Need a string recommendation/tension

[Spoderblitz]

Hello,
As an individual that doesn't have a broad knowledge of tennis strings and how well it performs, I would require some recommendations as I struggle to find a string that suits my needs. I am a 3.0-3.5 player with a strong eastern forehand grip and a one handed backhand with short-medium swings. My current racquet is a Head Youtek Ig extreme lite 2.0 customised to 340 grams (still with the stock strings). I am planning to restring this racquet soon in a hybrid (Wilson syn gut in crosses) with strings that offer exceptional control (as I like hitting the ball hard with moderate spin) but still retains the comfort.
My local tennis shop offers a decent range of strings (Minus the multis and syn guts). Here is the list:
- Wilson revolve
- Volkl Cyclone
- Babolat Rpm blast
- Babolat Pro hurricane
- Luxilon Alu Power
- Luxilon 4G
- Luxilon 4G soft
- Luxilon ALU power rough
- Luxilon ALU power soft
I would also like to know what tension is best for the hybrid.
Thanks.

 

[Hmgraphite1]

I've used all or most of these, still trying to determine which is best for my game, I am currently really happy with the revolve as it is really smooth, slick, currently use it as a cross, may really prolong the life of the gut.

 

[CopolyX]

If you are a 3.0 / 3.5 and mainly a flat hitter, I would not recommend a full bed of copolys. Moderate spin you still can get it out of non copolys though a better form and technique. The mother of spin is racquet angle and swing speed. Plus you are playing with a lite racquet ( marginally ~265g) now you have it close to 12 oz. Not sure how you have it customized and who did the weighting. I see way too DIY racquet customization that do more harm then good. You don't have to get all defensive, is your body. I am just raising a big flag.
I like your direction with a hybrid. Going that way can be overwhelming for most. Once fine tuned, and you find what works....it is all worth. Really there are no instant solutions. If you must go with a copoly, go with a soft to med @ the lowest tension your can go..what is that...well ...that again is up to you. What I do, to get clients down in tension, first I get them into a softer stringbed. Once that is nailed, we start dropping the tension in 3 lbs each restringing. I normally can players down to 52 or below, that is where you what to be with a copoly if you what to keep your arms for a long time.

 

[1HBHfanatic]

Since you asked, out of the list above, volkl cyclone and wilson revolve are the only 2 I would suggest as a hybrid option with your syn.gut cross

but

personally, I would suggest all multi instead; head.velocity 16g for your raket, or head.sonic.pro (as the poly option, instead of the ones on your list), its a soft poly that HEAD makes, with surpricing good spin for a round poly

As for the tension, look at the racquet tension recomendation,
as a rule for myself, when a poly is in the mix, i let that be my lowest tension
what @CopolyX suggested is not far from what I would advise also...

btw. Most of the strings you listed and the strings I suggested have reviews on this TW site..

 

[seekay]

Hello,
As an individual that doesn't have a broad knowledge of tennis strings and how well it performs, I would require some recommendations as I struggle to find a string that suits my needs. I am a 3.0-3.5 player with a strong eastern forehand grip and a one handed backhand with short-medium swings. My current racquet is a Head Youtek Ig extreme lite 2.0 customised to 340 grams (still with the stock strings). I am planning to restring this racquet soon in a hybrid (Wilson syn gut in crosses) with strings that offer exceptional control (as I like hitting the ball hard with moderate spin) but still retains the comfort.
My local tennis shop offers a decent range of strings (Minus the multis and syn guts). Here is the list:
- Wilson revolve
- Volkl Cyclone
- Babolat Rpm blast
- Babolat Pro hurricane
- Luxilon Alu Power
- Luxilon 4G
- Luxilon 4G soft
- Luxilon ALU power rough
- Luxilon ALU power soft
I would also like to know what tension is best for the hybrid.
Thanks.

Based on your description of your skill level and play style, you want a full bed of multifilament string. Until you have consistently long fast strokes, poly will hold you back by robbing power, feel, and comfort. The little bit of extra spin you get won't be worth it.

WIlson Sensation at 3lb over the middle of your racquet's recommended tension range is a playable and reasonably-priced option, and I'm guessing your shop carries it.

