Rec 3.5/arm-friendly string/all round player/ vcp 97 310

[santanu_p]

Hi,
A big thanks to the community. Please help me chose a string. I am in the rabbit hole and not being able to make a decision.

I am a rec 3.5 player and play around 3 hours a week. I am looking for strings for my VCP 97 (310) which should be easy on my arms and durable as well. Since VCP is a little lower on Power, something which helps me with the power potential will be good. I can opt for full bed multifilament or a hybrid, depending what you all suggest. It would really help if you could suggest based on what my pro-shop offers here : Pro-Shop Strings

 

[TennisandRamen]

My vote from the list would probably be Tecnifibre NRG2 if you want a full bed multi. If you're bringing your own strings, you could try out Multifeel, but if they're charging 17 for your own string, you're probably better off paying 33 bucks for NRG2 vs ~26 for multifeel. If you tend not to break strings, gut/poly hybrid with Kirschbaum Max Power is not a bad option either.

 

[Uncoil]

Wilson NXT

 

[TBM]

Head velocity MLT

 

[santanu_p]

My vote from the list would probably be Tecnifibre NRG2 if you want a full bed multi. If you're bringing your own strings, you could try out Multifeel, but if they're charging 17 for your own string, you're probably better off paying 33 bucks for NRG2 vs ~26 for multifeel. If you tend not to break strings, gut/poly hybrid with Kirschbaum Max Power is not a bad option either.

is it true that the mains string dictates the feel of the racket? Then does it make sense to go for NRG2 mains and a soft rounded poly on the crosses?

 

[Slicehand]

A full bed of foam and a pillow

 

[santanu_p]

A full bed of foam and a pillow

how will i play tennis with those?

 

[LOBALOT]

Second vote for Head Velocity 16G. A full bed of NXT is not worth the money.

 

[santanu_p]

how will i play tennis with those? Sorry, i thought the assumption was, we want to play tennis here.

 

[Slicehand]

how will i play tennis with those?

No, you have to play after you use those, one thing that has consistently taken power off my racquet was not sleeping enough, tought i could share it

 

[Slicehand]

About strings in itself, i use poly and couldnt really help with multi or others, havent experimented enough, there are just too many, i have experimented with different gauges tough, but power with durability... hard, the best setup i found for my racquet was the least durable one, i cant afford to change strings every 2 or 3 matches, so i went with a thicker gauge

 

[Deleted member 775108]

Tecnifibre RPX 16 or 15L
$11.95

Buy and supply so for $30 you have something that has the best combo of durability, spin, power, feel and tension maintainanence than any other multi on this list. It plays very similar to Triax, I prefer the 15L RPX (1.35) over the 16 Triax (1.33) but 16 RPX will give more spin.

Velocity MLT was great for 1.5 hrs before it's started moving heavily and spraying... in My Pure Drive. The RPX went for 10 hrs and was really consistent for a much longer time. I used to love MLT when I was hitting more flatter... It's like an upgraded synthetic gut IMHO.

 

[1HBHfanatic]

-i noticed that your shop offers yonex.REXIS
-the new string from yonex that came with the y.v.pros were/was y.rexis.SPEED and y.rexis.comfort
-y.rexis.SPEED would be a good suggestion for this racquet and your concerns, its like a combined "multi synthetic gut string"
-babolat.rpm.SOFT (AKA babolat.ORIGIN) would be another good suggestion, (but i did not see it on the list), better than MULTIS
--more power, like a syngut string
--less fraying, since its a monofilament string construction
--2 me it has more control over a multi
--but its also a bit more expensive

-now if you go hybrid, to make it easy
-try y.poly.tour.REV(purple)..mains/y.rexis.speed 50/52lbs
-again both these strings ^ came in with the new racquets

 

[blai212]

gut poly would be the best feeling/longest lasting setup but multi/poly isn’t bad either. Velocity/NRG/NXT would be good for mains to go with a copoly cross that is soft, has good feel and tension maintenance. Velocity is on the lower powered side while NXT is more powerful but less durable

 

[TBM]

Prince premier control 15 at 52lb (or lower) would be durable and have slightly more pop than a poly.

