What does the string gauge effect? - Talk Tennis

Prince86 said: I hate to disagree with you Twist because you have given good advice in the past, however it is becoming a more popular thought that thicker strings provide more spin and durablity and thinner strings provide more power and feel.

No way.. Thinner strings always have more spin.. Why do you think player use 18g? From first hand experience I've played 17 and 18g versions of Timo and Hurricane, and the 18g have much more spin.

Also in theory the thicker the string is, the more dense the racquet becomes. The thinner the string, the more open the racquet is.

Look at the strings guide:
http://tennis.about.com/od/tennisstringsfaq/f/faqstrings32.htm Here is the way I explain why thinner has more spin: spin is generated from the strings gripping the ball rather than going through or sliding across it. Well there is going to be more grip if there is more pressure. Pressure is determined by force and surface area. Consider standing on the floor, then consider standing on a nail. Your body provides the exact same force (your weight), but the surface area it is distributed across is much different. Now, if the floor and nail start to move underneath you, you will either move with or slide across the floor. But when the nail moves, it will tend to pull your feet out from under you, thus providing torque, aka spin. So as you swing with a given force, less surface area (thinner strings) will grip the ball better and thus spin the ball more. How much spin do you think a pane of glass would provide?? Tennis magazine published an article claiming that thicker string at low tension provides more spin potential than thin strings. Yet Pete Sampras was proven to generate more topspin on his serve than anyone and he used 17g VS gut at 70 lbs. The scientists who wrote the book The Physics and Technology of Tennis said that racquet head speed and angle of attack of the string face to the ball had more effect on generating spin than other factors. I can buy into the thick string at low tension arguement for recreational players with relatively slow swing speeds, the arguement being that there will be more friction between the strings and ball(thicker gauge) and the ball will pocket into the strings more with a longer dwell time. With the ball on the strings a little longer there's more ball to string contact and more spin. However, if you have a big fast swing, a thin string at high tension will cause the ball to imbed into the stringbed and there will be more bite on the ball. The ball won't slide as much. The book I mentioned earlier also said that the optimum angle of attack of the strings to the ball is about 40o. This is why the people who use the full western grip generate so much spin. Another point..if you hit the ball flat it doesn't make much difference what kind of string you use relative to spin potential. the gneral consensus is that thin string provide more power. But this does not seem to be the case for me.

I had prince duraflex 17 strung at 60lbs [cross and mains]
now I have babolat pro hurricane 17[main] and babolat rozor hi-life 15L [crosses] both @ 60lbs

The babolat setup feels like a trampoline compared to the prince setup. the babolat setup also seems more slippery, that is spin is harder to generate.

A side question:
Does anyone know why such a big difference in terms of pins for my 2 different setups? exactly you are using 2 different types of strings and comparing them. Suppose you get a wilson NXT 15Lg. Then compare it to a wilson NXT 18g or 17g. You will see the difference.

Thinner strings = more power, more spin but less durability
Thicker strings = more durability

That's why people tend to use thicker strings during year round pratice but for tournaments they may string with thinner strings.

However strings DO make a difference in spin, having good technique is much more important in creating spin.

Deciding between 16 and 17.... hm.... Well on what occasion are you stringing your racquet for? Are you a string breaker? Are you willing to string your racquet a bit more often? Ask yourself these questions and you will find your own answer to whether or not you want to string with a 16g or 17g. which gauge provides more spin...

Just read an article where Jay Schweid (probably the foremost racquet stringer and stringer to the pros) talked about myths of string gauge and spin. He stated that contrary to popular belief, thicker gauge allows for more spin because it allows more surface area to "bite" into the ball.

Honestly, I've used 16 and 17 gauge string in the past, and the difference is insignificant with the exception of "feel" (where thinner strings feel better) and durability (thicker is better). I find you generate different amounts of spin by changing the swing style or grip.

kicker75 said: Just read an article where Jay Schweid (probably the foremost racquet stringer and stringer to the pros) talked about myths of string gauge and spin. He stated that contrary to popular belief, thicker gauge allows for more spin because it allows more surface area to "bite" into the ball.

Honestly, I've used 16 and 17 gauge string in the past, and the difference is insignificant with the exception of "feel" (where thinner strings feel better) and durability (thicker is better). I find you generate different amounts of spin by changing the swing style or grip.

If thicker gauge strings give more spin why don't we use 13g? .. Oh wait lets get some crazy mad spin, lets use 10gauge string.. It'll last forever too and the spin freaks will go nuts?.. Even better lets just make special order rope made from ALU rough see how much spin we get? Let me guess, theres a limit to that theory or is the theory totally flawed. I also read the tennis magazine article that stated thicker strings produce more spin...From my own experience (over 30 years of playing), I have convinced myself that I am able to produce more spin with the thinner 17 gauge string. Half of the battle is having confidence that your racket and strings feel right for your level/style of play. I don't think there is a correct answer - the pro's have a huge variety of string and tension - and they really know what they are doing...

