Am I the only one who doesn't notice much difference between strings?

F

FRV

Guest
All I notice is that polys go long when they're dead. That's about it. I've only played with polys, synthetic gut, multis, and poly/synthetic hybrid. Full bed poly is the only one I've had a problem with, though most recently, I've played with the Luxilon 4g successfully. Right now I have one RF97 strung with the 4g and another strung with technifibre duramix hd 1.35 and can't really tell a difference. Maybe you need to get good before you notice.
 
FoldingChair

FoldingChair

Semi-Pro
Idk man i think that'd depend on the strings and tension being compared in each stick. For example if I have one phantom with full gut at 60 and another with full luxilon at 40, I'd say they feel very different. Just my two cents though...
 
F

FRV

Guest
FoldingChair said:
Idk man i think that'd depend on the strings and tension being compared in each stick. For example if I have one phantom with full gut at 60 and another with full luxilon at 40, I'd say they feel very different. Just my two cents though...
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Makes sense. I usually always go with upper-mid range for my string tensions.
 
mad dog1

mad dog1

G.O.A.T.
@FRV there’s a big difference in feel and performance between poly and non poly strings for me. There are even significant differences between different polys, different syn guts and different multis as well.
 
F

FRV

Guest
mad dog1 said:
@FRV there’s a big difference in feel and performance between poly and non poly strings for me. There are even significant differences between different polys, different syn guts and different multis as well.
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I figured I may be alone on this one.
 
milk of amnesia

milk of amnesia

Legend
FRV said:
I figured I may be alone on this one.
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You're not alone on this. To me there are two types of string: gut and everything else. I can tell the difference between gut and non-gut strings, but I can't tell the difference between synthetic gut and multi let alone the difference between various synthetics or various multis. Same with poly - it's definitely nothing like gut - but they all seem equally dead to me. Maybe string is kind of like wine in that you have to experience a lot of various types before you become attuned to the nuances of each.
 
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F

FRV

Guest
milk of amnesia said:
Maybe string is kind of like wine in that you have to experience a lot of various types before you become attuned to the nuances of each.
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That is an interesting theory. I will probably only play with cheaper multis until I find it's not working for me (if that ever happens), so I won't be able to test the theory myself.
 
Username_

Username_

Hall of Fame
Sometimes hard to tell differences between strings in the same category
e.g comparing one round poly to another

But...
It'd be hard to say you can't tell any difference between a poly and a multi for example
 
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F

FRV

Guest
Username_ said:
Sometimes hard to tell differences between strings in the same category
e.g comparing one round poly to another

But...
It'd be hard to say you can't tell any difference between a poly and a multi for example
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I once got a full bed of poly in high school and hated it because all of my shots were going long. So I noticed a difference with that one. Not with the feel, but with the outcome. But I don't notice much difference between the 4g and duramix right now. Maybe I will try to repeatedly switch between the rackets for kick serves and I will see the difference. I'm guessing the duramix will feel much nicer.
 
Username_

Username_

Hall of Fame
FRV said:
I once got a full bed of poly in high school and hated it because all of my shots were going long. So I noticed a difference with that one. Not with the feel, but with the outcome. But I don't notice much difference between the 4g and duramix right now. Maybe I will try to repeatedly switch between the rackets for kick serves and I will see the difference. I'm guessing the duramix will feel much nicer.
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Save yourself some heartache.
Stick with one before you go down the rabbit hole!
$$$$$$$
 
TagUrIt

TagUrIt

Hall of Fame
I started with Wilson Power a synthetic gut power and then Wilson Revolve a poly. Now I only string with Luxilon Alu Power. I’m sure all strings have their pros and cons. Ultimately it’s up to the player to decide what feels the best for them. I can honestly say I did notice a difference between the Wilson and Luxilon strings. The price was the first thing I noticed (j/k, not really though). The Alu Power strings seem to grab the ball a LOT better than the Wilson strings did. Slice, Topspin, Kick Serves are all apparently better with Luxilon. So I’ve never looked back after making the switch, I’m sure there is a better brand, but I’m sticking with what works for me.
 
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U

USPTARF97

Hall of Fame
Can tell the difference between them but level of play is about the same. If I hit with anything for an hour or two, as long as it is not treacherous on the arm, I can compete at the same level with same results.
 
SavvyStringer

SavvyStringer

Professional
FRV said:
All I notice is that polys go long when they're dead. That's about it. I've only played with polys, synthetic gut, multis, and poly/synthetic hybrid. Full bed poly is the only one I've had a problem with, though most recently, I've played with the Luxilon 4g successfully. Right now I have one RF97 strung with the 4g and another strung with technifibre duramix hd 1.35 and can't really tell a difference. Maybe you need to get good before you notice.
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What's your level and game style? What tension do you string them at? I can say that when I strung poly tight like top end of manufacturer recommended for frame I couldn't tell the difference between different poly. I can tell based on how the ball moves the difference in multi, syngut, and poly. My forehand and serve do fine with any string but my 1hbh seems to rely on poly to get consistent spin. It's odd. That's the only stroke that suffers for me when playing full multi or syngut.
 
