Copoly Hybrids – How to Match

Each week we receive questions from customers seeking advice about hybrid string setups, specifically with copolymers.  This post seeks to provide a general guide to those who are considering a copoly hybrid.

Generally the first decision to make is whether to use the copoly as the main or the cross.  The answer to this will depend on what the player is seeking to accomplish.  If s/he is seeking greater durability, in most cases the mains will be the copoly with a synthetic gut cross string.  (This can vary according to hitting style, but the majority of players we serve break the mains before the crosses.)  If the player is seeking to add additional control to an existing synthetic gut or natural gut setup, then the copoly is sometimes used as a cross string.

Many who approach us already know where they want to use the copoly string.  The more important question to them, is what to use as a complimentary string?  One advantage of using a hybrid over a full copoly setup is a softer partner in the stringbed can result in greater comfort.  Because the goal is often adding increased comfort, the thought is to use an ultra-comfortable multifilament string.  The question is which one is most durable?

We believe the concept of using a multifilament string in hybrid with a copoly is flawed thinking.  There are two primary reasons behind this belief.

1.  Multifilament strings do not hold up well at all in a hybrid with a copoly string.  Either as a main or a cross, the copoly string, being infinitely stiffer, will act like a saw, cutting through the multifilament in a relatively short period of time.

2.  The playing characteristics of the copoly will dominate the stringbed.  The copolys possess very distinct playing properties and while they can be softened with a synthetic stringbed partner, they will still dominate the stringbed.

Because the copoly is a dominant string, we believe it is extremely difficult for even advanced recreational and league players to be able to distinguish a difference between a hybrid consisting of a soft solid core synthetic gut or a multifilament string.  (NOTE:  We do believe a hybrid does offer a  more comfortable and different playing stringbed than a full copoly setup.)

Since a stringbed consisting of a soft solid core synthetic gut and copoly will play nearly identical to a hybrid of a multifilament and copoly, we believe the soft solid core synthetic is definitely the way to go.  There are two key advantages:

A.  The softer synthetic gut string will last longer.
B.  The softer synthetic gut will cost less!

We are currently playtesting a variety of hybrid setups and will post results when there is enough data to be of interest.  In the interim we will list some of the soft solid core synthetics that we have a great deal of success in using with our local stringing customers.

Yonex Tournament 80 Spin
Forten Sweet Synthetic Gut
Signum Pro Ultra Power SF
Signum Pro Topspin SF
KLiP Scorcher
KLiP Synthetic Gut
WeissCANNON SuperCable
Babolat N.vy

We have a great deal of experience with MSV hybrids and invite you to contact us if you have specific questions you would like us to address.