I can't tell a comfort difference between multi and poly - anyone else?

puppybutts

Hall of Fame
Got back into tennis after many years. Tried Luxilon Element Rough at 54lbs. Tried Babolat Xcel at 56lbs. I couldn't tell a difference in comfort. For me, tennis elbow is not a problem, but I have some knuckle pain and back of hand tightness due to computer overuse for work, so I've been trying different things that feel better on my hand. Now, disclaimers:
  • Element Rough is known to be a more lively, fairly comfortable poly
  • Xcel is known to be a deader, more controlled multi
  • I use an 18x20 racquet (Pure Strike), so that probably stiffens the string bed regardless of the string I'm using
So perhaps I will notice more a difference between a stiffer poly and a more comfortable multi. But to be honest, as I added on the hours, I could start to notice a small difference in comfort, so I think it's more tension related. It's common for someone to string their multi at a higher tension than their poly to offset some lost control from the string switch, but to me, it doesn't seem like there is a point since the higher tension is what is also canceling out the comfort difference. Is this similar to what anyone else has experienced?

While I couldn't tell much difference in comfort, I definitely could notice a difference in play. The multi was just very slippery (not in a positive snapback way, but in the sense that it had no grab on the ball, could not slice, drop shot, or slice serve as effectively, topspin was OK since I don't hit with a lot of topspin anyway). What I did love about the multi was how little tension loss there was. Once I got used to the multi, I didn't have to adjust my swing to account for lost tension after just one or two weeks. I'm not a string breaker, esp. with my 18x20, so I could keep going and going. I have a few more strings lined up to try...would love it if I can find a good multi since I appreciate not having to cut out my strings too often (trying Triax next)

---
update: after trying a lot of other strings, i can definitely tell a difference. it was the combination of element rough being a soft poly at a lower tension than the Xcel at a higher tension that made it harder to distinguish
 
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Dartagnan64

G.O.A.T.
My arm can feel every slight bit of resilience in a string. Within a few hits I can tell you if I can use it or I'm risking arm pain.
 

blai212

Hall of Fame
poly is definitely better if your arm can handle it...low tension poly is where it’s at. The idea is to have as much free power as possible while still providing enough control to keep the ball in. I wouldn’t recommend going super low but rather inching down til you find the perfect balance of power/comfort/control. The best thing about low tension poly is the ball pocketing sensation; you can really feel the ball sink into the strings.
 

Steve Huff

G.O.A.T.
You must be young. I could use poly at 65# back when poly's were 1st coming out. Now, it's natural gut/multi. But, I did have some success, and no arm pain with an 18g poly strung at 30#, and may eventually try that again as I expect to be playing on clay more.
 

n8dawg6

Legend
i love some good broken-in poly. hate the constantly changing tension, though. i usually dont break poly strings because they get as loose as a butterfly net and i cut em out
 

deaner2211

Semi-Pro
poly is definitely better if your arm can handle it...low tension poly is where it’s at. The idea is to have as much free power as possible while still providing enough control to keep the ball in. I wouldn’t recommend going super low but rather inching down til you find the perfect balance of power/comfort/control. The best thing about low tension poly is the ball pocketing sensation; you can really feel the ball sink into the strings.
You mean the ball pockets better with a poly than natural gut?
 

scotus

G.O.A.T.
Got back into tennis after many years. Tried Luxilon Element Rough at 54lbs. Tried Babolat Xcel at 56lbs. I couldn't tell a difference in comfort. For me, tennis elbow is not a problem, but I have some knuckle pain and back of hand tightness due to computer overuse for work, so I've been trying different things that feel better on my hand. Now, disclaimers:
  • Element Rough is known to be a more lively, fairly comfortable poly
  • Xcel is known to be a deader, more controlled multi
  • I use an 18x20 racquet (Pure Strike), so that probably stiffens the string bed regardless of the string I'm using
So perhaps I will notice more a difference between a stiffer poly and a more comfortable multi. But to be honest, as I added on the hours, I could start to notice a small difference in comfort, so I think it's more tension related. It's common for someone to string their multi at a higher tension than their poly to offset some lost control from the string switch, but to me, it doesn't seem like there is a point since the higher tension is what is also canceling out the comfort difference. Is this similar to what anyone else has experienced?

