4.5 player seeks soft + lots of spin string. Any tips?

[psmailes]

Hi,

I'm a 4.5 player currently using NXT 17 on a Wilson BLX Tour at 58 lbs.

I play mostly doubles with a heavy topspin forehand, single b'hand, and high kicking serve.

I'd like to try some other strings that are soft (as I sometimes get shoulder & elbow pain), and that will give me lots of spin and feel.

Any recos would be much appreciated.

Cheers
Paul

 

[mikeler]

Babolat Xcel Premium

 

[Up&comer]

Babolat Xcel Premium

If you're arm isn't too sensative, you can try babolat addiction.

 

[Hapless]

NXT 17 is already a pretty comfortable string. Drop your tension to 54.

 

[b0mb34man]

I like mains gamma dura blast and pro hurricane as cross. It has major top spin, bite, pop, and easy on my arms (I'm having elbow shoulder problems too but not this set up). Its fairly cheap 10$ for halves.

 

[yonexpurestorm]

i get really bad tennis elbow and have been on the search for the perfect setup that will not hurt my elbow, but will give me good pop and spin. i think you will like a hybrid setup. so far the setups i have liked are polyfibre tcs 18 main and nrg cross. i like the solinco hybrid vanquish and tour bite. both of these didnt last me very long at all though. i just broke my nxt max polylon hybrid. not enough sping, but the nxt max was really confortable and had good pop. i tried black code with x one but didnt like the spin at all, but good power. tried pro hurricane and x one, but again not enough spin and broke real quick. if money and durability wasnt any concern id be using polyfibre tcs 18 main with nrg or x one cross. but i am still on the hunt for something thats either cheaper or a little more durable. hope this helps

 

[b0mb34man]

Hey yonex, try my set up . NRG tends to fray badly when I use it.

Mains: Gamma durablast
Cross: Babolat pro hurricane

 

[mikeler]

If we are throwing hybrids in, then I would recommend my current setup. I have also had elbow problems in the past and have a mending shoulder. The spin is really good with this setup and it is pretty comfy. I have a lockout machine BTW:

Weiss Cannon Black 5 Edge 17 Mains at 48#
Mantis Comfort Synthetic 16 Crosses at 52#

 

[Up&comer]

If we are throwing hybrids in, then I would recommend my current setup. I have also had elbow problems in the past and have a mending shoulder. The spin is really good with this setup and it is pretty comfy. I have a lockout machine BTW:

Weiss Cannon Black 5 Edge 17 Mains at 48#
Mantis Comfort Synthetic 16 Crosses at 52#

You can also use scorpion or mosquito bite in the mains.

 

[psmailes]

Thanks everyone - very helpful tips. I'll be busy over the summer trying these new strings & combinations.

 

[esgee48]

One thing to be aware of. Polys do not have the same useful life as your NXT. If you are used to strings lasting 40 hours before breaking, you may be disappointed by poly dying in fewer hours if you hit hard with spin. If you like hitting with spin, Chris at TW has a thread about really low tensioned all poly beds in the 30-40# range.

 

[ricardo]

Try Natural Gut for $20/set

Wilson NXT is almost $20. For almost the same amount of money, you can try Natural Gut and decide which is better in terms of comfort and spin. In addition, Natural Gut lasts 3-4x as long as any multis.

 

[kiteboard]

bb ace 18g, 1.10mm.

 

[kiteboard]

barb wire/alu

 

[kiteboard]

vs team/nrg2

 

[lwto]

Recently I stumbled upon a combination that has been down right nasty as far as spin and softness..

50lbs mains, Pro Hurricane.. not Tour
55lbs Crosses, Gamma Live wire..

Costs about 9.00 to string.
It is really a marvelous combo.

 

[in_ten_city]

bb ace 18g, 1.10mm.

+1 (except it's 1.12mm).

 

[drummerdan]

I tried a very nice hybrid this weekend at a tournament that was soft and produced lots of spin, control and feel. Mains - Head Rip Control 16ga, crosses - Luxilon Savage White 16ga. Absolutely no pain in my arm and I was on the court for 3+ hours. Actually, I got better playability the longer I played.

 

[Fedace]

genesis natural gut and RPM blast

 

[The Big Kahuna]

You may find some great ideas on Stringforum.com. I tested string set-ups for six months and found the one below to be ideal for performance and cost.

 

[NLBwell]

Alien Black Diamond string main with a reasonably soft multi cross is very soft. I use AlphaGut cross. Poly should give you good spin and the Alien is as soft a poly as I've hit with.

 

[BigT]

Try out many multis. I don't think polys are what you're looking for.

 

[Mac_Attack]

Zyex 17, by Klipper -- Very soft, arm friendly, durable and spin friendly.

 

[JRW]

As counter intuitive as this may seem I've had some good results with Ashaway Kevlar 18 mains/Gosen OG Sheep Micro 17 crosses strung REALLY low. The 18 gauge string produces ridiculous spin and is so low powered you don't have to worry about losing control when stringing 10lbs. or so lower than your normal setup.