What direction to take with string experiments?

C

ClarkC

Hall of Fame
Stringing for my son, a good high school player. His current setup is a Wilson BLX 6.1 100 racket, hybrid string job: 54 pound Tourna BHB7 poly mains, 58 pounds Wilson Hollow Core syngut crosses; all strings are 16 gauge. Has a semi-western grip forehand that might be closer to full western, two-handed topspin backhand, will hit an aggressive one-hand slice backhand as well as using it defensively as needed. Tall, wants to serve big, likes to play at the net as well as the baseline. Only problem right now is getting enough spin. He hits somewhere between spinny and flat, but you would say flatter than a lot of players with his grip.

I experimented with replacing the syngut crosses with Wilson Sensation Control multis at the same 58 pound tension. He thought it had too much power, and the shots were sailing. So, getting more power is not the issue, and I would judge this also from watching him play matches; spin and control are the next improvements sought. He is probably not changing his stroke technique much at this point.

So, I am thinking of the following general strategy:

1) Experiment with different mains at same tension to see if he likes one better than BHB7. I have 40' of Weis Cannon Scorpion 1.22 that I got after reading various reviews and recommendations.

2) After choosing a better main (assuming he finds one he likes better), experiment with a different cross, keeping in mind that he does not want more power from it and a lot of strings probably feel more powerful than Wilson Hollow Core. That narrows the range of choices for experiment.

For both mains and crosses, I am considering experimenting with 17 gauge strings for spin and control while not trying to increase power. EDIT: Not too worried about durability. He does not break strings much. I restring when the polys start deadening, which is also about when the crosses are noticeably frayed. We never wait for broken strings to re-string. If 17g strings only last a week, no problem.

3) After settling on new strings, experiment with changing string tension. I don't know whether I should reduce tensions to try for more spin from the poly, or go for greater than 4 pounds of difference between mains and crosses, or what.

Note that he has four rackets and we can always use one to experiment. Note also that a prior history of wrist problems during his fast-growing years has made me leery of full-poly string jobs. Also not wild about changing rackets.

I am seeking comments on the overall strategy, as well as any recommendations on particular ideas within #1-3 above, especially if anyone has ever played with either BHB7 or Hollow Core and prefers some other strings for spin and control. Thanks.

EDIT: Strings already available for experimentation include the ones mentioned (BHB7, Hollow Core, Sensation Control, and Scorpion 1.22), plus Wilson Red Alert and some 16 gauge Gamma strings that came with the stringing machine: Asterisk Tour 16, Revelation 16, Synthetic Gut 16 w/ Wearguard, TNT2 16, Challenger 16 Synthetic Gut. I know nothing about the usefulness of any of these Gamma strings, and I am not limited to this list -- I will buy recommended strings for experiments if they make sense.
 
Last edited:
I find one as a baseline and then tried a stack of others at the same tension.

I chose the others based on the first one. I use the string comparison database to compare a group of strings. I use stiffness, total tension loss and energy return as my main guides.

E.g. - the below.. fyi, I put the two syn guts at the top in as a reference points (since I've used them before). Generally the stiffer a string the looser you'll need string it to counter the extra 'harshness'... but then you also need to consider the tension loss and energy return of the string. I found Weiss Cannon Silverstring and thought I'd see if I could do better - WC Black 5 Edge you can see is a fair bit stiffer but has less tension loss so I strung it first at the same tension as a test (too stiff) and then 2lbs looser which felt about right.

It is not by any means a definitive way to compare strings - but an indicative and simplifying one which can be useful when you know which direction you want to move (stiffer, more powerful etc).
mLcg8hR.jpg


Note: The strings I selected were chosen after reading stuff here and reviews. They're not an exhaustible list at all.
 
Last edited:
I'd look first at what forhand grip he will want to use, playing with synthetic gut while he figures it out. Synthetic gut will give you back what you put in. I'm only saying this because if your son isn't hitting with above average topspin on his forhand using BHB7, Then his body mechanics aren't what they need to be for the grips he's using.

