Poly/Syn Hybrid Tensions?

[TripleB]

For those of you who have your racquet strung with Poly Mains and Synthetic Crosses, have you changed how your mains and crosses tensions relate to one another?

ie: Did you at one time string both the poly mains and the synthetic crosses at the same tension then try one of the two tighter than the other and determined you liked that better? Or maybe you used to string the synthetic crosses tighter and then tried a different tension set up and decided you liked the poly strung tighter?

For the longest time I've always strung my Gosen OG Sheep Micro crosses three pounds tighter than my Poly (Tour Bite/Evolution/etc) mains - but I'm not sure why I chose three pounds or why I chose to string the crosses tighter. But I've stuck with that same set up for many many years now (never trying anything different).

Just curious as to if anyone has experimented with different poly main/syn cross tension set ups and determined how much of a difference they really make.

Thanks!

TripleB

 

[fuzz nation]

I've had success with stringing a combo of 1.20mm Isospeed Baseline mains and OGSM 16 crosses for some locals who want a mild jump into the poly realm from a full bed of syn. gut or multi. Sometimes I'll tension both strings the same, but sometimes I'll drop the poly by maybe two or three pounds. It depends on the player I guess.

For a half-decent adult player's hybrid, I tend to want to drop tension by a couple of pounds and keep the poly from being too rigid. If the first try is too soft, I'm fine with replacing it with the poly mains tensioned higher. Some stronger kids like their hybrids rather tight, so I usually run in the mains and crosses at the same tension with that skinny poly.

If a hybrid has a heavier gauge of poly - let's say 1.25mm or heavier - I'll probably go two or three pounds lower than the Gosen crosses at first. I string for a lady who was a college Div I killer and she still likes her hybrid of both a 1.25mm poly main (Pacific I think) and 16 gauge syn. gut cross tensioned at 58 lbs. in her Graphene Radical Pros. When they come off my machine they feel super firm with the "thumbs test", but that works for her.

Since I don't play polys in my own frames, I don't have observations to share. But it does seem that if the poly mains are too snug, they might not be able to move that much. Dropping tension in the mains by 2-4 lbs. seems to make sense with promoting that and letting the poly perform a little better.