The General HYBRID stringing advice thread !

[ClubHoUno]

This thread is for hybrid stringing advice

Feel free to post your opinions, comments and hybrid experiences in here

I use this small note I wrote some time ago, when I have doubts about what tension to use in my Hybrids.

Hybrid Advice for you!

When you hybrid a poly string in the mains with a softer string in the crosses - use the thinnest possible gauge for the CoPoly in the mains and consider going for a CoPoly of the newer generation with a TWISTED and edged surface like for instance Signum Pro Tornado, Tecnifibre BlackCode and WeissCannon TurboTwist for extra control, spin and comfort.
Use a thicker gauge for the softer string in the crosses for extra control, tension stability and durability.

When you hybrid Natty GUT in the mains with a poly in the crosses, go for the thinnest possible Natty GUT string, that your wallet can accept. If you don't break strings often, consider my favorite Natty GUT string - Babolat VS TEAM 17, best gut string ever made in my view.
The poly you use for the crosses in this hybrid should NOT have an edged or TWISTED surface, because you don't get the spin from cross strings anyway and the TWISTED or edged shape of the CoPoly in the crosses will cut faster into the Natty GUT in the mains thus shortening the overall life of the Natty GUT hybrid. Instead ALWAYS go for a SMOOTH surfaced poly as cross string in a hybrid with Natty GUT mains and preferably of a thicker gauge, because the thicker gauge will not cut into the main Natty GUT strings as fast as a thinner gauge would.

You should also consider using Babolat Elastocross String savers, which will stiffen the string bed up slightly but more than double the durability of the hybrid (I use anything from 48-60 string savers in all my racquets with Natty GUT in them)

GENERAL RULE regarding string tension in hybrids !

You should always look and aim at getting a Constant StringBed Stiffness (CSBS) in your racquet.

Therefore you always string the soft string in a hybrid 2-4 lbs HIGHER than the stiff string in your hybrid - NO MATTER WHERE THE SOFT STRING IS PLACED IN THE HYBRID.

So when you hybrid a poly mains with a Prime Multi crosses, string the poly 2-4 lbs LOWER than the Prime Multi.
When you hybrid Natty GUT mains with a poly crosses, string the Natty gut 2-4 lbs HIGHER than the poly.

 

[kslick]

Ok without the debate, what about Poly mains and GUT crosses.

 

[tennisINmyBLOOD]

My take on my first poly/multi hybrid.

I strung MSV Focus Hex 1.18 mm on the mains at 52 lbs and Tecnifibre Multifeel 17 crosses at 54 lbs on my Dunlop Aerogel 4D 300 Tour. I usually string multi's at 57 and synthetic guts at 55.

COMFORT: I have a history of shoulder problems, which probably came from my PDGT (which I strung with multis at 60 lbs). Using this setup on my 300 Tour gave me no shoulder problems. Lowering the tension a bit helped with the comfort tremendously. When I took MSV out of the package, it appeared to be a very soft co-poly. Multifeel did a very good job of softening up the MSV... it made the string bed feel significantly softer than if you put synthetic gut on the crosses. I've played with this setup for about three hours... no elbow soreness or shoulder soreness. Usually a synthetic gut at 58 on my PDGT would leave my arm sore after one hour of play. For all you arm sufferers, try out this hybrid! Your shoulder can't be more fragile than mine.

POWER: Power is there when you need it. Performs very well at the baseline and if you take a good cut at the ball, you will wow your opponent. I haven't played with too many poly/multi setups, but this setup will definitely give you power (it does take a good whacking to get the ball going though). You will get more power after the poly has lost tension and "broken in"

CONTROL: Amazing, amazing. Even at low tensions, I was surprised at how well I could control the ball. I could take a huge swing at the ball and it would still land in. The faster I swung, the more control I got. It is only when my strokes are sloppy that my balls fly out. Definitely way more control than what you get from synthetic or multi at mid tension. You are in control of the ball now, not the strings.

SPIN/SLICE: This is where the MSV shined. It's hexagonal shaped really influenced the ball. Slices were easier to generate than ever, and I noticed a significant increase in topspin. This is actually the only textured/twisted string that I've found to have an effect on topspin.

FEEL: Very crisp feeling. I don't think you can get anymore feel out of a poly. Great for touch shots.

