Poly Hybrid (shaped mains+round x's) or single type - Low tension

Background:
I'm experimenting with a new string setup in the Head Graphene Speed 360 MP & Speed 360 Pro.

Moved to these frames from a Pure Aero because I wanted something more flexible and started using a poly main with a multi cross to help with comfort.
I had been using Luxilon Alu Power Fluoro 17 mains @ 56 x Gamma TNT2 or Babolat Origin crosses @ 59, but started to experiment with both Technifibre Black Code 4S and Solinco Hyper-G once I found that both of those crosses were rather resistant to notching and liked the added spin potential.

Learnings:
The learning I took away from a year of these types of setups is that I found that combination can either be too powerful, or just straight up dead feeling, with the playability window somewhat narrow over time.
I've been preferring the Pro over the MP for the slightly tighter string pattern.

Questions!
I think a good solution will be to go back to a full poly setup but at significantly lower tension.

Does anyone have any recommendations on whether or not it's worth trying:
A) a 1.25 gauge shaped main with a 1.20 gauge cross (I like the feel of both Hyper-G & BC4S)
B) Hyper G or 4S main with a round poly cross (Red Code Wax/Cream/4G) to maximize spin and snapback lifespan?
(ie. at low tension, does low friction between a square and a round string = more spin than two shaped strings?)
-or-
C) none of the above - just string a single gauge and keep it simple with the same string for mains & crosses
D) have other suggestions I should consider altogether such as thicker or thinner gauge (note: I am happy with one those two strings being a main component of my setup)

I'm currently planning to string at 44/42 to try and get to my lower end of the range and expect to work the tension up from there slightly once I find what feels good. (Anyone think I could go lower still?)

Hoping that all I've been reading on low poly stringing doesn't leave me with a rocket launcher, but from what I've tried and read this seems like a good direction to go in. I'm a 41 year old 4.5 all court player that was previously a fairly high ranked junior, and getting back into tennis after 22 years away from the sport. Have been working on modernizing my groundstrokes to hit a slightly heavier ball with more clearance since I prefer to go after my shots with harder swings, but would also like to add more margin. I string myself so don't mind restringing after 10 hours of play (if need be - but lean towards performance over durability), and tend to not break all poly setups before they feel dead. Net play is a strong component of my game so do want to maintain good volley feel/predictability. Apologies for the lengthy post, but helping me to narrow down some of the options would be super useful. Thanks in advance!

Kirschbaum proline 2 1.15 gauge at 52-53 lbs youtek speed pro leaded 2.25 gm at 11oclock - 1oclock , 1.50 gm at handle cap, overgrip ,
339 gm static weight , 335 sw, 7HL

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I have Hyper G 1.15/Black Force 1.14 @51/51 in a Dunlop Aerogel 200. It's very nice and damp feeling. I think Hyper G/BC 4S would be similar and I recommend that you try it if you like a damp feel.

Muppet said:

I have Hyper G 1.15/Black Force 1.14 @51/51 in a Dunlop Aerogel 200. It's very nice and damp feeling. I think Hyper G/BC 4S would be similar and I recommend that you try it if you like a damp feel.

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Thanks Muppet - (just swapped usernames since I couldn’t change).

Before you got to the thin gauge, did you experiment with thicker ones as well? Curious to get your thoughts on the differences you noticed if you did. Is your Aerogel 200 a 16x19 pattern?

dirty labs. said:

Thanks Muppet - (just swapped usernames since I couldn’t change).

Before you got to the thin gauge, did you experiment with thicker ones as well? Curious to get your thoughts on the differences you noticed if you did. Is your Aerogel 200 a 16x19 pattern?

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I did that with proline 2. It’s usually stiffness and feel that changes. It’s the same string therefore it would be the same characteristics.


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Yonex poly tour spin. Tough to beat it's spin control low power and good tension maintenance. Also you can get a feel for $100 that's a great bargain for a $15 a set string. I have been using it for five years. Still nothing better for me.

dirty labs. said:

Thanks Muppet - (just swapped usernames since I couldn’t change).

Click to expand...

That's okay as long as you change your underpants frequently.

Before you got to the thin gauge, did you experiment with thicker ones as well? Curious to get your thoughts on the differences you noticed if you did. Is your Aerogel 200 a 16x19 pattern?

