Multi/Multi Hybrids that can do it all?

[CostarreraGT]

So a lot of us all-courters (and others) like to play with control oriented more traditional feeling players racquets. I myself am currently in love with my PS97 V13 which offers a ton of feel and great precision. Great from every angle, except if you cannot generate your own power.

The problem is that 99% of polys out there will both aggravate any old injury you ever had in your arm and rob you of most of the great feel that comes with these frames. Sure, you could spend a lot on Champions Choice or go for one of the many multi/poly hybrids out there. But what if any amount of poly hurts your arm or your game? What multi can do it all?

My answer so far after testing a dozen multis like nxt, biphase, tgv, sensation, velocity, rip control, etc... Is that no one multi can do it all in a full bed. But, some of them can do some things exceptionally well. For example Velocity plays like a poly without the pain for a decent number of hours. Still not enough feel but also no pain. Biphase is overpowered with very little spin but feels amazing.

So, is there a multi/multi hybrid that can do it all?

So far after numerous attempts at hybriding various top rated multis together, and aiming for said control, feel and spin at a reasonable cost and with reasonable durability (for a multi), my best answers have been:

1: Gamma Ocho XP 16g for the mains.
An octagonal string that looks and feels more like a "rough". With Head Velocity MLT 17g in the Crosses. Stringing a bit above average tension and always with 2lbs more on mains than crosses. I also add some string savers in a diamond pattern at the sweet spot after the first 2 to 3 hours of play to help retain tension and undo any initial notching. Like this I get a good 10-15 hours of play before it snaps, and it plays great until it goes.

2: not a close second but a nice second nonetheless:
Head Velocity MLT 17g in the mains with X-one biphase 18g in the Crosses.

Any other good ideas out there?

 

[taydbear7]

NRG2 is still my favorite. I actually have Velocity in my crosses at the moment. I've done hybrid with it several times and like it a lot. It's a little underpowered. I've been experimenting with multi recently. I have Dunlop and Babolat up next.

 

[CostarreraGT]

NRG2 is still my favorite. I actually have Velocity in my crosses at the moment. I've done hybrid with it several times and like it a lot. It's a little underpowered. I've been experimenting with multi recently. I have Dunlop and Babolat up next.

Nice. I have a pack of NRG2 18g sitting around to be tested in hybrids with Velocity. Will give it a go soon-ish and report back.

 

[MikhailT]

Any more nice multi/multi set-ups? Looks like velocity is best for crosses since it's probably one of the slickiest multies out there?
Going to try Signum Pro Micronite 1.27 in mains with 1.25 Velocity in crosses in a Ezone 98.

 

[Christoforos Giatzakis]

Velocity/multifeel and the reverse.

 

[CostarreraGT]

Velocity/multifeel and the reverse.

Aren't those quite similar feeling/performing strings though? I know velocity very well, what added benefit does multifeel bring?

 

[Uncoil]

Isospeed Control Classic and Professional Classic

 

[Christoforos Giatzakis]

Aren't those quite similar feeling/performing strings though? I know velocity very well, what added benefit does multifeel bring?

I find multifeel a little more slippery, a little more comfy, a little more powerful and a little more spinny compared to velocity. Multifeel in full bed never locks (like velocity does after a while). I am talking about the colored multifeel. Have not tried natural.

 

[La Pavoni]

Isospeed Control Classic and Professional Classic

About my favourite multi so far (I've only tried the Pro). It plays nicely for me until it snaps.
Are you hybriding the two of them?

 

[golden chicken]

I am going to try NXT/Velocity next. Have played a long time with NXT full beds, recently picked up some Velocity and played a couple of full beds of it. Found Velocity exactly as described, more muted, less powerful, and more spin than NXT. Hoping the NXT mains give me back a little pop and some feel, and the Velocity gives me a bit more spin than straight NXT.

 

[Uncoil]

About my favourite multi so far (I've only tried the Pro). It plays nicely for me until it snaps.
Are you hybriding the two of them?

Control Classic in a full bed plays well enough. Very muted, offers enough control but lower powered than expected.

I'm currently using Professional Classic mains with a 1.19 round smooth poly in the crosses strung at 53/49 lbs in a 16x20 98 sq in head. Liking this setup so far. It plays somewhat similar to a full bed of soft poly but very muted. Great control and a bit of pop than in a full bed.

