Diary of a Racketaholic

klementine · Mar 5, 2015

Oh, and I remember restringing the 2nd MgPresM+ with the leftover gut and POSG, but not the usual 2lbs. lower on the crosses as in the first one, I strung the gut mains 2lbs. higher than the crosses and it really helped once the bed dropped tension. More responsive set-up. Think I went 58/56, can't remember. Of course, the hoop of the Graphiend is prolly more responsive than the Mg anyways.

mikeler · Mar 5, 2015

klementine said:
^ Mikeler,

I'd really love to hear your impressions and pros/cons, after what a year now?, of using an ESP frame.

I had a brief stint with the 100T ESP, but had to let it go. I can't jive with full-poly anything, not because of the stiffness, but due to restringing and hybrid setups just went to mush in like 20 minutes.

Still browse the specs and think, maybe I could make it work, maybe string at tensions that I'm not used to, like 60+lbs., and go for the model that's port-less?

I enjoyed it so much on serve and net, effortless. Yet was way outside my comfort zone on groundies.

EDIT: Never mind, just scrolled down to see you original esp thread, done a good job keeping it updated.

Instead of getting technical, let me just say this. I'm playing the best tennis of my life in 2015.

klementine · Mar 5, 2015

^ Quite a statement!

That frame is just automatic on serve, and if you can hold your serve and figure out the ground game little by little, I can see how it rings true.

mikeler · Mar 5, 2015

klementine said:
^ Quite a statement!

That frame is just automatic on serve, and if you can hold your serve and figure out the ground game little by little, I can see how it rings true.

The little extra kick on the 2nd serve really causes a lot of misses for the aggressive returners. They still get their winners but as long as the error count is higher, than they can rip away all they want.

Power Player · Mar 5, 2015

klementine said:
Oh, and I remember restringing the 2nd MgPresM+ with the leftover gut and POSG, but not the usual 2lbs. lower on the crosses as in the first one, I strung the gut mains 2lbs. higher than the crosses and it really helped once the bed dropped tension. More responsive set-up. Think I went 58/56, can't remember. Of course, the hoop of the Graphiend is prolly more responsive than the Mg anyways.

Ok, this is interesting. I am noticing that I am having a mental struggle that I need to get out of. I am hitting either too soft or too hard. The good news is that I am controlling my shots better, playing under more control and setting up points.

Just interested if I can come out and play a little more medium pace style if I use the gut. The main reason I'd try it is for comfort. I am exercising A LOT right now, and I think I'm losing some matches now simply due to mental and physical fatigue. Im totally fine with that because it will take me 2-3 months to turn the corner into elite fitness. The crossfit workouts are very demanding. For example, I did around 500 jump rope, 70 box jumps and pushups and then 200 sit-ups of the span of 35 minutes on Tuesday. Its kind of crazy when you look at the board and see what you did after. But I am going and playing matches the next day, and it's tough.

But I also am struggling to feel the ball confidently with any frame at times. So I either swing out or decelerate at contact. I need to lock in that perfect medium pace deep ball and I think Im off to the races.

Interested if gut mains can help me with that and relieve my joints a little. Last time I tried full multi, it was a total fail, but I am retooling my game a little bit and not swinging so hard anymore.

JGads · Mar 5, 2015

Also on this episode of Stringing Graphenia, the shoulder feels so much better today as opposed to how it felt in the days after my previous hits. So, I think it's the Tour Bite mains that were bugging it. Stinks because of how much I love that string, but looks like I have to go away from it. Unless it was the other sticks that were bugging it - because unlike previous hits, yesterday I hit with only the Graphene - but that Grandpa Dunlop is built for comfort and the 7G is the 7G, so it must have been the TB mains. (this was the standard version, not soft, so a pretty firm string).

Also, PP, just a random note. I keep feeling like with polyester in the Graphene, I feel the ball so much better without a dampener. A damp mutes it to make it feel a bit more comfy, but when I remove the damp, I feel like I can feel precisely where the ball is within the stringbed on contact, while with the dampener, it makes the bed feel more 'numb' and I sort of lose the ball slightly. Oddly enough, yesterday with full synthetic gut, it was the opposite. There was an uncomfy rattle without a dampener, and then with dampener, it made it into a pillow feeling stringbed where I could really feel the 'pocket' on contact even better than without the dampener.

