hybrid format for gut/multi

[Jackson Heights]

I plan to use a hybrid of gut and soft multifiiment. The reason is I have tennis elbow and need soft strings. I'd like to use all gut but gut is expensive. So I figured I would use both gut and multifilament - one as the main and the other as a cross. That way there is less chance of breaking strings than if I used all gut, since gut doesn't last as long as multi (I think).

The question is which to put on the main and which on the cross. Main strings break more often so logically I should put gut on the cross and multi on the main, since gut is expensive and breaks more. It probably would break less if I put it as a cross string. But on the other hand, the main strings dominate the feel you get. That is an argument for putting the gut on the main and the multi on the crosses. That way I would more likely get the feel of gut.

Which way should I go? (I am a 4.0 player and not a big hitter and I don't break strings much).

 

[mrtrinh]

actually youre better off going with full gut than gut/multi. I know youre trying to save money but multi does not last as long as gut. You'll probably end up breaking the multi before the gut goes.

You also say youre not a big string breaker so if you used the gut/multi route the multi will lose a lot of tension over time as for gut maintains its tension and plays well throughout its whole life. I'm not sure what gut you want to use, but some good budget guts are pacific, klip, and performaxxx.

I play with full gut and it lasts me much longer than any multi or gut/multi hybrid

 

[baek57]

I use gut mains with isospeed multi in the cross. It lasts longer than using full gut. If you're going to hybrid gut with multi always put the multi in the cross. If you're going to put gut in the cross that's a waste of gut and might as well just use full multi.

 

[kiteboard]

vs team/nrg2.

 

[mikeler]

I use gut mains with isospeed multi in the cross. It lasts longer than using full gut. If you're going to hybrid gut with multi always put the multi in the cross. If you're going to put gut in the cross that's a waste of gut and might as well just use full multi.

Yeah, if you are going to pay the premium for gut by all means use it in the mains if you hybrid it with a multi.

 

[Keifers]

I use gut mains with isospeed multi in the cross. It lasts longer than using full gut. If you're going to hybrid gut with multi always put the multi in the cross. If you're going to put gut in the cross that's a waste of gut and might as well just use full multi.

Agree. Big time.

 

[Jackson Heights]

tension for hybrid stringing

Let's say I do decide to put gut (Klip Legend 16) in the mains and a soft multi (Head FXP Power 17) in the crosses. Let's say I want a tension of about 63, which is medium tension in my racquet which strings tight. I heard that gut should be strung 5 pounds tighter or looser than synthetic, I can't remember which. I also heard the main strings should be about 2 pounds tighter than the cross strings to increase the sweet spot. (Is that true?) So this is getting confusing. At which tension should I string the gut in the main, and at which tension should I string the multi in the crosses?

 

[JT_2eighty]

FXP Power is not a durable multi, you may end up going through two stringjobs of gut/fxp faster than one stringbed of Gut. I would heed baek's advice:

I use gut mains with isospeed multi in the cross. It lasts longer than using full gut. If you're going to hybrid gut with multi always put the multi in the cross. If you're going to put gut in the cross that's a waste of gut and might as well just use full multi.

+1 the isospeed classic multis are an amazing combo with gut: durable, buttery feel on your arm, and will actually extend the life of your gut, unlike most other multis out there, which end up notching and snapping sooner than a full gut job.

And to your initial question, gut is typically more durable than multis of the same gauge.

 

[Jackson Heights]

FXP Power is not a durable multi, you may end up going through two stringjobs of gut/fxp faster than one stringbed of Gut. I would heed baek's advice:



+1 the isospeed classic multis are an amazing combo with gut: durable, buttery feel on your arm, and will actually extend the life of your gut, unlike most other multis out there, which end up notching and snapping sooner than a full gut job.

And to your initial question, gut is typically more durable than multis of the same gauge.

I already bought several half sets of the FXP Power multi and the Klip Legend gut. So I am stuck with them and might as well use them. So, per my question above, which tension for each one?
I will heed your advise and go for the isospeed after I use up my current strings. Also - is it true that isospeed strings need to be waxed before they are strung? Many stringers do not do that.

