For as long as we have been stringing there has been an ongoing discussion revolving around the pros and cons of altering the tension between the main strings and cross strings. Many years ago we concluded it was a matter of personal preference. The players in the camp advocating a lower set tension argued that because the cross strings are shorter they should be pulled at a lower tension. Those in the opposite camp believed that pulling at higher tension reduced string movement. Both camps argued emphatically that their method produced a better feel. When it comes to a criteria like “feel” we are in objective territory and that is why we concluded it was largely a personal preference.
However, back when we drew this conclusion we were not in the era of polys and hybrids. The physical properties of these strings have not only altered the game, but have also provided a strong rationale for increasing the tension on the cross strings.
When a racquet is strung with the set tension the same in the mains and the crosses the differential between the two (as measured by a Stringmeter) is often in the 32 – 37% range. You read that correctly. The mains will measure (on average) 35% tighter than the cross strings. In the context of a full synthetic or a natural gut setup, this has not been an issue. It has been status quo. However, with full polys or poly hybrids it is less than ideal. The differential in tension with poly-based strings should ideally fall in the range of 20 – 25%…no more. When the differential in tension is brought closer together, the mains and crosses are able to work in unison with one another. When they are further apart, (greater than 25%), the mains are punished until they stabilize and come closer in line with the crosses. The result of this in the today’s world of polys is that the poly mains become overstretched and thus lose their tension and playability rapidly. One easy way to extend the optimal life of your poly setup is to allow the crosses to support the mains. This extends the useful playability by a considerable amount.
Bringing the mains and crosses closer in tension offers HUGE benefits for poly players. It allows players to string at lower reference tensions where polys will shine, it extends the useful playability of the stringbed and extends the time players can get solid performance before having to restring. The easiest way to bring the mains and crosses closer to one another so they will work in unison is to increase the tension of the cross strings by approximately 4 pounds. The simple act of altering tension in this manner will definitely lead to a noticeable increase in performance in most instances. HOWEVER, when increasing the tension on the crosses it is possible to overstretch the poly, exceeding the elastic limits of the string. This is most likely to occur on constant pull machines that overshoot tension. Because of this potential pitfall we recommend keeping the tension on the crosses the same or up to 2 pounds lower than the mains and using extended pulling time before clamping off. The extended pulling time on a constant pull machine (much more difficult to achieve this effect on a crank machine) will produce the desired outcome much more reliably than increasing the set tension. We recommend keeping each cross under tension for 20 seconds before clamping off. This may seem like it will add considerable time to the stringing process, but it really does not. While the cross is under tension go ahead and pre-weave the next cross string. After weaving the cross, release the tension and clamp off. Stringing in this manner is a bit awkward at first, but soon the stringer becomes fluid in working with this method. The on court results are definitely worth the effort!
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Kevin on said:
If I use multifilament in my crosses and poly in mains, can’t I just string the mains 4 lbs looser than crosses? So, if I like full multi at 55 lbs, string crosses at 55 and mains (with the poly) at 51? No overstretch problem and solves after-the-stringing-main/cross-tension-differential problem too. Yes?
GGTennis on said:
Kevin,
In my opinion multis do not provide enough support for the polys and they allow the overstretching the polys that we are trying hard to correct. A soft solid core string is a much better solution. If you don’t want to use the L-TEC FLX which is designed to add softness, but also reach playing potential at lower tensions, then something like a Forten Sweet or PSG will work better than a multi. In regard to your question about tension numbers, keeping your syn gut crosses at 55 and dropping the poly to 51 makes sense to me.
Peter on said:
How about the Jaycee method of stringing without the L-tec strings?
Does it make sense a multi main and cross with his method?
GGTennis on said:
You can use the method with any strings. It will create a different feel with multis, but the advantages of using it with polys just do not exist with multis because of the construction differences. If someone were to use it with multis it would most likely be because they will find lesser string movement and because they prefer the feel.
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Shereef on said:
How about natural gut and a poly? I use Nat Gut on my mains and love the feel and longevity. I use Alu Rough or sometimes RPM on the crosses. My mains at 57 and crosses at 52. I do suffer fast tension loss on my crosses
GGTennis on said:
We use a difference of 4 lbs with a natural gut/poly hybrid. The natural gut is 4lbs tighter regardless of main or cross. In terms of poly tension loss, try one of our poly instead of the ALU Rough or RPM and extend pulling time on crosses. This should make an appreciable difference for you.
Shereef on said:
So as I mentioned, I use gut on mains @56 and ALU Rough or RPM on crosses @52 on my pure storm tour. What is your suggestion as replacment copoly for crosses?
GGTennis on said:
We strongly recommend most of the poly-based strings in the MSV, WeissCANNON and L-TEC lines.
gerald sing on said:
i am playing with a yonex poly main and vs gut cross now. my first setup had the X at 2 lb lower than mains, then as variation tried a 3 lb difference. am liking the 3 lb case better. should i try 4 lb next for even more improvement.
GGTennis on said:
Gerald,
Tennis is all about finding what works best for you. There is not likely to be much difference between 3/4 pounds on the crosses. We use 4, but if you like 3, you may want to stick with it.
gerald sing on said:
thanks, when its time for restringing i will try the 4 lb difference. And see if i can tell.
William on said:
I string my mains as you recommended in your older posts, waiting more than five seconds before clamping off. In this case, does the extended pulling time on cross strings bring their tension closer to the mains?
Since i extended the pulling time on both the mains and the crosses?
Should I lower the tensions in the mains instead?
I usually string msv soft hex 1.20 / sppp 1.18 50/50.
What do you suggest me to do?
Same tensions, extend 5 seconds on mains 20 on crosses?
50/48, extend 5 seconds on mains 20 on crosses?
Or 48/50, extend 5 seconds on mains 20 on crosses?
Hope to hear from you soon.
GGTennis on said:
Same tension. Extend 5 seconds on mains and 20 seconds on crosses is what I would recommend. Good luck!