Babolat Gut vs. Hybrid with RPM vs. Luxillon

[AndyChao]

Hi all,

Was wondering if anyone has tried Gut, Gut with RPM Blast, and Luxilon ALU Power and what your thoughts were?

I play with a Babolat Pure Drive 2012 and am trying to find a better string combination. I've tried Babolat hybrid pack with Gut and RPM Blast ... it felt great at first, but seemed to be totally out of control after a month playing twice a week.

Am thinking about switching to straight gut or to Luxilon.

Thanks!

[pvaudio]

That is because RPM has some of the worst tension stability imaginable and goes dead incredibly fast. ALU is much the same in that regard, so if you need your string to last you more than 3-4 hours, look elsewhere. My opinion only of course, but both strings are notorious for giving great performance at first and then going into the tank. In all honesty, try the exact opposite end of the spectrum. Try a poly like Isospeed Baseline Spin and then see if you will ever pay that much money for strings again (as you did with ALU and RPM).

[AndyChao]

Thanks pvaudio ... does it work well for spin? I tend to hit my forehands long a lot and need a string that helps put more topspin ...

[Sardines]

I've used RPM and Alu BB and went with RPM. The spin is better and so is playability. I did find the RPM made my arm ache a bit compared to Alu BB until I dropped the tension to 36lbs. It's got better feel than the Alu but somehow feels a bit harder.
I like using gut on the mains and RPM on the cross.

[AndyChao]

Did any of you try all gut?

[levy1]

Originally Posted by AndyChao

Hi all,

Was wondering if anyone has tried Gut, Gut with RPM Blast, and Luxilon ALU Power and what your thoughts were?

I play with a Babolat Pure Drive 2012 and am trying to find a better string combination. I've tried Babolat hybrid pack with Gut and RPM Blast ... it felt great at first, but seemed to be totally out of control after a month playing twice a week.

Am thinking about switching to straight gut or to Luxilon.

Thanks!

I am playing 62 and 59 full gut in two rackets. Highest tension I have used in years. When I uses a gut main and a poly cross I string at 50/46. I have not strung the new PDs with anything other the Bab multi and the gut all at the same tension. I am going to try full poly at 45 tomorrow in one frame as I have a new matched one on the way.

[AndyChao]

Do most of you string full gut at a highter tension generally?

I emailed someone from Babolat who was helpful and suggested I try the N.VY ... any one try that?

Also, he said there was a new RPM coming out in February which will player similar to the one now except it will hold it's tension much longer.

Originally Posted by levy1

I am playing 62 and 59 full gut in two rackets. Highest tension I have used in years. When I uses a gut main and a poly cross I string at 50/46. I have not strung the new PDs with anything other the Bab multi and the gut all at the same tension. I am going to try full poly at 45 tomorrow in one frame as I have a new matched one on the way.

[levy1]

Well full gut at 45, and 50lbs did not work. I am now trying 55 but I keep going back to 59lbs.

[BabolatTennis9]

I would Hybrid with the Luxillon because the RPM is horrible in hybrids

[Francis27]

Originally Posted by AndyChao

Do most of you string full gut at a highter tension generally?

I emailed someone from Babolat who was helpful and suggested I try the N.VY ... any one try that?

Also, he said there was a new RPM coming out in February which will player similar to the one now except it will hold it's tension much longer.

Andy Chao when did you contact babolat? Because the new RPM you may be talking about might be the Babolat RPM "Team" its a more softer version of rpm that golds tension better than rpm blast. It is injected with micro air bubbles to make it more flexible and easy on the arm. It has the exact same playability as the blast but more comfort. I am also using this string and is my favourite in the 17Gauge (i find it better for playability and has more liveness to my shots) but i found this would not go dead as fast as the blast. (a link of this string will be at the bottom of this post)

The specs of this string and features:

"RPM Team provides outstanding durability, spin and control to advanced players with long, fast strokes Babolat injects air bubbles into the core, which is meant to give it a slightly softer feel than RPM Blast. Our playtesters found this one to play quite firm, which makes this most suitable to big hitters with sound mechanics. Our stronger 5.0 + playtesters discovered a very high level of precision on their highest swing speeds. The coating on this string makes it easier for the main strings to deflect (absorb energy) and then return to their original position (snapback) with greater force. This means that players who bring their own power will find their efforts multiplied with explosive pop and spin. Players looking for a slightly more playable response are encouraged to try this 17g version.

Length: 40 feet / 12.2m
Gauge: 17 / 1.25mm
Construction: Extruded co-poly monofilament with an octagonal profile
Color: Black "

Heres a link to this string it is also available at tennis warehouse

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/sear...x=0&submit.y=0

[Francis27]

^^^ Oh and another thing babolat cant get shipped outside the US due to manufacturin. But dont worry you can still be able to buy it at tennis warehouse EUROPE