But in the meantime, what tension for each of the strings I already have (please see my question in post # 7 which is 2 posts above this).

 

[JT_2eighty]

Let's say I do decide to put gut (Klip Legend 16) in the mains and a soft multi (Head FXP Power 17) in the crosses. Let's say I want a tension of about 63, which is medium tension in my racquet which strings tight. I heard that gut should be strung 5 pounds tighter or looser than synthetic, I can't remember which. I also heard the main strings should be about 2 pounds tighter than the cross strings to increase the sweet spot. (Is that true?) So this is getting confusing. At which tension should I string the gut in the main, and at which tension should I string the multi in the crosses?

Full at 63 would work well. Since the gut tends to hold tension better than anything, the multi will loosen up over time, creating that "tighter mains than crosses" sweetspot sensation you cited. Anytime I've used gut, it performs best in this 60+ pound range, it's the only string that gets more elastic once you reach 60+ tensions. While 63/61 sounds better on paper, the fxp will really loosen up over time, and you may have too soft a setup for your tastes. I'd almost say 63/65 would work well to combat tension loss in the fxp, but then you will be looking at lower durability stringing the fxp that high.

Someone else with more experience with fxp may be of more help.

 

[Jackson Heights]

More about Isospeed string

That makes sense about the full 63.

One more question about the Isospeed multi string. Which one to use in the cross? (I will use a gut in the main).
There are several Isospeed multis: the Isospeed Control, the Isospeed Control Classic, the Isospeed Professional, and the Isospeed Professional Classic. Most also come in 16 and 17 gauges. So anyone in particular, or are they all good?
Do I have to wax them? Also, can I buy them in half-sets?

 

[mikeler]

FXP is one of the few multis that I experienced tension loss with.

 

[ced]

I plan to use a hybrid of gut and soft multifiiment. The reason is I have tennis elbow and need soft strings. I'd like to use all gut but gut is expensive. So I figured I would use both gut and multifilament - one as the main and the other as a cross. That way there is less chance of breaking strings than if I used all gut, since gut doesn't last as long as multi (I think).

The question is which to put on the main and which on the cross. Main strings break more often so logically I should put gut on the cross and multi on the main, since gut is expensive and breaks more. It probably would break less if I put it as a cross string. But on the other hand, the main strings dominate the feel you get. That is an argument for putting the gut on the main and the multi on the crosses. That way I would more likely get the feel of gut.

Which way should I go? (I am a 4.0 player and not a big hitter and I don't break strings much).

My current favorite is:

Pacific Classic Gut 16 (m) / Ashaway Dynamite Soft 17 (c) @ 52/48

This combination maintains tension well, is comfortable and provides both 'pop' and control.

 

[fortun8son]

FXP would not have been my first choice as a multi. It's not that soft. Oh well.
Forten Sweet 16 (gold) Syngut may give you better value and performance as a cross.

 

[Jackson Heights]

Which Isospeed Multi?

Someone on this thread mentioned to use Isospeed multi in the crosses. (Using gut in the mains). But there are several kinds of Isospeed multis. The Isospeed Control, the Isospeed Control Classic, the Isospeed Professional, and the Isospeed Professional Classic. Most also come in 16 and 17 gauges. Anyone in particular?

 

[baek57]

Someone on this thread mentioned to use Isospeed multi in the crosses. (Using gut in the mains). But there are several kinds of Isospeed multis. The Isospeed Control, the Isospeed Control Classic, the Isospeed Professional, and the Isospeed Professional Classic. Most also come in 16 and 17 gauges. Anyone in particular?

I prefer the classic professional, but I use control classic for durability. Only difference between control/professional is the gauge. The new version is prestretched so you need to string it looser.

 

[Jackson Heights]

Wax Isospeed?

Thanks for the info. I think Isospeed strings have to be waxed. Is that true only if you use it for the mains? Or is waxing also true if you use Isospeed only for the cross strings?