Poly/Multi or Poly/Gut Hybrid Question - Pain in Arm

[WilsonPlayer101]

I have tried a couple of poly strings in a full hybrid and although I did like the control I got with the strings I did get a pain in the arm that I just can do without. So I hear that if you hybrid a poly with the gut or poly with the multi you soften the string bed up but will that eliminate any future pain or will it soften it up but being half poly would I experience pain still?

I read that if you put poly in the mains you get the effect of poly but the gut or multi in the crosses will soften it up. I hear that using gut in the crosses is a waste of money (if you use a premium gut like Babs) so people suggest a multi.

I also read that if you put a gut in the mains and a poly in the crosses you will save money but still get the good effect of gut but will you still get pain in the arm? Some use a good multi in the main of course too and poly crosses but again will the pain still be there.

I'm just wondering if I should be messing with poly at all even in a hybrid since I don't want to risk pain in the arm.


Thank You

 

[JackB1]

I have tried a couple of poly strings in a full hybrid and although I did like the control I got with the strings I did get a pain in the arm that I just can do without. So I hear that if you hybrid a poly with the gut or poly with the multi you soften the string bed up but will that eliminate any future pain or will it soften it up but being half poly would I experience pain still?

I read that if you put poly in the mains you get the effect of poly but the gut or multi in the crosses will soften it up. I hear that using gut in the crosses is a waste of money (if you use a premium gut like Babs) so people suggest a multi.

I also read that if you put a gut in the mains and a poly in the crosses you will save money but still get the good effect of gut but will you still get pain in the arm? Some use a good multi in the main of course too and poly crosses but again will the pain still be there.

I'm just wondering if I should be messing with poly at all even in a hybrid since I don't want to risk pain in the arm.

Thank You

Quick answer is no, but it also depends on a lot of factors, but yes, poly/multi will be a little softer than full poly. Multi mains/poly cross will be much softer though. Gut mains and poly cross will also be very soft. The strings in the mains give you about 80% of the entire stringbed feel. It's not 50/50 like u might think.

If your pain is really bad with full poly, chances are a poly/multi hybrid won't help much. Also try and string the lowest tension possible with the lightest guage possible. Also use a soft copoly in the mains if you must. Gut or multi mains with anything in the crosses are best bets IMO.

 

[WilsonPlayer101]

Jack thanks for the info and response.

I was thinking of this - Pro Supex Blue Gear mains so I can get some awesome spin and Pro Supex Maxim to soften it up. But pain might still occur.

So now I'm thinking that I might go with gut. I used to use gut but cut back on expenses but I do want to go back to gut without the expense -

So maybe Babs VS Team which is about 42.95 in the mains and in the crosses Tourna Quasi Gut which is about $8.95. You add them up plus about $5 for shipping you get rounded $57 then you divide by two you get $28.5 for the set plus 10 to string it at my local stringer and it's $38.50 for the hybrid set.

What do you think of that setup? No pain due to the fact that it is a gut/multi setup.


Thanks

 

[WilsonPlayer101]

Jack, I see in your signature you use a copoly/multi setup but specifically what strings are you using and is the copoly the crosses or main? I take it the crosses but I don't know. Thanks.

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

Pain in your arm aren't always the result of equipment. There's a slight chance that equipment change will do anything. I suggest you have it checked out.

 

[TennisCJC]

Be sure to drop your poly tension about 10%. If you play nylon/gut/multi at 60 lbs, then you should start your poly test at 54 lbs (10% less than other non-poly strings). This will go a long way to easing discomfort.

Also, gut mains with poly cross is easy on the arm. If you play normal strings at 60 lbs, and put gut in the mains at 56 and poly in the cross at 54; it will be almost as easy on the arm and poly will give more control and spin. I have used VS Tonic+ 16G and Klip Legend 16G with this setup and got good durability from both. I actually think the gut lasted longer than multi's in the same setup.

I have found latest generation polys keep tension and last longer. Signum Pro Tornado, Signum Pro Hyperion, and TF BlackCode all play nice for around 20 hours for me. Using gut with any of these is a good combo.

 

[JT_2eighty]

If you are having pain with polys, Don't use Blue Gear... it is one of the stiffest out there.

Signum Pro, Tourna, Polyfibre, Polystar and Weisscannon make great softer co-polys.

