Poly to multi switch. What tension?

[Alcawrath]

I've read over plenty of old threads that discuss poly/multi hybrid tension, but I'm trying to find a simple answer. How much tighter should you string a full bed of multi when you're used to a full bed of poly. I have a player that plays hyper g @ 56 lbs but wants to try multi to help his arm, yet he wants similar levels of control. What tension should I start with when I string his racquet? I'll be using head velocity mlt.

 

[Rosstour]

I've read over plenty of old threads that discuss poly/multi hybrid tension, but I'm trying to find a simple answer. How much tighter should you string a full bed of multi when you're used to a full bed of poly. I have a player that plays hyper g @ 56 lbs but wants to try multi to help his arm, yet he wants similar levels of control. What tension should I start with when I string his racquet? I'll be using head velocity mlt.

70?

Maybe he should just try to lower his tension before switching strings. I have arm issues but I like poly so I string at 40

 

[Alcawrath]

Good suggestion, but it's pretty bad so he wants to try multi for a few weeks to see if it'll calm down before going back to a looser setup or softer poly or hybrid setup

 

[GodlessEndeavor]

60 or a bit higher if the racket allows stringing higher than that. Also, choose a thick multi.

I suspect that if someone's optimal poly tension is 56 they won't be very happy with multi though .

If you can't make multi work, try Triax which is an in between poly and multi string.

 

[Chairman3]

If he's a decent player, start at the same tension. Multi strung high is still harder on your arm than something strung lower. So working this guy lower is probably a more long-term solution to arm issues.

But my experience, you really only need about 2lbs extra.

 

[AmericanTwist]

What's the frame? Not knowing anything else I would string it at 60-62 lbs for equivalent tension.

 

[Alcawrath]

Ezone 100, which I know is not the softest racquet on the arm but he doesn't want to switch racquets at the moment. He's a high school kid that is at a high end 3.5 low end 4.0 usta level. I'm not a tennis pro but I can tell you he created this problem with poor form on his serve trying to muscle more power instead of using his legs and a fluid motion through a proper kinetic chain. His hope is to switch to multi just so he can hit groundstrokes (no pain on groundies or volleys) to let his elbow recover before working on his serve form

 

[AmericanTwist]

62 lbs if 16g. 63 lbs if 17g.

 

[coolbh6]

+ 4 lbs

 

[GAS]

+20lbs

 

[Alcawrath]

Tons of variation here! @GAS , most are suggesting ~10% increase in tension. Why 20+?

 

[GAS]

It was mostly tongue in cheek...

Basically if someone is playing poly at high tension, multi at very high tension will still have significantly more power than the poly.

Anyway, back in the day it wasn't unheard off to string nylon at 70-80lbs.

 

[Alcawrath]

It was mostly tongue in cheek...

Basically if someone is playing poly at high tension, multi at very high tension will still have significantly more power than the poly.

Anyway, back in the day it wasn't unheard off to string nylon at 70-80lbs.

Gotcha, I'm completely clueless when it comes to multis, syn gut, and natural gut. The tongue and cheek responses are guaranteed to go straight over my head

 

[Erhard]

I've read over plenty of old threads that discuss poly/multi hybrid tension, but I'm trying to find a simple answer. How much tighter should you string a full bed of multi when you're used to a full bed of poly. I have a player that plays hyper g @ 56 lbs but wants to try multi to help his arm, yet he wants similar levels of control. What tension should I start with when I string his racquet? I'll be using head velocity mlt.

A multi will not have control like a poly even with changed tensions.
When the tension is increased in multis, the positive properties are lost: arm protection, feeling and power.
Your friend should stringing the multi with -1kg / -2.2lbs > 24,5kg / 54 lbs for the same string bed tension like the Poly.

 

[GodlessEndeavor]

Your friend should stringing the multi with -1kg / -2.2lbs > 24,5kg / 54 lbs for the same string bed tension like the Poly.

What's the logic for lower multi tension having the same "string bed tension" as higher tension poly?

