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String Selector Map 2005

Customize your stringbed for optimum performance and feel.

By Crawford Lindsey

(Article adapted from the new book Technical Tennis: Racquets, Strings, Balls, Courts, Spin, and Bounce, by Rod Cross and Crawford Lindsey)

Every choice concerning properties or features of string (except durability) comes down to how they will affect stringbed stiffness. Material, construction, gauge, and tension all influence string stiffness, which in turn affects stringbed stiffness, which affects power, control, and feel. The String Selector Map helps you navigate the quagmire of over 400 strings to choose what works and feels best for each player.

String Stiffness

Table 1: Effect of Stringbed Features on Stringbed Stiffness

String Description	Effect on Stringbed Stiffness
Long/short strings	Softer/stiffer
Thin/thick gauge strings*	Softer/stiffer
Open/closed string pattern	Softer/stiffer
Loose/tight string tension	Softer/stiffer
Soft/stiff string material	Softer/stiffer
Big/small grommet/string holes (support system)	Softer/stiffer
* About half of all thin strings are stiffer than thick versions of the same string. The reason is that the stress (tension per square inch) on the thin string is larger and that the stiffness of most strings increases quickly when the stress increases above a certain value. A thin string will generally stretch further than a thick string when it is strung at 60 pounds, but it often stretches less than a thick string when the tension rises above 60 pounds during a shot.

String stiffness is a combination of material, gauge (i.e., string diameter and, thus, amount of material), length, and tension. But it is not a single number that is the same all of the time such that you can say, “This string has a stiffness of such and such.” The stiffness of the string changes depending on what the tension is before you start stretching it. A string at 50 pounds will stretch more for each pound of impact force compared to a string at 70 pounds. In other words, the string is stiffer at higher tensions, not just because of the tension, but also because of a change in the material property itself. This is a property of all common string materials. A steel string would not act that way. It would stretch lengthwise the same amount for each pound of impact force whether it were strung at 40, 60, or 80 pounds, and you could say that the steel string has a definite value for lengthwise stiffness. Fortunately, in the normal stringing range of 50-70 pounds, different string materials don’t change stiffness radically compared to each other as tension is altered. So, if one string is stiffer than another at 50 pounds, it is, for all practical purposes, safe to say that it is stiffer by about the same proportion at 70 pounds. Each string will feel about the same relative to the other at each tension. However, they will each feel stiffer than they did at the lower tension. The one exception is gut, which is stiffer at lower tensions compared to nylon, but the stiffness stays relatively constant at the ranges of higher tensions caused by ball impact, and it is less stiff than other strings at these tensions as a result.

As the String Selector shows, there are only four different string materials in common use. In order from softest to stiffest they are: gut, nylon, polyester, and aramids, such as Kevlar. These groups have very little, if any, overlap in measured stiffness values from one group to another. There is beginning to be a tiny bit of overlap between nylon and polyester (but only for a very few strings), as new manufacturing processes have allowed polyester to be softened. Within each category, there is a range of variance, but nothing as significant as the leap between separate categories.

Tension Loss

The Selector Map also plots tension loss. This is a property of the material and is related to stiffness because it determines the consistency over time of the stringbed stiffness. Every string loses tension from the second it is installed and with every hit of a tennis ball. The rate of tension loss determines how much and how quickly the stiffness of your stringbed will change and, with it, the performance and feel. The tension loss was measured by pulling the string to 62 pounds, waiting 200 seconds, and then impacting the string five times with a force comparable to hitting a 120 mph serve. The tension loss is thus a combination of static time tension loss and dynamic impact tension loss. Polyester loses the most tension and gut the least.

The rate of loss slows to a mere creep after a couple of days and remains “perceptually” about the same for a few weeks. This means different things to different players. If you are a typical recreational player, the feel you are looking for is the stabilized feel that you experience after a couple of days and then for weeks after. If you are a pro, you need your racquets to feel exactly the same every day. That is why high level players restring so frequently.

String stiffness and tension loss are just two variables in overall stringbed stiffness. Table 1 summarizes the effect of additional variables that affect that stiffness, and Table 2 summarizes the resulting affect on performance.

Table 2: Effect of String Stiffness on Performance

Stringbed			Shock & Rebound
Property	Power	Control	Vibration	Spin	Angle
Soft	More	Less	Less	Same	Higher
Stiff	Less	More	More	Same	Lower

The Geography of ‘Feel’: Finding Your ‘Feel Good’ Location

To find the string that goes with the dot, note the dot’s coordinates and look them up in the table.

