There are various classifications of strings, some based on the material used, some on the manufacturing technology, some created by marketing people (…), etc. Categories in most of those classifications overlap to various degree.
Without even attempting a thorough explanation of string types, here are a few basic things you should know about different types of strings:
Natural Gut
- The “mother of all strings”. Made of cow gut, and priced accordingly (ie very expensive)
- Natural gut provides the best “feel”.
- It is more elastic at higher tensions (over 55 lbs) and it keeps it’s characteristics longer than most synthetics.
- The best string for people with tennis elbow .
- On the down side – very sensible to the elements. Playing in rain or high humidity is not recommended. (it takes very little playing time to ruin a brand new string job on a misty/cold fall morning…)
Nylon (Synthetic Gut)
- Most nylon strings are extremely cost-effective (as in “cheap”)
- Very popular strings. There’s a great variety of synthetic gut strings on the market.
- Elasticity decreases significantly at higher tensions
- Loses elasticity faster than natural gut (for example), becoming very “flat”.
Polyester
- Very durable string, but looses tension quickly.
- This is the string that you’d cut out of your racquet before it breaks.
Kevlar
- This is the string for you if you break your strings every week. But then again, if you play that hard (generate that much spin) you probably have an other favorite string, and you don’t mind frequent restringing.
- If you have tennis elbow problems – stay away as far as you can from Kevlar.
- Note: – Reduce stringing tension by about 10% when having Kevlar strings installed
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