In praise of Kevlar/ZX hybrid!!!
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Wiztardo
New User
Thank you, Traveler! I keep getting told I have to try gut, have to try gut, have to try gut. So I am finally gonna try gut. I will probably just go full bed at 55lbs... I honestly do not see myself liking it. Which I realize discussing natural gut here is a bit off topic, so I will bring it back to the title of this thread: I cannot see myself liking anything more than the Kevlar 60lb main Zyex 40lb cross! This setup has been so amazing for my game. Durability, Spin, Control. Seriously, the durability thus far has blown me away. If I had to critique it in any way, it is that I would like a little more power on flat shots and serves. But I am 100% sure that could be improved upon with technique.
skydog
Professional
If this thread ever needed a sticky, this video is it. I learned the hard way on a few of those recommendations.
Shroud
Talk Tennis Guru
gut/zx is awesome. Though the zx will cut through it and it will remain unlocked till it breaks. Full bed natural gut will be locked from the first minute. If I didn't break it sooo fast I might still be using vs/zx. And well I can't string that tight enough so moved on to kev/4g
croissant92
New User
I did that combination for my brothers racquet, I played with it only for ten minutes to see how it felt. I think I just did 54/54, good prestretch. was just a random tension choice that seemed reasonable. From my brief impression, it had clearly less spin than Kev/zx, but had enough to keep the ball in the court. much better than plain syn gut or multi. Sound at impact was a little funny. Bit more powerful than Kev/zyex. Overall I would prefer Kev/zyex but I think zx /syngut is still decent and something I could probably live with if I had to use it .
My string finally popped the other day. Very good durability. Looking at the zx crosses it still looks pristine. I know some of you guys re-use Zx, but how? After tying knots during stringing and cutting it, I don't see how you can re-use it again in the same racquet as it would be tough to tie knots again with such a shortened string. Do you try to stretch it some more?
travlerajm
Talk Tennis Guru
When I re-use Zx, the main piece gets shorter by a couple of cross strings each time. So I just string as many crosses as it reaches, then tie off. Then I string the remaining crosses with another re-used piece.
esgee48
G.O.A.T.
This is not standard practice, but you can reuse crosses if they are tied off on themselves. Do it on your own frames or specifically at customer's request since it may involve enlarging a grommet hole to tie off. Or you can do what @travlerajm suggests.
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tennisboy2121
Rookie
Anyone using kevlar in the Yonex vcore 95? I had a great demo week with it. It was strung with a yonex poly. I really hate poly but it played great in it.
graycrait
Legend
Probably not relevant to most but in my new to me 115" Wilson 5.7EB 18x20 11oz RA 66 27.75" rackets I tried a variety of strings in a trio of these rackets: multi, poly, syn gut and last, Ash Kev x ZX. It wasn't until I got to the AK x ZX that I got better control along with comfort. The strings make this racket I think. So much so I had to send one to my brother in MD with AK x ZX. Yeah the racket is sort of a beast but it reminds me of a "normal" racket just bigger and not anything like a Ti6 or the other 9oz fan shaped "player improvement" rackets. I used to weight up Ti6's to 11+ oz and string with AK x ZX but gave that endeavor up some years ago.
In some rackets I don't like using AK x ZX. For instance: my 18x19 Head Rad OSs, Prince Tour Diablos and Pure Storms which play better for me with a "deadish" multi or 17g poly. AK x ZX seems to work well in my 95 and 93" 14x18s and my 16x19 107s. In general I don't like it in tight patterns, but an 18x20 115" 5.7Eb is a different animal.
In some rackets I don't like using AK x ZX. For instance: my 18x19 Head Rad OSs, Prince Tour Diablos and Pure Storms which play better for me with a "deadish" multi or 17g poly. AK x ZX seems to work well in my 95 and 93" 14x18s and my 16x19 107s. In general I don't like it in tight patterns, but an 18x20 115" 5.7Eb is a different animal.
I found myself playing against a pusher who relies almost exclusively on his slice. I had hoped that fully poly (solinco hyper G soft) would be the best way to counter the pusher. My thought was to overwhelm the slice with an abundance of topspin, but alas that did not work out. I just sprayed my shots. It turned out that kev/zyex was the answer. It was the great control afforded by the kev/zyex that allowed me to send it wherever I wanted. The shots were not powerful, but more than sufficient. It was satisfying to be able to redirect the ball on my own terms. It gave me the confidence to hit inside out, outside in, and angles. When my shots landed out, the margin was small.
