Revisiting Monogut ZX

[eelhc]

I've experimented with Monogut ZX over the last couple of years and while I liked the comfort, spin, tension maintenance... I never liked the feel in a full bed (tinny and hollow)... I always went back to my preferred setup: soft co-poly at low tensions, re-string every ~15Hrs.

For the Winter season, even indoors the temps tend to run lower here in the Northeast so I generally lower the tension or go with a softer string setup.

This year, I just happen to spot some some extra sets of Monogut ZX pro and Mantis comfort Synthetic in my growing string inventory so I decided to try a Hybrid with ZX mains and Mantis crosses. 58# on my PO7 16x19.

It's been a couple of months and honestly, I don't know I'll be going back to poly when the weather turns warmer. The tinny, hollow feel is gone. The string bed hits like a full bed of ZX but feels like a full bed of the Mantis. The tension is holding great although after ~50Hrs, the crosses are beginning to fray (they'll go soon I suspect) but the stringbed still snaps back and plays beautifully.

I'm guessing that any, soft multi will have a similar feel. Think I found a new stringbed setup for me.

 

[Attila_the_gorilla]

Your reason for using the monogut in the mains? Just for the multi to last longer?

 

[graycrait]

Damn! Now I have to experiment with Zyex in the mains again.

 

[Ramon]

I use ZX mains with syngut crosses. The reasoning for that is:

- ZX is the most durable and strongest of the arm-friendly strings out there, so it makes sense to put it in the mains where it takes most of the stress.
- Nylon (synthetic) strings make great crosses because they don't notch into ZX. That means the setup will last longer and it also means the ZX will maintain it's playability longer.

I like full bed ZX, but I notice that it starts to lose control after about 5 hours. This doesn't happen with ZX/syngut for the reason I mentioned above. The spin I get out of this setup is surprisingly good. I've tried it side-by-side on identical racquets with poly setups. It has about the same spin potential as smooth poly (less than shaped poly). It's very arm-friendly, and I never have to worry about it dying like poly.

I tried several different crosses, both multi and syngut. The ones I remember trying include Premier Control, Rip Control, Hexyfiber, DNA, Gamma Synthetic Gut, Gamma Marathon, Gamma TNT2, and OGSM. Out of all the multi crosses, I liked Dunlop DNA the best because it had the most spin and best feel. It used to be my goto setup, but now my favorite cross is Gamma TNT2. I think I prefer a solid core synthetic cross because it doesn't fray. That means it lasts longer and also lets the mains slide so you get better spin. I tried OGSM recently because it was cheap. It was actually pretty good, but TNT2 is silky soft like a multi and the difference was noticeable enough for me to say it's worth the money. I'm going to try Head FXP next and then Babolat Origin after that. BTW, I've played with full bed Mantis Comfort Synthetic in the past. It was an extremely comfortable string, as comfortable as natural gut, but I broke it in about 3-5 hours so it's not durable enough for me.

 

[eelhc]

Your reason for using the monogut in the mains? Just for the multi to last longer?

Well to be honest... I was bored and I just happen to spot that I had some extra sets of ZX and Mantis Comfort Syntheic in my inventory. I'm not string breaker so no issues with durability.

Since the mains strings tend to dominate the characteristics of the stringbed, I was hoping that this Hybrid setup behaved close to a full bed of ZX without the horrible feel. I got exactly that.

 

[Attila_the_gorilla]

Well to be honest... I was bored and I just happen to spot that I had some extra sets of ZX and Mantis Comfort Syntheic in my inventory. I'm not string breaker so no issues with durability.

Since the mains strings tend to dominate the characteristics of the stringbed, I was hoping that this Hybrid setup behaved close to a full bed of ZX without the horrible feel. I got exactly that.

The main benefit of any smooth string, including zyex, is that if you put it in the crosses, it allows the mains to slide and snap back more freely. It doesn't work well the other way around.

 

[junior74]

I need to put up a post-it saying "remember to give Zyex a try again". I have 4 sets left.