Try the different guages and determine for yourself what works best for your game - for me...

17 guage = more spin, power potential, easy on arm - breaks quickly (but that is why I string my own rackets... Jay Schweid's thoughts...

Here's an excerpt from the Tennis Magazine article by Jay Schweid. Now, I don't know if he's right or wrong, but just to throw this out so everyone can debate this...

Enjoy...

YOU WANT MORE SPIN
For many players, control is defined as the ability to hit with spin. If that's what you're after, the solution is lower tension and a thicker gauge, or diameter, of string. (Strings range from 15 gauge, the thickest, to 19 gauge, the thinnest; an "L" signifies that the string is slightly thinner than the number shown.) Conventional wisdom holds that a thinner gauge adds bite. In fact, a thinner string gives you more feel for the ball but not more spin. Thicker strings—those with a 15 to 16 diameter—offer more material with which to brush up on the ball (for topspin) or undercut it (for slice). Just ask Alex Corretja. He recently started using a thicker string and lowered the tension to get even more topspin on his already heavy ground strokes. Most manufacturers also produce textured strings, which have a ridged outer wrap that grabs the ball for extra spin. Some good choices in this area are a 15 to 16 gauge of Gamma TNT2 Ruff, Head RIP Control, Prince Topspin, and Wilson Stamina Spin. There are many factors in the production of spin including but not limited to the following:

1. String diameter
2. Tension
3. Playing style

In order to compare the difference, it is important to keep the other 2 variables constant eg when one is comparing 15L and 18g, tension and playing style should be the same. When this happens, many players feel that the thinnner gauge provides more spin. Tennis magazine is right, thicker string AND lower tension provides more spin. But note, the tension is lowered. Good point TennisDog...we can all agree that more bite on a ball will help grip it. From still photos of a ball crushed against a stringbed, it is clear that it is at the mercy of the strings; clearly a thinner string will bite/cut into it more and allow you to have your way with it, just like cutting into an orange with a thin, sharp knife vs a thicker dull one. low tension provides more spin potential than thin strings.........

what is spin potential?? its seem that i machinne could have already determined this.

if you have a say...2 16x19 string patterns and one with 60lbs at 18g and one at 60lbs at 16g wont the thinner string cut into the tennis ball further?? generating more spin??


lower tensions produce more power because the ???? strings give more as opposed to biting into the ball more??

Sorry, but that's flawed logic. They have massive spin because they are pros and accelerate their racket faster than we can imagine.

I can tell you for sure that I get more spin with thinner gauges. My opponents commented on it when I switched from 16g to 17g bhbr when I used it.

I'm not a pro and I get more spin with 16 than 17. If both strung at the same tension. Say 16g rpm vs. 17g rpm.

But I think the real factor is the tension of the stringfbed more than gauge. But for every player it will be different obviously.
I think 16 does have a higher spin potential at the higher levels of play than a thinner string though. Otherwise most top pros and college kids would play thinner. I do believe most pros play thicker vs. thinner.

I'm not a pro and I get more spin with 16 than 17. If both strung at the same tension. Say 16g rpm vs. 17g rpm.

But I think the real factor is the tension of the stringfbed more than gauge. But for every player it will be different obviously.
I think 16 does have a higher spin potential at the higher levels of play than a thinner string though. Otherwise most top pros and college kids would play thinner. I do believe most pros play thicker vs. thinner.

It's up to the person's personal preference. I think a lot of pros play with 16 gauge because they have always been given it and don't really know the difference. Durability is also a concern. Feliciano Lopez switched from a 16 to 17 or maybe 17 to 18 and said he noticed much more spin.

I wasn't saying what you said you felt was wrong. I was simply saying the fact that the top three pros in the world get massive spin because they use 16 instead of 17 gauge strings is not logical.

I PERSONALLY feel I get more spin with 17 than 16. It's up to a person's preference.

It's up to the person's personal preference. I think a lot of pros play with 16 gauge because they have always been given it and don't really know the difference. Durability is also a concern. Feliciano Lopez switched from a 16 to 17 or maybe 17 to 18 and said he noticed much more spin.

I wasn't saying what you said you felt was wrong. I was simply saying the fact that the top three pros in the world get massive spin because they use 16 instead of 17 gauge strings is not logical.

I PERSONALLY feel I get more spin with 17 than 16. It's up to a person's preference.

True. Its probably all in my head anyways....

Deciding which tire pressure gauge to purchase can be a bit overwhelming considering the numerous options available . The good news is after you start defining your needs and preferences, the right choice quickly becomes clearer. This article will describe the differences in gauges and simplify the selection process for you.

