Hybrid setup for EZONE DR 98

[Fabolous-vs]

Hi, given Babolats recent statement ("...We recommend that if you do not break poly in 8 - 14 hours, hybrid it with a softer, non-polyester string in the crosses.") I would like to try a hybrid setup with Yonex Poly Tour. Can anyone recommend a softer non-poly for the crosses? I play my polys at 48lbs. What do you recommend in a hybrid setup?

Thanks for sharing your experience.

 

[geubes]

I use Poly Tour Pro as the poly in my hybrids for the last 2 years. I was previously using Apollo pro response (another slick but stiffer poly)

I have experimented with both Poly mains and cross and played with Hybrids for at least 8 years now... so that may give you some comfort from my experience.

If you like the way your current racket plays, then add the non-poly into the crosses. This will mean the whole bed and launch angle will be similar. Spin generation will be less but directional control / ball pocketing will increase. If using a multi in the cross the advise is to go up half a gauge if possible.

If you like the spin you get with Poly, put the non-poly in the main... BUT this will make the racket bed feel a LOT softer, spin will be similar to full poly but balls will fly long if you don't take full cuts at the ball. Also the launch angle is increased.

For Poly mains, these are my top recommendations for non-poly cross:

Signum Pro Ultra Power SF - Syngut. Plenty of power, soft, holds up well (my current choice)
Babolat Addiction - Multi. Has a slick hard coating so life is surprisingly good for a multi. Most club players that hybrid use this at our club for balance of softness/longevity
Pros pro Gutex Utra - Multi. Good control, not too soft for a multi, doesnt have much of a coating. Gives the strings a thud sound, wears out fairly quick but is also very cheap.
Volkl Classic Synthetic Gut - SynGut, Good control, not massive power, soft and slick with the poly to allow snapback

My current DR's have YPTP Poly crosses and I am a 80% doubles player. One is strung Natural Gut in the main and the other with a SynGut - Signum Pro Ultra Power SF. The SynGut in the main does only last about 15 hours but as I string myself and the extra pop it gives me is a good trade off.

BTW hybriding does have a weird side effect in that if you go Poly Mains / Multi cross the strings can last YEARS!!! if you dont hit much spin. like we have people that still have strings from 2 years ago. As the poly goes dead the multis get more powerful so it gives the weird impression that the strings still feel the same. I have a Yonex 89t that has 4 year old hybrid in it, I can take it out of the bag and it still plays great - even though the poly is likely dead.

 

[dimkin]

I use Poly Tour Pro as the poly in my hybrids for the last 2 years. I was previously using Apollo pro response (another slick but stiffer poly)

I have experimented with both Poly mains and cross and played with Hybrids for at least 8 years now... so that may give you some comfort from my experience.

If you like the way your current racket plays, then add the non-poly into the crosses. This will mean the whole bed and launch angle will be similar. Spin generation will be less but directional control / ball pocketing will increase. If using a multi in the cross the advise is to go up half a gauge if possible.

If you like the spin you get with Poly, put the non-poly in the main... BUT this will make the racket bed feel a LOT softer, spin will be similar to full poly but balls will fly long if you don't take full cuts at the ball. Also the launch angle is increased.

For Poly mains, these are my top recommendations for non-poly cross:

Signum Pro Ultra Power SF - Syngut. Plenty of power, soft, holds up well (my current choice)
Babolat Addiction - Multi. Has a slick hard coating so life is surprisingly good for a multi. Most club players that hybrid use this at our club for balance of softness/longevity
Pros pro Gutex Utra - Multi. Good control, not too soft for a multi, doesnt have much of a coating. Gives the strings a thud sound, wears out fairly quick but is also very cheap.
Volkl Classic Synthetic Gut - SynGut, Good control, not massive power, soft and slick with the poly to allow snapback

My current DR's have YPTP Poly crosses and I am a 80% doubles player. One is strung Natural Gut in the main and the other with a SynGut - Signum Pro Ultra Power SF. The SynGut in the main does only last about 15 hours but as I string myself and the extra pop it gives me is a good trade off.

BTW hybriding does have a weird side effect in that if you go Poly Mains / Multi cross the strings can last YEARS!!! if you dont hit much spin. like we have people that still have strings from 2 years ago. As the poly goes dead the multis get more powerful so it gives the weird impression that the strings still feel the same. I have a Yonex 89t that has 4 year old hybrid in it, I can take it out of the bag and it still plays great - even though the poly is likely dead.

