cheap nat gut?

McLovin · May 19, 2014

Chotobaka said:
UPDATE: I have played approximately 10 hours actual on-court time with the Titan hybrid. Most of that has been non stop singles hitting. The Titan feels great and plays great, irrespective of its price. It is less firm than my reference gut, Bow Brand 17g but not springy like the budget Emerson natural gut. Not as stiff as the current Babolat VS Team. It shows normal wear, no unusual or premature fraying.

I have since strung up another hybrid with the same results as described in my original post. I am guessing the few negative reviews about this breaking during stringing is due to operator error, or the lemming effect of posters who have not actually used the string. After all, any yutz with a couple of hundred dollars to spare and most of their digits is a "stringer" these days.

This is a high quality natural gut whether using the eyeball test, tactile inspection or on-court evaluation. It is a steal for the $$. In addition to my post, take a look at other user actual TW user reviews for this string for other opinions.

I've used Titan many times as a cross, but not as a main. For years I had no issues with it, even when they were punching the peg-hole in the packaging right through the sealed part (idiots).

However, of the last 10 sets ordered from TW, I've had a 33% breakage rate on the machine (happened just last night). Note that this happens in the 1st or 2nd pull, and there is no kinking. I'm not a USRSA certified stringer, but I've been stringing for over 20 years, 15+ of that w/ Gut. I can tell you that it is most certainly NOT me.

Tension is 55lbs, pre-stretch option on my WISE.

When they snap, I put them aside & use on my wife's racquet, where I can drop the tension to 50 or 52.

I will say, though, for the ones that do make it, it plays great. The big issues are (1) stringing, and (2) gauge consistency, although that has improved over the years.

YarikA99 · May 19, 2014

struggle said:
I'm stringing the natrualgutwholesale 16g at 56-58 (mains only) with no problems YET. I'll be switching to Global and trying the same in the near future when I use up the last of the former.

I have more GG on the way, but the one set I already have appears to be of better quality than the natrualgutwholesale stuff which is quite gummy yet slides on the poly crosses (red devil 1.19) just fine.

I also ordered one set of 17g GG to try. GG can be had quite cheap when you buy several sets at a time, making a hybrid setup come in at 6-8 bucks (with Pros Pro from a reel).

Where can you buy a couple sets of GG for cheap? I only see one set for 15$ off the bay.

struggle · May 19, 2014

YarikA99 said:
Where can you buy a couple sets of GG for cheap? I only see one set for 15$ off the bay.

You have to buy in bulk.

MixedMaster · May 19, 2014

struggle said:
Use the search function.

Just used the search and comes back and says "Sorry No Products Found".

struggle · May 19, 2014

MixedMaster said:
Just used the search and comes back and says "Sorry No Products Found".

ok, here ya go.

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/sea...ducts&searchtext=titan&submit.x=20&submit.y=6

........

McLovin · May 19, 2014

MixedMaster said:
I guess TW is currently out of Titan ng or nor carrying it anymore??? Did a search of the web site and could not find it...

struggle said:
ok, here ya go.
http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/sea...ducts&searchtext=titan&submit.x=20&submit.y=6

Additionally, if you go to TW's Facebook page and select the 'VIP Exclusive Discounts' link, and from there select the 'Strings' section, you'll see Titan is offered at a 10% discount. So instead of $20, you'll pay $18. They also have KLIP gut, but are out of Legend 16 & 17g (they do have uncoated, though).

MixedMaster · May 19, 2014

Thanks for the help!! I was using "Titan Natural Gut Strings" and for some reason it wouldn't come up with it using that. I just put in "Titan" and it came up. Guess I was being too specific.

MixedMaster · May 19, 2014

McLovin said:
Additionally, if you go to TW's Facebook page and select the 'VIP Exclusive Discounts' link, and from there select the 'Strings' section, you'll see Titan is offered at a 10% discount. So instead of $20, you'll pay $18. They also have KLIP gut, but are out of Legend 16 & 17g (they do have uncoated, though).

