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.
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About
MSV tennis strings are rockin’ the stringing world due to off-the-charts customer feedback and smokin’ hot reviews! Dr. Karl E. Mauve, a former Fulbright Scholar, is the founder, designer and worldwide distributor of MSV strings. Mauve Sports is headquartered in Germany. Dr. Mauve is the mastermind behind the development of the most buzzworthy poly-based strings on the market today!
MSV poly-based strings are available in four styles: MSV Co – Focus, MSV Focus – Hex®,MSV Focus EVO and MSV EVO – HEX. Each provide outstanding playability, tension maintenance, comfort and SPIN. Not just any spin, but the wicked/nasty variety.
MSV strings are distributed in the USA through Guts and Glory Tennis.
I was suggested by “stringforum” to try MSV strings in place of LUXILON BigBanger that gave me tennis elbow for a month. I switched to Wilson Sensation and Wilson K-Gut 17g in my 2 VOLKL Catupult 3 racquets a week ago. I used to play with Wilson NXT 16g before and had no tennis elbow. These strings do not last long. I am a 4.5 player, played for High School & College 20+ years ago- I play at the club in N.Va. Let me hear your suggestions & comments. Thanks,
Vasu
Big Banger is a poly-based string whose formula was developed in 1992. At the time it was very advanced, but today’s newer generation poly-based strings offer greater playability (softer) and longer lasting playing properites. That said, poly-based strings are on the opposite end of the spectrum from multis. They are definitely stiffer, even the newer softer ones, like MSV.
I can not be sure what the cause of the TE was for you. If the BB strings were not changed out after 4 – 6 hours of play, it is likely additional shock was being transmitted to the body and the elbow may have responded with inflammation and pain. The trouble with BB strings is they need to be changed out frequently, even if they do not break. All poly-based strings need to be changed frequently, but some will hold properties longer than others. With the MSV strings you should easily get 12 – 18 hours of solid performance, perhaps more.
The trouble with the multis you are using, any multi for that matter, is durability. There is seemingly always a trade-off. The longer lasting strings are stiffer and not as comfortable. The more comfortable strings do not offer durability for heavy hitters or those hitting with significant spin.
I would suggest trying a hybrid of MSV mains and a soft solid core cross and see how this performs for you. Alternately I have found the Yonex 850 Spin is a multi with decent playability and better than average durability.
Finally if string breakage continues to be an issue and you are unable to play with the newer softer poly-based strings like MSV, I would suggest moving toward a denser pattern racquet. This should allow you to play with multis or other softer synthetics and have them last a longer period of time for you.
Hope this helps.
What do you think of a hybriding MSV mains with Weiss Cannon Turbotwist for the cross string?
We have not experimented with the proposed hybrid, in fact we do not have much experience with poly-based/poly-based hybrids at all. It would be interesting to test, but we have no idea how the strings would play when combined.