String Types
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- Natural Gut - Often considered the string that all others are measured against. Natural gut is made from beef intestine through a complex manufacturing process. This type of string is still favoured by the purists for its optimum mixture of power, control and spin. The softness of Natural gut results in extraordinary feel, and great control. This softness and elasticity also makes it an excellent choice Natural gut also retains its tension better than any other string. The only drawbacks to natural gut are its price (the most expensive string by far) and durability. Natural gut can be sensitive to heat, humidity, and water. If cared for properly, gut lasts about as long as the average synthetic, nylon based string.
- Multifilament - These are the best examples of using technology to replicate a product that has been successful over a number of years (natural gut). Thin strands are wound around (just like natural gut) to create different variations of SPIN, power, control and durability.
- Polyester -The latest idea in strings is that people want polyester strings that are not as harsh on the arm, but have all the other best characteristics of polyester strings, without necessarily being as durable as the normal, original polyester strings. These strings can also be used on their own without the need to combine them with anything else in a hybrid. A number of strings have come out very recently that fit this bill....
- Hybrid Combinations - A hybrid consists of a stringbed with a different string for the "mains" (strings that run lengthwise in the racquet head) and the "crosses" (the shorter strings that run at a right angle to the mains). Hybrids are often used to maximize durability while keeping stiffness as low as possible. Because mains usually break before crosses, a durability oriented string such as polyester or Kevlar is used for the mains while a more elastic string is used for the crosses. Hybrids can be used to maximize playability while keeping cost low. Because the mains are the longest strings in a racquet, and because string length is an important determinant of the playability of a stringbed, it makes sense to install the most playable string in the mains. For example, a player who wants the playability of natural gut will get most of the benefits of natural gut by stringing the mains with it while stringing the crosses with an inexpensive string with other characteristics, ie. Power, spin, durability.