It's popular to use a semi-western or western grip now, but I find a modified (toward sw) eastern grip to allow me to play more relaxed and still get a lot of spin. If your son isn't playing up to par with sw/w grip, don't just change up the strings. If you don't mind my saying so, that won't improve his development at all. With improved technique, he will be able to choose from a wide selection of strings and racquets in the future.
 
Id polarize his racket a little with lead at 12 and the butt cap, then take a good look at his serve in slo mo... esp the toss. I S&V on my seconds (edberg-ish) and when I dont get enough movement Im suddenly getting my shoelaces drilled by people playing with poly and know what they are doing.
 
ClarkC said:
Stringing for my son, a good high school player. His current setup is a Wilson BLX 6.1 100 racket, hybrid string job: 54 pound Tourna BHB7 poly mains, 58 pounds Wilson Hollow Core syngut crosses; all strings are 16 gauge. Has a semi-western grip forehand that might be closer to full western, two-handed topspin backhand, will hit an aggressive one-hand slice backhand as well as using it defensively as needed. Tall, wants to serve big, likes to play at the net as well as the baseline. Only problem right now is getting enough spin. He hits somewhere between spinny and flat, but you would say flatter than a lot of players with his grip.

I experimented with replacing the syngut crosses with Wilson Sensation Control multis at the same 58 pound tension. He thought it had too much power, and the shots were sailing. So, getting more power is not the issue, and I would judge this also from watching him play matches; spin and control are the next improvements sought. He is probably not changing his stroke technique much at this point.

So, I am thinking of the following general strategy:

1) Experiment with different mains at same tension to see if he likes one better than BHB7. I have 40' of Weis Cannon Scorpion 1.22 that I got after reading various reviews and recommendations.

2) After choosing a better main (assuming he finds one he likes better), experiment with a different cross, keeping in mind that he does not want more power from it and a lot of strings probably feel more powerful than Wilson Hollow Core. That narrows the range of choices for experiment.

For both mains and crosses, I am considering experimenting with 17 gauge strings for spin and control while not trying to increase power. EDIT: Not too worried about durability. He does not break strings much. I restring when the polys start deadening, which is also about when the crosses are noticeably frayed. We never wait for broken strings to re-string. If 17g strings only last a week, no problem.

3) After settling on new strings, experiment with changing string tension. I don't know whether I should reduce tensions to try for more spin from the poly, or go for greater than 4 pounds of difference between mains and crosses, or what.

Note that he has four rackets and we can always use one to experiment. Note also that a prior history of wrist problems during his fast-growing years has made me leery of full-poly string jobs. Also not wild about changing rackets.

I am seeking comments on the overall strategy, as well as any recommendations on particular ideas within #1-3 above, especially if anyone has ever played with either BHB7 or Hollow Core and prefers some other strings for spin and control. Thanks.

EDIT: Strings already available for experimentation include the ones mentioned (BHB7, Hollow Core, Sensation Control, and Scorpion 1.22), plus Wilson Red Alert and some 16 gauge Gamma strings that came with the stringing machine: Asterisk Tour 16, Revelation 16, Synthetic Gut 16 w/ Wearguard, TNT2 16, Challenger 16 Synthetic Gut. I know nothing about the usefulness of any of these Gamma strings, and I am not limited to this list -- I will buy recommended strings for experiments if they make sense.
Click to expand...
I don't like to go tighter on the crosses or else it could restrict string movement, decreasing spin potential.

Have you tried a full bed of BHB7? If not, I would definitely try that. And I would string it lower, 53 mains / 50 crosses to compensate for the fact that it's a full bed of poly.
 
I would try putting a smooth, stiff, easy sliding poly as cross as that will noticeably increase the spin potential of the current string bed. The stiffness would give the string bed a more predictable and consistent response, also making the string harder to dent while forcing the main to snap back more generating topspin. The perfect candidate is Alu Power. There's a good reason why all the pros are using it, it gives such a crisp, consistent response everytime. And as a cross, it would last much longer too.
 
in spite of not having played the black7 yet is would rather suggest you go to 17g in the mains with the black7 and eventually increase slightly tension by about 2lbs to compensate for the thinner diameter.
 
