Durability of Natural Gut / Poly Hybrid?

[TripleB]

This was probably the first question I should have asked before I ordered another Wilson Six.One Team BLX with natural gut mains and poly crosses :roll:

With 16g natural gut mains (Pacific Classic) and poly crosses (MSV Co-Focus 17L), how many hours of play should I expect to get out of this set up before the natural gut mains break? (4.0 heavy spin doubles player)

Thanks.

TripleB

 

[dadozen]

TB, gut/poly is one of the best string combos out there, but I would have gone bankrupt if I decided to keep with it.

I remeber breaking strings after 1h( one set and a half ). I could barely finish the game and that was only possible because I had a full gut strung racquet.

The durability is really low, but 18x20 racquets can give you a much longer time span.

 

[bsiegel]

Hi, TB. I'm in Greensboro NC ! You don't mention tension, but regardless, it's quite variable depending on the particular lot of string and off center hits and even stuff like exposure to misty, moist playing conditions. Also if MSV Co-Focus is a "shaped poly" that will lessen the life of the Pacific.
I am using Babolat VS 16 in mains and Solinco 18 Outlast ( non shaped poly ) in cross and I get 25 hours per frame usually ( estimate ) . I previously used Klip 16 legend in the mains and it lasted forever, but it has a stiff quality that I have come not to prefer. The few times I have used pacific, I was not satisfied and found it went quite fast. I also tried the Indian Stuff and that's an exercise in futility if ever the was one. Hopefully you have a stringer to defray what will be an expensive string choice if you are a very active player. You probably won't go back from gut once you get to liking it. There is nothing comparable imho. Best Regards

 

[JT_2eighty]

For 4.0 doubles, you will get plenty of mileage, especially using 16g mains. The slippery poly crosses aid the durability of the mains, while a full gut set is much less durable because the strings stick to each other and notch and fray fast.

Don't be worried about initial fraying. Pacific gut will start to fray and get 'hairy' looking, but I've seen it fray heavily before it breaks.

The stiffer and more open patterned your racquet is will be a detriment to durability, while the more flexy and closed pattern you have will help string life.

 

[VoodooBoot]

VS Touch mains and Pro Hurricane (non-Tour) 17 crosses: at least 20-25 hours.

But it's too humid, which someone said affects gut in a pretty bad way.

This is also without stringsavers. Next time I am putting SS as soon as the gut starts fraying, which hasn't happened, yet, after ~6 hours of hitting (Tonic+ Longevity this time, though).