Anyone found a poly it gels especially well with? Zyex in the crosses, though

 

[CopolyX]

first I love the fact that people are thinking out of the box. second I send kudos to those that have found a stringbed configuration that compliments their game and better for their body! I still go back to, we are so lucky for the amount of options out there in tennis equipment. but as yea well know, these choices are highly subjective. I love the fact that we can inspire others to look at more options. Just like the game of tennis, if you want to be a tennis player it takes hard work, practice, lessons, lots of fun naturally, focus, a plan, exercise and more...depending on your drive to improve. Also I am aware and know many players that just want to "Play Tennis"...different path and you have understand it. And I always try to help them in whatever way I can, if they are open to it.
So again I commend you all here on this little thread for raising the awareness of finding the best for you(body), your frame and your game...........
Keep it going...
The permutations of stringbed configurations (even the arm friendly ones) are huge................
Don't try to duplicate others...
One of many favorite B.L quotes: Absorb what is useful, discard what is not, add what is uniquely your own.
Have fun...w/patients, time, positively, logic, research, be open, creativity, experience, track/log with truly pay off in the quest for the best!
Be the best you can be.........

 

[eelhc]

The main benefit of any smooth string, including zyex, is that if you put it in the crosses, it allows the mains to slide and snap back more freely. It doesn't work well the other way around.

Except I have Monogut ZX in the mains and a multi in the crosses and the stringbed always snaps back... even with frayed and getting ready to snap multi crosses.

I hit with a full western and seldom break strings (but for Poly, I just cut the bed out at ~15Hrs as practice).

The "discovery" here for me... is that I can actually make Monogut ZX retain the playing characteristics I like (spin, comfort, tension maintenance...) while getting rid of that tinny, hollow feel.

 

[Attila_the_gorilla]

Most strings will snap back into place, especially in a hybrid where there's at least one slippery string. If you look at the stringbed after contact, and you see all the strings nice and straight, that is not a sign of a spin friendly setup.

The amount of snapback spin depends on the amount of string displacement, which you cannot see without high speed camera footage. I cannot give you such footage or scientific numbers but common sense says that rough and frayed crosses would inhibit the amount of displacement of the main strings, to a greater degree than smooth crosses do.

 

[CopolyX]

Most strings will snap back into place, especially in a hybrid where there's at least one slippery string. If you look at the stringbed after contact, and you see all the strings nice and straight, that is not a sign of a spin friendly setup.

The amount of snapback spin depends on the amount of string displacement, which you cannot see without high speed camera footage. I cannot give you such footage or scientific numbers but common sense says that rough and frayed crosses would inhibit the amount of displacement of the main strings, to a greater degree than smooth crosses do.

Nice ..my add is that one of the key areas of snap back is tension used. What is the best...? Well it is the Goldilocks principle ...not too stiff...not too loose....just right.

&
More to it...

Also nice little conclusion from TWU:
What is further apparent is that the results of three previous experiments are qualitatively similar: polyester in general moves more than nylon or gut and produces more spin. That does not mean that individual strings of a particular material cannot perform much better than the average for that material. However, because spin performance does seem (at least at present) to correlate to material, the question is what is it about the string/material that makes it move and stretch laterally? The candidates from TWU string properties testing would suggest stiffness, tension loss, and slipperiness as the main candidates. Polyester is stiffer, loses more tension, and is slippery. The stiffer material may be more able to overcome interstring friction or move faster, the lower tension decreases interstring friction enabling more movement, and slipperiness (low coefficient of friction — COF) also lessens interstring friction. These may all act in interactive combinations to facilitate string movement and snap-back. The precise mechanisms of snap-back are yet to be determined.

But it must be remembered that just because a particular string has better spin properties, that does not mean that the player will be able to hit more spin with it. The main contributors to spin, over and above the equipment, are the speed and angle of the swing. If the equipment setup causes the player, for control, strategic, or confidence reasons, to alter the swing, then there may be a decrease in spin. Alternatively, the player might speed up the swing or increase the attack angle or racquet tilt and get even more spin. That, probably, is the reason that lab tests and playtests don't always agree for everyone.

 

[eelhc]

Some people downplay string movement and snapback but I personally think it's important. Not because the snapback creates more spin as some people think (I personally don't believe it) but because the movement creates variability in the string bed.

Suppose I'm in a 20 stroke rally... without snapback, the strings will move with each hit. Depending of how much they move and where I hit, I'm either hitting with a more open or closed pattern (mains can get wider apart or closer together).

 

[CopolyX]

Sorry, you totally lost me on your example...
>Suppose I'm in a 20 stroke rally... without snapback, the strings will move with each hit.
>Depending of how much they move and where I hit, I'm either hitting with a more open or closed pattern (mains can get wider apart or closer together).

