Multifiber strings' movement

[Dara Sok]

Hello everyone,
I have been testing multifiber strings for my tennis clients and looking for some cheaper options than just buying the top brands.
I have found some nice strings, soft, powerful and that do not break too fast but their string movement is just too much...
My main example is the Pro's pro Hitec Multifiber that starts to move around a lot just a few hours in... high end clients just do not want to be bothered to replace their strings...
Is there something that can be done in terms of tension to limit this problem? any solution would be appreciated.
I was thinking that using another soft synthetic string on the main might get rid of the problem and still provide a good feel using a multi on the crosses ?
Thanks for any advises.

 

[Ramon]

You can try a full bed of Prince Premier Control (same as Prince Premier Attack) and make sure you string it tightly (about 57 or higher for most 100 sq in 16x19 racquets). It doesn't move as much as most multifilaments but still plays like a good multifilament.

You can can also try Ashaway Monogut ZX mains with a soft multi cross, which can give you good feel depending on the cross. Monogut ZX also plays well as a full bed, but the feel is more plasticky.

 

[mikeler]

Hello everyone,
I have been testing multifiber strings for my tennis clients and looking for some cheaper options than just buying the top brands.
I have found some nice strings, soft, powerful and that do not break too fast but their string movement is just too much...
My main example is the Pro's pro Hitec Multifiber that starts to move around a lot just a few hours in... high end clients just do not want to be bothered to replace their strings...
Is there something that can be done in terms of tension to limit this problem? any solution would be appreciated.
I was thinking that using another soft synthetic string on the main might get rid of the problem and still provide a good feel using a multi on the crosses ?
Thanks for any advises.

Most multis move a lot. Prince Premiere Attack now marketed as Prince Premiere Control is a good priced multi that does not move around much.

 

[Irvin]

All strings move unless you have a perfectly flat hitter, but because of tension and surface friction they so not necessarily snap back into place. Tension and surface friction limit the life of the strings.

 

[Valjean]

Hello everyone,
I have been testing multifiber strings for my tennis clients and looking for some cheaper options than just buying the top brands.
I have found some nice strings, soft, powerful and that do not break too fast but their string movement is just too much...
My main example is the Pro's pro Hitec Multifiber that starts to move around a lot just a few hours in... high end clients just do not want to be bothered to replace their strings...
Is there something that can be done in terms of tension to limit this problem? any solution would be appreciated.
I was thinking that using another soft synthetic string on the main might get rid of the problem and still provide a good feel using a multi on the crosses ?
Thanks for any advises.

Cheaper strings do tend to lose tension quicker than their more expensive counterparts, and that's what mostly accounts for a gradual onset of string movement. You can just try raising the overall tension a few lbs. and attempt to cut down on this movement that way.

Pre-stretching these strings is another means to minimize early tension loss and prolong play, although this will affect comfort (and sometimes power) to some degree.

Try raising the crosses two lbs. relative to the mains, first, however--i.e., to achieve the same outcome as a 55 lb. reference tension, pull the mains at 54 and the crosses at 56... This solution could be adjusted if you have a two-point versus a multi-point racquet support system, which typically yields higher cross string tension....

You might even invest in a tension measurement device to help you find the suitable main to cross string relationship; a Stringmeter should be adequate to it.

 

[mikeler]

Cheaper strings do tend to lose tension quicker than their more expensive counterparts, and that's what mostly accounts for a gradual onset of string movement. You can just try raising the overall tension a few lbs. and attempt to cut down on this movement that way.

Pre-stretching these strings is another means to minimize early tension loss and prolong play, although this will affect comfort (and sometimes power) to some degree.

Try raising the crosses two lbs. relative to the mains, first, however--i.e., to achieve the same outcome as a 55 lb. reference tension, pull the mains at 54 and the crosses at 56... This solution could be adjusted if you have a two-point versus a multi-point racquet support system, which typically yields higher cross string tension....

You might even invest in a tension measurement device to help you find the suitable main to cross string relationship; a Stringmeter should be adequate to it.

It is more string dependent than price dependent IMHO.

 

[Dara Sok]

Thank you all for your input.
Thanks also for your quick responses!
I will try different options and post again afterwards.
Thanks again.

 

[eelhc]

I would not raise the tension to avoid string movement since the resulting stringbed may be too stiff and uncomfortable for your client.

I have actually used string savers on multifilament strings with some success (less string movement, strings last longer). I would lower the tension ~2lbs and use Babolat String savers. Adds ~$5 string job depending on how many you use.

 

[Dara Sok]

Thanks eelhc, good idea, why not try that.

 

[ricki]

Prince had nice solution to this: Recoil string, but one flaw was that it cost 3x the price you expect...

All mustis move and that Prince Premier Control (PPA) they recommend you moves and plays same as Prince Syn Gut so its waste of money.

 

[Ramon]

All mustis move and that Prince Premier Control (PPA) they recommend you moves and plays same as Prince Syn Gut so its waste of money.