 

[WilsonPlayer101]

Thank you all for your input. I was thinking of just doing gut mains and multi crosses to save money instead of a full bed of gut but from what I am reading here a gut in the mains and a poly cross will give me comfort plus the added benefits of the gut mains.

I've used Global Gut a couple of times and so far I don't like it. I like Babolat VS the best. I know that is an obvious winner over Global but my point is I'd rather use a good multi over Global. Global did not feel right.

 

[mctennis]

I've used gut mans for years with a soft cross string. I've used TiMO for the past few years as my cross. I've also used Ashaway Dynamite 17g as a cross with good success. No arm pain with either set up. I never go over 60 lbs with any of them. Usually 2 lbs lower on the crosses. Try Pacific Tough gut 16L. That, to me, is the softest and best laying gut of all the gut I've tried. BTW, I've tried all them except two guts- neither one are ones that TW carries or I'd try them as well.

 

[levy1]

I used a full bed a Timo and it tore my arm off. It is a very stiff string. I could not quit that spin I was getting so I went to a VS gut/Timo poly setup. Read the 50 page post of how low can you go and wound up at 3 rackets with Timo poly in the mains and natural gut in the crosses, with a tension after 10 setups at 25/30, 30/35 and 35/40 for the 3 rackets. I like the lowest setup best. Changed to Klip natural gut $25 with Timo crosses and no soreness in my arm. I am playing 4 times a week and the Timo is lasting about 2 months. I am now going to try the gut in the mains but I really like my present setup.

 

[WilsonPlayer101]

I've used gut mans for years with a soft cross string. I've used TiMO for the past few years as my cross. I've also used Ashaway Dynamite 17g as a cross with good success. No arm pain with either set up. I never go over 60 lbs with any of them. Usually 2 lbs lower n the crosses. Try Pacific Tough gut 16L. That, to me, is the softest and best laying gut of all the gut I've tried. BTW, I've tried all them except two guts- neither one are ones that TW carries or I'd try them as well.

I have not tried Pacific gut but have tried Klip Legend Uncoated, not a bad string, pretty good actually but the one I'm most familar with is Babolat VS gut, I think the Team. So you are saying that in your opinion the Pacific even beats out Babolat?

 

[WilsonPlayer101]

I might go back to just a full bed of gut and not mess around. I have heard of so many good things about Pacific Prime and Pacific Blue Spiral and they cost less than Babolat VS gut. If I like a full bed I might go for a hybrid later to save even more money but for now try a full bed to make sure I like Pacific.

I have some Global but tried it enough to say I don't like Global. Heck a good high end multi is better than Global in my opinion.

 

[TimothyO]

I too have a sensitive arm and had given up on polys.

But after some recent PT and conditioning I've given them another try in an arm-friendly hybrid in an arm-friendly racquet.

- EXO3 Tour 100 16x18
- Mains: VS16 @ 50#
- Cross: Hurricane Feel @ 47#

This setup provides outstanding spin potential (at first I was spinning balls into the net!), good control, and good comfort. No arm pain.

Note that this EXO3 has a stiffness rating down around 52 or 53 with a 100 sq in head which contributes to the comfort and which mitigates the setup's inherent power.

 

[levy1]

I too have a sensitive arm and had given up on polys.

But after some recent PT and conditioning I've given them another try in an arm-friendly hybrid in an arm-friendly racquet.

- EXO3 Tour 100 16x18
- Mains: VS16 @ 50#
- Cross: Hurricane Feel @ 47#

This setup provides outstanding spin potential (at first I was spinning balls into the net!), good control, and good comfort. No arm pain.

Note that this EXO3 has a stiffness rating down around 52 or 53 with a 100 sq in head which contributes to the comfort and which mitigates the setup's inherent power.

What did you feel you gained with a flex RA that low?

 

[WilsonPlayer101]

TimO,

The Hurricane is not textured is it? I never used it before but I checked the specs and I don't see it being a textured string.

Did you purposely use a non-textured poly or was it just trial and error until you found what you wanted?

How often do you have to change strings?

 

[mctennis]

I have not tried Pacific gut but have tried Klip Legend Uncoated, not a bad string, pretty good actually but the one I'm most familar with is Babolat VS gut, I think the Team. So you are saying that in your opinion the Pacific even beats out Babolat?

