Hybrid advice

niktub

niktub

Professional
Hello,
this is my background:
i am a full stringbed natural gut(48/46 lbs) user which has recently tried Luxilon Alu power fluoro on Mains@44 lbs with Babolat VS Team on Crosses@46 lbs.
This is a beautiful set up but my arm is a bit sore(i have been hitting too hard)after a few hours of play...The Luxilon fluoro is supposed to be softer than others but is still stiff on my opinion.
I am looking for the best poly on the mains to be associated with natural gut or eventually synthetic gut on the crosses(for winter).

Characteristics priority:
- Arm friendly(i love tennis and don't want to have arm/shoulder issues...)
- Good Tension maintenance(best possible) as i string low
- Great Control of the poly and firmer stringbed
- Easy access to topspin
- no string movement

This is my short list...There are so many references and i need some clarity.Can you recommend me the right poly and the right Synthetic gut(soft/tension/feel)?
Thank you very much in advance!

Co(polys)
Head Sonic pro 17
Pro Supex Big Ace
Weiss Cannon Silverstring
PolyStar Energy
Signum Pro Poly Plasma 17
Signum Pro Hyperion 17 1.24
Kirschbaum Touch Turbo(tension issue?)
Polyfibre TCS(tension issue?)
CO3 21/20kg Extrême-tennis
Tourna Poly Big Hitter Blue 17
Mantis Power Polyester
Pro's pro Cyber Power 17
Solinco Tour Bite 17
Genesis Black Magic 17 1.23
Genesis Spin X 17 1.23

Synthetic gut
Gosen OG-Sheep Micro 17
Forten sweet 17
Prince synthetic gut Original
Prince synthetic gut Duraflex
Silent Partner Ultimatum 17g?
Head PPS 17

or any better idea...:)
 
I've been using gut mains and a TiMO cross hybrid for years now. I like the feel and control I have with this hybrid. The ball seems to cup a little longer than with a full gut string bed. I know it may just be a mind thing but to me it feels like it does.
I've not tried a lot of the ones you have listed but I've tried quite a few others as crosses without the same luck. The only other one I did like was the Ashaway Dynamite 17g as a cross.
I tried the NBMJ one of Isospeed Professional as a cross but I though it didn't play as well as my combination.
I think my combination is good on the wrist/shoulder/arm and doesn't jar you to death.
I like the control I had with Klip Scorcher BUT I started feeling the wrist and arm hurting after playing 2 hours with a full string bed of it. Great control and a crisp feel to it. I may try that as my crosses in one of my racquets to see how it plays and if the arm issue continues if it is a hybrid.
I hope this helps. Good luck finding one that works for you.
 
I won't do polys espically Luxillon Strings as they
really do hurt your arms.
I am doing Gosen MS 16 with Klip Scorcher 17 and so
far so good now.
 
I agree with you about a full poly set up. However, I found that the TiMO, as my crosses, does not hurt my arm. I was surprised myself at this setup. Just suggestion what seems to work for me and doesn't hurt my arm/shoulder/wrist area.
I normally use a 16g or a 16L as mains and 17g crosses.
 
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I have listed the strings supposed to have the qualities i am looking for.
Which poly will be "arm-friendly" and will have best tension maintenance?
 
Synthetic gut strings are not arm friendly. You're better off with a string like Ashaway Dynamite or Prince Premier w/ Softflex, or Nat Gut if you can swing it.
 
PolyStar Energy and Pro Supex Titan is what you are looking for. A slightly better but pricier option is PolyStar Energy and NRG2.
 
86golf said:
PolyStar Energy and Pro Supex Titan is what you are looking for. A slightly better but pricier option is PolyStar Energy and NRG2.
Click to expand...

So PolyStar Energy wins.
I will go with the Vs Team on crosses.Pro Super Titan(synth gut) is difficult to get in Europe.Thank you.
 