I played with PPA and PSGD and I disagree. On my 100 sq in 16x20 Pro Kennex Ki 5x at 50 lbs or more on a constant pull machine (probably 56 on a lockout) PPA stays almost as straight as poly. If you have a more open pattern or looser tension, the results could be different.

 

[mikeler]

I played with PPA and PSGD and I disagree. On my 100 sq in 16x20 Pro Kennex Ki 5x at 50 lbs or more on a constant pull machine (probably 56 on a lockout) PPA stays almost as straight as poly. If you have a more open pattern or looser tension, the results could be different.

Those don't feel like the same strings to me either. PSGD is more firm and I would be lucky to get 5 sets out of it before breakage. PPA lasts a long time.

 

[donquijote]

Oil the multi or natural gut string with extra virgin olive oil or baby oil. You can use your finger to spread it on both sides. Apply after every two-three matches. This will make the strings move less (actually move more during hit and come back to original position quickly) and also make the stroke much more crisp and spin friendly.

 

[jxs653]

Oil the multi or natural gut string with extra virgin olive oil or baby oil. You can use your finger to spread it on both sides. Apply after every two-three matches. This will make the strings move less (actually move more during hit and come back to original position quickly) and also make the stroke much more crisp and spin friendly.

It makes sense. I'll try it later. But one question is, have you ever heard complaint from others you play with because of some oil stains on the ball?

 

[jxs653]

I would not raise the tension to avoid string movement since the resulting stringbed may be too stiff and uncomfortable for your client.

I have actually used string savers on multifilament strings with some success (less string movement, strings last longer). I would lower the tension ~2lbs and use Babolat String savers. Adds ~$5 string job depending on how many you use.

I don't know if it is just me but I think string savers stiffens stringbed and gets rid of the feel far more than raising tension does.

 

[mawashi]

Hello everyone,
I have been testing multifiber strings for my tennis clients and looking for some cheaper options than just buying the top brands.
I have found some nice strings, soft, powerful and that do not break too fast but their string movement is just too much...
My main example is the Pro's pro Hitec Multifiber that starts to move around a lot just a few hours in... high end clients just do not want to be bothered to replace their strings...
Is there something that can be done in terms of tension to limit this problem? any solution would be appreciated.
I was thinking that using another soft synthetic string on the main might get rid of the problem and still provide a good feel using a multi on the crosses ?
Thanks for any advises.

No multi will ever stay and not move, you can apply as much vasaline or baby oil or silicon spray but they are still going to move.

What high end client only has 1 racquet? If they are high end wouldn't it make more sense for them to always have a fresh stick ready for them?

If so the solution is get 2-3 racquets at least and you can rotate out a fresh one for a used racquet at each visit?

 

[anubis]

Hello everyone,
I have been testing multifiber strings for my tennis clients and looking for some cheaper options than just buying the top brands.
I have found some nice strings, soft, powerful and that do not break too fast but their string movement is just too much...
My main example is the Pro's pro Hitec Multifiber that starts to move around a lot just a few hours in... high end clients just do not want to be bothered to replace their strings...
Is there something that can be done in terms of tension to limit this problem? any solution would be appreciated.
I was thinking that using another soft synthetic string on the main might get rid of the problem and still provide a good feel using a multi on the crosses ?
Thanks for any advises.

Might want to try to increase tension as well. I find that with multis, if you increase the tension, they don't move around as much.

I string multi no less than 62 lbs to begin with.

 

[Ben42]

I guess I don't understand this recent aversion to string movement. What do you people do between points if you're not straightening up the strings a little bit? I'd go nuts if I didn't have something to do for those few seconds.

 

[jxs653]

I guess I don't understand this recent aversion to string movement. What do you people do between points if you're not straightening up the strings a little bit? I'd go nuts if I didn't have something to do for those few seconds.

I believe string alignment affects spin. Don't you have experience that ball just sails when the mains are out of shape especially in a long rally? When the strings are so out of shape, there are no mains to catch the ball and it happens. You can adjust strings between points of course, but you cannot during the point.

In fact, the only reason for me to use poly (despite its all the bad characters) is the string doesn't move and keeps the shape well which in turn helps me have better control and spin.

 

[eelhc]

I don't know if it is just me but I think string savers stiffens stringbed and gets rid of the feel far more than raising tension does.

When I intend to use string savers I lower the tension a couple of lbs. I've not noticed any drop in "feel".... Were you using the Babolat Elastoctross? The tourna ones are crap.

 

[Curious]

My question is, how significant is string movement in terms of affecting your game? It's actually the mains not coming back to their original position. I had my racket restrung with Isospeed energetic 16G the other day at 52X50lb and the mains did not snap back even straight after the string job. Obviously this is not the same thing as poly strings not snapping back when they become dead, is it?

 

[Shroud]

My question is, how significant is string movement in terms of affecting your game? It's actually the mains not coming back to their original position. I had my racket restrung with Isospeed energetic 16G the other day at 52X50lb and the mains did not snap back even straight after the string job. Obviously this is not the same thing as poly strings not snapping back when they become dead, is it?

I think it is similiar. Some advantages to a locked stringbed like lower launch angles but these days everone seems to be chasing spin...