Oversize - String Tension to make up for lack of Control?

F

flex

Rookie
At the risk of over simplification, oversize racquets upside is having a large/larger (relative to MP) sweetspot, downside is a lack of control (again, relatively speaking)

As with all racquet, there are 2 other major variable: strings & the string tension.

Is there a way to use string and/or string tension to lower this downside of lack of control? Curious to hear what other oversize users experiences.

Personally, I've used full syn. gut and full gut on my Head MG Radical OS at 58lbs - and they did in fact feel very powerful to the point where balls sailed long without making an extra effort to impart topspin on the ball. I'm going to put in a full bed of poly. Would full poly at 60lbs be recommended?
 
F

Frankc

Professional
That has always been the issue with OS frames for some. Two notable OS users, Chang and Agassi, employed a Kevlar Hyrid to add some control. Chang was often a Kevlar mains and syn crosses and Agassi was kevlar mains and natural gut crosses (I believe that is right). Of course, Chang later went to full gut very tight and Agassi went to poly.
Many that I know avoid OS for all that extra power - just not controllable, especially on the serve. An exception was the POG OS - still controllable with syn gut.
Maybe poly might help your Head MG OS- but watch out with the joints, especially if you go tighter.
Never tried it, but maybe a 18 gauge Kevlar hybrid with syn gut might add control and be easier on the joints...
 
Slowtwitcher

Slowtwitcher

Hall of Fame
On my POGOS with SG, 58lbs is simply too low to get any control. My good range is 61-63lbs.

Never strung them with full bed poly, that sounds dangerous (to my elbow). Right now I'm playing with:
- Kevlar/ZX at 65/45
- BHB 17/PSGD at 60/62.
 
F

flex

Rookie
Frankc said:
That has always been the issue with OS frames for some. Two notable OS users, Chang and Agassi, employed a Kevlar Hyrid to add some control. Chang was often a Kevlar mains and syn crosses and Agassi was kevlar mains and natural gut crosses (I believe that is right). Of course, Chang later went to full gut very tight and Agassi went to poly.
Many that I know avoid OS for all that extra power - just not controllable, especially on the serve. An exception was the POG OS - still controllable with syn gut.
Maybe poly might help your Head MG OS- but watch out with the joints, especially if you go tighter.
Never tried it, but maybe a 18 gauge Kevlar hybrid with syn gut might add control and be easier on the joints...
Click to expand...
Do you know what tension Agassi and Chang with each setup? Obviously not Agassi/Chang level but would be good to know the upper limits of the pros
 
F

flex

Rookie
Slowtwitcher said:
On my POGOS with SG, 58lbs is simply too low to get any control. My good range is 61-63lbs.

Never strung them with full bed poly, that sounds dangerous (to my elbow). Right now I'm playing with:
- Kevlar/ZX at 65/45
- BHB 17/PSGD at 60/62.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reference point. TBH, I've been looking to move away from syn gut personally, they move around too much and looks and feels old much too quickly. Just doesn't sit to well with me.

When I used a 98 sq in headsize, I strung full poly in the lower/mid 50s.

Don't think I will mess with kevlar, not worth the risk
 
F

Frankc

Professional
flex said:
Do you know what tension Agassi and Chang with each setup? Obviously not Agassi/Chang level but would be good to know the upper limits of the pros
Click to expand...
Not sure about actual tension #s, but Chang's all gut was very, very tight - had to be...
 
Dartagnan64

Dartagnan64

G.O.A.T.
flex said:
I think I read somewhere that the mains dictates ~80% of how the racquet plays...
Click to expand...
yes but the poly provides the lower friction cross to allow better Mains snapback and hence better spin. And that 20% lower power that might be enough for most folks to tame the beast.

I string my POG OS at 62/57 with gut/Cream.
 
Slowtwitcher

Slowtwitcher

Hall of Fame
flex said:
Thanks for the reference point. TBH, I've been looking to move away from syn gut personally, they move around too much and looks and feels old much too quickly. Just doesn't sit to well with me.

When I used a 98 sq in headsize, I strung full poly in the lower/mid 50s.

Don't think I will mess with kevlar, not worth the risk
Click to expand...

Kevlar/ZX is softer than the poly/SG I have.

