First impression with Natural Gut..and some questions

[Fintft]

And that bang you reported in your OP was most likely due to the fact that the gut wasn't pre stretched, am I right?

Do you still need answers to your questions in the first post?

E.g.
I string the crosses less to...limit movement and prolongue the life.
Hybrid gets bad pretty quick for me.
I prefer 17g for elasticity/pocketing effect. Not sure about spin.

 

[IowaGuy]

I prefer 17g for elasticity/pocketing effect.

@Fintft - how many hours of playability do you get from 17g FB nat gut, in the RF97A? I would think that racket would eat up FB nat gut quickly, with its 16x19 pattern?

 

[Fintft]

@Fintft - how many hours of playability do you get from 17g FB nat gut, in the RF97A? I would think that racket would eat up FB nat gut quickly, with its 16x19 pattern?

Up to 20 hours now in the winter, modified indoor red clay, close to 7 in the summer on har-tru.

 

[IowaGuy]

Up to 20 hours now in the winter, modified indoor red clay, close to 7 in the summer on har-tru.

Thanks!

Har-tru definitely sucks for string life :-(

 

[Fintft]

Thanks!

Har-tru definitely sucks for string life :-(

Yeah, ours was very dusty and it could also have more chips?

But, I was also cleaning my strings with a sticky wax, now I've resorted to drier bee wax...

 

[IowaGuy]

Yeah, ours was very dusty and it could also have more chips?

But, I was also cleaning my strings with a sticky wax, now I've resorted to drier bee wax...

@Fintft - Do you prefer FB nat gut in your RF97A due to arm/elbow issues? i.e. have you ever tried a hybrid setup? Or, do you prefer FB nat gut due to its performace (i.e. more power, touch, etc).

Just curious as I'm considering trying FB nat gut in a RF97A, as either FB or as hybrid, but don't want to experiment too much at ~$50 per stringjob

If you could share any experiences that you've had with your RF97A, it would be helpful, thanks!

 

[Fintft]

@Fintft - Do you prefer FB nat gut in your RF97A due to arm/elbow issues? i.e. have you ever tried a hybrid setup? Or, do you prefer FB nat gut due to its performace (i.e. more power, touch, etc).

Just curious as I'm considering trying FB nat gut in a RF97A, as either FB or as hybrid, but don't want to experiment too much at ~$50 per stringjob

If you could share any experiences that you've had with your RF97A, it would be helpful, thanks!

Nah, although it is true that I started trying NG after a bfrief tennis elbow issue, more then 5 years ago (was using a BLX 6.1 95 at the time)

I still didn't want to chance with full bed poly so at times I've tried:

1. Hybrids with Lux Fluoro in the mains and NG in the crosses (I only liked it for control and longevity but after a while I just cut it out).
2. Full bed multi

The reasons I prefer NG to multi is explained here: https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?posts/11971311/

Other then cost that is

A few months ago I got VS Team 17 NG on sale for USD30 so, I'm using it again, full bed.

If you don't want to experiment with full bed gut, what about experimenting with multi?

More affordable, but if you break it in a hour, or even in 10 hours, then there is no point of trying full bed NG (b/c that one will last even less/it will break faster. Although NG maintains tension).

 

[IowaGuy]

The reasons I prefer NG to multi is explained here: https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?posts/11971311/

Thanks for the great info.

I have tried FB multi (Velocity), but like the increased power of nat gut (I'm in my mid-40's, and need all the extra power that I can get on serves and groundstrokes!)

I currently use FB nat gut on my PS97s. In reading your other thread, it sounds like you've tried FB nat gut on 97s as well?

If so, how would you say FB nat gut on RF97A is different than PS97s? Mostly just more power, or do you find more spin as well?

I think I'm going to have to give FB gut a try on the RF97A...

 

[Fintft]

Thanks for the great info.

I have tried FB multi (Velocity), but like the increased power of nat gut (I'm in my mid-40's, and need all the extra power that I can get on serves and groundstrokes!)

I currently use FB nat gut on my PS97s. In reading your other thread, it sounds like you've tried FB nat gut on 97s as well?

If so, how would you say FB nat gut on RF97A is different than PS97s? Mostly just more power, or do you find more spin as well?

I think I'm going to have to give FB gut a try on the RF97A...

You know you got my thinking and just by looking at the dates I got my 97A frames (Sept-Oct 17), my answer would be yes, I've used FB NG in the 97s last summer briefly, b/c I started breaking it in one week on har-tru

It could be that I was swinging faster the 97s (and I got at the most 7 hours worth of play out of it on har-tru outdoors), then the way I swing the heavier 97A (and I get about 20 hours out of it on red clay indoors).

