You play 4.0 or above and use synthetic gut? Please share your setup

DonDiego · May 19, 2015

I currently play with RPM Team 17 and/or Luxilon 4G, but decided I would drastically cut my tennis budget since I've spent a ridiculous amount of money in the past two years.

I also know for a fact that everytime I try a demo, I love the feeling of the stringbed even when it's strung with low price syn gut. In my case, I don't think strings make that much of a difference. So I'm now on the hunt for a cheap synthetic gut, if possible not too stiff, and somewhat durable for hard-hitting sessions. Any suggestions?

maxply · May 19, 2015

I have had good luck with Gosen, Gamma, and recently some old Head gold syn gut, 16 g, that I gat at salvation army for $1.00 a set

Rabbit · May 19, 2015

I copied some ex-D1 players. They use their favorite poly in the mains and a synthetic gut in the crosses. Works fine, feels fine, plays fine.

Cobra Tennis · May 19, 2015

Prince Original synthetic gut 16 @ 52lbs. Can't be beat for the price. No other syn gut comes close to its playability IMO.

oble · May 19, 2015

Jim Courier is well above 4.0 and currently uses OGSM mains with Lux Alu Power crosses. I have done something similar before with OGSM mains, but I don't think I'm 4.0 and above

jersey34tennis · May 19, 2015

i used to really love the gosen syn gut and the gold prince syn gut with duraflex. recently my two favorite syn guts are tecnifibre syn gut (the black version is very crisp and wonderful feeling initially. and my other one i finally tried in a full bed is forten sweet 17 at 65 lbs in a prince graphite II oversize. awesome feel.

DonDiego · May 19, 2015

Cobra Tennis said:
Prince Original synthetic gut 16 @ 52lbs. Can't be beat for the price. No other syn gut comes close to its playability IMO.

I need to try this one.

maxply said:
I have had good luck with Gosen, Gamma, and recently some old Head gold syn gut, 16 g, that I gat at salvation army for $1.00 a set

Was it Head syn gut PPS? I remember liking that string a lot in a 6.1 Team.

Shroud · May 19, 2015

I am pretty sure PSGD would work great. Though I would be really surprised if you got any sort of durability out of it.

One of the reasons I use the kev/zx is that if you take into account the months and months that it lasts and remains playable, its a bargain!

Think Jollyroger had a thread where he was looking for some cheap alternatives You might want to look at that post.

Aretium · May 20, 2015

I'm thinking of putting SynGut in the Mains and a poly in the crosses because I have a theory that putting powerful mains with slick stiffer crosses creates big spin. Will probably have to string it up every day though.

robbo1970 · May 20, 2015

Cobra Tennis said:
Prince Original synthetic gut 16 @ 52lbs. Can't be beat for the price. No other syn gut comes close to its playability IMO.

I agree.

PSGD 16 is pretty good too. People say there is a difference in feel, but strung at matching tensions, I struggle to notice anything significant.

I've used POSG, PSGD and Dunlop Syn Gut and the only difference I notice is when the tension is different.

All good strings, do the job very well and strung at around 50-52, I've never had a string break on me.

cknobman · May 20, 2015

See sig, works great.

TennisCJC · May 20, 2015

Aretium said:
I'm thinking of putting SynGut in the Mains and a poly in the crosses because I have a theory that putting powerful mains with slick stiffer crosses creates big spin. Will probably have to string it up every day though.

I have done this many times and it works well. It is the poor man's Federer set up.

Volkl syn gut and PSGD both work well as mains. I like a smooth poly cross. KB Max Power and Signum Pro Hyperion are both good. KB Max Power has been on sale for $6.95.

Multi mains with smooth poly cross works well today. TF MultiFeel with KB Max Pro both in 16G is very good.

I think it is going to come down to how long it last for you. If it breaks in 2 hours, then it probably isn't for you. I get about 6 or 8 hitting sessions before the mains break. Sessions average 2 hours+ mostly doubles with some singles. Plays best the first 3 or 4 sessions than OK until it snaps.

Cobra Tennis · May 20, 2015

I like polys, but I just don't like the feel of them. I like a little pop from my strings and a little softer feel. Also, I don't mind restringing every week / 2 weeks / 6 hitting sessions or so.

Solinco Pro-Stacked is also a great syn gut and very affordable. However, whenever its time to put up and play league matches, I always have POSG 16g @52 lbs.

Doubles · May 20, 2015

I played my last two matches at 4.0 with Gosen mains and poly crosses since I ran out of Tour Bite. It took a bit to adjust to the change in trajectory of my shots, but I still won both matches. I definitely don't care for the feel of syn gut mains, but I can play with it if I need to.

