The "Gutpoly High" Club

[TimothyO]

Originally Posted by JackB1

Timo, I can't believe u string your gut mains so low! No wonder it was too powerful. I do 58/54 with my London

The PSLGT has a very dense string pattern (18 mains) with 95 sq. in. I tried mid 50s at one point and it was just too stiff for me coming from other racquets with open patterns. Thus I dropped it down. The frame is also very soft and very low powered which mitigates any power derived from the low tension.

Low 50s/high 40s worked fine with the stiffer VS/Hurricane Feel Hybrid but it was way too low for the very soft Tonic/Hepta Twist. Even so, I've bumped it back to 51 for the tonic mains. Can't wait to try it on Monday!

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by TimothyO

The PSLGT has a very dense string pattern (18 mains) with 95 sq. in. I tried mid 50s at one point and it was just too stiff for me coming from other racquets with open patterns. Thus I dropped it down. The frame is also very soft and very low powered which mitigates any power derived from the low tension.

Low 50s/high 40s worked fine with the stiffer VS/Hurricane Feel Hybrid but it was way too low for the very soft Tonic/Hepta Twist. Even so, I've bumped it back to 51 for the tonic mains. Can't wait to try it on Monday!

OK...that makes more sense. You think the power came from the Hepta? I have a package of Hepta that I havent tried yet.

p.s. I am trying to find a game today...any interest in playing around 6 pm? I could head up your way?

[TimothyO]

Hepta17 is down around 214 so 18 must be even softer. Haven't used omething tht soft in the crosses since xcel!

can't hit this evening. wife expects dinner after her ALTA match!

[stringertom]

Originally Posted by JackB1

Nice write up! Let me know how the Tornado lasts with the gut. Since it's an "edged" poly, you would think it would eat into the gut faster than the Hyperion or XCode. The XCode by the way, it supposed to be a poy/multi in one string, so it's not your typical choice for a cross with gut, but might work just fine. It's probably a little livelier and softer than the other two.

I don't think durability due to Tornado's shape & texture will be an issue. I've got almost 10 hours on that bed with no "hairing up" yet. If I can get to 15 hours without a sweetspot horsetail, that's gravy! I don't want 20+ hours durability coz I get crazy about cutting gut out.

Re: X-Code playing properties. I did a full-bed X-Code 17 and may return to it as my "rainsuit". It plays very comfortably without an outright sacrifice of control. It does move around so I might try the 16 to solve that issue. As the cross with nattie, as well as a cross for traditional polys, it's great for the feel but it seems to leak tension more than the Hyperion.

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by stringertom

I don't think durability due to Tornado's shape & texture will be an issue. I've got almost 10 hours on that bed with no "hairing up" yet. If I can get to 15 hours without a sweetspot horsetail, that's gravy! I don't want 20+ hours durability coz I get crazy about cutting gut out.

Re: X-Code playing properties. I did a full-bed X-Code 17 and may return to it as my "rainsuit". It plays very comfortably without an outright sacrifice of control. It does move around so I might try the 16 to solve that issue. As the cross with nattie, as well as a cross for traditional polys, it's great for the feel but it seems to leak tension more than the Hyperion.

What do u mean by "rainsuit"?

[stringertom]

Originally Posted by JackB1

What do u mean by "rainsuit"?

Safe way to play in the drizzles here in FL. Full X-Code is about as close a feel as any alternative to gut/poly. So the next time the liquid sunshine invades my court space, I'll slide my first stick in the bag and pull out the X-Code.

[TimothyO]

back in college raincoat had a different connotation.

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by stringertom

Safe way to play in the drizzles here in FL. Full X-Code is about as close a feel as any alternative to gut/poly. So the next time the liquid sunshine invades my court space, I'll slide my first stick in the bag and pull out the X-Code.

Ahh..gotcha. Here in Atlanta, I have the same issues, especially in the summer.
I have been using Gamma Proff/Copoly hybrid as my wet weather setup, but maybe I'll try full X-Code if you say it does a good job mimicking nat gut/coply.
You think it's closer to gut/copoly than multi/copoly?

[stringertom]

Originally Posted by JackB1

Ahh..gotcha. Here in Atlanta, I have the same issues, especially in the summer.
I have been using Gamma Proff/Copoly hybrid as my wet weather setup, but maybe I'll try full X-Code if you say it does a good job mimicking nat gut/coply.
You think it's closer to gut/copoly than multi/copoly?

