Low, low tensions. 30lbs feels great. 20lbs pretty good, too

ender666

New User
I want to try the low tension poly experiment on one of my sticks (KPS88 or K90).

I'm thinking Luxilon Big Banger Ace 18g mains @ 38 lbs, and Gamma Professional 18g crosses @ 48 lbs.

I can get Gamma Pro for $10/set (contact on the bay). RSI gave Big Ace stiffness rating of 232 (about avg for poly), and Gamma Pro 18g 144...very low, almost as soft as natural gut.

http://www.racquetsportsindustry.com...llstrings.html

My questions are:

1) how much tighter can I string the crosses without risking damage/warping of the racquet? 10 lbs? 12 lbs?

2) how would a stringbed with crosses this much tighter play like?

Thanks!
 

dadozen

Hall of Fame
Just tried Hyperion 1.18 x Scorpion 1.22 @ 43lbs in one of my 4D100s. Although the sound was strange, it played very well. I even dare to say that it performed better than VS/Scorpion @ 52/49.

Poly really shines @ low tensions. That's amazing how it plays. Power, spin, control, all was there. Even the feel improved.

I'll test VS/Scorpion @ 48/44, but I'm planning to move on and go back using full poly so I don't have to spend that much money with gut:D
 

naturallight

Semi-Pro
I've been trying out my new low tension poly setup (Cyberflash mains at 34, MSV Evo Hex cross at 36 on an APDC), including playing a match. Here are some thoughts:

- from the baseline, the increase in power is certainly noticeable, especially on low swing speed shots (a little trampoline effect). While topspin potential is slightly better, I would say overall control is a little worse off. Just really need to drive the ball and keep the swing speed up, even on tough shots. Slice backhands are better, more cut.

- serves are definitely better, more power, more spin. A little inconsistent now but probably just need some more practice.

- volleys are actually decent, the key is just to literally not swing at all and let the racquet do the work.

- more comfortable than my previous poly/multi hybrid, which surprised me.

- overall I think I like it better, it feels like it's made the sweet spot a little bigger, which makes the game more fun.

One final question: I'm out of my previous poly sets/reels, and I was thinking about trying either Head Sonic Pro or Kirsh Pro Line II at these low tensions. Any recs? thanks
 

JT_2eighty

Hall of Fame
Just tried Hyperion 1.18 x Scorpion 1.22 @ 43lbs in one of my 4D100s. Although the sound was strange, it played very well. I even dare to say that it performed better than VS/Scorpion @ 52/49.

Poly really shines @ low tensions. That's amazing how it plays. Power, spin, control, all was there. Even the feel improved.

I'll test VS/Scorpion @ 48/44, but I'm planning to move on and go back using full poly so I don't have to spend that much money with gut:D

Yea man, now you see why I switched from gut/poly 52/48, to full poly-43... :D

Very similar in terms of comfort and control, but a lil less power, & the spin is same if not better... really many things are eerily similar--without the cost of gut. Plus you can restring once the strings die without feeling guilty of cutting out nice gut due to dead poly.

I've tried some polys at 28 lbs and 36 lbs... for me, mid-40s is where it's at. The 28-lb was ok for fun and big spin, but return of serve is terrible, slices are tough, and flat put-aways are like rolling the dice... too unpredictable.

43-fresh Energy is very nice, but control dies suddenly around 4-5 hours (which honestly is good enough for me!)
43-fresh Scorpion is nice, and settles in better as it goes. At 4 hours it is perfect for me, so I'm hoping to get 8-10 hours out of it? Maybe that's ambitious, will see.
46-fresh Energy is my next trial. First hour is great, hoping it doesn't dive off a cliff as soon as the 43 setup does, but even if not, it's a cheap string.

Hyperion/Scorpion sounds great... I'm thinking of trying a few poly hybrids now, with Energy crosses... Tornado/Energy... BHBR/Energy... hmmm

:)
 
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mikeler

Moderator
Yea man, now you see why I switched from gut/poly 52/48, to full poly-43... :D

Very similar in terms of comfort and control, but the spin is same if not better... really many things are eerily similar--without the cost of gut. Plus you can restring once the strings die without feeling guilty of cutting out nice gut due to dead poly.

