Gut4Tennis
Hall of Fame
exactly. lasts me 20-30hrs , where full poly lasts me 6-8hrs
Diary of a Racketaholic
- Thread starter Ross K
- Start date
exactly. lasts me 20-30hrs , where full poly lasts me 6-8hrs
Gut4Tennis
Hall of Fame
I have already planned on trying a gut/poly combo in the 98S, but I'm not getting my hopes up. The last time I tried this in one of the spin racquets it wasn't pretty, with the mains snapping in about 40 mins. in both frames I had set up (Prince Tour 100T ESP, 16x16 pattern). Maybe the 18x16 is more forgiving? Only one way to find out.
I can see this being a fantastic setup for the GPMP, though.
1. String both at the same tension. Varying the tension is not needed and its a myth that people think they have to do this...
2. for the gut mains to snap in 40 min you either
A) used crap cheap gut
B) stringer is a complete idiot not knowing how to handle the gut properly
C) you're on the pro tour and hit a massive ball.
D) The poly was edged and not round. Need to be round/smooth
E) Keep the tension at 40-60lbs. I recommend nothing more then 55/55. I do 45.
F) Your clamps are terrible and fkin up the gut
G) avoid moisture. Keep the gut dry
Most likely a few of these variables together caused this.
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I typically just use full beds of gut (or multi), but I occasionally string up a hybrid. I've got Tough Gut and Sonic Pro in right now. I tried VS Touch and Red Code prior to that. Both have been good. They've played about the same actually. Can't really say one is definitely better. I might lean toward the current setup, but that could simply be due to it being fresher in my mind. It has inspired me to pick up a set of Tough Gut to try in a full bed though.
I don't have much interest in any other hybrids.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
808, I would not use gut poly in a spin effect frame. That's not going to work out very well. I think it is best in tight pattern racquet.
I noticed on serve the same thing. It essentially takes all the shock out of a mishit and I am able to serve nice and loose for a longer period of time.
I also changed my serve toss. I was tossing more at 12 o clock but the way I swing, I was making pretty thin contact recently and the ball was too skinny and kicking up with no pace. I was told to change my toss to 2 o clock and now everything is cooking again. Fat contact and a topspin slice serve I can hit both times.
I noticed on serve the same thing. It essentially takes all the shock out of a mishit and I am able to serve nice and loose for a longer period of time.
I also changed my serve toss. I was tossing more at 12 o clock but the way I swing, I was making pretty thin contact recently and the ball was too skinny and kicking up with no pace. I was told to change my toss to 2 o clock and now everything is cooking again. Fat contact and a topspin slice serve I can hit both times.
klementine
Hall of Fame
Haasian Quote of the Day - 'This Graphiend is so good, I can play in my preferred ensemble of the casual male'
el sergento
Hall of Fame
Man, I was taught 11 and 1 o clock. 11 for the kick, 1 for the flat/slice.
What kind of action do you get with the 2 o'clock toss? Tons of slice I gather.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Yeah I was taught the same. A lot of people will say 2 o clock is too far, but it's not for me. It's all about where your contact point is, and that can be individual.
Basically what you get if you do it right is a big top slice serve that hooks left after the bounce. If done right it should come in pretty hot and slide across the returners body. Its a lot of framed returns.
The guy I play a lot has the same coach, does the same toss and his serve is monster. Even when I time it up and start blocking it back deep I still have to account for that last second movement or I get jammed.
el sergento
Hall of Fame
Tommy is a personal hero. I didn't care much for him as a petulant teen, but man, seeing a 35+ year old play such sweet tennis is inspiring.
Also, the dude's got a bum shoulder like me, and yet refuses to give up.
Speaking of the shoulder, man, I've hit a bump with the physio. More psychological than anything else but I just get so disheartened when I get those shots of pain doing the most trivial things.
I'll go pain free for a couple of days and get really excited about my progress, then I'll get a shot of pain opening a cupboard and I'll get furious with how slow things are progressing, and I'll start doubting my ability to heal at all.
My problem though is that I'm redoing a bathroom in the house, and plastering and sanding, especially on the ceiling, are the worst for a bad shoulder. I have to do it though, this isn't like tennis, I need to finish this freaking bathroom before I can really rest the shoulder.
