LapsedNoob
Professional
I know 'best' is very subjective but what do folks consider the top synthetic gut strings these days?
Depends on how you are playing it (full bed or hybrid) and in what racquet.
I am aware folks think asking for opinions is futile, but that won't stop me from being interested.
Providing input that allows for relevant opinions is apparently equally futile.
Okay, tell me your opinion on your favorite nylon gut in your racquet for your game.
Why the big mystery about your racquet and style of play?
i’ve heard kirschbaum syn gut is great but i haven’t used it myselfMy reel of syn gut ran out finally. For friends that like Synthetic gut over poly, what is the best synthetic gut string out their now?
Still GOSEN OG?
My last reel wast Gamma TNT2.
kirschbaum feels the best imo, but it is on the softer side.i’ve heard kirschbaum syn gut is great but i haven’t used it myself
I think it also comes in 1.35Oddly, they only sell reels in 16G?
AKPCX is solid, especially if you're going for crisp feel. Only issue is it gets grindy and snapback comes to a halt once the silicone oil coating wears off and the CX fibers get exposed. If that's a factor for you, then IMHO Lightning Pro is the better call (I'm 90% sure it's actually just a variant of regular Gosen AK Pro (non-CX), made for Prince, as it's also made in Japan, so it's coming from either Gosen or Toalson most likely, and it's almost identical in costruction — same central tri-core, same 20 mini tri-core filaments around the outside — too many similarities for it not to be, I think).Gosen AK Pro CX is my favorite.
I agree with you. This is a very good string! I just found it last year.Gosen AK Pro CX is my favorite.
Thanks for the notes on Kirschbaum, I will stick with the natural. I was thinking of getting black if I were to switch the cross from tec MF black to co-focus white.@Robert F - The answer to your question is going to be a bit subjective (like most things).
Value – Hard to beat Kirschbaum. I mean, an entire reel off Amazon for ~$30? Not much can touch that. But what gives it its value is how well it plays, irrespective of cost. Also, I would only buy the Natural color, for despite the higher level of initial slickness with the Black, the Natural plays more gut-like (and doesn't mark the balls with black pigment, either). I will also confirm @bd33's observation that Black is definitely thinner per unit gauge than Natural, which makes me think they are sourcing them from separate OEMs altogether, and may, in fact, ultimately not be the same string. So I would stick with Natural.
Performance – Prince Lightning Pro is very tough to beat. Especially if prolonged snapback and an unlocked string bed is of any interest. As such, it's also excellent as a main or cross in a hybrid. A very universal playing syn-gut, which, while still soft, is slightly more crisp in feel than Kirschbaum, which is a good thing for delivering a bit more feedback in the unfortunate number of way-too-muted retail frames floating around these days.
Overall – Babolat syn gut may be the best of both worlds between KBaum and PLP. Formerly Syn Gut SpiralTek, similar to PLP, it's still fairly soft, but does have a slight element of crispness to it, which I enjoy. Unlike PLP, though, it's way more widely available in markets where Prince is as good as dead to most shops (ie. most of the USA).
Hope that helps give some relevant options!
Black SG are slick n dead feeling...natural are lively but gummy...whites are somewhere in the middle@Rubiks - Very welcome. As for playability differences across the various colors of Bab syn gut, I will defer to @Rabbit and/or @fuzz nation, both of whom I believe have more experience with the various colors than I do (I've predominantly stuck to black and white, and to me, playability is more or less identical).
Ogsm black is so slick that painters tape won't stick. .use it with round poly or multi mains n get 10+ hoursThe ones I've tried and really liked are Kirschbaum (Black) and Gosen OG Sheep Micro (Natural). I also like Prince Duraflex.
How is kirschbaum black compared to ogsm black?The ones I've tried and really liked are Kirschbaum (Black) and Gosen OG Sheep Micro (Natural). I also like Prince Duraflex.
@maksp - How many hours do you typically find that black OGSM holds its slickness for, as a hybrid cross?
OGSM black is firmer than Kirschbaum by a good margin. Gamma Syn gut is nice, I failed to mention.How is kirschbaum black compared to ogsm black?
Which colors of babolat have you tried? Black was slick but didn't like it as cross cause to softOGSM black is firmer than Kirschbaum by a good margin. Gamma Syn gut is nice, I failed to mention.
When talking about synthetic gut, the differences are most profound between regular and those strings with a durability additive; i. e. Duraflex or Wearguard. Otherwise regular synthetic gut is really consistent in feel across brands with only minimal variations. I typical purchase Babolat because I can get a really good deal on it.
I should note that the 2 softest synguts are Kirschbaum and Prince Original. IMO they are so soft that upping tension 2-5 pounds is necessary.