I've tried some polys at 28 lbs and 36 lbs... for me, mid-40s is where it's at. The 28-lb was ok for fun and big spin, but return of serve is terrible, slices are tough, and flat put-aways are like rolling the dice... too unpredictable.

43-fresh Energy is very nice, but control dies suddenly around 4-5 hours (which honestly is good enough for me!)
43-fresh Scorpion is nice, and settles in better as it goes. At 4 hours it is perfect for me, so I'm hoping to get 8-10 hours out of it? Maybe that's ambitious, will see.
46-fresh Energy is my next trial. First hour is great, hoping it doesn't dive off a cliff as soon as the 43 setup does, but even if not, it's a cheap string.

Hyperion/Scorpion sounds great... I'm thinking of trying a few poly hybrids now, with Energy crosses... Tornado/Energy... BHBR/Energy... hmmm

:)


Good info JT. I'm thinking of trying Polystar Energy 17 at 45 pounds on my next attempt.
 

CDestroyer

Professional
For playing matches I prefer maximum control. I have tried 30, 40, 50, 55, 60 and 62 pounds. My favorite tension is 62 pounds. It lasts about 4 matches.
 

Boricua

Hall of Fame
So, if I string RPM Blast at 50 and tension in the 30s is ok, when does the RPM become useless? This is, it seems I have 15-18 pounds of decrease in tension to work with. Am I understanding correctly?:)
 

Sublime

Semi-Pro
It's more the resiliency (how fast it snaps back into place) that fades with poly that makes it useless. Freshly strung 30lbs - Freshly strung 60lbs+ is great. But 10hr old 50lbs is worlds different.
 

Boricua

Hall of Fame
It's more the resiliency (how fast it snaps back into place) that fades with poly that makes it useless. Freshly strung 30lbs - Freshly strung 60lbs+ is great. But 10hr old 50lbs is worlds different.

So the point is that no matter the tension, as time passes, the poly string will become dead?

That is maybe 8-10 hours tops and if I use gut as a hybrid I will have to cut it out after the 10 hour mark approximately when the poly dies?
Seems expensive if this is so.:)

What is fresh poly for you, how many hours? I know that it depends on the poly, for ex., Energy and Poly Plasma hold tension pretty differently, but give me an approximate.

Is it what I am thinking, the best deal is buying not so expensive, good polys and string every 6-8 hours so they are fresh like daisies? Am I in the right track or in the wrong train?:)
 

JT_2eighty

Hall of Fame


Is it what I am thinking, the best deal is buying not so expensive, good polys and string every 6-8 hours so they are fresh like daisies? Am I in the right track or in the wrong train?:)

That's on track for sure. For me, it was Energy at under $90 a reel, so I can string up a fresh one every few matches.

If you don't string your own, then a string like Signum Pro or Weisscannon that are better known for holding tension may be a better choice, as you may get a playable 10-15 hours. Even so, once you get used to the feel of fresh poly, it is hard to play with used up poly even on these good ones.
 

Carolina Racquet

Professional
If you like poly strings... the most recent threads really make a case for getting a personal stringer. Pays for itself quickly and you can always have the fresh feel if you want.
 

muas1

New User
After recently reading this thread all the way through, curiosity has gotten the best of me. I've sent my PK Redondo 98 18x20 in to be strung with Polyfibre Black Venom 1.25 @ 37lbs. Although this string seems to have gotten decent reviews for tension maintenance I'm still a little apprehensive of the trampoline effect given it's a fairly soft poly and has at least average power. I seem to fit the profile of players doing well with low tension given my heavy topspin ground-strokes, dense string pattern and flexible racquet but I'm going for a comfortable setup as my arm can't take a full bed of poly at normal tensions. Guess I can only wait to see if I'll be launching balls into the back of the fence or not.
 

