Soft or Plush Poly Strings

M

ModernClassicStyle

New User
I haven't had to opportunity to play with many strings as I mostly used ytex quadro twist for a few years but recently i've wanting to try something different. I remember using one of my friends frames and he had it strung up with luxilon 4g. I know that 4g is marketed as a stiff string and many say it kills their arm. However based on my experience it felt very plush and comfortable and it was strung up in a pure drive tour so stiff frame as well. Did anyone else experience this "plush" feel from 4g as well? Right now I plan to get Hyper G 17 in mains because it supposedly feels close to 4g just a bit more soft so until I know for sure i can't that amount money for 4g. I was then going to put in tour bite 17 as my crosses to get that stiffer feel 4g is known for. Anyone think this work or be what im looking for? And if so I know that poly's are not revered as plush or soft but are there any other polys that you would call plush or soft? Thanks.
 
I would not label 4G as a 'plush' string. To me, it is Zombie dead. It does not vibrate a lot, which some label as 'plush.' Similar strings would be Signum Pro Poly Plasma [SPPP] or Kirshbaum Proline II, X or Evolution. They are also part of the Walking Dead family. :D

Hyper G will be more crispy feeling. Depends on what you are looking for.

The Walking Dead strings still need to be replaced by the 16-20 hour mark. The Hyper G around the 12 hour mark. YMMV.
 
Regular Poly - Luxilon ALU Power 16L (Silver is stiff, Ice Blue and Purple are softer).
Soft Poly - Volkl V-Torque TOUR 17g / 18g
 
I like Head Sonic pro, it’s imo like a cross between a poly and multi. Unique feel. Some hate it. I think it combines some of the aspects between a soft hit and the control of a stiffer poly. Head Lynx is also a good soft poly. I do not like dead polys if they’re not strung at a low tension. Then they’re ok imo.
 
While it lacks the spin characteristics of typical poly, Tecnifibre X-Code is about the plushest feeling poly-based string I have tried. The PU and bundled multifilament construction make the string very comfortable and, although it doesn't add spin to your shots, it provides some added control.

There have been strings combining poly and other materials (internal hybrid concepts) attempting to create a best-of-both-worlds string -- Head FXP Tour and Lux M2 come to mind. This type of string might be worth checking out in your search, as well. IMO, all of these options are very compromised compared to suitable hybrids, especially in the added-spin department.

Right now, I am using natural gut/poly hybrids and digging the heck out of them. I am still zeroing in on tension and string combinations, but this seems to be working out with cost being the only real downside.
 
Last edited:
The plushest setup I've tried so far is the Cyber Flash hybrid in my signature below. You can also use Hexy Fiber for the crosses for even better spin, but a little more shock/plowthru feel. This hybrid is a must try if you want plush using a poly.
 
ModernClassicStyle said:
I know that 4g is marketed as a stiff string and many say it kills their arm. However based on my experience it felt very plush and comfortable and it was strung up in a pure drive tour so stiff frame as well. Did anyone else experience this "plush" feel from 4g as well? Right now I plan to get Hyper G 17 in mains because it supposedly feels close to 4g just a bit more soft so until I know for sure i can't that amount money for 4g. I was then going to put in tour bite 17 as my crosses to get that stiffer feel 4g is known for. Anyone think this work or be what im looking for? And if so I know that poly's are not revered as plush or soft but are there any other polys that you would call plush or soft? Thanks.
Click to expand...

Yes 40 lb 4G is the plushest string I've ever experienced period. Even multis and synthetics are firm compared to the plushness of 4G... People in the reviews consistently mention it as well feeling pillowy soft or plush etc.
 
Aestheticsaboveallelse said:
Yes 40 lb 4G is the plushest string I've ever experienced period. Even multis and synthetics are firm compared to the plushness of 4G... People in the reviews consistently mention it as well feeling pillowy soft or plush etc.
Click to expand...

