Accepting that you cannot use poly strings

Besides obviously cost, is there any good reason to use a natural gut mains/syn gut or multi crosses setup over full gut?

Switch racquets to an Ezone Tour racquet, which has more pop than my old thinner-beamed more control racquet. Been playing with a full bed of gut at mid-tension. The pop is nice but the ball does sail a bit. Would syn gut in the crosses maybe crisp things up a bit?

I have also tried gut/Cream in this stick, which is nice. But my wrists aren't a fan of poly generally. And I hate that the poly loses its feel when the gut has so much more life left.
 
Brian11785 said:
Besides obviously cost, is there any good reason to use a natural gut mains/syn gut or multi crosses setup over full gut?

Switch racquets to an Ezone Tour racquet, which has more pop than my old thinner-beamed more control racquet. Been playing with a full bed of gut at mid-tension. The pop is nice but the ball does sail a bit. Would syn gut in the crosses maybe crisp things up a bit?

I have also tried gut/Cream in this stick, which is nice. But my wrists aren't a fan of poly generally. And I hate that the poly loses its feel when the gut has so much more life left.
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Up to you to decide if they are "good" reasons but...

1) Syn gut or multi should have a higher stiffness than full gut so it should tame power a bit in theory.
2) Probably slightly more snap back – at least initially – if you're playing with a slicker syn gut or multi in the crosses vs full gut.

I don't think anything matches full gut "feel" but then again that's also very subjective. I tried using gut/Ghostwire but I still felt the poly too much in the crosses. I just switched to Gosen AK Pro CW 1.30 as a cross and that seems to tame the full gut power a bit without sacrificing much feel. I'm only about 4 hours into it so can't speak to durability quite yet.
 
BPlain said:
Up to you to decide if they are "good" reasons but...

1) Syn gut or multi should have a higher stiffness than full gut so it should tame power a bit in theory.
2) Probably slightly more snap back – at least initially – if you're playing with a slicker syn gut or multi in the crosses vs full gut.

I don't think anything matches full gut "feel" but then again that's also very subjective. I tried using gut/Ghostwire but I still felt the poly too much in the crosses. I just switched to Gosen AK Pro CW 1.30 as a cross and that seems to tame the full gut power a bit without sacrificing much feel. I'm only about 4 hours into it so can't speak to durability quite yet.
Click to expand...

Thanks! This is pretty much what I expected. Maybe string a little higher anticipating the syn gut will lose some tension and settle a little looser than would a full bed nat gut setup?
 
Brian11785 said:
Thanks! This is pretty much what I expected. Maybe string a little higher anticipating the syn gut will lose some tension and settle a little looser than would a full bed nat gut setup?
Click to expand...
Generally speaking, I'd say that's a fair assessment as most syn guts tend lose more tension than nat gut but apparently it's not necessarily true across the board. For example, according to TWU, tension loss is almost identical on Lux Nat Gut 1.25 and Gosen AK Pro CX 1.30:

PropertyLuxilon Natural Gut 1.25Gosen AK Pro CX 16 (1.30)Difference %
MaterialGutNylonNA
Stiffness (lb/in)8215893
Tension Loss (%)13148
Energy Return (%)9693-3
Spin Potential3.76.576
String to String Friction (COF)0.1290.073-43
String to Ball Friction (COF)0.4790.4780
 
Brian11785 said:
Besides obviously cost, is there any good reason to use a natural gut mains/syn gut or multi crosses setup over full gut?

Switch racquets to an Ezone Tour racquet, which has more pop than my old thinner-beamed more control racquet. Been playing with a full bed of gut at mid-tension. The pop is nice but the ball does sail a bit. Would syn gut in the crosses maybe crisp things up a bit?

I have also tried gut/Cream in this stick, which is nice. But my wrists aren't a fan of poly generally. And I hate that the poly loses its feel when the gut has so much more life left.
Click to expand...
I've tried soft polys crossed w/ nat gut, and I couldn't tell a difference between them and monogut ZX as a cross. Like poly, ZX is very slippery, and I suspect has the same spin production. The downsides of ZX are that it's not easy to string, isn't cheap, and will eat up gut (I use Babolat elastocrosses). ZX is rated as one of the softest non-gut strings by TW.

AK Pro CX is super slippery, too. I had to tighten my clamps to get it to grip it.
 
Brian11785 said:
Anyone ever try gut mains and Triax crosses?
Click to expand...
See this post from yesterday

The gut/poly thread

As for what I want in the crosses, tension maintenance will be a top priority as I play don't cut out strings (they snap in 12 - 15 hours, no need to cut them out). Second on the list of desires will be to enhance the ball pocketing sensation, something that I find the Head Lynx Touch does...
tt.tennis-warehouse.com tt.tennis-warehouse.com

Haven't tried it myself, I'd be kinda worried about snapping the triax rather quickly but I imagine it would play nicely.
 