On full-bed SG I use a bit of bow string wax to keep the strings snapping back, it works well. Just don't apply too much or you'll get the balls greasy and they'll pick up a ton of dirt.
 
G

gvsbdisco

Semi-Pro
I do 60/55 VS GUT 135 mains; ALU Power 1.25 crosses in POG OS. I will restring crosses only after 10 hours or so and it feels like a brand new string bed.
 
I

Injured Again

Hall of Fame
As a long-time user of OS frames, I've found the easiest way to temper the high power levels is to use a fairly low balance point, combined with a thick poly string at the middle of the tension range. In the 16x19 Babolat Overdrive 110 that I used through the end of 2018, I had a balance point of 32 cm, static weight of 350 grams, and swingweight of about 335-340. I used 1.35 mm Solstice Power as a full bed at about 55 pounds. Players who used it said it felt pretty ordinary, just more forgiving with a larger sweetspot.
 
mixtape

mixtape

Rookie
During my OS frame days, I always strung with a full bed of syn gut at a higher tension (63-65lbs) for more control and used a thicker gauge string.
 
S

Steve Huff

Legend
OS rackets were meant to be strung tighter from the beginning. When Prince 1st marketed the Prince Aluminum (green throat) and then the Prince Pro (black with black throat), their recommended tension was 72#.
 
B

B Cubed

Semi-Pro
I use around 62lbs, full multi in my POG 107 ('13 edition). It feels the right amount of pocketing and control. I think I use about similar in my Head OS Ltd. Different racket characteristics with standing.
 
F

Frankc

Professional
Steve Huff said:
OS rackets were meant to be strung tighter from the beginning. When Prince 1st marketed the Prince Aluminum (green throat) and then the Prince Pro (black with black throat), their recommended tension was 72#.
Click to expand...
Very true and interesting - I knew several very good regional players who played the green and pro prince metal OS. They all found that very tight, thicker syn gut played perfectly in those frames.
 
F

flex

Rookie
Steve Huff said:
OS rackets were meant to be strung tighter from the beginning. When Prince 1st marketed the Prince Aluminum (green throat) and then the Prince Pro (black with black throat), their recommended tension was 72#.
Click to expand...

I assume the 72 were for syn gut and or natural gut?

How does this translate nowadays if it was going to be a full bed of poly?

I read the trend these last few years (or for a while now) is to string poly at a low tension (low 50s, high 40s)...how does this apply to say a 107 oversize? Is 60lb too tight on a OS?
 
Dartagnan64

Dartagnan64

G.O.A.T.
flex said:
I assume the 72 were for syn gut and or natural gut?

How does this translate nowadays if it was going to be a full bed of poly?

I read the trend these last few years (or for a while now) is to string poly at a low tension (low 50s, high 40s)...how does this apply to say a 107 oversize? Is 60lb too tight on a OS?
Click to expand...
Mid 50's for poly. 60lb is probably too tight.
 
socallefty

socallefty

Hall of Fame
The time for oversize racquets has come and gone, unless you are over 70 years old. Just play with a 98-100 sq inch racquet like most players.
 
socallefty

socallefty

Hall of Fame
Slowtwitcher said:
Sorry, I thought you were a fan of outdated cliches. Why don't you play with an 85 like a real man? ;)
Click to expand...
I would give the same advice to all players, not only to those who think they are ‘real men’:unsure:. Most of today’s racquets all have a large enough sweet spot and enough power/stiffness where 97-102 sq inches should be fine - go bigger and you lose too much precision and have to aim for bigger targets on the court. If your mobility is OK, might as well get some help from the racquet to hit more accurately.
 
I

Injured Again

Hall of Fame
socallefty said:
I would give the same advice to all players, not only to those who think they are ‘real men’:unsure:. Most of today’s racquets all have a large enough sweet spot and enough power/stiffness where 97-102 sq inches should be fine - go bigger and you lose too much precision and have to aim for bigger targets on the court. If your mobility is OK, might as well get some help from the racquet to hit more accurately.
Click to expand...
Three of the four players in one semifinals doubles match in the 2019 National 60's indoors, a gold ball tournament, were playing with extreme OS racquets. One team had both players with the bigger Bubba racquet. These are 4.5/5.0 players and I believe one the team with the Bubbas was from California. They were not aiming for large targets and, in fact, played highly precise shots with minimal net clearance from both the baseline and at the net.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top