Thanks, I'll check it out now!

lefty19 · May 19, 2014

The only black gut available on TW now is BT so I ordered the global gut 16 black to see if it's worth it for the low price. Two sets for $28 including shipping may be worth it but time will only tell.

I am going to hybrid it with RPM Dual, XC 16 and Black Zone to see what happens....

-David

YarikA99 · May 19, 2014

lefty19 said:
The only black gut available on TW now is BT so I ordered the global gut 16 black to see if it's worth it for the low price. Two sets for $28 including shipping may be worth it but time will only tell.

I am going to hybrid it with RPM Dual, XC 16 and Black Zone to see what happens....

-David

where did you find black global gut?

lefty19 · May 19, 2014

Swimming in the Bay....

lefty19 · May 19, 2014

YarikA99 said:
where did you find black global gut?

Swimming on EEEEEEEEEE****.....

ch0pp3r · May 19, 2014

hey Struggle. interesting info on how the full bed of Klip Legend added noticeable weight to your racket. do you know if the uncoated version of the Klip Legend is as heavy? what about the other cheaper guts that you've tried. thanks

struggle · May 20, 2014

ch0pp3r said:
hey Struggle. interesting info on how the full bed of Klip Legend added noticeable weight to your racket. do you know if the uncoated version of the Klip Legend is as heavy? what about the other cheaper guts that you've tried. thanks

i don't know yet as I've recently stripped all the lead from my rackets and am playing them with no lead, leather grip, overgrip and an O-damp.

waiting for some down time and for string sets to die so I can match/lead them again with no strings installed as i keep different setups in my rackets causing different weights/sw, etc. (i don't keep gut in all my frames, only one or two at a time). it could be awhile until i get around to it, BUT the gut does weigh abit more than synthetic (a few grams per "set") and now i'm playing a hybrid so i can't very well comment at this point.

rorschack · May 24, 2014

anyone got the latest batch of natural gut 16g or 17g from global gut? if so, can you comment on quality? did any snap prematurely? etc? i ordered some and cant wait to see the quality.

yangster007 · May 24, 2014

rorschack said:
anyone got the latest batch of natural gut 16g or 17g from global gut? if so, can you comment on quality? did any snap prematurely? etc? i ordered some and cant wait to see the quality.

Don't string the 16 gauge above 56LB and you are fine.

struggle · May 25, 2014

yangster007 said:
Don't string the 16 gauge above 56LB and you are fine.

Have you tried to string it higher?

I'll be attempting to string it at up to 60, we'll see how it goes....

Yes, I know it's not recommended.

ilovetennis212 · May 25, 2014

Strung up to 58lbs with Global gut.
Works fine.

Nostradamus · May 25, 2014

ilovetennis212 said:
Strung up to 58lbs with Global gut.
Works fine.

this is cheap but I was told that this thing just breaks while stringing for no reason. and breaks in the bag for no reason.

yangster007 · May 25, 2014

Nostradamus said:
this is cheap but I was told that this thing just breaks while stringing for no reason. and breaks in the bag for no reason.

never broke on me and i've used 7 sets already. but i always string it below 55 lb though

Scratch that, one hybrid job just snapped when it's in the bag, have only played with it for 2 hours

AsianArnold1 · Jun 10, 2014

scored a set for $12.50 shipped.

using my gamma x2, i hybrided it up in the mains@54 with PP Blackout cross@57. got 12-14yrs with it. it started fraying at hour ~10. i use silicone spray the morning before each play, which i think helped for longevity.
i use the RacketTune app(w/ much grain of salt, but it's all i have to measure) and it said 53# after stringing, 50# after 24hr, then 48# for the next 10hrs(+- 0.03).

i think it's very much worth the cheap price. the feeling is that undeniable gut (vs my one experience with Champion's Choice $30+$20 to string). so big deal if it broke in 14hrs, that's still quite a lot more than my usual 4-6hrs of polys.

i now stung up the second half of my Global.

struggle · Jun 10, 2014

I now have a quiver of cheap gut. all of the three that i normally see on the bay.

