Stringing higher to account for tension loss on multifilament

[amiro555]

I am not a string breaker and typically restring my racquet every 3-5 months (after about 6-8 hours of play a week). My game is maybe 80% flat 20% spin.

While I string my own racquets, I don't particularly enjoy doing it and, while I know its not ideal, would prefer to keep the restringting at the same level of frequency.

I am switching over to multifilament strings (NRG2 17), which I have no real experience with, and was wondering if it made sense to string it at a higher tension to account for tension loss, which from what I read, these are prone to?
Say I would want it to "peak", or be at my ideal tension, maybe one month or so into the string job, is there a ball park number of incremental tension I should follow by considering this specific string (NRG2) and guage (17)?

Not sure I would want to get into pre-stretching, etc...

Any input would be greatly appreciated!

 

[WYK]

Tension loss on most multis is far less than you will experience with poly's. NRG was one of my my go to strings before I went to poly's along with Gamma Live Wire.
I strung it at 60# on a Diablo, 62-64 on a POG Mid. Much lower and I couldn't get the control I wanted.
I must add that once I went to poly I was amazed at how much more spin could be had over those choices, but NRG is butter to play with, and makes a nice noise.

 

[CosmosMpower]

Tension loss on most multis is far less than you will experience with poly's. NRG was one of my my go to strings before I went to poly's along with Gamma Live Wire.
I strung it at 60# on a Diablo, 62-64 on a POG Mid. Much lower and I couldn't get the control I wanted.
I must add that once I went to poly I was amazed at how much more spin could be had over those choices, but NRG is butter to play with, and makes a nice noise.

I agree with that in theory but I strung up a full bed of NRG2 and it lost about the same amount of tension as my usual 18 gauge polys. Around 15% in 5-7 hours of play.

 

[esgee48]

Use lower powered multifiber strings like Head Velocity, FXP or Rip Control. They will hold tension better. They are low powered, so string 2-3# below frames recommended mid point.

 

[WYK]

I agree with that in theory but I strung up a full bed of NRG2 and it lost about the same amount of tension as my usual 18 gauge polys. Around 15% in 5-7 hours of play.

Sounds like a good match for a hybrid if they both lose tension in the same amounts, and it will better limit string movement.
You won't find much out there that only loses 15% tension, let alone less, especially in 18 gauges. I assume you're using Timo or KBII?

But as I said earlier, with multi's, you can string them sky high and not feel much shock from the stringbed. I would start at 60# in 17g with those multis in an open pattern racquet, and see how it goes from there. If you have a constant pull or drop weight or an 18X20, you might do with 58# to start.

You should probably open this thread in the 'strings' section if you want more responses.

This tool may help as well. If you compare the tension loses, you'll notice they are showing synthetics are nearly twice as much tension retention as most poly's:

http://twu.tennis-warehouse.com/learning_center/comparestrings.php

 

[Steve Huff]

You really don't say what kind of string you are switching FROM. But, if from a poly, I'd increase tension about 5-7%, not to account for tension loss, but because it's that much more powerful. If you're switching from a synthetic gut, I'd increase tension by 3-4% for the same reason.

 

[amiro555]

Thank you all for your feedback and information. It is very helpful!

 

[ChanterRacquet]

Using the RacquetTune app, strung racquet with NRG2 at 55#, came off the stringer at 54.3, settled at 49.6 and stayed there for a month. Cut it out this morning as it was getting well frayed, not snapping back as well, and I have a tournament this weekend. So 9% drop over a month with most within first week where it then holds.

Same frame, but cyclone tour at 50# comes off the stringer at 41.8, settles to 35. Similar results with other polys like ultracable. So 37% drop before getting close to cutting it out for not snapping back.

I would say your experience is different from most. How are you checking tension? Just curious.