Anyway, just needed to vent
Also, the dude's got a bum shoulder like me, and yet refuses to give up.
Speaking of the shoulder, man, I've hit a bump with the physio. More psychological than anything else but I just get so disheartened when I get those shots of pain doing the most trivial things.
I'll go pain free for a couple of days and get really excited about my progress, then I'll get a shot of pain opening a cupboard and I'll get furious with how slow things are progressing, and I'll start doubting my ability to heal at all.
My problem though is that I'm redoing a bathroom in the house, and plastering and sanding, especially on the ceiling, are the worst for a bad shoulder. I have to do it though, this isn't like tennis, I need to finish this freaking bathroom before I can really rest the shoulder.
Anyway, just needed to vent
el sergento
Hall of Fame
Do you need a higher toss to make contact at 2? Very interesting, you can't really arm a serve if you're making contact at 2, you need pretty good shoulder rotation.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Hass rocks the G/P setup eh? It's so stinking good.
And yeah, I toss high. I have to anyway because if not my serve gets cramped and I rush out of the racquet drop. This was a major problem of mine for a long time.
Toss high, toss to 2, come across the ball and over the top corner. The contact should fat, it won't be a brush, but the spin will be there and pull the ball down and to the left. It's a filthy serve that won't sit up and get crushed back.
klementine
Hall of Fame
^ Nah, it's gotta be a pj, since all his other sticks were. Couldn't find pics of Mark 'retail' Philippoussis to poast.
That and Philippoussian didn't sound as good as Haasian, more like an extinct biblical tribe or something.
That and Philippoussian didn't sound as good as Haasian, more like an extinct biblical tribe or something.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Sorry. I meant Gut poly, not graphene.
But the GPMP with gut in it is the best feeling frame I have used in years.
But the GPMP with gut in it is the best feeling frame I have used in years.
808
Professional
Yeah, I know. But I wanted to try it anyway.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
I coud see it feeling too soft in an open pattern. The beauty of the 18x20 is all the feel you get from the extra strings. The pocketing is just on another level.
With spin frames, even poly felt kind of soft. Can't imagine gut in it. If you ever get an 18x20 just throw gut/poly in it right away and strap in.
808
Professional
As I said, I have already tried it once in the 16x16 Prince Tour 100T ESP – VS Touch / Beast XP. Didn't last, but then again my regular poly snapped in about 3 to 5 hours max too in this frame.
It played very well, but yes, maybe a bit soft. Tour Bite Soft, for example, felt definitely too soft and mushy in the ESP - really hated this combo.
I'll have my GPMP strung up with gut/poly when I get around to it. I'm still pretty happy with Gravity in it, though.
The 2 o'clock toss is key. That hook left after the bounce really jammed a lefty I played last week. He tried to forehand all his returns and I got him quite a bit with that serve.
aimr75
Hall of Fame
I'm still looking to try this frame at some point. No easy access to a demo so on the look out for a decently priced used frame
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Yes, exactly. I went from having my serve sit up and being brushed in, to having it hook left and being hit flush. Much better.
I think you'd like it. It was a pleasant surprise for me and has turned into possibly my favorite of all time now that I have the setup dialed in.
Hi PP - with the 2 o'clock toss do you still use a conti grip? Or does it move towards an eastern BH grip? And are you tossing perpendicular to the line, or out into the court, at an angle?
Thanks - i'm just dialling in some alternative serves at the moment, and these are factors that i find affect the serve.
Thanks - i'm just dialling in some alternative serves at the moment, and these are factors that i find affect the serve.
aimr75
Hall of Fame
Nice. Hopefully I can pick one up soon. Will report back if I do.
Timbo's hopeless slice
Hall of Fame
Hmmmnnn.
No, I do not have too many racquets, what a foolish suggestion!
Feel free to play 'name that frame' holics, most are pretty easy but a couple might fool you
No, I do not have too many racquets, what a foolish suggestion!
Feel free to play 'name that frame' holics, most are pretty easy but a couple might fool you
MikeHitsHard93
Hall of Fame
That's no good dude. Right now I'm about 20 pounds over weight and my knees don't like it when playing tennis (yes, I've started again!) And I just turned 22...I think we're about the same age if I remember correctly
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Hmm..good questions, I had to think about it. I still use a conti grip and I am tossing out into the court a little bit.