 

[La Pavoni]

Control Classic in a full bed plays well enough. Very muted, offers enough control but lower powered than expected.

I'm currently using Professional Classic mains with a 1.19 round smooth poly in the crosses strung at 53/49 lbs in a 16x20 98 sq in head. Liking this setup so far. It plays somewhat similar to a full bed of soft poly but very muted. Great control and a bit of pop than in a full bed.

I've only tried in a full bed so far, the same with the other multis I've tried. Generally I hybrid soft polys as an alternative. I find that I get a similar life span out of both. The polys go boardy for me in something under 10 hours and the multi snaps around the same time, if I'm lucky. The only exception being Velocity which snapped in a couple of hours.

 

[Happi]

Isospeed Control Classic and Professional Classic

Great string, an all time favorite. I hybrid it as a cross for gut main.

RIP control / Velocity
RIP control / FXP
RIP control / Gosen OG 18

all good combo’s in a 18x20 95 frame

Multi / Multi in 16x19 does not work for me as strins are all over the place within 20 min. 18x20 pattern is a completely different story.

 

[Happi]

Control Classic in a full bed plays well enough. Very muted, offers enough control but lower powered than expected.

I'm currently using Professional Classic mains with a 1.19 round smooth poly in the crosses strung at 53/49 lbs in a 16x20 98 sq in head. Liking this setup so far. It plays somewhat similar to a full bed of soft poly but very muted. Great control and a bit of pop than in a full bed.

I will have to try ISO prof classic with Ghost Wire 19 as cross. Could be interesting.
What round poly are you using ?

 

[Happi]

I've only tried in a full bed so far, the same with the other multis I've tried. Generally I hybrid soft polys as an alternative. I find that I get a similar life span out of both. The polys go boardy for me in something under 10 hours and the multi snaps around the same time, if I'm lucky. The only exception being Velocity which snapped in a couple of hours.

Full bed is good, but with gut main it shines.

 

[La Pavoni]

Full bed is good, but with gut main it shines.

I'm going to try out gut once spring arrives properly, though I would have been thinking about putting it in a hybrid with a poly. What do you find the advantage is with the Pro classic?

 

[Happi]

I'm going to try out gut once spring arrives properly, though I would have been thinking about putting it in a hybrid with a poly. What do you find the advantage is with the Pro classic?

So many good properties with this combination, I learned about it here some years ago in a thread called someting like "Mojo setup", you could do a search.

Somehow gut and ISO compliment each other, as both can be strung at higher tension without increase in stiffness (Check TWU string dadabase), strings does not move (with I hate) they don't notch, the muted ISO tames the power of the gut, and so on and on - I have yet to find a better combo - oh and is is very very arm friendly.

Only problem is that ISO have a large initial tension drop, but after that it plays very consistant over a long period before fraying. I cut out the cross and replace, and you have a new stringbed. I string ISO 1-2 kg higher in the crosses than gut in the mains, to compensate for the tension loss. Plays well and are very durable even on clay courts.

cheers, H

 

[Uncoil]

I will have to try ISO prof classic with Ghost Wire 19 as cross. Could be interesting.
What round poly are you using ?

Pro's Pro Black Force 1.19. I gravitate towards less expensive, soft polys if I use a poly as a cross.

I have a set of Kirschbaum Max Power 1.20 that I'll try as crosses with Control Classic or Professional Classic mains once my current setup is unplayable.

 

[matchpointread]

I can't play with my pro staffs anymore (too stiff), but NXT Power in the mains was my go-to. It's better than regular NXT in every way, except that it's more powerful, which is only a matter of preference.. Yet, it's not too powerful. I used Velocity and Sensation 15 as crosses in each racquet, and they both were solid with the thick Sensation being the most comfortable.

I was hybriding it to save a few bucks, but it doesn't need it otherwise. The access to spin is on par with Velocity. I think it's better, but I also think I'm possibly biased due to that the feel is so good and get so connected to the ball to place it where I want that it makes it hard for me to say for sure.

I'll probably revisit it again (playing with 100 sq in frames now), and a coated Multifeel cross sounds out of this world for spin and power. Or my current favorite syn gut, Tourna Syn Gut Armor for more control, which is more likely given that I like to have my strings usually somewhere around 40-45 lbs.