I've used the 16 guage a few times and it's great, but Ive heard good things about the thicker 15 guage too.

You'd have to buy that somewhere else though as it wasn't on the list.

 

[santanu_p]

gut poly would be the best feeling/longest lasting setup but multi/poly isn’t bad either. Velocity/NRG/NXT would be good for mains to go with a copoly cross that is soft, has good feel and tension maintenance. Velocity is on the lower powered side while NXT is more powerful but less durable

Amy suggestion for the soft co-poly crosses?

 

[santanu_p]

My vote from the list would probably be Tecnifibre NRG2 if you want a full bed multi. If you're bringing your own strings, you could try out Multifeel, but if they're charging 17 for your own string, you're probably better off paying 33 bucks for NRG2 vs ~26 for multifeel. If you tend not to break strings, gut/poly hybrid with Kirschbaum Max Power is not a bad option either.

makes sense to go lighter on tension for the crosses, if i am choosing NRG2 full-bed?

 

[Tranqville]

Kirschbaum Touch is an amazing multi. Give it a try. I'm also a fellow VCP 310 player.

I have a thread about choosing a soft poly setup for VCP 310. From that discussion, I suggest you try Luxilon Element, it's almost as soft as a multi, but provides better spin and control. The drawbacks are that the string is expensive and not very durable. Maintains great playability until the end. I have not personally played with it yet, but I will definitely test it. Hyper-G and Hyper-G soft also get recommended a lot.

 

[esgee48]

If you are a true 3.5 level player, I would recommend [1] Head PPS White in 16 Ga. [2] Wilson Sensation Natural or White 16 Ga. Strings are the last issue you should worry about unless you can break the string in less than 20 hours of hitting. If you like a particular setup, buy the packages yourself and just pay for stringing. If you really like a string, buy it by the reel. $17 is not that bad for labor. Lifetime Activities is a management group for tennis courts. How good are the stringers? If you do not feel like answering this question, please ignore.

 

[slipgrip93]

some other suggestions for softer on the arm, hyper-g soft poly, gamma livewire prof multi

 

[PMF]

Your pro shop has a decent selection of strings, and their labor charge for stringing is competitive. I would recommend a durable multifilament. NRG2 17g would be an excellent choice. NXT power and Rexis are pretty good too IMO.

 

[blai212]

Amy suggestion for the soft co-poly crosses?

ghostwire, cream, polaris

side note: if you are indeed a 3.5 player, the VCP97 may be a bit too demanding (do you often shank/mishit?) not only would those mishits produce a bad shot, over time it could become painful for your arm (wrist/elbow/shoulder). Then it doesnt matter how soft your string bed is, your arm will hurt no matter what.

 

[santanu_p]

If you are a true 3.5 level player, I would recommend [1] Head PPS White in 16 Ga. [2] Wilson Sensation Natural or White 16 Ga. Strings are the last issue you should worry about unless you can break the string in less than 20 hours of hitting. If you like a particular setup, buy the packages yourself and just pay for stringing. If you really like a string, buy it by the reel. $17 is not that bad for labor. Lifetime Activities is a management group for tennis courts. How good are the stringers? If you do not feel like answering this question, please ignore.

This is the first time I would be taking their stringing service.

 

[santanu_p]

ghostwire, cream, polaris

side note: if you are indeed a 3.5 player, the VCP97 may be a bit too demanding (do you often shank/mishit?) not only would those mishits produce a bad shot, over time it could become painful for your arm (wrist/elbow/shoulder). Then it doesnt matter how soft your string bed is, your arm will hurt no matter what.

I started with a lighter racket Head Speed S. I have been playing for a while and wanted a more control oriented racket to play with next. Hence I demo-ed the VCP and chose to buy it.

 

[santanu_p]

gut poly would be the best feeling/longest lasting setup but multi/poly isn’t bad either. Velocity/NRG/NXT would be good for mains to go with a copoly cross that is soft, has good feel and tension maintenance. Velocity is on the lower powered side while NXT is more powerful but less durable

how should i go about the tensions for mains and crosses if I am selecting a NRG for mains and a soft/co-poly for crosses? Generally, the crosses need to have 2/3 lbs lower than the mains?