Hmm . . . I've gone through ALU Soft Mains/ Alphagut Cross in 3 hrs . . . Very hesitant now to try anything non-poly

 

[CopolyX]

boy a zillion choices...I always suggest...if you have a spare frame..go on a campaign to test a full bed of non copolys. will this take time, you bet. narrow some down and try them. your will gain a ton of knowledge, experience and it will be key to finding the right strings for you, your frame and your game. be open, be creative, be logic, and have plan...if you are in a rush...you will never find the best...
My suggestions are ....Consider natural gut and be open to trying any mono core sync gut. I personally would stay away from multi in a hybrid for pure durability factors. but that is just me...Mono core round snyc gut will better with stand the pounding from a dominant copoly...

 

[geubes]

Hmm . . . I've gone through ALU Soft Mains/ Alphagut Cross in 3 hrs . . . Very hesitant now to try anything non-poly

Which string broke and where on the racket? Could just be a very soft multi. I have never used it so can't comment, but with Multi's you get some that are just bad for hybird, soft coating and they quickly fray and snap. Syn Gut gives you a bit more margin for error on string choice when it comes to life, but also a bad syngut will make the bed as harsh and also take away spin vs poly/poly

 

[dimkin]

Which string broke and where on the racket? Could just be a very soft multi. I have never used it so can't comment, but with Multi's you get some that are just bad for hybird, soft coating and they quickly fray and snap. Syn Gut gives you a bit more margin for error on string choice when it comes to life, but also a bad syngut will make the bed as harsh and also take away spin vs poly/poly

Naturally broke 2 of the cross strings right in the middle ...
Alphagut 2000 is a syngut that's supposedly is very slick ... but I am very vary of using non-polys now, considering ALU Soft / Wilson Revolve hybrid instead

 

[lwto]

I use MSV Co Focus on the mains..$2.00
and
Gamma Black ICe on the crosses.. $4.00

Doesn't last a long time, but it's been a fantastic setup with great pocketing, spin, power, control and comfort.
Unfortunately, they don't make Black ICE anymore, so I purchased everyone I could across the net, but Gamma has another soft poly to take it's place.

 

[Slim Pickens]

I am currently playing with the Ezone DR 98. I have some YPTP-17 and a reel of Pro's Pro Gutex Ultra-16. If I were to try a hybrid with YPTP in the mains and Gutex Ultra in the crosses, what sort of tension differential would you recommend?

 

[Fabolous-vs]

so, I definitely want to try a hybrid setup next time I'm going to my stringer. Andy from TW posted a snapchat today with Luxilon Alu Power and Luxilon Natural Gut (power crosses, natural gut mains). As I have no experience with hybrids at all, what tension do you recommend? 55lbs? Both?

My setup since a couple of month is Hyper-G at 48 lbs.

 

[Traffic]

It may be helpful to provide your play level and frequency. I was looking at the TW tester's profiles and Andy is an Open player (and former pro) and Chris is a 5.0 all arounder. While I definitely value their opinions, many times it has little bearing on how the strings/racquets will perform in my hands. For example, Andy is breaking 18g full poly in a couple hours. I will break an 18g poly in a few months mostly due to the mains notching on the crosses...

 

[Fabolous-vs]

It will take me a while to break a Poly. But typically I change (Poly) strings after 16h play. I play 4-5 times a week. I'd rate me as a strong 3.5.

I think I'll try:
Gut crosses @55lbs, 1.30
Power mains @53lbs, 1.25

 

[kizzle]

I just switched to a hybrid setup in my DR and I'm really enjoying it. It's already a comfortable frame but the gut mains add some nice power and touch, and the setup has excellent spin potential. I was originally hesitant to put gut in the mains because I like the playing characteristics of my polys, but I'm glad I gave gut mains a shot because it's really a sweet set up. If you've never played hybrids try it both ways and see which way you prefer.

VS Touch mains @52lbs, 1.30
Head Lynx crosses @46lbs, 1.25

I'll also note that for the first 20 minutes or so I was surprised with how firm the string bed felt because I was expecting the gut to be a bit 'softer' but then it really opened up amazingly. Might take a session or 2 to really get into it.

 

[Fabolous-vs]

I just switched to a hybrid setup in my DR and I'm really enjoying it. It's already a comfortable frame but the gut mains add some nice power and touch, and the setup has excellent spin potential. I was originally hesitant to put gut in the mains because I like the playing characteristics of my polys, but I'm glad I gave gut mains a shot because it's really a sweet set up. If you've never played hybrids try it both ways and see which way you prefer.

