Multi that plays like a poly?

smithie

Professional
I’ve recently switched to a full multi setup post TE after being a long term user of poly (Yonex tour super 850 pro). I played with this string for the first time yesterday and after only an hour of solid hitting it is already frayiny, has notched significantly and the strings have to be moved back after every other point.
Anyway I was hoping that there would be a multi out there that has ‘similar’ playing characteristics of a poly. I am not after the spin of a poly as I have a topspin heavy game, I just want the ability to hit out as I would with a poly and not have to worry about balls going long and the string not braking after a few hours.

*for anyone searching these are the suggested strings thus far (I will try to update where I can)*
Alpha Gut 2000
Ashaway Monogut ZX
Babolat Origin
Double AR 666
Head FXP
Head RIP Control
Head Velocity MLT
Prince Premier Control
Tecnifibre HDX Tour
 
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Muppet

Legend
Alpha Gut 2000 - not very elastic, so it has more of a poly feel with good spin. Not very durable.
Head Velocity MLT - low powered control multi. Soft, but if you play it mid-tension it will play more poly-like.
Head RIP Control - low powered, firm and spinny for a multi. It's an older product, but don't overlook it.

The Yonex string you played is a stiff multi. I played it once and I liked all 3 of these strings better.
 

smithie

Professional
Alpha Gut 2000 - not very elastic, so it has more of a poly feel with good spin. Not very durable.
Head Velocity MLT - low powered control multi. Soft, but if you play it mid-tension it will play more poly-like.
Head RIP Control - low powered, firm and spinny for a multi. It's an older product, but don't overlook it.

The Yonex string you played is a stiff multi. I played it once and I liked all 3 of these strings better.

How low have you gone with velocity? I’ve already used a fb of velocity when I initially had TE given the rave reviews on this board but found it too unresponsive almost like a poly that’s gone dead. Granted it was in a different frame (TT 100p) strung at 55lbs and it was the black version as I couldn’t get ahold of a natural set so I’m not sure if that was just a bad combo?
 

JustTennis76

Hall of Fame
I’ve recently switched to a full multi setup post TE after being a long term user of poly (Yonex tour super 850 pro). I played with this string for the first time yesterday and after only an hour of solid hitting it is already frayiny, has notched significantly and the strings have to be moved back after every other point.
Anyway I was hoping that there would be a multi out there that has ‘similar’ playing characteristics of a poly. I am not after the spin of a poly as I have a topspin heavy game, I just want the ability to hit out as I would with a poly and not have to worry about balls going long and the string not braking after a few hours.
Head Velocity MLT
Head FXP
Prince premier control
 

Muppet

Legend
How low have you gone with velocity? I’ve already used a fb of velocity when I initially had TE given the rave reviews on this board but found it too unresponsive almost like a poly that’s gone dead. Granted it was in a different frame (TT 100p) strung at 55lbs and it was the black version as I couldn’t get ahold of a natural set so I’m not sure if that was just a bad combo?
I have been reading a lot about it and I tried a half set in the crosses with Monogut ZX mains and loved it for that use. I also tried a full set in my Dunlop MuscleWeave 200G 95" 18x20 @51 lbs. If I want it to feel closer to a poly string, I will want to string it 5 lbs. tighter next time. @51 it was too unresponsive. I think that no matter what tension you use on this string it is not going to become powerful. But you're looking for poly-like, so just tighten it. It will still be soft though, unlike a poly, but more boardy, like a poly. I used the natural.
 

1HBHfanatic

Legend
Babolat.origin is a unique string, similar to ashaway.zyex (mentioned above)
these will not fray, as they are solid core, like a poly
these will feel much softer than polys, but soft as multis
def. Read and review..
downside to these strings,, lack of spin, compared to poly..
 

ashridge

Semi-Pro
ZX mains x Velocity crosses is a hybrid combo on my list of ones to try. I've got some of both, just haven't tried it yet. What tension did you use? Have you tried a full bed of ZX also, and if so, how was the spin with the ZX/Velocity hybrid compared to full ZX? What about the durability of the Velocity crosses?

I have been reading a lot about it and I tried a half set in the crosses with Monogut ZX mains and loved it for that use. I also tried a full set in my Dunlop MuscleWeave 200G 95" 18x20 @51 lbs. If I want it to feel closer to a poly string, I will want to string it 5 lbs. tighter next time. @51 it was too unresponsive. I think that no matter what tension you use on this string it is not going to become powerful. But you're looking for poly-like, so just tighten it. It will still be soft though, unlike a poly, but more boardy, like a poly. I used the natural.
 