Rabbit · May 20, 2015

Cobra Tennis said:
I like polys, but I just don't like the feel of them. I like a little pop from my strings and a little softer feel.

A little off topic, sorry OP, but have you tried Solinco Tour Bite 19? I swear it feels about as close to syngut as you can get but still delivers spin/control like a poly. I'm using it with syn crosses and just up'd my tension to 55. It also has more power than I've seen in polys.

anubis · May 20, 2015

I'm a 4.0 and really enjoy playing with multifilament. Solinco Vanquish 16. Racquet is 2015 Pure Drive, tension is 56/54.

dlek · May 20, 2015

Isospeed baseline control with Gosen crosses = done.

I've tested and played with much more expensive strings and you can't beat the value. As long as you don't mind restringing often this hybrid is great, i.e. it's not known for tension maintenance. I call it the ultimate poor man's hybrid and have converted 99% of my friends to this setup.

Cobra Tennis · May 20, 2015

Rabbit said:
A little off topic, sorry OP, but have you tried Solinco Tour Bite 19? I swear it feels about as close to syngut as you can get but still delivers spin/control like a poly. I'm using it with syn crosses and just up'd my tension to 55. It also has more power than I've seen in polys.

I have not tried the 19, but have heard good things about it. Will order a set next time around. I have a hard time beating POSG.

LapsedNoob · May 20, 2015

I'm only 3.5 but that is because of body breakdown and not shot ability, so I'll chime in anyway.

I was finding that I never broke 16ga, I always cut it out when it notched up really badly. I was using both Gamma or Prince so I decided to give 17ga Prince a try. Haven't broke that yet in a few weeks of hitting, but I get more control and spin. I did up my tension a few pounds in an attempt to keep power from going up too much.

If you do experiment with full bed synthetic guts, give 17ga a try. I see folks use 17ga poly all the time, rarely do I see them with 17ga syngut.

struggle · May 20, 2015

I'm 4.0

I play cheap natural gut/poly hybrid which runs me about $7-8 per set, but i do string my own rackets.

It lasts much longer for me (playability) than any SG setup i've used. I'm not a huge string breaker and play it tell the gut breaks, normally. Works well in 18x20

Power Player · May 20, 2015

You can easily play just fine with Syn gut in a full job. I am going to put it in my backup frame and use Forten Sweet.

IMO a full job of Forten Sweet is the best feeling Syn gut setup. Worth a shot - its around $3.

DonDiego · May 21, 2015

Power Player said:
You can easily play just fine with Syn gut in a full job. I am going to put it in my backup frame and use Forten Sweet.

IMO a full job of Forten Sweet is the best feeling Syn gut setup. Worth a shot - its around $3.

$49.99 for a reel... damn. My go to string is RPM Team and it costs $20 per set!

The challenge for me is I play with a 100inch head, 16x18 pattern, so I'm wary of 1-string breakage and (more importantly) 2-Trampoline effect.

EDIT: btw, are all customer feedbacks erased with this new layout?

LapsedNoob · May 21, 2015

DonDiego said:
$49.99 for a reel... damn. My go to string is RPM Team and it costs $20 per set!

The challenge for me is I play with a 100inch head, 16x18 pattern, so I'm wary of 1-string breakage and (more importantly) 2-Trampoline effect.

EDIT: btw, are all customer feedbacks erased with this new layout?

I play 17ga synthetic in a 16x19 with no breakage before it notches as wears.

I have a set strung right now from October and the outer layer of the string is worn off in most places but it hasn't broken.

WINZOWAR · May 21, 2015

I've been using a full bed of Gosen OGSM 17g in my Head PT280 at 47 pounds. The 18x20 pattern makes the string last. I'm even thinking about going to 18g. In my more open pattern racquets I use 16 or 15L. For softer strings Forten Sweet is mentioned a lot. I always liked Leoina 66 and 77, definitely softer than the OGSM.

fuzz nation · May 22, 2015

LapsedNoob said:
I play 17ga synthetic in a 16x19 with no breakage before it notches as wears.

I have a set strung right now from October and the outer layer of the string is worn off in most places but it hasn't broken.

I'm a fan of 17 ga. syn. gut, too. Not big on Prince Syn. Gut w/Duraflex in 16 ga. (too clunky for me), but the 17 ga. version is rather decent. Currently enjoying a reel of Kirschbaum's basic syn. gut ($35/reel) and no complaints with this string - nice value and solid feel/performance.

