Multi/Poly Hybrid?

[Fluffy_Skye]

I was having arm and wrist pain coming back to tennis after vacation, which is likely caused by poor skill. I have always been playing with poly, but I finally decided to try multi because of the pain and got the NRG2 as it's on sale and has good reviews. (I don't have pain using poly now as I've found my form again.)

The power from full bed NRG2 at the same tension (50lbs) as my poly setup (Tour Hex/Ghost Wire) is insane. I could swing much more relaxed and still get very good depth, whereas with poly, while it does have more control and spin potential, I need to work harder to unlock that spin potential and to achieve good depth.

I do miss the spin potential from poly, as it is harder for me to play top spin high ball and still make it land in with full bed multi (lack of spin makes the ball not able to fall back in court before it flies out), but I do prefer playing with multi now as the power is just so easy, I could be more loose with my stroke and focus more on timing and not worry about depth.

Now I can see why pro players like Federer and Djokovic use gut/poly hybrid. I imagine it would have the best of both world, power and spin. The price of gut still put me away so I wonder whether there is a budget option with multi/poly hybrid.

In poly hybrid people on this forum raves about ghost wire and isospeed cream as cross, both of which I've tried and liked when combining with Tour Hex/Lynx Tour main. If I choose to use NRG2 as main, what type of cross could give me more spin potential?

 

[Steve Huff]

I would just stay with the multi (like NRG2) and string it at 58-60 pounds. Your spin will come from your form, not so much from your string.

 

[Arzivu]

Ghostwire and Cream (or Msv Swift) are the best options. Smooth and slick that allow the mains to move freely. Bear in mind though that Nrg2 is quite soft and the poly cross will saw it very fast, especially if you hit with some serious spin.

 

[Fluffy_Skye]

I would just stay with the multi (like NRG2) and string it at 58-60 pounds. Your spin will come from your form, not so much from your string.

I agree about skill being the most important factor. I am just saying full bed multi in comparison to poly, has less access to spin. I will try stringing it higher next time.

 

[Fluffy_Skye]

Ghostwire and Cream (or Msv Swift) are the best options. Smooth and slick that allow the mains to move freely. Bear in mind though that Nrg2 is quite soft and the poly cross will saw it very fast, especially if you hit with some serious spin.

So the slick poly are still the best option in a multi poly hybrid? I wonder why the GOATs use Alu Power with Gut.

 

[Happi]

.

 

[Fluffy_Skye]

Looking into more multi options.

Head velocity MLT also gets good reviews and is said to have good spin for a multi.

Also see a lot of good reviews about X-1 biphase and triax.

Which one would be the most durable and spin friendly? I’m considering pairing multi with ghost wire cross.

 

[jimmy8]

Velocity is slick for snap back and has thicker sheath for durability. I would go velocity cross and poly main for more spin and still good power.

 

[Fluffy_Skye]

Velocity is slick for snap back and has thicker sheath for durability. I would go velocity cross and poly main for more spin and still good power.

I was thinking velocity main ghost wire cross. Multi in main is more powerful than poly in main, right?

 

[jimmy8]

I was thinking velocity main ghost wire cross. Multi in main is more powerful than poly in main, right?

Yes multi in main will be more power than poly in main.

 

[pjv]

@Fluffy_Skye If you like how NRG2 feels in the mains, I can recommend trying Tecnifibre Multifeel black in the mains. It’s quite a bit less cost and for me actually feels a little better than NRG2.

Edit: I’ve also tried Velocity mains and I prefer both NRG2 and Multifeel over Velocity.

For crosses I think you can’t go wrong with ghostwire, cream, or MSV swift.

 

[tele]

i found good spin (similar to multi/poly hybrid) and comfort (better than multi/poly hybrid)with ashaway monogut zx crosses and multi mains, but i found it too powerful.

cream is a very slippery cross and comfortable under 50 pounds.never used it with nrg, but i would imagine you will notice a significant increase in spin over fb nrg. If that bothers your arm, though, i would take a break from poly until your arm is 100%

 

[Arzivu]

So the slick poly are still the best option in a multi poly hybrid? I wonder why the GOATs use Alu Power with Gut.