Muppet

Legend
ZX mains x Velocity crosses is a hybrid combo on my list of ones to try. I've got some of both, just haven't tried it yet. What tension did you use? Have you tried a full bed of ZX also, and if so, how was the spin with the ZX/Velocity hybrid compared to full ZX? What about the durability of the Velocity crosses?
I didn't get a lot of time on the ZX 1.27/Velocity 1.30 setup I tried @57/54. It was a bit too tight for me. I'm looking to try 56/53 in the same racquet as I mentioned above. It's tricky to get the right amount of manual pre-stretch on it and to let my drop weight stretch it the rest of the way. My best result was this 57/54 with a 3.5" manual pre-stretch. Otherwise, I've gotten varied results and if stretched too much the ZX gets very muted a few days later. And it's an expensive string to practice getting it right with. But I'm going to try again. I ordered another set of ZX tonight and I have 2.5 sets of Velocity on hand. Another picadillo of ZX is that it stiffens funny when you string it a little too tight. The start of ball impact feels like surface tension being broken. This is easily corrected by going down 1 or 2 pounds the next time. If you have say, a 100" racquet, I would start 2 lbs. higher than I did with my 95" and pre-stretch to 4 or 4.5". And you have to reset the drop weight arm 3 or 4 times on each pull. It takes a lot of patience, but when you get it right the string bed is to die for. Good luck with it.
I haven't tried ZX full bed. It looks like it would be too harsh for me.
Can't report on Velocity durability, but I've been reading it's great.
 
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Kevo

Legend
I used to play with the 850 myself and liked it quite a lot. It's true that it wasn't very durable under heavy hitting, but it was a good feel and soft on the arm.

Unfortunately I don't think you'll find a multi that plays like a poly. Your best bet would probably be trying to find a good compromise as some have suggested with a hybrid of some sort. ZX is probably good to try, but don't string it too tight, and if that feel is not something you like, you will probably need to look elsewhere. A syn gut or tournament nylon in the mains with a softer cross might work out well. Rip control is worth trying, but it can get stiff if strung too tight. One of my favorite hybrids of all time was luxilon ace mains with rip control crosses. It was almost magical. The only problem was that the ace would get into the outer wrap of the rip control and start to shred it pretty quickly. If money was no object and stringing was not so time consuming, that's probably what I would still be playing today. Great comfort, feel, amazing spin and control.
 

frank52

Semi-Pro
Double AR 666 is a nylon string that less shocking than a poly and doesn't go dead like a poly. You can string it as full bed or else use it in the mains with a less-expensive syn gut in the crosses (or Ashaway Monogut ZX in crosses). The string has more control and spin than a multi although it has less power and not quite as soft feeling. I string it at 52# which is at the top of package-recommended tension range (49#-52#).
 

KaiserW

Hall of Fame
I’ve recently switched to a full multi setup post TE after being a long term user of poly (Yonex tour super 850 pro). I played with this string for the first time yesterday and after only an hour of solid hitting it is already frayiny, has notched significantly and the strings have to be moved back after every other point.
Anyway I was hoping that there would be a multi out there that has ‘similar’ playing characteristics of a poly. I am not after the spin of a poly as I have a topspin heavy game, I just want the ability to hit out as I would with a poly and not have to worry about balls going long and the string not braking after a few hours.

*for anyone searching these are the suggested strings thus far (I will try to update where I can)*
Alpha Gut 2000
Ashaway Monogut ZX
Babolat Origin
Double AR 666
Head FXP
Head RIP Control
Head Velocity MLT
Prince Premier Control

I would try NXT Control. Unique string in that it is very soft but has poly woven into it. Pretty good spin for a multi and strings stay straight.
 

fuzz nation

G.O.A.T.
I’ve recently switched to a full multi setup post TE after being a long term user of poly (Yonex tour super 850 pro). I played with this string for the first time yesterday and after only an hour of solid hitting it is already frayiny, has notched significantly and the strings have to be moved back after every other point.
Anyway I was hoping that there would be a multi out there that has ‘similar’ playing characteristics of a poly. I am not after the spin of a poly as I have a topspin heavy game, I just want the ability to hit out as I would with a poly and not have to worry about balls going long and the string not braking after a few hours.

*for anyone searching these are the suggested strings thus far (I will try to update where I can)*
Alpha Gut 2000
Ashaway Monogut ZX
Babolat Origin
Double AR 666
Head FXP
Head RIP Control
Head Velocity MLT
Prince Premier Control

I'll address the elephant in the room and suggest a private lesson for a review of your equipment and technique. You ran into arm troubles while you were playing with a multi, not a poly. That's assuming that you're sure about the string that you were using when the TE happened.

Every string on your list is potentially just fine, but they're in the same family of multifibers as Yonex 850. If somebody came to me looking for a softer alternative to that string, my first thought would be to get out on the courts for a look at how that player is hitting the ball. Other multis may only be slightly softer or maybe no softer at all.