If I were to play against someone who hit more aggressively, I might choose the hyper g soft instead. There is something to be said about being able to trade bombs from the baseline. Will see after the next set of matchups.
If I were to play against someone who hit more aggressively, I might choose the hyper g soft instead. There is something to be said about being able to trade bombs from the baseline. Will see after the next set of matchups.
Shroud
Talk Tennis Guru
What am I missing? Seems that no matter where they are tied off you could reuse them. Right??
welcome2petrkordaland
Professional
Just wanted to update this thread as a long time kev/zyex user. For a year I’ve been using a Wilson Clash 100 (with a small amount of weight at 3,9, & 12) with Kev/Zyex. After much experimentation with tensions, I landed on 55/47. When I was using the ported Princes with kev/zyex, my differential was like 60/45 on average. When I experimented with the Clash tensions with lower differentials, there was a lower and flatter launch angle, which I didn’t like. I see now that 8 lbs. difference is enough to get that arch bow effect we all have sueños mojados about.
I continue to do a 4-5 min. manual prestretch on the zyex but have not done it on the kev... If I had a winch or something, I would prestretch the kevlar too and lower main tension, but prestretching kev is hard. My stringer pulls some on the kev when i ask him too, but there’s no telling how reliable and consistent that process is.
I continue to do a 4-5 min. manual prestretch on the zyex but have not done it on the kev... If I had a winch or something, I would prestretch the kevlar too and lower main tension, but prestretching kev is hard. My stringer pulls some on the kev when i ask him too, but there’s no telling how reliable and consistent that process is.
tennisboy2121
Rookie
I am hoping someone can help me. I play with kev/syngut. I normally string around 58/54. In 100 inch head rackets I have no problem at all. I hit higher in the string bed.
I currently am playing with a 95 head. I seem to be hitting a little lower in the bed. So the top 3 crosses are not loosening enough. The top of the bed is dead. Should I just lower my tension to around 53/49 or can/should I string the top crosses at a lower tension.
I currently am playing with a 95 head. I seem to be hitting a little lower in the bed. So the top 3 crosses are not loosening enough. The top of the bed is dead. Should I just lower my tension to around 53/49 or can/should I string the top crosses at a lower tension.
croissant92
New User
I play with Kev zyex and had that exact same problem. Sorry no solution just wanted to chime in
travlerajm
Talk Tennis Guru
If the top of the bed feels dead, that’s probably not a string issue.
Try adding a bit of weight at 12.
tlm
G.O.A.T.
Here is a reuse job i did reusing the kev and 4g while adding some extra crosses from another reel of poly. Its the ugliest string job i ever did but i bet it plays great because its totally prestretched
Oh yes Kevlar with a 4G cross, now you are talking my language Shroud. That is such a great set up, I suggest to anyone that wants a great control string job to give this a try.
Shroud
Talk Tennis Guru
tlm
G.O.A.T.
You are a power hitter but this set up I would surely think even helps with a big hitter like you. I just love the control this set up gives plus it keeps its control for a good amount of time.
tlm
G.O.A.T.
You definitely won’t get much free power with this set up, so if you don’t want to take big cuts all the time this set up is not for you.
tlm
G.O.A.T.
One has to be able to "take big cuts all the time"
I agree I do get tired sometimes from taking a lot of big swings even though I don’t really hit the ball that hard I swing fast to put extra spin on the ball.
tlm
G.O.A.T.
Yep it definitely has a unique feel to it that I like, in some ways I like the feel of a full 4G better but it doesn’t give the same control as the hybrid especially after the first time out. I really think that if more players tried this set up instead of full poly that they would switch to it. Unlike full poly this set up keeps its playability and most importantly its control.
Slowtwitcher
Legend
tlm
G.O.A.T.
I have only tried the prestretched with the Kevlar- ZX combo and had no luck with it. I use Ashaway Kevlar 17 gauge at 60lbs and 16L 4G at 63lbs and this combo plays amazing. Great spin with unmatched control and consistent play that lasts.
