Better cross for gut: 4G or Tourna Big Hitter Silver

[HunterST]

4G is considered a more "premium" string and is used by many players on tour in hybrids with gut. However, BHS has some impressive numbers in the lab. According to TW string comparison tool, it has a lower string to string friction COF (.075 vs .095) and virtually the same tension maintenance (26 % vs. 21%). It's also a little more middle of the road in terms of stiffness, with 209 lb/in vs 4G's 259 lb/in.

Has anyone tried both of these strings in hybrids?

 

[AgressivelyFrames]

Haven't tried those strings in hybrids unfortunately but if the stiffness of 4G draws you away, I'd try 4G Soft! It's on my list of strings to try and it looks to be a nice middle of the road stiffness poly if that's what you're looking for.

 

[ron schaap]

Haven't tried those strings in hybrids unfortunately but if the stiffness of 4G draws you away, I'd try 4G Soft! It's on my list of strings to try and it looks to be a nice middle of the road stiffness poly if that's what you're looking for.

however 4g -soft-is certainly not middle of the road priced! There are more strings with low string to string friction but you have to take into account that these numbers regards to friction between same string. Gut poly friction could be different. The reason Fed uses alu rough is that this gives the lowest friction with his gut mains.

 

[Muppet]

You're going to end up trying both, unless you try BHS first and are happy at the lower price point. More expensive is not always better.

 

[rogerroger917]

I have used both. 4g starts out fine but it gets sticky for the gut mains. Bhs stays slippery like you would expect.

 

[Dartagnan64]

I've been playing with Max Power and it's every bit as good as 4G as a cross with gut. $4.00 cheaper so still not a bargain. Both have excellent tension maintenance which I think is a must in a poly cross with gut. Unless you string your own rackets and are happy cutting out crosses all the time.

 

[SteveI]

4G is considered a more "premium" string and is used by many players on tour in hybrids with gut. However, BHS has some impressive numbers in the lab. According to TW string comparison tool, it has a lower string to string friction COF (.075 vs .095) and virtually the same tension maintenance (26 % vs. 21%). It's also a little more middle of the road in terms of stiffness, with 209 lb/in vs 4G's 259 lb/in.

Has anyone tried both of these strings in hybrids?

Are we talking about 16G? Folks love to use 4G to tame the power of natty gut. The 4G indeed does that. The BHS would give you a bot more free power. I doubt the BHS would hold tension better even if the number say so. 4G is one of the best polys out there for tension holding properties IMHO. I have used many of the Tourna strings. The better string would be Black Zone. That string was designed to be a cross and is very slick and holds tension much better than BHS. BHS is a great price performer and a go to string of mine for years. I have used 4G and BHS in hybrids.

 

[SteveI]

From TW Product Feedback:

Comments: Used as a cross string with Babolat VS Touch Gut 16, Klip Legend Gut 16/17, Tourna Quasi Gut Armor 17, and Tournafiber Irradiated 17, in a Wilson Blade 2015 16x19. The mains in all cases were strung at 51 lbs and Tourna Black Zone 16 was always strung at 45 lbs. I'm a 4.5 that hits hard, heavy topspin but flat when warranted. In all setups, the Black Zone offered a soft, plush feel, with extreme spin, control and power. Tension maintenance is outstanding, at the top end of the spectrum. I have used Genesis Black Magic and Wilson Revolve as crosses using these same strings and Black Magic by far offers the best feel as a hybrid. In each case, mains have broken first, thus durability is exceptional. Gut and Black Zone work the best as Tourna multis I tried broke after 7-8 hours. Black Zone in a gut hybrid works and lasts the longest. One of my three setups still plays and feels like it did after breaking in the strings, almost 2 months later and with little fraying on the gut. Absolute best setup I've tried in a Blade. Black Zone is soft and very easy to string. It reminded me of Tourna Big Hitter Black 7 but in a round smooth option. Since Black Zone was released long before BHB 7, it almost seems like it is the same string except for one is shaped and the other isn't, but Black Zone lasts much longer, again, perhaps because it is not shaped. Though not offered by TW, Black Zone reels are cheaper than Genesis Black Magic, and plays relatively similar, with more feel and power. The lower price point and string quality makes this a super value.

 

[HunterST]

Thanks guys!

The reason I asked about these two strings in particular is because I have sets of them already. I didn't really want to buy another set of poly to go with the gut when I already had these available. I'm just trying to figure out the best option with what I have.

I'm leaning toward BHS. It just feels like it would allow for better movement of the mains to me. Also, it's obviously cheaper.

 

[SteveI]

Thanks guys!

The reason I asked about these two strings in particular is because I have sets of them already. I didn't really want to buy another set of poly to go with the gut when I already had these available. I'm just trying to figure out the best option with what I have.

I'm leaning toward BHS. It just feels like it would allow for better movement of the mains to me. Also, it's obviously cheaper.

I would use the BHS... not a fan of the 4G..very stiff

 

[leejayh]

Gut, BHS is a great combo - better than Lux options, which is really surprising. Tension lasts longer and feel is almost (say 85% as good as ALU power). Also, if you have the skill to just change the cross (tie cross to itself when stringing. To change crosses only, mount in stringer and cut crosses out, and restring on other side if gut if possible), you can get a little longer play from the set up. Note: if you put BHS crosses back in on the other side of the gut, it does fray pretty fast after that because the notches that were created catch the ball and fray faster - though it gives you pretty good spin.

Black zone is a good alternative, but does not have the same feel as BHS (which is a bit crisper). Black zone is more plush but the feedback is different. I don't feel as connected to the ball in this setup.