 

[fuzz nation]

Hello,
As an individual that doesn't have a broad knowledge of tennis strings and how well it performs, I would require some recommendations as I struggle to find a string that suits my needs. I am a 3.0-3.5 player with a strong eastern forehand grip and a one handed backhand with short-medium swings. My current racquet is a Head Youtek Ig extreme lite 2.0 customised to 340 grams (still with the stock strings). I am planning to restring this racquet soon in a hybrid (Wilson syn gut in crosses) with strings that offer exceptional control (as I like hitting the ball hard with moderate spin) but still retains the comfort.
My local tennis shop offers a decent range of strings (Minus the multis and syn guts). Here is the list:
- Wilson revolve
- Volkl Cyclone
- Babolat Rpm blast
- Babolat Pro hurricane
- Luxilon Alu Power
- Luxilon 4G
- Luxilon 4G soft
- Luxilon ALU power rough
- Luxilon ALU power soft
I would also like to know what tension is best for the hybrid.
Thanks.

Many of our pals here have asked for suggestions to help with the search for a string that pretty much does it all. My first thought is to offer that every option among all the possible string layouts will offer some sort of tradeoff. If you want exceptional control, that may easily cost you some comfort. You claim to take short-medium swings, so if you get into the world of polys/poly hybrids, you may lose some liveliness in your string bed (inherent power) if you get into a stiffer string type.

There's also the issue of feel - this is where the serious voodoo creeps in. Your perception of good or bad feel will always be a little unique. This is simply your personal translation of right vs. not-so-right contact with the ball depending on the sort of feedback that we feel from the racquet. Sometimes the best string layout for a player is nothing more than what produces decent feel... for that player. If you don't expect modern miracles from your new strings, you ought to be able to settle on a good balance of things for you.

If you are a 3.0-3.5 player, my first impulse is to encourage you to stay away from poly for at least a little while. A decent 16 ga. synthetic gut at the right tension should give you very good performance including decent control, yet still be pretty comfortable. A good starting point might be two lbs. above the middle of your frame's recommended range. Since you aren't taking big swipes at the ball yet, you're probably not going to benefit from many poly options. That string type generally needs really high racquet speeds to bend, displace, and interact well with the ball.

If you can't resist the urge to scratch that itch, I'd recommend a rather light gauge of poly in a hybrid. The most popular hybrid I offer for locals who want that is a 1.20mm poly main (Isospeed Baseline) combined with a cross of Gosen OGSM 16. I personally think that RPM Blast is overpriced garbage, but I'll recommend you try 4G Soft in the lightest gauge that's handy. Combine that with a 16 ga. syn. gut cross and maybe tension the whole thing at 48 or 50 lbs. The first tension is always a guess, but it will give you a reference to work from going forward.

 

[Spoderblitz]

Thanks for the suggestions so far but I might as well give more detail on why I want to have a more control oriented string. I do have a short-medium backswing but I swing at the ball fast which then sends the ball long. I would consider my groundstrokes to be well developed and I've been struggling with controlling the ball even if I put a lot of spin. A full bed of wilson sensation suggested would be quite nice as I loved the comfort, power and feel but I don't want to string it tight. I have used a full bed of poly before (Yonex PTP) and I hated the feel but loved the control on my old racquet. I have used a hybrid before as well (Luxilon alu power rough @54 and sensation @55) but I still struggled with control.

 

[graycrait]

I am a 3.0-3.5 player with a strong eastern forehand grip and a one handed backhand with short-medium swings.

How old are you? Big difference between a 14 yr old, 25 yr old and 60 yr old 3.0-3.5.

I strung up a racket for a 75 yr old plus guy who wanted Hyper G fullbed in his Prince Warrior 100. I told him how short a life span poly has. He is still playing with the same string job a yr later. He hits a nice flat ball, but can't go more than 10 minutes before having to take a breather, heart condition, not the least overweight. I guess he doesn't hit the ball hard enough anymore to be bothered by dead poly and just wants a string that doesn't break. He liked the color.

The mother of spin is racquet angle and swing speed.

