String for old guy with a bad shoulder and breaks multi's

JEDBERG1

JEDBERG1

Rookie
Currently using NRG2 17 black and it is just not lasting for me anymore. I am going through a set a least every other week. The breaks seem to be always in the cross. I was wondering what suggestions you all might have. I am a 53 year old strong 3.5 singles player with a repaired rotator cuff. Current racquet is a the extreme 2.0 MP. I like to hit with spin and like the way NRG plays, but the durability is getting a little out of hand. I tell myself that string and stringing is cheaper than shoulder surgery, but I am open to explore others options. I was maybe thinking with some kind of hybrid with NRG, but have no idea what to try and at what tensions. Please help
 
Go full natural gut. Klip Legend is a great value, also Pacific Classic and Tonic. They should all last longer than any multi.
 
I also, really liked NRG2 17 but broke it 2-4 hours depending on singles or doubles. I normally get at least 6-8 hours out of Babolat VS 16g Natural Gut. not as much spin, but close.

I've been getting decent durability with Dunlop Hexy Fibre, and it's cheap! HEXY is lowered powered than NRG2 but, it's pretty soft and has great control and spin.

Why not just buy a set of 16 NRG2 and 17 NRG2 at the same time and use half 16g in the cross? Same price, not much difference in feel, and better durability!

If you have a sensistive shoulder, I wouldn't reccommend any hybrids with POLY.
 
KaiserW said:
Go full natural gut. Klip Legend is a great value, also Pacific Classic and Tonic. They should all last longer than any multi.
Click to expand...
I did try NG and other multi's Excell and X1, the extra durability of NG did not seem make enough difference to justify the extra cost. Plus I live in the mid west with humid summers.
 
Try a pack of string savers. They prevent the notching or wear that is causing your strings to break. Use an 6x6 or 8x8 pattern in the string bed centered around your normal breakage area. HTH. FWIW, if you do go this route, some people prefer to wait for the strings to settle (lose tension) before installing the string savers.
 
When people break crosses first, it usually a multi cross. You could try a soft synthetic for the cross string. I have been using Forten Sweet as a cross for years.
 
Since you like the NRG2, use the 16g. should help with durability.
Most multi strings in 17g. have a trade off with durability.
 
gvsbdisco said:
Prince Premier Control in 15
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Good option in my opinion, but because it's substantially more durable than NRG2, X1, etc., you could easily get away with 16g. It's a tad on the stiff side for a multi, but it shouldn't bother your shoulder.

steve s said:
When people break crosses first, it usually a multi cross. You could try a soft synthetic for the cross string. I have been using Forten Sweet as a cross for years.
Click to expand...

I agree with option as well
 
As you know, be careful with that shoulder - like walking the razors edge... A few years ago, with seemingly chronic shoulder pain, I dropped the new tech and tried an older, flexy frame with standard synthetic gut. Pain was gone in two weeks...
Any more durable string might just be stiffer in effect... the wrong side of the razor's edge...
Maybe, try a smaller, 18x20 , flexy frame - sting at mid-low with your soft multi of choice (Alpha Prodigy here) ... the modern multis really thrive in that denser smaller format, no doubt - and they last...
Best of luck... I once asked Gardnar Malloy about what injury had to be avoided for longevity. His answer,"That's easy - the shoulder..."
 
Start using 16 G of the same string...initially in the crosses only.
See if that satisfies the durability requirements...and adjust from there based on breaking patterns.
 
I sure want to thank you all for the fine suggestions. A concern I have is by going to a larger gauge would be lose of spin, I really do not want less spin potential. Do you all think that I would miss the spin potential by going to a 16 G in the NRG or the Prince Premier in the cross? Would the Forten Sweet 17 in the cross give me better spin potential than the 16g Mulit's in hybrid. I am kind of surprised that no one has suggested going to a soft poly at a lower tension in the crosses, I assume that you all think that would be to much of a risk.
 