I can't compare the feel of NG between the two frames out of memory, but I can tell you that on the 97A the NG feels more superior to multi, then it felt in the 97s to multi.

Same deal for the BLX 6.1 95 models, I could definitely tell the advantage of NG, more so then in the 97s.

As for your spin question, just yesterday people have started to tell me that my balls are skidding with the 97A, something they had told me before with the BLX 6.1 95, but never with the 97s (all with FB NG I mean).
I hit flat mind you and only occasionally heavy top spin, almost never slice in practice/rallies.

GL and there is nothing wrong in trying FB NG , it only becomes costly if are a string breaker and need to restring say each week (or less)...

 

[aaron_h27]

Nah, although it is true that I started trying NG after a bfrief tennis elbow issue, more then 5 years ago (was using a BLX 6.1 95 at the time)

I still didn't want to chance with full bed poly so at times I've tried:

1. Hybrids with Lux Fluoro in the mains and NG in the crosses (I only liked it for control and longevity but after a while I just cut it out).
2. Full bed multi

The reasons I prefer NG to multi is explained here: https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?posts/11971311/

Other then cost that is

A few months ago I got VS Team 17 NG on sale for USD30 so, I'm using it again, full bed.

If you don't want to experiment with full bed gut, what about experimenting with multi?

More affordable, but if you break it in a hour, or even in 10 hours, then there is no point of trying full bed NG (b/c that one will last even less/it will break faster. Although NG maintains tension).

I bought 9 packs of Vs Touch during the black friday sale also but i traded them in for the $55 wilson NG at my local tennis store. Does babolat NG normally go on sale every year?

 

[aaron_h27]

After I run out of the old wilson NG I will choose between Luxilon or Babolat BT7 to be my primary gut based on availability but I will enjoy this premium gut while I can, lol.

 

[Fintft]

I bought 9 packs of Vs Touch during the black friday sale also but i traded them in for the $55 wilson NG at my local tennis store. Does babolat NG normally go on sale every year?

No idea, first time I grabbed them on about 30% sale, I usually get max 5% from TW discount.

 

[aaron_h27]

12 hours of play so far, looks like they're getting ready to break. I think I can squeeze in 4-6 more hours. I was hoping to get to the 20 mark.

 

[IowaGuy]

12 hours of play so far, looks like they're getting ready to break. I think I can squeeze in 4-6 more hours. I was hoping to get to the 20 mark.

Remind us what gauge of nat gut, and what racket you're playing with?

 

[aaron_h27]

Remind us what gauge of nat gut, and what racket you're playing with?

RF 97 Autograph, Old Wilson $55 gut in white packaging, 16 gauge, 62 lbs.

 

[IowaGuy]

@aaron_h27 @Fintft

Do you find your full-bed NG moving a lot with your RF97?

i.e. have to adjust your strings back to normal after almost every point lasting a few hits?

 

[Fintft]

@aaron_h27 @Fintft

Do you find your full-bed NG moving a lot with your RF97?

i.e. have to adjust your strings back to normal after almost every point lasting a few hits?

Not with the tension difference as per my sig.

 

[aaron_h27]

@aaron_h27 @Fintft

Do you find your full-bed NG moving a lot with your RF97?

i.e. have to adjust your strings back to normal after almost every point lasting a few hits?

Maybe a couple times per 2 hr session but the strings don't move that much because of the tension maintenance.

 

[aaron_h27]

Quick update

So at the 14 hour mark the strings broke in my RF 97 Autograph, which is a shame cause I was starting to enjoy it towards the end because of the ball bite. I dont think it would make sense for me to try 17 gauge when im only getting 14 hours out of 16 gauge...so for that reason I am going to experiment with some 18x20 rackets. My friend is letting me use his Head Graphene XT Prestige Midplus and I strung it up with the old wilson (pre bt7) gut at 58 lbs. So far I've gotten 3 hours out of it, and the control is really great compared to 16x19. Much more consistent response. Strings don't move as much either which is nice. I'm thinking i went a little too tight at 58 lbs. Probably should've gone 53 lbs, but We'll see how long this lasts. Ideally I would like to get 30 hours out of the gut.

 

[Yoneyama]

Have you tried using string savers? The Babolat Elastocross II work really well, are pretty cheap and It's almost a guarantee they will extend the life quite a bit. Don't use the Tourna ones they don't work very well!

