Why so many poly/poly hybrids on TTW

[socallefty]

If I read the string threads here in TTW, it is full of suggestions for various poly/poly hybrids rather than using fullbed polys or even gut/polys. This is very different from the pros where some older pros are using gut/poly hybrids, but the vast majority of younger pros just use fullbed polys with one string. In talking to the stringers at my club and local pro shop, they also say that they mostly string fullbed polys or fullbed multifilaments with occasional fullbed gut and even rarer gut/poly or MF/poly hybrids. They both said that poly/poly hybrids with two different polys is very uncommon.

So, why is TTW a hotbed of poly/poly hybrids using different polys compared to other real-world situations? It almost seems like many players here never try a new poly string in fullbed before they try it out in all kinds of novel hybrids. Why?

 

[Fintft]

I am new to this, but I like one of the two poly/poly hybrids I've tried(Maymi Tour Hex/Hit Pro at 48/45) more the full bed RPM blast 17 at 55, bc it was softer than full bed gut at 57/55, much more controlled and as powerfull for the whole 12h that it lasted. Gut would last longer, but would cost twice as much and it's hard to controll.

On the other hand, it may be that, in average gut/poly hybrids are superior to poly/poly hybrids or even full bed poly.

 

[socallefty]

I am new to this, but I like one of the two poly/poly hybrids I've tried(Maymi Tour Hex/Hit Pro at 48/45) more the full bed RPM blast 17 at 55, bc it was softer than full bed gut at 57/55, much more controlled and as powerfull for the whole 12h that it lasted. Gut would last longer, but would cost twice as much and it's hard to controll.

On the other hand, it may be that, in average gut/poly hybrids are superior to poly/poly hybrids or even full bed poly.

Did you try the two polys you use in your hybrid in fullbed first? If not, what made you decide to try them in a hybrid first?

Also there is nothing superior or inferior to any stringjob - it is all personal preference.

 

[RF_PRO_STAFF]

I agree there seem to be a lot more poly/poly hybrids on here than clubs where I play. Have hardly seen any, and probably for good reason. I think people that try poly/poly hybrids, are looking for a very specific performance from their stringbed, or have just got lost in the strings jungle. Most people that play with a regular full bed of poly just find one that they like and then that's perfect for them. And rightfully so. In podcasts/interviews/etc. with professional stringers, this topic of poly/poly hybrids also comes up every now and then. These people of course see the trends and for them it's also a fairly new phenomenon. More something that the youngsters do.

For my case specifically; I use a Hawk Touch 1.20 / Hawk 1.20 hybrid. I tried both full bed before I got the idea of trying them both together.
When I use Hawk full bed, I find it a bit too stiff for my arm long-term but love all the other performance aspects.
When I use Hawk Touch full bed, my arm can definitely handle it but I find the strings don't move enough (and snap back) compared to most other full beds of poly. It's almost like it's a bit too 'sticky', not slick enough. My experience is that Hawk is very slick with fantastic snapback, so I thought I'd try that in the crosses.

Perfect stringbed for me this way. Not going to look back anymore for my go-to string setup.

 

[Slicehand]

Because people spend more time messing up with gear than improving their games, thats why, when you feel you dont progress, you have to try different things to keep yourself entertained

 

[Trip]

I think it comes down to the fact that, whether we're willing to admit it or not, most members here are gear heads in comparison to the average tennis player, many pros included. That means we're always looking for the next best thing, be it strings or frames or whatever (whether we should be investing the same energy improving our actual tennis is all but obvious as well!), and as such we are more apt to try new approaches, and make more of a big deal of them if/when we "discover" something novel. Mix in some heard mentality along the way, and you get some of these TTW-born concepts -- poly/poly hybrids being one of them.