The next step down the road into the neighborhood of arm-friendly strings is also the one that has earned the very best reputation - natural gut. Maybe a different multi will work a lot better for you - I recommend Alpha Gut 2000 and Prince Premier Control all the time. But natural gut is probably the string type that will stack the odds in your favor better than anything else.
 

smithie

Professional
I'll address the elephant in the room and suggest a private lesson for a review of your equipment and technique. You ran into arm troubles while you were playing with a multi, not a poly. That's assuming that you're sure about the string that you were using when the TE happened.

Every string on your list is potentially just fine, but they're in the same family of multifibers as Yonex 850. If somebody came to me looking for a softer alternative to that string, my first thought would be to get out on the courts for a look at how that player is hitting the ball. Other multis may only be slightly softer or maybe no softer at all.

The next step down the road into the neighborhood of arm-friendly strings is also the one that has earned the very best reputation - natural gut. Maybe a different multi will work a lot better for you - I recommend Alpha Gut 2000 and Prince Premier Control all the time. But natural gut is probably the string type that will stack the odds in your favor better than anything else.

Sorry I think the way I worded the original question has confused the situation. I actually damaged the ligament in my forearm in an un-tennis related accident but found my original set up (Babolat pure strike 18x20 & 4G or Hyper G) to slightly aggravate it during rehab (it’s just easier calling it TE on these boards then having to explain the whole situation).
I am now “TE” free and I’ve recently changed to the DR98 and installed the 850 pro (as it was the recommended multi for the racket) as I don’t see the point in potentially aggravating my forearm anymore. I was just hoping to find a low powered, durable multi that doesn’t fray. Sorry for any confusion!
 

travlerajm

Talk Tennis Guru
I didn't get a lot of time on the ZX 1.27/Velocity 1.30 setup I tried @57/54. It was a bit too tight for me. I'm looking to try 56/53 in the same racquet as I mentioned above. It's tricky to get the right amount of manual pre-stretch on it and to let my drop weight stretch it the rest of the way. My best result was this 57/54 with a 3.5" manual pre-stretch. Otherwise, I've gotten varied results and if stretched too much the ZX gets very muted a few days later. And it's an expensive string to practice getting it right with. But I'm going to try again. I ordered another set of ZX tonight and I have 2.5 sets of Velocity on hand. Another picadillo of ZX is that it stiffens funny when you string it a little too tight. The start of ball impact feels like surface tension being broken. This is easily corrected by going down 1 or 2 pounds the next time. If you have say, a 100" racquet, I would start 2 lbs. higher than I did with my 95" and pre-stretch to 4 or 4.5". And you have to reset the drop weight arm 3 or 4 times on each pull. It takes a lot of patience, but when you get it right the string bed is to die for. Good luck with it.
I haven't tried ZX full bed. It looks like it would be too harsh for me.
Can't report on Velocity durability, but I've been reading it's great.
If you are not fully prestretching, no wonder you are having so much trouble dialing in ZX - the tension does not stablilize unless fully prestretched (2 feet extra permanent length on 20-ft segment).
 

Dartagnan64

G.O.A.T.
Babolat.origin is a unique string, similar to ashaway.zyex (mentioned above)
these will not fray, as they are solid core, like a poly
these will feel much softer than polys, but soft as multis
def. Read and review..
downside to these strings,, lack of spin, compared to poly..

Origin plays the polar opposite of poly despite being a monofilament. They are soft, powerful, hold tension well and are not slippery.

Origin needs to be paired in a hybrid with a slippery used string to get spin and control. I'm using Velocity in the cross with Origin and it works well in my low powered frame. In a higher powered frame I think you'd need either a poly cross with Origin or string the Origin in the high 50's = low 60's to get control.
 

Muppet

Legend
I have several rackets that are <60RA and after trying a number of strings at various tensions/combos I found fullbed 17g Zyex natural at 57lbs works for me.
Which racquet is that again? And what kind of stringer do you use? Are you doing a manual pre-stretch, and is it a 1-piece or 2-piece string pattern?
 

graycrait

Legend
Which racquet is that again?

I string with my NEOS 1000. When stringing fullbed Zyex I do a moderate pull now, no prestretch. I've done Zyex prestretch using a winch, pulling against my body weight with one end in a wood vice, etc. Thing is I think that the elasticity and resiliency that non prestretched feels really good to me. I have used Wilson Nat Gut, Bablolat, Klip and Luxilon natural gut as a comparison and call Zyex poor man's nat gut. When I am stringing Ashaway Kevlar x Zyex hybrids then I think prestretching Zyex makes sense. Fullbed Zyex not so much.