Shroud
Talk Tennis Guru
I do it like I did kev/zx. Manual prestretch, etc. Its like a stiff version of kev/zx. But unlike Tlm I use the 16g versions.
tlm
G.O.A.T.
So you prestretch the Kevlar and the 4G? When you say you use the 16 gauge are you talking about the 4G?
tlm
G.O.A.T.
I will have to try prestretching again, it just seems really difficult to stretch Kevlar. Last time tried I didn’t gain much length if any, the poly stretches easily but not the Kevlar. I have tried both strings in 16 gauge and that even kills the power more, but I didn’t get as good of feel and felt like I lost some bite that the thinner strings give.
travlerajm
Talk Tennis Guru
The kevlar requires higher force to stretch. With the manual lean method, I bounce my weight so that the force peaks higher from the impulse. Each bounce stretches it. You should be able to get an extra 2-3” of permanent elongation on a 20-foot length of kevlar. This has a huge effect in preventing tension loss.
tlm
G.O.A.T.
Okay I will try next string job, wow that takes some real torque to get 2-3” out of 20’ of Kevlar. I do notice that I love the Kevlar set up brand new and even though it keeps its playability much longer than full poly it does gain some unwanted power after a few times out.
So I’m hoping that prestretched Kevlar will keep its control better. I’m pretty sure you recommend prestretching the poly cross also?
graycrait
Legend
This is what I use when I am serious about prestretching: https://www.harborfreight.com/automotive/winches/manual-strap-winch-95541.html
how do you know how much tension you're applying?
graycrait
Legend
How much tension are you applying when you are bouncing your carcass against the string? I have some 1.30mm Kevlar kite string and it is stated to have a 330lb tensil strength so I am going to go out on a limb and say that Ash Kev might be close to that. However, I have pulled Ash Kev more than a few times till it breaks. If you can get 3" permanent elongation by bouncing with your body that will be about the same as near the breaking point with the winch. Zyex breaks about 28" permanent elongation on a 20' length. Both are not breaking at a knot because I use clamps with sandpaper in the jaws to hold the Ash Kev and Zyex. These days I don't prestretch. I just set my preferred tension on the Wise and when it beeps at the desired tension I clean my ears/pick my nose, scratch my ... dog's ears and just let it pull a bit longer. Works good enough for the likes of me.
Shroud
Talk Tennis Guru
I often let my wise pull for 10-20 seconds especially when weaving the next cross.
graycrait
Legend
The real bottom line is Ash Kev x Zx will not change the pro game. Good poly, used for an hour or 2, is what the "new" way of playing tennis requires at the top levels. Problem is how many hrs you like for a 20.00 string + labor costs for stringing. My bro sent me a stringing cost list from the club he belongs to and if you want some polys it will cost you 60.00 per string job.
tennisboy2121
Rookie
I just picked up a pog 4 stripe, 110 head and 14x18 pattern. Can anyone recommend tension, I never owned an oversize or 14x18 pattern. I string my modern frames at around 59/55 with kev/syngut.
Slowtwitcher
Legend
110 and 14x18?
tennisboy2121
Rookie
Well it is really a 107 but listed at 110, and 14x18.
Slowtwitcher
Legend
Must be a spin monster!
Seriously, it's probably 16x19.
Anyway, these are the tensions I've used with the POG:
Kevlar/ZX: 65/55
Synthetic gut: 62-64lbs
Poly/SG or Sensation: 56/62
Shroud
Talk Tennis Guru
@graycrait has like a thousand POGs and can help. Pretty sure I traded most of mine to him for something...
graycrait
Legend
Never heard of a Prince 107 with a 14x18, have had many many Prince 107s and all were 16x19. I have had many 93" Princes and all were 14x18. Never heard of a Prince 93 that wasn't a 14x18 till these "new" Phantoms that came out in 18x20.
I love Ash Kev x Zx in some rackets. If it is above 100" I like 65x58lbs, if less than 100" I like 62x58lbs. I don't vary much because I think either stringbed strung with a constant pull at those reference tensions will settle in for a long haul at about 48lbs, never notches or locks up.
I love Ash Kev x Zx in some rackets. If it is above 100" I like 65x58lbs, if less than 100" I like 62x58lbs. I don't vary much because I think either stringbed strung with a constant pull at those reference tensions will settle in for a long haul at about 48lbs, never notches or locks up.
