Same String, Different Gauge. Is there a Universal rule of what will differ?

Moonarse · Nov 21, 2017

String A, String B and String C. All Co-poly. 6 identical racquets. Each string has 2 gauges. 1.25 and 1.30.

All 6 rackets are strung in the same tension. 3 racquets with 1.25 of those strings and 3 racquets with 1.30.

Will the qualities found once taken for a hit (stiffness, spin, bite, confort) vary within the same logic with all the 3 strings used? (Besides durability, that is quite obvious.)

I mean, is it a "Universal rule" that all the 1.25 versions will be stiffer? (or softer) than their 1.30 version?

or it can be that for example String A and B are stiffer in the 1.25 (compared to the 1.30 of their own) range while String C is softer in the 1.25 gauge.

I mean that because I strung my rackets with both 1.25 and 1.30 of the same string model, and I felt that the thinner felt stiffer. Therefore, can I presume that every string will be stiffer in its 1.25 than in its 1.30?

Planning on buying a 400m roll of a Copoly and I heard some saying about it being a little softer than most. therefore, if I want it in the "stiffer version" should I head 1.25 too, using that "Universal Rule"?

Don't know if I made myself clear, think I did.

Moonarse · Nov 21, 2017

BTW, I'm not saying that they will vary in the same proportion and intensity.

styksnstryngs · Nov 21, 2017

This would theoretically be true, but for some reason, as far as in my experience, it doesn't quite work that way.

esgee48 · Nov 21, 2017

You can only compare same string with varying gauges at same ref tension.

For example, let's say ref tension is 50# in both non-poly 16 and 17 Ga strings. The DT in the 17 Ga will be higher than the DT in the 16 Ga. The physical reason for this is that the cross sectional area of the 17 is less than the 16. So if you switch from 17 to 16, you have to bump the ref tension to get the same DT.

Now let's talk about string elasticity. Even though the 17 has a higher DT, it may stretch more upon ball impact. That's again due to the lower cross sectional area. The more elastic response makes players think their string is too loose, so they jack the ref tension up for control. The 16 string is less elastic for the same ball impact, so players sometimes lower the ref tension because they lost the feel associated with string deflection from ball impact.

Now on to polys which are basically non elastic. From physical perspective, the same thing happens as above. But because the poly deforms permanently, players seem to feel that 17 Ga poly pockets OK. When using 16 Ga poly, they tend to think that the string bed is too lively because it does not deform as much. So they jack the 16 Ga ref tension up to attain the same feel. Same string, different gauges yield different feels. This is opposite to what you would expect with elastic strings. 3 cents.

It really boils down to finding the right ref tension. And this applies to all strings. And this can only be achieved by trial and error by the player.

Shroud · Nov 21, 2017

esgee48 said:
You can only compare same string with varying gauges at same ref tension.

For example, let's say ref tension is 50# in both non-poly 16 and 17 Ga strings. The DT in the 17 Ga will be higher than the DT in the 16 Ga. The physical reason for this is that the cross sectional area of the 17 is less than the 16. So if you switch from 17 to 16, you have to bump the ref tension to get the same DT.

Now let's talk about string elasticity. Even though the 17 has a higher DT, it may stretch more upon ball impact. That's again due to the lower cross sectional area. The more elastic response makes players think their string is too loose, so they jack the ref tension up for control. The 16 string is less elastic for the same ball impact, so players sometimes lower the ref tension because they lost the feel associated with string deflection from ball impact.

Now on to polys which are basically non elastic. From physical perspective, the same thing happens as above. But because the poly deforms permanently, players seem to feel that 17 Ga poly pockets OK. When using 16 Ga poly, they tend to think that the string bed is too lively because it does not deform as much. So they jack the 16 Ga ref tension up to attain the same feel. Same string, different gauges yield different feels. This is opposite to what you would expect with elastic strings. 3 cents.

It really boils down to finding the right ref tension. And this applies to all strings. And this can only be achieved by trial and error by the player.

Great post. And in case i missed it dont forget the differnce in weight. Those identical sticks wont be identical when using different gauges. Doubtful op will adjust for weight differences

jonestim · Nov 21, 2017

It also depends on the poly and how it is formed. For some reason, the TWU data on certain Solinco strings like Tour Bite and Hyper-G are much stiffer in the 1.25 gauge than the 1.30 or 1.20. I don't see this in other brands and I wonder if the manufacturing process is different for the 1.25 version. Maybe they extrude the 1.30 and then compress it to 1.25 making it denser than the original extrusion?

So, to your original question - one brand's 1.25 being softer or stiffer than the 1.30 does not mean that another brand will follow suit.

mikeler · Nov 21, 2017

jonestim said:
It also depends on the poly and how it is formed. For some reason, the TWU data on certain Solinco strings like Tour Bite and Hyper-G are much stiffer in the 1.25 gauge than the 1.30 or 1.20. I don't see this in other brands and I wonder if the manufacturing process is different for the 1.25 version. Maybe they extrude the 1.30 and then compress it to 1.25 making it denser than the original extrusion?

So, to your original question - one brand's 1.25 being softer or stiffer than the 1.30 does not mean that another brand will follow suit.

Interesting theory, I never thought of it that way.

Muppet · Nov 22, 2017

Then there's how the strings perform after they settle/are broken in. A 17g usually loses more tension than a 16g. So that leads me toward trying both gauges at the same reference tension and seeing how it goes. After all, you're changing gauge for a reason. If you want more liveliness and switch from 16g to 17g, why would you defeat that purpose by stringing the 17g 2 lbs. higher?

bkfinch · Nov 22, 2017

Shroud said:
Great post. And in case i missed it dont forget the differnce in weight. Those identical sticks wont be identical when using different gauges. Doubtful op will adjust for weight differences

Isn't the weight difference between 125 and 130 pretty small anyway? I definitely felt a difference with 140 but otherwise... eeeeeeeehhhhh????

Shroud · Nov 24, 2017

bkfinch said:
Isn't the weight difference between 125 and 130 pretty small anyway? I definitely felt a difference with 140 but otherwise... eeeeeeeehhhhh????

It probably depends on the string. But even a few grams can mess people up on these boards I think I would have a tough time telling much difference in a few sw points but people here wig over a few points. But I could be thrown off by a change in balance which will happen. Anyhow the OP is trying to d a fair test and well its unlikely its fair unless the weight variables are taken into account.

Same String, Different Gauge. Is there a Universal rule of what will differ?

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