Also enjoying 16 ga. Ashaway Liberty - this is actually a "tournament nylon" that goes for $27/reel of 720 feet (most are 660 feet). Nice feel and performance, plus it's a semi-soft string, especially compared with something like Prince SG w/Duraflex.

Another tournament nylon I'm going to grab is Forten. At only $17/reel, I have no problem grabbing a whole reel just to try it out. Hoping the 15L gauge will be hearty enough to work in open-pattern frames needing string with some extra service life and I'll probably sample the 16 ga. stuff, too. Looking at the customer feedback, it seems to be another softer option.

fuzz nation · May 22, 2015

dlek said:
Isospeed baseline control with Gosen crosses = done.

I've tested and played with much more expensive strings and you can't beat the value. As long as you don't mind restringing often this hybrid is great, i.e. it's not known for tension maintenance. I call it the ultimate poor man's hybrid and have converted 99% of my friends to this setup.

I don't use poly myself, but this low-cost hybrid has been a hit for a few of my "customers". I'm ordering a second reel of Isospeed's 17L ga. (1.20mm) Baseline Spin because everyone who tried it liked it plenty. Gosen OGSM crosses seem to bring a great combo of playability, feel, and durability to the equation and the thin poly mains seem to offer a bump in feel compared with their thicker options.

Fuji · May 22, 2015

I used full syngut all winter in an 18x20. I'm a fan of Gosen since it's crisper but it works fine enough.

-Fuji

purple-n-gold · May 22, 2015

DonDiego said:
$49.99 for a reel... damn. My go to string is RPM Team and it costs $20 per set!

The challenge for me is I play with a 100inch head, 16x18 pattern, so I'm wary of 1-string breakage and (more importantly) 2-Trampoline effect.

EDIT: btw, are all customer feedbacks erased with this new layout?

Either a Team/Syn blend or try some cheap polys. TW had Ytex SquareX for $100/2 reels recently and there's not a better all-around poly out there.

DonDiego · May 22, 2015

Great suggestions here, thanks a bunch.

But let me point something out that should be obvious to everyone: there's a world of difference between playing with a small head and tight string pattern - like 18x20 (say, Prestige or Radical) and a 100-head with an open pattern (like my Prince Tour 100T, 16x 18). Of course syn gut works well in the former, but in the latter... sorry if I repeat myself: but string breakage and trampoline effect are big no-nos for me.

Maybe I'm doomed to use poly with those racquet specs.

WINZOWAR · May 22, 2015

The great thing about syn gut is how cheap it is to experiment. With your preferences and racquet, I would start with a soft 16 like Forten Sweet. If it lasts longer than you thought, try a 17. If it breaks sooner, try a 15L like Leoina 66.

DonDiego · May 24, 2015

I just switched back to my Microgel Prestige MP. This - and the tight 18x20 pattern - should really help increasing the range of syn gut / multi I can use. In fact, I'm seriously thinking about Intellitour 17, a string i fell in love with a couple years back, when I was fighting a golfer elbow. Low-powered and comfy, just as I like them.

Fuji · May 24, 2015

DonDiego said:
I just switched back to my Microgel Prestige MP. This - and the tight 18x20 pattern - should really help increasing the range of syn gut / multi I can use. In fact, I'm seriously thinking about Intellitour 17, a string i fell in love with a couple years back, when I was fighting a golfer elbow. Low-powered and comfy, just as I like them.

Intellitour is money in the Prestige MP. I used it at 58lbs (I think) and it was wonderful.

-Fuji

TennisCJC · May 27, 2015

DD, I agree that soft strings in 16x18 pattern are a different set of concerns. I never was comfortable with even soft mains in 6.1 95 16x18 or in v1 pro 100" 16x19. I felt both of these rackets need poly mains to control the "trampoline" effect you mention. In 18x20, you have a lot more options for all soft strings, or soft/poly hybrids, and you can drop down to 17G if you want too. I currently am using 16x19 on 98" and use multi mains/poly cross which is very good. But, it is a 98" thin beam control frame too with a fairly dense center area of the string bed.

SteveI · May 27, 2015

I have been using a syn gut main with a slick cheap poly.. dropping the tension a the poly about 5 lbs lower than the syn gut and really liking this set-up. You get some extra power, feel and comfort while only giving up a bit of spin. Really works well and is cheap...

Easy Rider · May 27, 2015

Ive had head syngut mains and some head poly for crosses.
Excellent for an hour. Dont use this combo if you care

SteveI · May 27, 2015

Easy Rider said:
Ive had head syngut mains and some head poly for crosses.
Excellent for an hour. Dont use this combo if you care

You must be a real heavy hitter to wear that set-up out in one hour...