While I couldn't tell much difference in comfort, I definitely could notice a difference in play. The multi was just very slippery (not in a positive snapback way, but in the sense that it had no grab on the ball, could not slice, drop shot, or slice serve as effectively, topspin was OK since I don't hit with a lot of topspin anyway). What I did love about the multi was how little tension loss there was. Once I got used to the multi, I didn't have to adjust my swing to account for lost tension after just one or two weeks. I'm not a string breaker, esp. with my 18x20, so I could keep going and going. I have a few more strings lined up to try...would love it if I can find a good multi since I appreciate not having to cut out my strings too often (trying Triax next)

When your arm is healthy, you cannot discern comfort levels. Everything will be fine to you until one day it is not.
 

Steve Huff

G.O.A.T.
You mean the ball pockets better with a poly than natural gut?
Gut pockets the ball a lot more than a poly. The high 4.0-5.0 players I string for that use gut/poly usually started with poly/gut. I convinced them to try putting the gut in the mains (15L). All have said they get more spin and a better response with gut mains/poly crosses--and that includes some that use shaped and/or rough poly's. None have switched back to putting the poly in the mains.
 

blai212

Hall of Fame
Gut pockets the ball a lot more than a poly. The high 4.0-5.0 players I string for that use gut/poly usually started with poly/gut. I convinced them to try putting the gut in the mains (15L). All have said they get more spin and a better response with gut mains/poly crosses--and that includes some that use shaped and/or rough poly's. None have switched back to putting the poly in the mains.
gut/poly or poly/gut cannot compare to full bed low tension poly in terms of ball pocketing. Imagine a trampoline string bed except there’s CONTROL! except...
shanking hurts, like a lot. It’s gotten so bad for me that I flinch when my OPPONENT shanks
soft as a pillow when you hit the sweetspot tho...so just don’t miss :)
 
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puppybutts

Hall of Fame
When your arm is healthy, you cannot discern comfort levels. Everything will be fine to you until one day it is not.
well, that's the thing. my hand is not so healthy, and i couldn't discern comfort levels between string material, but i could between string tension.
 

scotus

G.O.A.T.
well, that's the thing. my hand is not so healthy, and i couldn't discern comfort levels between string material, but i could between string tension.

I have had some hand issues like the trigger finger and ligament sprains, but nothing sets the nerves on fire like TE/GE. Then you will feel every minute shock and vibration as though you had super human senses.
 

Happi

Hall of Fame
poly is definitely better if your arm can handle it...low tension poly is where it’s at. The idea is to have as much free power as possible while still providing enough control to keep the ball in. I wouldn’t recommend going super low but rather inching down til you find the perfect balance of power/comfort/control. The best thing about low tension poly is the ball pocketing sensation; you can really feel the ball sink into the strings.

I am also a low tension poly user and loving it, if you use soft poly too is can be very comftable even for a sensitive arm.

@puppybutts in a 18x20 racquet, my experience is that if you string with a constant pull machine, often multi and synt gut gets streched more, and actual tension DT gets higher than expected. So I actually often string lower with multi in 18x20 racquets. Your experience match mine too. Element is a soft poly, but I would string Xcel at the same tension as Element or even lower if you use a constant pull machine. Hope this makes sense, or at least give it a try to see for yourself.

cheers, H
 

ichaseballs

Hall of Fame
have u tried low tension soft poly yet?

yes, i've been 'team low tension' for a while... low 40s/high 30s.
you can do low tension on any string tbh, but it works on poly well cause relative to other strings it is low powered.
low tension poly is not for everyone, and it takes some time to get used to.
 

puppybutts

Hall of Fame
There's nothing wrong with your gear. Your technique is flawed.
  1. you have never seen me hit a tennis ball
  2. i didn't blame my equipment for my pain, and i already stated what my source of pain was, which is 0 related to tennis
  3. both technique and gear can always be improved. this is a thread about gear
thanks for stopping by.
 

Villain

Professional
To me, “pocketing” feeling relates to energy return and while tension has an effect, gut will pocket better even when strung noticeably higher than poly (though there are probably limits). Poly, even when strung in the 30s, always feels harsher to me than gut/multi/syn gut strung at 60. YMMV.
 

blai212

Hall of Fame
natural gut isnt viable at low tensions because there would be too much trampoline effect. Poly is still somewhat controllable with the proper technique.
 

Folsom_Stringer_Musa

Professional
I did not claim that I just asked a question read it again. I guess English is not your first language.

I read that again.
Should have replied to @blai212 instead. My bad.

The post you replied to has no mention of natural gut.
Why did you ask that question (if poly had better ball pocketing than natural gut)?
 
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puppybutts

Hall of Fame
I am also a low tension poly user and loving it, if you use soft poly too is can be very comftable even for a sensitive arm.