 

[SinneGOAT]

Holy crap the prices for a synthetic gut are more than a pack of Alu power….

 

[TennisandRamen]

Holy crap the prices for a synthetic gut are more than a pack of Alu power….

I thought 17 bucks with your own strings + 3 day turn around was a bit steep, but maybe it's just generally cheaper where I live...

 

[Brian11785]

Holy crap the prices for a synthetic gut are more than a pack of Alu power….

I believe the string prices listed are the total cost (strings plus labor.)

 

[esgee48]

Price is cost of strings plus labor. If you provide the strings, they will charge $17 which is cheap.
I asked about their stringers' experience because the ones I am familiar with have a mix of mainly new and some experienced stringers. The quality of the job depends on the stringers' experience. Their 3-4 day turnaround seems to be their standard.

 

[SinneGOAT]

I believe the string prices listed are the total cost (strings plus labor.)

Yes. They do the same price gouging where I play.

 

[Brian11785]

Yes. They do the same price gouging where I play.

I think the prices are reasonable. $17 for labor with not much more markup on the strings compared to retail.

 

[EggSalad]

I thought 17 bucks with your own strings + 3 day turn around was a bit steep, but maybe it's just generally cheaper where I live...

Yeah, I didn’t take the time to see if this is in a big city or something. But I’d be looking for a new stringer.

I pay $12 and 24 hour turnaround.

 

[Brian11785]

Yeah, I didn’t take the time to see if this is in a big city or something. But I’d be looking for a new stringer.

I pay $12 and 24 hour turnaround.

Jeez, where are you?

I live in Dallas. I've never seen a price that low outside random people on Craigslist advertising.

 

[EggSalad]

Jeez, where are you?

I live in Dallas. I've never seen a price that low outside random people on Craigslist advertising.

I’m in Raleigh. Even my local club is $15 and they’ll do 24-48 turn around.

 

[blai212]

clubs in north NJ charge $25-28 just for labor…

 

[Brian11785]

I’m in Raleigh. Even my local club is $15 and they’ll do 24-48 turn around.

My guy charges $15 (less than the local clubs) and...is better. I usually tip him an extra $5.

A lot of inconsistency going to clubs...you never know which 16 year old is stringing it that day.....

 

[fuzz nation]

Hi,
A big thanks to the community. Please help me chose a string. I am in the rabbit hole and not being able to make a decision.

I am a rec 3.5 player and play around 3 hours a week. I am looking for strings for my VCP 97 (310) which should be easy on my arms and durable as well. Since VCP is a little lower on Power, something which helps me with the power potential will be good. I can opt for full bed multifilament or a hybrid, depending what you all suggest. It would really help if you could suggest based on what my pro-shop offers here : Pro-Shop Strings

I'd expect any of the 16 ga. syn. guts on that list to work fine for you. I have a 55-year-old arm that can't tolerate poly, but I've never had any need for it in my own frames. I get all the performance I want from syn. gut (16 and sometimes 17 ga.), it's soft enough to be plenty comfortable for my elbow, and it's also more affordable than almost anything else out there.

I have a reel of Babolat SG 16 right now that's working well enough that I'm going to buy more, but the Head and Wilson options are probably also decent. As for tension, I'd go for 55-57 lbs. in that frame for my personal taste, but the first try with a new string is usually a guess that will at least give you some reference point.

If you want to try a multifiber, I'd recommend a bed of the Yonex 850. I generally don't use multi in my own frames, but I've sampled that multi a couple times in the past and its durability was impressive. The multi I keep on hand for locals who need that string type is Prince Premier Control. It's relatively cheap compared with some of the premium multis, it performs great, and it does a better-than-average job of holding tension (some multis don't).

If you're concerned with arm health, I'd say stay away from the polys, including the hybrids. Try to get what you're looking for in terms of comfort and performance with either the syn. gut or multi options. And if you want to see what all the fuss is about, you could eventually try a bed of natural gut. It's still the king of comfort.