VS Touch mains @52lbs, 1.30
Head Lynx crosses @46lbs, 1.25

I'll also note that for the first 20 minutes or so I was surprised with how firm the string bed felt because I was expecting the gut to be a bit 'softer' but then it really opened up amazingly. Might take a session or 2 to really get into it.

Went to the stringer and will get it back tomorrow with the following specs:
Babolat VS Touch, Main, 52lbs
Luxilon ALU Power, Crosses, 48lbs

Gonna hit with it tomorrow.

 

[Allcourtguy]

I am having a blast with HyperG 18g / Volkl Classic Syn Gut 17g @ 46/49 in my DR98. Highly recommend you give it a hit.

 

[dimkin]

Revolve is a relatively soft and slick cross

 

[Fabolous-vs]

I played already two times with my new hybrid setup and I love it. Seriously, I should have tried natural gut before. The feel is just like having your first time over and over again when you hit the ball.

 

[Phantasm]

I personally found I found myself performing better with a full poly setup than gut mains/poly cross...


Haven't tried poly main/ other cross but i'm open to looking for setups that'll increase my stringbed longevity? Do people put multi corsses at a higher tension than the poly mains? Currently use Poly tour pro at 54lbs which I've found to be a pretty decent setup...

 

[TennisManiac]

Went to the stringer and will get it back tomorrow with the following specs:
Babolat VS Touch, Main, 52lbs
Luxilon ALU Power, Crosses, 48lbs

Gonna hit with it tomorrow.

I've played that exact same setup. String and tension. And found it to be too powerful and wasn't able to generate the same amount of spin that I could with a full bed of Alu Power at 48. So everything was going long. I may try 4G in the crosses next time and see what happens. It would definitely last longer that's for sure. Alu Power dies so quickly.

 

[Fabolous-vs]

Yes, ALU died quickly. However, I like to keep playing with Gut Mains and Poly Crosses. Can anyone recommend a solid alternative to ALU Power in the crosses?

 

[WisconsinPlayer]

I use MSV Co Focus on the mains..$2.00
and
Gamma Black ICe on the crosses.. $4.00

Doesn't last a long time, but it's been a fantastic setup with great pocketing, spin, power, control and comfort.
Unfortunately, they don't make Black ICE anymore, so I purchased everyone I could across the net, but Gamma has another soft poly to take it's place.

Msv is 8$ a pack, so it's 4 and 4 isnt it? Or did you find a reel, I cannot find them anywhere

 

[lwto]

Msv is 8$ a pack, so it's 4 and 4 isnt it? Or did you find a reel, I cannot find them anywhere

PM me and I'll show you the way.

 

[dimkin]

Yes, ALU died quickly. However, I like to keep playing with Gut Mains and Poly Crosses. Can anyone recommend a solid alternative to ALU Power in the crosses?

Max Power 16g will last forever

 

[Fabolous-vs]

I use Poly Tour Pro as the poly in my hybrids for the last 2 years. I was previously using Apollo pro response (another slick but stiffer poly)

I have experimented with both Poly mains and cross and played with Hybrids for at least 8 years now... so that may give you some comfort from my experience.

If you like the way your current racket plays, then add the non-poly into the crosses. This will mean the whole bed and launch angle will be similar. Spin generation will be less but directional control / ball pocketing will increase. If using a multi in the cross the advise is to go up half a gauge if possible.

If you like the spin you get with Poly, put the non-poly in the main... BUT this will make the racket bed feel a LOT softer, spin will be similar to full poly but balls will fly long if you don't take full cuts at the ball. Also the launch angle is increased.

For Poly mains, these are my top recommendations for non-poly cross:

Signum Pro Ultra Power SF - Syngut. Plenty of power, soft, holds up well (my current choice)
Babolat Addiction - Multi. Has a slick hard coating so life is surprisingly good for a multi. Most club players that hybrid use this at our club for balance of softness/longevity
Pros pro Gutex Utra - Multi. Good control, not too soft for a multi, doesnt have much of a coating. Gives the strings a thud sound, wears out fairly quick but is also very cheap.
Volkl Classic Synthetic Gut - SynGut, Good control, not massive power, soft and slick with the poly to allow snapback

My current DR's have YPTP Poly crosses and I am a 80% doubles player. One is strung Natural Gut in the main and the other with a SynGut - Signum Pro Ultra Power SF. The SynGut in the main does only last about 15 hours but as I string myself and the extra pop it gives me is a good trade off.