So far only used the "wholesale" stuff. Now have some Global and some other no name stuff in "black 15g" which looks just like the "wholesale" 16g black.

I've gotten a month out of the last set/hybrid (not sure maybe 25 hours at most) and it's hanging on by a thread, feels great.

ilovetennis212 · Jun 10, 2014

Nostradamus said:
this is cheap but I was told that this thing just breaks while stringing for no reason. and breaks in the bag for no reason.

It will be fine if you string slower than normal.
Global gut is better than Titan gut from my experience

yangster007 · Jun 10, 2014

AsianArnold1 said:
scored a set for $12.50 shipped.

using my gamma x2, i hybrided it up in the mains@54 with PP Blackout cross@57. got 12-14yrs with it. it started fraying at hour ~10. i use silicone spray the morning before each play, which i think helped for longevity.
i use the RacketTune app(w/ much grain of salt, but it's all i have to measure) and it said 53# after stringing, 50# after 24hr, then 48# for the next 10hrs(+- 0.03).

i think it's very much worth the cheap price. the feeling is that undeniable gut (vs my one experience with Champion's Choice $30+$20 to string). so big deal if it broke in 14hrs, that's still quite a lot more than my usual 4-6hrs of polys.

i now stung up the second half of my Global.

Wow 12-14 years ? Why did I get 20 sets of Global Gut for if 7 sets will last a life time ?

lefty19 · Jun 11, 2014

I can't tell any real difference between the natural and the wholesale guts except the wholesale is much drier to the touch and my string guy said he had to be more careful with it. I have applied coconut oil to both before my first session with a small cheap brush, waited a minute and wiped it down to make sure. My racquets smell good at least even though I stink. :???:

I have each strung with different strings and should have strung the same cross instead of RPM Dual 16 and Prince XC 15L... I am apparently not to sensitive to strings as I can't tell a big difference right now but have only played each about an hour. I have a lot more to learn and feel.

-David

lefty19 · Jun 11, 2014

lefty19 said:
I can't tell any real difference between the natural and the wholesale guts except the wholesale is much drier to the touch and my string guy said he had to be more careful with it. I have applied coconut oil to both before my first session with a small cheap brush, waited a minute and wiped it down to make sure. My racquets smell good at least even though I stink. :???:

I have each strung with different strings and should have strung the same cross instead of RPM Dual 16 and Prince XC 15L... I am apparently not to sensitive to strings as I can't tell a big difference right now but have only played each about an hour. I have a lot more to learn and feel.

-David

I can't edit yet and wanted to clarify something.

The XC 15L and the Black Zone 16 with the wholesale felt pretty similar and the RPM Dual with the natural felt a tad stiffer than both but nothing to make me hurt but noticeable. I believe it wasn't due to the different gut though. I am more interested to see how long either of the guts will last.

For the price of the guts if they last 12 hours then is fine for me as I will have about the same amount of cash involved as a full set of poly. Win win for me! Only time will tell with the quality of more sets to follow and more testing.

-David

struggle · Jun 11, 2014

lefty19 said:
I can't edit yet and wanted to clarify something.

The XC 15L and the Black Zone 16 with the wholesale felt pretty similar and the RPM Dual with the natural felt a tad stiffer than both but nothing to make me hurt but noticeable. I believe it wasn't due to the different gut though. I am more interested to see how long either of the guts will last.

For the price of the guts if they last 12 hours then is fine for me as I will have about the same amount of cash involved as a full set of poly. Win win for me! Only time will tell with the quality of more sets to follow and more testing.