Once you find your current string:

• If you like it, dots in the neighborhood (i.e., close vertical axes to right or left) will likely play similar (perhaps with better durability and cost).
• If you don’t like it, move out of the neighborhood (i.e., vertical axes farther to right or left).
• If you like the feel but it doesn’t last, choose a string farther down on the same axis.
• Stiffness (horizontal axis) is the MOST important factor in string “feel.”
• The amount of tension loss affects the consistency of that feel.
• “Consistency” is relative and depends on player sensitivity, string durability, and amount and style of play.
• Hard hitters lose more tension than light hitters.
• Softer strings are to the left, stiffer strings to the right.
• Strings that lose more tension are at the top; those that lose less are at the bottom.
• All strings on the same vertical line should feel about the same, no matter the tension.
• All strings at different locations on the same horizontal line will feel different from each other.
• Stringbed power increases to the left.
• Player supplied power increases to the right.
• Stringbed control increases to the right.
• “Arm friendly” strings are to the left.
• “Feedback” intensity (shock) increases to right.
• Feel consistency over time tends to increase toward the bottom.

Hybrids: to look up a hybrid combination, you must look up each string separately. If it is a pre-packaged hybrid, most packaging indicates the name of each string.

Test Procedure

We tensioned each string to 62 pounds and allowed to sit for 200 seconds. Then we hit the string five times with a force equivalent to hitting a 120 mph serve. The tension loss represents the total amount of the relaxation over both time and impact. The stiffness value is a calculation derived from the amount of force created at impact to stretch the string. Lower values represent softer strings and lower impact forces. Higher values represent stiffer strings and higher impact forces.

Nylon, Zyex, & Polyolefin (Sorted by Stiffness)