BTW hybriding does have a weird side effect in that if you go Poly Mains / Multi cross the strings can last YEARS!!! if you dont hit much spin. like we have people that still have strings from 2 years ago. As the poly goes dead the multis get more powerful so it gives the weird impression that the strings still feel the same. I have a Yonex 89t that has 4 year old hybrid in it, I can take it out of the bag and it still plays great - even though the poly is likely dead.

What tension do you play with gut mains and yptp crosses?

I usually play hyper G 17 @ 48lbs. Recently I played with gut / Alu Power (52,48 lbs).

I tried once YPTP 1.25 @ 48lbs and everything went long. Probably I have to go up to 52lbs as YPTP is considerably softer than Hyper G.

I'm going to the stringer tomorrow. Probably I'll give gut / yptp a try.

 

[EaglesTennis]

What tension do you play with gut mains and yptp crosses?

I usually play hyper G 17 @ 48lbs. Recently I played with gut / Alu Power (52,48 lbs).

I tried once YPTP 1.25 @ 48lbs and everything went long. Probably I have to go up to 52lbs as YPTP is considerably softer than Hyper G.

I'm going to the stringer tomorrow. Probably I'll give gut / yptp a try.

Go gut mains, poly cross.

I personally use wilson revolve as my cross since its the slickest, but kirschbaum max power tension last forever in a hybrid basically.

49/46 pre stretch 10% on both

 

[ZirkusAffe]

It will take me a while to break a Poly. But typically I change (Poly) strings after 16h play. I play 4-5 times a week. I'd rate me as a strong 3.5.

I think I'll try:
Gut crosses @55lbs, 1.30
Power mains @53lbs, 1.25

sweet so you like gut crosses with poly mains?? sounds amazing but I haven't seen recently anyone talking about this over gut mains... I like synth crosses/poly mains.. I'm intrigued because I'd love to try gut crosses.

 

[ZirkusAffe]

What tension do you play with gut mains and yptp crosses?

I usually play hyper G 17 @ 48lbs. Recently I played with gut / Alu Power (52,48 lbs).

I tried once YPTP 1.25 @ 48lbs and everything went long. Probably I have to go up to 52lbs as YPTP is considerably softer than Hyper G.

I'm going to the stringer tomorrow. Probably I'll give gut / yptp a try.

Had similar experience with YPTS.. too soft, felt great then got uncontrollable in full bed muted strings in a muted racquet probably needed a lively hybrid string to counter the characteristics of the YPTS.

 

[SpinToWin]

Yes, ALU died quickly. However, I like to keep playing with Gut Mains and Poly Crosses. Can anyone recommend a solid alternative to ALU Power in the crosses?

Max Power

 

[geubes]

What tension do you play with gut mains and yptp crosses?

I usually play hyper G 17 @ 48lbs. Recently I played with gut / Alu Power (52,48 lbs).

I tried once YPTP 1.25 @ 48lbs and everything went long. Probably I have to go up to 52lbs as YPTP is considerably softer than Hyper G.

I'm going to the stringer tomorrow. Probably I'll give gut / yptp a try.

I did 54 gut mains, 50 ptp cross. Just about to start stringing VS gut mains again after trying Klip Armor Pro (which I didnt like to much). This time I will be going 56 gut mains 50 ptp crosses.

When I do full bed PTP I go 52m/50x

 

[WisconsinPlayer]

I did 54 gut mains, 50 ptp cross. Just about to start stringing VS gut mains again after trying Klip Armor Pro (which I didnt like to much). This time I will be going 56 gut mains 50 ptp crosses.

When I do full bed PTP I go 52m/50x

Have you tried 54 gut mains and 54 poly crosses? Poly loses tension quick so starting them closer may help playability duration

 

[geubes]

Have you tried 54 gut mains and 54 poly crosses? Poly loses tension quick so starting them closer may help playability duration

To late, already strung. I wanted to tighten the gut from 54 as it was quite powerful, wanted to see if increasing the tension toned it down a little, the playability lasted all the way until they broke anyway with the 54/50 combo in my view. But definitely something I will try in the future.

I have also just got some Origin and HDX to try in the "wet" racket, Strung the wet one 55lbs HDX main, 50 PTP cross. Will be playing with them tomorrow for some initial impressions.