-David

When you say "natural" are you referring to this?

http://www.*********/itm/1-SETS-16G...238?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2ed25b9e26

******** = e b a y . c o m

lefty19 · Jun 11, 2014

struggle said:
When you say "natural" are you referring to this?

http://www.*********/itm/1-SETS-16G...238?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2ed25b9e26

I got a request error on your link but is the wholesalenatural gut stuff... I searched on here and saw a few people had mixed to mixed positive with it so I am trying it. they have their own website as well out of Cali.

lefty19 · Jun 11, 2014

lefty19 said:
I got a request error on your link but is the wholesalenatural gut stuff... I searched on here and saw a few people had mixed to mixed positive with it so I am trying it. they have their own website as well out of Cali.

I am still waking up apparently and sipping my coffee... the two are the wholesale natural and the other gut is the global gut... my apology.

lefty19 · Jun 11, 2014

lefty19 said:
I am still waking up apparently and sipping my coffee... the two are the wholesale natural and the other gut is the global gut... my apology.

The global gut is the stuff from India and the wholesale is from Cali....

struggle · Jun 11, 2014

lefty19 said:
The global gut is the stuff from India and the wholesale is from Cali....

Well, i think they may both be of India but yes the seller for wholesale is in California.

it just took me almost a month to get my last order of Global from India.

The global i strung for a friend felt much drier to me than the wholesale (which I'm using) which is quite gummy feeling at first (stringing).

I have another from a third provider, the link i posted, which looks like wholesale in the package (same shrink seal bags too) and it comes from florida,

AsianArnold1 · Jun 11, 2014

yangster007 said:
Wow 12-14 years ? Why did I get 20 sets of Global Gut for if 7 sets will last a life time ?

yrs=hrs
D'oh!! my sausage fingers! i gotta trim the fat and do finger aerobicsdfs :lol:

lefty19 · Jun 11, 2014

struggle said:
Well, i think they may both be of India but yes the seller for wholesale is in California.

it just took me almost a month to get my last order of Global from India.

The global i strung for a friend felt much drier to me than the wholesale (which I'm using) which is quite gummy feeling at first (stringing).

I have another from a third provider, the link i posted, which looks like wholesale in the package (same shrink seal bags too) and it comes from florida,

It very well could be but the guy in Cali was quite prompt in sending the strings and I have no complaints thus far. I have to admit both were in similar packaging and tied the exact same way. Both felt dry to me and couldn't see any great difference. Neither were gummy that I can tell you! I am NOT some Pro or competitive club player though and will continue with it since the Klip black was out still.

My humble opinion will be taken with a grain of salt and understandably so since I won't have any great insight. At least at this point in time.

rorschack · Jun 12, 2014

Just played with Global Gut 16g yesterday and it's pretty damn nice. I had no problem stringing it, 48lb global gut main, 44lb genesis black magic cross. There is minimal fraying and notching after 2-hour session.

Now, I am wondering how long it is going to last. How long is lasting for you guys? 10 hrs? 20 hrs? Is it good until it breaks or become super springy at the end of its life?

KaiserW · Jun 13, 2014

Strung up 16g Global Gut last night. Doing the mains was no issue but I had a horrible time doing the crosses. It was very dry which made pulling it across very difficult. I got fed up after 3 crosses and cut it out and finished with my half set of Tonic. I will not be buying again unless I am doing a hybrid.

Thinking about trying Pacific Classic as a full bed next.

BlueB · Jun 14, 2014

I finally got some Global... It looks and feels a lot better then some other cheapo guts from bay I have tried before...
I got adventurous and tried to string the mains at 60, 2 lbs over recommended. It snapped 2/3 through the process. Tied a knot and finished it - good enough for test play. Crossed with BHS at 45.
If the rain will stop, I'll try it later.

KaiserW · Jun 14, 2014

BlueB said:
I finally got some Global... It looks and feels a lot better then some other cheapo guts from bay I have tried before...
I got adventurous and tried to string the mains at 60, 2 lbs over recommended. It snapped 2/3 through the process. Tied a knot and finished it - good enough for test play. Crossed with BHS at 45.
If the rain will stop, I'll try it later.