As we know with tennis, one element (string snap back) is just one piece in a big puzzle. It the combination of all the factors.
The conclusion is pretty interesting:..
http://twu.tennis-warehouse.com/learning_center/stringmovementPart2.php

 

[Attila_the_gorilla]

Some people downplay string movement and snapback but I personally think it's important. Not because the snapback creates more spin as some people think (I personally don't believe it) but because the movement creates variability in the string bed.

Suppose I'm in a 20 stroke rally... without snapback, the strings will move with each hit. Depending of how much they move and where I hit, I'm either hitting with a more open or closed pattern (mains can get wider apart or closer together).

Yeah, that's a pretty common way of looking at it, despite contrary evidence.
What I'm saying is that I cannot think of a Zyex hybrid where the strings stay out of position after contact. There's no difference between Zyex mains and Zyex crosses in this respect. The difference is in the amount of displacement and snapback of the mains, not whether the strings return to being nice and straight after contact.

 

[ultradr]

I've experimented with Monogut ZX over the last couple of years and while I liked the comfort, spin, tension maintenance... I never liked the feel in a full bed (tinny and hollow)... I always went back to my preferred setup: soft co-poly at low tensions, re-string every ~15Hrs.

For the Winter season, even indoors the temps tend to run lower here in the Northeast so I generally lower the tension or go with a softer string setup.

This year, I just happen to spot some some extra sets of Monogut ZX pro and Mantis comfort Synthetic in my growing string inventory so I decided to try a Hybrid with ZX mains and Mantis crosses. 58# on my PO7 16x19.

It's been a couple of months and honestly, I don't know I'll be going back to poly when the weather turns warmer. The tinny, hollow feel is gone. The string bed hits like a full bed of ZX but feels like a full bed of the Mantis. The tension is holding great although after ~50Hrs, the crosses are beginning to fray (they'll go soon I suspect) but the stringbed still snaps back and plays beautifully.

I'm guessing that any, soft multi will have a similar feel. Think I found a new stringbed setup for me.

what tension are you using and do you pre-stretch ZX ?

thanks.

 

[Shroud]

Some people downplay string movement and snapback but I personally think it's important. Not because the snapback creates more spin as some people think (I personally don't believe it) but because the movement creates variability in the string bed.

Suppose I'm in a 20 stroke rally... without snapback, the strings will move with each hit. Depending of how much they move and where I hit, I'm either hitting with a more open or closed pattern (mains can get wider apart or closer together).

Yes this makes sense. However the launch angle is more controlled because the string bed is locked so imho you are not going to notice anything overall

Also even with snapback racquet string patterns by nature are more open or closed at differnt spots so the variability is something we all have to contend with regardless of locked or snapping back.

And that last point imho makes my point in that you rarely hear any one talking about the fact that all racquets are less dense at the top as something that messes them up...

 

[eelhc]

what tension are you using and do you pre-stretch ZX ?

thanks.

I prestretch just to take the the coil memory out - loop it around a post in my basement and tug/lean back on it a bit.

Tension discussions are meaningless without detail.. I hit with a full western and am trying to become an attacking baseliner. Fit middle aged dude with average power. It's winter now and I am playing indoors on hard courts, temps in the low to mid 60*F, and I am not at any meaningful altitude. I drop the tension for the lower playing temperatures but bump it back up since Zyex is soft/powerful. That all said... 58# for both mains and crosses on a PO7 16x19.

Sorry, you totally lost me on your example...
>Suppose I'm in a 20 stroke rally... without snapback, the strings will move with each hit.
>Depending of how much they move and where I hit, I'm either hitting with a more open or closed pattern (mains can get wider apart or closer together).

As we know with tennis, one element (string snap back) is just one piece in a big puzzle. It the combination of all the factors.
The conclusion is pretty interesting:..
http://twu.tennis-warehouse.com/learning_center/stringmovementPart2.php

My example and this article are not the same abstract. I am not arguing that snapback or the lateral movement of the string promotes more spin (I actually doubt it). What I am saying is that if the strings don't snap back, the spacing between the strings actually change, tighter or looser depending how the strings shifted where the ball is hit subsequently. After I hit with my wife's/kids full natural gut bed, the stringbed opens up is some place wide enough to pass a quarter through.

 

[ByeByePoly]

I prestretch just to take the the coil memory out - loop it around a post in my basement and tug/lean back on it a bit.

