Go Thinner if you don't break strings?

[CosmosMpower]

Would there be any reason not to go with the thinnest string possible if you're an aggressive hitting player and non string breaker using a 18x20 pattern? I cut my strings at 7-9 hours and never break them.

I started out using Solinco Revolution 16 then 17 and switched to Hyper G 18 (1.15) and recently tried Cyclone 18L (1.15) and 19 (1.10).

I found a lot softer/plusher string bed with the thinner gauges, more free power and more spin. Downsides were I lost some control but was able to fix that by stringing back at low 50's vs. mid 40's. I'm tempted to try Revolution 20 gauge. Curious to hear thoughts on super thin gauges.

 

[Shroud]

Would there be any reason not to go with the thinnest string possible if you're an aggressive hitting player and non string breaker using a 18x20 pattern? I cut my strings at 7-9 hours and never break them.

I started out using Solinco Revolution 16 then 17 and switched to Hyper G 18 (1.15) and recently tried Cyclone 18L (1.15) and 19 (1.10).

I found a lot softer/plusher string bed with the thinner gauges, more free power and more spin. Downsides were I lost some control but was able to fix that by stringing back at low 50's vs. mid 40's. I'm tempted to try Revolution 20 gauge. Curious to hear thoughts on super thin gauges.

Thin gauges are like a super model. Stunningly beautiful but time with them is fleeting. Just like the last time I was with one (Tyra Banks). That 30 seconds alone in a closet was amazing but it was over soooo fast.

Also make sure you weight the racquet before and compensate if it ends up being lighter than before. Otherwise you are more likely comparing swingweight differences more than gauges.

 

[Dartagnan64]

I think a lot depends on the frame and stringbed. Thicker strings will offer more durability, tension maintenance and control. Thinner will offer more power and spin. Since frames and stringbeds can offer varying levels of spin, power, control and longevity, matching your string gauge to your stringbed and frame is important.

So no hard and fast rule.

I have a Prince Phantom 93P. It's an 18x20 93 SQ inch 61RA frame. It obviously will love thin strings to add power and spin to what is already a excellent control and string longevity frame. I also have a Pure Drive+. I would pop thin strings in seconds in that frame. It requires no additional power or spin as the frame offers plenty. It needs control. Which is why I would string it with Tonic 15L mains and 4G 16g crosses at pretty high tensions. Sadly that killed my arm and I moved on to less stiff control frames and used soft string to up the power.

 

[CiscoPC600]

I didn't see much around here on thinner strings, so I decided about a few days ago to string the Yonex VCORE 95 (16x20) with 18g of Cyclone Tour given how soft the rating was via TW's comparison tool. I'm curious to see how it feels. Any other recommendations for 16x20? I might finally abandon poly if one of the softest frames plus softest poly's doesn't help with my arm issue.

 

[Dartagnan64]

I didn't see much around here on thinner strings, so I decided about a few days ago to string the Yonex VCORE 95 (16x20) with 18g of Cyclone Tour given how soft the rating was via TW's comparison tool. I'm curious to see how it feels. Any other recommendations for 16x20? I might finally abandon poly if one of the softest frames plus softest poly's doesn't help with my arm issue.

Hybrid with multi if a non-string breaker and with gut if a stringbreaker?

Head Velocity. Technifibre HDX.

 

[Roland G]

Would there be any reason not to go with the thinnest string possible if you're an aggressive hitting player and non string breaker using a 18x20 pattern? I cut my strings at 7-9 hours and never break them.

I started out using Solinco Revolution 16 then 17 and switched to Hyper G 18 (1.15) and recently tried Cyclone 18L (1.15) and 19 (1.10).

I found a lot softer/plusher string bed with the thinner gauges, more free power and more spin. Downsides were I lost some control but was able to fix that by stringing back at low 50's vs. mid 40's. I'm tempted to try Revolution 20 gauge. Curious to hear thoughts on super thin gauges.

I've always like Kircshbaum Pro Line II and Solinco Tour Bite 1.10 in 18x20 frames. Either on their own or hybrid of both

 

[EasternRocks]

Not necessarily. You have to factor in your string pattern. It seems like you are, and with an 18x20, I would do 1.20 for sure if I played full polyester.

 

[Jonathan P.]

Would there be any reason not to go with the thinnest string possible if you're an aggressive hitting player and non string breaker using a 18x20 pattern? I cut my strings at 7-9 hours and never break them.

I started out using Solinco Revolution 16 then 17 and switched to Hyper G 18 (1.15) and recently tried Cyclone 18L (1.15) and 19 (1.10).

I found a lot softer/plusher string bed with the thinner gauges, more free power and more spin. Downsides were I lost some control but was able to fix that by stringing back at low 50's vs. mid 40's. I'm tempted to try Revolution 20 gauge. Curious to hear thoughts on super thin gauges.

I love thinner strings, cyclone 18L, cyclone 19 or tour bite 19g play great and last me 8 to 10h. I tried solinco tour bite 20g and only last me like an hour and broke 2 strings at the same time.

 

[rafa_prestige89]

I play with a 18x20 frame and feel as if I lose control and precision when going with thinner gauges...

 

[Dartagnan64]

I play with a 18x20 frame and feel as if I lose control and precision when going with thinner gauges...