Yes, I've tried the VS. I think the Pacific has a better feel and touch. The Babolat has some sort of resin between all the fibers to make them last longer. When they did that I think it made the string lose some of the feel and touch it had before. I know a lot of players swear by Babolat. I think if they were to use a blind test most would pick Pacific for feel and touch at the net. I've used all the guts out there except for two of the really cheaper guts. I've even used Gaucho and the ones that were relabeled and sold as other ones ( can't think of the name but I had those as well- it might have been Global gut). I think the Pacific is the better gut and the better buy for the money. I don't think the extra money for Babolat is worth it. Try the Pacific Tough gut 16L. That is the softest gut out there. With the TiMO crosses makes a nice combination.

 

[WilsonPlayer101]

mctennis, thank you for the information. What are your thoughts on the Blue Spiral by Pacific also? I started a thread on it but no one replied. Thanks.

 

[mctennis]

That one is a little stiffer like the old VS gut from years ago. Not a bad one but I prefer the softer Tough Gut 16L. It looks nice with the blue spiral in it. Not that is is a bad gut mind you I just prefer the softer one with the TiMO crosses set up.

 

[WilsonPlayer101]

That one is a little stiffer like the old VS gut from years ago. Not a bad one but I prefer the softer Tough Gut 16L. It looks nice with the blue spiral in it. Not that is is a bad gut mind you I just prefer the softer one with the TiMO crosses set up.

mctennis, you sold me on Tough Gut. I might get a set and try it as a full bed because I like full bed of gut but if I like it like I expect to then next time I'll go for a hybrid to save money and use the TiMO per your suggestion.

I tell you as a high schooler in the early '80s I knew not much about tennis equipment like today thanks to the TT message boards and other internet resources. Back then my first big jump to a modern racquet was the Head Arthur Ashe. I can't recall what strings was in it but someone at my mom's office said to get it restrung at Westwood Sporting Goods near UCLA. I live about 30 mins from there even today. Well I did. They suggested gut strings as well as my mom's co-worker. Guess what strings? Yes blue spiral gut by Victor Imperial. It's been so long since I used that racquet and string I can't recall how I liked it. I have a better judging system now anyway but I can say it worked for me. I think they charged like $30 and I thought man that's a lot but my mom paid of course. Now I guess it would be $45 or so installed. But since I don't recall how I liked the Victor Imperial I'll go by your suggestion with Tough Gut!

Thanks much.

 

[levy1]

I couldn't tell much difference between Klip legend and VS gut when combined with Timo crosses. I was just trying to keep the cost down. Maybe it is because I am using the Timo in the mains. I see the pacific is about $1 higher then the Klip, I will have to try some.

 

[WilsonPlayer101]

levy, I never have tried a poly main/gut cross hybrid but I can imagine why you don't feel the diff between Klip and VS since the general consensus is that 80% of the string feel is from the mains. I guess if you had it the other way around you'd feel the difference.

 

[mctennis]

mctennis, you sold me on Tough Gut. I might get a set and try it as a full bed because I like full bed of gut but if I like it like I expect to then next time I'll go for a hybrid to save money and use the TiMO per your suggestion.

I tell you as a high schooler in the early '80s I knew not much about tennis equipment like today thanks to the TT message boards and other internet resources. Back then my first big jump to a modern racquet was the Head Arthur Ashe. I can't recall what strings was in it but someone at my mom's office said to get it restrung at Westwood Sporting Goods near UCLA. I live about 30 mins from there even today. Well I did. They suggested gut strings as well as my mom's co-worker. Guess what strings? Yes blue spiral gut by Victor Imperial. It's been so long since I used that racquet and string I can't recall how I liked it. I have a better judging system now anyway but I can say it worked for me. I think they charged like $30 and I thought man that's a lot but my mom paid of course. Now I guess it would be $45 or so installed. But since I don't recall how I liked the Victor Imperial I'll go by your suggestion with Tough Gut!

Thanks much.

Try the Tough Gut 16L. Really nice soft and responsive string.

 

[levy1]

levy, I never have tried a poly main/gut cross hybrid but I can imagine why you don't feel the diff between Klip and VS since the general consensus is that 80% of the string feel is from the mains. I guess if you had it the other way around you'd feel the difference.