Company	String	Material	Gauge	Stiffness (lb/in.)	Tension loss (lbs)
Head	RIP Feel 17	Polyolefin	1.28	136	15.14
Pro Kennex	IQ-Element Z 17	Zyex	1.21	137	14.38
Isospeed	Platinum 16	Polyolefin	1.27	138	16.62
Head	RIP Comfort 16	Polyolefin	1.31	140	15.77
Pro Kennex	IQ-Comfort 17	Polyolefin	1.27	142	14.75
Head	RIP Feel 16	Polyolefin	1.33	143	14.77
Pro Kennex	IQ-Element 2 16	Zyex	1.30	145	13.12
Power Angle	Duo-Color TNT Fat Core 17	Nylon	1.26	145	15.02
Ashaway	Dynamite 17	Zyex/nylon	1.24	147	13.72
Isospeed	Professional 17	Polyolefin	1.27	152	15.06
Blue Star	Stargut 17	Nylon	1.27	160	14.20
Pro Kennex	IQ-Element 2 15L	Zyex	1.40	161	12.22
Head	RIP Protect 16	Polyolefine/Nylon	1.32	163	11.57
Isospeed	Platinum 16	Polyolefin/Nylon	1.32	165	12.46
Wilson	Reaction 18	Nylon	1.20	165	12.81
Ashaway	Dynamite WB 16	Zyex/nylon	1.37	165	13.21
Gamma	Live Wire Professional 17	Nylon/Zyex	1.29	168	12.37
Pro Kennex	IQ-Comfort 16	Polyolefin	1.37	168	14.90
Gamma	Live Wire Professional	Nylon/Zyex	1.33	174	13.28
Gamma	Prodigy 17	Nylon	1.25	175	11.16
Prince	Premier w/softflex 17	Nylon	1.25	175	11.97
Wilson	Reaction 17	Nylon	1.27	175	12.00
Volkl	Fire	Nylon	1.31	175	16.80
Head	Synthetic Gut PPS 18	Nylon	1.16	176	11.93
Prince	Premier w/Softflex 16	Nylon	1.31	176	11.97
Head	RIP Tour 17	Nylon/Polyolefin	1.30	177	10.87
Head	RIP Control 17	Nylon/Polyolefin	1.28	178	10.25
Head	RIP Power 16L	Nylon/Polyolefin	1.32	178	10.91
Pacific	PowerTwist	Nylon	1.35	179	11.78
Isospeed	Energetic Plus 16	Nylon/Polyolefin	1.32	180	10.41
Head	Perfect Power 16	Nylon	1.35	180	11.84
Head	FiberGel Power 17	Nylon	1.26	180	12.28
Tecnifibre	X-One Biphase 18	Nylon/Polyurethane	1.19	181	8.96
Tecnifibre	NRG2 18	Nylon/Polyurethane	1.17	181	9.86
Wilson	Reaction 16	Nylon	1.30	181	11.00
Head	RIP Tour 16	Nylon/Polyolefin	1.37	181	11.51
Gamma	Prodigy 16	Nylon	1.30	181	11.67
Babolat	Xcel Premium 17	Nylon	1.25	182	10.01
Pacific	FiberTwist 17	Nylon	1.25	182	11.71
Gamma	ESP 17	Nylon	1.28	182	12.68
Tecnifibre	515 17	Nylon/Polyurethane	1.27	182	13.05
Prince	Sweet Perfection 17	Nylon	1.25	182	14.00
Blue Star	Laser 130 16	Nylon	1.31	183	10.94
Head	RIP Control 16	Nylon/Polyolefin	1.38	184	11.02
Forten	Tiegut 16	Nylon	1.32	184	12.08
Alpha	Firecable 16	Nylon/Polyester	1.31	184	14.73
Pacific	Graphite Braid TX 17	Nylon/graphite	1.30	184	15.75
Head	Perfect Control 16	Nylon	1.38	185	10.70
Head	RIP Ti.Fiber 16	Nylon	1.33	185	11.23
Yonex	Tough Brid 125	Nylon/Vectran	1.35	185	12.02
Babolat	Attraction Power 17	Nylon	1.26	186	9.84
Babolat	Syntronic Brio 17	Nylon	1.25	186	10.41
Blue Star	Fibergut XL 15L	Nylon	1.39	186	11.71
Volkl	Power-Fiber II 17	Nylon	1.25	186	12.20
Gamma	ESP 16	Nylon	1.32	186	12.64
Wilson	Stamina Spin 16	Nylon	1.29	186	12.68
Blue Star	Stargut 16	Nylon	1.36	186	12.94
Gamma	Revelation 17	Nylon	1.26	186	13.08
Babolat	Xcel Premium 16	Nylon	1.31	187	10.12
Alpha	Gut 2000	Nylon	1.33	187	11.23
Gamma	Gut 2	Nylon	1.34	187	12.00
Prince	Sweet Perfection 16	Nylon	1.31	187	13.05
Babolat	Pro Hurricane 18	Nylon	1.21	187	22.29
Prince	Lightning XX 16 w/Powerfoil	Nylon/Polyester	1.32	188	10.96
Silent Partner	Filament Frenzy 16	Nylon	1.31	188	11.55
Gamma	Live Wire 17	Nylon/Zyex	1.24	188	13.74
Volkl	Power-Fiber II 18	Nylon	1.19	189	10.39
Head	RIP Ti.Fiber 17	Nylon/Polyolefin	1.23	189	10.56
Alpha	Element 16	Nylon	1.32	189	10.89
Wilson	Reaction 15L	Nylon	1.35	189	10.94
Pacific	Futura TXT 16L	Nylon	1.29	189	11.16
Head	FiberGel Power 16	Nylon	1.31	189	11.62
Tecnifibre	NRG2 17	Nylon/Polyurethane	1.24	190	9.55
Head	Synthetic Gut PPS 17	Nylon	1.22	190	11.38
Unique	Tournafiber Irradiated 17	Nylon	1.27	190	11.62
Klip	Kicker 17	Nylon	1.24	190	11.68
Gamma	Live Wire XP 16	Nylon/Zyex	1.32	190	12.04
Gamma	Live Wire 16	Nylon/Zyex	1.31	190	12.87
Ashaway	Synthetic Gut 17	Nylon	1.26	190	14.93
Gamma	TNT2 Rx 17	Nylon	1.26	191	10.96
Gamma	Live Wire XP 17	Nylon/Zyex	1.25	191	12.35
