Natural Gut Maximum Tension

[Trevor]

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?

[Mdubb23]

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

[JavierLW]

Originally Posted by Mdubb23

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.

[tennisfreak15347]

Originally Posted by Mdubb23

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

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

[slkbassist]

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.

[m27]

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).

[m27]

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

[davidahenry]

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

[Fatkat]

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

[m27]

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.

[Octavianus]

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

[slkbassist]

Originally Posted by Octavianus

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.

[mctennis]

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.

[anirut]

Originally Posted by mctennis

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.