S
SuperHead
Guest
Apart from 15% more durability, is there any difference, if any at all?
Pre-BT7 plays softer than BT7. As a main with poly crosses imo the slightly stiffer BT7 VS seems to provide a little more access to spin and control than pre-BT7 at the cost of feel and pocketing.
Wilson Natural Gut seems similar to Pre-BT7 VS.
For a crisper feel use BT7 VS. For a softer feel use Wilson or, if you can find it, pre-BT7 VS.
Previously I too had viewed the issue as one being "better" than the other. A more experienced TT member pointed out that some folks actually prefer a crisper gut (where I had viewed it as dull). I was wrong, he as right. I've used both and one isn't better or worse, just different. I like both for different reasons and now imo it depends on frame and personal preferences. Where some see BT7 as harsh and non-BT7 as comfortable others see BT7 as crisp and non-BT7 as mushy. To each his own.
Wilson Natural Gut seems similar to Pre-BT7 VS.
For a crisper feel use BT7 VS. For a softer feel use Wilson or, if you can find it, pre-BT7 VS.
Previously I too had viewed the issue as one being "better" than the other. A more experienced TT member pointed out that some folks actually prefer a crisper gut (where I had viewed it as dull). I was wrong, he as right. I've used both and one isn't better or worse, just different. I like both for different reasons and now imo it depends on frame and personal preferences. Where some see BT7 as harsh and non-BT7 as comfortable others see BT7 as crisp and non-BT7 as mushy. To each his own.
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To me, "softer" or "stiffer" are too simple words to put it. And I do not even want to say
BT7 is "crisper". Crisp is too nice word to describe BT7.
It is simply stiffer and feels more "synthetic".
Hybrid users may not feel that much difference but if you are full bed user,
BT7 can be a pretty serious offense to the happiness you had before with VS (or Tonic).
BT7 lost the "dynamic" nature of natural gut. I would even go ahead and say
it has lost the "magic" of Babolat natural guts.
BT7 is "crisper". Crisp is too nice word to describe BT7.
It is simply stiffer and feels more "synthetic".
Hybrid users may not feel that much difference but if you are full bed user,
BT7 can be a pretty serious offense to the happiness you had before with VS (or Tonic).
BT7 lost the "dynamic" nature of natural gut. I would even go ahead and say
it has lost the "magic" of Babolat natural guts.
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The BT7 does does soften up quite a bit after a little court time and the stuff is super durable. I know a lot of people hate it, but it does have it some good characteristic. I prefer the pre-BT7, but I still like them both. I could see why people using gut in a full bed would hate the BT7, but for poly/gut hybrids it still plays wells.
parasailing
Legend
Even in a hybrid setup with poly crosses, BT7 is still stiffer and takes some time to soften up. If i want such a setup, I could get cheaper Pacific and it would play the same for me. I still miss the original VS and guess for those of us who have remaining supply of original VS, we are just going to have to enjoy it until we run out of the original VS 
.
.Even in a hybrid setup with poly crosses, BT7 is still stiffer and takes some time to soften up. If i want such a setup, I could get cheaper Pacific and it would play the same for me. I still miss the original VS and guess for those of us who have remaining supply of original VS, we are just going to have to enjoy it until we run out of the original VS
Or get the Wilson, which I have already done.
I took an advantage of Tennis Only's (TW's sister store in Australia) 20% off storewide sale and ordered 5x packets of Babolat VS Touch strings. I was pleasantly surprized that they sent me the pre-BT7 VS Touch strings
Sorry to rain on your parade, but they are all BT7.
They are?
Of course, they are.
You bought the latest version of VS gut, and Babolat no longer makes the non-BT7 gut.
Take a look at the description here. Although this is VS Team, it has the same packaging with Nadal and Tsonga pics.
http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Babolat_VS_Natural_Team_Gut_17_125_String/descpageACBAB-BTG17.html
Here is what it says:
"Now comes with BT7 technology which is a new layering structure, increasing durability by 15%. Offers a slightly firmer feel, but remains the "Gold Standard" for comfort and playability."
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Ah I see. Thanks for the info.
I saw a pic of your stash of natural gut strings you posted a while ago. So those Babolat VS with the black packaging are pre-BT7 are they?
Yes, the vast majority of my VS packages are pre-BT7.
Cobra Tennis
Professional
It blows my mind how a company, whose namesake has been VS Gut CHANGES the formula for the most popular string ever.
It is equal to the coke vs. new coke formula debacle.
It is equal to the coke vs. new coke formula debacle.
We can only hope for Coke Classic.
Sparkyovcov
Semi-Pro
Title was slightly confusing. That's a lot of VS
Better than a lot of BS :shock:
Booger
Hall of Fame
What I was told --> BT7 allows Babolat to make the string for a much lower cost since they use less strands (and slather it in BT7 so it will hold together). Now they charge the same high cost for a much cheaper product = more $$$$ for babolat. This is why they don't change it back, despite all the complaints. Greed greed greed.
