VS Gut mains and poly crosses

[kiteboard]

Shots start trampolining out. The poly crosses are the tensioners. When they lose tension, the whole string job goes bad. I restring the crosses, due to vs guts amazing ability to hold almost all its tension. Which one lasts the longest? I don't know, due to the fact I cut them out long before they break and restring the crosses. The fav. one right now, with the nrg2, I've restrung 5 times, and it feels very good.

[parasailing]

I did notice that it's becoming more frequent that the balls are starting to sail longer and further away from the courts. I guess I should just cut the cross out and restring. Thanks for your insight kiteboard.

[kiteboard]

You have to lock down and prestress the frame before cutting out crosses, and make sure that the gut is not frayed too badly, and don't burn in when stringing, by moving the crosses way up out of the notch path. Gut is the only string you can do this with, due to all others losing too much tension, and stressing out the frame when crosses are strung too tight compared to the mains.

[parasailing]

Originally Posted by kiteboard

You have to lock down and prestress the frame before cutting out crosses, and make sure that the gut is not frayed too badly, and don't burn in when stringing, by moving the crosses way up out of the notch path. Gut is the only string you can do this with, due to all others losing too much tension, and stressing out the frame when crosses are strung too tight compared to the mains.

Thanks for the tips, never tried restring the crosses before but will give this a go next time. I think my mains are too frayed to try this. How does one pre-stress the frame before cutting out the crosses?

[kiteboard]

Before you lock down on the front/rear clamps, loosen the set screws on the stringer, so you can pull on the frame and prestress it, and then lock it down again, so it can't slip, as if you are installing a new frame that's a different size!

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by TimothyO

How can you tell the poly crosses specifically are dead?

I also use gut mains and copoly crosses and have a hard time telling when the copoly crosses are going dead. But the mains usually break or I will just restring anyway after about a month of playing 3-4 times per week. The gut mains tend to "mask" the copoly's "deadness". I find it really hard to tell.

[parasailing]

Originally Posted by JackB1

I also use gut mains and copoly crosses and have a hard time telling when the copoly crosses are going dead. But the mains usually break or I will just restring anyway after about a month of playing 3-4 times per week. The gut mains tend to "mask" the copoly's "deadness". I find it really hard to tell.

On my PSTGT, I can feel the racquet producing more pinging than before. I think it has to do with the crosses becoming boardy and losing substantial tension.

I definitely agree that the gut does a great job of masking most of the effects but I can definitely feel the difference between hitting with it around 8 to 18 hour range and now into the 20 plus hour mark. This is very subjective and you might not even noticed it on your racquet.

[TimothyO]

Originally Posted by kiteboard

Shots start trampolining out. The poly crosses are the tensioners. When they lose tension, the whole string job goes bad. I restring the crosses, due to vs guts amazing ability to hold almost all its tension. Which one lasts the longest? I don't know, due to the fact I cut them out long before they break and restring the crosses. The fav. one right now, with the nrg2, I've restrung 5 times, and it feels very good.

I have zero knowledge of stringing techniques. Is it ok to cut out the poly crosses while leaving the gu mains intact? Any danger to the frame or special skill required?

[parasailing]

I finally opened up the BT7 package of VS Team and I can't see a visual difference between the current and BT7 package. They look identical but there is a slight difference in feel when i started to prestretch both strings. The BT7 does feel a tad stiffer and isn't as springy as the non BT7 string.

I am stringing both up with Scorpion crosses so will post a review when weather gets better and I can actually hit some.

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by TimothyO

I have zero knowledge of stringing techniques. Is it ok to cut out the poly crosses while leaving the gu mains intact? Any danger to the frame or special skill required?

You will get both answers on this. But if you do try it, make sure you mount your racquet first and then cut out the crosses and restring. That will minimise any frame distortion.

I woould only do it of the gut was fairly new and the crosses popped.
Otherwise I would just restring the whole thing. This scenario rarely happens with me, as the gut always breaks first or it lasts until the poly dies.
Either way, I restring about every 4 weeks either way.

[levy1]

Originally Posted by parasailing

Actually I plan on also doing a multi main and poly cross but given all the great comments about playability of gut crossed with a poly, I need to find out what I have or have not been missing.