Tension discussions are meaningless without detail.. I hit with a full western and am trying to become an attacking baseliner. Fit middle aged dude with average power. It's winter now and I am playing indoors on hard courts, temps in the low to mid 60*F, and I am not at any meaningful altitude. I drop the tension for the lower playing temperatures but bump it back up since Zyex is soft/powerful. That all said... 58# for both mains and crosses on a PO7 16x19.



My example and this article are not the same abstract. I am not arguing that snapback or the lateral movement of the string promotes more spin (I actually doubt it). What I am saying is that if the strings don't snap back, the spacing between the strings actually change, tighter or looser depending how the strings shifted where the ball is hit subsequently. After I hit with my wife's/kids full natural gut bed, the stringbed opens up is some place wide enough to pass a quarter through.

"After I hit with my wife's/kids full natural gut bed, the stringbed opens up is some place wide enough to pass a quarter through."

Really ... wow. My VS @55 hardly moves. I guess with full western you hit big topspin. I hit pretty good topspin ... but I have been pleased about the strings not moving much.

Do you get good topspin with this setup? Maybe you said above ...

 

[eelhc]

"After I hit with my wife's/kids full natural gut bed, the stringbed opens up is some place wide enough to pass a quarter through."

Really ... wow. My VS @55 hardly moves. I guess with full western you hit big topspin. I hit pretty good topspin ... but I have been pleased about the strings not moving much.

Do you get good topspin with this setup? Maybe you said above ...

With Monogut ZX mains and Mantis Comfort Synthetic crosses, the spin is excellent. As good for as a full bed of ZX.

Wife and daughter have VS on OS 16x19 frames at low tensions, ~50#. I do put string savers on them but when I hit with their setup I can get the strings to move quite a bit and the gaps will open up pretty darn wide.

 

[eelhc]

"After I hit with my wife's/kids full natural gut bed, the stringbed opens up is some place wide enough to pass a quarter through."

Really ... wow. My VS @55 hardly moves. I guess with full western you hit big topspin. I hit pretty good topspin ... but I have been pleased about the strings not moving much.

Do you get good topspin with this setup? Maybe you said above ...

With Monogut ZX mains and Mantis Comfort Synthetic crosses, the spin is excellent. As good for as a full bed of ZX.

Wife and daughter have VS on OS 16x19 frames at low tensions, ~50#. I do put string savers on them but when I hit with their setup I can get the strings to move quite a bit and the gaps will open up pretty darn wide.

 

[CopolyX]

I prestretch just to take the the coil memory out - loop it around a post in my basement and tug/lean back on it a bit.

Tension discussions are meaningless without detail.. I hit with a full western and am trying to become an attacking baseliner. Fit middle aged dude with average power. It's winter now and I am playing indoors on hard courts, temps in the low to mid 60*F, and I am not at any meaningful altitude. I drop the tension for the lower playing temperatures but bump it back up since Zyex is soft/powerful. That all said... 58# for both mains and crosses on a PO7 16x19.



My example and this article are not the same abstract. I am not arguing that snapback or the lateral movement of the string promotes more spin (I actually doubt it). What I am saying is that if the strings don't snap back, the spacing between the strings actually change, tighter or looser depending how the strings shifted where the ball is hit subsequently. After I hit with my wife's/kids full natural gut bed, the stringbed opens up is some place wide enough to pass a quarter through.

Natural gut continues to have a good level of elasticity(snapback) even when strung close to 70 pounds. It can be strung at really high tensions giving a high level of control yet remaining comfortable. No other strings can remain comfortable nor retain its inherent elasticity(snapback) like Natural guts under such set-ups. At such high tensions, playability and tension stability takes a huge toll but not for Natural Guts. Thou at super high tensions, it will effect the life & durability.................
I am not saying that a " wide enough to pass a quarter through" is not occurring ( nut elasticity is) , most likely you are using a nat gut with a coating on it or it worn off.
I always wipe my nat gut down after with a cloth, extremely light coat of parfin wax after (it prolongs string life by reducing friction and notching between strings).

 

[ultradr]

Yeah, I enjoy natural gut at high tension up to 68 lbs on my frame's 18x20 string bed.

I'm currently testing out zx hybrid with nylon mains as a possibility for crosses with gut mains.

 

[Shroud]

Yeah, I enjoy natural gut at high tension up to 68 lbs on my frame's 18x20 string bed.