Gamma	TNT Fat Core 17	Nylon	1.27	191	13.36
Tecnifibre	X-One Biphase 1.30	Nylon/Polyurethane	1.31	192	10.08
Tecnifibre	X-One Biphase 1.24	Nylon/Polyurethane	1.28	192	10.12
Prince	Lightning XX 17 w/Powerfoil	Nylon/Polyester	1.24	192	10.94
Gamma	TNT2 Pro Plus 17L	Nylon	1.25	192	12.74
Kirschbaum	Touch Multi-Fibre	Nylon	1.31	192	14.07
Tecnifibre	TRC 17	Nylon/Polyurethane	1.25	193	11.20
Gosen	OG-Sheep Micro Super 17	Nylon	1.24	193	11.51
Forten	Omni Spin 15L	Nylon	1.37	193	12.44
Wilson	NXT 17	Nylon	1.24	193	12.99
Babolat	FiberTour 16	Nylon	1.32	194	10.45
Head	FXP 17	Nylon/Polyester	1.25	194	10.59
Prince	Lightning XX 16	Nylon	1.29	194	10.76
Volkl	Power-Fiber II 16	Nylon	1.30	194	11.20
Prince	Lightning Power 17 w/Powerfoil	Nylon/Polyester	1.25	194	11.40
Silent Partner	Ultimatum 18	Nylon	1.19	194	12.04
Forten	Sweet 17	Nylon	1.27	194	12.62
Gamma	TNT Fat Core 16	Nylon	1.31	194	12.77
Ashaway	Liberty 16	Nylon	1.33	194	12.90
Alpha	Claycourt Plus 16	Nylon	1.32	194	13.80
Tecnifibre	Synthetic Gut 17	Nylon	1.27	194	13.96
Volkl	Power-Fiber 18	Nylon	1.19	195	9.57
Unique	Tournafiber SpinPlus 16	Nylon	1.32	195	11.14
Klip	Excellerator 16	Nylon	1.30	195	11.44
Klip	Excellerator 17	Nylon	1.30	195	11.66
Gamma	TNT2 Ruff 16	Nylon	1.52	195	11.95
Gosen	Super Tec AK Speed 17	Nylon	1.24	196	10.87
Gamma	TNT2 Pro Plus 16	Nylon	1.32	196	11.16
Head	Synthetic Gut PPS 16	Nylon	1.31	196	11.69
Alpha	Prodigy 16	Nylon	1.32	196	11.95
Prince	Perfection 17	Nylon	1.25	196	12.42
Ashaway	Liberty L15	Nylon	1.41	196	16.25
Tecnifibre	NRG2 16	Nylon/Polyurethane	1.31	197	8.05
Babolat	Syntronic Brio 16	Nylon	1.34	197	10.52
Forten	Spin Gear 15	Nylon	1.43	197	11.22
Gamma	Revelation 16	Nylon/Zyex	1.32	197	11.88
Wilson	Sensation 17	Nylon	1.25	197	11.91
Wilson	NXT 16	Nylon	1.30	198	10.69
Head	FiberGel 16	Nylon	1.34	198	11.97
Ashaway	Synthetic Gut 16	Nylon	1.34	198	12.12
Forten	Dynamix 18	Nylon	1.21	198	13.01
Blue Star	Original 15L	Nylon	1.43	198	13.92
Wilson	NXT OS 16L	Nylon	1.32	199	10.43
Tecnifibre	515 16	Nylon/Polyurethane	1.35	199	10.58
Pro Kennex	CS-Elite 16	Nylon/Polyurethane	1.29	199	11.42
Dunlop	Max Comfort 17	Nylon	1.23	199	11.78
Yonex	Tough Brid 130	Nylon/Vectran	1.40	199	11.90
Gosen	OG-Sheep Micro 17	Nylon	1.24	199	12.35
Prince	Tournament Nylon 15L	Nylon	1.40	199	13.19
Wilson	Stamina 18	Nylon	1.22	200	9.81
Babolat	Xcel Premium 15L	Nylon	1.39	200	10.17
Dunlop	Max Comfort 16	Nylon	1.32	200	11.07
Bow Brand	Micro Tournament 17	Nylon	1.24	200	12.50
Blue Star	Focus 130 16	Nylon	1.33	201	10.76
Bow Brand	t2000 15L	Nylon	1.37	201	11.38
Forten	Dynamix 15L	Nylon	1.33	201	11.82
Wilson	Stamina Spin 15L	Nylon	1.38	201	12.15
Silent Partner	Ultimatum 17	Nylon	1.28	201	12.66
Alpha	Sensor Fibre 16	Nylon	1.35	202	11.02
Gamma	Challenger 17	Nylon	1.27	202	11.33
Klip	Synthetic Gut 17	Nylon	1.25	202	12.87
Pro Kennex	CS-Qualifier 16	Nylon	1.31	202	12.96
Pacific	PremiumPower X 16	Nylon	1.33	202	13.67
Gamma	Synthetic Gut 17 w/Wearguard	Nylon	1.26	203	9.15
Gamma	Synthetic Gut 18 w/Wearguard	Nylon	1.21	203	9.68
Gamma	TNT2 Rx 16	Nylon	1.36	203	9.81
Prince	Lightning Power 16 w/Powerfoil	Nylon/Polyester	1.31	203	9.95
Prince	Synthetic Gut 18 w/Duraflex	Nylon	1.20	203	11.51
Wilson	NXT Tour 17	Nylon	1.27	203	12.46
Klip	Screamer Titanium	Nylon/Titanium	1.30	203	12.54
Gosen	OG-Sheep Micro 16	Nylon	1.29	203	12.96
Prince	Perfection 16	Nylon	1.31	203	14.24
Gamma	Dura Spin 15L	Nylon	1.37	204	9.63
Gamma	Synthetic Gut 16 w/Wearguard	Nylon	1.31	204	10.03
Gosen	OG-Sheep Micro Super 16	Nylon	1.30	204	11.29
Unique	Tournafiber Synthetic Gut 17	Nylon	1.22	204	11.31
Unique	Tournafiber Irradiated 16	Nylon	1.33	204	11.44
Forten	Sweet 15	Nylon	1.36	204	11.55
Pacific	Syntec 16L	Nylon	1.32	204	12.37
Klip	Excellerator 15L	Nylon	1.34	204	12.68
Silent Partner	Head Spin 15L	Nylon	1.38	204	13.18
Silent Partner	Titanium 16	Nylon	1.32	204	13.19
Gamma	Zo Plus 16L	Nylon	1.32	204	13.56
