String comparison
Live Wire XP vs TNT2
Gamma Live Wire XP against Gamma TNT2: ratings, specs and which one fits your junior.
The short answer
Live Wire XP is a multifilament string and TNT2 is a synthetic gut string. Live Wire XP leads on comfort. TNT2 leads on control and durability. For a junior with arm concerns, Live Wire XP is the safer choice.
Ratings
Power
Spin
Control
Comfort
Durability
Tension hold
Ratings are on a 1–10 scale. The higher score is in bold when they differ.
Pick Live Wire XP if…
- You want more comfort (9 vs 8 out of 10)
- Arm comfort comes first (arm friendliness 5/5 vs 4/5)
- Best for: players with arm problems
- Best for: comfort-seekers at any level
- Best for: all-court players wanting feel
Pick TNT2 if…
- You want more control (7 vs 6 out of 10)
- You want more durability (6 vs 5 out of 10)
- Best for: juniors who want a lively synthetic with control
- Best for: players moving up from basic synthetic gut
- Best for: all-court players
Specs side by side
| Spec | Live Wire XP | TNT2 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Multifilament | Synthetic gut |
| Construction | Multi-fiber construction with soft outer wrap | Elastalon solid center core with outer wraps, pearl coating and TNT2 processing for energy return |
| Gauges | 16, 17 | 15L, 16, 17, 18 |
| Stiffness | Low | Medium |
| Set price | $15–18 | $14–15 |
| Reel price | $100–120 | — |
| Arm friendliness | 5/5 · Excellent | 4/5 · Good |
| Cost to maintain | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Recommended from | Age 8 | Age 8 |
| Levels | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced |
| Play styles | All court, Serve and volley, Touch player | All court, Serve and volley, Touch player |
| Junior tension | 52-58 lbs for juniors. Very arm-friendly at any tension. | 50-56 lbs for juniors. |
Live Wire XP in short
Gamma Live Wire XP continues Gamma's legacy of multifilament excellence. In 2004, Gamma Live Wire Professional became the first synthetic string to rank ahead of natural gut in Overall Performance from Tennis Warehouse. Live Wire XP delivers premium comfort with good power and playability. Built on over 50 years of string innovation from the company that pioneered synthetic string technology, it offers exceptional arm protection without sacrificing performance.
TNT2 in short
Gamma TNT2 is Gamma’s premium solid-core synthetic. An Elastalon core with outer wraps and a pearl coating is processed for energy return; Gamma describes it as exceptional playability for a solid core string, lively without skimping on control or comfort. It sits between a basic synthetic gut and a multifilament in price, and comes in four gauges and six colors.
Live Wire XP vs TNT2: quick answers
Which has more spin, Live Wire XP or TNT2?
They tie on our spin rating (6/10 each).
Which is more arm-friendly for a junior?
Gamma Live Wire XP scores 5/5 for arm friendliness, against 4/5 for TNT2. It is recommended from age 8.
Which lasts longer?
Gamma TNT2 rates 6/10 for durability against 5/10.
Which is cheaper?
Live Wire XP costs about $15–18 a set and TNT2 about $14–15, at typical retail.
The short answer and the "pick if" lists are generated from our ratings and junior data only. Data verified 2025-01 (Live Wire XP) and 2026-10 (TNT2).