The Graphene can be an interesting, tricky little thing.

Redheads. Whaddayagonnado.

el sergento · Mar 5, 2015

Gads, a single hit with Tourbite in a dense 18X20 stick gave me a nasty case of TE that I haven't managed to fully shake. And that was over a year ago! So yeah, be kind to that shoulder and keep things nice and soft in the tight patterned Red.

Power Player · Mar 5, 2015

Gads great point. And trying to get off poly is a preemptive strike by me. I have nagging shoulder pain that is not that bad, but I am sure poly is not going to help out with. It is really a result of all the usage I am doing, the lifting..etc. Not really frame or even tennis related luckily. Ive been stretching and doing lacrosse ball therapy and it's going away, so that is good.

The problem is that I am so used to poly mains that I am hoping I can adjust. I do love gut and just stringing gut mains and not blowing an entire set per racquet plus adding poly crosses makes this setup a little more affordable.

Thinking 58/56 could be a rather nice tension. I am not sure though because I need to really develop confidence in my medium paced shot.

I will say that have alternated now between all my frames in match situation and the Prestige is still my favorite. The Tec is darn close, but not as easy to use. The Prestige just feels perfect in hand, gives me the control I need and the rest of this stuff is on me.

In other words, I am probably going to buy another one and string with gut mains. I will try to go away from poly if at all possible and just rotate two frames for a while. A lot easier to do with 18x20 frames.

Gut and syn gut in this racquet HAS to just be incredible. I can't imagine a better feeling setup. Now can I win matches with it? Well, I can't get any worse in that department, so I'm hoping the answer is yes.

JGads · Mar 5, 2015

el sergento said:
Gads, a single hit with Tourbite in a dense 18X20 stick gave me a nasty case of TE that I haven't managed to fully shake. And that was over a year ago! So yeah, be kind to that shoulder and keep things nice and soft in the tight patterned Red.

Noted, thanks.

Tour Bite had never been a bother to my arm before, most especially the soft version, but I can't afford to chance things in my continued getting-back to full bore. Even the slightest soreness in the shoulder gets me nervous. Thinking I'll go with Silverstring/syngut when this current stringbed snaps. Hoping the silver string is a soft-enough alternative when matched with the syn gut. I badly want to stick with poly mains if possible, but to keep things crisp feeling.

Keep Flex-bar-ing it for that elbow.

JGads · Mar 5, 2015

Power Player said:
Gads great point. And trying to get off poly is a preemptive strike by me. I have nagging shoulder pain that is not that bad, but I am sure poly is not going to help out with. It is really a result of all the usage I am doing, the lifting..etc. Not really frame or even tennis related luckily. Ive been stretching and doing lacrosse ball therapy and it's going away, so that is good.

The problem is that I am so used to poly mains that I am hoping I can adjust. I do love gut and just stringing gut mains and not blowing an entire set per racquet plus adding poly crosses makes this setup a little more affordable.

Thinking 58/56 could be a rather nice tension. I am not sure though because I need to really develop confidence in my medium paced shot.

I will say that have alternated now between all my frames in match situation and the Prestige is still my favorite. The Tec is darn close, but not as easy to use. The Prestige just feels perfect in hand, gives me the control I need and the rest of this stuff is on me.

In other words, I am probably going to buy another one and string with gut mains. I will try to go away from poly if at all possible and just rotate two frames for a while. A lot easier to do with 18x20 frames.

Gut and syn gut in this racquet HAS to just be incredible. I can't imagine a better feeling setup. Now can I win matches with it? Well, I can't get any worse in that department, so I'm hoping the answer is yes.

The gut/syn gut setup sounds nice. I just know myself and feel like I need poly in the mains. Just too darn used to it now, and what the ball does. So my goal is to find just the right setup with a safe-enough poly that feels crisp enough for my taste, cross it with a synthetic gut, and go from there.

el sergento · Mar 5, 2015

Power Player said:
I will say that have alternated now between all my frames in match situation and the Prestige is still my favorite. The Tec is darn close, but not as easy to use. The Prestige just feels perfect in hand, gives me the control I need and the rest of this stuff is on me.