Wilson	Extreme Synthetic Gut 16	Nylon	1.28	205	10.30
Dunlop	Tour Performance 16	Nylon	1.34	205	10.85
Wilson	Supreme 17	Nylon	1.29	205	11.07
Forten	Dynamix 17	Nylon	1.26	205	11.14
Blue Star	Serve and Volley 16	Nylon	1.31	205	11.20
Head	Synthetic Gut 16	Nylon	1.29	205	11.27
Pacific	Power Spin 16	Nylon	1.38	205	12.48
Tecnifibre	TRC 16	Nylon/Polyurethane	1.31	206	10.50
Bow Brand	Ballistic 15L	Nylon	1.35	206	10.59
Silent Partner	Ultimatum 16	Nylon	1.33	206	12.81
Klip	Scorcher 17	Nylon	1.27	206	13.51
Prince	Lightning XX 17	Nylon	1.26	207	9.68
Pacific	Futura TXT 16	Nylon	1.39	207	11.51
Silent Partner	Original Syn 16	Nylon	1.33	207	13.89
Wilson	NXT Max 15L	Nylon	1.35	208	9.88
Wilson	Supreme 16	Nylon	1.32	208	10.34
Bow Brand	Synthetic Gut XT 16	Nylon	1.33	208	10.85
Forten	Dynamix 16	Nylon	1.34	208	10.95
Babolat	Superfine Play 17	Nylon	1.25	208	11.49
Klip	Scorcher 16	Nylon	1.31	208	12.83
Wilson	NXT Tour 18	Nylon	1.24	209	9.53
Wilson	Stamina 17	Nylon	1.25	209	9.68
Gamma	TNT2 17	Nylon	1.27	209	9.85
Prince	Topspin Plus 16	Nylon	1.29	209	10.06
Head	FXP 16	Nylon/Polyester	1.34	209	10.83
Prince	Synthetic Gut 15L w/Duraflex	Nylon	1.35	209	11.13
Gamma	Synthetic Gut 17	Nylon	1.26	209	11.51
Wilson	Sensation 16	Nylon	1.32	209	11.55
Prince	Topspin 15L	Nylon	1.30	209	11.92
Klip	Kicker 16	Nylon	1.32	209	12.55
Gamma	TNT2 16	Nylon	1.31	210	10.34
Wilson	Extreme Synthetic Gut 17	Nylon	1.25	210	10.39
Head	Extreme Synthetic Gut 17	Nylon	1.24	210	11.27
Bow Brand	Tournament 16L	Nylon	1.32	210	11.97
Tecnifibre	Synthetic Gut 16	Nylon	1.34	210	12.70
Babolat	Superfine Play 16	Nylon	1.32	210	12.76
Wilson	NXT Max 16	Nylon	1.34	211	9.71
Gosen	Tecgut Super Tec AK Speed 16	Nylon	1.32	211	10.45
Forten	Competition Nylon 15L	Nylon	1.41	211	10.89
Gamma	Marathon DPC 16	Nylon	1.32	211	11.51
Unique	Tournafiber Synthetic Gut 16	Nylon	1.34	211	12.76
Babolat	Powergy 16	Nylon	1.34	211	13.10
Prince	Synthetic Gut 17 w/Duraflex	Nylon	1.26	212	10.69
Forten	Sweet 16	Nylon	1.33	212	10.78
Gosen	OG-Sheep Micro Super JC 16	Nylon	1.30	212	11.05
Gosen	Tecgut Super Tec AK Pro 16	Nylon	1.34	212	11.64
Alpha	Viper 16	Nylon	1.29	212	12.35
Prince	Synthetic Gut 16 w/Duraflex	Nylon	1.30	213	12.04
Prince	Synthetic Gut Original 17	Nylon	1.24	214	10.59
Klip	Synthetic Gut 16	Nylon	1.33	214	10.98
Gamma	TNT2 18	Nylon	1.18	214	11.05
Klip	Synthetic Gut 15L	Nylon	1.37	214	13.76
Babolat	Razor Spin 16	Nylon	1.30	214	13.76
Gamma	Synthetic Gut 15L w/Wearguard	Nylon	1.38	215	11.18
Gamma	Ruff 16	Nylon	1.48	215	11.33
Unique	Tournafiber Nylon 16	Nylon	1.32	215	12.33
Klip	Twister 15L	Nylon	1.43	215	12.53
Dunlop	Synthetic Gut 16	Nylon	1.31	215	13.21
Pacific	Syntec 16	Nylon	1.37	216	12.15
Alpha	Sphere 16	Nylon	1.31	216	14.88
Gamma	Dura Spin 16 w/Wearguard	Nylon	1.37	217	8.95
Gosen	Nanocubic 16	Nylon	1.32	217	10.81
Gamma	Challenger 16	Nylon	1.32	217	10.95
Prince	Synthetic Gut Original 16	Nylon	1.30	217	11.67
Babolat	Conquest 16	Nylon	1.33	217	14.99
Gamma	Synthetic Gut 16	Nylon	1.30	218	9.86
Wilson	Ultra Synthetic Gut 16	Nylon	1.32	218	10.28
Gosen	OG-Sheep Proform Tuff 15L	Nylon	1.38	218	11.16
Bow Brand	Super Pro 15L	Nylon	1.43	218	11.42
Bow Brand	Calibre 15L	Nylon	1.36	218	12.28
Babolat	Conquest 17	Nylon	1.27	218	12.64
Babolat	Conquest Ti 16	Nylon	1.33	218	16.23
Wilson	NXT Tour 16	Nylon	1.31	219	8.98
Dunlop	Synthetic Gut 17	Nylon	1.24	219	10.04
Wilson	Stamina 16	Nylon	1.32	219	10.10
Gamma	Marathon DPC 15L	Nylon	1.44	219	10.80
Gamma	XL 16	Nylon	1.29	219	11.40
Head	Master 15L	Nylon	1.39	219	11.58
Head	Master 16L	Nylon	1.31	221	9.57
Gamma	Synthetic Gut 18	Nylon	1.22	221	10.14
Gosen	Tecgut Power 16	Nylon	1.31	221	14.58
Bow Brand	Superspin	Nylon	1.43	222	11.29
Gamma	Dura Spin 16	Nylon	1.39	223	8.93
Gamma	Synthetic Gut 15L	Nylon	1.37	224	11.42
Gamma	Advantage 15L	Nylon	1.39	227	9.90
Gamma	Marathon DPC 17	Nylon	1.27	228	9.42
Gamma	Dura Spin 15L	Nylon	1.41	230	10.23