I'm a bit miffed about you going to every single thread saying the 4G is the plushest string ever at 40lbs. At this tension, virtually every string will feel very plush, with the downside being a massive loss of control in any modern frame >95 sq.in. 4G will be better than others for control at this tension, but that's because it's so stiff and dead to start with. Can't get my head around saying any multi can be firmer than 4G, when they are all measured at a stiffness index <170 while 4G 16L is measured at 259 and 4g 16 at a whopping 287. I used it for a bit as the tension maintenance is exceptional, but it's easily the stiffest string I ever used, and stopped using it as it gave me elbow discomfort, even strung in the mid-high 40's in low RA frames. As someone mentioned in another thread, 4G is the stiffest string out there short of using Kevlar.
 
flanker2000fr said:
I'm a bit miffed about you going to every single thread saying the 4G is the plushest string ever at 40lbs. At this tension, virtually every string will feel very plush, with the downside being a massive loss of control in any modern frame >95 sq.in. 4G will be better than others for control at this tension, but that's because it's so stiff and dead to start with. Can't get my head around saying any multi can be firmer than 4G, when they are all measured at a stiffness index <170 while 4G 16L is measured at 259 and 4g 16 at a whopping 287. I used it for a bit as the tension maintenance is exceptional, but it's easily the stiffest string I ever used, and stopped using it as it gave me elbow discomfort, even strung in the mid-high 40's in low RA frames. As someone mentioned in another thread, 4G is the stiffest string out there short of using Kevlar.
Click to expand...
No its a special effect of 4G as the guy above said it has a unique deep sinking feeling. And in the string reviews a lot of people saying its very plush and they're even stringing it much tighter than 40.

4G at 40 lbs is much more plush than premier control I had at 35 lbs. Also recently had 41 lb multifeel which had no plushness still very firm hated it.

Yes I know by the numbers 4G is the stiffest non kevlar, but in the description Luxilon even pointed out its given better comfort than most monos with special additives or something... it clearly works

Alu power spin recently experimented down at 24 lbs still very firm and stiff cant stand it, normal alu power around 50 lbs is way better. I've done a lot of strings 40 or lower and 4G is uniquely plush/deep sinking feeling
 
Aestheticsaboveallelse said:
No its a special effect of 4G as the guy above said it has a unique deep sinking feeling. And in the string reviews a lot of people saying its very plush and they're even stringing it much tighter than 40.

4G at 40 lbs is much more plush than premier control I had at 35 lbs. Also recently had 41 lb multifeel which had no plushness still very firm hated it.

Yes I know by the numbers 4G is the stiffest non kevlar, but in the description Luxilon even pointed out its given better comfort than most monos with special additives or something... it clearly works

Alu power spin recently experimented down at 24 lbs still very firm and stiff cant stand it, normal alu power around 50 lbs is way better. I've done a lot of strings 40 or lower and 4G is uniquely plush/deep sinking feeling
Click to expand...

Sure. You can also drink pure apple cider vinegar and tell me it's sweet. I find it very sour. As for the marketing verbiage from Luxilon, the least said the better.
 
flanker2000fr said:
Sure. You can also drink pure apple cider vinegar and tell me it's sweet. I find it very sour. As for the marketing verbiage from Luxilon, the least said the better.
Click to expand...
You're ignoring that a lot of sincere people in the reviews say its very plush which is rare don't see that with most strings. Its not me. And the guy above in this thread about it having a unique deep sinking effect

Also there are cynics like you who unfairly assume everything is marketing BS but I find manufacturer description of product characteristics are generally extremely accurate
 
Last edited:
Ok @Aestheticsaboveallelse I will try 4G out below 40, I have a very sensitive elbow so I will know immediately. I have tried many many strings that posters suddenly rave about, just to find that it did not work for me in the same way. Lets hope 4G have the magic you describe.

For OP soft polys are strings like GW, Cream and Yonex Air, I tried then All and my elbow did not like them. Posters state they are as soft as multies, but that is not my experience. Softest poly that my arm agrees with is Cyber Flash 17L.
 
Happi said:
Ok @Aestheticsaboveallelse I will try 4G out below 40, I have a very sensitive elbow so I will know immediately. I have tried many many strings that posters suddenly rave about, just to find that it did not work for me in the same way. Lets hope 4G have the magic you describe.

For OP soft polys are strings like GW, Cream and Yonex Air, I tried then All and my elbow did not like them. Posters state they are as soft as multies, but that is not my experience. Softest poly that my arm agrees with is Cyber Flash 17L.
Click to expand...

