Long-Term String Job

[InsideOutBackhand]

Looking for suggestions on the type of string to use for a player who does not break strings but does not cut them out for restringing. My key interest is in looking for a string that will maintain consistent playability over a long term when durability is not an issue.

These are my current thoughts:

Ranked "Best-Fit" (top-down)
Kevlar/Aramid Hybrid
Multifilament Synthetic
Natural Gut
Synthetic Gut
Poly/Co-Poly

I based my rankings on my understanding on the various string types. Kevlar is stiff and inelastic, leading to less change over the life of the string. Natural gut and multifilaments are both elastic but retain their elasticity and tension maintenance longer than monofilament/single core synthetics. I put multi ahead of nat gut because multi will break quicker actually forcing the player to restring (probably a good thing in this scenario). Poly/Co-poly undergoes signficant changes in playability when it goes dead.

Additional thoughts/info welcomed.

 

[niketennispro]

kevlar does last long but if you play with it for a while when its dead you can possibly get tennis elbow, but the multi sounds likes something promising

 

[kiteboard]

Kevlar will lose tension fast, but who cares if you cross it with alu?

Gut will hold tension well, so why cross it? Global is $11/set.

Sppp holds tension the best. All other polys/copolys will leak tension off too fast.

No syn. gut will hold at all.

Have you considered the best gut for the mains, and restringing the crosses when the job starts to lose tension? Vs team 17g/blackcode 17g.

 

[InsideOutBackhand]

Have you considered the best gut for the mains, and restringing the crosses when the job starts to lose tension? Vs team 17g/blackcode 17g.

The restringing part is an issue. I am looking for the right string for a friend who never seems to restring racquets. She rarely breaks and is so reluctant to restring that her current bed is over two years old. I finally managed to convince her to let me restring her racquet and do not expect that she would be willing to do this on a regular basis.

I have kevlar in mind (18g @ 50#) because even though it looses tension quickly, the tension loss does not really affect the playability. It seems to play the same all the way until it breaks. Natural gut is probably not a good option here. Humid weather and I expect she would not take proper care of the strings.

 

[pvaudio]

The restringing part is an issue. I am looking for the right string for a friend who never seems to restring racquets. She rarely breaks and is so reluctant to restring that her current bed is over two years old. I finally managed to convince her to let me restring her racquet and do not expect that she would be willing to do this on a regular basis.

I have kevlar in mind (18g @ 50#) because even though it looses tension quickly, the tension loss does not really affect the playability. It seems to play the same all the way until it breaks. Natural gut is probably not a good option here. Humid weather and I expect she would not take proper care of the strings.

I'm sorry, but she doesn't even sound like a decent tennis player. The only people who knowingly use equipment that is making them play worse are those who actually don't know that they're doing it. Is she any good?

 

[InsideOutBackhand]

I'm sorry, but she doesn't even sound like a decent tennis player. The only people who knowingly use equipment that is making them play worse are those who actually don't know that they're doing it. Is she any good?

She would actually be competitive at women's 4.0 if she played for anything other than fun. Though she's not looking to improve, I just wanted her to realize that she would benefit by changing out the old strings. Since I don't think she'd appreciate me nagging her every few weeks to restring, I'm looking for something that should remain somewhat consistent over the long haul.

 

[BobFL]

She would actually be competitive at women's 4.0 if she played for anything other than fun. Though she's not looking to improve, I just wanted her to realize that she would benefit by changing out the old strings. Since I don't think she'd appreciate me nagging her every few weeks to restring, I'm looking for something that should remain somewhat consistent over the long haul.

That kind of string does not exist. String are not engineered to provide top performance for a long time. That is not the point. Btw, why are you wasting your time when she does not care about strings?

 

[pvaudio]

That kind of string does not exist. String are not engineered to provide top performance for a long time. That is not the point. Btw, why are you wasting your time when she does not care about strings?

This is actually exactly what I was implying.

 

[InsideOutBackhand]

Perhaps I am wasting my time. But I'm mostly asking out of personal curiosity. And by chance, I might stumble on a better string for this scenario.

I realize that strings simply are not designed to be used this way. But given the circumstances, I would tend to believe that one choice might be marginally better than the other. I am curious to know which choice and why.

But thank you for your opinions on the matter.

 

[flashfire276]

Looking for suggestions on the type of string to use for a player who does not break strings but does not cut them out for restringing. My key interest is in looking for a string that will maintain consistent playability over a long term when durability is not an issue.

These are my current thoughts:

Ranked "Best-Fit" (top-down)
Kevlar/Aramid Hybrid
Multifilament Synthetic
Natural Gut
Synthetic Gut
Poly/Co-Poly

I based my rankings on my understanding on the various string types. Kevlar is stiff and inelastic, leading to less change over the life of the string. Natural gut and multifilaments are both elastic but retain their elasticity and tension maintenance longer than monofilament/single core synthetics. I put multi ahead of nat gut because multi will break quicker actually forcing the player to restring (probably a good thing in this scenario). Poly/Co-poly undergoes signficant changes in playability when it goes dead.

