Best synthetic gut

geca

Semi-Pro
Funny how you dodged both questions of how comfortable powercord is, and about tension maintenance. Anyways, since im not a string breaker, I think I'll stick with a very comfortable ashaway monogut zx.
no... the above WAS the answer to have the best combo of comfort and tension maintenance..... also as a general point, many talk about these things without any context... a string's performance is very much dependent on the frame and the tension.
 
Could not agree more with FrankC - I have put Gosen OGSM 17 full bed on my prestige mid and it holds up pretty well for at least 6 hours for me. After that, strings move a bit but it's still not a problem for me.
What tension do you string OGSM17 on your prestige mid?
 
ogsm is really not THAT comfortable.

anyway, with the powercord I string 56lbs on my Extreme Pro 2.0, 10-30lbs on my PS85 and POG mid.... if you name a frame I may be able to recommend a tension.
So you are saying OGSM is not THAT comfortable so I am able to assume that the POLY you are suggesting is softer than the OGSM? Ok...

Also, you talk nothing about the tension maintenance... My frame is Dunlop F 3.0 tour but that doesn't really change the string's tension maintenance. This is getting more sketchy by the minute so I'm gonna stick with the asahway monogut zx, (The reviews are very sketchy, some talk about the string snake bite and not power chord, and the link shows that the reviews are actually under an overgrip?) http://prntscr.com/9mguz3

Again, since I'm not a string breaker and I want the top quality string that I TRUST (not sure about that powerchord) I will go with my gut.

But, Once I break it, I may try the string you recommended.

Ps. 10 - 30 pounds? 30 I can understand but 10 pounds seems a bit iffy.

Edit: You talk about how the tension affects the tension maintenance, but I just want to know, how the tension maintenance compares to a poly like Luxilon Alu Power and softer ones like Dunlop Black Widow if they are all strung at the same tension.
 

geca

Semi-Pro
other than that the 10lb string bed sounds like a drum beat, it plays fine... and you can see why the tension 'maintenance' is a moot point now, you can start at 30lbs and lose 20 it's still good to play.... the experiment costs only $5.

Alu is a fantastic string, before it dies.
 
other than that the 10lb string bed sounds like a drum beat, it plays fine... and you can see why the tension 'maintenance' is a moot point now, you can start at 30lbs and lose 20 it's still good to play.... the experiment costs only $5.

Alu is a fantastic string, before it dies.
*Sigh*, I honestly could not care less that it plays great at 10 pounds, I like my tension to stay the same (as in even if it plays well at 5 pounds, I would rather my tension stay at the tension it was strung at.)

So I'm going to ask for the very last time before I abandon this thread: How is the comfort of this string compared to your average multifilament and how does the tension maintenance compare to dunlop black widow or alu power?
 

eelhc

Hall of Fame
other than that the 10lb string bed sounds like a drum beat, it plays fine... and you can see why the tension 'maintenance' is a moot point now, you can start at 30lbs and lose 20 it's still good to play.... the experiment costs only $5.

This is key... To experiment with various synthetic gut at different tensions doesn't cost all that much. It's not like trying to find out what NG is best for your game... so get a couple of dozen sets and string away...
 

junk

Semi-Pro
*Sigh*, I honestly could not care less that it plays great at 10 pounds, I like my tension to stay the same (as in even if it plays well at 5 pounds, I would rather my tension stay at the tension it was strung at.)

So I'm going to ask for the very last time before I abandon this thread: How is the comfort of this string compared to your average multifilament and how does the tension maintenance compare to dunlop black widow or alu power?

OGSM is a great string. don't be fooled by its low price. I've been using it for years as my cross string with polys with tensions ranging from 54/56 to 49/51 (poly mains/OGSM cross) and it plays great within that range. it does not have the nice touch of the very high end multis (X1 Biphase, Xcel, Micronite) but it still is a reasonably comfortable string and definitely not nearly as stiff as any poly that you mentioned - it never gave me any issues with my sensitive tennis elbow. the string has great spin potential, feels crisp. it plays great for a few hours and once it starts losing the tension it gets a bit of a trampoline effect. you can still play till it breaks or just cut it given its low price. in comparison to OGSM, Forten Sweet had much lower spin potential and less crisp - i didn't like it at all
 
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OGSM is a great string. don't be fooled by its low price. I've been using it for years as my cross string with polys with tensions ranging from 54/56 to 49/51 (poly mains/OGSM cross) and it plays great within that range. it does not have the nice touch of the very high end multis (X1 Biphase, Xcel, Micronite) but it still is a reasonably comfortable string and definitely not nearly as stiff as any poly that you mentioned - it never gave me any issues with my sensitive tennis elbow. the string has great spin potential, feels crisp. it plays great for a few hours and once it starts losing the tension it gets a bit of a trampoline effect. you can still play till it breaks or just cut it given its low price. in comparison to OGSM, Forten Sweet had much lower spin potential and less crisp - i didn't like it at all

My plan is to buy a reel of OGSM but a set of ashaway mono gut zx first and use that until it breaks. If I really love it, I will buy a reel of it, if I enjoy it but decide that it doesn't really help that much, I will purchase the OGSM.
 