Toydy said:
Yep. The triax was a bit "sticky". I went back to Ghost Wire 1.22
Click to expand...
Sadly there's nothing like a polyester monofilament... well except Monogut ZX but that one has other disadvantages.
Maybe on non-clay courts the most slippery multifilament offers some nice mileage but on clay the dust makes the strings' coating "rub" (?) away faster and when the cross shows the tiniest shred it's downhill from there.
 
Arzivu said:
Lately, my sensitive shoulder feels it more than a muted multi like velocity.
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Ah that's rough. I just don't like velocity so my opinion on it is based on that one test where I played it until it broke.
For somewhat muted I think control classic is just plain better than velocity (not as muted I guess).
 
Brian11785 said:
I have also tried gut/Cream in this stick, which is nice. But my wrists aren't a fan of poly generally. And I hate that the poly loses its feel when the gut has so much more life left.
Click to expand...
Exactly. Keep the gut and cut out and restring only the Cream. Gut can survive 3 stringbeds... "Soft" poly is also too harsh for me and my elbow even when paired with nat gut mains...
 
aus89 said:
How do people feel about Isospeed Axon Multi?
Click to expand...
Good timing, I just got another backordered set yesterday.

I use nat gut hybrid, but I like substituting multis for trying out new (old) frames. If I decide to keep a frame, then I replace the multi w nat gut.

Axon is one of my favorites, also. Keep in mind that both teachingpro and I both like flexy frames at low tensions.
 
ey039524 said:
Good timing, I just got another backordered set yesterday.

I use nat gut hybrid, but I like substituting multis for trying out new (old) frames. If I decide to keep a frame, then I replace the multi w nat gut.

Axon is one of my favorites, also. Keep in mind that both teachingpro and I both like flexy frames at low tensions.
Click to expand...
Yes this is true I’m at 36 lbs with mine and my RA on my frame is also 36 ..
 
ey039524 said:
Good timing, I just got another backordered set yesterday.

I use nat gut hybrid, but I like substituting multis for trying out new (old) frames. If I decide to keep a frame, then I replace the multi w nat gut.

Axon is one of my favorites, also. Keep in mind that both teachingpro and I both like flexy frames at low tensions.
Click to expand...
Nice - it might be going in my 23 Prestige Tour - looking at some multi options for it for comfort and perhaps taming some of the launch angle with higher tension
 
aus89 said:
Nice - it might be going in my 23 Prestige Tour - looking at some multi options for it for comfort and perhaps taming some of the launch angle with higher tension
Click to expand...

I tried Multifeel, Mantis comfort synthetic, Volkl classic syn gut and Head Lynx black in my Prestige Tour 2021. I strung it at 55lbs with the Mantis and Volkl syn gut which was a little too tight.

Try multifeel at 48lbs (constant pull machine), it works well in a 95.
 
Finally strung up that axon multi set in my 360+ mid at 20kg.
Definitely an interesting string. When you open the package you are greeted by that horrible velocity smell and a rather cool looking bouncy bundle of a string.
Stringing is rather smooth, slides around well enough.
From bouncing a ball around and a few volleys against the wall I'm not sure if I strung it too tight or too low.
Doesn't feel that soft but also not stiff and the ball bounces well off the stringbed.
Very curious how this will play, test on thursday.
 
TBM said:
I tried Multifeel, Mantis comfort synthetic, Volkl classic syn gut and Head Lynx black in my Prestige Tour 2021. I strung it at 55lbs with the Mantis and Volkl syn gut which was a little too tight.

Try multifeel at 48lbs (constant pull machine), it works well in a 95.
Click to expand...
i ended up getting some Axon Multi but Multifeel is definitely next on the list (or I might do a hybrid with Multifeel)
 
aus89 said:
Ended up being able to get some Head Intellitour (natural and grey) out of its European prison, and the Axon is on the way still, so will have a few things to try in the next little while
Click to expand...
Intellitour is great, its RIP Control main with Isospeed professional as cross, if you replace isospeed with multifeel black you will get intellitour on steroids. Be aware that both RIP Control and Isospeed are very light strings so they will lower your SW.

Axon multi is soft and very very powerfull, great string but downside is a large tension loss and that is is hard to find. Axon multi is also a light string so the same applies to SW as intellitour.
 
Happi said:
Intellitour is great, its RIP Control main with Isospeed professional as cross, if you replace isospeed with multifeel black you will get intellitour on steroids. Be aware that both RIP Control and Isospeed are very light strings so they will lower your SW.