Have you tried removing some weight from the TEC?? Less weight and it should swing as easy as the Prestige and the open pattern should help out with the netters.

Just a thought.

el sergento · Mar 5, 2015

JGads said:
The gut/syn gut setup sounds nice. I just know myself and feel like I need poly in the mains. Just too darn used to it now, and what the ball does. So my goal is to find just the right setup with a safe-enough poly that feels crisp enough for my taste, cross it with a synthetic gut, and go from there.

Head makes some soft poly's/co-poly's. I've used Sonic Pro Edge and it's pretty easy on the arm. I will say it's not the crispist thing ever though.

JGads · Mar 5, 2015

el sergento said:
Have you tried removing some weight from the TEC?? Less weight and it should swing as easy as the Prestige and the open pattern should help out with the netters.

Just a thought.

This would be an interesting move. That frame could be ridiculous if you could up the racquet head speed on it while retaining that incredible ball feel and control. ... If it were me and I were a true racquet scientist I'd get the weight down to even below its stock figure and see how it played super whippy, but with that controlled soft bed.

Power Player · Mar 5, 2015

JGads said:
The gut/syn gut setup sounds nice. I just know myself and feel like I need poly in the mains. Just too darn used to it now, and what the ball does. So my goal is to find just the right setup with a safe-enough poly that feels crisp enough for my taste, cross it with a synthetic gut, and go from there.

Im right there with you. I like poly in the mains A LOT. This would be a big change for me. But I remember 2 years back I played with a teaching pro when I had gut mains in the Pure drive and he raved about it. He was like - "this is how you want a setup to hit..low effort..relaxed. Like Federer's.". I know Fed uses poly in the crosses for more spin, but I think at a 4.0-4.5 level, OGSM should be fine.

Reality is, you may need to hunt down a setup that is poly free to prevent injury. Im just going to give it a run and see how it translates to the courts. I have the extra $$ to afford it in my string budget as long as it lasts. Im thinking 1-2 matches a week will give me a month of play per frame. These guys are not hitting hard shots at me. I have yet to play a match and not have the biggest game. It's other stuff I have to fix.

el sergento said:
Have you tried removing some weight from the TEC?? Less weight and it should swing as easy as the Prestige and the open pattern should help out with the netters.

Just a thought.

Yes, I am going to. I had it at 345 before. Its 350 right now, but here is the thing - I have the balanced nailed at 6 pts HL. If I take lead off of the handle (majority is there - I think 10 grams, the balance drops to 4 or so. It's a tricky frame to get how I want - which is weighted just like Graphene MP.

JGads said:
This would be an interesting move. That frame could be ridiculous if you could up the racquet head speed on it while retaining that incredible ball feel and control. ... If it were me and I were a true racquet scientist I'd get the weight down to even below its stock figure and see how it played super whippy, but with that controlled soft bed.

I did this. I got it down to 330. It sucked really bad. Like - no power, the feel was subpar, and the effort required to hit the ball with pace was way too high. Defense was impossible.

I firmly believe the 315 needs to weigh at least 340 strung to be effective.

Another thing I noticed, the Tec indeed has a higher trajectory. But defense was not as easy with it. It was easier to hit a heavier ball, but it did not translate into anything easier. The Prestige in stock form just plays easier and gives a level of control that I simply have not experienced in a frame outside of the Dunlop 200.

bad_call · Mar 5, 2015

JGads said:
The gut/syn gut setup sounds nice. I just know myself and feel like I need poly in the mains. Just too darn used to it now, and what the ball does. So my goal is to find just the right setup with a safe-enough poly that feels crisp enough for my taste, cross it with a synthetic gut, and go from there.

this Prince poly hybrid strung mid-upper 40s in the 18x20 blade treats the arm very well. and a back up blade with full syn gut just in case.

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Prince_Warrior_Hybrid_Power_17_String/descpageACPRINCE-PWHP.html

spinovic · Mar 5, 2015

JGads said:
Also on this episode of Stringing Graphenia, the shoulder feels so much better today as opposed to how it felt in the days after my previous hits. So, I think it's the Tour Bite mains that were bugging it. Stinks because of how much I love that string, but looks like I have to go away from it. Unless it was the other sticks that were bugging it - because unlike previous hits, yesterday I hit with only the Graphene - but that Grandpa Dunlop is built for comfort and the 7G is the 7G, so it must have been the TB mains. (this was the standard version, not soft, so a pretty firm string).