 

[aaron_h27]

I have not tried string savers, I am going to try this 18x20 frame with the gut and see how long it lasts before considering those.

I strung up the Head Graphene XT Prestige Midplus at 58 lbs with Wilson Natural Gut 17 (old $55 version, pre BT7)

I hit today for an hour, so I have 4 hours of play on the strings, no fraying/notching yet at all. They still look brand new. The control is amazing and the spin is still pretty good too since I moved to 17 gauge because of the tighter string pattern. If this lasts me to 30 hours I will have a winner...

 

[aaron_h27]

6 hours total with 17 gauge old wilson gut on the prestige 18x20, control is still superb. One thing I noticed about the 18x20 is the backhand slice. It is much better with an 18x20, than 16x19. The ball just stays so much lower and the opponent has to really scoop it up. I was actually able to be aggressive with my backhand slice, especially on returns which set me up to finish points at net. With the RF Autograph, my slices tended to float a bit more. I'm thinking 18x20 may be better for my game after all. I have a league singles match on thursday, so we'll see how this string job holds up.

 

[Fintft]

Quick update

So at the 14 hour mark the strings broke in my RF 97 Autograph, which is a shame cause I was starting to enjoy it towards the end because of the ball bite. .

About your former sentence: BT? Cause that's about what I get with the 17 BT on red clay indoors.

About your later sentence: you and Sampras. And the rest of us.

 

[aaron_h27]

About your former sentence: BT? Cause that's about what I get with the 17 BT on red clay indoors.

About your later sentence: you and Sampras. And the rest of us.

14 hours with 16 gauge (non bt7, old wilson) in the RF 97 Autograph on hard courts.

 

[Fintft]

14 hours with 16 gauge (non bt7, old wilson) in the RF 97 Autograph on hard courts.

So that's worse/less then my case, b/c at least I can blame it on clay.

On the other hand on hard courts, you can take harder cuts at the ball....

 

[aaron_h27]

So that's worse/less then my case, b/c at least I can blame it on clay.

On the other hand on hard courts, you can take harder cuts at the ball....

Yes definitely worse than your case considering you are using 17 gauge.

That's why im experimenting with 18x20, plus the RF 97 just doesn't suit my game overall. I'm trying to sell them. Lol

 

[Fintft]

Yes definitely worse than your case considering you are using 17 gauge.

That's why im experimenting with 18x20, plus the RF 97 just doesn't suit my game overall. I'm trying to sell them. Lol

Gauge aside, it could also be that people are hitting harder on hard courts, due to the true bounce etc.

 

[aaron_h27]

12 hours in with the Old Wilson Gut 17 gauge at 58 lbs in the 18x20 head prestige. The string bed looks fine, but theres one main that is severly notched and looks like it could break at any time. I'm guessing I will get 15 hours out of this job, which is more or less the same as with the RF 97, but I did use a thinner string (17 instead of 16) and 18x20 is much better for my all court/counter punching style. I guess my wish for a 30 hour gut is just not realistic at my playing level (4.5-5.0)

I'm going to try stringing the crosses 2-3 lbs less than the mains for less string movement, I don't like moving strings in between points. It's not that bad on an 18x20 but if I can save myself the hassle of doing it I most definitely will.

Maybe that could increase durability a bit if the strings aren't moving as much? but to be honest 15 hours isn't bad for a gut job right? I'll be happy with 20...lol

backhand slices on the 18x20 are just ridiculous, I know i've mentioned it before, but I had a league match today (I won 6-0, 6-2) and I've played this guy before and he really picks on my backhand, but today I was hitting aggressive slices from everywhere... the 18x20 pattern keeps the ball from floating and gives the slice much more control. I normally don't slice down the line that much out of fear of my slice going wide, but with the 18x20 I can go DTL or cross court at will. It's really awesome. I'm wondering if Steffi used an 18x20 (about to look it up!)

 

[aaron_h27]

Also I have to keep in mind this is Non BT7 (Old wilson gut) so if I am getting 15-20 hours with no BT7, I may very well get 20-25 hours with the BT7 versions in an 18x20 (Hopefully) right?

Wishful thinking! Haha

I hear luxilon's gut is extremely durable. I still have 6 packs of the old wilson gut though. (3 16 gauge, 3 17 gauge)

 

[IowaGuy]

I'm wondering if Steffi used an 18x20 (about to look it up!)

Steffi's Dunlop Max 200g had a very dense string pattern!