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Use of Your Gauge

Have you ever found yourself taking with friends or even industry experts at an event about optimum tire pressures then simply setting your pressures based on that?

A few years ago I was at a track and set the tire pressures on my racecar. A friend of mine was trying to be helpful not realizing that I had already set them, and measured the pressures with his gauge. He mentioned that in order to reach the initial pressures I wanted, it would be necessary to add more air into the tires. I was puzzled as our pressure readings were about 5 psi off from each other using the two different gauges. This made me curious and I had a few other people compare what their tire pressure gauge readings were. The results were interesting as the tire pressure readings varied among several of the gauges. It was at this point when I learned to only use my tire pressure gauge on my car going forward. I also became even more aware of the downsides of taking other peoples’ pressure suggestions beyond serving as a starting point.

The most important aspect of a tire pressure gauge is for the tool to be consistent and repeatable. Does it really matter if the gauge reading states 35 psi or 40 psi if you’re always using the same gauge? No it doesn’t. While the gauges are tested for accuracy when built, stuff happens. Don’t you just love how some boxes you receive marked Fragile have holes in them or have obviously been beaten up a bit?

In theory if you really want to ensure that your gauge is consistent, you could buy a second, inexpensive gauge to occasionally compare the two readings. Store the second gauge in a safe place where the temperatures do not quickly fluctuate. The more inexpensive gauges that OG Racing sells are not less accurate than the more expensive units and would fit this purpose.

Narrowing Down the Options

When looking at the various gauge options, there are a few considerations which will help determine which gauge is right for you.

• Analog or digital
• Pressure ranges you need to measure
• Size of the gauge face display
• Angle chuck or ball chuck end
• Standard or liquid filled

Analog Versus Digital
     
Digital gauges are easier to read but come with a slightly higher price tag. I like the idea of a digital gauge, but also appreciate the simplicity of an analog gauge. I just picture myself being in a rush to set the pressures only to learn that the battery has worn out. Fortunately most digital gauges automatically turn off in approximately five minutes of non-use, and some, like Longacre gauges, use AAA batteries.  

When speaking with a representative at OG Racing, I found it interesting that the majority of racers buying gauges for themselves buy analog. Yet people who are buying them as gifts typically choose digital.

Liquid Filled Gauges

Liquid filled gauges are purposely filled to just 80%. The remaining 20% air pocket helps allow for thermal expansion and contraction as ambient temperature change, thereby maintaining accuracy. If the gauge were filled to 100% even the slightest temperature change would significantly  affect gauge readings (3 – 5 psi) as the expanding fluid would have no place to go. To ensure pressure accuracy over a wide operating range, Longacre gauges have a Special Vent Valve. Most other brand gauges have a similar type of vent. Turning the knob allows you to equalize internal and external pressures so it’s accurate.

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These types of gauges were much more popular in the past, but have essentially been replaced by the newer analog and digital styles. 

Longacre Gauge Model Explanations and Differences

I consider Longacre to be the Gold Standard. They have a proven history of building quality gauges. Not only do they test them when built, they also test them before being shipped. I personally have been using their gauges for many years. They work extremely well and as a result, OG Racing carries their gauges almost exclusively. An interesting fact is that all of Longacre’s pressure gauges have the same accuracy and mechanics regardless whether one is looking at an inexpensive Standard gauge or the more expensive models. Below are some notes that will be helpful when comparing the various Longacre gauges.

Note:  All of Longacre’s gauges come with an air pressure release valve.

Analog Standard

• 2″ gauge face display.
• The air chuck is not attached to a swivel head.

Analog Deluxe

• 2 ½” gauge face display.
• The air chuck sites on a swivel head which is a nice feature.
• Holds the reading until released. Another handy feature.

Of the gauges, the Deluxe is my personal favorite and what I use.

Analog Magnum
This gauge is essentially the Deluxe model, just with a huge face.

• 3 ½” gauge face display
• The air chuck sites on a swivel head.
• Holds the reading until released. Another handy feature.
• This gauge also comes with a carrying case.

Digital Economy

• 2″ gauge face display
• The air chuck is not attached to a swivel head
• Does not have a hold pressure reading feature

Digital

• The air chuck sites on a swivel head.
• Pressure holds until you reset it.
• Auto off feature to save battery which can be adjusted by user.
• This gauge also comes with a carrying case.

Keeping Your Gauge Working

Treat your gauge much like you would a torque wrench or other sensitive tool and it will provide you several years of service. While vibrations from being stored inside of a car won’t hurt it, being thrown around most certainly will. It is okay to store it in cold locations such as your garage during winter (if you’re in a northern location), but try to avoid it experiencing major quick temperature changes.

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