Also, PP, just a random note. I keep feeling like with polyester in the Graphene, I feel the ball so much better without a dampener. A damp mutes it to make it feel a bit more comfy, but when I remove the damp, I feel like I can feel precisely where the ball is within the stringbed on contact, while with the dampener, it makes the bed feel more 'numb' and I sort of lose the ball slightly. Oddly enough, yesterday with full synthetic gut, it was the opposite. There was an uncomfy rattle without a dampener, and then with dampener, it made it into a pillow feeling stringbed where I could really feel the 'pocket' on contact even better than without the dampener.

The Graphene can be an interesting, tricky little thing.

Redheads. Whaddayagonnado.

I've come to feel this way about dampeners. The feedback (or whatever term is correct) is too muted when I use one. That might change with a different frame, but in the ones I use now, they feel way better without.

Power Player · Mar 5, 2015

Im so addicted to my sampras dampener. I have tried no damp in the Graph and I just can't jive with the vibrations sound and feel. Of course, I started putting rubber bands in my frames like Agassi when I was 9, so its all I really know.

mikeler · Mar 5, 2015

el sergento said:
Gads, a single hit with Tourbite in a dense 18X20 stick gave me a nasty case of TE that I haven't managed to fully shake. And that was over a year ago! So yeah, be kind to that shoulder and keep things nice and soft in the tight patterned Red.

I've always wanted to try regular Tour Bite but this post will save me that purchase!

mad dog1 · Mar 5, 2015

mikeler said:
I've always wanted to try regular Tour Bite but this post will save me that purchase!

could try TB mains w/ iontec hexa crosses. retains all the spin producing qualities of TB while losing all the harshness.

mikeler · Mar 5, 2015

mad dog1 said:
could try TB mains w/ iontec hexa crosses. retains all the spin producing qualities of TB while losing all the harshness.

I don't like hybrids in the ESPs. The string bed feels too soft and mushy.

mad dog1 · Mar 5, 2015

mikeler said:
I don't like hybrids in the ESPs. The string bed feels too soft and mushy.

even poly/poly hybrids?

bad_call · Mar 5, 2015

^ the uber open patterns play nice with full poly and surprisingly easy on the arm...note that this player strings somewhat lower tension.

mikeler · Mar 6, 2015

mad dog1 said:
even poly/poly hybrids?

Got me on a technicality Mr. Dog. Poly/poly would be fine.

mad dog1 · Mar 6, 2015

mikeler said:
Got me on a technicality Mr. Dog. Poly/poly would be fine.

Ha! :lol: Not trying to "get" anyone.

i tried full TB, it was too hard on my arm so i crossed it w/ Iontec Hexa and was surprised how comfortable it was. tamed the TB harshness.

JGads · Mar 6, 2015

Syn gut all over the place on Hit 2. Back to a hybrid setup, and back to Cali for some outdoor tennis, and some old sticks and hopefully an Indian Wells day or two, next week.

Get limber, Mr. Dog.

Get limber, America.

mad dog1 · Mar 6, 2015

JGads said:
Syn gut all over the place on Hit 2. Back to a hybrid setup, and back to Cali for some outdoor tennis, and some old sticks and hopefully an Indian Wells day or two, next week.

Get limber, Mr. Dog.

Get limber, America.

you must have ESP, my friend. as you were posting, i was waiting for my lunch order. while i was standing there, i was doing some stretches. :lol:

SpinToWin · Mar 6, 2015

JGads said:
Syn gut all over the place on Hit 2. Back to a hybrid setup, and back to Cali for some outdoor tennis, and some old sticks and hopefully an Indian Wells day or two, next week.

Get limber, Mr. Dog.

Get limber, America.

You could try syn gut in the mains (poly in the crosseS) if you still want it softer than a poly mains setup. Strings should stay in place.