I occasionally hit with a young guy (he is 40, I'm closer to 65 than 60) who still plays club level badminton and volleyball, after playing both competitively in his youth. He is confounded how long it is taking him to get "good" at tennis. So he hits with exaggerated strokes using poly strings, thinking this is the path to being Fedal. When he connects and gets a few in it can be impressive, but if I am patient he self destructs in relatively short order. I can use one of my Prince Woodies with syn gut to play this guy and have a fun hit. I try to slow him down and have him use easy power from the ground up, but he doesn't invest in enough court time just hitting/drilling to improve much. But he is a lot faster than I am and has good eye/hand coordination, so once in a while he will win a game or two. He understands poly dies in short order but insists on using it beyond its life expectancy.

I regularly hit with a 25 yr old who can trade 2HBH and forehand baseline shots with any of the local D1 kids. His serve is getting stupid good, both 1st and 2d. He strings his own rackets and has a fresh set of RPM Blast fullbed at least once week. His short game could be better so if I am lucky and I can get him moving in where his angle options are limited I can get some points. He prefers to blast me off the court from the baseline and does, a lot. But then I have realize where I am in my own game and make him run in, a lot. When I hit that stinker that sits up at the service line I deserve everything this kid gives me and he can blast a no pace sitter off either side almost always where I am not.

Hit with an 18yr old HS player the other day who is on the verge of 4.0. Man is he fast and can jump so high it makes me laugh. He loves pretending to be Monfils', hitting these crazy shots flying the through the air. Live arm too. Me and another guy work at having him make his serve simpler, but his toss is erratic and he doesn't practice serving enough. But when it is clicking it is something to see. He uses a cheap round poly main and syn gut crosses strung by a guy I know who gives lessons to kids. He says everything else he uses breaks too fast. Good to see him using Poly/Syn Gut at his age and stage of the game.

Hit with a ranked junior 8th grade girl the other day. Man it is fun to hit with her. She can pound em from the baseline, but I love to get her into a short game. She has a lovely serve at this stage in her life. She actually giggles when she hits winners (quite a few in fact) past me. She uses Tier One Fire Wire in the mains and a syngut cross. Her dad strings her rackets.

 

[torpantennis]

I recommend Babolat Origin, it's a softer string that's still very slick so strings move well back in place like polys and give snapback spin. On my Yonex Ezone DR 100 I string it at 57lbs, and feel I could easily go higher since it's still so soft and buttery feeling. Probably I'll try 62lbs on next restringing.

 

[frank52]

I suggest Wilson NXT or Technifibre NRG2 multifilaments. Hybrid it with syn gut in the crosses.
Only go with the poly if you are willing to re-string every 4-6 weeks. Older poly changes tension and does bad things to shoulder and arm.

When I use Babolat Origin the ball seems to slide off the strings. I don't understand how it gets good spin and control ratings. I have several packs left and will try it again.

 

[torpantennis]

... When I use Babolat Origin the ball seems to slide off the strings. I don't understand how it gets good spin and control ratings. I have several packs left and will try it again.

Well science agrees with what you feel with Origin. It has low coefficient of friction string-to-string, giving good snapback for spin, but it also has low coefficient of friction ball-to-string, meaning indeed that ball slides off strings which in turn isn't good for spin. So what I believe happens with Origin is that if you swing fast enough so that strings move, you will gain good enough spin through string snapback. But if your swing doesn't offset the strings enough you will have poor spin since the strings won't grab the ball any good, and since strings aren't offset enough you won't gain spin enough from snapback.

I have sometimes tried heavily shaped polys and hated the feel. I felt the response was so unpredictable that I lost all confidence to swing away. I almost immediately cut them away. So I think I don't like strings that heavily grab the ball, hence why I like Origin. And the snapback gives enough spin to control the ball.

I feel confident with Origin, unlike with shaped polys. And confidence is #1 key for string choice IMO.

 

[ByeByePoly]

Well science agrees with what you feel with Origin. It has low coefficient of friction string-to-string, giving good snapback for spin, but it also has low coefficient of friction ball-to-string, meaning indeed that ball slides off strings which in turn isn't good for spin. So what I believe happens with Origin is that if you swing fast enough so that strings move, you will gain good enough spin through string snapback. But if your swing doesn't offset the strings enough you will have poor spin since the strings won't grab the ball any good, and since strings aren't offset enough you won't gain spin enough from snapback.

