Pacific Classic NG, the higher the tension, the less stiff???

[ricardo]

For most strings, the higher the reference tension, the stiffer the string.

However, according to TW University string db (http://twu.tennis-warehouse.com/learning_center/reporter.php), this is not true for Pacific Classic NG 16g.

Here are the stiffness ratings from TWU:

40lbs = 95.4
51 = 100.0
62 = 90.9.

Question:
Have you noticed this in your own personal experience?
Is NG softer at higher tensions like 62lbs?

I tried 40lbs and 51lbs reference tension for NG mains hybrid(same everything else).
What I noticed is that at 40lbs, there is a loss of power compared to 50lbs.
I did not noticed any change in softness. In addition, the NG mains moves a lot more at 40lbs than at 50lbs (same cross material).

 

[JT_2eighty]

Yes, it was in the book "Technical Tennis", they show how gut increases in elasticity once you get to 60+ pounds. It's the only string material to do so, due to the structure of the gut-muscle fibers, etc. Sorry I'm paraphrasing the how and why, but yes, gut is more elastic/softer once you get to the 60 pounds threshold, in most cases.

 

[maxpotapov]

Yes, it was in the book "Technical Tennis", they show how gut increases in elasticity once you get to 60+ pounds. It's the only string material to do so, due to the structure of the gut-muscle fibers, etc. Sorry I'm paraphrasing the how and why, but yes, gut is more elastic/softer once you get to the 60 pounds threshold, in most cases.

But durability still goes down as tension increases, right?

 

[ricardo]

But durability still goes down as tension increases, right?

IMO you are correct. This is a very useful observation since NG is the most expensive string.

Durability will go down as tension increases.

Any string will get thinner when you stretch it (tension) and will be easier to break. In addition, some brands of NG cannot take more than 60lbs tension.

Base on these considerations, I will string NG at the lower range (mid 40s).

Thanks for the responses.

 

[JT_2eighty]

^^ good point, yes durability is lower at higher tension. I think if you go too low, it can be a concern too because of excess movement during snapback and all that.

I also think if you are hybriding with poly, then mid 40s is ok because (if you're like me), poly is great at mid-40s as opposed to 60+ pounds. Then you can string them both within 2-3 pounds of each other and be good to go.

In my many string tests, I found full gut at 61 pounds was awesome: great pocketing, power, feel and even control.

Unfortunately I prefer poly at low 40s, some are ok in the 50s.

Thus, my gut/poly tensions took a while to dial in, but I settled at 52/49 for best combo of feel and control in my racquet. In more open patterns I had to go up to 56/53 for similar control.

Another thing to keep in mind, even though the gut had a higher reading of stiffness at 51lbs, it's still very soft in the 50s!