SpinToWin
Talk Tennis Guru
Yeah you're only two years my senior... Sucks but not much we can do abou tit I guess... :?
harryz
Professional
Just wait
I'm over 50 and also a bit overweight. And I still hit a pretty good ball. It would be better if I were lighter and more flexible.
Your aches and pains will continue if you keep playing this great game, so here is some serious, unsolicited advice: Stretch. A Lot. Do yoga. Or Pilates. Or something. And lift weights to lose weight. It is all about movement and flexibility.
hz
I'm over 50 and also a bit overweight. And I still hit a pretty good ball. It would be better if I were lighter and more flexible.
Your aches and pains will continue if you keep playing this great game, so here is some serious, unsolicited advice: Stretch. A Lot. Do yoga. Or Pilates. Or something. And lift weights to lose weight. It is all about movement and flexibility.
hz
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Yep. Thats why I made the switch to crossfit. Lots of stretching, Weights and stamina training. Already noticing the difference on the court - I have lost 6 pounds in 3 weeks so far.
Cool, thanks. I will try it.
I think it's been said a few times around here that fitness is more important than racquet. Certainly is in a tight match. But the holy grail is to have both of course. For the younger members it is easier to get away with being a bit less fit - the body takes more flak, and recovers quicker. But the point still stands. My advice would be to keep up a regular level of training that covers both strength and stamina. Not too much or little of either. Then playing matches helps you keep game fit. Not always easy to fit all this in i have to say...
Rozroz
G.O.A.T.
so sad... when i play 29 yrs old people and tell them i need to rest a day each match, they have that look that mean they still don't get it.
'let's see you in 10 years, you clueless little spring chicken'
For the avoidance of doubt, i'm not in the "younger members" category...i'm just remembering how it used to be (and no longer is...).
Rozroz
G.O.A.T.
For the avoidance of doubt, i'm not in the "younger members" category...i'm just remembering how it used to be (and no longer is...).
LOL i was too stupid to take tennis seriously at that time.
so i can't even remember.
klementine
Hall of Fame
Had a fantastic hit last night, mainly due to the fact that the players who showed up last were actually in the right grouping, 4.0 and up.
The PS97 was sidelined due to snapped mains, really haven't seen a 16x19 pattern so open, the density seems more than usual, approaching 'spin' frame territory.
Didn't want to go the route of the 'get what you put in frames' in the collection, ie- PresMid, exo100t and the POG100, so ezone xi98 it 'twas.
Except this time, threw off the weight I had as a counterbalance on the bottom of the handle, and just kept the ~9 grams on the hoop at 10&12. Soooo much momentum and whippiness! It's right at 342gr and feels like a swing weight to match, ~4-5pts. HL. No arm issues, no bad vibes, nada. Felt super-powerful on serves and overheads, held serve rather easily and the groundstrokes were a good mix of power and 'brushability'.
So while I haven't found the frame that is ideal, in terms of feel, touch, power, spin, etc., I do feel as if I've found a good setup to try and replicate in other sticks, although as the hours with the ezone xi98 pass, I am liking more and more.
So.... a mini victory of sorts for me last night.....
The PS97 was sidelined due to snapped mains, really haven't seen a 16x19 pattern so open, the density seems more than usual, approaching 'spin' frame territory.
Didn't want to go the route of the 'get what you put in frames' in the collection, ie- PresMid, exo100t and the POG100, so ezone xi98 it 'twas.
Except this time, threw off the weight I had as a counterbalance on the bottom of the handle, and just kept the ~9 grams on the hoop at 10&12. Soooo much momentum and whippiness! It's right at 342gr and feels like a swing weight to match, ~4-5pts. HL. No arm issues, no bad vibes, nada. Felt super-powerful on serves and overheads, held serve rather easily and the groundstrokes were a good mix of power and 'brushability'.
So while I haven't found the frame that is ideal, in terms of feel, touch, power, spin, etc., I do feel as if I've found a good setup to try and replicate in other sticks, although as the hours with the ezone xi98 pass, I am liking more and more.