That said, the tennis world may not be "there" noticeably, but you do see p/p hybriding out in the wild -- exhibit A being Steph Tsitsipas (4G and Alu in recent past), and I'm sure many more down the ladder, so it does exist out there, independent of its place on these forums. Whether it ultimately falls into the bucket of voodoo or best-practice is anyone's guess, but I would say we may just be ahead of the curve on this one... we will see.

 

[1HBHfanatic]

-there is a def. advantage to having slick/crisp crosses, allowing the mains to work better/best
-but most people dont like to think about their gear that much though
-the ones that do, tend to congregate on these boards and post/read/share their thoughts on it

-i myself get into a "lazy mode" and just go FB same string at 52lbs on some of my racquets,
-knowing full well that a smother round cross string at 50lbs on the cross would feel better/best

 

[blai212]

As an avid gear head and TTW member, I will say that the reason I love hybrids is because I want to get the best of both worlds. Before suffering from arm issues, I would use shaped mains with round crosses because shaped poly tends to be stiffer (HG) and I would need a soft smooth cross to provide extra pop (firestorm, GW). The shaped also provides great bite for that insane grip for nasty sidespin short angles. Full bed HG had little to no power for me. Also, pulling crosses with sharp shaped poly would cut into my fingers. Now I have transitioned to multi/poly hybrids such as X1 biphase/firestorm or velocity/firestorm because I need something softer and i HATE how full bed multi will lock up and start moving like crazy. To sum it up, the gear heads on TTW are simply much more advanced than the average mere mortal tennis player in terms of gear sophistication. xD

 

[JOSHL]

Also a ton of us on here string ourselves so it gives us the freedom to do whatever we want.

 

[Bambooman]

Hybrids play better but most players don't have the ability to exploit that. Many of those playing hybrids likely don't either.

 

[Fintft]

Did you try the two polys you use in your hybrid in fullbed first? If not, what made you decide to try them in a hybrid first?

Also there is nothing superior or inferior to any stringjob - it is all personal preference.

No, I haven't and it was based on reviewers suchs as @Venusmen

 

[Chairman3]

Its trendy and cool and people seem savvy when they say it; with only placebo benefits (i.e. perceived benefit that is totally mental)

In a less cynical way, its fun to try new stuff when its your hobby and you have some measure of disposable income.

 

[Taveren]

Hybrids play better but most players don't have the ability to exploit that. Many of those playing hybrids likely don't either.

The same can be said with 80% of rec players using poly IME, I string for my group and no one listens to my explanations on the pros and cons they just want the same setup I am using and thats it. Regardless of tension, racquet headsize, racquet weight, and if they can generate enough RHS to take advantage of poly.

 

[eah123]

Most rec players bring in their racquet and ask for restring with the same string. They don't know that hybriding is even possible.
Most pro players need consistency and don't care about durability since they are restringing after every match.

I understand that Federer used to play with full gut, but then added ALU power to get more spin in his game without losing the feel he developed for gut. https://www.essentiallysports.com/federer-playing-hybrid-string/

TTW players hybrid poly for many reasons, but most commonly to 1) make it more arm friendly (especially stiff poly + soft poly or syngut/gut/multi 2) increase durabililty (especially sharply shaped poly + round soft poly).

 

[hadoken]

I use a hybrid and the #1 reason I do so is that I cant' stand full polys coming from 30 years of playing with synthetic/mulits. It's just way too harsh and dead feeling but I do see the spin value of a poly. I think the industry pushes poly way too much to the general public and a big chunk of people (ie average players) would benefit from NOT using it...and thus here in TTW are people who basically agree with that principle hence they hybrid the strings.

 

[socallefty]

Most pro players need consistency and don't care about durability since they are restringing after every match.

This thread is only about the reason for using poly/poly hybrids. The reasons for using soft string/poly hybrids are well understood for comfort/feel etc.

You are the only one who has given a reason in terms of increased durability apart from another poster who said it is easier to string a round poly. In terms of increased durability, do most players try it in fullbed and then compare it to a hybrid to see if the durability is better? In my case, round poly crosses I‘ve tried go dead really fast within 10 hours and so, I have to cut them out before they break anyway.