Polyester (Sorted by Stiffness)

Company	String	Material	Gauge	Stiffness (lb/in.)	Tension loss (lbs)
Tecnifibre	Promix 1.25	Polyester	1.27	199	13.72
Tecnifibre	Promix 1.30	Polyester	1.29	204	14.99
Gosen	Polylon SP 17	Polyester	1.25	215	20.70
Kirschbaum	Competition 1.20	Polyester	1.19	219	19.09
Klip	K-Boom 18	Polyester	1.19	223	18.88
Wilson	Enduro Pro 18	Polyester	1.21	224	17.02
Gamma	Zo True 18	Polyester	1.13	224	17.55
Babolat	Pro Hurricane	Polyester	1.25	226	16.83
Toalson	Thermaxe 123	Polyester	1.23	226	17.97
Silent Partner	Roly Poly 17	Polyester	1.27	229	19.62
Kirschbaum	Turbo Touch 1.25	Polyester	1.25	229	21.41
Unique	Tourna Poly Big Hitter 17	Polyester	1.26	231	18.15
Pacific	Poly Soft 16	Polyester	1.29	231	19.16
Luxilon	Big Banger Ace 18	Polyester	1.16	232	17.05
Yonex	Tough Brid 125	Polyester	1.24	232	20.95
Ashaway	MonoGut 17	Polyester	1.22	233	20.20
Klip	K-Boom 17	Polyester	1.23	234	17.99
Volkl	V-Rex 16L	Polyester	1.24	234	18.32
Kirschbaum	Competition 1.25	Polyester	1.28	235	19.07
Kirschbaum	Super Smash 1.20	Polyester	1.21	235	19.98
Gosen	Polylon SP 16	Polyester	1.29	235	21.06
Wilson	Enduro Tour 18	Polyester	1.20	236	21.89
Wilson	Enduro Tour 17	Polyester	1.24	236	23.68
Gamma	Zo Plus	Polyester	1.25	238	17.42
Forten	Pro Select 17	Polyester	1.20	238	18.92
Wilson	Enduro Pro 17	Polyester	1.25	239	15.77
Gamma	Zo Power 16L	Polyester	1.20	239	17.29
Luxilon	Big Banger Alu Power Rough 16L	Polyester	1.25	240	18.98
Luxilon	Monotec Zolo Rough 16L	Polyester	1.25	240	19.56
Wilson	Enduro Tour 16	Polyester	1.30	240	24.52
Babolat	Pro Hurricane 16	Polyester	1.31	241	13.61
Luxilon	Big Banger TiMO 18	Polyester	1.15	241	16.91
Unique	Tourna Poly Big Hitter 16	Polyester	1.29	241	17.62
Luxilon	Monotec Zolo 18	Polyester	1.25	241	17.86
Forten	Poly-Blast 17	Polyester	1.23	241	18.41
Luxilon	Big Banger Alu Power 16L	Polyester	1.23	242	17.13
Ashaway	MonoGut 16L	Polyester	1.27	242	19.40
Klip	Hardcore 17	Polyester	1.24	243	17.05
Luxilon	Monotec Zolo 16L	Polyester	1.24	243	17.64
Luxilon	Big Banger XP 16L	Polyester	1.25	243	17.78
Babolat	Ballistic Polymono 17	Polyester	1.25	244	20.89
Alpha	Vengence 16L	Polyester	1.29	244	22.05
Pacific	PolySpin 16	Polyester	1.32	245	20.29
Prince	Polygut 16	Polyester	1.31	246	20.09
Prince	Polygut 17	Polyester	1.24	246	21.52
Yonex	Tough Brid 130	Polyester	1.30	247	22.42
Luxilon	Big Banger Original 16	Polyester	1.28	249	17.11
Tecnifibre	Polyspin 1.275	Polyester	1.27	249	19.87
Prince	Tour 17	Polyester	1.25	249	21.37
Luxilon	Monotec Supersense 16L	Polyester	1.26	250	19.21
Gamma	Zo Life 16	Polyester	1.28	251	15.50
Forten	Flexion 16L	Polyester	1.24	254	15.53
Gosen	Polylon 16	Polyester	1.30	254	21.23
Klip	K-Boom 16	Polyester	1.31	255	16.96
Head	UltraTour 17	Polyester	1.22	255	19.29
Forten	Flexion 16	Polyester	1.28	256	16.76
Forten	Intimidator 16	Polyester	1.30	256	17.91
Gosen	Polylon Comfort 16	Polyester	1.30	256	19.65
Prince	Tour 16	Polyester	1.28	256	21.57
Kirschbaum	Super Smash Spiky 1.25	Polyester	1.26	256	22.02
Kirschbaum	P2	Polyester	1.25	257	15.48
Kirschbaum	Super Smash 1.25	Polyester	1.25	257	19.55
Babolat	Ballistic Polymono 16	Polyester	1.30	257	20.31
Alpha	Polycable 16	Polyester	1.33	257	23.44
Wilson	Enduro Gold 16	Polyester	1.32	258	17.60
Klip	Hardcore 16	Polyester	1.27	258	19.42
Volkl	Fire	Polyester	1.25	258	20.22
Ashaway	Monofire XL 17	Polyester	1.26	259	17.13
Luxilon	Big Banger LTS 16	Polyester	1.30	259	18.57
Wilson	Enduro Pro 16	Polyester	1.30	260	14.33
Luxilon	Big Banger TiMO 17	Polyester	1.23	261	16.29
Luxilon	Poly-Blast 16	Polyester	1.29	261	18.08
Toalson	Thermaxe 127	Polyester	1.27	261	18.99
Pacific	Force 17	Polyester	1.25	262	13.47
Head	UltraTour 16L	Polyester	1.27	263	17.97
Gamma	Dura Blast 17	Polyester	1.26	264	16.82
Pro Kennex	CS-X 17	Polyester	1.23	265	18.43
Luxilon	Big Banger Original Rough 16	Polyester	1.28	266	19.21
Gamma	Zo True 17	Polyester	1.24	267	14.58
Unique	Tourna Poly Premium 18	Polyester	1.21	271	15.39
Ashaway	Monofire XL 16	Polyester	1.29	278	16.14
Luxilon	Monotec Super Poly 16	Polyester	1.25	288	17.28
Luxilon	Big Banger 5-Star 15L	Polyester	1.37	290	17.94
Pacific	Poly Force 17	Polyester	1.24	294	13.41
Prince	Let R’ Rip 16	Polyester	1.33	299	16.71
Gamma	Dura Blast 16	Polyester	1.30	303	12.68
Pacific	Poly Force 16L	Polyester	1.30	320	17.84