Fuji

Legend
After recently reading this thread all the way through, curiosity has gotten the best of me. I've sent my PK Redondo 98 18x20 in to be strung with Polyfibre Black Venom 1.25 @ 37lbs. Although this string seems to have gotten decent reviews for tension maintenance I'm still a little apprehensive of the trampoline effect given it's a fairly soft poly and has at least average power. I seem to fit the profile of players doing well with low tension given my heavy topspin ground-strokes, dense string pattern and flexible racquet but I'm going for a comfortable setup as my arm can't take a full bed of poly at normal tensions. Guess I can only wait to see if I'll be launching balls into the back of the fence or not.

I play with PF Black venom at 45lbs right now and it feels wonderful in my 88. I highly recommend the string! :)

-Fuji
 

Devilito

Hall of Fame
i strung Black Code in my kps88 at 40lbs and it felt just right. Maybe a little tight initially but it softened up. Strung 40lbs in my PS85 OMFG i had to cut it out. Going to string it up against at 30lbs. I couldn't believe how tight it was. I mean i have no issue with others stringing this stuff tight but honestly, i have no clue how you guys do it. Some of you stringing at 50lbs-60lbs it really blows my mind and hurts my arm to even think about it. I'm almost at the point of just hand pulling my poly.
 

travlerajm

Talk Tennis Guru
Tried Hyperion in the 40s on my leaded-up O3 Red.

I hated it. I felt like I couldn't get any control on my 2hb. Topspin forehand was ok, with good spin. But the ball seem to come off my stringbed unpredictably on my 2hb -- sometimes sliding across the stringbed, sometimes not. I was not sure what angle the ball was going to launch off my stringbed with that shot.

I had tried 45 lbs with optic nerve on my diablo mid. That was much better.

My favorite setup is still Ashaway/Kevlar mains with Tournament Poly crosses. I usually use this in the mid 50s on my O3 Red. So maybe the Hyperion just needed to be tighter?

Question: has any noticed longer stringbed playability when prestretching the poly?
 

PBODY99

Legend
To the port users....

Traveljam, I up the cross tension by 2 kgs in my full poly Speedport Golds(21?/23). It seems to stop the sliding around you mentioned. You might give it a try as the ports do allow for more string movement and I now string all Prince frames with ports at 3 & 9 this way. It also has gotten favorable feedback from the two Wilson Rollers players I string for.
 

weksa

Rookie
Currently playing Isospeed Baseline 17L / Gosen OGSM 17 at 44/48 lbs on my Youtek Prestige Pro.

I didn't like it at first. My previous setup was same strings at 52/56 lbs, so it's quite a drop down to 44/48. However, after two practice sessions I've adjusted my strokes and it's decent. Need to see how it handles volleys.
 

Devilito

Hall of Fame
down to Black Code at 30 lbs in a Prostaff 85. Feels great. Thinking of giving a twist poly a shot. ALU Rough? or something else?
 

dozu

Banned
seems it's quite head-size dependent. (prolly true for any string, not just polys).

39lbs feels great on the 93in Volkl DNX mid, but control is fading a little on a 95in Head MGPP.

string is Scorpion 1.22
 

dozu

Banned
Just tried Hyperion 1.18 x Scorpion 1.22 @ 43lbs in one of my 4D100s. Although the sound was strange, it played very well. I even dare to say that it performed better than VS/Scorpion @ 52/49.

Poly really shines @ low tensions. That's amazing how it plays. Power, spin, control, all was there. Even the feel improved.

I'll test VS/Scorpion @ 48/44, but I'm planning to move on and go back using full poly so I don't have to spend that much money with gut:D

seems the 30's tension does go well with a small head like the 4D100 has.
 

nickarnold2000

Hall of Fame
I can get away with 35 mains for 2 hours but then the tension drops too much and against heavy hitters I need more control.
It would be great to have 5-7 freshly strung sticks(of different tensions) every match but until that happens I'm headed to mid to high 40s mains.
 

