Best Gut? (non-VS)

[TimothyO]

With VS apparently transitioning to the new BT7 technology it's losing its unique feel compared to other gut. I've only tried Pacific gut which seems the same as BT7-based VS. I felt the Pacific gut was a little "boardy", at least by pre-BT7 VS standards.

Looking ahead, what other gut would folks recommend for feel and control? Or will Pacific and VS+BT7 share the top place for gut? As another reference point I tried Tonic Ball Feel and it felt mushy to me. Soft, like a giant cushion, but very mushy and less control than classic VS.

 

[somebeast]

Isnt tonic basiclly vs without the same quality control?

 

[scotus]

Wilson should still be the same as the old Babolat.

Also, Prince natural gut is very nice:

It is rumored that the older, predominantly green package was made by BDE and the newer, predominantly white package is made by Babolat.

I haven't gotten around to trying the newer package, but the older "BDE" has a very nice feel.

 

[TimothyO]

Isnt tonic basiclly vs without the same quality control?

Yes in theory, but it seems to play mushy. I tried the Tonic + Ball Feel three times now and it felt like a big pillow. Comfy, yes. Control, no. In that respect I'd rather use the new, stiffer BT7-based VS Touch over the Tonic.

 

[TimothyO]

Wilson should still be the same as the old Babolat.

Also, Prince natural gut is very nice:

It is rumored that the older, predominantly green package was made by BDE and the newer, predominantly white package is made by Babolat.

I haven't gotten around to trying the newer package, but the older "BDE" has a very nice feel.

Scotus,

Is this the new package?

 

[scotus]

Scotus,

Is this the new package?

Yes, as far as I know.

 

[stringertom]

Volkl V-icon Experiences, Anyone?

I can source Volkl V-icon nattie for $28/set. Anybody tried this? The yellow color is a bit odd but if it's any good I'll stock at that price.

 

[jim e]

With VS apparently transitioning to the new BT7 technology it's losing its unique feel compared to other gut.

The traditional VS (non BT7)is still for sale.
Pacifics Blue Spiral is a decent string, cheaper in price, and just a little softer in feel to the traditional VS.

 

[scotus]

I can source Volkl V-icon nattie for $28/set. Anybody tried this? The yellow color is a bit odd but if it's any good I'll stock at that price.

It's just like Klip Legend.

Not my cup of tea.

The only $26 and under gut that I like is Pacific Classic.

 

[stringertom]

Thanks

It's just like Klip Legend.

Not my cup of tea.

The only $26 and under gut that I like is Pacific Classic.

Will check out the Classic! Still love Bow, even though it comes in 2x20' lengths. Do mostly hybrids anyway.

 

[scotus]

Will check out the Classic! Still love Bow, even though it comes in 2x20' lengths. Do mostly hybrids anyway.

Is Bow Brand selling tennis gut strings again? I still have 2 sets just sitting in my drawer.

 

[pvaudio]

Performaxx, hands down.

 

[parasailing]

Is Bow Brand selling tennis gut strings again? I still have 2 sets just sitting in my drawer.

Yes they are but you have to buy it from the UK. Or you can grab it off the big auction site.

 

[stringertom]

New French Source for Raw Materials

Is Bow Brand selling tennis gut strings again? I still have 2 sets just sitting in my drawer.

Bow Brand is a huge operation in the UK, primarily in music products. They shut down the nattie gut operation temporarily and went with another supplier of the raw goods from France. They're only able to sell 2x20' lengths and it's very nice clear stuff. $34/set and available here in the US. When you use up your old stock and you're interested, let me know. I'll email you the source.

 

[scotus]

I strung up Bow Brand Championship 16L in the mains last night. It looks very nice in transparent golden color. Stringing was a breeze. No strong coil memory (unlike BDE) and not too slippery (unlike VS).

It also looks thinner than VS Team (17).

I had it crossed with Head Rip Control (gold/natural color) to match the colors.