Axon multi is soft and very very powerfull, great string but downside is a large tension loss and that is is hard to find. Axon multi is also a light string so the same applies to SW as intellitour.
Click to expand...
yeah I definitely have my eye on some Multifeel Black at some point, just testing a few things out at the moment and seeing what I like - I went full poly and got some pain so just trying a few multis which I can also string a bit tighter to bring down the launch angle a bit (though i also mistakenly had looser crosses etc... so there's more going into that than just the racquet, but it does have a higher launch in general).

I guess Axon Multi is a bit like Iso Control Classic in having to account for the large tension loss at the start, so yeah will see how it goes, I may put it in some old racquets as a comfy string for others to play with if its a bit too powerful/if it ever arrives - The Intellitour came very quickly from the UK/Europe and the Axon i ordered a week earlier but is nowhere to be seen at this point haha, so will try the Intellitour first
 
Happi said:
Intellitour is great, its RIP Control main with Isospeed professional as cross, if you replace isospeed with multifeel black you will get intellitour on steroids. Be aware that both RIP Control and Isospeed are very light strings so they will lower your SW.

Axon multi is soft and very very powerfull, great string but downside is a large tension loss and that is is hard to find. Axon multi is also a light string so the same applies to SW as intellitour.
Click to expand...
Which color rip control do you like...the natural was great but gummy
 
aus89 said:
yeah I definitely have my eye on some Multifeel Black at some point, just testing a few things out at the moment and seeing what I like - I went full poly and got some pain so just trying a few multis which I can also string a bit tighter to bring down the launch angle a bit (though i also mistakenly had looser crosses etc... so there's more going into that than just the racquet, but it does have a higher launch in general).

I guess Axon Multi is a bit like Iso Control Classic in having to account for the large tension loss at the start, so yeah will see how it goes, I may put it in some old racquets as a comfy string for others to play with if its a bit too powerful/if it ever arrives - The Intellitour came very quickly from the UK/Europe and the Axon i ordered a week earlier but is nowhere to be seen at this point haha, so will try the Intellitour first
Click to expand...

I have limited experience with Axon multi, just cut it out and will for sure string thigter next time. Its powerful where as Control Classis is low powered, isospeed can be strung at higher tension, not sure about Axon.
 
Intellitour rocks for comfort, control and relative durability but forget spin.
I mained it & Intellistring for years until Head stopped me buying reels from TW in the US and also stopped trying to sell it in Aus for $37 a set because no one was stupid enough to pay that much unjustified mark up - great company.:rolleyes:
 
jmacdaununder2 said:
Intellitour rocks for comfort, control and relative durability but forget spin.
I mained it & Intellistring for years until Head stopped me buying reels from TW in the US and also stopped trying to sell it in Aus for $37 a set because no one was stupid enough to pay that much unjustified mark up - great company.:rolleyes:
Click to expand...
For a multi I though it was pretty ok for spin. But maybe I didn't try eonugh multis.
 
aus89 said:
ill definitely check out the difference between the silver and natural/caramel Rip Tour (ie: Rip Control) in Intellitour
Click to expand...
Let us know, I'm curious if black or white coating changes the control classic.
Don't expect the rip control part to change much.
 
jmacdaununder2 said:
Intellitour rocks for comfort, control and relative durability but forget spin.
I mained it & Intellistring for years until Head stopped me buying reels from TW in the US and also stopped trying to sell it in Aus for $37 a set because no one was stupid enough to pay that much unjustified mark up - great company.:rolleyes:
Click to expand...
You can get intellitour by the reel, I sm in EU and buy from UK, pm me if you want a link. Cheers, H
 
veelium said:
Let us know, I'm curious if black or white coating changes the control classic.
Don't expect the rip control part to change much.
Click to expand...
Yeah theres a sorta clear yellow/natural colour and a sorta Max Power/Poly Tour Strike-esque dark grey version so will definitely compare.
Paid less than $20 AUD per set for it so not too bad - pretty much in line with everything else, so if I like it it's not too crazy expensive
 
do y'all have any experience playing with Prince Premier Control? been itching to try poly again actually, and this one sounds like it comes close while being more of a multi-tester?

for reference, I've been playing OGSM 17 at 55 x Head Velocity 17 at 52 in Head 95" 18x20s and I have no complaints, just would like to be able to hit out a little more and maybe get a little more spin out of it. I'm a firm believer that these are technique issues before having to change strings, but curious nonetheless
 
