power Player

Yeah I would never string poly that high. It's just not a good idea, and unless a lot of accomplished players start doing this and raving about it, I'm going to pass on ever trying it..lol. Most players are going lower in tension now for a reason...

It is different if you are using a 18x20, I am talking 16x19 patterns. Thats fine if you never want to try that high of tension, but without trying it is impossible to make an accurate assessment. I thought this was about a boardy racket set up, there are already many threads about the mushy low tensions.

There are some pro players like roddick and blake who used that high of tensions.

LeeD · 12-07-2012, 01:59 PM

I always thought, depending on exact racket involved, that 60+ is boardy, 50-60 average, and sub 50 tensions soft.
My Mfils and Aero200's are strung at 54, feel soft on warm days, boardy on sub 55 degree days.
Thinking of going all the way down to 48 lately.

tlm · 12-07-2012, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeeD

I always thought, depending on exact racket involved, that 60+ is boardy, 50-60 average, and sub 50 tensions soft.
My Mfils and Aero200's are strung at 54, feel soft on warm days, boardy on sub 55 degree days.
Thinking of going all the way down to 48 lately.

That is pretty true, but still a lot has to do with what kind of string and racket you are using. When i use synthetics or multis on most rackets they will board out at around 60 or so, but with a lot of polys that I use They will not board out even at 68lbs.

I know that most here think it is the opposite but again most have not really tried it but they just know because of hearsay. On the other hand instead of just talking I have used a wide variety of tensions and strings and have found that a lot of the preconceived thoughts that many players have are totally wrong.

LeeD · 12-07-2012, 02:46 PM

But isn't one aspect of string tension related to comfort, and how much you can practice without arm/shoulder pain?
I used around 65lbs. in the old days, YonexGreenOPS's. My much better doubles partner used 53, but he avoided flat first serves, and hit with more consistent spin/power. He practiced and and played. I only played, and about 2/3rds his playing time. My arm would have fallen off if I spent as much court time as him, using my stiffer tension. But I thought I'd spray balls with lower tensions.
That old mindset is still with me today. I'm an old fart, lost at least 30% of my swing speed, and currently at 52 lbs on Aero500's, and 54 on Mfil200's, thinking of going down......

Power Player · 12-08-2012, 06:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlm

It is different if you are using a 18x20, I am talking 16x19 patterns. Thats fine if you never want to try that high of tension, but without trying it is impossible to make an accurate assessment. I thought this was about a boardy racket set up, there are already many threads about the mushy low tensions.

There are some pro players like roddick and blake who used that high of tensions.

Roddick does not string at 68. He uses gut crosses and his poly is in the 50s now. James blake is one of the hardest and flattest hitters in tennis. I doubt anyone here hits like him.

Also, both of those guys are basically out of atp tennis now.

I string in the mid 50s with this racquet. It is not at all a mushy low tension.

I had poly at 60 before and it was miserable. Not sure how increasing it 8 more pounds would change that, and honestly i am not interested in finding out.

Anyway, strung up tb/stamina at 53/55. Lets see how it goes.

tlm · 12-08-2012, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Power Player

Roddick does not string at 68. He uses gut crosses and his poly is in the 50s now. James blake is one of the hardest and flattest hitters in tennis. I doubt anyone here hits like him.

Also, both of those guys are basically out of atp tennis now.

I string in the mid 50s with this racquet. It is not at all a mushy low tension.

I had poly at 60 before and it was miserable. Not sure how increasing it 8 more pounds would change that, and honestly i am not interested in finding out.

Anyway, strung up tb/stamina at 53/55. Lets see how it goes.

Like I said there is a big difference in tension when comparing a 18 main pattern as opposed to a 16 main. I would guess there is at least a 5 lbs. difference, as in a 18 main is going to feel and play at least 5lbs. tighter than a 16 main at the same tension.

Here is a list of pro players string tension and roddick is one of the higher tension users on the list way higher than the 50's.