 

[Fintft]

This thread is only about the reason for using poly/poly hybrids. The reasons for using soft string/poly hybrids are well understood for comfort/feel etc.

You are the only one who has given a reason in terms of increased durability apart from another poster who said it is easier to string a round poly. In terms of increased durability, do most players try it in fullbed and then compare it to a hybrid to see if the durability is better? In my case, round poly crosses I‘ve tried go dead really fast within 10 hours and so, I have to cut them out before they break anyway.

Well, I was hoping that you'd search previous reviews/posts by the likes of @Venusmen, but:

a) Quoting from the top of my head: Tour Hex in full bed is great, but using it in the mains, with a cross like Hit Pro, lowers the launch angle (flat hitters seem to like that) and adds power as Tour Hex is very controlled (my doubles partner uses it in full bed).

b) My second poly/poly hybrid, again Mayami, Big Spin/Tour Hex wasn't as succesfull ( I did it, listening to @galapagos who indicated that it was the choice of the Mayami owner), as it was stiff initially and lacked some power and controll.

c) Durability might increase a bit, as I've kept the first hybrid for over 12h and the second only for about 10-12h.

 

[galapagos]

Well, I was hoping that you'd search previous reviews/posts by the likes of @Venusmen, but:

a) Quoting from the top of my head: Tour Hex in full bed is great, but using it in the mains, with a cross like Hit Pro, lowers the launch angle (flat hitters seem to like that) and adds power as Tour Hex is very controlled (my doubles partner uses it in full bed).

b) My second poly/poly hybrid, again Mayami, Big Spin/Tour Hex wasn't as succesfull ( I did, listening to @galapagos who indicated that it was the choice of the Mayami owner), as it was stiff initially and lacked some power and controll.

c) Durability might increase a bit, as I've kept the first hybrid for over 12h and the second only for about 10-12h.

if you found big spin/tour hex stiff and with not enough power then you should try big spin/hepta power there are some mayami pros using this setup

 

[JOSHL]

I’ll give you another reason- aesthetics. Nothing like matching strings colors with racquet color.

 

[1HBHfanatic]

I’ll give you another reason- aesthetics. Nothing like matching strings colors with racquet color.

-if it looks good, it plays good!!

 

[shadow01]

Dislike materials also have less friction as same materials have atomic and microscopic friction, generally speaking

 

[10S-Junkie]

For me (and maybe only me), I string my Yonex VCP 97D and 97HD with regular Solinco HyperG in the mains and HyperG Soft in the crosses. This is to achieve comfort with full poly performance. I have a sensitive elbow and it would be a little sore with a full bed of regular HyperG but no issues when I use this hybrid.

 

[GummiiBear]

Since I enjoy shaped polys, I prefer pairing them with a round string primarily because a fullbed would have the strings crisscross with irregularity. I like to straighten out my strings between play sessions, and when I played with a fullbed of Dunlop Expl. Bite, I found it comparably irritating to do so.

I could be speaking out of my ass, but I think my shaped/round poly/poly helps keep the stringbed feel more predictable in play.

 

[Grieeegoorr]

From all of the responses so far you can infer that TTW is at the cutting edge of tennis equipment development

 

[GummiiBear]

 

[socallefty]

For me (and maybe only me), I string my Yonex VCP 97D and 97HD with regular Solinco HyperG in the mains and HyperG Soft in the crosses. This is to achieve comfort with full poly performance. I have a sensitive elbow and it would be a little sore with a full bed of regular HyperG but no issues when I use this hybrid.

Did you try fullbed HyperG Soft? To me, it played similar to HyperG, but with more comfort and I switched to it as a cross with VS gut mains.

 

[WacTennis2017]

Did you try fullbed HyperG Soft? To me, it played similar to HyperG, but with more comfort and I switched to it as a cross with VS gut mains.

