Hey guys, I'm planning on a syngut/multi poly hybrid (guts just too expensive in Canada), and so far I've decided on using 4g as the poly because of its tension maintenance. I had my eyes set on using NXT Tour for the mains, but there are a few people on these forums saying that they don't last very long, which doesn't exactly sell me on it. Anybody have any suggestions?
SynGut/Multi Poly Hybrid
- Thread starter Caveat
- Start date
neverstopplaying
Professional
I've tried multi mains/poly crosses a few times and my experience is similar to many other posters:
multi mains won't last very long;
multi mains don't offer a consistent string bed throughout their life. Usually the 1st outing is the best; then it gets mushy, then it wears and snaps. The exception would be if you don't hit hard, or maybe if you're using an 18x20.
You would be better putting your poly in the mains and the multi or synthetic gut in the crosses. It's softer than full poly and lasts much longer than putting multi in mains. Lastly, the loss of tension in the multi is less noticeable.
multi mains won't last very long;
multi mains don't offer a consistent string bed throughout their life. Usually the 1st outing is the best; then it gets mushy, then it wears and snaps. The exception would be if you don't hit hard, or maybe if you're using an 18x20.
You would be better putting your poly in the mains and the multi or synthetic gut in the crosses. It's softer than full poly and lasts much longer than putting multi in mains. Lastly, the loss of tension in the multi is less noticeable.
E
eaglesburg
Guest
For me 4g didn't last long at all.
Good post. I should mention I have the Biphase as the cross, Big Banger in the main. One racquet is 18x20, one 16x19, and one 18x19.
If i put the poly in the mains, would the quality of the syngut/multi still matter?
neverstopplaying
Professional
Yes the multi that you use will still make a difference, but you don't have to buy a premium multi. A fellow poster, Mikeler, has a very detailed thread on multis. I believe that he always does a poly/multi hybrid in his racquets. You can read his thoughts.
One of his favorites is/was Genesis Thunder Blast. I use it quite often - it is inexpensive (you can buy a reel at a good discount). Another one that I like is Mantis Comfort synthetic - can also buy in a reel from TW. This one is a little less powerful but play is similar.
I string for about dozen frequent players and this is a popular setup with them. Some go through the multi too fast and then I switch a thicker synthetic gut in the crosses, which seems to work for them.
One of his favorites is/was Genesis Thunder Blast. I use it quite often - it is inexpensive (you can buy a reel at a good discount). Another one that I like is Mantis Comfort synthetic - can also buy in a reel from TW. This one is a little less powerful but play is similar.
I string for about dozen frequent players and this is a popular setup with them. Some go through the multi too fast and then I switch a thicker synthetic gut in the crosses, which seems to work for them.
I looked through most of his reviews, and they're based on the string in a full bed. Do their traits carry over to a hybrid, but have a lesser impact because it is being used as a cross?
0d1n
Hall of Fame
Poly strings just cut multi strings...and if you're hitting that ball with any sort of spin the multi mains durability will be a disaster.
From my perspective if you're looking for a "cheap champions choice replacement" a synthetic gut main is a better option than a multi.
It is slightly crisper in feel and the durability will be better.
Gosen OG Sheep 16 could work well. If you use a powerful poly in the crosses the results might be similar to a gut / low powered poly cross. However, obviously the tension maintenance will be less stellar so you'll see more variability during the life of the string bed.
Also...the durability will be less than gut (about half of it in my experience, when talking about the same string thickness).
Still...the price will be 10 times less for those mains, so it may be worth the trade-off for you.
Currently testing gut mains poly cross and I'm using a Tecnifibre 15L or Gosen 16 syn gut with the same poly cross as my "wet weather setup". It works well enough...
From my perspective if you're looking for a "cheap champions choice replacement" a synthetic gut main is a better option than a multi.
It is slightly crisper in feel and the durability will be better.
Gosen OG Sheep 16 could work well. If you use a powerful poly in the crosses the results might be similar to a gut / low powered poly cross. However, obviously the tension maintenance will be less stellar so you'll see more variability during the life of the string bed.
Also...the durability will be less than gut (about half of it in my experience, when talking about the same string thickness).
Still...the price will be 10 times less for those mains, so it may be worth the trade-off for you.
Currently testing gut mains poly cross and I'm using a Tecnifibre 15L or Gosen 16 syn gut with the same poly cross as my "wet weather setup". It works well enough...
Last edited:
mikeler
Moderator
Genesis Thunder Blast is my favorite multi cross. Mantis Comfort Synthetic is great too especially if you want more arm comfort. Signum Pro Micronite/Discho Microfibre are my favorite multis in a full bed but are a little too expensive to use as a cross.
eelhc
Hall of Fame
Head rip control used to be my favorite multi to cross poly with but that was when it was $7/set. Quite a few folks here liked the string as well in a full bed/hybrid. Head noticed apparently and raised the price to $11.
I've run out of stash and since I've been stringing Poly at low tensions... 45lbs and lower. I stick to the soft poly/co-polys and I'm liking the full poly better than any Hybrid setup. I do have my own stringing machine and religiously re-string before the poly goes dead.
I've run out of stash and since I've been stringing Poly at low tensions... 45lbs and lower. I stick to the soft poly/co-polys and I'm liking the full poly better than any Hybrid setup. I do have my own stringing machine and religiously re-string before the poly goes dead.
I looked through my local tennis shop's website, and they don't have those brands (living in Canada sucks.) Are there any multi crosses you enjoyed that were from the larger brands? (Babolat, Wilson, Luxilon, Technifibre, Prince, Head, Prince etc) that didn't break the bank? Thanks for your help!
neverstopplaying
Professional
I looked through my local tennis shop's website, and they don't have those brands (living in Canada sucks.) Are there any multi crosses you enjoyed that were from the larger brands? (Babolat, Wilson, Luxilon, Technifibre, Prince, Head, Prince etc) that didn't break the bank? Thanks for your help!
As a fellow Canadian, your best bet is to order a reel of each on line from the USA. You will be able to find a local stringer that will charge you for the service only ($15?).
I just finished a match. We both had Tourna BHB7 mains & and Genesis Thunderblast crosses. It is a very nice setup. If you want to try something similar it to see if you like it first, you will probably have to buy Babolat RPM, and a softer multi... maybe Wilsons NXT. These are both really popular in Pro shops and sports stores.
mikeler
Moderator
Yes this is another good multi. I'm trying to remember if I used it as a cross though.
Muppet
Legend
You could try your luck with Pro's Pro strings. Their distributor in the U.S. compares most of their strings to a big brand string, so you have an idea what you'll be getting. And the reel prices are very low, so it's less of a risk. For a basic shaped(5) black poly, I found Black Out to be excellent. A little stiffer and a little lower power. The american outlet is very easy to find through Google.
neverstopplaying
Professional
Do they have good multis also?
Is there a significant difference between Prince Premier Control and Prince Premier Power, or are their differences very minor?
Muppet
Legend
The only PP multi I've tried is Hex Multi. They compare it to Dunlop Hexy Fiber, but I found that it went mushy a lot faster than Hexy. It's worth trying some of them out though, at the prices they're offering.
neverstopplaying
Professional
Thanks for responding.