I have sometimes tried heavily shaped polys and hated the feel. I felt the response was so unpredictable that I lost all confidence to swing away. I almost immediately cut them away. So I think I don't like strings that heavily grab the ball, hence why I like Origin. And the snapback gives enough spin to control the ball.

I feel confident with Origin, unlike with shaped polys. And confidence is #1 key for string choice IMO.

I must have cr@p rhs ... Origin does not spin ... I can read Penn leaving my racquet

 

[torpantennis]

I must have cr@p rhs ... Origin does not spin ... I can read Penn leaving my racquet

Natural gut (VS Touch: 0.447) has almost equally as bad (low) ball-to-string coefficient of friction as Origin (0.429). Still, for example Federer and Djokovic use gut mains. Guess they have poor spin?

http://twu.tennis-warehouse.com/learning_center/reporter2.php

 

[ByeByePoly]

Natural gut (VS Touch: 0.447) has almost equally as bad (low) ball-to-string coefficient of friction as Origin (0.429). Still, for example Federer and Djokovic use gut mains. Guess they have poor spin?

http://twu.tennis-warehouse.com/learning_center/reporter2.php

I was just making fun of of my lack of rhs. I know full well that someone with big rhs can spin the hockey out of anything. I keep repeating ... the 28 year old that beat me up for a summer with the heaviest FH I've played against did it with 15g Forten Sweet strung at 60+ lbs in a 95 sq in racquet. At the other end, my spin increased A LOT (technical term) from fb Sensation to fb rpm blast.

I have read a bunch of "spin" on spin here ... but this is the conclusion I have come to:
1) you can have slow enough rhs and too flat a swing ... and no string will help you that much with spin
2) you can have decent rhs ... and decent low to high swing path ... say an aging ex-4.5 ... and a shaped poly like rpm blast will add A LOT of extra spin
3) you can hit a fast big topspin shot (HEAVY ... you won't face it much ... and when you see it you don't want to see it again) ... and can spin the cr@p out any string.

I think #3 is compressing the ball in a way that most of us never will. When you compress the ball like that, probably just throw out the string numbers ... you don't need the snapback assist. Just my 2 cents worth of guessing... although I have to say the summer spent against 15g Forten Sweet dispelled any theories I might have had about requiring poly to hit huge topspin.

FYI ... I found fb vs gut 16 @55 to have quite a bit more spin than fb origin @55.

Chris did also in the TW review:

'For Chris, a little extra concentration on mechanics was required to bring the ball down with spin. He said, "This string was far from the best at biting the ball for spin in a full setup. In a hybrid with a poly, it seemed to allow the poly to snap back decently and the level of spin remained solid. On its own, I had to focus on adding some additional brush to my strokes to get the spin I needed to hit aggressively and still control the depth of my shots. I get much more spin out of natural gut. Natural gut offers more bite (grip on the ball), whereas the ball felt like it was sliding off Origin and leaving my racquet with less rotation."

I loved my 6 hour short term affair with Origin hitting balls into the back fence. Actually, if you have read my posts, I really was bummed that the spin was that lacking (for me), because the feel was excellent. I have a mental note in my head about Dartagnan64 origin/velocity success in adding spin to origin. I will be trying hdx/v first ... but I can see origin/v at some point. Man ... that would be an arm friendly setup... 100% poly free. Maybe by the time I get around to trying it, Origin won't cost $22.

 

[torpantennis]

I was just making fun of of my lack of rhs. I know full well that someone with big rhs can spin the hockey out of anything. I keep repeating ... the 28 year old that beat me up for a summer with the heaviest FH I've played against did it with 15g Forten Sweet strung at 60+ lbs in a 95 sq in racquet. At the other end, my spin increased A LOT (technical term) from fb Sensation to fb rpm blast.