 

[ralph h]

Triax mains Rip Control crosses

 

[Folsom_Stringer_Musa]

Pro's Pro Black Force 1.19. I gravitate towards less expensive, soft polys if I use a poly as a cross.

I vouch for this as well.

 

[Happi]

Triax mains Rip Control crosses

Does RIP control work as a cross ? To me it is too textured and mains get out of position after every hit. Works great as a main with smooth multi or poly as cross.

 

[AceyMan]

Well,

my secret sauce is . ..

Vanquish mains with Dunlop S-Gut crosses (I've used the white only, fwiw).

Other similar crosses may work great but that's a pair I know I like.

It's all about the Solinco multi, tho. That's what you have to use¹.

/Acey

¹—Although I am interested in Volkl Power Fiber (II or Pro) . That might also be tasty but I have yet to try it out to date.

 

[Dartagnan64]

Origin/Velocity was a great combo but I don't see Babolat making Origin anymore.

 

[harsh_alive]

I am going to try NXT/Velocity next. Have played a long time with NXT full beds, recently picked up some Velocity and played a couple of full beds of it. Found Velocity exactly as described, more muted, less powerful, and more spin than NXT. Hoping the NXT mains give me back a little pop and some feel, and the Velocity gives me a bit more spin than straight NXT.

Let me know how does this feel and your feedback. I have been playing NXT full bed in Prostaff 97 v13. Always break the crosses first. Curious to know what the result may be with NXT/Velocity hybrid. I will try it as well. Will like your inputs.

 

[golden chicken]

Strung up my Tour 90 today a with natural NXT 16 x natural Velocity 16 at 45 lbs on an X2 dropweight. Hope to have a hit tomorrow. Have another Tour 90 with FB NXT 16 and a Tour 95 with FB Velocity 16 to compare.

Just bouncing a ball off the racket seems exactly as you would expect. Less power than FB NXT, more than FB Velocity.

I did notice the NXT seems dented already--crosses that weren't 100% straight didn't want to slide to a new position.

 

[g4driver]

Been stringing Multifeel mains / Velocity crosses for several years. For young juniors, beginners and 3.0 to 3.5 players. Have written several posts about why this setup works well for those players and the feedback I get from players using this setup. It isn't for everyone, but for players who like the solid core MF brings to the table along with the slick coating of Velocity's coating, the hybrid works. MF will out last Velocity in full bed AOTBE, so hence MF mains with the solid core.

if you hit flat and break cross strings before you break the mains, put Velocity in the mains and MF in the crosses.

if you want the longest lasting multi / multi hybrid, put 1.38mmm Triax in the mains and pick a cross like PPC 1.35mm or HDMX 1.35mm

 

[MikhailT]

Going to try Signum Pro Micronite 1.27 in mains with 1.25 Velocity in crosses in a Ezone 98.

Played a match with this setup. Compared to full bed of Micronite it's exactly as you would expect: a bit more spin, a bit less power, better snapback. Stringing was easier as well, since Velocity is much sleeker. I am not feel-sensitive, so I didn't notice any difference in that department to full bed of Micronite. I guess there are some availability issues with Micronite but otherwise this setup is gold.

 

[golden chicken]

Let me know how does this feel and your feedback. I have been playing NXT full bed in Prostaff 97 v13. Always break the crosses first. Curious to know what the result may be with NXT/Velocity hybrid. I will try it as well. Will like your inputs.

Initial impression is that the feel is mostly like NXT. I would estimate the power level is about 85% of full bed NXT and the spin is better. I can clearly see the shape of the ball from the extra spin and it seems the strings are snapping back just fine. After about an hour of light hitting and 30 or so practice serves the strings never needed to be adjusted. I would say the lower power level means my Tour 90 is less forgiving on off center strikes and serves are possibly a few mph slower.

I'm not sure my Tour 90 is the right stick for this setup, though. I sort of feel like it would be better with FB NXT and more aggressive S&V/C&C type of play.

I think my Tour 95 would benefit from this setup and a more all-court style game. A fresh FB velocity job last year felt great, but when I pulled that stick out to hit with this year, it wasn't powerful enough.

Will continue to report back if my initial impressions don't pan out.