Falloutjr said:
I'd recommend Tecnifibre Promix 17/Ashaway Dynamite Soft 17, would probably good for you.
Click to expand...

Interresting higher-end techno hybrid.
Promix seems to be a multi-poly
Ashaway Dynamite a sort of multi-SG
I will stick with my VS Team crosses for better comparison.
Just need to find the right poly(PolyStar energy or Promix or...).
PolyStar energy seems to have a lot of fans...
 
niktub said:
Interresting higher-end techno hybrid.
Promix seems to be a multi-poly
Ashaway Dynamite a sort of multi-SG
I will stick with my VS Team crosses for better comparison.
Just need to find the right poly(PolyStar energy or Promix or...).
PolyStar energy seems to have a lot of fans...
Click to expand...

Dynamite is a multi, and is almost identical to natural gut at low tensions, and Promix is a poly with both good tension maintenance and very low stiffness. If that's what you want from strings, you can't do much better than that.
 
Falloutjr said:
Dynamite is a multi, and is almost identical to natural gut at low tensions, and Promix is a poly with both good tension maintenance and very low stiffness. If that's what you want from strings, you can't do much better than that.
Click to expand...

Thank you.I am not an expert but i have read many times that it was better to hybrid SG or NG(of course) with poly than Multi with poly.
I have to test how this Promix works for me.I really liked the Luxilon but it causes me some pain apparently...
 
niktub said:
Thank you.I am not an expert but i have read many times that it was better to hybrid SG or NG(of course) with poly than Multi with poly.
I have to test how this Promix works for me.I really liked the Luxilon but it causes me some pain apparently...
Click to expand...

I'm sorry, but if you're using a Lux at 44 and a NG at 46 and having arm problems, you shouldn't be playing with polys at all o.O that's about as soft as it can get.
 
I am not having arm problem and i agree with you as i did not expect to feel any bad sensation(which i never had before) at that low tension...I really liked how it played as i am playing my best standard at the moment.
Any multi or NG is much more soft(big time) than what i am currently using.There must be something in between...
 
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Look, you need to use the poly in the crosses and nat gut in the mains, if you have arm issues and like the feel of natty gut.

I've had some TE in the past and I've been using VS Team 17 nat gut mains @ 62 lbs and Luxilon Alu Power Rough crosses @ 58 lbs for 2 years now and have ZERO pain in my arm.

And I also currently use Pure Drive racquets, which causes arm pain for some......

So try the reverse hybrid - nat gut mains and Luxilon Alu Power Rough crosses.
I promise you, you will love it.

Only MEGATroll GameSetMatch says it's a hybrid for *******s, Pro players and low level rec players, becáuse he can't afford it, but I'm telling you it's the best setup for a lot of people, rec level players, pro players and in between that !!

Avoid poly mains, if you have arm issues.
Place the poly in the crosses, and you won't feel it as much or at all, especially in combination with soft natty gut mains.

Just my 2 honest cents of advice for you :)
 
I knew it was going to be suggested soon as i am aware this is probably the best option for my arm(feeling no more pain after 4 days of rest by the way).
Poly or Sg in the crosses i suppose but which one with SG on the mains?
I have read that the Alu power rough is arm-friendly at low tension(bs?)...
I really liked the control and spin i have with the poly but it might be a masochist thing.:)
TBC...
 
think poly mains is going to give more spin. NG in the crosses would be a waste. would go cheaper with a multi cross like Multifeel or something like that...tho i prefer Gosen OGSM 17 crosses.
 
what kind of tennis rackets are you using you should also state which racquet you are hybriding thesesrtings

thanks gjr
 
Gosen OGSM 17 or Forten Sweet 17 seem to be the way to go on the crosses.
Pro supex Big Ace Micro(with Promix 17?) seems to be the softest poly with good tension maintenance(will update if i find other options).
Except that, you have great soft polys but they all loose tension rather quickly + some regular ones like the Tourna Blue...The SPPP seems to hold the tension well but is not especially arm-friendly...
I will try the BAM first and if it causes any discomfort will use NG on my mains!
TBC
 
