String Overload

Hi, I've recently taken up tennis (about two months), and even more recently acquired a Head Youtek Speed MP 18x20 after demoing quite a few. I bought it used and it came with ALU Rough originally strung at 58lbs. I have no idea how long that has been on there, though, and from what I've gleaned from these forums if it has been awhile, the tension isn't around there anymore. Nevertheless, I've played about 10-12 hrs since I got the racquet, and I'm finding I have a propensity to hit it long. In my two months I've learned that I find little more rewarding that smacking it as hard as I can from the baseline, so that could be some of my issue. I didn't have this issue as much with my cheapo wal-mart racquet though. I am willing to come in so I would categorize myself as a Baseline-Basher/ All-courter. Definitely not a S/Ver. So my question is whether this is an appropriate string for me, and I just need more time to get better and get used to the racquet, or would there be something more appropriate. As a broke college student, I would like something with decent durability. I've also read that this string can be tough on your elbow? My wal-mart racquet was already making my arm hurt, and while I haven't had any issues with the new set up yet, I'm a little paranoid about tennis elbow. I've been eying the Gaucho natural gut thread pretty closely, is that something to consider. I live in Tuscaloosa, AL so its pretty hot with high humidity, though it has been cooling down. Finally, I hit with a semi-western forehand with moderate topspin and an atrocious one handed backhand. While I have sifted through these forums pretty thoroughly, sensory overload and conflicting information led me to go ahead and make this post. Any help in what strings I should consider would be appreciated.

i have a 5.5-6.0 friend with that racquet, and he strings it with rough and PSGD. not to expensive, good for you arm, and fairly good durability, if you want something soft try Kirschbaum Pro-Line II, one of the best strings on the market in all categorys and its soft AND its cheaper than LUX.

Have you considered purchasing a stringing machine? You can get one for about 160 or so, and can earn that back in no time flat. It would also help you in that you can keep your racket freshly strung with what you need.

The information you gave is interesting. As a baseliner that likes to smack the ball, you're best suited for fresh polyester, or a fresh polyester hybrid. As somebody that's worried about tennis elbow, you should be looking at multis. As a person with little acess to stringing/needing a string that will last for a long time, you should be looking at natural gut.

I would recommend that you string the racket up with a natural gut, 16g (to increase string life) and string it at a higher tension (for more "smackability), around 60+. It sounds that you've been looking through the Gaucho gut section, and from what I've read, it seems like a pretty good option for you. Well coated, reasonably cheap (compared to other natural guts), and able to handle higher tensions. The biggest problem with the gut is the heat (although, from I remember from living in Utah... it was a dryer heat... guess things have changed). High humidity and high heat kill gut, so make sure to store your rackets in more temperate conditions. Also, make sure the racket isn't sitting in your car for too long. A bag with thermogard would be a good idea to keep the strings nice and fresh for a while.

murrmanfan13 said:

i have a 5.5-6.0 friend with that racquet, and he strings it with rough and PSGD. not to expensive, good for you arm, and fairly good durability, if you want something soft try Kirschbaum Pro-Line II, one of the best strings on the market in all categorys and its soft AND its cheaper than LUX.

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I politely disagree. While poly hybrids are relatively durable, they're horrible for your arm health after the polyester goes dead. From what the OP has said, I do not believe that he will be stringing on a monthly, or even bimonthly basis. I also disagree that the setup is all that soft- polyester hybrids, by nature, are not soft setups.

I'm going to disagree with the natural gut recommendation because (1) the OP just started playing tennis 2 months ago, (2) is a self-proclaimed broke college student, and (3) living in a hot and humid climate.

I would suggest going with simple 16 gauge synthetic gut. Strings will make so little difference to you right now. Save your money for lessons and court time.

Well, I may be going overboard, but isn't a Speed too much of a racquet for two months of tennis..? May that's part of the problem.

i must have missed the bi-monthly part. for me Kirschbaum does not hurt my arm when its dead, and i have arm problems. put it with a nice cheap multi like pro supex, or a soft string. you dont want your bed to be mush, so you might need something crisp. in my opinion, if you have trouble with poly/multi, try a full multi. the durability might not be superb, but it should last.

mad_dr said:

Well, I may be going overboard, but isn't a Speed too much of a racquet for two months of tennis..? May that's part of the problem.

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Hopefully not. Out of the ones I was able to demo, I preferred it, I was told the ranking recommendations were secondary to what you preferred. I've been playing well with it, just was curious if this string was best. I'll look into some of these suggestions. Thanks for the input guys, if anyone has any more, feel free to post it.

goran_ace said:

I'm going to disagree with the natural gut recommendation because (1) the OP just started playing tennis 2 months ago, (2) is a self-proclaimed broke college student, and (3) living in a hot and humid climate.

I would suggest going with simple 16 gauge synthetic gut. Strings will make so little difference to you right now. Save your money for lessons and court time.

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I agree with reasons 3, but disagree with the other 2.

He just started playing tennis... and he should probably experience the softest stuff out there if he's worried about elbow safety.

And natural gut lasts a LONG time, if it's properly taken care of. Since he just started, he's very unlikely to be breaking too many strings, which makes natural gut a pretty decent option.

string and tension?

meowmix said:

Have you considered purchasing a stringing machine? You can get one for about 160 or so, and can earn that back in no time flat. It would also help you in that you can keep your racket freshly strung with what you need.

The information you gave is interesting. As a baseliner that likes to smack the ball, you're best suited for fresh polyester, or a fresh polyester hybrid. As somebody that's worried about tennis elbow, you should be looking at multis. As a person with little acess to stringing/needing a string that will last for a long time, you should be looking at natural gut.

I would recommend that you string the racket up with a natural gut, 16g (to increase string life) and string it at a higher tension (for more "smackability), around 60+. It sounds that you've been looking through the Gaucho gut section, and from what I've read, it seems like a pretty good option for you. Well coated, reasonably cheap (compared to other natural guts), and able to handle higher tensions. The biggest problem with the gut is the heat (although, from I remember from living in Utah... it was a dryer heat... guess things have changed). High humidity and high heat kill gut, so make sure to store your rackets in more temperate conditions. Also, make sure the racket isn't sitting in your car for too long. A bag with thermogard would be a good idea to keep the strings nice and fresh for a while.

Click to expand...

I disagree on the tension. the range is 52-62 and with a very stiff racquet, 60+this will make it too harsh. Gut is good but any high quality multi is also good and string it below mid point or less like 53-55.