If Cream causes discomfort to your elbow, make sure you book an appointment with your physio right after your session trying 4G.
 
Last edited:
flanker2000fr said:
If Cream causes discomfort to your elbow, make sure you book an appointment with your physio right after your session trying the 4G.
Click to expand...

It’s just for an experience and I dont have high hopes. Anyway I need my arm to clear up before testing, right now I only play FB multies, but it got my attention when @Aestheticsaboveallelse described the 4G as softer than multi or synt gut. I ser there is also a 4G soft out there, so witch one to chose ?

I generally find the stiffness ratings at TWU to be on par with my own findings when testing strings.

Cream is listed quite stiff, while Cyber Flash 17L is very low. Did you ever try CF it plays soft to the arm but have a crisp Alu feeling if that makes any sense.
 
At low tensions below 45-50 lbs, most polys can feel good before they go dead - stiff polys like ALU Power, RPM Blast, 4G go dead within 5-6 hours and soft polys go dead in about 10-15 hours. As long as you break or restring within that time frame, you can play with any poly.

When the poly goes dead, the control goes down and also you will start feeling some tightness/soreness in your wrist/elbow/arm. As long as you don’t ignore what your body is telling you and cut out the strings right away, poly can be very enjoyable. Most players get injured with poly because they try to save money and wait too long to restring.
 
socallefty said:
At low tensions below 45-50 lbs, most polys can feel good before they go dead - stiff polys like ALU Power, RPM Blast, 4G go dead within 5-6 hours and soft polys go dead in about 10-15 hours. As long as you break or restring within that time frame, you can play with any poly.

When the poly goes dead, the control goes down and also you will start feeling some tightness/soreness in your wrist/elbow/arm. As long as you don’t ignore what your body is telling you and cut out the strings right away, poly can be very enjoyable. Most players get injured with poly because they try to save money and wait too long to restring.
Click to expand...

I was down to 35-40 with soft poly and restrung before 5 hours as I enjoy a fresh poly string.

However when getting GE injury I had to abandon poly and go to multi strings to be able to continue to play. Now I am 90% healed and doubt I will ever get back to poly (only to test) as I now really like the feeling of multi strings. I still string low like 45 on multi but dont have any control issues.
 
Happi said:
It’s just for an experience and I dont have high hopes. Anyway I need my arm to clear up before testing, right now I only play FB multies, but it got my attention when @Aestheticsaboveallelse described the 4G as softer than multi or synt gut. I ser there is also a 4G soft out there, so witch one to chose ?

I generally find the stiffness ratings at TWU to be on par with my own findings when testing strings.

Cream is listed quite stiff, while Cyber Flash 17L is very low. Did you ever try CF it plays soft to the arm but have a crisp Alu feeling if that makes any sense.
Click to expand...

To be honest, this claim that 4G is softer than multis is utter nonsense. It really is one of the stiffest strings out there. 4G Soft is noticeably more comfortable, but still not a soft string by any means. I would describe it as middle of the road for a poly in terms of stiffness. It's a very good string, and one I currently use either as a full bed or a hybrid (it being very slick makes for an interesting cross). It doesn't bother my arm like 4G does, but I still wouldn't recommend it to a person with a history of elbow injuries.

You should have a look at Tecnifibre Triax, which is a combination of multi and poly. Durability is higher than most multis, it has decent spin / snapback thanks to its slick coating (though it eventually frays), and plays more controlled than your average multi. I found it very comfortable, which is backed by a stiffness of 162 according to TW. Definitely one to try out.
 
flanker2000fr said:
To be honest, this claim that 4G is softer than multis is utter nonsense. It really is one of the stiffest strings out there. 4G Soft is noticeably more comfortable, but still not a soft string by any means. I would describe it as middle of the road for a poly in terms of stiffness. It's a very good string, and one I currently use either as a full bed or a hybrid (it being very slick makes for an interesting cross). It doesn't bother my arm like 4G does, but I still wouldn't recommend it to a person with a history of elbow injuries.