Short(er) list:

Co(polys)
Pro Supex Big Ace
Technifibre Promix 17
Signum Pro Poly Plasma 17
Signum Pro Hyperion 17 1.24
Topspin Cyberblue
Genesis Spin X 17 1.23

Synthetic gut
Gosen OG-Sheep Micro 17
Forten sweet 17
Pro Supex Titan gut

TBC:neutral:
 
ClubHoUno said:
Only MEGATroll GameSetMatch says it's a hybrid for *******s, Pro players and low level rec players, becáuse he can't afford it
Click to expand...

Is this some kind of shame in the place where you come from?
Not everyone is rich and/or has bucketloads of money to waste on piles of racquets and endless reels of expensive hi-tec strings. And sir, it's no shame on not having money as long as you're honest.
 
THESEXPISTOL said:
Is this some kind of shame in the place where you come from?
Not everyone is rich and/or has bucketloads of money to waste on piles of racquets and endless reels of expensive hi-tec strings. And sir, it's no shame on not having money as long as you're honest.
Click to expand...

You miss the point.

It's not so much that he can't afford it, it's the excuses he makes, which makes him delusional:

1. He argues that gut mains/poly crosses hybrid only lasts for 1-2 hours, so only pro players can benefit from using it > I get 8-10 hours from mine, and the 2 former ATP pro players at my club get 5-6 great hours out of their natgut/poly hybrid.

2. He finds it grotesque that I spend this and that amounts of $$$ on strings, when I'm only this and that level of player > I'm a 4.5-5.0 level player and I use precisely the strings I want to.

3. He's convinced that only *******s use this hybrid, because Fed uses it > He forgets Djokovic, Hewiit, Ivan Lendl and several other players like this hybrid

4. No matter how many players he sees on this forum, who have tested and liked the natgut mains and poly crosses hybrid, he stays true to the belief that this hybrid is only for Federer and only works for 2 hours.

This is just one of the reasons why GameSetMatch is a GIANT MegaTroll !!
 
ClubHoUno said:
You miss the point.

It's not so much that he can't afford it, it's the excuses he makes, which makes him delusional:

1. He argues that gut mains/poly crosses hybrid only lasts for 1-2 hours, so only pro players can benefit from using it > I get 8-10 hours from mine, and the 2 former ATP pro players at my club get 5-6 great hours out of their natgut/poly hybrid.

2. He finds it grotesque that I spend this and that amounts of $$$ on strings, when I'm only this and that level of player > I'm a 4.5-5.0 level player and I use precisely the strings I want to.

3. He's convinced that only *******s use this hybrid, because Fed uses it > He forgets Djokovic, Hewiit, Ivan Lendl and several other players like this hybrid

4. No matter how many players he sees on this forum, who have tested and liked the natgut mains and poly crosses hybrid, he stays true to the belief that this hybrid is only for Federer and only works for 2 hours.

This is just one of the reasons why GameSetMatch is a GIANT MegaTroll !!
Click to expand...

Ok! Now you proved me your point.
 
Falloutjr said:
Dynamite is a multi, and is almost identical to natural gut at low tensions, and Promix is a poly with both good tension maintenance and very low stiffness. If that's what you want from strings, you can't do much better than that.
Click to expand...

While correct info, unfortunately, the stiffness of a string at low tensions is meaningless to most, because upon impact (when you really "feel" the ball as well as when impact/shock/vibration occurs), the forces are much much greater (typical serves are impact forces 80+ lbs). Unless you are not a fast-swinging player, the low tension stiffness and low impact stiffness values become one of the least important stats of a string (if you string, you may note how some strings are stiff in package, but stretchy on the stringer, or vice versa-- to many, the importance of a string's stiffness at low tensions is similar to how it feels in the package, not that useful... how many people string their multi at 40 lbs?).