You also could try Head Rip Control 17 (or 16) in a full bed. It will be slightly firmer than your current string, better durability, and as good or better spin.
 
JEDBERG1 said:
I sure want to thank you all for the fine suggestions. A concern I have is by going to a larger gauge would be lose of spin, I really do not want less spin potential. Do you all think that I would miss the spin potential by going to a 16 G in the NRG or the Prince Premier in the cross? Would the Forten Sweet 17 in the cross give me better spin potential than the 16g Mulit's in hybrid. I am kind of surprised that no one has suggested going to a soft poly at a lower tension in the crosses, I assume that you all think that would be to much of a risk.
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I didnt find a huge difference in spin with multifilaments strings between 16g and 17g.

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/mikelers-multis.352048/
 
Thicker gauge, lower tension.
Extreme MP is stiff and powerful.
Consider 35 lbs. tension, 15 gauge.
 
JEDBERG1 said:
How would you suggest to use it. 16G in the cross or 17G. The reviews sound good. How is the spin compared to NRG?
Click to expand...

I'd just go for the 17G pro. Tension it like a powerful multi (BiPhase) or Natural Gut. Spin IMO is as good as average poly. Very, very comfortable even at high tensions. The sound and the feel though... ugh. If the guy can just get over that I think it'll work for him.

Check the TW playtest...

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/ashaway-monogut-zx-pro-zx-playtest.461439/
 
Going up to 16 ga shouldn't change your spin much.
An option would be to use your current multi in the mains with a smooth, slippery poly (like Wilson Revolve) in the crosses. The multi mains will slide better and last longer sliding on a poly cross than they would sliding on a multi cross. The shock level will still be low but the feel will be crisper and control a bit better. String the poly crosses 3-4 pounds less than the mains.
A more expensive option is natural gut in the mains with a smooth poly in the crosses. This lasts longer than your current NRG setup.
For a comfy, long lasting setup I use Babolat Origin (nylon) in the mains with either Ashaway Monogut ZX (zyex) or Wilson Revolve (poly) in the crosses. I like this better than a gut/poly setup.
 
frank52 said:
Going up to 16 ga shouldn't change your spin much.
An option would be to use your current multi in the mains with a smooth, slippery poly (like Wilson Revolve) in the crosses. The multi mains will slide better and last longer sliding on a poly cross than they would sliding on a multi cross. The shock level will still be low but the feel will be crisper and control a bit better. String the poly crosses 3-4 pounds less than the mains.
A more expensive option is natural gut in the mains with a smooth poly in the crosses. This lasts longer than your current NRG setup.
For a comfy, long lasting setup I use Babolat Origin (nylon) in the mains with either Ashaway Monogut ZX (zyex) or Wilson Revolve (poly) in the crosses. I like this better than a gut/poly setup.
Click to expand...
Do you think that the NRG poly set up would be ok for my bad shoulder?
 
Doc Hollidae said:
Check out the IsoSpeed strings. They are supposed to be very arm friendly.
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Yeah! If you must have a poly cross, Isospeed Baseline is smooth, plenty soft and dirt cheap so you can afford to restring often. I find the 16L soft already, I suppose the 17L will be even better.
 
if it breaks often, then theres several options that you can do
1) thicker gauge
2) string savers
3) lower tension
 
I find string savers limit resiliency and make the bed feel like it's strung stiffer than it was.
Thicker gauge with LOW tensions is very good. Thick gauge lasts longer, lower tension adds resiliency and spring, low tension also adds spin.
 
BlueB said:
Yeah! If you must have a poly cross, Isospeed Baseline is smooth, plenty soft and dirt cheap so you can afford to restring often. I find the 16L soft already, I suppose the 17L will be even better.
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I thought that they were referring to Isospeed Professional , a polyfin string that is fairly soft
 
Since it is the cross strings you beak soon, then use the same strings, put the 16g. in just the cross strings and the 17g. you like for the mains. Should be comparable spin and hitting, but a little better durability. It's just what you asked for.
 