Does this set up break quickly?
I would think a shaped poly like Hyper G soft combined with VS gut would not last long?
I have not tried this set up but it sounds very interesting. I’m always looking for options to combine with HyperG.

 

[10S-Junkie]

Did you try fullbed HyperG Soft? To me, it played similar to HyperG, but with more comfort and I switched to it as a cross with VS gut mains.

I did and found that it was good at first but the tension maintenance was not as long as the hybrid and a bit too soft. I prefer the crisp yet comfortable feel of the poly/poly hybrid

 

[snoflewis]

i'm not a diehard poly/poly guy, but i'll do it with certain setups for the reasons that have already been covered:
- the main is too stiff in a full job and better suited with a softer poly cross
- the mains are sticky so a slicker cross helps
- i prefer a round cross regardless of the shape of main

i find the poly/poly hybrid gives you more flexibility to choose the pros and cons of your string setup. as much as i hate testing strings, i usually just bucket them into "full bed", "mains only", and "crosses only" categories based on personal preference, but the only way i can justify not trying each string individually is if you tried the hybrid setup in a familiar racket and it was good.

 

[mikeler]

A poly/poly hybrid has been my favorite setup for years. I don't care what anyone else plays with, it works best for my game.

 

[Fintft]

A poly/poly hybrid has been my favorite setup for years. I don't care what anyone else plays with, it works best for my game.

Which ones though?

 

[socallefty]

Does this set up break quickly?
I would think a shaped poly like Hyper G soft combined with VS gut would not last long?
I have not tried this set up but it sounds very interesting. I’m always looking for options to combine with HyperG.

I played with VS/HG for one year on a Pure Strike Tour at 47/44 and liked it - the HyperG goes dead around 15 hours and I would cut it out then or if I played only singles, I would break the gut around the same time. I got the idea for this setup from the Bryan brothers who string even lower below 40 lbs.

When HG Soft came out 1.5 years ago, I switched to it as a cross as it is more comfortable and I can play around 20 hours with it - if I play singles for 10 hours and doubles after, the gut breaks around 20 hours just when the string starts felling stiff/dead. I tried hybriding VS with round crosses like ALU Power and RPM Blast and while they play great, I feel like they go dead and cause discomfort within 10 hours for me even in a hybrid.

I am happy with the VS/HGS setup at low tension and so, I stopped experimenting with other poly crosses - my stringer doesn’t carry too many other round crosses anyway.

 

[ChanterRacquet]

Well, I came away from this thread the desire to hybrid cyclone tour mains with vstar crosses.

 

[g4driver]

-there is a def. advantage to having slick/crisp crosses, allowing the mains to work better/best

Slick crosses work well for edged / shaped / rough polys..

I did the HGS playtest and wanted to soften the HGS stringbed a little more. had previously tried Tire One Boost from years of contact with @mikeler and switched from 1.30mm VCT fullbed to HGS/GW after using VCT for 9 years.

my elbow is ok with Tier One Boost for 3 days a week but more than that and it start to feel it. HGS 1.25mm slightly softer than Firewire 1.25mm (the main string in Boot)

 

[mikeler]

Which ones though?

In my signature.

 

[mikeler]

Slick crosses work well for edged / shaped / rough polys..

I did the HGS playtest and wanted to soften the HGS stringbed a little more. had previously tried Tire One Boost from years of contact with @mikeler and switched from 1.30mm VCT fullbed to HGS/GW after using VCT for 9 years.

my elbow is ok with Tier One Boost for 3 days a week but more than that and it start to feel it. HGS 1.25mm slightly softer than Firewire 1.25mm (the main string in Boot)

I had someone recently ask me what strings I was using so I let him know. He had it strung up and said after 2 games his shoulder was killing him. Different strings work for different folks.

 

[socallefty]

I had someone recently ask me what strings I was using so I let him know. He had it strung up and said after 2 games his shoulder was killing him. Different strings work for different folks.