Latest Update: Australian Open/Davis Cup 1st Round – January/February 2012

Tomas Berdych Head YouTek IG Instinct MP
Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power 55lbs

James Blake Donnay X-Dual Pro
Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power 68lbs

Bob Bryan Prince EXO3 Rebel 95
Prince Beast XP 56/52lbs

Mike Bryan Prince EXO3 Rebel
Prince Beast XP 54/51lbs

Jennifer Capriati Prince Tour Diablo
Babolat VS Touch/Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power 51/48lbs

Juan-Ignacio Chela Babolat Pure Storm Team
Tecnifibre Spinfire Maxi Power 58lbs

Marin Cilic Head YouTek IG Radical MP
Babolat VS Touch 61lbs

Kim Clijsters Babolat Pure Drive Team
Babolat VS Touch 58lbs

Lindsay Davenport Wilson [K]Tour
Wilson Natural Gut 63/64lbs

Nikolay Davydenko Prince EXO3 Tour 18×20
Polystar Energy 51lbs

Juan Martin del Potro Wilson [K] Six.One 95
Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power 62lbs

Novak Djokovic Head YouTek IG Speed MP 315 18×20
Babolat VS Team Natural Gut/Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power Rough 55/52lbs

Elena Dementieva Yonex RDiS 100 Mid Plus
Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power 52/48lbs

Roger Federer Wilson Pro Staff Six.One Tour BLX
Wilson Natural Gut/Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power Rough 48.5/44lbs

David Ferrer Prince EXO3 Tour
Luxilon Big Banger Original 51lbs

Juan Carlos Ferrero Prince EXO3 Tour
Luxilon Big Banger Original 53/51lbs

Richard Gasquet Head YouTek IG Extreme Pro
Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power 58lbs

Robby Ginepri Babolat Pure Storm Team
Babolat Pro Hurricane/Babolat VS Team 64lbs

Fernando Gonzalez Babolat Pure Storm Team
Babolat Pro Hurricane 60lbs

Sebastien Grosjean Head Microgel Prestige Mid
Babolat VS Touch 51lbs

Tommy Haas Head YouTek IG Prestige Pro
Babolat VS Team 75lbs

Daniela Hantuchova Prince EXO3 Tour
Babolat VS Touch 58lbs

Justine Henin Wilson Tour BLX
Babolat VS Touch 59.5lbs

Tim Henman Slazenger NX One
Luxilon Big Banger TiMo/Babolat VS Team 62lbs

Lleyton Hewitt Yonex RDiS 100
Babolat VS Team/Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power 56lbs

Martina Hingis Yonex RQS-11
Yonex Polyester/Babolat VS Team 49/44lbs

John Isner Prince EXO3 Warrior
Tecnifibre Pro RedCode 62lbs

Ana Ivanovic Yonex Ezone Xi
Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power 54lbs

Gustavo Kuerten Head Liquidmetal Prestige Mid
Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power 56lbs

Petra Kvitova Wilson Tour BLX
Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power 57/53lbs

Svetlana Kuznetsova Head YouTek IG Extreme Pro
Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power 57/55lbs

Sabine Lisicki Wilson BLX Blade
Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power Rough/Wilson Natural Gut 52/50lbs

Ivan Ljubicic Head YouTek IG Extreme Pro
Babolat Pro Hurricane 69lbs

Michael Llodra Wilson Juice Pro BLX
Babolat VS Team 52lbs

Feliciano Lopez Wilson Juice 100 BLX
Luxilon Alu Power/Luxilon AceVS Team 51/46lbs

Paul-Henri Mathieu Wilson [K]Blade 98
Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power 62lbs

Amélie Mauresmo Head Microgel Radical MP
Babolat VS Touch 54lbs

Jürgen Melzer Dunlop 4D 300 Tour
Isospeed Professional 75lbs

Gaël Monfils Prince EXO3 Rebel 95
Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power 57/55lbs

Carlos Moya Babolat Pure Drive Team
Luxilon Big Banger Original 60lbs

Andy Murray Head YouTek IG Radical Pro
Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power Rough/Babolat VS Team 62lbs

Anastasia Myskina Head Liquidmetal Instinct Tour
Luxilon Big Banger Timo 56/52lbs

Rafael Nadal Babolat AeroPro Drive GT
Babolat RPM Blast 55lbs

David Nalbandian Yonex VCore 98D
Luxilon Big Banger Original 64lbs

Jiri Novak Völkl Tour 10 Mid Plus
Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power 64/62lbs