OVERALL: This setup is great for those who have arm problems, but want to use poly for the added spin. Also great for topspin players who prefer a softer stringbed than full poly. Perfect for anyone who likes to take a big cut at the ball without killing their arm.

 

[Power Player]

Great post Huono.

Question. I was playing full poly at a lower tension (54#s) for a while. While I get a lot of spin, the power is more then I needed and the trajectory of the ball is a little high off the bed (I use 18x20).

I bought a racquet strung with Timo mains and Stamina cross at 62#s. Timo at 62#s would be a nightmare scenario for your arm on paper, but not only did the racquet feel incredible, the power and control was perfect. This really stunned me.

So I am wondering if stringing a hybrid at a higher tension like this is normal. I am going to do Cyberflash 17 at 60 and Gamma Synethic 15 at 62#s to try. Normally I would string a full bed of CF at 54#s.

I love synthetic gut in a hybrid. The feel is 1,000 times better then a multi.

 

[ClubHoUno]

Ok without the debate, what about Poly mains and GUT crosses.

Try to string 4 lbs lower tension on the poly mains than the nat gut crosses. Use at least a 16 gauge for the nat GUT crosses, if you have a racquet with a large head and open string pattern, you could go with a 15L gauge nat gut in the crosses for better durability and slightly better tension maintenance.

If you use Luxilon mains, expect this setup to die within 5-6 hours unless you break it before that........

what about natty mains with a prime multi cross?

Will play close to a full nat GUT setup in my opinion. Expect some string movement here..... Use string savers for extra durability.

The nat GUT will eat into the Prime Multi faster than you think, so use these darn small stringsavers AND get the multi in 16 gauge.

Great post Huono.

Question. I was playing full poly at a lower tension (54#s) for a while. While I get a lot of spin, the power is more then I needed and the trajectory of the ball is a little high off the bed (I use 18x20).

I bought a racquet strung with Timo mains and Stamina cross at 62#s. Timo at 62#s would be a nightmare scenario for your arm on paper, but not only did the racquet feel incredible, the power and control was perfect. This really stunned me.

So I am wondering if stringing a hybrid at a higher tension like this is normal. I am going to do Cyberflash 17 at 60 and Gamma Synethic 15 at 62#s to try. Normally I would string a full bed of CF at 54#s.

I love synthetic gut in a hybrid. The feel is 1,000 times better then a multi.

Thanks P Player

Suprised that you prefer a Synth. Gut to a Prime Multi in hybrids. I've tried Gosen OG MICRO, PRINCE SGD, Forten Sweet and Tecnifibre Synth. Gut and didn't like them that much in hybrids.
Much prefer a Prime Multi here.....

Go to admit, that Forten Sweet is one of the better cheap soft strings out there though......

 

[ClubHoUno]

My take on my first poly/multi hybrid.

I strung MSV Focus Hex 1.18 mm on the mains at 52 lbs and Tecnifibre Multifeel 17 crosses at 54 lbs on my Dunlop Aerogel 4D 300 Tour. I usually string multi's at 57 and synthetic guts at 55.

COMFORT: I have a history of shoulder problems, which probably came from my PDGT (which I strung with multis at 60 lbs). Using this setup on my 300 Tour gave me no shoulder problems. Lowering the tension a bit helped with the comfort tremendously. When I took MSV out of the package, it appeared to be a very soft co-poly. Multifeel did a very good job of softening up the MSV... it made the string bed feel significantly softer than if you put synthetic gut on the crosses. I've played with this setup for about three hours... no elbow soreness or shoulder soreness. Usually a synthetic gut at 58 on my PDGT would leave my arm sore after one hour of play. For all you arm sufferers, try out this hybrid! Your shoulder can't be more fragile than mine.

POWER: Power is there when you need it. Performs very well at the baseline and if you take a good cut at the ball, you will wow your opponent. I haven't played with too many poly/multi setups, but this setup will definitely give you power (it does take a good whacking to get the ball going though). You will get more power after the poly has lost tension and "broken in"

CONTROL: Amazing, amazing. Even at low tensions, I was surprised at how well I could control the ball. I could take a huge swing at the ball and it would still land in. The faster I swung, the more control I got. It is only when my strokes are sloppy that my balls fly out. Definitely way more control than what you get from synthetic or multi at mid tension. You are in control of the ball now, not the strings.