How does it perform at 60+ lbs tension and fast swing speeds? As topspin goes hand in hand with fast head speeds, this is what we should be focusing on, if anything. That is what those who should even be using poly will want to know. Gut is just untouchable, even by the softest synthetic, when looking at the full playability/feel of a string and how it translates into comfort and arm health. Our OP is already a gut user, so he will be let down by most (if not all) multis.


So, back on track to the OP. It sounds like you still want to at least TRY a poly cross, the softest/most comfortable out there, with your gut mains. It's a good thing to try before you totally scrap the use of poly (even though the softest polys are still unadvisable for those with any arm issues).
Promix I would not try, as it is really just a multi, but with polyester fibers in it. I've used it and it doesn't play like any other monofilament poly, so it would not give you a good basis to compare, it really just plays like a stiff multi (with decent control and low power, but spin is nothing like monofilament poly spin). Plus, it frays and notches like a multi, which will inhibit spin capacity.

That said, use Gut mains, and find a good soft, co-poly cross. Polystar Energy crosses should be perfect, or Big Ace Micro.

Since you come from full gut at ~48 lbs range, try the Gut main/soft poly cross even as low as 35 or 40 lbs. You will be surprised and possibly pleased with the full package in terms of spin, comfort, and feel.
 
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I did not feel any pain today but the stringbed starts to feel a bit dead,time to cut it.I have tried X-one or Kgut or Xcell power and it doesn't work as a substitute of NG at all.I will try the The Big Ace and probably later the BHB.I am not sure about the tension maintenance of the PolyStar Energy.Many thanks
 
You know a lot of the co-polys on the market are great just by themselves. You have comfort like the gut or multi crosses but still have the control and spin in them.
TF black code, Signum Tornado or hyperion, Solinco revolution...just to name a few that I have tried that I like to use as a full set up
 
niktub said:
I did not feel any pain today but the stringbed starts to feel a bit dead,time to cut it.I have tried X-one or Kgut or Xcell power and it doesn't work as a substitute of NG at all.I will try the The Big Ace and probably later the BHB.I am not sure about the tension maintenance of the PolyStar Energy.Many thanks
Click to expand...

This is going to be the big issue with any gut/poly hybrid. Often the poly will lose its playability long before your gut breaks. It can become more expensive than using full gut, if you're used to playing full gut until it breaks. With the hybrid you will be cutting out unbroken gut based on when the poly strings die. For this reason, some use the poly strings that are best known for their tension maintenance qualities in these gut hybrids, like Signum Pro or some of the newest offerings from Genesis or Weisscannon, et al.
 
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Exactly.
Lots of soft polys(Polystar Energy,TCS,K touch turbo,Head Sonic pro) seem to loose tension super quickly(and have not that much spin qualities apparently) which is very annoying mixed with NG...SPPP or Hyperion,WC Silverstring,Big Ace,BM or SpinX seem better in that regard.
Tourna BHB,Solinco Tour bite,Pro's pro CBP,Mantis CP or PP will work well either on mains or crosses with NG.
The best tension maintenance will be favored or i might go back where i come from.:?
There might be a better approach(Ashaway Dynamite) or SG but this is already so many informations and things to try...
The game itself requires some attention too:)...
 
To do List:

Co(polys)
SPPP 17 or pure?
SPPD=Pro Supex Big Ace
Signum Pro Hyperion 17 1.24
Topspin Cyber Blue=Tourna Poly Big Hitter Blue 17
Genesis Black Magic 17 1.23
PolyStar Energy?

Synthetic gut
Signum Pro Ultra Power 1.28
Laserfibre SG(laser or not) not available in europe
Pro Supex synthetic gut Titan not available in europe low power
Forten sweet 17 not available in europe pop?

If you think about any soft Synthetic gut with an excellent tension maintenance,please let me know.:)
 
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