Recommened Stings for me?...a String rookie.

[Govnor]

I'm a casual player who knows very little about strings, but I'd like to start buying strings myself and being more diligent about tracking how I'm playing with which set of string and tension etc. I plan on playing more this year and against better players.

I'm cheap, so I'm not going to be buying "expense" stuff. I'd say $15 is about the max I'd like to spend. Would like to spend less than that though if possible.

My racquet is a Volkl Organix 10 325g. 16x19. It's a solid players racquet. The only area I feel it isn't great is my serve, it lacks power (that could be down to me of course).

My game - I'm pretty much your typical 4.0 baseline player. I will come in behind a nice approach. My volleying needs improvement though.

I've had minor elbow issues before this one, that is why I got this nice flexible racquet in the first place, but I believe this racquet has been strung with Poly's before and it's been OK.

I'm going to buy the strings and have a pro string it.

Any suggestions would be most appreciated!

thanks
Gov

 

[LeeD]

Million directions to go.
I'm around your level, use SolincoTourBite16 in the higher 30 lbs range, 38-40 about right for a variety of rackets from 97-105 in sizing.
Lots of power for serves, over 100, and I'm 65.
Great control on volleys, but I"m mainly a doubles player playing forecourt.
Not fabulous on groundstrokes, but I suck at baseline play anyways.

 

[Doubles]

Million directions to go.
I'm around your level, use SolincoTourBite16 in the higher 30 lbs range, 38-40 about right for a variety of rackets from 97-105 in sizing.
Lots of power for serves, over 100, and I'm 65.
Great control on volleys, but I"m mainly a doubles player playing forecourt.
Not fabulous on groundstrokes, but I suck at baseline play anyways.

Huh? Tourbite is awesome from the baseline.

 

[LeeD]

"but I suck at baseline play anyways"....
You missed that part.
I suck because I'm impatient, I don't want to rally 5 shots to win a point, and I can't move well enough to cover your mishit short balls.

 

[Doubles]

"but I suck at baseline play anyways"....
You missed that part.
I suck because I'm impatient, I don't want to rally 5 shots to win a point, and I can't move well enough to cover your mishit short balls.

I did in fact see that. But based on your following comment that would mean that the string does not suck from the baseline at all.

 

[LeeD]

Does a great groundstroking string, if one exists, mean anything to a player who doesn't want to rally from the baseline?
I can hit a few, but I don't WANT to.

 

[mvpdh2]

When I think of a baseline rally string I think of enough power to keep the ball deep but control also. As for strings, I think there are two approaches 1) find a string and tension (racquet also) that enhances your strengths or 2) finds a setup that improves your weaknesses... I am an aggressive player with heavy spin.. I get told all of the time, 4.0 level, that my topspin is as much as many have ever played against... So I choose a string that gives me even more spin.. I generate my own pace.. I don't want to rally from the baseline either!

 

[Govnor]

When I think of a baseline rally string I think of enough power to keep the ball deep but control also. As for strings, I think there are two approaches 1) find a string and tension (racquet also) that enhances your strengths or 2) finds a setup that improves your weaknesses... I am an aggressive player with heavy spin.. I get told all of the time, 4.0 level, that my topspin is as much as many have ever played against... So I choose a string that gives me even more spin.. I generate my own pace.. I don't want to rally from the baseline either!

So what is your set up?

 

[Cobra Tennis]

Tour Bite is a great recommendation and pretty inexpensive comparatively.

I would try to setups:

1) Tour Bite 16L in the high 30s or 40s (I like it at 45 lbs) but start low and see how your elbow is.

2) If you are concerned about elbow, Tour Bite Soft is actually a GREAT string for players who are iffy on elbow but want a poly.

 

[Govnor]

Question what does the L stand for in the string gauge number?

 

[Cobra Tennis]

Question what does the L stand for in the string gauge number?

the L means that is in between gauges. Most would say it means "light"

So 16L is in-between 16 and 17.

15L is in between 15 and 16.

 

[Govnor]

the L means that is in between gauges. Most would say it means "light"

So 16L is in-between 16 and 17.

15L is in between 15 and 16.

Thanks!! Makes sense! I had no idea.

 

[TennisCJC]

If you want poly, I would try the Kirschbaum Pro Line II which is on sale at a really good price at TW right now. I would use 17G. Only do poly if you are willing to restring after no more than 20 hours of usage. String it around 46-52 lbs in the 010 325 frame.

It is difficult to recommend strings to someone who has not decided if they want to try poly, or syn gut, or multis. You might want to even try a poly in a hybrid with syn gut or a multi. Personally, I would suggest you try a few string types and decide which one you like the best first.

 

[1HBHfanatic]

here is yet another suggestion to muddy the waters of your decision a bit more
here is a cheap combo/hybrid for that racquet;
synthetic gut mains@56lbs/poly crosses @50lbs
both these strings are pretty inexpensive
both come in a yellow/ish color
this combo allows for comfort/power/slice

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Forten_Synthetic_Gut_Sweet_16_String/descpageACFORTEN-F16.html

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Gosen_Polylon_17_String/descpageACGOSEN-GPLY17.html

 

[Govnor]

OK - so Poly's = I'm restringing pretty often.

