String recommendation for hybrid setup on Blade 98 16x19 v8

[Superafro]

Hi,
as the title says I would like to try some hybrid setup with on my Blade 98 16x19.

I actually have very little knowledge on this topic and don't even know if I should try multi or synthetic gut in combination with a poly string.
I am an intermediate player and am really anything but string experienced.
I played the Blade with Luxilon Adrenaline strung at two different tension. one at 25KG , one at 23KG. I liked to 23KG tension better, the 25kg could get a littler to hard on my shoulder and harder to get big power.

I would be happy for any recommendation and an explanation WHY you recommend your pick.
The combo should keep tension rather well as I restring every 2-4 months only and the strings shouldn't be too expensive because I don't know If I really feel the differences too much.

Thanks

 

[jimmy8]

I have the same racket and my favorite string setup is tourna big hitter silver 1.25 in the mains at 52 lbs and head velocity 1.30 natural at 48 lbs. It is a very good combination of power, control, spin, feel. It has very good durability and tension maintenance. It is very inexpensive.

Note: Other colors of head velocity are stiffer and don't play as well.

Note: I think synthetic gut doesn't play as consistently as multifilament strings.

 

[Fintft]

Big Spin/Tour Hex
@galapagos has explained it better than I can do

 

[Superafro]

Thanks so far. I checked the TW hybrid builder for buying a new racket (I want to buy a second one). Unfortunately the choice is very limited. Could you recommend something with what’s choosable there?
Was thinking of yonex pro tour mains and tecnifibre nrg2 or x-one biphase.

Any thoughts on that ? Guess that would be the cheapest hybrid choice. Except for I would choose Head Rip control but I don’t think it’s good for durability if the string is not completely rounded.

 

[berkyboy]

I have the same racket and my favorite string setup is tourna big hitter silver 1.25 in the mains at 52 lbs and head velocity 1.30 natural at 48 lbs. It is a very good combination of power, control, spin, feel. It has very good durability and tension maintenance. It is very inexpensive.

Note: Other colors of head velocity are stiffer and don't play as well.

Note: I think synthetic gut doesn't play as consistently as multifilament strings.

I've read yellow mlt has good feel...have you tried it

 

[thecatch33]

I like Tier One Firewire Boost 17G in mine. Good mix of crispness, comfort, and spin for me. Tension maintenance and durability is among the best I've ever tried. At $11 on Amazon and often <$7 on sale if you buy direct from their website, can't go wrong giving it a try.

Velocity plays well and was definitely very easy on the arm and shoulder but it is a an inherently soft, muted string and the Blade v8 is also an inherently soft, muted racket so I found the combination TOO muted for me. Good option though if you can't take poly.

 

[jimmy8]

I've read yellow mlt has good feel...have you tried it

Yes, ive tried yellow velocity, it's stiffer than natural, and the feel is ok, but not as good as natural.

 

[socallefty]

Hi,
as the title says I would like to try some hybrid setup with on my Blade 98 16x19.

I actually have very little knowledge on this topic and don't even know if I should try multi or synthetic gut in combination with a poly string.
I am an intermediate player and am really anything but string experienced.
I played the Blade with Luxilon Adrenaline strung at two different tension. one at 25KG , one at 23KG. I liked to 23KG tension better, the 25kg could get a littler to hard on my shoulder and harder to get big power.

I would be happy for any recommendation and an explanation WHY you recommend your pick.
The combo should keep tension rather well as I restring every 2-4 months only and the strings shouldn't be too expensive because I don't know If I really feel the differences too much.

Thanks

If you restring every 2-4 months, you don’t sound like a candidate to play with poly as you are mostly playing with dead poly and not noticing the drop in performance. Try some fullbed Multis or gut.

 

[Superafro]

I will have to choose from what's available in the hybrid builder on tenniswarehouse (europe).

I really want to try a poly/multi or poly/syn-gut hybrid. but don't want to spend a fortune because I don't know if hybrid is for me, so I'd like to try it before trying more expensive solutions.
I can't even tell of poly/multi or multi/poly would be better.
All I know is I shouldn't use structered or shaoed polys for acceptable durability of the multi.