Good point. Too many people think that how they feel about a racquet or strings or tension or any combination thereof is universal and everyone else will feel the same way.

 

[Happi]

Good point. Too many people think that how they feel about a racquet or strings or tension or any combination thereof is universal and everyone else will feel the same way.

Yes, in my experience you simply have to test strings out for your self, there is no shortcuts, but one can be inspired by other posters setup.

 

[g4driver]

Players have various levels of stiffness in frames and strings which allow then to enjoy tennis without pain. Finding a string setup that works is a process that takes time and patience. It Is much easier for those who string for themselves. It helps to have a stringer who has a large number of clients with and without elbow issues.at various levels, particularly the higher 4,5 and 5,0 levels as most of them use poly strings.

This is why I offer free labor and strings while clients are testing setups I recommend. Within 4 setups, i've help every player find something they liked.. Some players just like to try new things all the time and they pay for that as expected. Not pressuring people to pick quickly makes the process easier..

When an established client tells me they want to try something else, making them happy is the key. The one size fits all approach most assuredly doesn't work for frames, shoes or strings. With hundreds of string choices,,it doesn't make the process easy if you have to travel a long way to a stringer. Learning to string isn't hard and you certainly don't have to string for others. Many of my friends only string for themselves..

Hope my comments have helped others on this forum and I am incredibly thankful to many on here who have helped me.. I owe my currrent setup to @mikeler when he introduced me to Ghostwire which has become the number one poly I string as a cross to soften stiffer polys.. So thanks much to all who have inspired and helped me along the way!

 

[pjv]

When I started stringing for myself I couldn't resist experimenting with different strings full bed and then different combinations of strings to find a feel that I liked better.

One of the full bed polys that I liked was Solinco Confidential, but I noticed that for maybe the first 2-3 hours it felt too stiff for me. After that time it softened up enough that it really worked for me. One of the other strings I had tried full bed was Solinco Hyper G Soft, which I liked ok but overall it felt a bit too soft and muted compared with confidential. So I thought I'd try confidential in the mains and HG soft in the crosses and the result was the racquet felt great to me fresh off the stringer. So I played with that hybrid for some time in my primary frames.

But I also kept trying other strings and hybrids in an old experiment frame and one combination I tried has lately replaced the confidential / HG soft hybrid as my go-to: now using Tier 1 Firewire in the mains and Tier 1 Ghostwire in the crosses (both 18 gauge).

I haven't tried all the various spin strings that are marketed as "ripping the felt off the ball" so I can't say how Firewire ranks, but it feels to me like it creates substantially more spin from my same stroke mechanics than any other string I've played with and the felt on the balls literally looks quite frazzled after hitting with it for a few minutes. I like the ghostwire in the crosses because it softens and dampens the otherwise maybe a bit-too-lively firewire and I imagine its slippery roundness also lets the firewire move more freely.

Personally, I don't think I play at a level that using one string or another has any direct major effect on the quality of my tennis. But I have hit enough tennis balls to feel a difference between one string setup and another and I definitely have preferences about that feel. So for me, since I string myself and that makes it easy to experiment, it's a nice part of the hobby to fine-tune.

 

[Bambooman]

I honestly find textured string that rip the felt off easier to play against. The ball ends up looking larger and travelling slower with the big halo of fuzz around it.

I've gone back to round strings and more effort with technique.

 

[pjv]

I honestly find textured string that rip the felt off easier to play against. The ball ends up looking larger and travelling slower with the big halo of fuzz around it.

I've gone back to round strings and more effort with technique.

Yup, I hear you and I don't really think of the whole felt-ripping thing as a plus. But it's also nice to feel the strings grabbing the ball. At the moment I'm liking that feeling of grip better than I'm disliking the fuzziness of the ball. FWIW, Firewire is not textured; it's a triangular cross section with very sharp edges.

 

[Bambooman]

I was lumping textured and edged strings together.