Is there any reason to use thicker gauge string besides durability?

[Jack Migger]

I know all the benefits of using a thinner gauge string and the only positive thing I hear about thicker gauges is that it's harder to break them.

Are there any other positives to using a thicker gauge?

 

[Keifers]

Good question. I'm interested in people's thoughts on this also.

I'm thinking the thicker gauge might make for a slightly more comfortable stringbed -- at the expense of bite on the ball, among other things.

Also, thicker might be a way to tame the power of a frame.

 

[3lowdown]

stiffer, or if textured ala blue gear it supposedly gives more spin. But who knows if that is true.

 

[Jack Migger]

Good question. I'm interested in people's thoughts on this also.

I'm thinking the thicker gauge might make for a slightly more comfortable stringbed -- at the expense of bite on the ball, among other things.

Also, thicker might be a way to tame the power of a frame.

hmmm... very interested in peoples opinions on this

I currently string with 17g but have been playing around with 16g for fun and am finding myself enjoying NOT having that feeling of sponginess a thinner string provides. Is this unusual?

 

[3lowdown]

no its not, thinner softer, thicker stiffer.

 

[Jack Migger]

no its not, thinner softer, thicker stiffer.

That's what I said...

I'm looking to hear reasons other than durability factors that make thicker gauges less/more preferable

 

[lawlitssoo1n]

closer string bed allowing better control

 

[Lsmkenpo]

The thicker gauge holds tension longer.

 

[Keifers]

Good question. I'm interested in people's thoughts on this also.

I'm thinking the thicker gauge might make for a slightly more comfortable stringbed -- at the expense of bite on the ball, among other things.

Also, thicker might be a way to tame the power of a frame.

hmmm... very interested in peoples opinions on this

I currently string with 17g but have been playing around with 16g for fun and am finding myself enjoying NOT having that feeling of sponginess a thinner string provides. Is this unusual?

Let me clarify... I meant more comfortable in the sense that there is less bite on the ball with the thicker string, so a smoother feel ...so more comfortable. (A fairly esoteric aspect of feel, I admit... )

More noticeable: Thinner strings will typically feel less stiff and more resilient than thicker, and in that way, provide a more comfortable stringbed. I think that's probably what you meant by the sponginess that thinner provides, yes?

Thicker at the same tension provides less power than thinner; it stretches less when the ball hits (it's more stiff) and bounces back less and slower (less resilient).

Hope that's helped. I'm quite open to more expert opinions on this as I don't consider myself an expert by any means.

 

[dirtballer]

I agree. Thicker gauge will give less power and it will be noticeable.

 

[Jack Migger]

Let me clarify... I meant more comfortable in the sense that there is less bite on the ball with the thicker string, so a smoother feel ...so more comfortable. (A fairly esoteric aspect of feel, I admit... )

More noticeable: Thinner strings will typically feel less stiff and more resilient than thicker, and in that way, provide a more comfortable stringbed. I think that's probably what you meant by the sponginess that thinner provides, yes?

Thicker at the same tension provides less power than thinner; it stretches less when the ball hits (it's more stiff) and bounces back less and slower (less resilient).

Hope that's helped. I'm quite open to more expert opinions on this as I don't consider myself an expert by any means.

Thanks! That's exactly the type of info I was looking for.
Yes, that's what I meant when I talked about a thinner gauge being "spongier" or providing that extra feel.

I see no real reason to use thicker gauges since I'm not a string breaker so I'll probably be sticking to my usual 17g.

 

[goosala]

I'm a string breaker and use thin gauge strings because the feel is so much better than thicker gauges like 16 or 15L. Of course, I use cheap syn guts like PSGO, Forten Sweet, and Pro Supex Titan so I can break as much as I want.