Syn Gut Mains - Awesome!

maxpotapov · 10-27-2012, 07:40 AM

I'm now playing with Forten Sweet 16 Gold mains / Head Sonic Pro 17 crosses @ 50 lbs in my Dunlop MW 200G and it works really great! It's already past 8 hours of moderate to hard hitting, and stringbed is still comfortable and responsive and crisp. Maybe it is to Forten Sweet Gold credit, as Sonic Pro mains with Gosen OGSM crosses performed poorly (especially in spin department), but now they shine! By the way, the Gold/Orange setup looks very good, gives you a warm sunny feeling.

Like I said, durability/playability is very good, especially considering the price of below $8 for the setup. Next time I will try Sweet 16 mains with spinnier crosses, like Dunlop Black Widow or Weiss Cannon B5E. Even if synthetic gut breaks earlier, I hate playing with any poly mains after 8 hours anyway.

What is your guys experience with synthetic gut mains? Do you get more comfort and maybe even more spin and longer playtime out of this "reverse hybrid"?

lawrencejin · 10-27-2012, 07:50 AM

Max, that's pretty interesting. Forten is definitely my favorite synthetic gut, and like many others, I use it as a cross with poly mains (SP Tornado at the moment). After reading your post, my next experiment will definitely be Forten Sweet 16 in the mains with a poly in the crosses.

Can you tell us a bit more about your s.gut/poly set-up? You already mentioned comfort and responsiveness, but relative to poly/s.gut, how would you place your s.gut/poly hybrid in terms of:
1. Power
2. Control
3. Spin

Thanks,

maxpotapov · 10-27-2012, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lawrencejin

Max, that's pretty interesting. Forten is definitely my favorite synthetic gut, and like many others, I use it as a cross with poly mains (SP Tornado at the moment). After reading your post, my next experiment will definitely be Forten Sweet 16 in the mains with a poly in the crosses.

Can you tell us a bit more about your s.gut/poly set-up? You already mentioned comfort and responsiveness, but relative to poly/s.gut, how would you place your s.gut/poly hybrid in terms of:
1. Power
2. Control
3. Spin

Thanks,

1. Power - the same
2. Control - the same or little better
3. Spin - more than Sonic Pro / Gosen OGSM if it's a fair comparison

Forten Sweet slides better on smooth poly like Sonic Pro, than when used as a cross. I find Forten Sweet stickier than Gosen OGSM, yet more crisp and resilient.

lawrencejin · 10-27-2012, 09:57 AM

Got it, thanks. Keep us updated with your current set-up and also how textured poly in the crosses play.

lynnbart · 10-27-2012, 10:03 AM

I've tried a couple of different setups but didn't stick with any long enough to committ.

One thing I wanted to try was lowering the syn gut main tension some because the poly cross really seemed to stiffen up the stringbed

maxpotapov · 10-27-2012, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lynnbart

I've tried a couple of different setups but didn't stick with any long enough to committ.

One thing I wanted to try was lowering the syn gut main tension some because the poly cross really seemed to stiffen up the stringbed

I would not recommend lowering syn gut mains, try 48 lbs for both mains and crosses. Keep in mind, that some polys feel stiff even at lower tensions, and syn gut hybrid will not change it.

lynnbart · 10-27-2012, 11:26 AM

I think that we tried PSGD mains @ 56lbs and Tourna Big Hitter Silver @ 52lbs,,,,

It seemed to play better after a few hours. I have one more set of Big Hitter Silver, may need to try again.

danotje · 10-28-2012, 05:11 AM

I had OGSM mains for a bit with Iso Baseline Spin crosses. It was a comfortable setup, but the mains notched really fast. It also didn't have the ability to produce as much spin or for as long as poly/syn. Now the reverse is my go to setup.

However, I have IBS mains with Forten nylon (the $17 reel) crosses in an old Silver Ace that feels awesome with great spin. I've hit with it on a few occasions and the nylon is not notched or otherwise breaking down. It is a blast to rally with, too. I think it is due to a relatively slick coating on the nylon. I have black only atm which leaves grill marks on the ball, so I've ordered some white. I might give it a go in reverse again since the Forten seems to agree more with poly. At about $1.50 a set, this is a great setup in more ways than one. The OGSM set was much more expensive at $2.50 (sarcasm).

edwincen · 10-28-2012, 05:16 AM

I tried OGSM main and YPTP cross, nice touch volley but a bit lack of power and spin. I think its better for doubles play.

maxpotapov · 10-28-2012, 09:46 AM

Gosen OGSM totally lacks power and spin the next hitting session (after 2-3 hours of hitting). Therefore I would not use it as mains, it is only good as durable and smooth cross to some powerful and/or sharp poly (Polystar Turbo, Black Widow and such)

Forten Sweet Gold, on the other hand, performs poorly as cross, as it prevents poly mains from moving. But it works so much better than Gosen OGSM in other applications.