I'm currently testing out zx hybrid with nylon mains as a possibility for crosses with gut mains.

Are you trying zx crosses with gut or nylon crosses with gut or nylon mains with zx? That last sentence is confusing

 

[ByeByePoly]

I've experimented with Monogut ZX over the last couple of years and while I liked the comfort, spin, tension maintenance... I never liked the feel in a full bed (tinny and hollow)... I always went back to my preferred setup: soft co-poly at low tensions, re-string every ~15Hrs.

For the Winter season, even indoors the temps tend to run lower here in the Northeast so I generally lower the tension or go with a softer string setup.

This year, I just happen to spot some some extra sets of Monogut ZX pro and Mantis comfort Synthetic in my growing string inventory so I decided to try a Hybrid with ZX mains and Mantis crosses. 58# on my PO7 16x19.

It's been a couple of months and honestly, I don't know I'll be going back to poly when the weather turns warmer. The tinny, hollow feel is gone. The string bed hits like a full bed of ZX but feels like a full bed of the Mantis. The tension is holding great although after ~50Hrs, the crosses are beginning to fray (they'll go soon I suspect) but the stringbed still snaps back and plays beautifully.

I'm guessing that any, soft multi will have a similar feel. Think I found a new stringbed setup for me.

Where do you buy Mantis Comfort? Wonder why TW doesn't seem to carry it.

 

[eelhc]

Where do you buy Mantis Comfort? Wonder why TW doesn't seem to carry it.

Got a reel on a trade here on TT. Not available in the US as far as I can see but you can purchase a reel from the UK with reasonable shipping.

 

[WisconsinPlayer]

I just ordered some Luxilon and Monogut! Trying out the lux in the mains at 53 and mono at 51

 

[WisconsinPlayer]

I just ordered some Luxilon and Monogut! Trying out the lux in the mains at 53 and mono at 51

 

[ultradr]

double post deleted

 

[ultradr]

Are you trying zx crosses with gut or nylon crosses with gut or nylon mains with zx? That last sentence is confusing

sorry about that. I'm currently experimenting with sythetic gut mains and zx crosses.
Eventually I will try gut mains once I find right tension and how much prestretching is good.

So far I have tried 60 lbs with heavy prestretching, and 59 lbs with mild prestretching.
synthetic gut tension 60 lbs.

So far my impression is that Monogut ZX feels tad springy once its tension stabilizes.
I had similar experiences with Pacific X Force(extreme) although ZX is much softer and more stretchy...

 

[teekaywhy]

I just ordered some Luxilon and Monogut! Trying out the lux in the mains at 53 and mono at 51

I think you'll like it. I've been stringing the mono cross at the same tension as the poly main just to keep the stringbed playing a touch longer. Getting about 10-12 hours.

 

[WisconsinPlayer]

I think you'll like it. I've been stringing the mono cross at the same tension as the poly main just to keep the stringbed playing a touch longer. Getting about 10-12 hours.

Im planning on pre-stretching both my lux and mono so Im hoping to get some decent life!

 

[teekaywhy]

Im planning on pre-stretching both my lux and mono so Im hoping to get some decent life!

Personally, I dont pre stretch as I feel it takes the elasticity out of the string. I do let the machine continue to pull for a few extra seconds though.
Perhaps you could do like frames for testing, one with pre stretch and one without and see what works for you.

 

[hmd]

I play with lots of topspin and will break 16 synthetic within 2 hours.
Full polly is just too hard on the arm so I played with full Monogut ZX, however the monogut main will break at the top of the hoop on mishits.
So I tried different hybrid setup with monogut crosses or main with synthetic and in most combination the synthetic will get cut and break in about 2 hours.

Now I am on Babolat RPM Blast 16 main at 51lb and Monogut cross at 53lb, this combination gives me about 20 hours of play until eventually the rpm main breaks from all the rubbing against the monogut.

 

[ByeByePoly]

I play with lots of topspin and will break 16 synthetic within 2 hours.
Full polly is just too hard on the arm so I played with full Monogut ZX, however the monogut main will break at the top of the hoop on mishits.
So I tried different hybrid setup with monogut crosses or main with synthetic and in most combination the synthetic will get cut and break in about 2 hours.