A shaped poly will provide equally good spin but it will cut your multi main much faster. Pros use gut which is more durable and they usually change rackets frequently (max 3 hours of play).

 

[LOBALOT]

So the slick poly are still the best option in a multi poly hybrid? I wonder why the GOATs use Alu Power with Gut.

ALU is not shaped but round so not an issue. ALU Rough is bumpy but round which doesn't cut into the gut mains.

Both are a great cross but don't last long but the GOATs don't care as they only hit with them for 7 games or something like that and then just toss the racket aside for a freshly strung stick.

 

[Cowboy]

Wilson has some good pre-packaged options: https://www.wilson.com/en-us/tennis/tennis-strings/shopby/hybrid_46667?product_list_order=featured

If external links are not allowed: https://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Wilson_Hybrid_String_Sets/catpage-WILHYBRID.html

Why not give one of those a try? The Duo Control is my favorite of the ones that I have tried. Good comfort and really good spin, IMO.

 

[LOBALOT]

My favorite multi poly hybrids are Velocity 16 Mains with 17G Ghostwire or Cream crosses.

 

[Fluffy_Skye]

My favorite multi poly hybrids are Velocity 16 Mains with 17G Ghostwire or Cream crosses.

I am most interested in this setup right now. How's the durability?

 

[LOBALOT]

I am most interested in this setup right now. How's the durability?

Not bad. It depends on the player and their style but the investment in trying it is pretty cheap. Certainly cheap enough to give it a shot and see for your self.

 

[Fluffy_Skye]

Not bad. It depends on the player and their style but the investment in trying it is pretty cheap. Certainly cheap enough to give it a shot and see for your self.

Ok, I got Velocity 1.30mm / Cream 1.23mm. Normally I string full bed poly 1.25mm at 48lbs. What do you suggest for multi/poly hybrid?

 

[LOBALOT]

I string it 58 mains / 53 crosses in my 100^2 racquet. For comparison I normally string VCT 16G at 53 mains / 47 crosses. Hopefully using that as a comparison you should be able to take your poly/racquet/preference and dial in a decent first stab at a tension for you.

Good luck!

 

[Fluffy_Skye]

I string it 58 mains / 53 crosses in my 100^2 racquet. For comparison I normally string VCT 16G at 53 mains / 47 crosses. Hopefully using that as a comparison you should be able to take your poly/racquet/preference and dial in a decent first stab at a tension for you.

Good luck!

I string it at 50/47. Just hit against the wall and it feels right. Can’t wait to get on court!

 

[Fluffy_Skye]

I string it 58 mains / 53 crosses in my 100^2 racquet. For comparison I normally string VCT 16G at 53 mains / 47 crosses. Hopefully using that as a comparison you should be able to take your poly/racquet/preference and dial in a decent first stab at a tension for you.

Good luck!

Well. Played it for some time now. Definitely more spin than full bed NRG2, but not close to full bed poly at all.

Compared to full bed poly. I do get a lot more power and comfort. My serve actually get a lot better probably because of the added power. The softer feel makes my volley better too.

Again, the only shot being negatively affected is my forehand. I used to be able to hit high top spin forehand, but now it’s more like a driving forehand with spin as a bonus. I do hit faster forehand though because of the added power, but I can’t hit loopy high balls and keep it in consistently.

Slice can get floaty if I don’t have the right racket angle. I guess I need more time to adjust my forehand and slice to the power/spin ratio of multi.

 

[babar]

I'm thinking of putting a hybrid of Head Hawk 18g (mains @47lbs) with Velocity 16g (cross @50lbs).
I'm new to hybrid stringing, so any advice is appreciated on tension.
My goal is to get a good ball bite with the tension and gauge of the string.
Personally, I've never felt that shaped strings or rough strings gave me "more spin" or more bite except for Ultracable, Hyper-G, and V-Square.
However, I don't have any of that laying around plus I feel the square profile would rip through the multi crosses, right?
Thanks in advance for any thoughts or advice.