JGads · Mar 6, 2015

SpinToWin said:
You could try syn gut in the mains (poly in the crosseS) if you still want it softer than a poly mains setup. Strings should stay in place.

The mains really stay that much more in place better with a poly cross? I did not know this.

Fairly certain I have to do poly in the mains, though, but perhaps in my TGKs where I have multiples of the same stick, I could try one of each type of hybrid and see how they compare for me.

SpinToWin · Mar 6, 2015

JGads said:
The mains really stay that much more in place better with a poly cross? I did not know this.

Fairly certain I have to do poly in the mains, though, but perhaps in my TGKs where I have multiples of the same stick, I could try one of each type of hybrid and see how they compare for me.

The reason why the mains move with full syn gut is that the friction between the strings is significant, so it is rather easy for them to get stuck out of place. Poly is quite slick, so by putting it in the crosses you are creating rails for the mains to move along easily. Just from that perspective (string movement) it makes more sense to put the poly in the crosses (rather than the mains). The only real caveat is durability, but perhaps that's not too much of a problem for you in your dense string pattern frames. Give it a try and see for yourself if you have the time, perhaps you like it

JGads · Mar 6, 2015

SpinToWin said:
The reason why the mains move with full syn gut is that the friction between the strings is significant, so it is rather easy for them to get stuck out of place. Poly is quite slick, so by putting it in the crosses you are creating rails for the mains to move along easily. Just from that perspective (string movement) it makes more sense to put the poly in the crosses (rather than the mains). The only real caveat is durability, but perhaps that's not too much of a problem for you in your dense string pattern frames. Give it a try and see for yourself if you have the time, perhaps you like it

Cool, may do so in one stick to experiment. Thanks for the input.

Power Player · Mar 7, 2015

JGads said:
Cool, may do so in one stick to experiment. Thanks for the input.

I think it will break too fast for you. I have done it before and it's rather nice, but not durable enough.

Anyway, I have discovered THE setup for the Graph prestige MP.

It's Tonic 15l gut crossed with whatever round poly you want. I put in Silverstring.

All I can say is, this may be the best frame/string combo I have ever used. I have done gut poly before and always loved it, but I used it in stiff frames with open patterns and it can get a little launchy.

The closed pattern just gives back massive spin and makes the frame play like it has a more open pattern, but the control is still the same.

I played some sets and my shot confidence was back. I was able to hit out when needed and brush the ball deep and heavy again.

I was not really looking for more spin, but I got it anyway, and it's just ridiculous what you can do to the ball while still reaping the control benefits of the closed pattern. Directional control, accuracy..feel..everything is just there.

Finally - the feel. It's just crazy good. It doesnt even feel like you played tennis afterwards, so this is definitely the way to go for shoulder/elbow friendliness.

Only negative is going to be cost really. Its the only one I can think of. but after 2 hours of tennis against a big server and pretty big hitter, the stringbed looks fine.

Gads you have to try this setup. It takes the MP to another level of amazing.

JGads · Mar 7, 2015

Power Player said:
I think it will break too fast for you. I have done it before and it's rather nice, but not durable enough.

Anyway, I have discovered THE setup for the Graph prestige MP.

It's Tonic 15l gut crossed with whatever round poly you want. I put in Silverstring.

All I can say is, this may be the best frame/string combo I have ever used. I have done gut poly before and always loved it, but I used it in stiff frames with open patterns and it can get a little launchy.

The closed pattern just gives back massive spin and makes the frame play like it has a more open pattern, but the control is still the same.

I played some sets and my shot confidence was back. I was able to hit out when needed and brush the ball deep and heavy again.

I was not really looking for more spin, but I got it anyway, and it's just ridiculous what you can do to the ball while still reaping the control benefits of the closed pattern. Directional control, accuracy..feel..everything is just there.

Finally - the feel. It's just crazy good. It doesnt even feel like you played tennis afterwards, so this is definitely the way to go for shoulder/elbow friendliness.

Only negative is going to be cost really. Its the only one I can think of. but after 2 hours of tennis against a big server and pretty big hitter, the stringbed looks fine.

Gads you have to try this setup. It takes the MP to another level of amazing.