Booger

Hall of Fame
The majority of people I string for seem to like OGSM. It plays a little stiffer than the others.
 
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JohnBPittsburgh

Hall of Fame
monogut ZX is a great string IMO post your results for sure. have the stringer do a good prestretch, and make sure you get monogut ZX not just plain monogut!! Also, Kirschbaum premium syn gut is a great string if you want to stick with syn guts. Shop around, I have found it for the same price as gosen sheep. Plays softer, but crisp, and has good pop. not sold in sets though :( but I string, so that doesn't effect me
 
So, I ordered a reel of OGSM natural 17 from TT, but they accidentally sent a 16 reel instead. I have my own stringer and plan to string at least every other week to keep the strings fresh (either a poly/syn or syn/poly hybrid). I play about 10-15 hours in two weeks, pretty heavy hitting USTA 4.0/4.5.
Would the 17 string hold up for that amount of time and be more playable?
Or, would the 16 string be preferable to due to last at least a couple weeks for me?
 

FedBeckRas

Rookie
Gosen OG Sheep Micro 16g in open patterns(16x19).
Gosen OG Sheep Micro 17g in closed patterns(18x20).
Crisp and comfortable when freshly strung. 16g is definitely more durable. 17g feels softer and creates more spin.
 

TinTin 1

Professional
So, I ordered a reel of OGSM natural 17 from TT, but they accidentally sent a 16 reel instead. I have my own stringer and plan to string at least every other week to keep the strings fresh (either a poly/syn or syn/poly hybrid). I play about 10-15 hours in two weeks, pretty heavy hitting USTA 4.0/4.5.
Would the 17 string hold up for that amount of time and be more playable?
Or, would the 16 string be preferable to due to last at least a couple weeks for me?
Poly/ syngut 17 will last for you.
 

dafobbishon3

New User
Amen with the Forten Sweet. Probably one of the best underrated synthetics out there. I only heard of it from word of mouth of another buddy of mine that plays. I used to use tecnifibre synthetic gut but that never lasted that long, those broke too fast, tension maintenance was low, and it was a very very stretchy synthetic. I use Pro's Pro synthetic now but Forten Sweet is also a good option.
 

Kalin

Legend
BLACK head pps synthetic gut has been serving (no pun) me well in terms of control, comfort, and spin

Have you tried the white? I did a few times and I liked it; I still have quite a few sets left. Is the black different or is that all you had access to?
 

n8dawg6

Legend
Have you tried the white? I did a few times and I liked it; I still have quite a few sets left. Is the black different or is that all you had access to?
the white is fine too, the black just has a coating on it that gives it a little more crispy feel.
 

Muppet

Legend
A muted syn gut that plays pretty crisp is Dunlop S-gut. It has a Polyurethane wrap that keeps it quiet, but the slick coating also keeps it crisp and lively.
 

PProco

New User
I really enjoyed wilson syn gut power 16 in the crosses with lux adrenaline. Great power, feel, control, avg spin.
 

Ben42

Semi-Pro
Amen with the Forten Sweet. Probably one of the best underrated synthetics out there. I only heard of it from word of mouth of another buddy of mine that plays. I used to use tecnifibre synthetic gut but that never lasted that long, those broke too fast, tension maintenance was low, and it was a very very stretchy synthetic. I use Pro's Pro synthetic now but Forten Sweet is also a good option.
I just strung up some Pro's Pro Synthetic in the mains with Red Devil as crosses and like it a whole lot. I'd been using Claycourt Plus that way, but it breaks a little too quickly for me.

Have you played any of the colors of Synthetic? Do they play differently from one another like Prince Duraflex can? I've only tried natural, but was thinking of getting a reel in some color just for kicks.
 

eelhc

Hall of Fame
I throw in a set of SG on new frames to form and seat the grommets (mostly when I am stringing NG eventually).

Each time, I just fall in love with SG.... For about an hour or two.

As soon as the strings begin to move and lock up, the string bed feels stiffer and more boardy.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Never used OGSM 18 because I USED to be a string breaker. Now I don't break strings so often I will give it a go. How long before you typically break it? Do you use it full bed or in a hybrid setup?

I use it in mains and use a 17 cross. Not sure it makes a difference that way but I usually cut it out before I it breaks.
 

warney

Semi-Pro
Each time, I just fall in love with SG.... For about an hour or two.

As soon as the strings begin to move and lock up, the string bed feels stiffer and more boardy

Yup, same here! But it is great string to have your backup strung with. I have OGSM 17g @53 in my SG10 and I will only use it when strings on my 2 main rackets go during a match!
 
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Irvin

Talk Tennis Guru
Many people like GOGM string. For the most part most like crystal the best I have one customer that likes Amber the best. Very few like white.
 

eelhc

Hall of Fame
Yup, same here! But it is great string to have your backup strung at. I have OGSM 17g @53 in my SG10 and I will only use it when strings on my 2 main rackets go during a match!

Lately I've been stringing with Tecnifibre s.gut. Pretty impressed... has a nice, soft feel with good ball pocketing. Seems to go a bit longer than most SG without notching up. Not sure what the coating is...
 