I might very well be inclined to pay a little more if I didn't have to restring as often. Is there a better option in that regard?

 

[gvsbdisco]

I recently bought a stringer and i bought a boatload of Forten Sweet 16 since it is inexpensive and well regarded. I would be around a 4 and I use a flexible racquet (pacific x feel tour). Full bed at 58lbs is absolutely awesome! It does, however degrade in playability fast but the first 4 hours or so are killer.

 

[Muppet]

OK - so Poly's = I'm restringing pretty often.

I might very well be inclined to pay a little more if I didn't have to restring as often. Is there a better option in that regard?

You can go less expensive than poly, take better care of your arm, and have a setup last longer with synthetic guts. I'm talking $3 to $5 per set. The only things are that they are not extra durable or allow as much spin as polys do. But with good technique, you can have good spin.

Your racquet has fiberglass in its layup, so I'm thinking it's probably a crisp feeling racquet. If so, I recommend Dunlop S-gut in either 16 or 17g depending on how much durability and tension maintenance you want. It's on the muted side with a wrap of polyurethane, so it should balance your racquet nicely. And it only costs $3.95 + labor, so it's worth a try. These strings are a little low powered, so I wouldn't go above the middle of the recommended tension.

 

[mvpdh2]

So what is your set up?

I have a few racquets in my bag, but right now my favorite is a Graphene Rad Pro with Kirschbaum max power rough at 52/54. I have slowly made changes to my equipment based on experiments and such. I have been playing for 6 years after playing baseball in college and minors. I changed to a smaller grip two years ago 1/4 from 3/8, larger head size from 95 to 98 or 100, and lighter from 340s g to 320s g, and lower string tension in low power strings. Recently when I began playing the polarized rad pro I realized that the polarization may be what I like. So last week I took a 300g yonex racquet and added 7g lead at 12 and 7g under the buttcap to bring the weight and balance (5 pt HL) to the same as the rad pro. I now know polarization is where its at for me. All these changes have resulted in more wrist action and racquet head speed and my ball keeps getting nastier. Control suffers some but the spin almost overcomes it. But... I'm aggressive and still getting better with practice!

 

[SCRAP IRON]

I haven't read each post, but it seems like you would greatly benefit from a high quality multi filament string. You should try Technifiber X-1 Bi-Phase. The ball will come off your racket with power and comfort without being too soft. It is an excellent string. As with any multi, the strings will move and you will lose some control after 15 hours of play. String your racket at 56-58 lbs. so when tension is lost, you won't lose too much control.

 

[teekaywhy]

FXP Tour 16g. Less than $15.
Good multi.
I have used the O10 325 myself and find it works well with softer strings. Something about it just makes it a bit jarring to me.

 

[Uncoil]

Gosen OG Sheep Micro 17 at high 50's tension. Very playable string at $3.75 a set.

 

[Aretium]

Question what does the L stand for in the string gauge number?

Don't bother about the gauges they state, they vary from string to string. All you are interested in is in mms.

 

[Govnor]

Do Multi's (on average) last longer than Polys?

 

[Govnor]

Also - a real rookie question I'm sure, but if I get a pack of Poly's and a pack of Syn Gut (for example), does that translate to two string jobs- whatever the set up with the crosses/mains??

 

[SCRAP IRON]

Do Multi's (on average) last longer than Polys?

Multis will not last longer than polys in terms of breaking strings. The "playability" of a multi during a period of let's say 15 hours may be better than that of a poly. The poly, while it won't break, loses the good play characteristics that it's known for. The multi just loses tension, which certainly is not favorable, but it won't go "dead" or "mushy." You should not dabble with poly strings, which are truly intended for advanced players that take full swings and are apt to breaking strings. A good multi, as I suggested earlier in this thread, will give you better feedback and power.

 

[Govnor]

Thanks.

I foresee 2015 as the year of trial and error with strings for me!

 

[SCRAP IRON]

Thanks.

I foresee 2015 as the year of trial and error with strings for me!

That's the only way to get a better understanding and make small improvements to your game. Enjoy your tennis...

 

[Govnor]

First up - Full bed of Head FXP Tour at 55lbs. This will probably be quite different for me. Should be interesting. I have a match on Sunday and won't have time to practice before. My last set up was a poly/syn gut hybrid (i think!).

I'm thinking more power, right? Anything else to be aware of?

 

[eelhc]

If you're not a string breaker and don't have your own stringing machine, just go with Natural Gut + string savers and don't ever look at the Talk Tennis String BB ever again. It'll be the cheapest option in the long run.

 

[Govnor]

If you're not a string breaker and don't have your own stringing machine, just go with Natural Gut + string savers and don't ever look at the Talk Tennis String BB ever again. It'll be the cheapest option in the long run.

How many playable hours are we talking with that set up?

 

[eelhc]

If you're not a string breaker and don't have your own stringing machine, just go with Natural Gut + string savers and don't ever look at the Talk Tennis String BB ever again. It'll be the cheapest option in the long run.