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Rabbit

Rabbit

G.O.A.T.
I can tell a difference (at least I think I can). I used to think crosses didn't make that much difference. But, after getting hooked again on TiMo, I don't find anything that feels as good or works as well as it in the crosses. Do I reap all the benefits of it? No, not like a better player would, but it does enhance control and spin. The synthetic gut mains keep my arm in good humor.
 
F

FRV

Guest
SavvyStringer said:
What's your level and game style? What tension do you string them at? I can say that when I strung poly tight like top end of manufacturer recommended for frame I couldn't tell the difference between different poly. I can tell based on how the ball moves the difference in multi, syngut, and poly. My forehand and serve do fine with any string but my 1hbh seems to rely on poly to get consistent spin. It's odd. That's the only stroke that suffers for me when playing full multi or syngut.
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I'm either 3.0 or 3.5. I hit somewhat hard on my serve and forehand usually. I haven't really played matches in a while. Recently, I've just gone in for serve practice and hit against the ball machine.
 
mikeeeee

mikeeeee

Professional
I notice a very big difference with shaped poly vs smooth poly/multi filaments. I hit with a pretty aggressive brushing motion so maybe this is why, but with the smooth strings I don't feel any grip or bite on the ball and can't get the spin I need with the way my stroke is. I also notice a HUGE difference on slicing.
 
1HBHfanatic

1HBHfanatic

Legend
im starting to fell slight differences in color strings now,, but im comparing apples to apples,
im currently comparing head.lynx.lime vs head.lynx.blue, both same.tension, same.racquets
comparing 17gpoly(1.25mm) to 15gmulti(1.35mm), might be hard to tell apart.. i've never compared 2 such strings
 
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mad dog1

mad dog1

G.O.A.T.
mikeeeee said:
I notice a very big difference with shaped poly vs smooth poly/multi filaments. I hit with a pretty aggressive brushing motion so maybe this is why, but with the smooth strings I don't feel any grip or bite on the ball and can't get the spin I need with the way my stroke is. I also notice a HUGE difference on slicing.
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I have no trouble generating spin and actually prefer round polys because I find them to react more linearly and predictable. Polys like Tour Bite or Hyper G have fantastic bite but as a result my ball has a higher trajectory and occasionally find the string bed to be too grabby. I’ve found through experimentation that using a round poly like RS Lyon, Volkl V-Pro, Prince Tour XR crossed with a shaped main like Diadem, Cyclone, Tour Bite, etc works much better. Retains the fantastic spin without the unpredictable excessive grab.
 
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Dartagnan64

Dartagnan64

G.O.A.T.
I totally can tell differences and certainly my elbow can. Within a few minutes I could tell you if a setup is going to be too harsh for long term use. In addition to plush/harsh differences, I can sense ball grab and pocketing as well as spin. Within milliseconds of hitting a ball I can tell you if its going out, into the net and how much spin it has. Just like in golf where I can tell you from face impact whether i sliced, hooked or hit the ball straight.

So certainly I can tell you if a setup is poly, multi, gut or syn gut and how its affecting the ball.
 
jmacdaununder2

jmacdaununder2

Legend
milk of amnesia said:
You're not alone on this. To me there are two types of string: gut and everything else. I can tell the difference between gut and non-gut strings, but I can't tell the difference between synthetic gut and multi let alone the difference between various synthetics or various multis. Same with poly - it's definitely nothing like gut - but they all seem equally dead to me. Maybe string is kind of like wine in that you have to experience a lot of various types before you become attuned to the nuances of each.
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Many here claim that there are major differences in feel/response from one natural gut to another; but hey, this is a string forum after all; apparently not all champagnes are created equal either...
 
milk of amnesia

milk of amnesia

Legend
jmacdaununder2 said:
Many here claim that there are major differences in feel/response from one natural gut to another; but hey, this is a string forum after all; apparently not all champagnes are created equal either...
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Ha - Yes, I can tell the difference between the various guts that I have played with, but I think that is because I have played with them quite a bit and have gotten familiar with them. I only play with the other strings during summer when the humidity would snap the gut so I'm just not as used to them.

I think swing speed and stroke type factor in this as well. For example, those who have a fast swing speed and try to hit monster top spin will probably have a much easier time noticing the differences in various polys than those with other playing styles. I know too much poly will kill my arm so I'll stick with the champagne.
 