Gut (Sorted by Stiffness)

Company	String	Material	Gauge	Stiffness (lb/in.)	Tension loss (lbs)
Pacific	Prime Gut Imperial 17	Natural Gut	1.17	90	9.85
Pacific	Classic Gut 17	Natural Gut	1.22	97	8.76
Pro Kennex	Heritage 16	Natural Gut	1.27	99	10.25
Grand Slam Gut	Grand Slam Gut 15L (coated)	Natural Gut	1.36	100	8.58
Wilson	Natural 16	Natural Gut	1.31	102	8.43
Babolat	VS Team 17	Natural Gut	1.26	102	8.45
Wilson	Natural 17	Natural Gut	1.26	103	8.13
Pacific	Tour Gut 17	Natural Gut	1.24	104	9.13
Grand Slam Gut	Grand Slam Gut 17 (uncoated)	Natural Gut	1.28	105	7.87
Pacific	Prime Gut 17	Natural Gut	1.22	105	8.45
Pacific	Classic Gut 16	Natural Gut	1.3	106	11.01
Babolat	VS Touch 16	Natural Gut	1.3	107	8.31
Wilson	Natural 15L	Natural Gut	1.34	110	9.28
Pacific	Prime Gut 17L	Natural Gut	1.25	110	9.44
Bow Brand	Championship 16	Natural Gut	1.3	111	7.36
Klip	Legend 1.30	Natural Gut	1.28	113	8.77
Grand Slam Gut	Grand Slam Gut 16 (coated)	Natural Gut	1.41	113	9.28
Klip	Legend 17	Natural Gut	1.27	113	9.31
Babolat	Tonic+ Ball Feel	Natural Gut	1.35	114	8.84
Bow Brand	Championship 15L	Natural Gut	1.34	116	8.53
Babolat	VS Touch 15L	Natural Gut	1.35	118	8.68
Unique	Tourna Gut 16	Natural Gut	1.3	119	9.06
Babolat	Tonic+ Longevity	Natural Gut	1.38	119	9.26
Grand Slam Gut	Grand Slam Gut 15L (uncoated)	Natural Gut	1.48	129	11.22

