Okay, I thought I had a grip on what string qualities (strong repulsion, string guage, etc.) were more desireable for different playing styles (hard hitting vs. control type players), but apparently I don't. Looking at string characteristics, I would've thought that thicker guage strings with stronger repulsion powers would make for better smashing power, but when I check the Yonex recommended strings for power and control players, it usually lists those strings for control players. Also, most reports I read about Ti coated strings made them sound like poor control strings, but Yonex seems to indicate otherwise. So for control players, do you generally want thinner strings, or thicker strings? Higher repulsion power or lesser? Ti coated strings, or not? Likewise, what do you look for if you're a power hitter? I tried to do a search for this, but I didn't come up with the right keyword combinations or something. Thanks!
Taking this image from a previous thread, it doesn't recommend BG 85 for hard hitting men, and BG 80 only gets a moderate rating... I thought these were strings for more power. It also lists the BG 65s as better for hard hitting, but I thought they were supposed to be control strings? And then to top it off, BG 66 Sharp which has the highest repulstion rating of any of their strings, is not recommended for hard hitters... wouldn't repulsion help with smash power? I'm confused... can anyone straighten me out?
It's a bit hard to explain. BG-66, 80 and 85 will give you the most repulsion and power (relatively speaking). But it's not durable compared to BG-65. So Yonex says Power Hitters should use BG-65 because it's durable. If Yonex didn't care about durability, it would say BG-66 would be for Power Hitters. So it's a bit confusing.
Also, yonex's chart is come with a relative term, and can only to be used as reference. They have a fairly small group of testers, with limited tension range, and playing styles. Again, once come to equipment, it's all about whether YOU like it or not.
the idea is that hard hitter hit hard due to their technique and not the string, so if they use BG66 or 85 they may end up hitting out of court...and probably break the string waaay too often. while this might be better for sales volume, eventually people would find it too expensive to use yonex and could possibly be put off due to "poor durability". therefore the hard hitters are recommended to use the thicker strings (since they are generating the power themselves) to minimise breakages. the control player....streotyped as producing less power is recommended to use the thinner strings, so that the extra repulsion of those thinner strings can help them get that bit more power. breakages will happen less due to massive smashes and everyone is happy i think the titanium strings will follow a similar pattern, but the ti coating is supposed to increase durability and repulsion and people have said that it loses a bit on the control as the coating makes the strings very slippery.
The best and ultimate guide is you as a player. Just try out different strings at different tensions. The ones that suit you are the ones custom made for you.
Agree and make sure to take it to the same stringer and strung at the same tension to minimize other variables.
Hmmm... on the other hand, it doesn't necessarily meant that control players have less power, they could also be partial towards proper strategic games. The controls thinner strings gave allow more accurate shots, thus favorable to control player's style. IMO, it's the power player who needs a durable string the most due to their reliance on hard smash and drives. BG 70Pro and BG 65 definitely fits the category. Also, I find that almost all the 'durable' strings have the same feel and ease of control after being strung at very high tension (approx. 28~33lbs). Thinner strings don't need to be strung as high to give the same level of control.