Now I am on Babolat RPM Blast 16 main at 51lb and Monogut cross at 53lb, this combination gives me about 20 hours of play until eventually the rpm main breaks from all the rubbing against the monogut.

hahaha ... I never broke RPM Blast 16 once in 5 years. I guess it's the one time "weak" works in your favor. Question ... how did you like (feel/spin) of ZX main/Syn cross... for those 2 hours.

 

[graycrait]

Ashaway Kevlar 16G mains x Zyex Pro 17G crosses: 107 OS 65/59; 100 62/59; 95 60/59. Why? I've tried a lot of different combos but this is where I sit. No prestretching. I have given up all other strings other than syn guts in specific rackets. I am a 62 yr old rec/hack. If you are UTR 8+ pay no attention.

 

[hmd]

hahaha ... I never broke RPM Blast 16 once in 5 years. I guess it's the one time "weak" works in your favor. Question ... how did you like (feel/spin) of ZX main/Syn cross... for those 2 hours.

That didn't last 2 hours as I broke the ZX main with a mishit.

Breaking strings are not about weak/strong, it's how much you move the strings on your stringbed. Lots of topspin = lots of strings movement -> wear and tear.

 

[ByeByePoly]

That didn't last 2 hours as I broke the ZX main with a mishit.

Breaking strings are not about weak/strong, it's how much you move the strings on your stringbed. Lots of topspin = lots of strings movement -> wear and tear.

I think it must also be about one's average/repetitive shot. I can hit decent pace, and on fh can call up max topspin (topspin lob on fh comes easy). But my average fh is moderate pace with moderate topspin (just enough to keep it in). Also will hit quite a bit of flat strokes and slice bhs. My guess most guys that break strings quickly hit big topspin as their regular repetitive stroke. I also think it's usually the same guys you would say "that guy hits a heavy ball". By heavy, I mean the balls with both pace and big topspin. There is a difference between playing against constant spinny balls and the one's that chew you up at the baseline. The spinny guys will go through strings ... but the heavy ball hitter will break nylon in a couple of hours. I played with someone that did that with Forten Sweet 15 ... 2-3 hours. His fh was heavy and unpleasant.

 

[Muppet]

Just curious what my best tensions would be for ZX/MCS? For multi/poly hybrids, I like to string @55/51. For poly/multi hybrids, I like 51/56. And for a full bed of multi, I string @57. Can anyone give me an estimate for where my best tensions might land for ZX/MCS? If I were to go with even tensions as eelhc stated above, would that give me more stiffness in the cross string since the MCS is a multi? And how would this affect the performance? How would decreasing the crosses' tension by 2 lbs. below the ZX affect the playability?

 

[ByeByePoly]

Just curious what my best tensions would be for ZX/MCS? For multi/poly hybrids, I like to string @55/51. For poly/multi hybrids, I like 51/56. And for a full bed of multi, I string @57. Can anyone give me an estimate for where my best tensions might land for ZX/MCS? If I were to go with even tensions as eelhc stated above, would that give me more stiffness in the cross string since the MCS is a multi? And how would this affect the performance? How would decreasing the crosses' tension by 2 lbs. below the ZX affect the playability?

Good ... I plan on trying this also. I will be curious how it works for you. Your tension preferences are pretty close to what mine would be. I think for a cross I will go with Ramon's TNT or OGSM. I tend to match up closely with Chris's reviews/opinions ... and he gave OGSM a good review on full bed.

I don't string my own racquets anymore ... so I am going to ask my stringer about his machine and pre-stretching. I won't be doing any pre-stretching before I take it to him. It sounds like non-prestretched zx drops big but settles. Sounds like to me if one wanted zx/syn 55/50 (for example) ... wouldn't 60/50 with some machine stretching get you there?

This is what I want in strings ... why I am going to try this setup:

- no poly or kevlar ... post TE arm friendly
- no fraying
- plays consistent until it breaks ... would hope for 2-3+ months because not a big string breaker
- liked not straightening strings with RPM
- good spin

The "spin" part is why I'm not going straight to origin. I don't depend on spin ... but I did enjoy RPM days. So going to get second V1 Pro and put zx/syn in it. When gut breaks in current racquet, will replace with origin. The gut has been nice with ball machine sessions with TE.

Will be waiting for Muppet review.

 

[Shroud]

I play with lots of topspin and will break 16 synthetic within 2 hours.
Full polly is just too hard on the arm so I played with full Monogut ZX, however the monogut main will break at the top of the hoop on mishits.
So I tried different hybrid setup with monogut crosses or main with synthetic and in most combination the synthetic will get cut and break in about 2 hours.