SPIN/SLICE: This is where the MSV shined. It's hexagonal shaped really influenced the ball. Slices were easier to generate than ever, and I noticed a significant increase in topspin. This is actually the only textured/twisted string that I've found to have an effect on topspin.

FEEL: Very crisp feeling. I don't think you can get anymore feel out of a poly. Great for touch shots.

OVERALL: This setup is great for those who have arm problems, but want to use poly for the added spin. Also great for topspin players who prefer a softer stringbed than full poly. Perfect for anyone who likes to take a big cut at the ball without killing their arm.

Thanks for your review

Nice reading !

 

[kslick]

Try to string 4 lbs lower tension on the poly mains than the nat gut crosses. Use at least a 16 gauge for the nat GUT crosses, if you have a racquet with a large head and open string pattern, you could go with a 15L gauge nat gut in the crosses for better durability and slightly better tension maintenance.

If you use Luxilon mains, expect this setup to die within 5-6 hours unless you break it before that........



No Luxs for me, its Pro Line II and I have an OS Radical so 18x19 tight string pattern.

 

[tennisINmyBLOOD]

Since I don't want to start a new thread, I'll post another one of my hybrid experiences. I'll be comparing it to the MSV Focus Hex/Multifeel 17 hybrid I posted earlier. I did string these setups on different rackets, so the comparison may not be very accurate. Just reporting my experience. I hit with Polystar Energy 1.25 on the mains with Multifeel 17 on the crosses today for an hour. Strung at 53/55 on a PDGT.

COMFORT: Definitely one of the most comfortable poly/multi hybrids out there. If you hit in the sweetspot consistently, you will find a very plush feeling. Focus Hex/Multifeel hybrid feels a bit "raw" compared to setup. Much more plush. No arm problems yet. Beware though, if you like to hit near the top of the frame or hit off-center often, it will feel like a board. Otherwise, Polystar Energy may be slightly softer than MSV Focus Hex. As usual, Multifeel did an excellent job of softening up the stringbed.

POWER: Plenty of power here. The Polystar Energy seemed to have less power than Focus Hex 1.18 mm due to the thicker gauge. Nonetheless, feel free to charge the net and kill with this setup. Back at the baseline, shots were consistently landing in with pace.

CONTROL: The Polystar Energy gave a very good amount of control... possibly more control than MSV Focus Hex It was very easy to put the ball in the direction you wanted it to go in. I didn't have any fear of overhitting like I usually do with synthetics/multis.

SPIN/SLICE: I didn't notice anything too special about this setup regarding spin or slice. Spin was more difficult to generate with this setup compared to the Focus Hex/Multifeel. Again, I really think the hexagonal shape of the Focus Hex gave the extra bite.

FEEL: Less feel than Focus Hex/Multifeel. Feels a bit more "dead" and not as lively. If you like the dead feel you find with other polys, look no more.

OVERALL: Another one of those comfort hybrids. Great for anyone who wants a plush feeling when hitting and for those who consistently hit the sweetspot. If you want the control out of a poly without having to cut off your arm, this is it. I only see a few differences between Focus Hex/Multifeel and Polystar Energy/Multifeel:

1. Focus Hex Hybrid has more spin, power, and feel. Feeling is crisp and "raw". Good for topspin players.
2. Polystar hybrid has more control and comfort. Has the traditional "dead" poly feel, but is very soft. Probably better for flatter hitters.

 

[Lawnmower]

I use VS mains and silverstring crosses in my prestige mids and I have never found a better feeling setup!

 

[David123]

Hey i am a 5.0 tennis player with a big forehand using the ksix one 95 (16x1. I recently got into the dilemma of which new string i'd want to try since i am getting a stringing machine. I have come down to these:

1. Signum Pro polyplasma 17L (1.1 or (1.23)?
2. Kirschbaum proline II 17L (1.20)
3. Kirschbaum II 17 (1.25)
4. signum hyperion (1.23)
5. Gosen OG Micro 17 (hyrbid with Topspin Cyberflash)
6. Weisscannon Silverstring
7. Signum Pro Tornado (1.23)
8. Tecnifibre Black Code 17
9.MSV Hex 1.10
10. Spin-X 1.23
11.Kirschbaum Touch Turbo

Which one would fit my game the best? or are there other ones which you may suggest? If so could you please give me some examples of good hybrids that would suit my game (as i have a big forehand, i like to hit flat through the ball and sometimes with topspin as well as a big serve). In addition i would rather like a racket with good playability (Feel, comfort, control) rather than a durable one.

