Hybrid Suggestions for a Full Syn Gut 17 at 55lbs Player

[Aloysius]

I have been playing with a full bed of synthetic gut at 17 gauge at 55 lbs for months due to injury.

I was wondering what hybrid set ups I could move up to from here if I need more spin, as I feel better and can move away from full synthetic gut.

If it is just a simple poly mains syn gut/multi cross hybrid, what tension would be recommended from my current setup?

 

[CopolyX]

try a soft copoly if you really what to.
remember you can buy spin, you manufacturer it.
Sure, i general copolys have a higher spin potential but at a price, both physically and financially.
Two of the highest rated no copolys with decent spin potential are gosen ak cx pro and babolat origin
Also how about naturally guy and a soft copoly in the crosses.
Their a bunch of soft copolys out their with a range in dynamic stiffness for 170 - 200....research grasshopper...

Can Prevent Tennis Elbow!

 

[geca]

power cord 17 from golden set... just do a full bed... the stuff is SOFTER than syngut.

 

[Aloysius]

Actually I was wondering more about hybrid tension based on my current syn gut tension mentioned above.

 

[WhETHANs]

I'd reccomend 53 mains/55 crosses for poly/syn gut hybrid. Poly/syn gut>>> poly/multi bc usually it's usually cheaper and multi hybrids don't last nearly as long and notch quicklier decreasing spin potential.
In the past when I used poly/syn gut, much preferred shaped poly in mains over round bc of the bite. Others will say use smooth in mains for better durability and SnapBack but I've found these hybrids don't SnapBack much to begin with. Try both configurations and see what you prefer. There are many great threads for string choices.
Also you could try nat gut/ poly hybrid but considering you used syn gut, coming back from injury, tells me that nat gut price isn't in the wheelhouse which it isn't for the majority anyway.
Good luck

 

[Aloysius]

I'd reccomend 53 mains/55 crosses for poly/syn gut hybrid. Poly/syn gut>>> poly/multi bc usually it's usually cheaper and multi hybrids don't last nearly as long and notch quicklier decreasing spin potential.
In the past when I used poly/syn gut, much preferred shaped poly in mains over round bc of the bite. Others will say use smooth in mains for better durability and SnapBack but I've found these hybrids don't SnapBack much to begin with. Try both configurations and see what you prefer. There are many great threads for string choices.
Also you could try nat gut/ poly hybrid but considering you used syn gut, coming back from injury, tells me that nat gut price isn't in the wheelhouse which it isn't for the majority anyway.
Good luck

I was thinking of going for thinner strings like perhaps 17G or even 18G, depending on string availability. Would that affect the tension I should be going for?

Do you think launch angle would be increased significantly if I did poly/SG at 50/52? I wonder if there is such a thing as "free power" in a poly hybrid.

 

[Moveforwardalways]

Natural gut mains and a softbpoly cross. Tons of spin and very easy on the arm. Kinda pricey though.

 

[JohnBPittsburgh]

I think 50/52 is a good place to start experimenting and find out how you like it. Everyone interprets feel differently and has a different style of game. Lower tension on poly will give you a bit more "free power" and "ball pocketing".
Also, 17 or 18 gauge poly cross will give you more spin than full bed synthetic gut. Experiment!!!

I would order a couple sets of Volkl Cyclone 17 or 18 gauge and experiment. You will gain waaaayyyy more that way, than what you will learn from speaking with others. First hand experience is the way to go. I would also recommend getting a set of Luxilon Element 16L to try in a full bed. It is very soft, and a very good string to try coming from syn gut, for those who want to try polyester. IMO

What racquet are you using? If it is a 100inch frame, string Luxilon Element at 52/51. If it is a 98, go for 48/47

 

[Zodd]

Agree w @JohnBPittsburgh above, the proof is in the pudding.

The first step for more spin would be to go syn/mains and poly/crosses. That way you retain as much as possible of power and feel from the syn and at the same time add spin from the poly crosses. Just be weary of the stiffness dep on which poly you try - if it's a stiffer one you can lower the cross tension even more.

I've tried dropping the cross tension much more with good results. Only downside is the longevity of the mains drop off a bit. I've done this in 90-95 sq racquets in both 18x20 and 16x18 patterns.

What racquet you play @Aloysius ?