1HBHfanatic

1HBHfanatic

Legend
milk of amnesia said:
Ha - Yes, I can tell the difference between the various guts that I have played with, but I think that is because I have played with them quite a bit and have gotten familiar with them. I only play with the other strings during summer when the humidity would snap the gut so I'm just not as used to them.

I think swing speed and stroke type factor in this as well. For example, those who have a fast swing speed and try to hit monster top spin will probably have a much easier time noticing the differences in various polys than those with other playing styles. I know too much poly will kill my arm so I'll stick with the champagne.
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ive been running an experiment with 3 multis
wilson.sensation.tan 16g
wilson.sensation.plus.black 16g
head.reflex.tan 16g
all same tensions
all in similar racquets

ive been having difficulty noticing "A big", difference
its been 3 consecutive days now, with 4 hitting sessions
spin, control, power, all seem equal thus far
the only real difference im notising is the feel in comfort, but its soo small almost negligible
i notised more of a difference by now when using polys

if i did not run this test sidexsidexside , i would not be able to tell them apart

my question to you,, when you compared Nat.Gut,, did you notise "a big", difference?
 
milk of amnesia

milk of amnesia

Legend
1HBHfanatic said:
my question to you,, when you compared Nat.Gut,, did you notise "a big", difference?
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I noticed a big difference between Wilson Natural Gut and Volkl V-Icon Natural Gut (my string of choice). The Wilson is soft and mushy (I don't like it) and the Volkl is firm and crisp. You can easily tell the difference just handling these strings out of the package they are so different. Of the strings I've tried, these are two are on opposite sides of the spectrum. Babolat VS Natural Gut is not as firm as Volkl, but it is not at all mushy. I can tell the difference between it and Volkl but the difference doesn't affect my play and I really like Volkl quality so I stick with that.

Like you, I would have a hard time telling similar stings apart if I weren't testing them side by side. It's fun to try different string set-ups but right now I am taking tennis lessons and I treat the lessons as kind of a science experiment as well. I like to have the same racquet and string set-up to have some consistency. If I showed up to lessons with a different string set-up every time I don't think that would help matters. At some point, you've just got to pick something and stick with it a while.
 
Enga

Enga

Hall of Fame
I can post my subjective experience in the matter...

I noticed dramatic increase in spin with babolat polyesters, I forget which type. But only when theyre freshly strung same day. Afterwards theyre still controllable. After a week of hitting every couple days, they become somewhat "dead", harder to generate power and the spin is average. You can tell if the strings are going bad if they start to dig into each other, so they barely get any movement. Low tension is probably a good way to keep em lasting longer.

I've experimented with a lot of strings over the years but in the end I decided I like synthetic strings the best, strung at the highest tension recommended by my racket's specs. Its controllable, and depending on the brand they can be quite spinny and durable. I'm not a string breaker anyway.

I tried natural gut once but I think theyre useless in this humid environment. Freshly strung, didnt feel special. They felt stiff if anything and frayed very quickly. Definitely not worth the price, especially if they sit there on a shelf in humid weather for who knows how long.
 
T

TennisCJC

Legend
I can sense the difference by string type meaning co-polys feel very different that nylon/multi-filaments. But, the difference in most co-polys is very subtle and most multi-filaments is also very subtle. I use 16G Technifibre NRG2 or Multifeel, or LaserFibre Supreme almost interchangeably in the mains with 16G Kirschbaum Max Power co-poly in the crosses. All the multies are good. As far a feel and play characteristics, the multis are very similar and I am not sure I could detect the difference in a blind play test. But, if you strung it with all co-poly or all multi instead of my usual hybrid, there is a difference in feel. I just demo-ed a few records with all multi setup and there is a difference - all multi is a bit softer and livelier and a little less spin/control. I imagine if you took the stiffest co-poly and tested it against the softest co-poly, the difference would be noticeable but I tend to play with co-poly that are similar and multis that are similar.
 
ByeByePoly

ByeByePoly

G.O.A.T.
Dartagnan64 said:
I totally can tell differences and certainly my elbow can. Within a few minutes I could tell you if a setup is going to be too harsh for long term use. In addition to plush/harsh differences, I can sense ball grab and pocketing as well as spin. Within milliseconds of hitting a ball I can tell you if its going out, into the net and how much spin it has. Just like in golf where I can tell you from face impact whether i sliced, hooked or hit the ball straight.

So certainly I can tell you if a setup is poly, multi, gut or syn gut and how its affecting the ball.
Click to expand...

My elbow can tell you brand, string including color, gauge, tension, temp and humidity.
 
n8dawg6

n8dawg6

Legend
mad dog1 said:
the string bed to be too grabby.
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ive seen this mentioned a number of times and i gotta admit, ive never personally had a problem with it. the grabbier the better it seems ... it emboldens me to swing out and hit deeper with more spin
 
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