Thanks.

P.S. Perferbly i would like reels that are from Tennis Warehouse and also that do not exceed the $200 mark.

I appriciate everyone who posts their opinion.

 

[fufu7889]

so if i usually string both mains and crosses at 58, then should i now try string the mains like 56 and the crosses 60 to have the feel of 58 or is it totally different?

 

[Power Player]

David, I am personally going to hybrid Cyberflash with SG like you listed. I think full poly is bad on the arm and feels crappy. The k6195 is really stiff, so I think your cyberflash hybrid could be a great idea. I am trying Gamma SG 15 gauge because when I tried Gosen, it broke way too fast for me. I would try the Cyberflash at 17 and the SG at 15 or 16 gauge.

 

[SlvrDragon50]

My take on my first poly/multi hybrid.

I strung MSV Focus Hex 1.18 mm on the mains at 52 lbs and Tecnifibre Multifeel 17 crosses at 54 lbs on my Dunlop Aerogel 4D 300 Tour. I usually string multi's at 57 and synthetic guts at 55.

POWER: Power is there when you need it. Performs very well at the baseline and if you take a good cut at the ball, you will wow your opponent. I haven't played with too many poly/multi setups, but this setup will definitely give you power (it does take a good whacking to get the ball going though). You will get more power after the poly has lost tension and "broken in"

CONTROL: Amazing, amazing. Even at low tensions, I was surprised at how well I could control the ball. I could take a huge swing at the ball and it would still land in. The faster I swung, the more control I got. It is only when my strokes are sloppy that my balls fly out. Definitely way more control than what you get from synthetic or multi at mid tension. You are in control of the ball now, not the strings.

Question: I tried a hybrid for the first time today and found that the balls were flying out constantly. I'd like to blame that today was the first time I've hit new balls in 2 years, but I don't think that's the problem. You say that the faster you swing, the more control you got. Does this pretty much mean that I MUST swing fast if I want to get control to keep the ball in? When I just barely hit the ball, the ball went flying.

Thanks

 

[Orion]

Question: I tried a hybrid for the first time today and found that the balls were flying out constantly. I'd like to blame that today was the first time I've hit new balls in 2 years, but I don't think that's the problem. You say that the faster you swing, the more control you got. Does this pretty much mean that I MUST swing fast if I want to get control to keep the ball in? When I just barely hit the ball, the ball went flying.

Thanks

If it was a poly hybrid, they usually take a session to really break in. Sounds more like your stroke may have been a little rusty and was breaking down on impact and follow through.

Good idea for a thread Club!! You say Natty keep saying Natty This is your thread after all. If the use of Natty offends someone maybe they ought look to other threads to quench their "cool" trolling.

Getting back on topic...

I recently used Prince Recoil crosses with VS mains (17g). I strung the VS at 56 and the Recoil at 60. The Recoil moved around alot the first 45 min but after the stringbed settled in it stayed put. It's still playing good but and allows me to take big cuts at the ball. I felt like the Recoil could have handled 62-65.

 

[Bashi]

is prince recoil a poly?

 

[Deathsticks]

Would Babolat Revenge 17 and Prince Synthetic Gut 16 work?
How about 18 gauge Revenge?

 

[ClubHoUno]

is prince recoil a poly?

I think it's best described as a hybrid of a multi and a poly

 

[jim e]

is prince recoil a poly?

Since it is listed as:
Construction: Solid Core with a filament wrap.

This seems to me would be more the definition of a syn. gut category.

 

[SlvrDragon50]

If I find that ground strokes are flying out when I hit with pace, do I raise the tension of the poly (main) or the multi (cross)?

Or both o.o

 

[ClubHoUno]

If I find that ground strokes are flying out when I hit with pace, do I raise the tension of the poly (main) or the multi (cross)?

Or both o.o

Try to raise tension on the crosses first and see if that corrects your problem.
if not try to raise it a bit on the mains......

 

[10ACE]

I just did MSV Evo HEX 17 at 59 mains and Maxim Touch 16 at 55, have not hit with it yet- not sure how that will go with the poly higher

 

[nickarnold2000]

Does everyone here agree that the softer string in a hybrid should be strung at 2-4 lbs higher than the stiffer string? I'm presently using a Tornado 17 & Sweet 17 at 47/45 and it's working very well.