Cool. Depth control and feel for such is good? The thing that can irk me about gut/Syn gut compared to poly beds is the certain 'deadness' of poly gives me what feels like a good measure of feel, depth wise, whereas with Syn gut or gut, the ball can spring and get away from me, and I might hit long when I thought I'd put a good stroke on the ball. This just happens so much less with me with poly.

But the general wisdom is that the cross strings control depth more than mains, is that right? So if a poly is in the cross, perhaps the feel for depth is there more so than a poly/gut or poly/Syn gut hybrid?

mikeler · Mar 7, 2015

I'm Mikeler and I have a string problem:

After not changing strings for a few months and frames for 1.5 years, it is amazing what a consistent setup can do for you. I still think you need to do a lot of experimentation to get there but once you get close to what you think is ideal, settle for awhile. Then report back here with results. I'll be curious.

torpantennis · Mar 7, 2015

So we got another gut/poly convert. Interesting.

Power Player · Mar 7, 2015

JGads said:
Cool. Depth control and feel for such is good? The thing that can irk me about gut/Syn gut compared to poly beds is the certain 'deadness' of poly gives me what feels like a good measure of feel, depth wise, whereas with Syn gut or gut, the ball can spring and get away from me, and I might hit long when I thought I'd put a good stroke on the ball. This just happens so much less with me with poly.

But the general wisdom is that the cross strings control depth more than mains, is that right? So if a poly is in the cross, perhaps the feel for depth is there more so than a poly/gut or poly/Syn gut hybrid?

Depth control is better than poly mains. You can hit out or just use a relaxed swing and everything stays in. The spin is so heavy that you wont notice a difference from poly mains. Its more spin and feel for depth than poly mains honestly. I hadnt hit so precise in a long time.

And yeah id suggest a round poly cross. It just works.

bad_call · Mar 8, 2015

^ budget cuts and looming shutdown make it unlikely that this player would publicly use "gut"...however a back room deal is possible.

Power Player · Mar 8, 2015

Yeah the price is what always held me back, considering a bad mishit can instantly break the strings. But the Babolat Tonic 15l should be really durable and I'm thinking the setup could last 15 -20 sets, which for me is around a month of tennis.

Considering poly mains die a lot quicker, I think it is a cost effective setup. But I also think an 18x20 pattern is the key here. I wouldn't expect the same with an open pattern.

bad_call · Mar 8, 2015

had another outing using both full syn gut and poly hybrid. really liking how the full syn gut hits tho takes more energy but control is great. might have to try more syn gut combos and see where it goes.

PP - have fun with the gut combo.

Power Player · Mar 8, 2015

bad_call said:
had another outing using both full syn gut and poly hybrid. really liking how the full syn gut hits tho takes more energy but control is great. might have to try more syn gut combos and see where it goes.

PP - have fun with the gut combo.

I am so far. It is fantastic.

Have you tried syn gut mains and poly crosses like mentioned above? It's not going to last you super long, but in the 18x20 you may be ok. I'd only do this if you are stringing your own frames though, which you do.

The difference between the natural gut and syn gut is very large though as the natural gut gives this incredible consistency and spin to it that syn gut just can't do. But the syn gut mains will give you a ton of nice ball feel. I liked it better than poly mains, but I was going through it in 3 hours with the open RDIS 200 I was trying it in.

spinovic · Mar 8, 2015

For poly users who want something less harsh/more comfortable, but can't live without poly-like spin, there is nothing else like gut/poly.

For me, the spin is about the same and it is definitely a more comfortable string bed.

sma1001 · Mar 8, 2015

Gut mains, poly crosses. It's a revelation! Magnificent spin, controllable power, comfort... If you haven't tried it you are missing out. Great to see another player making the change.

JGads · Mar 8, 2015

I'll probably try the setup in something this upcoming week.

808 · Mar 8, 2015

I have already planned on trying a gut/poly combo in the 98S, but I'm not getting my hopes up. The last time I tried this in one of the spin racquets it wasn't pretty, with the mains snapping in about 40 mins. in both frames I had set up (Prince Tour 100T ESP, 16x16 pattern). Maybe the 18x16 is more forgiving? Only one way to find out.

I can see this being a fantastic setup for the GPMP, though.

bad_call · Mar 8, 2015

Power Player said:
I am so far. It is fantastic.