Flavia Pennetta Wilson Blade 98 Pink BLX
Wilson Natural Gut 63lbs

Nadia Petrova Babolat AeroStorm
Luxilon Monotec Supersense 62lbs

Mark Philippoussis Head i.Prestige
Babolat VS Team 75lbs

Mary Pierce Yonex RD Ti-80
Luxilon Big Banger TiMo 65lbs

Milos Raonic Wilson Blade 98 BLX
Luxilon M2 44/46lbs

Tommy Robredo Dunlop 4D 300
Luxilon Big Banger Original 52lbs

Andy Roddick Babolat Pure Drive Roddick
Babolat Pro Hurricane Tour/Babolat VS Team 73/61lbs

Greg Rusedski Dunlop Aerogel 200
Babolat VS Team 48lbs

Marat Safin Head Microgel Prestige Mid
Luxilon Big Banger Alu Power 60lbs

Fabrice Santoro Head Flexpoint Radical Tour
Tecnifibre X-One Biphase 60lbs

Patty Schnyder Head Liquidmetal Prestige Mid
Kirschbaum Touch Turbo 57lbs

Power Player · 12-08-2012, 06:45 AM

Thanks, we all have seen that list 1,000 times, and it is rather old now as roddicks tension droped to 58 in the mains a year ago.

So basically you string higher than about every single pro you just listed. Now ask yourself, is that really neccesary?

Slippery · 12-08-2012, 07:40 AM

Hey Power Player you should try the Stamina in the mains poly crosses. Gave it a rip last night Stamina at 54 and Lux. savage in the crosses at 51. My forehand was coming up a bit short but the 1hbh was staying in the lines lol. I tried this setup to try and get rid of string movement and maybe get a few more hours of hitting with it. Hopefully it will soften up just a tad. I strung in Savage mains 51 and Stamina crosses 51 last week awsome from the start but got a little to powerfull after a couple of hours. So far Adrenaline mains 50 Stamina crosses 52 has been the best for me, played that setup till the stamina broke, did put up with some string movement though. By the way my weapon of choice is the 4D 300. I have another one on it's way from T.W. with a full bed of 4G at 48 so we will see how that goes have a good one .

tlm · 12-08-2012, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Power Player

Thanks, we all have seen that list 1,000 times, and it is rather old now as roddicks tension droped to 58 in the mains a year ago.

So basically you string higher than about every single pro you just listed. Now ask yourself, is that really neccesary?

Okay but the date this was taken says January 2012. I am using gamma power play kevlar at 58 lbs. in the mains with yonex poly tour spin crosses at 63 lbs. right now. So I would not be much higher than what a lot of pro players string at. Also I could care less what the pro's string at that means nothing to me, I go by what works not what some pro uses.

Which again I will point out means nothing to amateur players unless you change your string every half hour like they do. So many here say I am using similar tensions of what the pro's use, well ya you are for a half hour or so but not 2 hours later let alone days.

But I am still experimenting with different set ups, I just put in a set of head sonic pro 16 gauge at 68 lbs. and am going for a hit with it today.

I have already tried this at the same tension with the 17 gauge and it was pretty good, but still did not maintain the control that the kevlar set up I am using as my go to string. Just trying to find a poly set up that will match it.

pvaudio · 12-08-2012, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Jürgen Melzer Dunlop 4D 300 Tour
Isospeed Professional 75lbs

Good God! A little bit of Sampras right here.

12-07-2012, 05:45 AM	#45
Power Player G.O.A.T. Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: On my iPhone Posts: 13,562	Yeah I would never string poly that high. It's just not a good idea, and unless a lot of accomplished players start doing this and raving about it, I'm going to pass on ever trying it..lol. Most players are going lower in tension now for a reason... __________________ 🐐ing

12-08-2012, 06:45 AM	#57
Power Player G.O.A.T. Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: On my iPhone Posts: 13,562	Thanks, we all have seen that list 1,000 times, and it is rather old now as roddicks tension droped to 58 in the mains a year ago. So basically you string higher than about every single pro you just listed. Now ask yourself, is that really neccesary? __________________ 🐐ing

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