Additional thoughts/info welcomed.

The string that lasted the longest for me was a full bed of Babolat Revenge 16g. Had great durability, held tension better than most polys, and had pretty long life. And even when it started to go dead, the string still worked fairly well. Wasn't super comfortable, but enough to not get tennis elbow. Just don't string to high.

 

[HitItHarder]

Kevlar's advantage is durability - not playability for a long time. Plus you have to swing out on your shots as it is a very low powered string. Since your friend isn't a string breaker, I wouldn't recommend kevlar. It can also play a little harsh.

Honestly, it sounds like a quality multi would work best. She doesn't break them, they general have better tension maintenance than polys and synthetic guts, and most importantly they have good playability over the life of the string.

Try something like NXT, X-One, NRG2, or another similar multi.

Really gut sounds like the best string, but it doesn't sound like the expense is justified for her based on how little she plays and when you can pay 1/4th the cost and still get a good multi string.

 

[Irvin]

...And by chance, I might stumble on a better string for this scenario...

If you by chance stumble on a string that last two years will you PLEASE let me know.

Irvin

 

[pvaudio]

What about this setup: Signum Pro Poly Plasma mains (unbelievable tension maintenance) and NRG2 crosses?

 

[in_ten_city]

Looking for suggestions on the type of string to use for a player who does not break strings but does not cut them out for restringing.

Polyester. If you want absolute durability with minimal tension loss you need to try Head Sonic Pro. The 16 gauge will probably last for years for your friend, no joke. While the 17 will last 6 months to a year, but with much better playability. These estimations are based on how you described your friends play.

 

[TennisCJC]

I agree with the "these strings don't exist" comment above. If you play 3-4 times a month and don't break strings, you should still restring every 4-6 months. Strings lose tension, dry out, become less elastic and lose playability when exposed to playing and weather conditions.

NRG2 is the best multi for tension retention and a 16G should last awhile. It is a very good string.

Natural Gut is the best for retaining tension. You said you play in humid conditions, but Klip Armour Pro Natural Gut has a super heavy protective coating. This is probably your best option if you want to use gut.

I would not use all poly unless your friend has a relatively fast swing speed. In fact, I would not use polys at all because all polys (even SPPP) lose 15-20% of tension with the first 4 weeks if used 2-3 times a week. Granted, these are the least likely to break but if she isn't a string breaker, I wouldn't go poly unless she smacks the ball. If you want to try a poly, SPPP (original, pure, hyperion) all retain tension and should last a 4.0 women a few months of decent playability.

My recommendation, try NRG2 as it is a very good string and retains tension almost as good as natural gut. Durability should be good.

 

[TennisCJC]

One more comment.

Don't play kevlar. They are the harshes strings on the arm. Polys are about 200-300% stiffer than natural gut and are harsher on the arm than gut. Kevlar is about 400-800% stiffer than natural gut. Stay away from Kevlar - arm wrecker and no feel.

 

[alcheng]

And by chance, I might stumble on a better string for this scenario.

Why don't you find a setup for yourself instead of for her, you care about string, she doesn't, and you say she plays competitively with the 2 yrs old string, so why bother?

If you by chance stumble on a string that last two years will you PLEASE let me know.

Irvin

Irvin, I'll say the manufactures would like to know too thus they stop making it for sure.

:mrgreen::mrgreen::mrgreen:

 

[ethebull]

Weiss Cannon Explosiv! is a pretty darn durable multi in a full bed. It will wear and fray eventually, but it has a great rep for tension maintenance. My best recommendation anyway for a there is no right answer question.

 

[tarkowski]

Kevlar's advantage is durability - not playability for a long time. Plus you have to swing out on your shots as it is a very low powered string. Since your friend isn't a string breaker, I wouldn't recommend kevlar. It can also play a little harsh.

Honestly, it sounds like a quality multi would work best. She doesn't break them, they general have better tension maintenance than polys and synthetic guts, and most importantly they have good playability over the life of the string.

Try something like NXT, X-One, NRG2, or another similar multi.

Really gut sounds like the best string, but it doesn't sound like the expense is justified for her based on how little she plays and when you can pay 1/4th the cost and still get a good multi string.

Great advice. I 2nd this. Gut is fantastic over the long-haul. It maintains it's playing characteristics better than the rest. A good quality multi like NRG2 would be a great alternative at a lower price point. Of the multis, NRG2 probably holds it's playing characteristics the best and is actually lower priced to boot.

 

[High Roller]

Despite the higher initial cost, top-shelf natural gut is the most cost effective, high performance, durable and arm-friendly choice for this type of player. I have put several non-string-breaking female league players, (who are not so good about their re-stringing schedule) into VS over the past couple of years and it has worked out beautifully.