Natural Gut Maximum Tension
 

What would the highest tension I could string at but at the same time being sure the string or frame will not break in a 98" head?

Depending on which brand, if you use VS Gut, for example, 63 MAX, but cheaper gut like Tonic+, you could go 66-67.

I thought Topic was basically similar to VS except for the impuritys? I would think that you'd actually not want to go higher because it may break easier?

I agree that 63 is the highest worth going otherwise, it loses it's great resiliency at some point.

wouldn't VS gut be able to withstand more tension than Tonic?

Didn't Sampras string in the 70's with Babolat Vs?

Just wondering the same thing b/c I'm going gut for my next string job, and don't want a waste. I already string tight (62ish) for synth. I found if I string softer, especially with a soft string like K-Gut my shots have way too much power and I have to take like half swings to be effective.

I strung my Pure Drive at 63/65 with Pro Hurricane Tour 16/Tonic 16. The Hurricane broke after about 2 weeks; the other racquet is still good but the gut looks like it's on its way out (will probably break it tonight).

Keep in mind I hit very hard and will LOTS of topspin.

I read that Venus and Serena use Wilson Natural Gut (which is actually VS) at 65 lbs. and 67 lbs. respectively.

I also read the Mark Philippoussis used VS Team at 75 lbs.

Not sure how accurate this info is, but it comes from http://www.colinthestringer.com/pros-strings/

DH

Usually 67lbs is already a high tension, however I also heard that some people do go to 70lbs.

yup the gut in the crosses broke today.
dead center, too; not a mishit.
technically it broke in about a week since I strung both racquets 2 weeks ago, used them equally, and both now broke.

Based on my own experince, if you string natural gut too tight, it plays like cheap synthetic gut.

That is what I am afraid of. I hit flat, but with a lot of pace, because of this, I need higher tension to keep the ball down and maintain control.
I guess I need to try it out once or twice. Maybe a full set once, maybe a hybrid with poly another.

I had a friend do a test on gut strings tensions. He stated anything over 64 lbs tension makes gut not play like gut aymore. He did his research at a government facility. I trust his research. Just a FYI.

Interesting ... thanks.

IMO, I have a feeling that gut performs "just right" somewhere around early to mid 50's (lbs, not year), depending on the racket, of course.