Macedo

Rookie
Lower tensions don't affect the feel when hitting the ball? Since I'm lowing the tension, I reached to 19kg, in this last jobs I felt that the poly was too stiff and was forced to hit flat shots to the ball gain speed. I play with a lot of spin, but at this tension I can't spin the ball at all
 

dozu

Banned
no idea how people play with low tension polys.

ball hits at the upper hoop, feels like it just falls into a black hole... there is NO response from the string bed, and the ball goes barely forward and drops 5 feet in front of me.
 

Devilito

Hall of Fame
no idea how people play with low tension polys.

ball hits at the upper hoop, feels like it just falls into a black hole... there is NO response from the string bed, and the ball goes barely forward and drops 5 feet in front of me.

idk but atm im using my Pure Drive with Black Code at 42 lbs. Feels great, plenty of control and hits a heavy ball. Volleys and serve are both great.
 

steve260z

Rookie
I tried my Dunlop 300AG at 37/40 with Polystar Energy. Flat balls are impossible to keep in the court. Stuck with just hitting heavy topspin or heavy slice......
 

SoBad

G.O.A.T.
After over a year of Focus Hex @60# and much experimentation with 55 and 50, I have made a strategic decision to transition to 50# for the foreseeable future. It is an important step in my life and I appreciate everyone's support in advance.
 

tampa_edski

New User
After over a year of Focus Hex @60# and much experimentation with 55 and 50, I have made a strategic decision to transition to 50# for the foreseeable future. It is an important step in my life and I appreciate everyone's support in advance.

58# felt great for an old Prince I kept going back to (nylon synth gut) but I got tennis elbow for the first time playing tennis (got it once from using a computer mouse...). I've got it at 50# with poly's (lux BB alu), and I love it.

In fact, I have not hit for almost 2 weeks, and my elbow HURTS because I have to use a f******* computer and mouse, and I have not had the soothing thump of a forehand smash off my K6.1 95 (the other poly strung stick - 54# allegedly)...gonna have to smash the racquet on a dog.

dang - gotta feed the hounds.... :confused:
 

SoBad

G.O.A.T.
58# felt great for an old Prince I kept going back to (nylon synth gut) but I got tennis elbow for the first time playing tennis (got it once from using a computer mouse...). I've got it at 50# with poly's (lux BB alu), and I love it.

In fact, I have not hit for almost 2 weeks, and my elbow HURTS because I have to use a f******* computer and mouse, and I have not had the soothing thump of a forehand smash off my K6.1 95 (the other poly strung stick - 54# allegedly)...gonna have to smash the racquet on a dog.

dang - gotta feed the hounds.... :confused:

You know you don't have to use the mouse much at all - I suggest you look into hotkeys and shortcuts. I barely ever use the mousepad.
 

Up&comer

Hall of Fame
what was so terrible about it at the baseline?

I felt I had very little directional control. It wasn't necessarily high powered, but it just felt...weird. And not in a good way. Gave it about 45 minutes.
 
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6-2/6-4/6-0

Semi-Pro
What about on a Dunlop Max 300i

I'm getting very intrigued by the low-tension possibility. The thing for me is that I play with old-school racquets (Dunlop Max 300i and 200g) - I ready that someone tried this earlier and that he didin't like the results in his 200g, but I'm thinking of giving it a whirl in a 300i I need to restring.

I like 17g strings with the small head and dense pattern. I usually use gut (VS Team) or a gut-like synthetic - something with great liveliness at about 55lbs. I live at altitude (5430 ft.) and have longer, fluid strokes with very moderate grips and while I can certainly hit with some solid spin, I rarely hit looping heavy spin shots (not so easy to do at altitude). I like to get up to the net, but if I have to stay back I can hold my own from the baseline until I get my opening.

What would you suggest? Something in the low 30lb range? Thinking about maybe something like a Poly main and a Rip Control cross? Would there be a benefit to going up to the 16g cross for durability considering how much the stings are likely to move around? This is a whole new world for me and I'm looking for some sage advice if there is any to be had.