Happi said:
You can get intellitour by the reel, I sm in EU and buy from UK, pm me if you want a link. Cheers, H
Click to expand...
Thanks for the offer!:giggle:(y)
I've moved on to full bed Rev or PTP, or PT Air & Velocity or Volkl Power Fiber II crosses for comfort days. I was able to do this as I started using TT95 & ATS 95 extended to 28", and 'maining' Yonex VCore 98+ extended; these racquets are all much lower ra than my Prince Equipe MP 28" Longbodies.
 
oldmanyellingatcloud said:
do y'all have any experience playing with Prince Premier Control? been itching to try poly again actually, and this one sounds like it comes close while being more of a multi-tester?

for reference, I've been playing OGSM 17 at 55 x Head Velocity 17 at 52 in Head 95" 18x20s and I have no complaints, just would like to be able to hit out a little more and maybe get a little more spin out of it. I'm a firm believer that these are technique issues before having to change strings, but curious nonetheless
Click to expand...
We have a roll of Prince Premier Control. Never used it as a full bed, but as a cheap multi in the mains x monogut Zx crosses. Soft, no complaints. My son used to play w/ it before he got older and got a taste of nat gut mains.
 
Axon Multi arrived today - looking at it compared to the Grey Intellitour, they look pretty much exactly the same, both look clear with a black core - so the grey Intellitour looks to be the silver RIP Control style string (though with less obvious candy cane appearance compared to the Natural) + Axon Multi/FXP Tour style Intellitour hybrid that Simon used rather than a silver colored Control Classic (imo) that seems to be in the Natural/Yellow Intellitour (regular looking RIP Control/Control Classic style strings)
 
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@oldmanyellingatcloud - If you want a more poly-like snapback and spin experience, try Volkl Power Fiber Pro mains / TF Multifeel Black crosses. Holy smokes does it snap back, and holds that snap for at least several hours, or longer, depending on how hard you hit. Here's a small video of it still snapping back, after 3-4 hours of play (in a 2018 VC95, PFP is the red string, or "Lava" as Volkl calls it):

Rq-L4-N6g-Imgur-ezgif-com-optimize.gif
 
Trip said:
@oldmanyellingatcloud - If you want a more poly-like snapback and spin experience, try Volkl Power Fiber Pro mains / TF Multifeel Black crosses. Holy smokes does it snap back, and holds that snap for at least several hours, or longer, depending on how hard you hit. Here's a small video of it still snapping back, after 3-4 hours of play (in a 2018 VC95, PFP is the red string, or "Lava" as Volkl calls it):

Rq-L4-N6g-Imgur-ezgif-com-optimize.gif
Click to expand...
Yes this is why I think Multifeel black is such a unique string for snapback. Works also great with RIP Control, X-One, RPM soft and Velocity as mains. X-One comes in an orange version (squash) and have kind of like the same coating as MF black, these two strings works really great together.

Thank for the tip of Volkl Power Fibre pro, this and the Power Fibre II is on my list to try out.
 
@Happi - Indeed, Multifeel Black is a great cross.

Just a note on Power Fiber Pro (herein known as "PFP"). It's in the same lower-power realm as Triax/HDMX, except I don't believe it has any poly in it. Volkl mentions a "polymer" outer sheath, but I'm not sure "polymer" equates to "polyester", although "polymer" does tend to mean "plastic", of some sort, at least. That's a bit of a gray area, one that I'm keen to get more feedback on whenever you get the chance to try PFP. Anyways, it's going to feel more poly-like, certainly, so it's probably best tensioned maybe even 2-5% lower than what one would use for Velocity.
 
Having to accept I can't use poly...again...haha, was trying multi/slick poly but am back to fullbeds of multi. Anyways, always trying to maximize spin and cross durability. I'm a long term Multifeel user due to snapback and adequate spin but the crosses just don't last. Got me thinking I might as well string 2 piece and just restring the crosses as the mains can't have suffered much in that short of time.

A series of random string jobs led me to having half sets of RPM Soft and Xalt laying around, so I figured why not Soft/Xalt (54/51)? Soft can grab the ball while sliding around on the Xalt. We're not talking crazy spin, but more than I've gotten in a while with fullbed multi, or maybe it's been too long I don't remember, but several balls I thought were going out were called in for dipping down at the last moment. Strings are staying in place like graph paper so I'm getting snapback. I guess the only thing to do now is justify the price....Multifeel is $160/reel versus RPM Soft at $240, and Velocity is $160/reel versus Xalt at $300/reel. Yikes!

Also, looking around I see there are two versions of RPM Soft available in reels, the brown which is what I'm playing from sets but also there's a grey. Are there noticeable differences? I've only seen the grey in reels but it is less ugly than brown so I figured if it's the same...why not?
 
As mentioned elsewhere, as there are a multitude of threads on maximizing comfort and spin, looks like I’m going Multifeel/Xalt at 54/51. Just great all around!
 
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