Easy Rider

Professional
OGSM is great bang for the buck.
It does break quick (more often than not) but it has all till it breaks. Around 26/27 recomended for mid sizes
 

Readers

Professional
Tried forten sweet after all the good review here, 53 on prince tour 18*20(2014). Well, completely unplayable for me, very unpredictable, hot spot is super hot, other area's response is all over the place too.
 

shamaho

Professional
Does anyone using synth gut in hybrid setups feel that they dull the feeling of the string bed? Or make them much more muted?

Or maybe this happens in low tensions?

I wonder how to hybrid with synth guts but still keeping some crispness on the string bed

Hoping to hear from you.

Excuse my brevity, sent from mobile on puny keyboard and rocking public transport
 

ppmishra

Rookie
try the goldenset powercord, softer than synguts but more power and spin... longer string life, stays straight on the frame all the time, can play till it breaks, can string from mid 50's all the way down to 10lbs (not a typo)... costs $4 per if you buy reel.

with all the above considered, synguts are crap.
i tried this string in a 18x20 full bed and also crossed with forten (@54 lbs, both setup's) and it's right up there with any luxilon string minus the armkill
 

ppmishra

Rookie
Tried forten sweet after all the good review here, 53 on prince tour 18*20(2014). Well, completely unplayable for me, very unpredictable, hot spot is super hot, other area's response is all over the place too.
i've never used it as a full bed, only as a cross in two 18x20 frames (@54, @55 lbs) and it works great for me, i'll try it out as a full bed @58-60 lbs but in a 16x19 and see how it goes.
 

Steve Huff

G.O.A.T.
Like Jim said, Prince Syn w/Duraflex has been the #1 selling string for several years now, so some people must like it. I'll be curious to see if they maintain that #1 sales position for long now that Prince has cut out most of their field reps. I know the club pro near here was strictly a Prince guy (Prince Graphite, Prince Syn w/Duraflex or Lightning) since he was a kid. Now, he's a Head guy.
 

ppmishra

Rookie
Does anyone using synth gut in hybrid setups feel that they dull the feeling of the string bed? Or make them much more muted?

Or maybe this happens in low tensions?

I wonder how to hybrid with synth guts but still keeping some crispness on the string bed

Hoping to hear from you.

Excuse my brevity, sent from mobile on puny keyboard and rocking public transport
Is there a specific synthetic gut you have in mind? A friend of mine used dunlop synthetic gut (16 g) in the cross strings (57 lbs) and black widow mains 17 g (@ 54 lbs) and his experience was that it felt crisp enough and retained bed tension better at the expense of some ball pocketing. There are a lot of discussion threads about this, but it depends on what you want to use in the mains (smooth vs multi sided) and the string to string COF. (For example, If you use PSG with duraflex in the cross at a higher tension than your desired main string)
 

shamaho

Professional
Is there a specific synthetic gut you have in mind? A friend of mine used dunlop synthetic gut (16 g) in the cross strings (57 lbs) and black widow mains 17 g (@ 54 lbs) and his experience was that it felt crisp enough and retained bed tension better at the expense of some ball pocketing. There are a lot of discussion threads about this, but it depends on what you want to use in the mains (smooth vs multi sided) and the string to string COF. (For example, If you use PSG with duraflex in the cross at a higher tension than your desired main string)

Hi, this was an old post, I must have used way too low tensions that might not have "activated"any elastic property of the string, or something that effect - or made some stupid mistake during stringing...

I've since done a ton of those hybrids poly/syn gut (crosses) and have not seen the issue much - my last one before deciding on returning to fullbed poly, sort of lost elasticity (died?) and I had to make a ton of effort to get anything on the ball... but otherwise all good.
 

liftordie

Hall of Fame
I just strung up some Pro's Pro Synthetic in the mains with Red Devil as crosses and like it a whole lot. I'd been using Claycourt Plus that way, but it breaks a little too quickly for me.

Have you played any of the colors of Synthetic? Do they play differently from one another like Prince Duraflex can? I've only tried natural, but was thinking of getting a reel in some color just for kicks.
Did you had your answer?
 

n8dawg6

Legend
there is no trick. if you string it real tight, it takes out some of the springiness. it also makes the sweet spot small and makes it more prone to snap. it is what it is, as they say. i dont really give 2 sh*ts about the straightening of the strings, what bugs me is the springiness and lack of spin. im just not as competitive with it. i have seen some players around the 40 yr old mark, though, who played D1 in college with synthetic gut and 6.1 classics. they still manage to hit plenty of spin with it. i just need more help from my equipment than they do.
man, how long ago did i write this?? string straightening DOES bother me, haha. maybe i wasnt moving the strings as much back then.

fast forward four (eek!) years and i still prefer soft polys. feel-wise i really like the newer multifilaments, like technifibre HDMX and head velocity. synthetic gut is ok in a tighter pattern
 

tennis347

Hall of Fame
Gosen OG Sheep Micro is one of the best inexpensive synthetic gut strings on the market. A 660 FT reel is 44.00!!
 
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