Classic Racquets and Synthetic Gut

[slowfox]

Do these old sticks really play better with syn gut, or does it just feel *right* cuz that's what we used back in the day with these classics? I hear folks saying things like "it plays better with synthetic gut 16 gauge", "tried it with poly/multi and it sucks", etc etc.

I'm wondering if manufacturers back then designed the frames to perform best with the strings at the time...?

[retrowagen]

I like full beds of multi on my classics - plays like natural gut. The times I've tried poly or kevlar strings, I've regretted it - the classics I use are feel-oriented frames, and the harsher string diminished the feel.

[yonexRx32]

.. but the feel of the Max 200g with poly was not at all similar to synthetic gut or natural gut. In other words, it felt like a totally different racket, and not a pleasant one. But again, the 200g has a very dense string pattern.

I also used hybrid stringing in a Wilson Pete Sampras Autograph 95 sq. in. (from 1996). I did notice an increase in power and spin but the feel was unpleasant.

[joe sch]

Classic rackets play best with natural gut !
Reason is that a tight pattern, mostly 18x20, on a smaller racket heads, mostly 65..80si, really maximize power and control with natural gut. Nat gut also lasts very well on such rackets.

Its the opposite trend for modern tennis, ie playing stiff poly based strings on larger, more open stringing patterns. The trend is to use poly to help "tame" or limit the power produced on the lighter modern baseline blasters.

Synthetic gut lies inbetween these extremes, a good choice for those looking to save $$$ and get less than optimal performance results. For most players, it does not make that big of a difference.

[Roadway]

i feel nylon fits more well in some classic racquets than multis. multis are good in the first few hours but feels mute hours later. nylons give more uniform feel though in the first few hours they are not alive than multis.

[BlueB]

I mostly string them with gut/poly hybrid.