VS Gut mains and poly crosses

[Casco]

Originally Posted by JT_2eighty

This would depend on what different people feel the degree of this "almost".

In the mains with poly crosses, gut mains vs multi mains is extremely different. I've tried it, and multi/poly is just garbage compared to gut/poly. Gut has a crisp feel, controlled power and unique pocketing sensation that multi just cannot replicate. The multi goes dead very fast, breaks sooner, notches heavier, and does not snap back in any similar way to gut mains. The only multis that may play remotely close are in the $16+ price-range, at which point I will gladly pay $26 for Pacific gut, which only amounts to +$5 per racquet in a hybrid (or less if you look at multis like Xcel that are $18+).

Now, if you are talking about Crosses in poly/gut vs. poly/multi, then yes, the difference is is negligible, and for many the cost of gut Crosses is not worth it. Your main strings dominate the feel, so poly mains is going to be a completely different animal, regardless of the cross. Even here, there is a substantial difference in feel, but the cost is a lot more prohibitive for that difference.

However, if we are talking about gut Mains versus multi Mains, multi mains fall way short once you log any substantial play time.

Again, it's just personal preference. So if you found a good multi that works for you, by all means, don't use gut. For me, I personally find $26 Classic gut to perform well in hybrids, avoiding the $43 Babolat VS. We all find our own reasons to use or not use cheap and/or expensive strings.

Your description of gut versus multis in the mains is spot on.

[Casco]

Originally Posted by Orion3

I finally went with VS16 mains and BHBR crosses at 52/46lb.

First impressions....wow!

Spin wise there is a noticeable (negative) difference; not huge but there's clearly a gap between the pure poly setup I've been playing and this hybrid.

Power and control however, are phenomenal. I can't believe I've not played with any kind of natural gut for so long. After one session I'm so impressed that I've already decided to get my second EX03 tour restrung. Although, I think on this one I will tweak the BHBR tension up to 48lbs.

One of the reasons I've avoided gut is the additional power it brings; I've never really needed or wanted it and never liked playing at 60+ tensions. With the poly crosses however, I've been blown away. The power is extremely controllable and I actually enjoyed the comfort it brought.

The other reason for avoiding gut is COST, but after today - I actually don't care anymore. I've enjoyed hitting (especially serves) so much, that I despite the significant extra layout I've decided to pay it and enjoy my tennis as much as I can, while I still can!

Glad you like the gut/poly hybrid. Nice, isn't it? One thing to be careful about, however, if BHBR stands for Big Hitter Blue Rough, the sharp edges of the BHBR that the gut will move over and snap back over will chew right through the gut. You may want to try the regular version of that string or other similar, round not textured, modern co-polys that maintain playablity relatively well for polys.

[ben123]

Originally Posted by Smasher08

Actually, all we know from that photo is that Djoker strung one of his rackets at 59 at this year's Wimbledon (ie on grass).

Whether or not he's been going looser on clay and hardcourts this year is still unresolved.

But of course you'd know that, now wouldn't you Einstein?

in the second link is also a racquet of djokovic strung with 60/58. i dont really care what you think. i just list the facts that we have.

[Orion3]

Originally Posted by Casco

Glad you like the gut/poly hybrid. Nice, isn't it? One thing to be careful about, however, if BHBR stands for Big Hitter Blue Rough, the sharp edges of the BHBR that the gut will move over and snap back over will chew right through the gut. You may want to try the regular version of that string or other similar, round not textured, modern co-polys that maintain playablity relatively well for polys.

Appreciate the advice - but I've got several sets still to use up! So have stuck Babolat elasto cross stringsavers along the middle 6 mains.

What really amazed me was the precise control; I was placing serves so accurately at real pace and what's more it was effortless. I felt 20 years younger...till a few came back!
In two sets I hit over 10 aces against a player I've never hit more than half a dozen against before. Afterwards he came over and commented that my power and overall accuracy were better than he'd ever seen, but my normal kicker in the ad court was a little more manageable than normal which made him happy...a small price to pay! I will just have to work on changing my technique a little and get that weapon back.

[GlenK]

Played yesterday for the first time with Wilson Nat Gut in the mains. It plays very similar to VS and only seemed to require a little more break in period. After about 45 minutes the difference between the "old" VS Team and the Wilson was negligible.

Now we'll see how the tension holds.. Will try Prince Nat gut next.

Just don't like the new BT7. After yesterday, Prince gut will have some work to do to beat this. We'll see...

[Smasher08]

Originally Posted by ben123

in the second link is also a racquet of djokovic strung with 60/58. i dont really care what you think. i just list the facts that we have.