Luxilon 4G seems to be highly rated for everything EXCEPT spin in the reviews I am reading. Looking for more spin rather than less.
 
Substituted Weiss Cannon Scorpion 1.22 for Tourna BHB7 in the mains, same 54 pound tension, and left 58 pound Wilson Hollow Core syngut in the crosses. My son was very impressed with the spin improvement. The BHB7 is pretty good at spin, which is why I chose it in the first place, but the smooth poly with smooth cross combination that can snap back easily seems to be better at spin production for my son than the sharp poly/smooth cross combination. Strings snap back into place and don't need adjustment, either.

Next test is durability. The BHB7 is one of those strings that is great for a few hours, but then it starts tearing up the crosses and notching into them and won't snap around well. We will see how Scorpion compares.
 
I found 17g BHBR to be the best at spin for me. Something about it just works, and it is consistently recommended when spin enters the equation. Only $8, too.

You might also try extra low tensions, like the 30lb range. It really makes the string bed come alive, yet does not produce a rocket launcher. It also softens even the harshest of polys. It seems to give a higher launch angle which has caused me to adjust to a full western. Every match I've played since has my opponent making some remark about the crazy topspin. Still needs solid technique, though. This seems radical, but you'd be amazed at how easily and quickly he'd adjust. Good luck!
 
We could very well experiment with very low tension strings in the future, but anything that really requires an adjustment will be postponed. He has conference tournament this week, and state tournament next week, and the team needs him to be steady for a while. Some of the posters on the very low tension thread mentioned adjustment periods that can be lengthy, varying by individual.
 
If you want more spin, couple of things to try:
a) change the mains to a more "spinny" poly, maybe shaped.
b) lower the tension of the crosses to allow more sliding of the mains
c) change the cross to a smooth poly. I've had success with MSV co-focus hex 17G and it's only $8/set.
 
ClarkC said:
Substituted Weiss Cannon Scorpion 1.22 for Tourna BHB7 in the mains, same 54 pound tension, and left 58 pound Wilson Hollow Core syngut in the crosses. My son was very impressed with the spin improvement. The BHB7 is pretty good at spin, which is why I chose it in the first place, but the smooth poly with smooth cross combination that can snap back easily seems to be better at spin production for my son than the sharp poly/smooth cross combination. Strings snap back into place and don't need adjustment, either.

Next test is durability. The BHB7 is one of those strings that is great for a few hours, but then it starts tearing up the crosses and notching into them and won't snap around well. We will see how Scorpion compares.
Click to expand...

The Scorpion 1.22 was as durable as any poly, maybe better than BHB7. Continued to cross with Wilson Hollow Core 16, 54 pounds main, 58 pounds crosses. This setup continued to be the go-to string combination through another undefeated playoff run for the high school team. Might experiment with something else in the future, but this was a really good string choice and my son is very satisfied with it.
 
"more spin" usually equates to less ball speed, less winners, needing to run more.
Review his strokes first, and see if they are 4.5 worthy. How high is he hitting now, over the net?
Is he a retriever, needing to hit lots of shots? I'd think he wants to hit winners, and adding more spin will reduce the number of winners.
Have him control his posture, hit 2' above the netcord, and reap the rewards of a flatter hitting fast topspin groundie.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

C
SynGut cross to use for poly main?
Replies
6
Views
1K
fortun8son
fortun8son
F
Toura & Hybrid String Setup Help
Replies
3
Views
1K
falc02
F
S
wilson Hollow Core..... new strings..?
Replies
0
Views
984
sequoia
S
T
Help w/tension experiments
Replies
2
Views
457
Speed Kat
Speed Kat
abenguyen
what kind of string to string
Replies
5
Views
657
brucie
B
Back
Top