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I've had my MuscleWeave racquet for almost 20 years. It has a dead feel that lent itself well to the multis I used to use in it and it works well now with a lot of the polys that offer less feel. My Aerogel 200 has an 18x20 pattern and the frame has elements that filter out much of the feel of the strings put in it. I've had the most luck with black polys that are dead and damp feeling in other racquets. Otherwise, the Aerogel's material gives it a comfortable but not overly muted feel. I find that for both of these racquets thin polys, 16g multis, and 17g synth guts work well in both of them.

Muppet said:

That's okay as long as you change your underpants frequently.


I've had my MuscleWeave racquet for almost 20 years. It has a dead feel that lent itself well to the multis I used to use in it and it works well now with a lot of the polys that offer less feel. My Aerogel 200 has an 18x20 pattern and the frame has elements that filter out much of the feel of the strings put in it. I've had the most luck with black polys that are dead and damp feeling in other racquets. Otherwise, the Aerogel's material gives it a comfortable but not overly muted feel. I find that for both of these racquets thin polys, 16g multis, and 17g synth guts work well in both of them.

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I’ve used 16g poly in my youtek speed pros before and even with the added weight i put in these I stay with more feel on the 18g poly and even hybrid with 16g multifilament


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fjcamry said:

I’ve used 16g poly in my youtek speed pros before and even with the added weight i put in these I stay with more feel on the 18g poly and even hybrid with 16g multifilament


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I've had similar experience with 17G/18G crossed with 16G multi's and I've been pretty happy with them. Going to see if I can get to the same comfort with a little more spin by going with the full poly bed - and a 10lb drop in tension. Thanks for the gauge feedback, I'll try a couple of variations.

Muppet said:

That's okay as long as you change your underpants frequently.

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I bought a reel of sumo style underpants so all good.

ragingbull1980 said:

Yonex poly tour spin. Tough to beat it's spin control low power and good tension maintenance. Also you can get a feel for $100 that's a great bargain for a $15 a set string. I have been using it for five years. Still nothing better for me.

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Snap-back is pretty poor IMO

Twu has a string database that is useful for developing a good hybrid. I really like Revolve as a cross. Great tension maintenance, super soft but pretty dead feeling (which I like). Downside is it doesn't come smaller than 1.25. Poly Tour Fire is great for more power in the cross, but it dies out quickly. For mains I have always like Tour bite.

This is how I found a string setup:

1. Try a bunch of shaped polys in a full bed that seem like good candidates for mains. Things to look at are String-string friction, string-ball friction, dwell time, stiffness, energy return and price, depending on your preferences.
2. Once you have chosen a main, narrow down some round crosses. Here, string-string friction is key to determining how much snap back you can get.
3. Test your top main choice with a variety in cross choices and take notes everytime you hit so as not to rely on memory. While you are doing this, avoid experimenting with tension. There are already so many variables with strings, you should try to minimize them.

After I had tried TB, Hyper-g, I got sick of changing my setup all the time and stayed with Snakebite for the price. I tried a few crosses, Lynx 1.20, Revolve 1.25 and PTF 1.20. I later tried Poly Tour Pro (on sale) in full bed and would probably use that in the crosses if I could always get it at sale price.

I am now just using a full bed of Black Bear Bear Claw as I want to support a business that came out of TT and I think it is a really good string. When Dan releases a round poly I will probably use it in the crosses.

Note: when I was initially testing, I had just got new racquets as well and was stringing 51/48lbs. Now doing in the low 40's so I recommend low tension, though you may prefer the MP at a higher tension than the Pro.

fjcamry said:

Kirschbaum proline 2 1.15 gauge at 52-53 lbs youtek speed pro leaded 2.25 gm at 11oclock - 1oclock , 1.50 gm at handle cap, overgrip ,
339 gm static weight , 335 sw, 7HL

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I think PL2 (1.15 or 1.20mm) has the best feel as cross, goes well with other edged or round mains up to medium-firm stiffness. It has just enough power and shock absorption to give you the comfort feel and swings. I usually do them at 48-52 lbs. I have issues with polys strung above 52 lbs (too stiff if you have previous elbow issues), and if you noticed during stringing, poly strings don't retract as much after going above 55 lbs (I.e. excess impact will go directly to your arms and wrists). I tried Hyper-G in the cross, didn't feel as good as PL2 (Hyper-G as cross has less dampening feel and bit harder to control on hitting deep balls, tend to hit long more)
One thing I noticed, when stringing the same tension, 360 Speed MP feels about ~2 lbs tighter on the string bed compared to other racquets, maybe because of the configuration of the cross spacing.