Thanks.
 

6-2/6-4/6-0

Semi-Pro
Alright, thinking about 32lbs and going with Black Code 17 on the 300i. Is it too soft of a string, or do you think it will compliment the soft racquet well?
 

Devilito

Hall of Fame
Alright, thinking about 32lbs and going with Black Code 17 on the 300i. Is it too soft of a string, or do you think it will compliment the soft racquet well?

black code is actually a stiff string compared to a lot of new poly out now. It's comfortable but it's stiff and plays well at low tensions. I’d say it’s one of the better strings to try using at low tensions.
 

OldButGame

Hall of Fame
I just got my PSL back strung w/ Blackcode (18 at 50lbs,..and the dang thing felt like a board!!!!....Think You're right about lower for Blackcode...:neutral:
 

Bartelby

Bionic Poster
I haven't strung a multi low, but there seems less power in a poly strung at 45 than a multi strung at 55 or above.
 

6-2/6-4/6-0

Semi-Pro
Considering the (lack of) stiffness of the 300i and the small head size, would you suggest going a bit lower - like 28 instead of 32?
 

Birdinhio

New User
just wondering before i commit to getting my yonex rdis100 mp strung at 32lbs, is having a low tension detrimental to the frame? cause obviously the last thing i want to do is crack a frame experimenting with a lower tension... anyone had problems like this with a lower tension??
 

tampa_edski

New User
You know you don't have to use the mouse much at all - I suggest you look into hotkeys and shortcuts. I barely ever use the mousepad.

I know/use a lot of the shortcut keys...but my IT dept keeps screwing with the setting of the Citrix crap I have to play in, so there is some mouse work needed. I also wrote a few tools that have the flaw of having some "mouse only" moments...
 

SoBad

G.O.A.T.
I know/use a lot of the shortcut keys...but my IT dept keeps screwing with the setting of the Citrix crap I have to play in, so there is some mouse work needed. I also wrote a few tools that have the flaw of having some "mouse only" moments...

Why did you do that? Can you answer me this question? Why do you people do things like that? I was sympathetic initially about your injury, but I am no longer sure what to make of the situation. There's more money in doing your best to design good products than squeezing a few pennies by creating broad-based misery.

Back to the thread subject, I did start experimenting with tensions with an open mind very recently, and here's what I found (97in 18x20 copolies here). My usual tension is 60lb and I tried 50lb and actually liked it, but it went dead (string movement) much faster than the 60lb. So whatever.
 

TonyB

Hall of Fame
Just got back from a hitting session with a freshly strung Vantage 90, strung with Polystar Energy at 30 lb.

First impressions were good, but it took about 15-20 minutes to really get dialed in. The power level was generous, but the spin was awesome. Kick serves were jumping over my hitting partner's head, and he's 6'2" tall (I'm 5'6"). I've never been able to do that before with any racquet or string combination.

My hitting partner commented that he was "always late" on the ball because of the spin. I could see the ball just jumping off the court. It was easily noticeable. And the balls had pace on them, too. I hit several clean winners from really deep behind my own baseline. Honestly, I felt like if I wanted to end the point at any time during a rally, I could just give the ball some extra whippy topspin and hit it deep to the center of the court to force an error. The amount of power and spin generated with this setup was really something to behold. I could even get balls to land on the service line and still jump up with enough height and pace to hit the back fence.

On the touch side of things, I tried 3 drop shots tonight and 2 of them were absolutely perfect. The third hit the tape. Oh well. I guess my point is that the touch and feel aspect of this stringbed is pretty darn good. I actually felt really well connected to the ball. Volleys were solid, but I need a bit more time to get my timing adjusted to get the most out of them.

When stretched out wide on the run, I was still able to get a good amount of power on the ball with my 1HBH slice, with most of them floating deep to my opponent's baseline. And once again, the control was still there. I didn't feel like the ball was out of control at any moment, really. Slices were good, but I've hit better ones with plain old synthetic gut. Still, they were decent.