 

[Erhard]

@GodlessEndeavor
Many string bed measurement results with the Babolat RDC

 

[Grafil Injection]

Ezone 100 is a very powerful stick, but it has a relatively tight 16x19 pattern, so also has reasonable control. I would agree with @AmericanTwist, perhaps considering 60-66lbs as a full appropriate range depending on the string gauge.

 

[Alcawrath]

Alright, thanks everyone for your input. I strung it at 60lbs and he played last night. Of course it felt different, but he was able to play well with it and played pain free!

Sidenote, I've never strung multi before and it was such a different experience. On a drop weight machine I had to pull each one almost twice with the way it stretches!

 

[BillKid]

60 or a bit higher if the racket allows stringing higher than that. Also, choose a thick multi.

I suspect that if someone's optimal poly tension is 56 they won't be very happy with multi though .

If you can't make multi work, try Triax which is an in between poly and multi string.

As a HyperG soft user (a string that is just a tad softer than Hyper G) I was not convinced by Triax. Not only it’s expensive, but I did not find it really more comfortable than HyperG soft and it was less durable (snapped after like 5 hours).
Clearly 56lbs seems way to high for poly. Anyway, with a sore arm it's a good idea not to use poly for a while. I'd recommend using a multi at a "standard" tension that's not too high (let’s say 57 lbs). Sure, it'll make a change, but it's quite possible he'll be satisfied, so it's worth a try.
In general, most people who use a high-tension poly have not really made this choice consciously by carefully comparing it with a lower tension.
In the future, if he wants to go back to a poly, he could retry hyperG or hyperG Soft at a much lower tension.

 

[t_pac]

A 3.5 using poly at 56lbs was always asking for trouble tbh.

I'd go with head velocity as it's pretty low powered for a multi and reasonably spinny, could probably start with the same tension and go from there although I'd be tempted to go even lower

 

[Alcawrath]

A 3.5 using poly at 56lbs was always asking for trouble tbh.

Couldn't disagree any more, but I do appreciate you taking the time to weigh in! His doubles partner only uses multi and also has bad service form that gives him elbow pain. It's more to do with not listening because he's a high school kid that wants to muscle the ball than equipment here. Also good call on using head velocity, that is what I specified I would be using in the original post.

 

[stapletonj]

Have.him.try.gut. string the gut at 62 lbs. and a smooth round poly in the X at 55/56/57. His arm will love it.

 

[fuzz nation]

Alright, thanks everyone for your input. I strung it at 60lbs and he played last night. Of course it felt different, but he was able to play well with it and played pain free!

Sidenote, I've never strung multi before and it was such a different experience. On a drop weight machine I had to pull each one almost twice with the way it stretches!

In case service life with the multi is an issue for that young slugger, I'd say consider a go with a full bed of 15L gauge Prince Premier Control (PPC) if you're setting him up with a 16 ga. Velocity now.

I coach a local high school team and a few years ago, I had to switch our #1 boy into a full bed of multi (in his Babolat Pure Drives strung with full beds of RPM Blast) when he had a progressive case of golfer's elbow taking root. Without some sort of significant change, he was looking at probably needing to take at least a few days to a week off from playing just to try to cool it out.

First we tried full beds of 16 ga. PPC and although he was managing okay with that string, it was snapping on him after only 4-5 days of use. We switched into 15L PPC, his elbow continued to improve while he kept up his regular practice/match schedule, and that heavier gauge lasted about two weeks for him. I expected that we would need to manage his elbow through that season, but he was back to about 100% toward the last week or two of it all.

 

[M Pillai]

He's a high school kid that is at a high end 3.5 low end 4.0 usta level.

I have a player that plays hyper g @ 56 lbs

If he cannot keep the ball within the court by stringing hyperg@42lbs or velocity@52lbs, it is a problem with his technique/movement and shot-intent and not an issue with the string or tension.
I would suggest not going too higher than the above tensions, and get used to the feel of it and save his arm.

Anything higher than velocity@56lb or hyperg@50, the issue is going to come back for sure (even if a change may feel like providing a temporary relief).