Best Natural Gut for Blade 98

robok9 · Sep 1, 2013

I currently have a Blx Blade 98, and I have decided that I should pick up a set of gut because I feel like its playing characteristics would suit my game.

I am looking for a set of gut that has the great qualities of gut that offers at least somewhat good spin. My big fear with switching from poly to gut is that I won't get enough spin out of it. Also, I don't want to pay a fortune for a good set so preferably under $40 so if your recommendation is above that, give reasons to back it up.

jim e · Sep 1, 2013

Most cheap nat. gut strings will not hold up to high tensions.
A quality gut Like VS or Wilson can be strung reasonably high, and thats where a quality gut plays nice, as it gives you great control at high tensions, and because of its resiliency it plays very well at higher tensions.
Bacically you will get what you pay for with a nat. gut string.

If you are looking for good spin, then use a 1/2 set of a quality gut and hybrid with a poly to give you some extra spin you are looking for.This way the price is lower as well.

Michael Lesbowicz · Sep 1, 2013

robok9 said:
I currently have a Blx Blade 98, and I have decided that I should pick up a set of gut because I feel like its playing characteristics would suit my game.

I am looking for a set of gut that has the great qualities of gut that offers at least somewhat good spin. My big fear with switching from poly to gut is that I won't get enough spin out of it. Also, I don't want to pay a fortune for a good set so preferably under $40 so if your recommendation is above that, give reasons to back it up.

I was about to suggest Pacific Bull Gut, until I read that line,
but Bull Gut is priced at 95 $.

Bow Brand Championship is around 30 $.
There is also Bow Brand Professional which is even cheaper than that.
Try those.

robok9 · Sep 1, 2013

What do you guys think about getting Wilson champions choice (Wilson gut mains with Lux alu power rough crosses) for $30. I could a set of spin oriented poly to replace the crosses when they wear out since the gut will pretty much last forever.

slowfox · Sep 1, 2013

Pacific Classic 16L. I get decent spin with it.

jim e · Sep 2, 2013

robok9 said:
What do you guys think about getting Wilson champions choice (Wilson gut mains with Lux alu power rough crosses) for $30. I could a set of spin oriented poly to replace the crosses when they wear out since the gut will pretty much last forever.

The gut in Champions choice is not the same quality as Wilsons nat. gut.
You are best to get a set of each and make your own hybrid.

robok9 · Sep 2, 2013

jim e said:
The gut in Champions choice is not the same quality as Wilsons nat. gut.
You are best to get a set of each and make your own hybrid.

I know it's different, but I've heard that the champion's choice gut works well in the hybrid because it is a little bit softer. The only con is that it starts fraying earlier and lasts about 80% as long as the regular Wilson gut. To be honest the Wilson Natural gut is quite expensive, and I've heard great things about Pacific Classic, so I might get Pacific Classic and hybrid it with a copoly.

Any thoughts on a good poly to hybrid it with?

andreh · Sep 2, 2013

I don't think TW carries Bow Brand anymore. I used to play with it but I found it too powerful. I play with VS team these days, although it's above $40.

Thinner gauge will give you more spin. Also you can string your mains 2-4 lbs higher than the crosses. This will also give you more spin. And if you don't already hit with a technique which gives you a lot spin you might find that you will get some more out of it by modifying your strokes.

Rabbit · Sep 2, 2013

I tend to agree with some other folks in this thread. If you're concerned at all about spin, hybrid is the way to go. Pick whatever gut you want to try, and I would suggest one on the lower end of price like Pacific Classic 16L. Then pick your favorite poly in as thin a gauge as you can get and I mean 18.

I used to use Luxilon Ace as a cross string at the same tension as the gut. You won't have any arm problems because the natural gut accounts for about 75% of the feel. The poly will firm up the string bed and help with spin.

robok9 · Sep 2, 2013

Rabbit said:
I tend to agree with some other folks in this thread. If you're concerned at all about spin, hybrid is the way to go. Pick whatever gut you want to try, and I would suggest one on the lower end of price like Pacific Classic 16L. Then pick your favorite poly in as thin a gauge as you can get and I mean 18. I used to use Luxilon Ace as a cross string at the same tension as the gut. You won't have any arm problems because the natural gut accounts for about 75% of the feel. The poly will firm up the string bed and help with spin.

An 18 gauge in the crosses? Won't that put extra wear and tear on the gut? I mean, I intend to get 17 gauge gut so it wouldn't be too much thinner, but I'm just wondering. If it does work, what do you think about cyclone 18 (I have an extra set laying around) in the crosses, or would it be best to get a non-shaped poly?

Rabbit · Sep 2, 2013

I think Cyclone 18 would be great. Also, I don't think it'll make that much difference in the life of the gut, going with 18 that is. I never noticed much of a difference.

Nostradamus · Sep 2, 2013

Michael Lesbowicz said:
I was about to suggest Pacific Bull Gut, until I read that line,
but Bull Gut is priced at 95 $.

Bow Brand Championship is around 30 $.
There is also Bow Brand Professional which is even cheaper than that.
Try those.

Agree. Bow brand is Great NG. but it is not sold at TW anymore. Where can we buy that ???

Tim · Sep 2, 2013

I just started using Volkl V-fuse 17 which is Volkl gut and Cyclone, I'm finding it to play great with the poly main and gut cross at the same tension. You get great spin and control from the poly but the bed feels smoother and decidedly less harsh on of center hits.

Best Natural Gut for Blade 98

robok9

Semi-Pro

jim e

Legend

Michael Lesbowicz

Banned

robok9

Semi-Pro

slowfox

Professional

jim e

Legend

robok9

Semi-Pro

andreh

Professional

Rabbit

G.O.A.T.

robok9

Semi-Pro

Rabbit

G.O.A.T.

Nostradamus

Bionic Poster

Tim

Rookie

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