JEDBERG1 said:
Do you think that the NRG poly set up would be ok for my bad shoulder?
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Yes, NRG in mains with poly crosses will be OK for a bad shoulder.
The NRG mains absorb a lot of the shock and provide power. I, too, have a bad shoulder (rotator cuff tendon tears) and don't like much shock. That's why I stopped using poly mains with syn gut crosses.
To be even safer I suggest trying the NRG in the mains with Ashaway Monogut ZX crosses. The ZX feels like a poly cross but absorbs more shock and lasts as long or longer than poly. I find the Monogut ZX to be a great cross for most any string. I string the ZX at 2-3 pounds less tension than the mains. Just take your time stringing the ZX - pull every cross for 10-30 seconds. It stretches a LOT during stringing.
 
I take just the opposite tack that Frank52 recommends when stringing Zyex in the crosses - I like it several pounds higher than the mains.
 
graycrait said:
I take just the opposite tack that Frank52 recommends when stringing Zyex in the crosses - I like it several pounds higher than the mains.
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Good to hear that Monogut ZX works fine strung several pounds higher than the mains. That seems logical given its stretch. I will try that sometime although I have been happy with stringing it a bit lower than mains.
 
I've tried Zyex in full bed and in the mains. I don't like Zyex in those applications. I think it is great as a cross to Kevlar or Nat Gut. It probably doesn't make a big difference if it is a couple lbs lower or higher than the mains. I just go higher to mitigate its liveliness and I have this notion that the mains slide along the tighter Zyex crosses better. Its all magic....
 
I've been using the Babolat SG SpiralTek 17 on my rf97. It has a soft feel and good spin. Much better than the Gosen OG string I had before. I haven't had any arm/elbow pain. It doesn't hold the tension as long and it will move around a little.
 
Thank you all, have ordered a set of ZX monogut and plan to give them a try in the cross with my NRG in the mains. I was thinking that with this set up that I might want to use a dampener. I have never used a dampener in the past. I plan on just using a rubber band, but am not sure on how to install the rubber band. Any tips for that?
 
JEDBERG1 said:
Thank you all, have ordered a set of ZX monogut and plan to give them a try in the cross with my NRG in the mains. I was thinking that with this set up that I might want to use a dampener. I have never used a dampener in the past. I plan on just using a rubber band, but am not sure on how to install the rubber band. Any tips for that?
Click to expand...

Rubber band dampening 101

Just tie a #64 rubber band around the center two strings below the bottom. One overhand knot (rubber band bows point up & down racket) produces a lower dampening effect. If you tie a square knot (so the bows point outward) you will have a greater effect. The closer you slide the rubber band to to the bottom string the more dampening effect you have, the closer the band is to the throat of the less the dampening effect.

Here is another option for you if you string your own rackets:
d16e113f74c9667dfad03ba9c78b7494_zpsfqdr9get.jpg

The more strings the rubber band spans and the closer it is to the bottom cross the greater the effect of dampening. You want the rubber band to be woven through the mains opposite the bottom cross for the greatest effect. So if you stringing a racket with an odd number of crosses you want the rubber band woven like the even numbered crosses.

EDIT: Placing and dampening device above the bottom cross is illegal. You have to go directly to the bench and remove it, you may not pass the net, and you may not collect points. LOL
 
JEDBERG1 said:
Thank you all, have ordered a set of ZX monogut and plan to give them a try in the cross with my NRG in the mains. I was thinking that with this set up that I might want to use a dampener. I have never used a dampener in the past. I plan on just using a rubber band, but am not sure on how to install the rubber band. Any tips for that?
Click to expand...
Hummm? Not sure why you would want to hybrid NRG mains w/ZX crosses. Has anyone you know tried this combo before? I mean that's two relatively expensive strings that may not work well together, but OTOH that could be a great combo.