Vote with your wallet. There are much better choices for $43/ea.
My prediction is $39.99 next year. Personally, I might consider them if $36.99.
Pro Kenneth
Rookie
The discussion of the BT7 on stringforum concluded that Babolat introduced it because it is superior for use with Polyester hybrids; by making the gut stiffer-in-fact, it can be strung at a lower tension, close to what polyester should be. They recommended if you are using BT7 to lower the tension to compensate.
Why did they discontinue the "classic" then?
They could have just added the BT7 version to their lineup and left the "classic" untouched.
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NDtennis_Williston
Rookie
Booger
Hall of Fame
lol riiiiight. The only reason they did it is to squeeze more profit out of their customers.
parasailing
Legend
It's so sad that they ditch the non BT7 stuff. Now I only buy the Prince natural gut and Wilson natural gut which are very comparable to the original VS stuff.
I wonder when Babolat will stop making the original stuff for Prince and Wilson.
I wonder when Babolat will stop making the original stuff for Prince and Wilson.
parasailing
Legend
Yes sadly it did. I was so disappointed with BT7, it just doesn't stretch and isn't as soft.
Pro Kenneth
Rookie
Prince & Wilson gut is just rebranded Babolat gut, all of which is made in France. Prince & Wilson do not produce any natural gut of their own. I have heard Wilson outsources all of its strings to other companies to make, but I cannot confirm that.
I am skeptical that BT7 was merely a money-play (by-itself), as Babolat already sells plenty of their flagship product; rather, it was probably in reaction to the growing use of hybrids and polyester and an attempt to make sure the standard-by-which-all-strings-are-compared, VS Gut, remains relevant. Also it may have cost them R&D to develop BT7. Not sure though why they haven't continued to produce the non-BT7, perhaps not efficient to do both, and would confuse the market.
That is enough of me defending a rather aggressive giant company. From stringforum:
I am skeptical that BT7 was merely a money-play (by-itself), as Babolat already sells plenty of their flagship product; rather, it was probably in reaction to the growing use of hybrids and polyester and an attempt to make sure the standard-by-which-all-strings-are-compared, VS Gut, remains relevant. Also it may have cost them R&D to develop BT7. Not sure though why they haven't continued to produce the non-BT7, perhaps not efficient to do both, and would confuse the market.
That is enough of me defending a rather aggressive giant company. From stringforum:
TobyTopspin
Professional
The Tonic+ is just seconds from Babolat. There are usually some type of imperfection in the string gauge or even some type of discoloration. It has the BT7 stuff if you get the newer packaging.
The Wilson is much softer like how VS used to be. You will certainly notice a difference. It is also more powerful so you will have to string a little tighter to get the same results as you were getting with the Tonic+.
I hated the BT7 stuff when I initially tried it because I strung it at a tension that I would usually string VS. Once I lowered my tension a few pounds, I enjoyed it. It still isn't quite as nice as pre BT7, but it does last longer for me. It's worth the trade off for me.
Bender
G.O.A.T.
Well that sucks. Explains why my recent stringing with VS was not quite what I had expected / remember...
parasailing
Legend
I wonder if they just decided to sell the old stuff to Wilson/Prince or just selling out their remaining non BT7 stuff and both Wilson and Prince will sooner or later end up with the BT7 stuff.
Bender
G.O.A.T.
I'm using VS Team BT7, and have it strung at 47 lbs.
Your experience is similar to mine. So far, I've hit with it for about 20 hours tops and only just started fraying a little on the sides. Mostly still looks good as new, which is great.
Initially, it felt a little tighter than normal, and its definitely more crisp feeling than the Wilson Natural Gut that is strung at the same tension on my coach's K90, but after a little bit of hitting actually feels a lot livelier than before, and because of the lower tension is more than powerful enough for my purposes.
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TobyTopspin
Professional
Yes, It's certainly a great string. My only issue with it is that it cost so much, I would hate to string it at a tension that I would not be happy with. If I knew which tension would work for me, I would use this stuff full time in a tight pattern stick. I've been experimenting with a Prestige Mid and this string would work perfect in it and last a loooonnnnggg time.
Bender
G.O.A.T.
Definitely expensive. Costs me $35 in a hybrid setup, but I only string my racquets with natural gut every once in a while...I think a soft poly / hard poly setup is better for me because it's got less power, but I'd be lying if I said I like it more than VS.
Plus, that effortless power is just awesome for serving. Actually, forget awesome; it's addictive.
downdaline
Professional
This is also what I read on stringforum - and it makes perfect sense to me.
The majority of gripes with BT7 is probably because some people still insist on stringing it high in the 60lb range - which is probably better for Pre-BT7 gut.
If you're gonna string a full bed of BT7, i'd say go into the high 50s and do some hitting to help the string "break-in".
Pretty good predictions, considering Tonic and VS, LOL.
Babolat initially attempted to sell BT7 stuff in $50s, no?
Frankc
Professional
Still very, very true...
