String comparison
Big Banger Original Rough vs Savage
Luxilon Big Banger Original Rough against Luxilon Savage: ratings, specs and which one fits your junior.
The short answer
Both are polyester strings. Big Banger Original Rough leads on control, durability and tension hold. Savage leads on power, spin and comfort. For a junior with arm concerns, Savage 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 Big Banger Original Rough if…
- You want more control (9 vs 8 out of 10)
- You want more durability (9 vs 7 out of 10)
- You want more tension hold (8 vs 6 out of 10)
- Best for: string breakers wanting spin + durability
- Best for: big hitters with their own power
- Best for: aggressive topspin baseliners
Pick Savage if…
- You want more power (5 vs 4 out of 10)
- You want more spin (9 vs 8 out of 10)
- You want more comfort (6 vs 3 out of 10)
- Arm comfort comes first (arm friendliness 3/5 vs 1/5)
- Your player is younger (recommended from age 13 vs 16)
- Best for: spin-obsessed juniors on a budget
- Best for: heavy topspin baseliners
- Best for: big hitters who break strings often
Specs side by side
| Spec | Big Banger Original Rough | Savage |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Polyester | Polyester |
| Construction | Textured co-polymer nylon with fluorocarbon resin | Six-sided co-poly with Liquid Crystalline Polymer (LCP) |
| Gauges | 16 | 16 |
| Stiffness | Very high | High |
| Set price | $14–16 | $14–16 |
| Reel price | $120–150 | $130–160 |
| Arm friendliness | 1/5 · Not arm friendly | 3/5 · Moderate |
| Cost to maintain | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Recommended from | Age 16 | Age 13 |
| Levels | Elite | Advanced, Elite |
| Play styles | Baseliner, Big hitter | Baseliner, Big hitter |
| Junior tension | String 10% lower than usual. 46-50 lbs for textured version. | 46-50 lbs for juniors. Six-sided shape grips well at lower tensions. |
Big Banger Original Rough in short
The textured version of the legendary Big Banger Original adds enhanced spin potential to the original's legendary durability and control. Same low-power, high-control characteristics as the original but with a textured surface for better ball grip.
Savage in short
Luxilon Savage is a stiff six-sided co-poly loaded with spin-friendly bite and low-powered control. The smooth response was achieved partly through a Liquid Crystalline Polymer (LCP), one of Luxilon's successful additives. Savage is 15% stiffer than ALU Power, which translates to less ball speed off the stringbed (more control). The six edges provide excellent grip on the ball. Available in Lime, White, and Black, with the Black version having the crispest feel and least power. Savage is Luxilon's budget-friendly option that gives much of the tour-level durability and control expected from the Luxilon line.
Big Banger Original Rough vs Savage: quick answers
Which has more spin, Big Banger Original Rough or Savage?
Luxilon Savage, with a spin rating of 9/10 against 8/10.
Which is more arm-friendly for a junior?
Luxilon Savage scores 3/5 for arm friendliness, against 1/5 for Big Banger Original Rough. It is recommended from age 13.
Which lasts longer?
Luxilon Big Banger Original Rough rates 9/10 for durability against 7/10.
Which is cheaper?
Big Banger Original Rough costs about $14–16 a set and Savage about $14–16, at typical retail.
The short answer and the "pick if" lists are generated from our ratings and junior data only. Data verified 2025-01 (Big Banger Original Rough) and 2025-01 (Savage).