 

[arche3]

what is the general consensus on using a shaped main in a natural gut cross hrbrid? like luxilon rough or spin on mains with VS gut 16 crosses?

I like the alu power mains VS crosses but am looking for a bit more bite. I think the shaped strings might decrease the life of the string job by cutting through the crosses? yes?

 

[skyzoo]

Anyone Use a poly/co-poly hybrid in their racquet and if so tell me your experience.

 

[nickarnold2000]

Does everyone here agree that the softer string in a hybrid should be strung at 2-4 lbs higher than the stiffer string? I'm presently using a Tornado 17 & Sweet 17 at 47/45 and it's working very well.

Ok kids, now back to this thread's topic. Please see above

 

[ClubHoUno]

Ok kids, now back to this thread's topic. Please see above

Yes, I agree.

If I use a softer type of poly, like Hyperion/BlackCode I typically string them 3-4 lbs lower than the gut. If it's a stiffer poly, for instance a Luxilon Alu POwer Rough, I string them 4-5 lbs lower than the softer gut.

This is to obtain an even Constant Stringbed Stiffness in the frame.

 

[diredesire]

Yes, I agree.

If I use a softer type of poly, like Hyperion/BlackCode I typically string them 3-4 lbs lower than the gut. If it's a stiffer poly, for instance a Luxilon Alu POwer Rough, I string them 4-5 lbs lower than the softer gut.

This is to obtain an even Constant Stringbed Stiffness in the frame.

Yes, I agree, too. Posting vulgar language, insults, and pictures will only lead to a ban. Cheers.

 

[ClubHoUno]

Yes, I agree, too. Posting vulgar language, insults, and pictures will only lead to a ban. Cheers.

Thanks

10 char

 

[PeterCharvet]

ClubHoUno =

:lol:

 

[bad_call]

Does everyone here agree that the softer string in a hybrid should be strung at 2-4 lbs higher than the stiffer string? I'm presently using a Tornado 17 & Sweet 17 at 47/45 and it's working very well.

everyone? wouldn't go that far but in agreement from this poster.

but you already knew that stringing fact.

 

[Casco]

what is the general consensus on using a shaped main in a natural gut cross hrbrid? like luxilon rough or spin on mains with VS gut 16 crosses?

I like the alu power mains VS crosses but am looking for a bit more bite. I think the shaped strings might decrease the life of the string job by cutting through the crosses? yes?

Yes. A shaped string will certainly saw into the string with which it is crossed. To get extra bite from the co-poly mains go with a thin guage.

 

[tennisINmyBLOOD]

Just realized that ClubHoUno was banned... interesting.

 

[nickarnold2000]

everyone? wouldn't go that far but in agreement from this poster.

but you already knew that stringing fact.

Hey Bad Call, actually I only read this "softer string 2-4 lbs higher tension" info a week or so ago. Do you use this tension technique yourself?
On another note, hopefully they banned Club only for a short while - I thought he was quite knowledgeable.
I think Peter is going to join Club very soon thou!

 

[bad_call]

Hey Bad Call, actually I only read this "softer string 2-4 lbs higher tension" info a week or so ago. Do you use this tension technique yourself?
On another note, hopefully they banned Club only for a short while - I thought he was quite knowledgeable.
I think Peter is going to join Club very soon thou!

hi nickarnold - i actually found that out stringing different strings. can't beat first hand experience.

 

[tennisplayer132]

can somebody help me out? I'm trying to find a string to hybrid with Luxilon Big Alu Big Banger Power. I was thinking of maybe x-1? I cant afford natural gut so that is not an option.

 

[Confusedaboutgear]

can somebody help me out? I'm trying to find a string to hybrid with Luxilon Big Alu Big Banger Power. I was thinking of maybe x-1? I cant afford natural gut so that is not an option.

17$ for a half set from pacific. Cmonnn you know you want it :twisted:

 

[bad_call]

can somebody help me out? I'm trying to find a string to hybrid with Luxilon Big Alu Big Banger Power. I was thinking of maybe x-1? I cant afford natural gut so that is not an option.

using Gosen OGSM with BBO mains. nice pop and comfy.

