What type of string do you use?

by **Rob ITST** » Sat, 07 Apr 2012 04:55

I'm curious how ITST members compare with other polls I've seen.

Also, what did you use 5-10 years ago?

I used to use 17 gauge natural gut, usually strung at around 65 pounds. Now I use a gut/poly hybrid (16 gauge gut mains with soft, thin, poly crosses), strung at 48/45 - I would have never imagined I would string that loose.

by **Moralspain** » Sat, 07 Apr 2012 08:25

10 years ago i used natural gut at 27 kg, now poly at 24-25 kg

by **djarvik** » Sat, 07 Apr 2012 13:41

Same here. Used gut at high tensions and now full bed poly at 50lbs roughly.

I think the results here won't be much different Rob. Poly has taken over. :lol:

by **Vieira151** » Sat, 07 Apr 2012 15:02

I would use Gut if I didn't live in Scotland. Weather isn't ideal. I'm not entirely sure what it is, but I would normally get APD strung with Hurricane main, Luxilon cross. Think I'll be moving away from Hurricane now, seeing as I only used it because my stringer had a crap ton of it.

by **Tamthewasp** » Sat, 07 Apr 2012 15:36

I used spaghetti but it was'nt very effective.

by **Moralspain** » Sat, 07 Apr 2012 16:14

Tamthewasp wrote:I used spaghetti but it was'nt very effective.

tension? too loose maybe?, you should always cook them "al dente"

by **Tamthewasp** » Sat, 07 Apr 2012 16:32

That looks delicious.

I tried deep frying but it shattered on impact. Also had 2 restring daily as when I woke up my dog ate my tennis bat strings

by **Vieira151** » Sat, 07 Apr 2012 18:30

Your tennis bat? There is your problem. As far as I can tell, bats don't need strings.

by **Tamthewasp** » Sat, 07 Apr 2012 20:28

You don't use a tennis a bat? Tennis bats are the future. Your living on a cardboard box if you aint got a tennis bat

by **Coolhand Texas** » Thu, 31 May 2012 03:30

I started out with a synthetic gut by prince but switched to a poly by prince. I play with the prince beast. tried a hybrid but did not like it.

BTW, haven't been on in a long time, hope everything is going good on here.

by **Rob ITST** » Thu, 31 May 2012 04:25

Coolhand!!

Glad to see you back. Beast is an excellent string (if you don't mind the color). But, I do suggest you try something besides Prince - nothing wrong with Prince, but you are severely limiting your options.

by **Coolhand Texas** » Thu, 31 May 2012 17:46

yea I do need to try and use some different brands, but one of the pros at my tennis center gets some good deals on prince strings. and lets face it, Im in college and I'm cheap :lol:

Any suggestions on a good poly besides prince beast? I have used gamma zo before.

by **djarvik** » Thu, 31 May 2012 17:57

Gamma zo is meh.

I am currently testing all and every string I can get my hands on and will be posting my reviews here, so you can glance if interested.

If you tell me what you looking for in a string - I can suggest a few. If you have hard time answering this question, then tell me the frame and tension you are playing with now and what would you like to change. More spin? More power, control, feel (too soft too harsh) etc.

by **Coolhand Texas** » Thu, 31 May 2012 18:07

with the beast I get good power, but that power has never really been a weak spot of mine. What I would like to test out in a string, is a string that gives a bit more control/ spin.

I tested out babolat rpm, and it was so so but preferred beast to it.

I use the wilson Kblade98 and string it at 65lbs. don't know if that helps or not Al.

by **djarvik** » Thu, 31 May 2012 18:28

Coolhand Texas wrote:with the beast I get good power, but that power has never really been a weak spot of mine. What I would like to test out in a string, is a string that gives a bit more control/ spin.

I tested out babolat rpm, and it was so so but preferred beast to it.

I use the wilson Kblade98 and string it at 65lbs. don't know if that helps or not Al.

Holly crap :lol:

you are using a poly at 65lbs and you still looking for control? And this is a 18/20 pattern. You might as well hit with a peace of board or something :lol:

First, I would suggest to string any poly you use a bit loser. Ideally, most of them perform best right around 50lbs. I dont suggest you go that low that fast, but I would suggest to bring it down quite a good deal. That alone will change the way the string behaves in a big way.

What gauge you usually use?

Are you concerned more about your balls flying long on you or dropping short? Now, I know you can adjust and basically make them land where you want, so this is tricky. You say you want more spin and control, that tells me that you more prone to hitting long. The fact you feel you generate your own power also tells me you hitting long at times and you may need a low power sting. So does your tension. At 65lbs you really need to generate your own pace.

Basically, you want a string that doesn't constrict your strokes. A string that allows you to swing freely without worrying about the depth of the shot (somewhat). That can be further tweaked with tension as well. The last thing you want is to alter your swing in any shape or form to accommodate over hitting or hitting short. (that is amusing you have the stroked down)