No issues having the crosses that much lower tension than mains?

BlueB · Jun 14, 2014

No. I've been doing at least 10 lbs differential for about 2 years now. Over 10 the head shortens a bit, starts to be noticeable at 20. Note, I always put stiffer string in crosses.

ultradr · Jun 16, 2014

I tried 60 lbs on global gut 15 gauge (supposed to be ok to string at up to 62 lbs).

It popped at last main but luckily had enough length (a few inches) to pull it with string grabber(?).
I pulled the last main one more time at 55 lbs and tied off.
Had no problem pulling crosses at 60 lbs although string surfaces are rough.
There is some string gauge inconsistency.

Once it is strung, it plays nice. Let's see how it holds up....

allenkau · Jun 19, 2014

Got 4 half sets of Titan 16 gut.

Popped within first 30 minutes. Near the top grommet. this is my 11th Gut string job and I was very careful. Previous jobs with Paciific classic and VS Touch never did this.

Oh well. I HOPE this is due to my ERROR. Got 3 more to go.

Sucks it takes me longer to string it then to break it. But DAMN. It felt SO GOOD during that 30 min. As good as Pacific classic and obviously better than VS touch with BT7 which is so freakin stiff....

mctennis · Jun 19, 2014

Not sure what you are saving when you buy half sets that break during stringing or shorty after you play with them. Every cheap gut I have tried and tried to use has been a disaster. If you have good luck with this cheap gut kudos to you.

struggle · Jun 20, 2014

mctennis said:
Not sure what you are saving when you buy half sets that break during stringing or shorty after you play with them. Every cheap gut I have tried and tried to use has been a disaster. If you have good luck with this cheap gut kudos to you.

Knock on wood, I've strung seven half sets of cheap gut with no premature breakage. Yet.

Well worth the money to me.

MixedMaster · Jun 20, 2014

struggle said:
Knock on wood, I've strung seven half sets of cheap gut with no premature breakage. Yet.

Well worth the money to me.

Have all 7 of the half sets been for you? If they have, in how many sticks and how long have they lasted? I'm just curious as I have 2 full sets I'm a little afraid to string!!!

struggle · Jun 20, 2014

MixedMaster said:
Have all 7 of the half sets been for you? If they have, in how many sticks and how long have they lasted? I'm just curious as I have 2 full sets I'm a little afraid to string!!!

No, 4 were for a buddy in KPS 88s. First time he got about 1.5 weeks (gut mains) and now he's playing gut crosses and its lasting longer for him so far.

Mine just lasted me about 7 weeks (one frame), maybe 25-30 hours and frayed real good before snapping.

MixedMaster · Jun 21, 2014

I've been using gut in the mains and I'm thinking about changing them to the crosses. The pro here at our club says I will get more spin if I change up. He's pretty knowledgeable, coached college tennis for a number of years, so his advice is usually solid.

struggle · Jun 21, 2014

MixedMaster said:
I've been using gut in the mains and I'm thinking about changing them to the crosses. The pro here at our club says I will get more spin if I change up. He's pretty knowledgeable, coached college tennis for a number of years, so his advice is usually solid.

A friend uses this setup. He likes it, but I don't think your coach is correct.

struggle · Jun 21, 2014

Just strung a half set of GG 16 today (red devil 1.19 cross) in my own stick. Strung up and played beautifully.

KaiserW · Jun 21, 2014

struggle said:
Just strung a half set of GG 16 today (red devil 1.19 cross) in my own stick. Strung up and played beautifully.

Is red devil soft for a poly?

YarikA99 · Jun 21, 2014

KaiserW said:
Is red devil soft for a poly?

:lol: Yeah its soft for a poly.

KaiserW · Jun 21, 2014

YarikA99 said:
:lol: Yeah its soft for a poly.

Cool may give it a try.

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