I have read a bunch of "spin" on spin here ... but this is the conclusion I have come to:
1) you can have slow enough rhs and too flat a swing ... and no string will help you that much with spin
2) you can have decent rhs ... and decent low to high swing path ... say an aging ex-4.5 ... and a shaped poly like rpm blast will add A LOT of extra spin
3) you can hit a fast big topspin shot (HEAVY ... you won't face it much ... and when you see it you don't want to see it again) ... and can spin the cr@p out any string.

I think #3 is compressing the ball in a way that most of us never will. When you compress the ball like that, probably just throw out the string numbers ... you don't need the snapback assist. Just my 2 cents worth of guessing... although I have to say the summer spent against 15g Forten Sweet dispelled any theories I might have had about requiring poly to hit huge topspin.

FYI ... I found fb vs gut 16 @55 to have quite a bit more spin than fb origin @55.

Chris did also in the TW review:

'For Chris, a little extra concentration on mechanics was required to bring the ball down with spin. He said, "This string was far from the best at biting the ball for spin in a full setup. In a hybrid with a poly, it seemed to allow the poly to snap back decently and the level of spin remained solid. On its own, I had to focus on adding some additional brush to my strokes to get the spin I needed to hit aggressively and still control the depth of my shots. I get much more spin out of natural gut. Natural gut offers more bite (grip on the ball), whereas the ball felt like it was sliding off Origin and leaving my racquet with less rotation."

I loved my 6 hour short term affair with Origin hitting balls into the back fence. Actually, if you have read my posts, I really was bummed that the spin was that lacking (for me), because the feel was excellent. I have a mental note in my head about Dartagnan64 origin/velocity success in adding spin to origin. I will be trying hdx/v first ... but I can see origin/v at some point. Man ... that would be an arm friendly setup... 100% poly free. Maybe by the time I get around to trying it, Origin won't cost $22.

I think I'm destined to try gut mains Origin crosses on my next stringing.

 

[ByeByePoly]

I think I'm destined to try gut mains Origin crosses on my next stringing.

I am not likely to play gut again because I didn't love it. I played with fb vs and tonic/cream. If I did play gut again it would be crossed with something like velocity or origin. Those setups should be good until it breaks. I actually liked the feel of fb origin over fb vs, so origin/velocity would interest me more.

 

[Traffic]

Hello,
As an individual that doesn't have a broad knowledge of tennis strings and how well it performs, I would require some recommendations as I struggle to find a string that suits my needs. I am a 3.0-3.5 player with a strong eastern forehand grip and a one handed backhand with short-medium swings. My current racquet is a Head Youtek Ig extreme lite 2.0 customised to 340 grams (still with the stock strings). I am planning to restring this racquet soon in a hybrid (Wilson syn gut in crosses) with strings that offer exceptional control (as I like hitting the ball hard with moderate spin) but still retains the comfort.
My local tennis shop offers a decent range of strings (Minus the multis and syn guts). Here is the list:
- Wilson revolve
- Volkl Cyclone
- Babolat Rpm blast
- Babolat Pro hurricane
- Luxilon Alu Power
- Luxilon 4G
- Luxilon 4G soft
- Luxilon ALU power rough
- Luxilon ALU power soft
I would also like to know what tension is best for the hybrid.
Thanks.

Let's say we are similar level. I can short circuit you hybrid string adventures and have you give up spin poly hybrids and start with a clean slate of Velocity/cream.

Consistent playing with low power and low launch angle. About a consistent string setup as you can find. Plenty of spin if you use good technique. Let's you know when you are trying to cheat.

Easy on the arm too.

I found any poly/sgut hybrid to start falling off or rather gain power by 12hr Mark. Unless you are ready to restring at that interval, ditch the poly in the mains. We already have a tough enough time with our own UE %. Don't need strings changing performance on us to add to the problem.

 

[1HBHfanatic]

I must have cr@p rhs ... Origin does not spin ... I can read Penn leaving my racquet

Natural gut (VS Touch: 0.447) has almost equally as bad (low) ball-to-string coefficient of friction as Origin (0.429). Still, for example Federer and Djokovic use gut mains. Guess they have poor spin?

http://twu.tennis-warehouse.com/learning_center/reporter2.php

Agree, spin was disappointing on both, specially since they cost so much,,,
but
both of these shine in COMFORT, POWER..