I am awaiting on my stringing machine and string and I will be trying the gut mains with several different Poly crosses,
As far as the difference in the feel of VS or Klip I definitely feel it in my wallet as the KIlip is about $15 cheaper then the VS. All of this stringing has forced me to buy a stringer but I must say I enjoy the added benefit of spin using a poly with gut.

 

[cigrmaster]

I had been playing a full bed of Luxillon rough until it took a toll on my arm. After experimenting for almost 6 months with a ton of different set ups, I landed on Wilson Champions Choice.

I have been putting the Luxillon in the mains at 57 and the gut in the crosses at 60. My arm pain went away and I still got the control I was looking for with the Luxillon.

I just had one of my racquets strung with the gut in the mains at 62 and the Lux in the crosses at 57. I went out today to hit with it for the first time and got rained out, man I was pissed. I am still like a little kid when I have something new to try.

I have been playing the Champions Choice for about 8 months now and have had no arm issues at all.

 

[WilsonPlayer101]

cigrmaster,

Too bad you got rained out. I see your from Florida so you got probably humid conditions with that rain. Not good for the gut, huh?

But when the rain stops and you try the gut int he mains with the Lux crosses please give us your feelings on the strings and what is better gut mains or crosses and poly mains or crosses.

 

[parasailing]

You are getting good advice so far from all the people telling you to go with gut. If price isn't an issue and you can afford it, stick with gut and you are set. Nothing will ever play like gut although most of us on these forums will continue to test out polys and multis in hopes of finding something that will .

 

[levy1]

You are getting good advice so far from all the people telling you to go with gut. If price isn't an issue and you can afford it, stick with gut and you are set. Nothing will ever play like gut although most of us on these forums will continue to test out polys and multis in hopes of finding something that will .

Well said, and be careful as strings became become addictive just like trying to find the perfect racket!

 

[TimothyO]

What did you feel you gained with a flex RA that low?

One end of the control/power spectrum:

stiff/power frame + stiff/low power string = power and control

I tried that and it hurt my arm.


So now I go the opposite way to get power and control:

soft/low power frame + soft/power string = control and power

I know it's not exactly the same thing but it's close enough for me. With soft frames such as the new EXO3 and the PB10 Mid I get plenty of control and lots of spin-tamable power with my hybrid.

 

[TimothyO]

TimO,

The Hurricane is not textured is it? I never used it before but I checked the specs and I don't see it being a textured string.

Did you purposely use a non-textured poly or was it just trial and error until you found what you wanted?

How often do you have to change strings?

I tried the Hurricane Feel based on TW's friction research. That configuration only lasted about 5 hours!

With my standard VS ans Xcel I easily get 24 to 36+ hours.

I'm now trying VS and FXP Power in a hybrid...gret results so far!

 

[levy1]

One end of the control/power spectrum:

stiff/power frame + stiff/low power string = power and control

I tried that and it hurt my arm.


So now I go the opposite way to get power and control:

soft/low power frame + soft/power string = control and power

I know it's not exactly the same thing but it's close enough for me. With soft frames such as the new EXO3 and the PB10 Mid I get plenty of control and lots of spin-tamable power with my hybrid.

I am going to try one of these in the 50RA range.

 

[WilsonPlayer101]

You are getting good advice so far from all the people telling you to go with gut. If price isn't an issue and you can afford it, stick with gut and you are set. Nothing will ever play like gut although most of us on these forums will continue to test out polys and multis in hopes of finding something that will .

That's true. I've learned so much in this one thread that I think I can make a wise decision of what string to buy. I think I might go for full gut since I used to do that but of the past couple of years I've been doing different setups and have not been to happy so far. So I'll try a full set of gut again and then maybe try a set of gut with poly or multi crosses just to see how it is and maybe save some money.

 

[WilsonPlayer101]

levy1, I hear you it is addictive. Man I've gone through so many different strings in the last couple of years it's not funny!

But yeah I'm trying to find the right one and when I do I'll stick to it.

 

[WilsonPlayer101]

I tried the Hurricane Feel based on TW's friction research. That configuration only lasted about 5 hours!

With my standard VS ans Xcel I easily get 24 to 36+ hours.

I'm now trying VS and FXP Power in a hybrid...gret results so far!

