When does string matter? And which?

[limitup]

I'd self-rate myself at about the 3.5 level. I'm just starting to get serious about playing, and figured it's time to learn a bit more about strings. I need to make a switch because what I'm using now isn't working.

Recently the guy who has been stringing my racquets has been stringing it with Head RIP Perfect Control 16 string. Right now I'm hitting with a Head FP radical, and with my borderline SW/Western grip and topspin I am busting these strings like crazy. I busted strings on 2 of my racquets today - both had *maybe* 10 hours or less of hitting on them. Both of them I busted a main right in the middle of the stringbed.

So my first question is, at what point does it make sense to expirement with different strings? At the 3.5ish level, am I not good enough to notice or take advantage of any differences? I'm actually thinking of getting a machine and learning to string my own racquets so I can expirement with different strings, tensions, etc. more easily.

I don't want to go with 15s, so I'm thinking I need something more durable. Someone recommended the Prince Synthetic Gut Duraflex ... but will it feel a lot different to a player like me? With so many different strings, how do I know which to expirement with or what direction to go? I'm even considering the Prince Problend with duraflex crosses and kevlar mains. But how does it play?? I've read reviews of all these strings but they all seem so mixed/contradictory.

This head fp radical doesn't even have an open string pattern, and I'm thinking of switching to a babolat APD with a more open string pattern so I'm extra worried I will just keep busting strings. I'm mostly a baseliner though ...

 

[chex]

try switch to a polyester... luxilon bigbanger is a popular brand.. original/ace/or alu
it'll play a bit more stiffer than what you're used to, but will break much less often. You should probably start with a 17g. Or try a poly/synthetic hybrid. Have polyester string on the mains, and synthetic on the crosses. Your strings will last a lot longer that way.

 

[limitup]

Thanks I'll look into that. Anyone else care to comment?

 

[dmastous]

Thanks I'll look into that. Anyone else care to comment?

You can go full polyester, but I think that will play very different from your current set up.
If you want to try Big Banger or some other Poly try using it in the mains and keeping Synthetic in the crosses. That will give you a softer feel.
I use Forten Thin Blend. It employs Arimid mains and a synthetic cross. It's a little harsh. I like a stiffer, more controlled string rather than a powerfull string. it gives me good grip and lasts a long time.
I recently tried a gut/synthetic set up and liked it a lot. But gut is very expensive and the synthetic didn't last very long.

 

[southpaw]

I think string matters regardless of a player's level, not so much because of performance, but for consistency.

Since you are thinking about a machine, just get one. An inexpensive drop weight will work perfectly. You may go through a period of inconsistency at first, where you try a bunch of different strings and tensions, but you will quickly learn what works for you and what doesn't.

If you try to pick a string on recommendations alone, you'll go broke and nuts.

 

[brucie]

Mate Dan! Breaks all strings and he doesnt hit that much spin or loads of pop! But he had Kevlar Titanium and bothe were nailed and broke aftera week! kevlar breaks quick once outer is notched or damaged

 

[limitup]

Yeah, I'm definitely not worried too much about the performance at this point - I'm sure I can get used to any decent string. I guess my main goal at this point is to find something that lasts more than 5 hours. I just want to get used to one string and have it on all my racquets so they are the same.

 

[Valjean]

Prince's Perfection Control, formerly known as Control Freak.

 

[southpaw]

Limitup - I noticed on your other thread, that someone recommended the ATS Super Stringer. I would agree with that. I've got the Gamma X2, which is basically the same machine as the ATS and it's been great. If you are breaking strings in under 10 hours, a machine will pay for itself in no time.