What string to recommend as a starting point for others

kblades

Semi-Pro
I bought a stringer last year and have started stringing for some of the people I play with regularly. I’ve had several people ask me to string their racquets but want me to suggest what string to use. I know there are a lot of factors to take into account, but do you have a particular string or even just string type you recommend?

Once I’ve got a starting point as a reference and can ask what a player likes/dislikes about their setup, I can then make recommendations as far as altering gauge, tension, or strings but when someone asks what to start with I’m not sure what’s a good option to start out with.

Here’s an example. One of the guys I play with bought a new racquet from a local big box sports retailer. I forget the name of the exact model but it’s basically the same as what they now call the “Drive G”. It’s a super light (270g), stiff, open string pattern racquet and I believe 102sq in head size. When he bought it, I suggested for him to provide the strings since I didn’t have any reels at the time. So he hops on the TW site without having any idea what to buy, and just orders a set of Pro Hurricane 16g because it’s what was on sale at the time.

So I string it up for him and he hates it. This particular guy is a 3.0 and has no business playing with a full bed of poly. So now he is asking me to suggest what strings he should be using. When I ask him what factor is most important to him, he says control. So normally if someone doesn’t mind the cost, I’ll suggest a good multi to them such as Biphase or NXT. But those strings tend to be powerful and in this case he’s looking for control from an already light, stiff, open patterned racquet. So do I still suggest a good multi but just a thicker gauge and higher tension, or is there a better recommendation? And please don’t reply by suggesting I just tell him to buy a different racquet to start with if control is his priority [emoji1]
 
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tennismex123

New User
I think that Prince Syn gut with Duraflex and Gosen OGSM are the most popular strings for beginners-intermediate players, I would recommend this strings in 16g and then see what the players like, dislike about them.
 

Muppet

Legend
I would never string poly in a racquet that weighs less than 11 oz. If the racquet can't supply the momentum to overcome the ball, the strings have to be soft enough to absorb the shock. OTOH, the racquet sounds like a string eater and multifilaments, while comfortable, will break quickly. Middle of the road is synthetic gut. PSGD, recommended above by @tennismex123, has some nice dampening which should work well in that racquet. But be sure to use a thick gauge.
 
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Injured Again

Hall of Fame
My go-to string for beginner/advanced beginner level players is 16 gauge PSGD at the midpoint of the frame's recommended tension range. For a player who is new to poly strings, I use SPPP 1.23 at the bottom of the frame's recommended tension range.
 

esgee48

G.O.A.T.
Pro Hurricane 16 Ga in a light frame at any tension recommended by manufacturer is going to be dead or painful. 16 Ga PH should be strung in the mid-40's to maybe 50#. I only carry one string type, POSG 16 Ga and that is strung at whatever tension the client wants unless he/she asks me their opinion based on their stroke mechanics. POSG is a classic string that has stood the test of time, is cheap and is in white, which matches all frames. [I tell ladies if they want matching or specific colors to tell me what color and how many sets. I will find the string and tell them to order. <GRIN-see the giddy reactions in the Velocity thread about new colors>] Short strokes get lower tensions. Polished strokes get higher ones. I also tell them what I will not carry so they can order strings to test out. I will string their frames quickly and cheaply. Lower level players just stay with the POSG. My higher level clients just give me their string and tell me the tension. Makes life easier and I do not have to stress out all the 'What If's.'
 

StringGuruMRT

Semi-Pro
So my middle of the road string for most players who don't have a real preference is Gamma TNT or Wilson Sensation, then depending on their preference for power or control, adjust the tension. Next time they need the racquet done, or if I see them after a couple weeks, I ask them what they like/dislike about the set up. From that point we can move on to different options string wise. Most of the time they say it feels fine, and nothing much changes. I do have the advantage of being on the court with 90% of my clients as a teaching pro, so I get to see how they hit the ball, and what their playing style is. This makes it much easier to make good recommendations for them, and see if what they're using is working for their game or not.

In addition, TNT and Sensation are not entry level strings, and come at a higher price than basic syn gut. They are both pretty comfortable, and perform well for most players.
 
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