Power Player · 10-28-2012, 09:50 AM

I loved this setup but i ended up tearing through strings too quickly.

maxpotapov · 10-28-2012, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Power Player

I loved this setup but i ended up tearing through strings too quickly.

And what is your more durable setup? I can not emphasize enough what a torture it is to wait for poly mains to break, after they lost their elasticity and shape/texture. The only exception in my experience was Polystar Turbo, which felt better as it aged.

So, unless you broke Forten Sweet Gold mains in less than 5 hours, I don't see economical alternative with poly mains, that would last much more than that playability wise.

Power Player · 10-30-2012, 12:55 PM

I broke the mains in less than 5 - actually 3-4 each time - in an open pattern racquet.

I can get around 12 hours out of a poly main/nvy cross setup. It plays very consistently for me throughout that time. I know because I have identical setups 1 with 11 hours and 1 with 2.

so anyway that is my more durable setup - i use soft polys like cyclone.

Dont get me wrong, I realy liked the syn gut mains -it is just personal preference.

TennisCJC · 10-30-2012, 07:17 PM

I have been playing Volkl Syn Gut 16G mains 54-57 lbs with SigPro Hyperion or Tornado 17G crosses 4-5 lbs lower than mains for several months now. I like this better than poly mains in my current racket Volkl O10 295 customized to 12 oz, 335 SW, 6 HL.

The syn gut mains give better feel and comfort, a touch more pop of the string bed and still plenty of spin. My previous racket as too open 16x18 pattern and I like poly mains better in it but the syn gut mains are great now. Poly mains lower the power and increase the spin.

Sometimes, I will substitute Volkl Power Fibre II multi in the mains. Maybe even more power and comfort but not quite as much spin syn gut mains.

maxpotapov · 10-30-2012, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Power Player

I broke the mains in less than 5 - actually 3-4 each time - in an open pattern racquet.

I can get around 12 hours out of a poly main/nvy cross setup. It plays very consistently for me throughout that time. I know because I have identical setups 1 with 11 hours and 1 with 2.

so anyway that is my more durable setup - i use soft polys like cyclone.

Dont get me wrong, I realy liked the syn gut mains -it is just personal preference.

Open pattern racquet I see... Mine are dense 18×20, so I guess I would be breaking syn gut as fast as you should I use 16×19 or something.

Nvy is still on my list to try out as a cross, I'm interested in any string that lets mains slide.

maxpotapov · 10-30-2012, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TennisCJC

I have been playing Volkl Syn Gut 16G mains 54-57 lbs with SigPro Hyperion or Tornado 17G crosses 4-5 lbs lower than mains for several months now. I like this better than poly mains in my current racket Volkl O10 295 customized to 12 oz, 335 SW, 6 HL.

The syn gut mains give better feel and comfort, a touch more pop of the string bed and still plenty of spin. My previous racket as too open 16x18 pattern and I like poly mains better in it but the syn gut mains are great now. Poly mains lower the power and increase the spin.

Sometimes, I will substitute Volkl Power Fibre II multi in the mains. Maybe even more power and comfort but not quite as much spin syn gut mains.

Same observation here: syn gut mains are not as good for open pattern racquets.

Irakli · 10-31-2012, 12:35 AM

I've tried OGSM 17 mains at 55 SPPP 1.18 crosses at 52 on my LM Radical MP. It played... GREAT! I really loved the feedback, ball pocketing, crisp feel and spin I was getting from this setup. OGSM snaps back like poly when crossed with poly string... for a short period that is... Well, it wasn't TOO short, like 6-8 hours. After that, OGSM lost its resiliency and wouldn't snap back (though the tension was steady even after 8 hours, I checked with stringmeter), plus in the sweet spot area main strings were worn down almost completely by the friction of the ball and the movement along the poly crosses. But those first 6 hours were really great, I didn't expect a cheap synthetic would play so nicely... Though probably that was partly because of SPPP (excellent control poly) crosses (cause OGSM fulljob didn't play that well ).