The following strings are available polies and multies for hybrid setup and are within a price range i could accept. It's unfortunately not a lot. I don't know why there is not more available for hybrid.

-Babolat Xcel natural(16)
-Head Rip Control natural (16)
-Luxilon 4G (16 and 16L) - this is the most expensive option and I would like to avoid for this test
-HyperG (16)
-Solinco Tou Bite(17)
-Tecnifibre NRG2 1.24
-Tecnifibre X-One Biphase 130 or 124
-Volkl Cyclone 1.25
-Yonex Poly Tour Pro 125 String Black
-Wilson Sensation (16 or 17)

what would you make a hybrid to try and why?

 

[SupahMan5000]

I will have to choose from what's available in the hybrid builder on tenniswarehouse (europe).

I really want to try a poly/multi or poly/syn-gut hybrid. but don't want to spend a fortune because I don't know if hybrid is for me, so I'd like to try it before trying more expensive solutions.
I can't even tell of poly/multi or multi/poly would be better.
All I know is I shouldn't use structered or shaoed polys for acceptable durability of the multi.

The following strings are available polies and multies for hybrid setup and are within a price range i could accept. It's unfortunately not a lot. I don't know why there is not more available for hybrid.

-Babolat Xcel natural(16)
-Head Rip Control natural (16)
-Luxilon 4G (16 and 16L) - this is the most expensive option and I would like to avoid for this test
-HyperG (16)
-Solinco Tou Bite(17)
-Tecnifibre NRG2 1.24
-Tecnifibre X-One Biphase 130 or 124
-Volkl Cyclone 1.25
-Yonex Poly Tour Pro 125 String Black
-Wilson Sensation (16 or 17)

what would you make a hybrid to try and why?

4G most expensive option? X-One is like $25 USD. A pack 4G is about $20

 

[Superafro]

in the hybrid builder you choose half-packs. 4G is 14€, X-one 13,00. probably because luxilon is american and tecnifibre french, so no import customs and tax here for tecnifibre,
i meant 4G is the most expensive poly option for half a set in the builder

 

[TennisJrDad]

Out of curiousity, why not a Gut / Poly Hybrid?

I will have to choose from what's available in the hybrid builder on tenniswarehouse (europe).

I really want to try a poly/multi or poly/syn-gut hybrid. but don't want to spend a fortune because I don't know if hybrid is for me, so I'd like to try it before trying more expensive solutions.
I can't even tell of poly/multi or multi/poly would be better.
All I know is I shouldn't use structered or shaoed polys for acceptable durability of the multi.

The following strings are available polies and multies for hybrid setup and are within a price range i could accept. It's unfortunately not a lot. I don't know why there is not more available for hybrid.

-Babolat Xcel natural(16)
-Head Rip Control natural (16)
-Luxilon 4G (16 and 16L) - this is the most expensive option and I would like to avoid for this test
-HyperG (16)
-Solinco Tou Bite(17)
-Tecnifibre NRG2 1.24
-Tecnifibre X-One Biphase 130 or 124
-Volkl Cyclone 1.25
-Yonex Poly Tour Pro 125 String Black
-Wilson Sensation (16 or 17)

what would you make a hybrid to try and why?

 

[Superafro]

Durability of gut isn't good as far as I know. PLus it's expensive. And I often play in humid weather, sometimes even slightly rainy so gut isn't really the best choice.

I'm thinking about trying Volkl Cyclone as mains and Babolat Xcel crosses. I can't really tell why, but it just came to my mind. xD

 

[Rosstour]

Durability of gut isn't good as far as I know. PLus it's expensive. And I often play in humid weather, sometimes even slightly rainy so gut isn't really the best choice.

I'm thinking about trying Volkl Cyclone as mains and Babolat Xcel crosses. I can't really tell why, but it just came to my mind. xD

The most fun I ever had hitting tennis balls was this racquet with a full bed of Luxilon Savage.