As a spare for the rain, I'm looking for something that holds tension better than multis generally do. I have one backup now with Tornado Mains/Addiction X's that is OK for singles but not forgiving enough for doubles-style quick reaction non-sweetspot exchanges. That stick was done several months ago and the DT read is only 12% off original. If I reversed the setup, I know from previous similar experiences, that number would be closer to 20% after only a month. The X-Code was closer to the polyM/multiX in read but a lot more forgiving when pressed for time at net. It does move a bit due to its softer construction.

[franks]

I have been using the following conbinations:
Natural Gut with Topspin Cyber Blue 125

Natural Gut with Weisscannon Scorpion 122
For both setups the tension maintenance is very good - excellent

[stringertom]

Got another 4 or so hours court time in with the three different set-ups:
1. Call me biased, but the Tornado still delivers for me. It has really stabilized at 57/36 readings on the Beers tensometer. Despite being strung 10 days earlier @ 3-4 #s less and played with more, it has the same read as the X-Code set-up. The Hyperion reads 6% higher now but was strung 2-3 #s higher. I will get more hitting, non-competitive court time tomorrow and use the Hyperion mostly to see if it holds tighter.

[Boricua]

Originally Posted by stringertom

Safe way to play in the drizzles here in FL. Full X-Code is about as close a feel as any alternative to gut/poly. So the next time the liquid sunshine invades my court space, I'll slide my first stick in the bag and pull out the X-Code.

What tension did you use?

[drummerdan]

Tennis Warehouse has a section in their learning center called "String Friction Rankings". Many of the rankings are hybrids. I decided to try out the number 1 COF (coefficient of friction - ie: slippery strings) rated hybrid: VS Tonic+ 16 (mains) and MSV Hepta Twist 17 (crosses). I strung it up at 60# gut and 57# poly and took it out for a test drive this evening.

All I can saw is WOW! This setup was everything you want - spinny, comfortable, controllable and I could really crank up the serve when necessary. No soreness in my arm afterward and it was easy to string (the crosses were a bit feisty but not too bad). This is a combo worth serious consideration.

Try it out for yourself!!

[McLovin]

I am a huge proponent of the gut mains/poly crosses setup. My initial setup was Pacific Classic 17g / Topspin Concept Pure 1.24 crosses in a Fischer M-Comp.

When I switched to the C10 Pro I tried a few different poly crosses, including Red Code, Poly Force, Solinco Outlast and Pro Poly Plasma. I initially settled on the Poly Force, but after a few more outings, decided I liked the feel of Concept Pure the best, so I went back to my original setup, and there I've been for 9 months.

56lbs all the way around. Setup lasts ~ 3 weeks, or 8 - 10 matches. I don't believe I have broken a string yet.

In addition, I've turned many people I string for on to this setup. All different levels of play, and all different types of frames. And the fact that Topspin reels are so inexpensive (costing ~ $2 a string job) helps offset the cost of the gut.

[TimothyO]

DrummerDan,

If you enjoyed the VS / Twist hybrid try VS / CoFocus. I spoke with the folks at Guts and Glory and they explained that CoFocus is the exact same material simply not twisted. You get even better string movement.

Part of the Secret to Twist/CoFocus smooth surface is the polished surface. Some polys are slippery due to a coating but these wear away quickly. These strings are slippery because they some of the most highly polished strings available. Thus their surface stays slippery longer. Another highly polished string is Silverstring but it is more easily deformed (see below).

The Twist/CoFocus material resists deformation far more than any poly I've tried. Other polys have a lot of "memory" when deformed and their surface gets broken and rough when bent. The CoFocus material stays smooth and strong even when subjected to harsh bending keeping your string bed smooth and lower friction.

I liked it so much my new standard is Black VS mains and CoFocus 17 crosses. My wife also usesthishybrid in her PB10 Mid and loves it!

[Boricua]

Originally Posted by TimothyO

DrummerDan,

If you enjoyed the VS / Twist hybrid try VS / CoFocus. I spoke with the folks at Guts and Glory and they explained that CoFocus is the exact same material simply not twisted. You get even better string movement.

Part of the Secret to Twist/CoFocus smooth surface is the polished surface. Some polys are slippery due to a coating but these wear away quickly. These strings are slippery because they some of the most highly polished strings available. Thus their surface stays slippery longer. Another highly polished string is Silverstring but it is more easily deformed (see below).

The Twist/CoFocus material resists deformation far more than any poly I've tried. Other polys have a lot of "memory" when deformed and their surface gets broken and rough when bent. The CoFocus material stays smooth and strong even when subjected to harsh bending keeping your string bed smooth and lower friction.