I hit for about 2 hours and it seemed like the strings loosened up even further at the end of the session. I'm not sure how long these will last before they become unplayable due to tension loss. But for now, they seem really nice and I'm looking forward to spending more time with this combination. I really have no complaints at all. My wrist feels good, I have no elbow pain. All in all a very good experience.
 
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DeShaun

Banned
Just got back from a hitting session with a freshly strung Vantage 90, strung with Polystar Energy at 30 lb.

First impressions were good, but it took about 15-20 minutes to really get dialed in. The power level was generous, but the spin was awesome. Kick serves were jumping over my hitting partner's head, and he's 6'2" tall (I'm 5'6"). I've never been able to do that before with any racquet or string combination.

My hitting partner commented that he was "always late" on the ball because of the spin. I could see the ball just jumping off the court. It was easily noticeable. And the balls had pace on them, too. I hit several clean winners from really deep behind my own baseline. Honestly, I felt like if I wanted to end the point at any time during a rally, I could just give the ball some extra whippy topspin and hit it deep to the center of the court to force an error. The amount of power and spin generated with this setup was really something to behold. I could even get balls to land on the service line and still jump up with enough height and pace to hit the back fence.

On the touch side of things, I tried 3 drop shots tonight and 2 of them were absolutely perfect. The third hit the tape. Oh well. I guess my point is that the touch and feel aspect of this stringbed is pretty darn good. I actually felt really well connected to the ball. Volleys were solid, but I need a bit more time to get my timing adjusted to get the most out of them.

When stretched out wide on the run, I was still able to get a good amount of power on the ball with my 1HBH slice, with most of them floating deep to my opponent's baseline. And once again, the control was still there. I didn't feel like the ball was out of control at any moment, really. Slices were good, but I've hit better ones with plain old synthetic gut. Still, they were decent.

I hit for about 2 hours and it seemed like the strings loosened up even further at the end of the session. I'm not sure how long these will last before they become unplayable due to tension loss. But for now, they seem really nice and I'm looking forward to spending more time with this combination. I really have no complaints at all. My wrist feels good, I have no elbow pain. All in all a very good experience.

I hear you regarding the kick serves. It's comical how much spin they have from poly around 30#. Thy are downright nasty and one's service game seems to jump a couple levels with this setup.
 

TonyB

Hall of Fame
Played again with my Vantage 90 and the Polystar Energy at 30 lb. Definitely seems to have lost a bit of tension from yesterday. Didn't quite have the outrageous spin that I had yesterday, either. Maybe next time I'll go up a couple pounds in tension.

Volleys were nice, serves felt comfortable. All in all, another good experience. But still not perfect. Maybe another type of poly and slightly different tension will improve things a bit. But I'm being picky. Overall, the setup is outstanding.
 

GlenK

Professional
I tried PS Energy and it felt great for a couple hours. It DOES lose tension very quickly. Losing tension quickly from 30lbs is not a good sign.
 

TonyB

Hall of Fame
I tried PS Energy and it felt great for a couple hours. It DOES lose tension very quickly. Losing tension quickly from 30lbs is not a good sign.


Any suggestions for a similar poly that retains tension better? I like the comfort, power, and spin of the PS Energy. And at $5 + change per string job from a reel, it's pretty cheap. But if I could avoid restringing so frequently, that would be worth a slightly higher price.
 

GlenK

Professional
I ended up liking B5E and Scorpion better. The tension maintenance for both was considerably better. I tried full bed on each of these and liked them both. My goal was a bit different though because I was looking for a cross for VS Gut. I will use Scorpion as my cross once my supply of Supersense runs out..
 

Birdinhio

New User
just got my yonex rdis 100 mp strung at 34lbs with rpm blast on mains and prince exo3 glory on crosses, should be getting it back tomorrow, can't wait!! :)
 

asekaran

New User
How is stringing kevlar at around 20-30? Always wanted to give it a whirl, but worried about the arm issues that are always associated with it.
 
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