I'm familiar with your version of "listing the facts".

And IIRC so are the mods, who've deleted at least one of your posts due to the singular manner of your "fact listing".

[ben123]

Originally Posted by Smasher08

I'm familiar with your version of "listing the facts".

And IIRC so are the mods, who've deleted at least one of your posts due to the singular manner of your "fact listing".

well at least i justify my assertions. both threads have clearly djokovics racquet and both times it was strung with something around 59lbs. what do you want more?
and i dont know whether a mod deleted some post of mine but if yes then i bet its just because i have to repeat me everytime.

if you think theres something wrong with my listing of facts then please tell me whats wrong.
because at the moment for me it just looks like you are angry at me because i said something against your opinion once

[parasailing]

Originally Posted by GlenK

Played yesterday for the first time with Wilson Nat Gut in the mains. It plays very similar to VS and only seemed to require a little more break in period. After about 45 minutes the difference between the "old" VS Team and the Wilson was negligible.

Now we'll see how the tension holds.. Will try Prince Nat gut next.

Just don't like the new BT7. After yesterday, Prince gut will have some work to do to beat this. We'll see...

Yeah let us know whether Prince plays like the old Babolat VS. If it does, time for me to get some of that instead of BT7. I am not a fan of the newly formulated VS and find it a tad crisper than the non BT7 formula.

[parasailing]

I have logged another 3 hours hitting with Genesis Gut putting it at the 8 hour mark and so far, it plays pretty good with SPPP. It does not replace VS Team but I don't think one will ever find that but it plays pretty close to it for the price. This gut doesn't have as much power and feel as VS Team but it is one of the softer natural gut on the market and durability seems to be pretty good. If you looking for something with lower power than VS Team, this would be something to consider.

[JT_2eighty]

Anyone that doesn't like the new VS needs to try Pacific Prime, it is not the same feel as Tough or Classic; very plush like the old VS.

[GlenK]

Originally Posted by parasailing

Yeah let us know whether Prince plays like the old Babolat VS. If it does, time for me to get some of that instead of BT7. I am not a fan of the newly formulated VS and find it a tad crisper than the non BT7 formula.

I will. As it stands now, the Wilson plays better to me than the new BT7. So at the very least I'll be playing with it. Still want to see how Prince does, and how Wilson does on tension. I already feel better knowing there is another solid option over BT7.

[jmtee]

Hi Guys,

I just bought an Asian BLX6.1 90. just want to ask. Is better to use higher tension on your mains and lower on the crosses? I currently have all 50lbs on both my mains and crosses. My string setup is a VS Team(main)/alu power rough (crosses) thanks.

[mixedmedia]

Yes, I would advise stringing your poly crosses 3 to 4 pounds lower than your gut mains.

[parasailing]

I will give Pacific Prime a shot once I use up my old stock of VS Team. Glad to hear that the Wilson Natural gut plays better than BT7 and hope Prince plays similar to the old VS Team.

[Mig1NC]

Um... I'm 99% sure Wilson gut is the old Babolat gut.. Or at least without BT7.

[jmtee]

Originally Posted by mixedmedia

Yes, I would advise stringing your poly crosses 3 to 4 pounds lower than your gut mains.

what advantage does this give?

[Orion3]

Originally Posted by jmtee

what advantage does this give?

Poly is much stiffer than gut - hence it makes sense to string at a lower tension. Since the racquet structure is designed to take a reasonably uniform stress (from string tension) it is sensible to keep tensions 'reasonably' close.

I've recently had my EX03 tour stung with a gut/poly hybrid and was concerned about the differential - ended up speaking to a Prince tech and then stringing the poly crosses 6lb lower. Really enjoying the results, but have decided to have my other EX03 tour strung with only a 4lb differential - personal choice.

[GlenK]

Originally Posted by Mig1NC

Um... I'm 99% sure Wilson gut is the old Babolat gut.. Or at least without BT7.

If it's not, it's very close. I'm trying Wilson now and am very pleased so far.

[Lambsscroll]

Originally Posted by jmtee

what advantage does this give?

The poly being so stiff can hinder the stretch of the gut which can result in reduced spin and feel. Lowering the tension in the cross (poly) will allow more stretch in the mains (gut).

[jmtee]

Originally Posted by Lambsscroll

The poly being so stiff can hinder the stretch of the gut which can result in reduced spin and feel. Lowering the tension in the cross (poly) will allow more stretch in the mains (gut).

awww ok. so my 50(main)/50(cross) setup has less spin and feel. i'll just make it to 53(main)/50(cross) once those strings already break.