I liked it so much my new standard is Black VS mains and CoFocus 17 crosses. My wife also usesthishybrid in her PB10 Mid and loves it!

1-Would you recommend the Black VS mains and CoFocus 17 setup for a topspin player?

2-Did the Black VS feel as good as the regular VS?

[TimothyO]

Originally Posted by Boricua

1-Would you recommend the Black VS mains and CoFocus 17 setup for a topspin player?

2-Did the Black VS feel as good as the regular VS?

1- Absolutely! I love hitting with topspin and this is very spin friendly. Night before last I hit with my wife using this setup. I could tell I was generating more spin than with previous setups for two reasons. First, on numerous occasions shots she was convinced were heading out dropped in at the last moment. The balls were arcing very hard. Second, I've not been very good at generating side spin but Wednesday evening she was having more trouble lining up her shots. Several times my shots broke in unexpected directions post-bounce. Two actually slammed into her the arc and post-bounce break were so significant.

Is it as spinny as some full polys? I guess so. I've tried some full poly setups and didn't see that all the fuss is about. Yeah, you can hit hard from the baseline with full poly, but forget all-court performance compared to gut mains. And for me spin generation was as good or better with gut/poly compared to full poly so I can hit just as hard with this gut/poly hybrid.

2. I tried VS Black previously (with RPM mains) and I found it stiffer than VS Classic which was disappointing to me. But VS Classic is going out-of-production so I decided to give it another try. It has less of that ball-pocketing feel than VS Classic and I miss that. On the other hand, it does feel crisper (the upside of greater stiffness?), so it's certainly a trade off. I'll miss VS Classic's unique feel but will be able to play with VS Black. Besides, the VS Black looks killer with CoFocus! My PSLGT strings are black/red and the PB10 Mid is black/yellow.

[Boricua]

Originally Posted by TimothyO

1- Absolutely! I love hitting with topspin and this is very spin friendly. Night before last I hit with my wife using this setup. I could tell I was generating more spin than with previous setups for two reasons. First, on numerous occasions shots she was convinced were heading out dropped in at the last moment. The balls were arcing very hard. Second, I've not been very good at generating side spin but Wednesday evening she was having more trouble lining up her shots. Several times my shots broke in unexpected directions post-bounce. Two actually slammed into her the arc and post-bounce break were so significant.

2. I tried VS Black previously (with RPM mains) and I found it stiffer than VS Classic which was disappointing to me. But VS Classic is going out-of-production so I decided to give it another try. It has less of that ball-pocketing feel than VS Classic and I miss that. On the other hand, it does feel crisper (the upside of greater stiffness?), so it's certainly a trade off. I'll miss VS Classic's unique feel but will be able to play with VS Black. Besides, the VS Black looks killer with CoFocus! My PSLGT strings are black/red and the PB10 Mid is black/yellow.

Have you considered trying the all black combo of VS Black and Weiss Cannon Black5Edge. Many,including myself, like B5E very much, it is much more comfortable than RPM.

[TimothyO]

Originally Posted by Boricua

Have you considered trying the all black combo of VS Black and Weiss Cannon Black5Edge. Many,including myself, like B5E very much, it is much more comfortable than RPM.

I am considering it. John at G&G has also recommended it. He said the surface is also well polished.

I've tried a number of shaped polys in the crosses with gut mains: RPM, Hepta Twist, PHT, Hurricane Pro, etc. They're not bad and the initial "low friction" quality can be good. But I find that over time the string bed exhibits greater friction compared to smooth poly crosses. That's what led me to Co Focus. I enjoyed Hepta Twist in some ways and John recommended CoFocus since it's the same material "untwisted".

I'm in the process of buying another PSLGT so maybe I'll experiment with the B5E when first strung. A local chain is checking their inventory so I can get a certain unstrung balance and weight. Their Babloats have shrink wrap on the handle but no dampener and no display cardboard attached. At least I can get an accurate relative weight/balance (I'm looking for one at least 15 points head light unstrung and as light as possible).

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by TimothyO

I am considering it. John at G&G has also recommended it. He said the surface is also well polished.

I've tried a number of shaped polys in the crosses with gut mains: RPM, Hepta Twist, PHT, Hurricane Pro, etc. They're not bad and the initial "low friction" quality can be good. But I find that over time the string bed exhibits greater friction compared to smooth poly crosses. That's what led me to Co Focus. I enjoyed Hepta Twist in some ways and John recommended CoFocus since it's the same material "untwisted".

How did the gut/hepta twist hybrid go?