Xcel and FXP are multis, correct? Did you go to multi as the other string in the hybrid instead of poly for the feel of it? I know you said that Hurricane (poly) only lasted 5 hours but what about other polys? Do you just like gut/multi over gut/poly?


Thanks

 

[sidzej]

With my standard VS ans Xcel I easily get 24 to 36+ hours.

Timothy, what tension do you use in your PB10 Mids with VS and Xcel?

 

[levy1]

levy1, I hear you it is addictive. Man I've gone through so many different strings in the last couple of years it's not funny!

But yeah I'm trying to find the right one and when I do I'll stick to it.

I don't believe you for a minute. You will find a good setup like I have and someone will post about a great new string and you will be buying and trying just like me. Admit it and lets go to a meeting and share.

 

[WilsonPlayer101]

levy, I hear you buddy. Tennis used to be about getting a good racquet and strings and playing but now for me with all this info at my disposal so to speak it's easy to get stuck in research mode and that can be dangerous having too much info. With all this info provokes me to want to buy different strings and different racquets just out of curiosity to see if I can yield better results. So yeah I think you are right I'll end up buying more and more. Doesn't stop, does it? It's Pandora's box!

 

[djNEiGht]

you see "official xxx racquet thread pls join"
where is the "official Tennis Elbow/Golf Elbow players thread...pls join"?

ugh...i've been feeling elbow discomfort. medial side so i guess it's GE and not TE. Someone said it seems like I take the ball late and that may be why I am starting to get discomfort (as well as loosing pace and struggling on heavy hitters)

After the Dec Blind string test I went back to Gosen Polyon Comfort 17g string on my nCode nTour 95. I wonder maybe since it's been a bit cooler than when I played w this string for the 1st time in early fall.

I am considering going to a hybrid set up and am curious about what to cross with.

-what type of string to go with a geared/shaped/rough poly
-what type of string to go with a smooth poly

-should i just go full multi (enjoying my x1 17)?
-should i go full synthetic and what is a comfy syn gut?

-what to put in the mains/cross?

if by chance i stay full bed of poly i will try and a lower tension than before.

 

[parasailing]

Xcel and FXP are multis, correct? Did you go to multi as the other string in the hybrid instead of poly for the feel of it? I know you said that Hurricane (poly) only lasted 5 hours but what about other polys? Do you just like gut/multi over gut/poly?


Thanks

Xcel is definitely a multi and one of the better performing multis out there though given the price, it is not the best value. FXP Power I once tried on a demo racquet from TW and I thought it had good power and was a decent string.

Polys vary in terms of how long they last and if you check other threads in this forum, you will get a sense of the average for people who are using it. RPM blast doesn't last vary long neither does Alu Power.

 

[netguy]

For me, PB10 mid, NRG2 16 @ 52 did the trick plus 1 gram total at 3 and 9 to avoid vibrations from off center strokes.
I haven't felt any pain in my arm ever since I'm hitting with this set-up.
Good luck!

 

[mikeler]

you see "official xxx racquet thread pls join"
where is the "official Tennis Elbow/Golf Elbow players thread...pls join"?

ugh...i've been feeling elbow discomfort. medial side so i guess it's GE and not TE. Someone said it seems like I take the ball late and that may be why I am starting to get discomfort (as well as loosing pace and struggling on heavy hitters)

After the Dec Blind string test I went back to Gosen Polyon Comfort 17g string on my nCode nTour 95. I wonder maybe since it's been a bit cooler than when I played w this string for the 1st time in early fall.

I am considering going to a hybrid set up and am curious about what to cross with.

-what type of string to go with a geared/shaped/rough poly
-what type of string to go with a smooth poly

-should i just go full multi (enjoying my x1 17)?
-should i go full synthetic and what is a comfy syn gut?

-what to put in the mains/cross?

if by chance i stay full bed of poly i will try and a lower tension than before.

Ditch the poly for now if you have GE. It will only get worse.

 

[cigrmaster]

Hi guys, sorry I lost track of this thread. I have been playing with the gut in the mains for about a month now and I love it. I still have all the control I like from the Lux but now I am getting power on demand and even more spin with the gut in the mains. The ball feels like it is sitting on the strings for a life time compared to the lux in the main set up.

I was afraid of too much power with the gut in the mains but the lux in the crosses really tempers it. It also feels very easy on the arm so if you have an arm issue this might be the way to go.