We'll see how it hits.

 

[JavierLW]

If Wilson Gut hasnt changed it was pretty much identical to VS.

 

[Dags]

I strung up Bow Brand Championship 16L in the mains last night. It looks very nice in transparent golden color. Stringing was a breeze. No strong coil memory (unlike BDE) and not too slippery (unlike VS).

It also looks thinner than VS Team (17).

I had it crossed with Head Rip Control (gold/natural color) to match the colors.

We'll see how it hits.

I'm currently trying out some Bow Brand on the recommendation of a string provider. I found it to be softer than VS Team, which has a crisper feel.

It doesn't have the strong smell of VS, but I don't know whether to be concerned or not that it doesn't come in a sealed packet. There's no indication of how long it's been sitting around, or what conditions it's been exposed to.

My initial feelings are pretty favourable, but I'll wait until I've strung up the other half before considering a switch. List price is very close to VS for me, though I suspect there will be more room for negotiation.

 

[parasailing]

I'm currently trying out some Bow Brand on the recommendation of a string provider. I found it to be softer than VS Team, which has a crisper feel.

It doesn't have the strong smell of VS, but I don't know whether to be concerned or not that it doesn't come in a sealed packet. There's no indication of how long it's been sitting around, or what conditions it's been exposed to.

My initial feelings are pretty favourable, but I'll wait until I've strung up the other half before considering a switch. List price is very close to VS for me, though I suspect there will be more room for negotiation.

You must be getting VS at a discount if Bow Brand is similar in price which they are not if you get them from the UK for US buyers unless you are counting shipping.

 

[thebuffman]

if you want to experience low powered gut string, i recommend performaxx. if you want a more powerful gut with great feel, i recommend genesis.

 

[parasailing]

if you want to experience low powered gut string, i recommend performaxx. if you want a more powerful gut with great feel, i recommend genesis.

I have the Performaxx WhisperTouch and Genesis in hand and they look identical to me. Which Performaxx string did you buy?

 

[thebuffman]

I have the Performaxx WhisperTouch and Genesis in hand and they look identical to me. Which Performaxx string did you buy?

i bought performaxx touch 17g.

 

[Dags]

You must be getting VS at a discount if Bow Brand is similar in price which they are not if you get them from the UK for US buyers unless you are counting shipping.

VS is £25.44, and Bow Brand Championship £24.52. I'm in the UK, so if you know of a cheaper source I'd love to hear it.

 

[Sardines]

I've been playing with the Performaxx WhisperTouch 17L as a cross with RPM mains for a few months now.
It feels very nice and is as powerful as the VS 17, since it's about 0.05mm thinner. I actually like it more than the VS because it is thinner and feels better. It's actually too powerful for my choice of tension so I'm going to the XHT WhisperTouch which is 10% less powerful. Obviously longevity is less due to the thinner gauge, but still I recommend the Performaxx WhisperTouch as a replacement for VS.

 

[Maui19]

My current cheap gut of choice is Pacific Classic. It plays well and retains it's playability for a decent amount of time. I tried the Klip but it frayed too much.

 

[parasailing]

VS is £25.44, and Bow Brand Championship £24.52. I'm in the UK, so if you know of a cheaper source I'd love to hear it.

It is only cheaper if you are buying from a UK site and have it shipped to US since we don't have to pay for VAT taxes though we would have to buy quite a substantial quantity to offset the shipping cost.

 

[Dags]

It is only cheaper if you are buying from a UK site and have it shipped to US since we don't have to pay for VAT taxes though we would have to buy quite a substantial quantity to offset the shipping cost.

How disappointing - I thought I was missing a trick there!

I was putting in an order today so threw in a set of Bow Brand Professional, which is a fair bit cheaper at £20.87. It'll be interesting to see the difference in quality.

 

[Kcraig]

Personal favorite is Pacific Tough Gut 16L