Lot of new strings out there...which to choose

[Major]

Hi guys, getting back into the swing of things. I was a 4.5 level player, and I'm working back into form.

For the time being, new rackets are off the table. I use a Wilson nCode nPro, and I'm wondering what new strings you guys would suggest. I (perhaps foolishly) let my teammate/stringer decide on my strings, but I used to have it strung at 60lbs. It seems like the newer rackets are using less lbs?

Anyway, I know it might be hard to suggest without knowing how I play, but I want a blend of spin/power. The nCode is already a great racket for spin, so I'm not sure if this makes a difference. I'd like to get a bit more powerful string than I use to use.

I wish I could provide more info, I just don't know much about strings, unfortunately.

[cluckcluck]

Welcome back to tennis.

It's hard to say what you should try based on what you've already written.
If you want more power, try natural gut if you can afford it.

If you want to play with what many players are using these days, I would say try the following polyesters:

Solinco Tour Bite
Volkl Cyclone
Tourna Big Hitter Rough
Tourna Big Hitter Black 7

[fortun8son]

What strings were you using before?
Wilson Red Alert is an improvement over older synguts and you can still string it high.

[Major]

Thanks for the responses guys, much appreciated.

For the sake of conversation, let's say I want to go with something like the big hitter blue 17. I'm intrigued by the idea of a lower tension, with this new string, to save my arm and hit a heavier ball. Is there a typical range that people fall in? I have been batting around the idea of 56 or 57 lbs, but I don't know if I'm just shooting in the dark.

I know I'll eventually just have to try out different tensions, but I'm hoping to get a good idea before I do. Man, I really should have picked up a stringing machine when I was younger...what was I thinking?

[SELFMADESOUL]

Originally Posted by Major

Thanks for the responses guys, much appreciated.

For the sake of conversation, let's say I want to go with something like the big hitter blue 17. I'm intrigued by the idea of a lower tension, with this new string, to save my arm and hit a heavier ball. Is there a typical range that people fall in? I have been batting around the idea of 56 or 57 lbs, but I don't know if I'm just shooting in the dark.

I know I'll eventually just have to try out different tensions, but I'm hoping to get a good idea before I do. Man, I really should have picked up a stringing machine when I was younger...what was I thinking?

Using a good poly you can great results with very low tension- you will read a lot of guys like 40lbs or less. Personally I like to use the low end of the racquets recommendation first (which ends up being around 50lbs) and work up from there. Really though best answer is trial and error- every string and racquet has its own "sweetspot" of tension that works well and of course most depends on your game and what you are looking to get out of the racquet (more power, more control).

BTW its never too late to start stringing- you can get the same results from a Klippermate stringing machine for under the cost of one new racquet and be able to try out all sorts of tensions.

[Major]

Originally Posted by SELFMADESOUL

Using a good poly you can great results with very low tension- you will read a lot of guys like 40lbs or less. Personally I like to use the low end of the racquets recommendation first (which ends up being around 50lbs) and work up from there. Really though best answer is trial and error- every string and racquet has its own "sweetspot" of tension that works well and of course most depends on your game and what you are looking to get out of the racquet (more power, more control).

BTW its never too late to start stringing- you can get the same results from a Klippermate stringing machine for under the cost of one new racquet and be able to try out all sorts of tensions.

Thanks for the info. The neck says 50-60, but online says 53-63. I might try 53 on one and see how it goes.

[gmatheis]

Here's a good read for you

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000...373170456.html

[Major]

Originally Posted by gmatheis

Here's a good read for you

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000...373170456.html

That's funny man. I literally just read that article, came back here, and saw your post.