Aramid/Kevlar/Technora/Vectran (Sorted by Stiffness)

Company	String	Material	Gauge	Stiffness (lb/in.)	Tension loss (lbs)
Ashaway	Composite XL Pro 15	Kevlar	1.38	444	16.36
Ashaway	Composite XT Pro	Vectran	1.30	470	14.34
Forten	New Age 18	Kevlar/Nylon	1.13	511	18.43
Forten	Aramid Composite 18	Kevlar/Nylon	1.11	516	15.04
Prince	Perfection Control 17	Nylon/Technora	1.24	530	11.71
Prince	Perfection Control 16	Nylon/Technora	1.28	530	13.72
Forten	Ultra Thin Blend 18	Kevlar	1.12	545	15.12
Forten	Thin Blend 18	Kevlar	1.15	557	14.33
Wilson	Hyperlast Spin	Technora	1.21	562	13.72
Head	RIP Blend 17	Kevlar	1.24	574	15.73
Dunlop	Max Touch 17	Kevlar	1.22	586	15.08
Forten	Aramid Composite 17	Kevlar/Nylon	1.17	597	11.27
Forten	Aramid Gear 16L	Kevlar	1.42	610	10.43
Forten	Aramid Composite 16	Kevlar/Nylon	1.28	619	9.55
Silent Partner	Gutsy Aramid 17	Kevlar	1.15	623	11.38
Forten	Aramid Gear 15	Kevlar	1.45	627	11.84
Pacific	Gear 16	Kevlar	1.43	629	11.73
Forten	Sweet Aramid 16L	Kevlar	1.27	632	11.60
Gamma	TNT2 Fusion Plus 19	Kevlar	1.23	640	17.33
Gamma	Infinity 18	Kevlar	1.17	641	17.00
Gamma	Infinity 17	Kevlar	1.24	641	20.57
Ashaway	Crossfire 18	Kevlar	1.08	671	27.21
Gamma	TNT2 Fusion Plus 16	Kevlar	1.28	674	16.36
Gosen	Arammix Pro 18	Kevlar	1.09	697	17.03
Wilson	Hyperlast 15	Technora	1.41	709	13.15
Prince	Pro Blend 17	Kevlar	1.24	720	16.39
Gamma	Infinity 16	Kevlar	1.30	736	17.90
Ashaway	Crossfire 17	Kevlar	1.22	757	28.37
Klip	Atomic 16	Kevlar	1.29	758	28.36
Forten	Sweet Aramid 15L	Kevlar	1.36	761	13.01
Ashaway	Crossfire II 16	Kevlar	1.29	764	26.68
Prince	Pro Blend 16	Kevlar	1.30	981	15.88

See all articles by Crawford Lindsey

About the Author

Crawford Lindsey  is co-author of The Physics and Technology of Tennis and Technical Tennis

From the September 2005 issue
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