You should have a look at Tecnifibre Triax, which is a combination of multi and poly. Durability is higher than most multis, it has decent spin / snapback thanks to its slick coating (though it eventually frays), and plays more controlled than your average multi. I found it very comfortable, which is backed by a stiffness of 162 according to TW. Definitely one to try out.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I think I will pass on the 4G test until my elbow is healed.

I tried Triax and RPX and while they are really good strings, I do prefer X-One in FB or with Multifeel black as cross. Multifeel black is a very unique string that has snapback like poly (or Triax) and with a good price point compared to Triax. I can highly recommend this string if you enjoy Triax, but it has to be the black version as the natural color seems like a different string. If you go by the numbers at TWU MF black 16 has a very high spin potential.
 
Happi said:
Ok @Aestheticsaboveallelse I will try 4G out below 40, I have a very sensitive elbow so I will know immediately. I have tried many many strings that posters suddenly rave about, just to find that it did not work for me in the same way. Lets hope 4G have the magic you describe.

For OP soft polys are strings like GW, Cream and Yonex Air, I tried then All and my elbow did not like them. Posters state they are as soft as multies, but that is not my experience. Softest poly that my arm agrees with is Cyber Flash 17L.
Click to expand...

Yonex Poly Tour Air was useless in my experience, first I was very surprised when I got the string I noticed Yonex rated it firm, it was like the 2nd firmest possible on their string scale. Why? Something called air is supposed to be the opposite, so soft that it feels like you're just hitting air. And then it played so firm even down at 35-40 lbs whatever I had it at... Like really? That string makes no sense to me

I would only use 4G when the sun is high intensity and its warm outside if I were you thats when its softness, plushness, deep sinking sensation really appear. If you play it outside of those conditions it might feel too stiff and firm especially in night + cold weather it massively stiffens up and loses all that
 
Happi said:
It’s just for an experience and I dont have high hopes. Anyway I need my arm to clear up before testing, right now I only play FB multies, but it got my attention when @Aestheticsaboveallelse described the 4G as softer than multi or synt gut. I ser there is also a 4G soft out there, so witch one to chose ?

I generally find the stiffness ratings at TWU to be on par with my own findings when testing strings.

Cream is listed quite stiff, while Cyber Flash 17L is very low. Did you ever try CF it plays soft to the arm but have a crisp Alu feeling if that makes any sense.
Click to expand...

Don't ever try 4G soft if you have elbow issues... it ironically doesn't ever have the pillowy sinking and plushness that regular 4G has in the right conditions. It was an interesting string that has amazing ball grab (much more ball friction than regular 4G) but it always has a very firm impact sensation (even though it weirdly feels kind of cushioned at the same time which is why they named it 4G soft)
 
flanker2000fr said:
To be honest, this claim that 4G is softer than multis is utter nonsense. It really is one of the stiffest strings out there. 4G Soft is noticeably more comfortable, but still not a soft string by any means. I would describe it as middle of the road for a poly in terms of stiffness. It's a very good string, and one I currently use either as a full bed or a hybrid (it being very slick makes for an interesting cross). It doesn't bother my arm like 4G does, but I still wouldn't recommend it to a person with a history of elbow injuries.

You should have a look at Tecnifibre Triax, which is a combination of multi and poly. Durability is higher than most multis, it has decent spin / snapback thanks to its slick coating (though it eventually frays), and plays more controlled than your average multi. I found it very comfortable, which is backed by a stiffness of 162 according to TW. Definitely one to try out.
Click to expand...

It really depends on conditions with 4G... strung at 60 lbs it feels like a board regardless and loses most/all of the effect I was talking about, at that tension it makes a super loud harsh sound striking the ball and you will know its a very stiff string. At 40 lbs it really requires enough sun/warmth to completely get the awesome super comfortable pillowy deep sinking sensation. If you play at night or in low sun conditions it stiffens up a ton and loses its greatness. Coldness also stiffens up strings/balls but I can't remember 40 lb 4G in cold + high intensity sun for some reason... but I do remember once playing it at 50 lbs in 35 degrees + completely sunny perfectly blue sky zero cloudiness one morning in winter. On that occasion it felt tight but
still very comfortable and pleasant and the pillowy sinking sensation didn't exist but instead was replaced by an incredible effect that I've never felt before. Snapback is the only word that comes to mind maybe its a different physical phenomenon but
either way I was feeling the most perfect topspin application feeling from strings ever in a very strong way with absolutely perfect control. Its hard to describe, it was a sensation of feeling the strings vibrate or something for lack of a better word as they applied topspin to the ball and it applied such a perfect topspin on the ball. I've never felt it before or since normally you just feel nothing or very little of that feeling. I noticed it immediately from the very first ball I used topspin windshield wiper
motion on in service box shallow rallies, and it continued every single ball I hit. I was like damn 4G is the best string ever. Unfortunately that effect was apparently unique to very cold sunny weather cause I haven't felt it at all in same racquet same tension in the summer. Played multiple other racquets w/ different strings that exact same session and none of them had that effect at all only the 4G
 