So.... a mini victory of sorts for me last night.....
JGads
G.O.A.T.
The reunion began in a climate controlled storage unit, my old frames opening their eyes when the zipper of my Wilson bag opened. My tgk 231.1s leapt out of said bag and kissed my face. Zeus slapped me, unhappy to be dormant for so long.
Took the kids out for a hit today, meeting MD in the Valley for my first outdoor hit in ages, and the frames purred. They felt like home.
Will now be getting the Graphene and one of my usual .1 TGKs laced up with the Tonic/Silverstring combo to see how I like it. Should be interesting. Part of me (my shoulder) hopes to love it; part of me (my wallet) hopes to hate it.
Will do a little spring cleaning and put three of my sticks, my TFight Limiteds and my Babolat Pure Control Plus, up for sale. Amazing frames, but just won't be used enough by this lad.
Took the kids out for a hit today, meeting MD in the Valley for my first outdoor hit in ages, and the frames purred. They felt like home.
Will now be getting the Graphene and one of my usual .1 TGKs laced up with the Tonic/Silverstring combo to see how I like it. Should be interesting. Part of me (my shoulder) hopes to love it; part of me (my wallet) hopes to hate it.
Will do a little spring cleaning and put three of my sticks, my TFight Limiteds and my Babolat Pure Control Plus, up for sale. Amazing frames, but just won't be used enough by this lad.
SpinToWin
Talk Tennis Guru
I will go out on a limb and say that your shoulder will love it more than your wallet hates it
Power Player
Bionic Poster
I will go out on a limb and say that your shoulder will love it more than your wallet hates it
Agree. Gads you may have a face melting experience. The good news is that you should get better durability and longevity than you would with poly mains.
People report 20-30 hours of consistent play with this setup. So it's not that bad since poly mains last about 10 hours before they start to do bad things to the joints.
Only thing that held me back from gut was price. Really glad I cleared that hurdle.
In the prestige 56/51 works if you need a reference tension. The poly cross needs to be smooth, so silver string works. I'd suggest 1.20 because it seems to give a higher launch angle which I find to be a major advantage in an 18x20 frame.
I know this - your shoulder will thank you. MAJOR difference for me personally. I feel nothing after hours of play. The poly really takes its toll, and you don't realize it. And the spin potential is a lot higher than poly mains. You will be hitting serves that make the ball kick like it's an open pattern frame.
el sergento
Hall of Fame
I will provide a warm and loving home for those tfights if you go that route
Does that mean you regret selling me your Tfights? Or do you have many a collection of the 315 Ltd?
klementine
Hall of Fame
Oh man, one of our own will be courtside at IW. Gonzo, desert reporting at its finest.
"There was madness in any direction, at any hour. You could strike sparks anywhere. There was a fantastic universal sense that whatever we were doing was right, that we were winning."
"There was madness in any direction, at any hour. You could strike sparks anywhere. There was a fantastic universal sense that whatever we were doing was right, that we were winning."
el sergento
Hall of Fame
No regrets, it's that Gadsy has the 16X19 versions, and I've always wanted to try those.
Have you hit with the tfights yet?
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Gads, you should really think about this. Barring impending poverty, letting go of Yoko is a major "I should never have done that" move. It is a rare moment in time that a racquet company releases one of it's pro molds to the public.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
I know. This is why he should grip the Yoko frame closely at all costs - you can actually have 2 that are specced the same.
That is the problem I had with the TGKs..very tough to get dupes.
Of course this will not matter once he places the Gut in the GPMP.
That is the problem I had with the TGKs..very tough to get dupes.
Of course this will not matter once he places the Gut in the GPMP.
klementine
Hall of Fame
Powa, 56/51? Nice starting tension. You putting the gut in the mains?
EDIT: Just read the 'smooth poly cross'. Should work awesome in the Prestige
EDIT: Just read the 'smooth poly cross'. Should work awesome in the Prestige
el sergento
Hall of Fame
I will provide a warm and loving home for those tfights if you go that route
I might be interested in the Babolat...I've got the Ltds covered.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
It does. My goodness it does.
Sorry, not trying to frame block. If gads does sell we know he will prioritize a fellow holic so the yoko remains in good hands.
