Best gut hybrid for RF97A (especially crosses)?

[Myrko]

I'd like to put the first gut hybrid on my RF97A.
I want to use Luxilon Natural Gut 1.30 for mains (I had a great feel with full bed on the RF97A already).

But I'm unsure about the Poly for the crosses (and I don't want to mess it up).

So I was thinking the following...

- probably best to use a round poly, in order to keep the gut alive longer (instead of shaped) or am I mistaken here?

- for the same reason I thought about using ALU BB Power 1.25 (and not the Rough, as Roger uses), because I thought this would make it easier for the gut to move and also keep it alive longer. But in this video

Harry says RF chose Rough in order for the gut to move more !?! Who can tell what's better here for spin and durability?

- Other than ALU BB Power 1.25 I thought about Luxilon 4G (great durability and less tension loss, and I like the string), or maybe even RPM Blast or Head Hawk? Any advice here? What are you using?

And ofc if the shaped polys are an option again (meaning not destroying the gut too quickly), then a lot more options are there.

Thanks for your opinion/advice/experience!

 

[jmacdaununder2]

Might as well try Champions Choice and go from there.

 

[AVSH]

i think gut setups last longer than people give it credit. Especially LXN gut over VS. at least in my experience.

I’ve tried both Alu and Alu rgh as crosses and there is a difference. I felt the ball bite more and get more spin off the rgh. I also felt better pocketing an overall just enjoyed the rgh better than the regualr alu

 

[Myrko]

Cool, have you tried anything else besides Alu / Alu Rough in crosses?

 

[Irvin]

I want to use Luxilon Natural Gut 1.30 for mains (I had a great feel with full bed on the RF97A already).

I thought about using ALU BB Power 1.25 (and not the Rough, as Roger uses), because I thought this would make it easier for the gut to move and also keep it alive longer.

Compare the ALU / ALU Rough using COMPARE STRINGS TOOL. You like the gut probably for a number of reasons. ALU has better tension loss, more power (energy return,) more spin potential, and better string to ball friction. Also note the stiffness and string to string friction is the same. I would try the ALU over ALU Rough or compare the 2 there’s not too much difference.

 

[Myrko]

Anybody any luck with shaped/edged polys in crosses (and guts in mains)? Or can you recommend something better than Alu rough for crosses?

 

[GummiiBear]

Isospeed Rexxxer is nice partially due to its oval shape. The sound is a nice bonus.

 

[FIRETennis]

Anybody any luck with shaped/edged polys in crosses (and guts in mains)? Or can you recommend something better than Alu rough for crosses?

Element, Element Rough, 4G Rough, 4G Soft are great crosses.
The Luxilon 'rough' strings aren't really that rough, they are more like dimpled and softer than their regular counterpart.
Other brands' shaped/edged strings are just too "rough" on the gut as a cross and will destroy durability.

 

[Myrko]

Any reason why not regular Luxilon 4G?

 

[Myrko]

So I narrowed it down to:

1. Luxilon Natural Gut 1.30 (Mains) + Luxilon Alu Power Rough 1.25 (Crosses)

or

2. 1. Luxilon Natural Gut 1.30 (Mains) + Luxilon 4G 1.25

Probably go with 1. first now.

 

[antony]

So I narrowed it down to:

1. Luxilon Natural Gut 1.30 (Mains) + Luxilon Alu Power Rough 1.25 (Crosses)

or

2. 1. Luxilon Natural Gut 1.30 (Mains) + Luxilon 4G 1.25

Probably go with 1. first now.

I go with 4g mains and gut crosses

 

[Myrko]

I go with 4g mains and gut crosses

Well I want to feel the gut, that’s why mains.

 

[antony]

Well I want to feel the gut, that’s why mains.

Try both and experiment

 

[Myrko]

So you actually prefer 4G over others like Alu Power Rough etc.?

 

[antony]

So you actually prefer 4G over others like Alu Power Rough etc.?

I think it’s longer lasting in playability. ALU Power ages like milk, 4G closer to wine.

 

[Myrko]

OK that makes sense, last question for you: I played 4G full bed and it feels very smooth to me and had a lower launch angle. Is this true for the hybrid as well? How does it actually feel in a hybrid with gut?

 

[antony]

OK that makes sense, last question for you: I played 4G full bed and it feels very smooth to me and had a lower launch angle. Is this true for the hybrid as well? How does it actually feel in a hybrid with gut?

For me, gut hybrid versus full bed 4G felt a little livelier. The hybrid will make the experience a little less 4G-ey and a little more gutty (powerful/poppy, feel/sensitive).

I also think it allows me to play with a string job longer vs full bed poly as the tension maintenance is good compared to poly

 

[blai212]

4G full bed at low tension (40s) has unbelievably good pocketing and plush…definitely worth a shot. Also, lower tension string beds lose tension slower since tension loss is % based.

 

[Myrko]

For me, gut hybrid versus full bed 4G felt a little livelier. The hybrid will make the experience a little less 4G-ey and a little more gutty (powerful/poppy, feel/sensitive).

I also think it allows me to play with a string job longer vs full bed poly as the tension maintenance is good compared to poly

What's the racket your playing that with?

 

[antony]

What's the racket your playing that with?

I’ve used ALU power, 4G, and gut in different configurations with the RF97A, PS 6.1 95, and Clash Pro v2 racquets.

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

Gut and Kisrchbaum Max Power here