How many playable hours are we talking with that set up?

Until it snaps... Gut holds tension better than any other string...

I strung up a full bed of natural gut (Klip Legend 16 with Babolat Elasto-Cross string savers ~$30 string job) last summer for several folks who play 2~3x/week (some of them hard flat hitters), it looks like they'll probably go a full year or more.

 

[shell]

If you're not a string breaker and don't have your own stringing machine, just go with Natural Gut + string savers and don't ever look at the Talk Tennis String BB ever again. It'll be the cheapest option in the long run.

I actually agree with this option. It is worth a try on your next string job, and I also believe that your multi trial should be interesting. If you break your multi quickly (unless off a shank or something), then you will have an idea about how long your gut would last (except the guts plays true to the end without much tension loss).

 

[Govnor]

I actually agree with this option. It is worth a try on your next string job, and I also believe that your multi trial should be interesting. If you break your multi quickly (unless off a shank or something), then you will have an idea about how long your gut would last (except the guts plays true to the end without much tension loss).

Interesting thought on the multi. I doubt I'm a string breaker, but I guess we'll find out.

 

[torpantennis]

Check this out: http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Reviews/BORIG17/BORIG17Review.html

From the reviewers:

Andy: "Lastly, this is ideal for someone who doesn't get their racquet restrung very often, because the tension maintenance is truly incredible."

Chris: "Since it feels so forgiving on mishits, it makes a great choice for improving players."

 

[Govnor]

First impression of the full Multi-bed was mixed. I definitely didn't feel the same "bite" on the ball as I did with the Poly/syngut hybrid. Took me a while to get used to the feel and the power of the strings, I did hit long more than usual. On the other side of it, the comfort that people talk about with a multi was there for sure, pretty effortless off the strings and on the arm. Also - and I'm not sure if this was the strings to be honest - my volleying was (for me) very good, I hit a number of clean volley winners and felt good control on them.

 

[torpantennis]

First impression of the full Multi-bed was mixed. I definitely didn't feel the same "bite" on the ball as I did with the Poly/syngut hybrid. Took me a while to get used to the feel and the power of the strings, I did hit long more than usual. On the other side of it, the comfort that people talk about with a multi was there for sure, pretty effortless off the strings and on the arm. Also - and I'm not sure if this was the strings to be honest - my volleying was (for me) very good, I hit a number of clean volley winners and felt good control on them.

I'd try multi mains, poly cross next. That should tame down the power of multi a bit, and add spin potential. 4G is a great long lasting control oriented cross for multis IMO. I really liked NXT Tour/4G combo when I was using it.

 

[fuzz nation]

First impression of the full Multi-bed was mixed. I definitely didn't feel the same "bite" on the ball as I did with the Poly/syngut hybrid. Took me a while to get used to the feel and the power of the strings, I did hit long more than usual. On the other side of it, the comfort that people talk about with a multi was there for sure, pretty effortless off the strings and on the arm. Also - and I'm not sure if this was the strings to be honest - my volleying was (for me) very good, I hit a number of clean volley winners and felt good control on them.

I keep a pair of O10 325g's in my bag, too. Never had arm issues through my tennis years, but I don't care to use strings that can put me more at risk for irritation or injury. My O10's have a little less inherent power for me than my heavier Volkl C10's, but the O10's seem to give me a boatload of control and filthy spin potential, again compared with my C10's. No need to use a poly to reign in my power or enhance my spin.

I like to string my O10's with 17 ga. syn. gut tensioned in the high 50's. Right now I'm sampling a reel of Kirschbaum's original syn. gut ($35/reel!!!) and it's working fine. I string my own gear at home, so I enjoy experimenting with this and that, too.

While I want moderate softness in my setups, I'm not a fan of string beds that feel too mushy, muted, or disconnected. Multifibers are certainly softer in general, but they usually turn too soft for me after a few outings. Syn. gut gives me a good combo of softness and crisp, snappy feel along with great bang for my buck.

Although I'm not a fan of Prince Syn. Gut w/Duraflex in 16 ga., I've had good results with the 17 ga. version of that string. Not as clunky or harsh feeling as the 16 ga. option, but better-than-average service life with the Duraflex added in there. Also agree with the suggestion above for Gosen OGSM.

Haven't tried natural gut, but can't argue with its superb reputation. Despite its higher price tag, it can be a great choice for a "non-string-breaker". I've also been impressed with the play and durability of Yonex Tour Super 850 multi. Maybe worth a look if you're trying more multifibers.

 

[Govnor]

Next up will be the Dunlop S-gut 17ga that I got, so it'll be interesting going from full Multi to that full Syn Gut. Still, need to see how the playability of the Multi lasts, I'm definitely interested in that part, as the reputation is not good.

 

[Govnor]

Stings don't look as "polished" after the second match. The power is nice though. I played doubles and the extra "court length" in cross court exchanges really helped, I hit a number deep hard shots that I believe hit the line and did not make it back across the net to me.