Last edited:
@flanker2000fr @Happi Someone explained the 4G mystery in other thread great explanation "I've used 4G for several years and it's still one of the best strings that give you a connected feeling to every shot you hit. The static stiffness of 4G is very high, and it stretches very little during stringing so you end up with a softer stringbed. 4G is a very stable string, molecular wise, so the DT doesn't not change much after stringing. So it remains consistent even at lower tensions. That's how its able to feel plush even though its measured stiffness high. If you're frame is lower than 330SW, I would recommend stringing it below 50lbs for 1.25mm. "
 
Aestheticsaboveallelse said:
@flanker2000fr @Happi The static stiffness of 4G is very high, and it stretches very little during stringing so you end up with a softer stringbed. 4G is a very stable string, molecular wise, so the DT doesn't not change much after stringing. So it remains consistent even at lower tensions. That's how its able to feel plush even though its measured stiffness high. If you're frame is lower than 330SW, I would recommend stringing it below 50lbs for 1.25mm. "
Click to expand...

I simply don't understand this. How can high static stiffness and little stretch during stringing equate to a soft stringbed? It's kind of saying stiff + stiff = soft.
 
Happi said:
I was down to 35-40 with soft poly and restrung before 5 hours as I enjoy a fresh poly string.

However when getting GE injury I had to abandon poly and go to multi strings to be able to continue to play. Now I am 90% healed and doubt I will ever get back to poly (only to test) as I now really like the feeling of multi strings. I still string low like 45 on multi but dont have any control issues.
Click to expand...

@Happi.
What racquet do you use?

Thanks
 
flanker2000fr said:
I'm a bit miffed about you going to every single thread saying the 4G is the plushest string ever at 40lbs. At this tension, virtually every string will feel very plush, with the downside being a massive loss of control in any modern frame >95 sq.in. 4G will be better than others for control at this tension, but that's because it's so stiff and dead to start with. Can't get my head around saying any multi can be firmer than 4G, when they are all measured at a stiffness index <170 while 4G 16L is measured at 259 and 4g 16 at a whopping 287. I used it for a bit as the tension maintenance is exceptional, but it's easily the stiffest string I ever used, and stopped using it as it gave me elbow discomfort, even strung in the mid-high 40's in low RA frames. As someone mentioned in another thread, 4G is the stiffest string out there short of using Kevlar.
Click to expand...
4G and lynx tour champagne are now officially the best ball pocketing/plushness I've ever felt in any strings including multi and synthetics... Something about these stiffest of poly strings actually creates the best plush/ball pocket apparently in hot very intense sun conditions, but then they suck the most at night where its just stiff and loses almost all the pocketing and plush haha
 
You have to be careful recommending 4g. I like it in my PSVS, but I also know it felt drastically different in the pure strike tour and pro staff v14. Everyone is different and frames/strings react differently.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

SF_45er
Poly/Poly hybrids with 4G Soft ?
Replies
5
Views
247
SF_45er
SF_45er
H.G
Luxilon 4g soft
Replies
4
Views
1K
H.G
H.G
P
4G soft vs. 4G rough???
Replies
13
Views
9K
AceyMan
AceyMan
danbrenner
Has Luxilon gone "soft"? Alu Soft vs Alu Power:::: 4g Soft vs 4g
2
Replies
93
Views
21K
FIRETennis
F
BagelMe
Strings like 4g for my RF97?
Replies
14
Views
3K
anubis
anubis
Back
Top