Now I am on Babolat RPM Blast 16 main at 51lb and Monogut cross at 53lb, this combination gives me about 20 hours of play until eventually the rpm main breaks from all the rubbing against the monogut.

Is that a spin racquet???

 

[Muppet]

Good ... I plan on trying this also. I will be curious how it works for you. Your tension preferences are pretty close to what mine would be. I think for a cross I will go with Ramon's TNT or OGSM. I tend to match up closely with Chris's reviews/opinions ... and he gave OGSM a good review on full bed.

I don't string my own racquets anymore ... so I am going to ask my stringer about his machine and pre-stretching. I won't be doing any pre-stretching before I take it to him. It sounds like non-prestretched zx drops big but settles. Sounds like to me if one wanted zx/syn 55/50 (for example) ... wouldn't 60/50 with some machine stretching get you there?

This is what I want in strings ... why I am going to try this setup:

- no poly or kevlar ... post TE arm friendly
- no fraying
- plays consistent until it breaks ... would hope for 2-3+ months because not a big string breaker
- liked not straightening strings with RPM
- good spin

The "spin" part is why I'm not going straight to origin. I don't depend on spin ... but I did enjoy RPM days. So going to get second V1 Pro and put zx/syn in it. When gut breaks in current racquet, will replace with origin. The gut has been nice with ball machine sessions with TE.

Will be waiting for Muppet review.

I don't have any ZX in stock and I've been hesitating because of the cost and the noise of the string in a full bed. But with a muted multi in the crosses it sounds very promising. I'm just wondering if even tensions would produce a larger sweet spot than I like or are MCS and ZX similar in softness and elasticity? It will probably be a while before I will be able to produce a review.

 

[Ramon]

I don't have any ZX in stock and I've been hesitating because of the cost and the noise of the string in a full bed. But with a muted multi in the crosses it sounds very promising. I'm just wondering if even tensions would produce a larger sweet spot than I like or are MCS and ZX similar in softness and elasticity? It will probably be a while before I will be able to produce a review.

I string ZX mains about 4 pounds higher than my syngut crosses, and I would do the same with a multi cross. This makes up for the initial tension drop with ZX. It loses more tension than most strings on the first outing, but it's relatively stable after that.

 

[hmd]

Is that a spin racquet???

Head youtek IG speed 16x19

 

[Shroud]

Head youtek IG speed 16x19

Cool. Guess not

 

[Chotobaka]

Is that a spin racquet???

No. It is obviously a shank racquet.

 

[Shroud]

No. It is obviously a shank racquet.

Fed used to play with one of those!!

 

[hmd]

No. It is obviously a shank racquet.

I wish I could blame all my shanks on the racquet.

 

[graycrait]

No. It is obviously a shank racquet.

I have at least 12 of those "shank" rackets

 

[eelhc]

I have at least 12 of those "shank" rackets

Me too... But I am the master of the shank winner.

 

[ByeByePoly]

I've experimented with Monogut ZX over the last couple of years and while I liked the comfort, spin, tension maintenance... I never liked the feel in a full bed (tinny and hollow)... I always went back to my preferred setup: soft co-poly at low tensions, re-string every ~15Hrs.

For the Winter season, even indoors the temps tend to run lower here in the Northeast so I generally lower the tension or go with a softer string setup.

This year, I just happen to spot some some extra sets of Monogut ZX pro and Mantis comfort Synthetic in my growing string inventory so I decided to try a Hybrid with ZX mains and Mantis crosses. 58# on my PO7 16x19.

It's been a couple of months and honestly, I don't know I'll be going back to poly when the weather turns warmer. The tinny, hollow feel is gone. The string bed hits like a full bed of ZX but feels like a full bed of the Mantis. The tension is holding great although after ~50Hrs, the crosses are beginning to fray (they'll go soon I suspect) but the stringbed still snaps back and plays beautifully.

I'm guessing that any, soft multi will have a similar feel. Think I found a new stringbed setup for me.

Question ... is zx/syn the equvialent of poly/syn? Here is the context of that question. I really liked RPM Blast 16 in a full bed. I tried RPM/syn and didn't see the point ... it seemed to lose all the magic. Tried Pro Line II / syn ... didn't come close to full RPM either.