Have you tried syn gut mains and poly crosses like mentioned above? It's not going to last you super long, but in the 18x20 you may be ok. I'd only do this if you are stringing your own frames though, which you do.

The difference between the natural gut and syn gut is very large though as the natural gut gives this incredible consistency and spin to it that syn gut just can't do. But the syn gut mains will give you a ton of nice ball feel. I liked it better than poly mains, but I was going through it in 3 hours with the open RDIS 200 I was trying it in.

think tried syn gut mains and poly crosses but it's been a good while back and can't recall how it played. will give it a try in the 18x20.

Power Player · Mar 8, 2015

JGads said:
I'll probably try the setup in something this upcoming week.

It's optimal in the GPMP. I know you just strung yours though, but if you are looking for a go to setup for the frame, this is the one. Since it is a little stiffer than TGK frames, the gut mains compliment it perfectly. I'd strongly suggest the Tonic +15l, since it's really durable and around $10 less than the VS Touch. I logged another 2 hours today and the gut barely looks used yet.

I used pacific classic in the past and I had to baby it and use string savers..etc. Not an issue with the Tonic plus.

Verified today, this is substantially more spin than I was getting before, and the trajectory is definitely higher. It's essentially taken the frame to GOAT status for me.

corners · Mar 8, 2015

spinovic said:
For poly users who want something less harsh/more comfortable, but can't live without poly-like spin, there is nothing else like gut/poly.

For me, the spin is about the same and it is definitely a more comfortable string bed.

Yep. We can use a stiff poly cross and still get good comfort due to the increased dwell time and the reduced shock that produces when the gut mains slide freely along the poly crosses.

I like gut/syngut too, but I think gut/poly produces better spin, lasts longer, and is just as comfortable. Gut mains usually slide freely for longer on poly crosses than poly mains do. The TW Prof found that gut mains on poly crosses actually reduced in friction the more he slid the mains along the cross. This was the only string combo to do this. Interstring friction with all other hybrids gradually (poly/poly) or suddenly (poly/syngut) increases as the mains notch and the crosses dent. Gut mains don't notch in quite the same way as poly does (gut doesn't melt), and even when notches do form, the Prof hypothesizes that oils from inside the gut seeps out and lubricates the intersections.

When mains slide freely, even stiff strings feel comfy (when hitting with spin; if you hit flat the mains don't slide and you feel all of the stiffness).

Power Player · Mar 8, 2015

Yeah this all sounds about right to me. The main feature on court besides insanely good feel is the ability to hit relaxed and not have to worry about having really high tip speed to make the ball dive down. That essentially tells me the spin potential of the stringbed is simply higher than what I was using before.

Tuskarr · Mar 8, 2015

Much lower trajectory compared to my previous racquet was my only dislike for the graphene prestige mp. I've been wanting to try a gut/poly hybrid, and it looks like the prestige mp will be the first to receive the hybrid.

Thanks for posting your observations, PP.

torpantennis · Mar 8, 2015

PP, higher launch angle is mostly due to your poly losing much more tension that the mains (gut). Any stringjob that has crosses at much lower tension than mains has a high launch angle. The effect of crosses at much lower tension is more or less equal to spin effect patterns, which have less crosses.

Try crosses, like Max Power or 4G, which lose tension much less than typical polys, and you'll see that the launch angle is not as high as with your Silverstring. Check tension losses from TWU, that's really the source of the most objective information. Using these low tension loss polys will give you a more stable feel throughout the life of the stringjob. If you then need higher launch angle, simply lower the stringing tension more on crosses.

And the spin potential, well IMO fresh full poly is still the highest spin. But gut/poly holds the spin potential for a much longer time, and like you said, gut mains deliver enough power even if you don't swing all out. That's great on defensive slice gets, and on block return of serves.

Power Player · Mar 8, 2015

Tuskarr said:
Much lower trajectory compared to my previous racquet was my only dislike for the graphene prestige mp. I've been wanting to try a gut/poly hybrid, and it looks like the prestige mp will be the first to receive the hybrid.

Thanks for posting your observations, PP.

Glad i could help. I think you will like it.

I really like the higher launch angle a lot. Makes the frame all around perfect.

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