 

[haqq777]

Coming from a full bed poly (using Cyclone these days) and having played with full bed syn gut at 55lbs, I'd say @JohnBPittsburgh and @Zodd are spot on with reference tensions and recommendations if going syn gut/poly hybrid. I usually play with 50lbs poly crosses and 53 lbs natural guts mains in my PD and APD for that dwell time on stringbed I like (along with power/spin). Drop a couple more pounds for each if you're going 98sq head size.But here is the thing; everyone likes their stick to play a certain way and only you can judge what suits you. So it's mostly trial and error. Best of luck!

 

[lstewart]

I agree with others on dropping the poly a few lbs, and then going with your usual tension with your synthetic. I use a softer poly main about 3 lbs less than my synthetic cross. Usually 52/55 or 53/56.

 

[Doc Hollidae]

I have been playing with a full bed of synthetic gut at 17 gauge at 55 lbs for months due to injury.

I was wondering what hybrid set ups I could move up to from here if I need more spin, as I feel better and can move away from full synthetic gut.

If it is just a simple poly mains syn gut/multi cross hybrid, what tension would be recommended from my current setup?

I'd try using Big Hitter Blue mains at 53 and syn gut crosses at 51. Big Hitter Blue feels almost as soft as some syn guts imo.

 

[Zodd]

I'd try using Big Hitter Blue mains at 53 and syn gut crosses at 51. Big Hitter Blue feels almost as soft as some syn guts imo.

Hi @Doc Hollidae - +1 on tourna BHB - a great string overall that plays very comfortable

Any special reason you went for poly in the mains? I've never tried a hybrid that way but seems that poly in the mains of a poly/gut hybrid would limit the strengths of each string type to some extent.

Have you compared the same string combo the other way around?

 

[Aloysius]

I think 50/52 is a good place to start experimenting and find out how you like it. Everyone interprets feel differently and has a different style of game. Lower tension on poly will give you a bit more "free power" and "ball pocketing".
Also, 17 or 18 gauge poly cross will give you more spin than full bed synthetic gut. Experiment!!!

I would order a couple sets of Volkl Cyclone 17 or 18 gauge and experiment. You will gain waaaayyyy more that way, than what you will learn from speaking with others. First hand experience is the way to go. I would also recommend getting a set of Luxilon Element 16L to try in a full bed. It is very soft, and a very good string to try coming from syn gut, for those who want to try polyester. IMO

What racquet are you using? If it is a 100inch frame, string Luxilon Element at 52/51. If it is a 98, go for 48/47

Mine is a 100 inch square frame with a 16 by 20 string pattern, but feels rather dense for some reason. Hence I would stick with 17 gauge strings. Tried 16 gauge before and the racquet feels like a bat.

Can I ask why you would string your crosses looser than the mains? Mostly, I see folks having tighter crosses than mains.

Agree w @JohnBPittsburgh above, the proof is in the pudding.

The first step for more spin would be to go syn/mains and poly/crosses. That way you retain as much as possible of power and feel from the syn and at the same time add spin from the poly crosses. Just be weary of the stiffness dep on which poly you try - if it's a stiffer one you can lower the cross tension even more.

I've tried dropping the cross tension much more with good results. Only downside is the longevity of the mains drop off a bit. I've done this in 90-95 sq racquets in both 18x20 and 16x18 patterns.

What racquet you play @Aloysius ?

100 sq racquet with 16x20 pattern. Same question... why string crosses lower than mains?

 

[Doc Hollidae]

Hi @Doc Hollidae - +1 on tourna BHB - a great string overall that plays very comfortable!

Any special reason you went for poly in the mains? I've never tried a hybrid that way but seems that poly in the mains of a poly/gut hybrid would limit the strengths of each string type to some extent? Have you compared the same string combo the other way around?

Most people that do hybrids use poly mains and syn gut or multi crosses......

 

[Aloysius]

I agree with others on dropping the poly a few lbs, and then going with your usual tension with your synthetic. I use a softer poly main about 3 lbs less than my synthetic cross. Usually 52/55 or 53/56.

Based on this, I should be going for poly/syn gut at 52/55 lbs. Since I'm going down in power and hopefully up in spin, I was thinking of lowering tension to compensate for power loss. Perhaps to 50/53.