The three rackets I am working with right now are: Wilson Pro Staff Largehead (Chicago/St Vincent) 110 (13.1oz), WIlson Pro Staff Blitz 100" (RA57) weighted up to 11oz, and Head Graphene Extreme XT Lite <61/62/63RA weighted up to 11oz. I also have 8 Prince PCG 100s that I monkey around with as well as about the current crop of 40 other rackets.

Lastly, I am finding that the Wilson PS Largehead 110 plays nicer for me than either the Wilson Sting Larghead or POG OS.
 
D

Deleted member 54265

Guest
HDX Tour is the closest multi string to poly I have tried so far. Great string and comftable. I think 1/3 poly.
 

Hangman

Rookie
I’ve recently switched to a full multi setup post TE after being a long term user of poly (Yonex tour super 850 pro). I played with this string for the first time yesterday and after only an hour of solid hitting it is already frayiny, has notched significantly and the strings have to be moved back after every other point.
Anyway I was hoping that there would be a multi out there that has ‘similar’ playing characteristics of a poly. I am not after the spin of a poly as I have a topspin heavy game, I just want the ability to hit out as I would with a poly and not have to worry about balls going long and the string not braking after a few hours.

*for anyone searching these are the suggested strings thus far (I will try to update where I can)*
Alpha Gut 2000
Ashaway Monogut ZX
Babolat Origin
Double AR 666
Head FXP
Head RIP Control
Head Velocity MLT
Prince Premier Control
Tecnifibre HDX Tour


I currently use Premier Control for my rackets and my kids rackets. The only problem with Premier control is that it will fray badly after hard hitting. My son who is 13 loves premier control and only uses it exclusively, but the strings would fray and the string bed gets locked up after just a few hours of hitting. I usually restring it for him every week due to the string bed locking up. My daughter, who's 15, loves the Premier control with Tour XP hybrid. I like this hybrid combo myself and that's what we both use. I too had TE and this hybrid combo actually has helped alot. You might want to give that a try if you haven't already.
 

fuzz nation

G.O.A.T.
Sorry I think the way I worded the original question has confused the situation. I actually damaged the ligament in my forearm in an un-tennis related accident but found my original set up (Babolat pure strike 18x20 & 4G or Hyper G) to slightly aggravate it during rehab (it’s just easier calling it TE on these boards then having to explain the whole situation).
I am now “TE” free and I’ve recently changed to the DR98 and installed the 850 pro (as it was the recommended multi for the racket) as I don’t see the point in potentially aggravating my forearm anymore. I was just hoping to find a low powered, durable multi that doesn’t fray. Sorry for any confusion!

Oh cool - I'd be willing to bet that the DR 98 paired with a moderate string should give you a very good chance at some long term comfort.

A few users of Head RIP Control have claimed that it plays a little on the subdued side of the street and has been recommended more than once here for poly users looking to switch to a multi. I haven't sampled that string in a long time, but it might be one to try.

Another consideration could be Forten Sweet 16. This is a synthetic gut, but it's easily the softest of the type I've ever tried myself. I just ordered some more gear from TW for myself and I remembered to include a few sets of this. Although it's a syn. gut, it's soft enough that it works fine as an affordable alternative to many multis. In case you want to stick with softer string and you don't get the greatest durability with them, you can keep this string in mind because it sells for only $3 per set.
 

ashridge

Semi-Pro
Ok thanks.

I've got fullbed ZX Pro in my racquet right now, trying to decide what I think of it. Only have about 2 hours on it, still formulating an opinion, some nice pros and some cons as well. Interested to hybrid it with Velocity crosses also though.

I didn't get a lot of time on the ZX 1.27/Velocity 1.30 setup I tried @57/54. It was a bit too tight for me. I'm looking to try 56/53 in the same racquet as I mentioned above. It's tricky to get the right amount of manual pre-stretch on it and to let my drop weight stretch it the rest of the way. My best result was this 57/54 with a 3.5" manual pre-stretch. Otherwise, I've gotten varied results and if stretched too much the ZX gets very muted a few days later. And it's an expensive string to practice getting it right with. But I'm going to try again. I ordered another set of ZX tonight and I have 2.5 sets of Velocity on hand. Another picadillo of ZX is that it stiffens funny when you string it a little too tight. The start of ball impact feels like surface tension being broken. This is easily corrected by going down 1 or 2 pounds the next time. If you have say, a 100" racquet, I would start 2 lbs. higher than I did with my 95" and pre-stretch to 4 or 4.5". And you have to reset the drop weight arm 3 or 4 times on each pull. It takes a lot of patience, but when you get it right the string bed is to die for. Good luck with it.
I haven't tried ZX full bed. It looks like it would be too harsh for me.
Can't report on Velocity durability, but I've been reading it's great.
 

Rabbit

G.O.A.T.
Pacific Futura, I believe it has a couple of co-polymer fibers in the center of its multi wrap. I've used it and it does play firm, but not uncomfortably so.
 
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