@puppybutts in a 18x20 racquet, my experience is that if you string with a constant pull machine, often multi and synt gut gets streched more, and actual tension DT gets higher than expected. So I actually often string lower with multi in 18x20 racquets. Your experience match mine too. Element is a soft poly, but I would string Xcel at the same tension as Element or even lower if you use a constant pull machine. Hope this makes sense, or at least give it a try to see for yourself.

cheers, H

i haven't considered differences in stringing machine and string pattern. Regardless, I was going to try a lower tension with my next multi, so glad to have another perspective to confirm that choice (y). I think I like stringing at 54lbs for a soft poly like Element and let it settle closer to 52lbs...I was going to try 54lbs for my next multi, but based on what you're saying, maybe I'll try straight for 52lbs. Either way, some trial and error expected getting back into it. thanks for your input! then again, last time i strung I was playing in 30-40F weather, so maybe I will try 54lbs now that it's warmer o_O stringing diaries of a non-pro lol
 

BILL M

New User
You must be young. I could use poly at 65# back when poly's were 1st coming out. Now, it's natural gut/multi. But, I did have some success, and no arm pain with an 18g poly strung at 30#, and may eventually try that again as I expect to be playing on clay more.
Steve - What gut/multi set up do you like the most , I am in the same boat .
Thx
Bill M
 

deaner2211

Semi-Pro
I read that again.
Should have replied to @blai212 instead. My bad.

The post you replied to has no mention of natural gut.
Why did you ask that question (if poly had better ball pocketing than natural gut)?
If you would scroll up you can see i did ask the question to @blai212 initially. Why the question went to you also i don't know. Also you can see that blai212 replied to the question by saying "correct" so you should have laughed at him/her.
 

Folsom_Stringer_Musa

Professional
If anyone having ball pocketing issue with Natural Gut, you can exchange your gut with me for good\premium polys (Lux, Solinco,...) or multi (NRG2, NXT, XONE..)
You get half set for half set or full set for full set.
 

irulan

Rookie
I can tell the difference between poly and multi blind folded with ear plugs and using someone else's hand/arm. :)
I'm trying to visualize how this would actually play out. Do you bear hug / waltz-hold them from behind while they hit a few forehands and just read their reactions while holding their wrist? How do you not impede their normal swing motion while attached?
 

Taveren

Professional
To the TS, Luxilon Element feels very similar to Poly to begin with thats why it is recommended to string it at a slightly lower tension. Try comparing other Multifilaments to Poly and the difference will be more prominent. Cheers!
 

Rabbit

G.O.A.T.
I'm trying to visualize how this would actually play out. Do you bear hug / waltz-hold them from behind while they hit a few forehands and just read their reactions while holding their wrist? How do you not impede their normal swing motion while attached?
Keep in mind it was strictly a figurative and not literal reply. :)
 

Steve Huff

G.O.A.T.
gut/poly or poly/gut cannot compare to full bed low tension poly in terms of ball pocketing. Imagine a trampoline string bed except there’s CONTROL! except...
shanking hurts, like a lot. It’s gotten so bad for me that I flinch when my OPPONENT shanks
soft as a pillow when you hit the sweetspot tho...so just don’t miss :)
I've used a gut 15L/poly 18g strung at 60/55, and a poly 18g strung at 30. I got more spin from the gut/poly, but the all poly played well. The all poly at that low tension made very little noise for feedback though, so that's one thing I'd need to get used to. After a couple more surgeries, I hope to play again by 2022, and the 1st string I'll try is a thin poly at 30# again.
 

blai212

Hall of Fame
I've used a gut 15L/poly 18g strung at 60/55, and a poly 18g strung at 30. I got more spin from the gut/poly, but the all poly played well. The all poly at that low tension made very little noise for feedback though, so that's one thing I'd need to get used to. After a couple more surgeries, I hope to play again by 2022, and the 1st string I'll try is a thin poly at 30# again.
shaped poly mains will generate more bite -> more spin than gut mains imo. I used shaped/round copoly hybrid at 38/36 that feels quite splendid when I am able to corral the power of my rocket launcher setup
 

USPTARF97

Hall of Fame
Playing with the Head Prestige Mid 360+ 93. Thinking about going old school with full multi at a relatively low tension. Played with poly/multi at 44/48 in doubles the other night after playing full poly for quite awhile. Couldn’t believe how much more feel I had on returns and volleys with the hybrid compared to full poly. Made me want to string full bed multi and take it for a spin. Thinking 48/48 and it arm will thank me.
Reminded me of when I played with a Wilson 5.3 Hyper Carbon with NXT at 48.
 
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