Best Natural Gut strings ?

[Benjamin]

In talking with my local stringer last night, he mentioned that I might want to keep the polyester strings (currently have either Super Smash Honey 17g or Big Banger ALU Power 16L on mains and crosses in my racquets) on the mains but maybe try some natural gut on the crosses.

What are some of the best natural gut strings out there?

Thanks for any help.

Benjamin

 

[Match-Point]

Benjamin,
Most people would say Babolat VS Gut is the top of the line, but for value I would suggest you try Bow Brand Championship Gut 16L.

At $18 a package there is not better deal in strings (IMHO). BB has won me over. Good luck.

M-P

 

[rich s]

Use the least expensive gut you can find. The worst performing gut blows away any synthetic or poly you can get.

 

[Bora]

Jeez, Rich. I remember a few years back when we played ALTA against each other, I was trying to convert you from Kevlar to Gut. I am glad to hear your fondness of it. <p> That said I still use some Polys but I always have at least one stick with the NG mains.

Benjamin, it will be difficult for you to tell the difference between gut strings when you have poly mains. So, pick something cheaper like the Bow Brand or BDE. I think gut works well to soften up and provide touch with stiff strings like ALU. I also had luck using some of the better multis in the crosses for such stiff strings.

 

[Rabbit]

Speaking from experience, use a cheaper gut in the crosses. It will soften up the string job, but if you're changing your crosses, you won't be able to tell the difference between VS and Global Gut. I would even tell you to get a good multifilament like NRG and try that because with poly mains, you're not going to see a ton of difference between crosses. In other words, you could use Alpha Gut 2000 or VS 17 and probably not see too much difference with the possible exception of durability.

 

[rich s]

Bora- you converted me! I'm a changed man - I owe it all to you

 

[Bora]

rich, having seen you play lately, I definitely won't take any responsibility for your string preferences.

 

[rich s]

 

[K. Wilson Moose]

Wow, this banter between Rich S and Bora reminds me of a few friendly ALTA matches in which I've had the pleasure to participate. :mrgreen:

 

[Bora]

You see Moose, Rich and I are in the same USTA team, but we are missing him for the upcoming ALTA season.

 

[Larry Baldridge]

Benjamin--why did your stringer recommend gut in the crosses? What is it you are trying to accomplish?

 

[Benjamin]

He said that many of the players at his club that typically use all poly stringing have started to put gut in the crosses to add a little feel and reduce the stiffness some. I'm trying to add some feel to the racquet. I've always wanted to try gut but I realize that with the POG mid and my enormous amount of spin that a full gut job is out of the question. Just thought it might be a way to incorporate some of the gut feel without getting "too" expensive with it

Benjamin

 

[Larry Baldridge]

Let me make a suggestion. Try gut mains w/ OG Sheep Micro 17 crosses--if you really like a stiff string bed, bump the tension up about 4-7%, and install string savers. [String savers increase durabilty for all my customers by about 5X. ] Elasto Cross II's are the best!--Easiest to install as well. Using a package of Elasto Cross II's will bump the tension up 1# and add 2.3g of weight, which is not too noticable when spread out throughout the string bed. Note: the string savers do take away some feel, but you will be amazed at the difference in feel with this set up compared to your previous. If you want more feel, go with a multifilament in the crosses. Let me know if you give this a go!