I play an 18x20 frame and feel as if I lose pop and spin with thicker gauges.

I'm sure there is a Goldilocks gauge in there somewhere. I vote 17g.

 

[CiscoPC600]

Hybrid with multi if a non-string breaker and with gut if a stringbreaker?

Head Velocity. Technifibre HDX.

Ha, thanks. I actually meant in gauge. I'm guessing 16x20 is still considered an open pattern, so I'm not sure if typically 18g is used for such pattern.

 

[2nd Serve Ace]

Thinner strings are totally fine but there is a power bump and slightly higher launch.

Sent from my SM-T560NU using Tapatalk

 

[Dartagnan64]

Ha, thanks. I actually meant in gauge. I'm guessing 16x20 is still considered an open pattern, so I'm not sure if typically 18g is used for such pattern.

I don't think you need to go 18g for that open a stringbed. 17g is thin enough to optimize spin and durability.

 

[esgee48]

Strings should be chosen based on player and frame. The player and frame/strings provide spin and power/pace. Strings should provide control and tension maintenance. Everything is a compromise when balancing what a player wants. To answer OP's comment, my statement would be "only if going thinner does not compromise control and tension maintenance." Going thinner does lessen a string's ability to hold the desired range of DT. It may also increase launch angle, which may/may not affect a player. OP may not be sensitive to these 2 aspects since he cuts his strings out within 10 hours. [Yea for own stringer.] However some players are sensitive and cannot play with thin gauges. The ball starts to launch within 1-2 hours, so for those I would use a thicker gauge like 16 or 16L. [These player use Prestige MPs and Radical MPs.] 3¢

 

[Zoolander]

Don’t like thin strings, and if I may generalise unfairly I think you find most pros use thicker gauges, at least 1.25 or so? Thicker strings give more control, hold tension better, still give good spin, better consistency, and if you need more pop you can always go a softer string. Even in 18*20 I found I preferred a thicker gauge in a softer string to a thinner poly. Personal preference I suppose.

 

[CosmosMpower]

For me I don’t care about tension loss I find most polys lose 6-7 lbs first hour then settle in and lose .5 to 1 lb a session and I only use strings for 3-4 sessions. As long as I know what tension I want when the strings lose the initial tension I’m good to go.

I may try some 20g just for fun. I could tell the 19 cyclone was a lot softer and more lively than 18L cyclone. 18L is thin, 19 is holy crap this is thin you can tell when you string it.

 

[esgee48]

20 Ga looks like sewing machine thread to me olde eyes, what you see on blue jeans.

 

[2nd Serve Ace]

Another comment I'll make is that gauge changes on crosses are a little noticeable but not much, changes on the mains are big time adjustments by maybe a factor of 4!

Might try changing the Xs up to .1 mm before looking at the mains.

Sent from my SM-T560NU using Tapatalk

 

[Voytek Bunia]

Hybrid with multi if a non-string breaker and with gut if a stringbreaker?

that's a really good way of putting it. multi/poly is superior if you're not a string breaker.

 

[dnguyen]

Try luxilon big banger ace 18 which is 1.12mm at crosses in hybrid strings with klip legend 18 1.20mm for Fischer vacuum pro 90. Need to lower to 48lbs which I like it better.

 

[mctennis]

Thinner strings cut into each other more easily than a thinker string. I am taking mains into crosses type cutting into.

 

[tennistomcat]

Only thin gauge strings that I like are Cyclone 18/19 & big banger ace 18 because of their good control.
They give my blx blade 18X20 a bit extra needed spin & trajectory.
I tried tour bite 20 thinking it would be great but I found a little loss of control, stability, & plow. I feel it's due to too much of a drop in sw.
Frustrated me why it felt off & I was not playing the same until I tried to compensate by adding lead tape @ 12 o' clock.
Blx blade has always felt so solid against anyone but with a 20 gauge it felt unstable & weaker without any extra lead.

 

[Keendog]

Thin gauges are like a super model. Stunningly beautiful but time with them is fleeting. Just like the last time I was with one (Tyra Banks). That 30 seconds alone in a closet was amazing but it was over soooo fast.

Also make sure you weight the racquet before and compensate if it ends up being lighter than before. Otherwise you are more likely comparing swingweight differences more than gauges.

Dang police eh @Shroud

 

[Shroud]

Dang police eh @Shroud

As I told them NOTHING happened. Sadly it's totally true

 

[Shroud]

Duplicate

 

[1HBHfanatic]

I like 18g on 18/20s
I like 16g on 16/19s
problem is, I play with a 16/20,,,, haaaa

Seriously though,, picking thin hybrid strings for a 18/20 is not very easy, lots of personal preference factors to consider, spin, touch, launch, power...

 

[Muppet]

I have 2 racquets from the Dunlop 200 series that are closely matched (see signature). The Biomimetic 200 is more recent by 10 years and is made of carbon HM6 (sounds a little hollow). The MuscleWeave 200G is braided graphite. I've found that the Bio200 plays better with a poly of average thickness (1.25) and the braided graphite frame plays well with polys down to 1.14. Although my resulting favorites in my signature say differently. The choice of cross string plays a role as well.