Volkl Cyclone Tour is similar. Shaped polys in this racquet are magic.

 

[TennisJrDad]

If you don't get it wet or bake it in a hot car, NG will outlast and hold tension better than most any other string out there.

Durability of gut isn't good as far as I know. PLus it's expensive. And I often play in humid weather, sometimes even slightly rainy so gut isn't really the best choice.

I'm thinking about trying Volkl Cyclone as mains and Babolat Xcel crosses. I can't really tell why, but it just came to my mind. xD

 

[Superafro]

yeah, it will be hard to impossible for me to keep it 100% dry all the time.
I just read VS Touch has a coating on it against humidity problems. would that help any?
which poly would you add. gut in mains or crosses and what tension?

you see, i have no idea and need help.

 

[TennisJrDad]

Luxilon NG I think is more durable than VS Touch. I know nothing about your health injury history, style and level of play, age/size, etc.

A very generic starting poing would be Luxilong NG in the mains at 54 with Luxilon 4G Soft in the crosses at 50. You may need to adjust up or down slightly, but you would have a better idea after you played that setup for a while.

yeah, it will be hard to impossible for me to keep it 100% dry all the time.
I just read VS Touch has a coating on it against humidity problems. would that help any?
which poly would you add. gut in mains or crosses and what tension?

you see, i have no idea and need help.

 

[Superafro]

only available natural gut in TW's hybrid builder is VS Touch.

Thinking about trying a syn gut/ multi instead NG , big difference? maybe babolat Xcel or tecnifibre X-one. Yonex PolyTour Pro as crosses. looks like a cheap alternative for a first try.

 

[Superafro]

ok I made a decision:
I will try VS Touch 1.30 in the mains and Yonex PolyPro Tour crosses.
what tensions would you recommend for my Racket?

 

[Wheelz]

ok I made a decision:
I will try VS Touch 1.30 in the mains and Yonex PolyPro Tour crosses.
what tensions would you recommend for my Racket?

I think I’ll do that as well in my ezone 98. i am not sure tension but maybe something like 55/53 or 55/52 ?!

 

[Superafro]

Hey people,

I had my blade string at 55/50 lbs (vs touch/poly pro tour).
Played it today and I have to say…
I don’t like it. In my opinion it’s way to soft and I was overhitting a lot. Maybe with a little time to get used to it I would be able to work it out.
But the soft feeling took any response and feel of the ball that I liked from the Blade when I got it. Volleys were also to long and/or high. I just couldn’t control the ball like I used to with the luxilon adrenaline full bed at 50lbs.

Now is this because I the tension is too low or just the playing feel of natural gut?
I only can say is I prefer the poly full bed after one Training with natural gut hybrid setup.

 

[TennisJrDad]

You may need a more control oriented cross, like Luxilon 4G Soft, Babolat RPM Power, Head Hawk, or Tecnifibre Razor Soft . Those are all more control oriented and performant in that regard then the Yonex Poly Pro Tour. If I were to do it over with one of those in the crosses and based on your results at 55/50, I would string the gut mains at 56 and the poly crosses at 52.

Hey people,

I had my blade string at 55/50 lbs (vs touch/poly pro tour).
Played it today and I have to say…
I don’t like it. In my opinion it’s way to soft and I was overhitting a lot. Maybe with a little time to get used to it I would be able to work it out.
But the soft feeling took any response and feel of the ball that I liked from the Blade when I got it. Volleys were also to long and/or high. I just couldn’t control the ball like I used to with the luxilon adrenaline full bed at 50lbs.

Now is this because I the tension is too low or just the playing feel of natural gut?
I only can say is I prefer the poly full bed after one Training with natural gut hybrid setup.

 

[BBender716]

For me, the blade is so cushy/a bit muted so I usually use a bit stiffer layup like some others suggested. Big Hitter Silver 7 Tour is my go to as a stiffer shaped poly to balance out a very soft/powerful frame like the Blade.