I had very good precision, good ball feel and excellent spin with this setup.

Hope that helps.

Irakli

fortun8son · 10-31-2012, 09:37 AM

The Radical is also an 18x20.
That setup would not last very long in an open pattern.

nathannguyen · 10-31-2012, 11:28 AM

I've been experimenting with syn.gut and smooth, thinner poly crosses for a while now. It's my preferred set-up on my ps 85 and I find it really gives me controllable power without noticeably losing any spin. And the best part is the sound at impact... it's too beautiful to describe in words. I seriously don't understand why this isn't being done more often.

sansaephanh · 10-31-2012, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nathannguyen

I've been experimenting with syn.gut and smooth, thinner poly crosses for a while now. It's my preferred set-up on my ps 85 and I find it really gives me controllable power without noticeably losing any spin. And the best part is the sound at impact... it's too beautiful to describe in words. I seriously don't understand why this isn't being done more often.

Because for string breakers and people who need/want lasting playability, it just isn't viable. Some of these guys can pop mains 30mins-2hours. That's not even an entire hitting session. As I'm learning to take my shots, I've been popping multi in about 3-5 hours and synthgut in 4-7hrs. I don't swing very big and have a eastern grip.

If these guys with full western string popping prowess went out there with synthetic gut mains, they'd have to bring out 6 rackets a week lol.

10-27-2012, 07:40 AM	#1
maxpotapov Professional Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Ukraine Posts: 1,155	Syn Gut Mains - Awesome! I'm now playing with Forten Sweet 16 Gold mains / Head Sonic Pro 17 crosses @ 50 lbs in my Dunlop MW 200G and it works really great! It's already past 8 hours of moderate to hard hitting, and stringbed is still comfortable and responsive and crisp. Maybe it is to Forten Sweet Gold credit, as Sonic Pro mains with Gosen OGSM crosses performed poorly (especially in spin department), but now they shine! By the way, the Gold/Orange setup looks very good, gives you a warm sunny feeling. Like I said, durability/playability is very good, especially considering the price of below $8 for the setup. Next time I will try Sweet 16 mains with spinnier crosses, like Dunlop Black Widow or Weiss Cannon B5E. Even if synthetic gut breaks earlier, I hate playing with any poly mains after 8 hours anyway. What is your guys experience with synthetic gut mains? Do you get more comfort and maybe even more spin and longer playtime out of this "reverse hybrid"? __________________ www.youtube.com/maximpotapov

10-27-2012, 07:50 AM	#2
lawrencejin Rookie Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: NY Posts: 111	Max, that's pretty interesting. Forten is definitely my favorite synthetic gut, and like many others, I use it as a cross with poly mains (SP Tornado at the moment). After reading your post, my next experiment will definitely be Forten Sweet 16 in the mains with a poly in the crosses. Can you tell us a bit more about your s.gut/poly set-up? You already mentioned comfort and responsiveness, but relative to poly/s.gut, how would you place your s.gut/poly hybrid in terms of: 1. Power 2. Control 3. Spin Thanks, __________________ Wilson Pro Staff 6.0 85.

10-27-2012, 09:57 AM	#4
lawrencejin Rookie Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: NY Posts: 111	Got it, thanks. Keep us updated with your current set-up and also how textured poly in the crosses play. __________________ Wilson Pro Staff 6.0 85.

10-28-2012, 09:46 AM	#10
maxpotapov Professional Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Ukraine Posts: 1,155	Gosen OGSM totally lacks power and spin the next hitting session (after 2-3 hours of hitting). Therefore I would not use it as mains, it is only good as durable and smooth cross to some powerful and/or sharp poly (Polystar Turbo, Black Widow and such) Forten Sweet Gold, on the other hand, performs poorly as cross, as it prevents poly mains from moving. But it works so much better than Gosen OGSM in other applications. __________________ www.youtube.com/maximpotapov Last edited by maxpotapov : 10-28-2012 at 09:52 AM.

10-28-2012, 09:50 AM	#11
Power Player G.O.A.T. Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: On my iPhone Posts: 13,548	I loved this setup but i ended up tearing through strings too quickly. __________________ 🐐ing