I'm just trying to avoid a high launch angle. My simplistic theory is that low mains tension only results in high launch angle while low cross tension only results in the trampoline effect. I am okay with full syn gut at 55 lbs, any lower and I get both problems. I guess my real question is... would lowering the tension of a synthetic gut cross make any difference to the launch angle?

I would have to try it soon to find out anyway, but I might as well get opinions and hear everyone's experiences first.

 

[Zodd]

100 sq racquet with 16x20 pattern. Same question... why string crosses lower than mains?

IME it's more common with higher tension in the mains. Crosses at lower tension for me frees up both power and spin potential but by how much is always trial and error depending on string bed density/spacing and type of strings used. What works in one frame might play very different in another.

 

[haqq777]

For me personally, I string crosses lower than mains if I'm stringing a hybrid because it gives me better ball pocketing and better feel. My coach back in H.S also said it enlarges (albeit very slightly) the sweet spot.

 

[Doc Hollidae]

Based on this, I should be going for poly/syn gut at 52/55 lbs. Since I'm going down in power and hopefully up in spin, I was thinking of lowering tension to compensate for power loss. Perhaps to 50/53.

I'm just trying to avoid a high launch angle. My simplistic theory is that low mains tension only results in high launch angle while low cross tension only results in the trampoline effect. I am okay with full syn gut at 55 lbs, any lower and I get both problems. I guess my real question is... would lowering the tension of a synthetic gut cross make any difference to the launch angle?

I would have to try it soon to find out anyway, but I might as well get opinions and hear everyone's experiences first.

Personally, I always string my crosses lower than my mains, even with hybrids. In my experience, I've found that stringing crosses higher leads to less pocketing and a stiffer string bed. I did a comparison of a full bed of Big Hitter Blue at 52/50 vs. Big Hitter Blue crossed with Tourna Syn Gut Armor at 52/54 and the full poly stringbed felt more comfortable and less boardy.

The other reasons I string crosses lower than mains are crosses are shorter than mains and non-polys tend to keep their tension better than poly. When tension drops, there is less of a differential between the mains and the crosses, since the crosses will hold tension better.

 

[JohnBPittsburgh]

I also string my crosses lower I just have always done it that way.

 

[WhETHANs]

I was thinking of going for thinner strings like perhaps 17G or even 18G, depending on string availability. Would that affect the tension I should be going for?

Do you think launch angle would be increased significantly if I did poly/SG at 50/52? I wonder if there is such a thing as "free power" in a poly hybrid.

I would go with 17 if you have a relatively dense string pattern. Depending on how long it lasts and your preference you could go down to 18 to try. If you go down a gauge, I'd increase tension 1 or 2 lbs because there'd be more power.
Give 50/52 a try. If it's too much power, increase by 2 lbs.
Regarding tension differential between the mains and crosses, I tend to use a lower tension for poly and higher for syn gut but many do the opposite. I would try both and see how you like them side by side.

 

[Muppet]

I've always strung multi crosses 5 lbs. higher than poly mains. I figured it gave a more consistent stiffness across the string bed. I should try the multi cross at 2 lbs. higher than the mains and see if I can tell any difference. The first poly setup I ever tried was Pro Red Code 16/Multifeel 16 @57/60 in my signature racquet. I loved the way the strings grabbed the ball, but it gave me no power.

 

[Aloysius]

Thank you all for the advice.

 

[Doc Hollidae]

I've always strung multi crosses 5 lbs. higher than poly mains. I figured it gave a more consistent stiffness across the string bed. I should try the multi cross at 2 lbs. higher than the mains and see if I can tell any difference. The first poly setup I ever tried was Pro Red Code 16/Multifeel 16 @57/60 in my signature racquet. I loved the way the strings grabbed the ball, but it gave me no power.

That's a pretty high tension for Pro Red Code in a 200G.

 

[Muppet]

That's a pretty high tension for Pro Red Code in a 200G.

It was on a Neos, so subtract 5 lbs. It was still too tight.

 

[BretH]

Same situation, only I was using a full bed of multi at 60 lbs (Pros Pro Claycourt plus). I switched to full bed of Pros Pro Hexaspin (a very soft poly) at 46 lbs. (I'm also a cheapskate and these strings are ridiculously cheap).

But - I hit with an arm-friendly racquet - Volkl Organix 10 295, and I have a Klippermate so I can string my Volkls whenever I want.