FWIW I hardly ever break strings, but I also like the way 16ga string feels vs 17.

 

[ChanterRacquet]

Do let us know how long you get out of it. We’re going about 2 weeks hitting 3/week or so on a FB of NXT. Crosses always go first.

 

[golden chicken]

When I say I hardly break strings, I mean I could probably get well over 20 hours of hitting on a full bed of NXT. I honestly can't even remember if I break crosses or mains since I can't remember the last time I kept them until they broke rather than cutting it out and starting with a fresh string job for the spring.

I think my serving is the hardest on the strings, but since I mostly hit around with my wife these days and when she's had enough I hit a few serves, it's certainly not like playing two sets of competitive singles. We also only get out there about once a week on average.

I imagine this setup to be sturdier than full bed NXT and likely the weak point is the NXT mains, given my limited time spent with full beds of Velocity.

Part of me now wonders if NXT Power x Velocity might give all the pop of FB NXT plus the extra spin that comes with Velocity crosses.

 

[Roketz]

Been stringing Multifeel mains / Velocity crosses for several years. For young juniors, beginners and 3.0 to 3.5 players. Have written several posts about why this setup works well for those players and the feedback I get from players using this setup. It isn't for everyone, but for players who like the solid core MF brings to the table along with the slick coating of Velocity's coating, the hybrid works. MF will out last Velocity in full bed AOTBE, so hence MF mains with the solid core.

if you hit flat and break cross strings before you break the mains, put Velocity in the mains and MF in the crosses.

if you want the longest lasting multi / multi hybrid, put 1.38mmm Triax in the mains and pick a cross like PPC 1.35mm or HDMX 1.35mm

Could you specify the recommended tension for young junior with 16x19 string pattern for both setups please?

 

[Dartagnan64]

So is the consensus that Velocity is the best Multi for a cross in a multi hybrid?

 

[golden chicken]

Another 45 minute light-medium hit with the wife on NXT/Vel plus about 36 serves, maybe 12 kick and 24 about as hard as I can muster. I think some of the coating on the Velocity has worn off, the extra spin is still there but it isn't quite as good as it was fresh fresh. Strings still do not need adjusting. A nice pocketing feel hitting flat on the same 6 balls we used last session. If we were in mid-season form I would open two new cans next time out, but we are still regaining our timing and coordination. I received some more NXT in the mail today so I will probably string up one of my 95s next and compare it to the FB Velocity one.

@Dartagnan64 I think for the money in a multi/multi hybrid it is probably hard to beat. It certainly will help me stretch my NXT supply.

 

[g4driver]

Could you specify the recommended tension for young junior with 16x19 string pattern for both setups please?

I string a lot of Head Speed MP .. the older Graphene version that cost $89 at 55M/53X.

If the junior is under 10, I drop the tension to 35 lbs in a 25 inch frame for full bed of syn gut when the strings break, 40 lbs in a 26 inch frame.

The pros I work with transition kids to 27" frame as needed, but typically around 10-11 years old. And almost always it is a Head Radical S 102 square inch frame

 

[Dartagnan64]

If I wanted to lower a launch angle in a multi/velocity string bed, would it be best to up the Velocity Cross tension a bit?

 

[MikhailT]

Played a match with this setup. Compared to full bed of Micronite it's exactly as you would expect: a bit more spin, a bit less power, better snapback. Stringing was easier as well, since Velocity is much sleeker. I am not feel-sensitive, so I didn't notice any difference in that department to full bed of Micronite. I guess there are some availability issues with Micronite but otherwise this setup is gold.

So the Velocity 1.25 crosses snapped after 10 hours in my Micronite/Velocity setup in the Ezone 98, compared to roughly 18 hours of full bed of Micronite. I know, I should have bought the 1.30 Velocity, oh well, it was fun while it lasted though. The amounts of spin were poly-like and there was almost no string movement until the very last hour or two. Gonna try velocity mains with micronite crosses for the next trial.

 

[Edgewood]

If I wanted to lower a launch angle in a multi/velocity string bed, would it be best to up the Velocity Cross tension a bit?

From my experimenting yes. I have brought the crosses a couple of pounds tighter than the mains and the launch angle was indeed lower. You might need to adjust the main tension down to get the same feel however as it will definitely feel a bit stiffer.