The natural gut crossed with a poly is the best setup in MO. In addition the best and highest rated string combo at TW is a natural gut/poly combo. I switched to Klip legend for the price and it works great for me. Comes out to 12.50 and half set for the gut. I string the gut at my normal tension and then go down 5 lbs for the poly.

[levy1]

Originally Posted by JackB1

You will get both answers on this. But if you do try it, make sure you mount your racquet first and then cut out the crosses and restring. That will minimise any frame distortion.

I woould only do it of the gut was fairly new and the crosses popped.
Otherwise I would just restring the whole thing. This scenario rarely happens with me, as the gut always breaks first or it lasts until the poly dies.
Either way, I restring about every 4 weeks either way.

I am a fairly new stringer but due to the info on this forum I have cut out several crosses with my natural gut mains with no problem ever. Even with very frayed gut mains.

[parasailing]

I was able to hit with the VS Team mains at 57lbs and WC Scorpion crosses at 52lbs tonight. Initial thoughts are it is much softer on the arm than the VS Team and WC Silverstring setup. It has a more plush feel than WC Silverstring. However, there were times when the ball would sail on me and I had to put more topspin to keep it in play and couldn't really hit out on the ball like I can with Silverstring.

So basically, if you looking for a little more plush setup and can put topspin on the ball, go with Scorpion. If you are more of flat hitter, go with Silverstring.

[APG]

Para..I am playing with full gut Babolat Black.
It feels much stiffer but then again I am playing with a new racket, the X10 325. Have you had a chance to compare with old formulation.
Looking to go as soft as possible with GE. Thinking of cutting it out and going with the VS Team, non-BT7. Perhaps difference is minimal?
Thanks.

[TimothyO]

Originally Posted by APG

Para..I am playing with full gut Babolat Black.
It feels much stiffer but then again I am playing with a new racket, the X10 325. Have you had a chance to compare with old formulation.
Looking to go as soft as possible with GE. Thinking of cutting it out and going with the VS Team, non-BT7. Perhaps difference is minimal?
Thanks.

I tested both side-by-side. BT7 is stiffer but not so stiff as to be a factor in GE/TE (I've suffered from arm problems). It's more about a difference in feel. It's minimal (tiny/insignificant!) from a GE/TE perspective but very significant from a touch/feel perspective. I miss VS classic but am now ok with VS black/BT7.

[ben123]

Originally Posted by TimothyO

I tested both side-by-side. BT7 is stiffer but not so stiff as to be a factor in GE/TE (I've suffered from arm problems). It's more about a difference in feel. It's minimal (tiny/insignificant!) from a GE/TE perspective but very significant from a touch/feel perspective. I miss VS classic but am now ok with VS black/BT7.

did u test only black bt7 or natural bt7 too?

[parasailing]

Second day with this VS Team/WC Scorpion setup and the stringbed is even more plush. I think the string bed has settled in and it is a very comfortable setup. It has lots of power but balls tend to sail. If you are a flat hitter, go with the VS Team/WC Silverstring for more control.

[CycloneSh0t]

does anyone know any cheaper alternatives to the vs gut that feels similar to a multi??

[parasailing]

Originally Posted by CycloneSh0t

does anyone know any cheaper alternatives to the vs gut that feels similar to a multi??

If you looking for gut that is similar to multi, why don't you just buy a multi since it is much cheaper than gut.

[parasailing]

I had a chance to string up BT7 VS Team mains at 57lbs and WC B5E at 52lbs. I have to say BT7 technology has made the string a bit stiffer but not to the point of Pacific Tough Gut. That was a stiff natural gut string that I didn't particular like the feel until it took about 3 hours to break in which ended up breaking in 8 hours.

The BT7 gut is a bit crispier than the non BT7 but it is not harsh. Keep in mind I didn't put a full set so mileage may vary but I had the B5E as a cross and it didn't feel harsh or stiff.

So if you like the original plush VS Team feel, then better stock up on what's left.

Compared to VS Team/WC Scoprion setup, B5E setup has more control and less power so you can swing for the fences. WC Scorpion setup is softer on the arm and feels rally plush.