Easy Rider · May 27, 2015

SteveI said:
You must be a real heavy hitter to wear that set-up out in one hour...

1.25/1.20

I didnt brake the string in first hour. Syngut got broken in second hour of play. But strings held characteristics for an hour. After that I had problems with directional control

Fintft · Jun 22, 2017

Cobra Tennis said:
I like polys, but I just don't like the feel of them. I like a little pop from my strings and a little softer feel. Also, I don't mind restringing every week / 2 weeks / 6 hitting sessions or so.

Solinco Pro-Stacked is also a great syn gut and very affordable. However, whenever its time to put up and play league matches, I always have POSG 16g @52 lbs.

POSG 16g?

Ignatz Tushwop · Jun 22, 2017

I've used the free string from TW, wilson synthetic gut control 16 full bed.
Now I'm using Isospeed baseline control 16 full.

TennisBoysCousin · Jun 23, 2017

Head Velocity is my string of choice atm. Technically a multifilament, but works excellent for control, and the power level is on the lower side for multi. I string mine at 57 pounds in TC 100 and it is very controllable and comfortable. Nice combo.

SteveI · Jun 23, 2017

TennisBoysCousin said:
Head Velocity is my string of choice atm. Technically a multifilament, but works excellent for control, and the power level is on the lower side for multi. I string mine at 57 pounds in TC 100 and it is very controllable and comfortable. Nice combo.

Best price / performer for a multi out there... hope Head keeps making it and the price remains the same...

Dominic · Jun 23, 2017

Prince Symthetic gut. TW often has on sale at around $2-$3

Anton · Jun 25, 2017

TennisCJC said:
I have done this many times and it works well. It is the poor man's Federer set up.

Volkl syn gut and PSGD both work well as mains. I like a smooth poly cross. KB Max Power and Signum Pro Hyperion are both good. KB Max Power has been on sale for $6.95.

Multi mains with smooth poly cross works well today. TF MultiFeel with KB Max Pro both in 16G is very good.

I think it is going to come down to how long it last for you. If it breaks in 2 hours, then it probably isn't for you. I get about 6 or 8 hitting sessions before the mains break. Sessions average 2 hours+ mostly doubles with some singles. Plays best the first 3 or 4 sessions than OK until it snaps.

It's a very rich man's setup - poly cuts through synthetics and multifillaments like butter.

For synthetics imo a full bed of Gosen OG Sheep Micro is the best

Rabbit · Jun 25, 2017

Right now, Volkl Synthetic Gut 1.25 @ 52. I'm also a fan of Gosen OG Sheep Micro 1.25. Both in my Pacific Pro 1.

MikhailT · Feb 7, 2021

Bumping old thread for more set-ups pls

AceyMan · Feb 7, 2021

in a full bed, Forten Sweet is my favorite syngut. I like the 17 gauge but I'm a flat hitter who prefers 8-mains bridge racquets and string myself.

tension is usually DT 36–37, as computed by the online Stringway Tension Advisor provided by @Stringway Official (a websearch will easily return the right link).

I like Velocity & PPC as super-synguts and use both extensively.

Lastly, my "secret blend" hybrid is Solinco Vanquish mains with Dunlop S-Gut crosses, at DT37. It's the most playable setup I've ever used and that includes hybrids using gut mains. (Wilson Power Syngut seems very similar to the Dunlop, fwiw).

If anyone has those on-hand I highly recommend trying it out to see if I'm into something good or just a crazy old fool (wait: don't answer that

).

/Acey

AceyMan · Feb 7, 2021

Duplicate

cortado · Feb 7, 2021

Wilson PS90 Asian version. 16x19 pattern. Prince Synthetic Gut Duraflex 17g. I love it. Super comfortable, loads of control, loads of spin. On a hot day I have no lack of power, can get the ball really deep.
I've also tried Ashaway Liberty 16g as it was on sale. Don't like it as much as the Prince.

kevonian · Feb 7, 2021

Rated 4.5, but typically hit with 5.0 rated players.

I use Pro's Pro Synthetic Gut 16g 55#. One reel is $23 USD. If I play singles it will last maybe 6-8 hours and double that for doubles

GrilledBurgers · Feb 8, 2021

kevonian said:
Rated 4.5, but typically hit with 5.0 rated players.

I use Pro's Pro Synthetic Gut 16g 55#. One reel is $23 USD. If I play singles it will last maybe 6-8 hours and double that for doubles

How do you like Pro's pro synthetic gut? How does it compare to other synthetic gut? Have you tried any of the Pro's pro multis? Thinking about buying a non-poly reel from them

You play 4.0 or above and use synthetic gut? Please share your setup

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