reString Mailbag August 2026

We're back for another mailbag, where we answer questions from real customers.

This month, we will cover tension for the Tecnifibre Fire, a natural gut hybrid in the heat, a setup for the Wilson Clash 100 V2, a hybrid in the HEAD Speed MP, and how reString Slap compares to Solinco Mach-10.

Question 1 - Tecnifibre Fire Tension

Hello, I use reString Zero and reString Sync 51/49 lbs in my new Tecnifibre Fire.

I just bought reString Slap 16G to try.

I love reString Sync and reString Zero, but I feel like it can be a little too springy in this power frame.

What tension do you recommend for reString Slap? I'd like to maximize spin but not feel like a trampoline or have an exaggerated launch angle.

reString Response

For the reString Slap 16G in a power frame, to maximize spin without feeling too springy, we usually recommend starting around 51 lbs.

That should give you a good balance, and it should also feel familiar with what you're used to.

I would start with that in a full bed and then potentially fine-tune it with a hybrid.

Since you seem to enjoy reString Sync in the cross, doing a reString Slap and reString Sync hybrid at 51/50 lbs or so would give an even more controlled response without sacrificing on pop.

I think you'll feel right at home with a full bed of reString Slap, but the hybrid is always a great backup.

Followup Question

Hello! I love reString Slap in full bed.

I want to try reString Slap and reString Sync. Will the reString Sync give more string movement and topspin?

Also, I'm playing reString Slap 16G at 51 lbs. What gauge reString Sync and tension do you suggest?

Followup Response

reString Sync in the crosses will definitely add a bit more string movement and give you a touch more topspin, along with a softer, more controlled feel overall.

For the hybrid, we'd go with reString Sync 17G in the crosses.

Since you're running reString Slap at 51 lbs in the mains, try stringing the reString Sync around 49 lbs in the crosses.

That pairing should give you a great balance of spin and control without losing the pop you like.

Question 2 - Natural Gut Hybrid Tension

You were nice enough to answer some of my questions in depth a few months back about a stringing issue with my granddaughter's Babolat Pure Drive Gen11 100 sq inch racket.

She currently uses Babolat VS Touch 16G and Wasabi X 17G 57/54 lbs. She loves the Touch feel, and I can't convince her to try a full bed of poly, hybrid or otherwise.

She is playing hard court high school short matches at 105 degrees currently in Texas. She hits relatively hard schooled strokes but is not a slugger.

I can't get her to consider anything but the gut mains.

I had great success in my grandson's racket with reString Sync as a cross.

If I put 17G reString Sync in her current setup as crosses, what tension should I try with the Touch and reString Sync for better control with similar power in this sweltering heat?

reString Response

For the Touch and reString Sync hybrid, we'd suggest going a bit lower than you might expect, more into the low fifties rather than staying at 54 lbs.

Something like 51-52 lbs on the reString Sync crosses should give her that extra control while still keeping good pop, especially with things playing a bit looser anyway once the Texas heat sets in.

We wouldn't recommend going much higher than that.

Question 3 - Wilson Clash 100 V2 Setup

I currently play with a Wilson Clash 100 V2. I've strung it with reString Zero and reString Sync for the past 18 months or so.

Full bed of both, and also reString Sync in a hybrid with Tecnifibre X-One Biphase (for the feel). I actually like the reString Zero a bit more.

I'm currently using a hybrid with Luxilon Element and X-One Biphase.

I need a bit more power than reString Sync provides and I like a more plush feeling, but don't want to give up control.

So I'm thinking about trying reString Slap in a full bed. Thoughts?

If I stop by the pop-up, will you string while I wait? Also, what is the cost of the labor? Thanks.

reString Response

If your main goal is to keep the control of reString Sync but add more power and a plusher feel (especially since you enjoy hybrids with softer strings), I definitely recommend trying reString Slap.

You can think of it as reString Zero's cousin. It shares the same shape and snapback profile.

If you liked the launch angle and spin you got from reString Zero, you'll love those aspects of reString Slap.

However, it offers more control and a bit more softness in the stringbed, giving you those characteristics of reString Sync you appreciate.

If you want the power and spin of reString Zero combined with the control and feel of reString Sync, reString Slap will be perfect for you.

We would love to have you stop by the NYC pop-up. While we usually have a 24-hour turnaround for pickups, we will make sure to string your racket while you wait.

Labor will be $30, and the set of strings will be on us.

Question 4 - HEAD Speed MP Hybrid Setup

Hello, I really love reString Sync 1.30 as it feels almost a total upgrade from HEAD Hawk Touch 1.30, though I feel like sometimes it has like a slipping off feel whenever I brush the ball.

I'm wondering if reString Zero 1.28 main and reString Sync 1.30 cross would be best next thing, or vice versa, for my HEAD Speed MP.

I already ordered some reString Zero to try, just wondering which should be main or cross.

reString Response

For that reString Zero and reString Sync hybrid, we'd recommend reString Zero in the mains and reString Sync in the crosses.

reString Zero in the mains should give you the extra bite and spin you're missing, since the mains do most of the work generating spin.

reString Sync in the crosses then brings the control and softer, more connected feel, which should help with that slipping sensation you mentioned.

Just a note on gauge, reString Zero comes in 16G and 17G, and reString Sync comes in 16G, 17G, and 18G.

For the cross, we'd recommend going with the same gauge as your main or a touch thinner. That extra room allows for more snapback.

Question 5 - reString Slap vs Solinco Mach-10

I am a Solinco Mach-10 and Confidential Soft user and would like to switch to reString.

I would just like to get an idea on the power level comparison of reString Slap vs the two Solinco strings that I used.

Is reString Slap more powerful than Mach-10, or in between Mach-10 and Confidential Soft?

I am using 1.25 gauge. So should I use reString Slap 1.23 at the same tension, or at 2 lbs higher?

reString Response

I don't have direct testing data comparing reString Slap to Mach-10 and Confidential Soft since those are outside our lineup, so I don't want to overstate the comparison.

What I can say is reString Slap is built on the same hex profile and infused lubrication as our reString Zero string, tuned for a softer, more forgiving feel while still delivering heavy spin and explosive power.

It sits closer to a power and spin string than a pure control string.

If I had to give a comparison, I'd say that the power level is similar to Mach-10, or just slightly less. It's not the most powerful string we offer in the lineup (that would be reString Zero, which is similar to Solinco Hyper-G but even more pop).

reString Slap is more tamed, although more than something like Confidential on that spectrum, so my guess would be ballpark around Confidential Soft.

Given that you're coming from a 17G string, I definitely think our 17G will be the closest choice.

Tension wise, going with the exact same level as what you have now with Solinco will be the best start to get a like for like comparison.

1.23 and 1.25 are really close (almost unnoticeable), so I don't think there's any need to go up in tension to compensate.

In fact, I would even recommend going down 1 lb to bring out more of the benefits of our Signature Snapback, since our strings are engineered to snap back into place seamlessly thanks to the frictionless construction.

Going 1 lb lower helps give those strings that extra wiggle room.

So tension rec wise, I'd go with whatever your current setup is minus one.

Got Your Own Question?

We'd love to hear from you and share the best response we can to help your game.

If you have your own question, you can submit that via our contact page or on Instagram.

Until next month, enjoy your tennis!

Note: questions and responses have been lightly edited for easier reading.

About the Author: Juan is the co-founder of reString. He was born in Argentina, raised in Japan, and moved to the US to pursue college tennis. He now plays as an ATP & WTA hitting partner.