Tension differential for a poly main/multi cross

[MoxMonkey]

I strung a racquet for a hitting partner at the club last week, using tier one triumph (multi) at 56 lbs, and head hawk 17g(poly) at around 52 lbs. He said the setup was great.

He asked to have a different racquet strung with 16g hyper g in n the mains and diadem impulse (16g multi) in the crosses.

Polys tend to be strung lower than gut/multi, and often crosses are lower than the mains. But since the mains are poly and the crosses are multi, would it be good sense to string them both around the same tension?

In a general sense of speaking, if a poly/poly setup where strung at 55/52 would a poly/multi setup be around 55/55?

 

[JamesV]

The poly mains strung tighter and the multi crosses strung looser is the general approach (if there is one). The thought being the multi crosses are there to soften the stringbed.

I think since the multi crosses are a softer string anyway, stringing the crosses and mains at the same tension will result in similar softening of the string bed just based on a stiffer poly (mains) and the softer multi (crosses).

I string my own racquets and I am nuts enough to go slightly looser on the poly mains for more power/string movement and spin and compensate by stringing the soft multi at a slightly higher tension to balance out the control factor, since the multi is a soft string anyway it still softens the string bed as intended. This works for me. Strings and tensions are like racquets weight, balance, stiffness and head size. It's all based on what feels right and works on court for you. It's just good to understand what factors and characteristics of racquets and strings affect play on court so you can experiment intelligently and purposefully to find what's right for you to use in your game.

 

[BlueB]

I would string them at about the same tension.
That being said, why waste multi in the crosses, syngut is good enough.

 

[satchmo_d]

The poly mains strung tighter and the multi crosses strung looser is the general approach (if there is one). The thought being the multi crosses are there to soften the stringbed.

I think since the multi crosses are a softer string anyway, stringing the crosses and mains at the same tension will result in similar softening of the string bed just based on a stiffer poly (mains) and the softer multi (crosses).

Interesting approach - I’ve been doing it exactly opposite for a while with poly mains strung at 50 and multi crosses between 54 and 55. The reason, as it was explained to me, is that the multi is softer to begin with so no need to go lower than the crosses But you still get a softer bed overall.

 

[Return_Ace]

I usually string 50M/55X, since as your said, i was always told to string poly 10% lower than a multi setup.

Never really tried any different tbh, but i think I'm going to start experimenting with it.

 

[flanker2000fr]

Multis are typically softer and more powerful than polys, so I string my Triax crosses a couple of lbs higher than my Ice Code or 4G Soft mains. I wouldn't want to go higher than a 2-3lbs tension differential, as it could deform the frame.

Personally I wouldn't use a shape poly in a hybrid with a multi or gut as I would be concerned that the latter would fray much too quickly.

 

[MoxMonkey]

Personally I wouldn't use a shape poly in a hybrid with a multi or gut as I would be concerned that the latter would fray much too quickly.

That had crossed my mind. Hyper g is pretty sharp and that multi stretched like a gummy bear. I told the man I thought the crosses would get eaten up by the mains. Either way I think he just wanted to string up an older racquet from around his college days.

 

[Steve Huff]

When I've strung a poly/multi or a multi/poly, I normally string the multi about 5# tighter than the poly. Not sure who said to string the multi looser, but I don't know any of the people that I string for requesting it that way.

 

[JamesV]

I would string them at about the same tension.
That being said, why waste multi in the crosses, syngut is good enough.

Try a full bed of syn gut and a full bed of multi and you will see the difference.

 

[BlueB]

Try a full bed of syn gut and a full bed of multi and you will see the difference.

I have tried. Multi is horrible. The only way I like it, is as mains at very high tension crossed with poly. Even then, I don't see why it shouldn't be the natural gut.

 

[AceyMan]

Well,

Depending on the pattern, usually ~ 2kg more in the multi crosses (around 5 yw = yankeeweight ) is the proper differential.

Case in point: this week I installed a poly/NG hybrid in a Prestige MP (=> 18x20) with the YPTA mains at 46 and the Lux NG 1.25 mm crosses at 50.

HTH,

/Acey

 

[andyN]

Well,

Depending on the pattern, usually ~ 2kg more in the multi crosses (around 5 yw = yankeeweight ) is the proper differential.

Case in point: this week I installed a poly/NG hybrid in a Prestige MP (=> 18x20) with the YPTA mains at 46 and the Lux NG 1.25 mm crosses at 50.

HTH,

/Acey

is this your normal setup? or was this an experimental setup?

Im trying to find a NG/Poly but can't seem to find a good setup. I have RA in my wrists so I can't go too tight so I opt for NG/poly at 48,44 and 50/46... its just feels unbalanced for some reason, like driving on unbalanced tires
I also feel like you have to string NG high in the 50s to get that crisps power feel .. no?
at 46lbs, 48lbs its just too soft, the ball just sits in the string bed way too long

 

[MoxMonkey]

Im trying to find a NG/Poly but can't seem to find a good setup.

I misread the Federers tensions and incorrectly strung my RF97A at about 51/49 with 16g vs gut and 17g rpm blast black.

It was a rocket launcher. I couldn't do anything well with it.

I cut it out and strung again same setup at around 59/55.

That was great. I was blown away by the difference in playability and feel. It felt like I could point to which main/cross intersection I made contact with the ball on.

I don't claim to know the right tension for anyone, but did learn how huuuge of a difference those lbs of tension can make.

As far as harshness I would say the gut tuned high still felt plush, but I haven't experienced arm trouble, so I don't know if I am a good reference for that.

 

[AceyMan]

is this your normal setup? or was this an experimental setup?

This was my recommendation to a regular client.

Experimental, insofar I've never installed that exact setup in that exact frame, but based on proven experience.

We actually hit balls tonight and he commented how much he is liking it. It's not a rocket launcher; mind you that the Prestige is a de facto 95 in² hoop in 18x20 so those tensions are appropriate.

/Acey