String Gauges

[Chyeaah]

Thicker Gauges have less power
Thicker Gauges have less spin
Stringing lower = more power
Stringing higher = less power

So in real life, you would usually string a thicker gauge lower than a thinner gauge to tame the power of the thinner guage, would the thinner gauge still have more spin if it is strung higher than the thicker gauge or will the spin stay roughly the same.

 

[pvaudio]

You're asking one question about four independent parameters. You're asking the following: which trumps which given a certain string: tension or gauge wrt power and spin. So, let's use one example of a string: Tourna Big Hitter Blue Rough. Stringing the 16g lower than the 17g to even out the power, you want to know if BHBR 17 strung higher would still have more spin. These are too many parameters to make a concise judgement on. It depends on too much, including the racquet. Power and spin are independent and variable, while tension and gauge are also independent but not variable. In other words, the former two are the result of any fixed choice of the latter. The power and spin produced depend entirely on the stroke and the frame also, but the tension and gauge chosen do not. Long story short: too many variables and no way to know.

 

[Chyeaah]

Nadal uses 1.35 and he is a spin junkie, do you reckon he strings 1.35 because he can get the ball in strung lower (so more spin) or any other reason?

 

[Rabbit]

According to what I've read, gauge is not as much a factor with world class players. They basically get full compression on the ball when they hit it which means more area of the ball on the string bed and more spin.

In Nadal's case, he is notorious for stringing at 54 pounds at every venue. IMO, that's not loose for poly. There was a story a few years ago about his string. Babolat pulled the wrong reel and sent 17 gauge to a tournament he was at. The stringer didn't notice and strung Nadal's frames at his regular tension. Nadal was consistently hitting everything about a foot long. Upon further inspection, they found the variance, Babolat sent a new reel and everything was back to normal.

 

[Chyeaah]

According to what I've read, gauge is not as much a factor with world class players. They basically get full compression on the ball when they hit it which means more area of the ball on the string bed and more spin.

In Nadal's case, he is notorious for stringing at 54 pounds at every venue. IMO, that's not loose for poly. There was a story a few years ago about his string. Babolat pulled the wrong reel and sent 17 gauge to a tournament he was at. The stringer didn't notice and strung Nadal's frames at his regular tension. Nadal was consistently hitting everything about a foot long. Upon further inspection, they found the variance, Babolat sent a new reel and everything was back to normal.

Yea, with 17 gauge you have to string higher since the power to spin ratio isn't balanced. But if he strung higher like 58-60 with 17 gauge will he acquire the same spin. That was what I was originally asking, maybe some future TW tests?

But this would be a hard test, they first need 2 same frames (easy) then they need to find the tension between the gauges so that each gauge with its corresponding tension has the same power as every other gauge at different tensions. Then they need to measure the spin potential off each racquet somehow...

 

[retlod]

There was a story a few years ago about his string. Babolat pulled the wrong reel and sent 17 gauge to a tournament he was at. The stringer didn't notice and strung Nadal's frames at his regular tension.

A tournament stringer should have been able to tell the difference...especially one who is tasked with stringing for Nadal.

 

[Ashley D]

since the power to spin ratio isn't balanced. But if he strung higher like 58-60 with 17 gauge will he acquire the same spin. That was what I was originally asking, maybe some future TW tests?

Just wondering what you mean by "isn't balanced". Do you mean it's not the same ratio as a thicker gauge?

 

[Chyeaah]

Just wondering what you mean by "isn't balanced". Do you mean it's not the same ratio as a thicker gauge?

Spin brings the ball down. But since Nadal was hitting out with the 17 gauge, the 17 gauge brings more power than spin, if the power and spin both equally go up he wouldn't be hitting out.

 

[scotus]

A tournament stringer should have been able to tell the difference...especially one who is tasked with stringing for Nadal.

Nadal should have been able to tell the difference the moment he laid eyes on the string bed.

 

[Rabbit]

Maybe they just don't pay that much attention to gear?