 

[rlee7777]

Best hybrids in my experience:

Klip Legend 16 Gut mains / Weisscannon Silverstring 1.20mm - Superb comfort with control (better than full gut), great putaway power.

Weisscannon SS 1.20mm mains / Forten Sweet 17 -- Good comfort, but superior control. Sweetspot seems much larger and consistent -- strung the Forten Sweet 3 lbs higher than SS mains. Linear feeling power response. Crisp, good feel.

 

[MuscleWeave]

When crossing a soft poly with a nylon main string, is it better to use a stiffer multi or synth gut in the mains, for a more uniform stiffness to the stringbed?

Or is it better for the crosses to be stiffer, for more directional precision?

 

[JackB1]

I hope someone can answer this.....

If I am hybriding a textured quasi multi, like Gamma Asterisk Tour with a soft multi like Maxim Touch, would I string the Gamma a bit lower or should I leave both the same?

 

[JackB1]

I hope someone can answer this.....

If I am hybriding a textured quasi multi, like Gamma Asterisk Tour with a soft multi like Maxim Touch, would I string the Gamma a bit lower or should I leave both the same?

can anyone answer?

 

[MuscleWeave]

At equal tensions, the softer string in the crosses will widen the sweet spot; softer string in the mains will give the sweet spot more reach. Adjust tensions accordingly, but not by much.

 

[craniopath]

On the risk of sounding totally dumb. Say you have a hybrid setup and the mains broke, do you cut both mains and crosses or can you use the crosses again for the next hybrid?

 

[baek57]

Cut them out and restring the entire bed.

 

[tennisaddict2223]

Ok without the debate, what about Poly mains and GUT crosses.

Actually I use Gamma Live Wire 16 in the mains at 57lbs and tour bite 17 at 55lbs in the crosses and the amount of spin, power, and feel is incredible. The strings hardly move at all so there is no real saw effect from the tour bite on the Live Wire and honestly it feels great. I have been using this setup for about a year now and have no reason to go back to a traditional hybrid setup. It lasts me about 2 to 2 1/2 weeks depending on whether I have more than one match and if I rotate racquets every set, it lasts me even longer.

 

[fortun8son]

Using softer strings in the mains will give you more feel.
Poly or Kevlar mains give more control and are less likely to break.
The mains will dominate the crosses.( i.e poly mains feel like poly, gut mains feel like gut)
I usually pull the softer string 4-5lbs higher to even the SBS,but those who string even tension or lower crosses have good arguments in their favor as well.

 

[fortun8son]

On the risk of sounding totally dumb. Say you have a hybrid setup and the mains broke, do you cut both mains and crosses or can you use the crosses again for the next hybrid?

Definitely cut them all out.
You may be able to save mains, but you CANNOT save crosses!
The frame will implode! And what about the knots?
The only time you would attempt to change the crosses is with nat gut mains, and you'd better know what you're doing, or it can still implode.

And, at the risk of being obvious, cut from the center-out, cutting a main and a cross at the same time, and alternate sides to even tension loss.
Depending on how good your shears are. Diagonal cutters and scissors just don't cut it!
I use Xuron micro-shears (they cut metal!) or Craftsman mini end-nippers. Both are great for cutting sharp tips on your string as well.
Some garden shears work, too, if you have to work fast.

 

[tennisaddict2223]

Using softer strings in the mains will give you more feel.
Poly or Kevlar mains give more control and are less likely to break.
The mains will dominate the crosses.( i.e poly mains feel like poly, gut mains feel like gut)
I usually pull the softer string 4-5lbs higher to even the SBS,but those who string even tension or lower crosses have good arguments in their favor as well.

Isn't that the whole idea though of stringing a racquet, to keep the feel but add durability and spin. I think having the poly in the crosses lasts almost as long as poly in the mains. I do not hit very hard but I like to think I add a good bit of spin to the ball and have not had to string my racquets that often of course I am alternating though since I have three.

 

[flume]

I've tried 17g poly mains and went with the advice to use 16g crosses for better durability.
Any theories on how changing to 16g mains will change the performance?
Same durability? Worse?
Worse spin? Better? (I keep wondering if the 16g crosses "hide" the surface of the 17g mains and give less contact for spin)

 

[flume]

I've tried 17g poly mains and went with the advice to use 16g crosses for better durability.

note, these are 16g syn gut crosses