EDIT: The reason I mention this is NRG2 has a relatively high string to string COF and a relatively high string to ball COF. That's a combination that could break strings pretty quick. The string bites into the ball well but does not want to slide on the cross. You may want to try full bed ZX. Just a thought. But ZX doesn't bite into the ball as well but has a much lower string to string COF. But there is not data to say how well NRG2 and ZX work together.
 
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Irvin said:
Hummm? Not sure why you would want to hybrid NRG mains w/ZX crosses. Has anyone you know tried this combo before? I mean that's two relatively expensive strings that may not work well together, but OTOH that could be a great combo.

EDIT: The reason I mention this is NRG2 has a relatively high string to string COF and a relatively high string to ball COF. That's a combination that could break strings pretty quick. The string bites into the ball well but does not want to slide on the cross. You may want to try full bed ZX. Just a thought. But ZX doesn't bite into the ball as well but has a much lower string to string COF. But there is not data to say how well NRG2 and ZX work together.
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I was just going buy the suggestions from others on this post. I am hoping NRG and ZX will give me a little more spin and durability over my current full bed of NRG, without sacrificing much comfort on my bad shoulder. What is COF? You have questioning my decision.
 
COF is coefficient of friction. Spin potential for a string is string to ball COF / string to string COF. Let's look at the two strings you are getting.

Using the TWU Compare String Tool I get this:
2034b78f65781b79ca81ce9c92e37923_zpsk7fvixxh.jpg

ZX is a softer string so it should be better on your shoulder. It also has a great deal of tension loss so maybe pre-stretching may be in order. The string to string COF is 43% lower indicating less friction between the mains and crosses as they slide so you should get more life. The string to ball friction COF is 22% lower so you don't get as good of a ball bite. BUT the net result of STB COF / STS COF gives you 38% better spin potential.

These figures though don't stay true when you start hybriding strings. For instance gut to gut full bed does not have a good STS COF, but gut mains and poly crosses has the best STS COF (like Federer plays.) Not saying what you want to try won't be good. You're only going to know for sure if you try it. If you try it and hate it you have two half sets to do something with and you'll already know what not to do with them.

EDIT: Looking at the COFs for the two strings though the way you suggested would be the only way to hybrid those two strings for the most spin.
 
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PBODY99 said:
I thought that they were referring to Isospeed Professional , a polyfin string that is fairly soft
Click to expand...

Yes, the non-polys are what I was referring to, though Isospeed baseline is on the softer side of polys as well. Would never use or suggest poly to someone with arm issues.
 
I would definitely recommend switching to 16g. To me, 16g is the best compromise between playability and durability. As for Monogut ZX, I currently use ZX mains with Gamma TNT2 crosses. I've tried my share of multifilament crosses in the past, but none of them performed any better than TNT2, and a solid core string like TNT2 doesn't fray, so it lasts much longer as a cross.
 
JEDBERG1 said:
Thank you all, have ordered a set of ZX monogut and plan to give them a try in the cross with my NRG in the mains. I was thinking that with this set up that I might want to use a dampener. I have never used a dampener in the past. I plan on just using a rubber band, but am not sure on how to install the rubber band. Any tips for that?
Click to expand...

Monogut ZX does have an annoying ping. You may need to experiment with different dampeners to get one that cancels the sound and vibration.
 
frank52 said:
Monogut ZX does have an annoying ping. You may need to experiment with different dampeners to get one that cancels the sound and vibration.
Click to expand...
There is no such thing as an annoying ping. The more a string pings (and the more it bothers my opponent) the better I like it. I would love to find string that sound like your scraping you fingers on a chalkboard when they moved. And if the would vibrate back and forth for a second all the better. Vibration dampeners should be illegal. LOL
 
JEDBERG1 said:
Thank you all, have ordered a set of ZX monogut and plan to give them a try in the cross with my NRG in the mains. I was thinking that with this set up that I might want to use a dampener. I have never used a dampener in the past. I plan on just using a rubber band, but am not sure on how to install the rubber band. Any tips for that?
Click to expand...
If you go with tying a rubber band around the two center crosses, tying them looser will give you better dampening.
 
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