First time gut user

[dadozen]

Hey guys,

I'm thinking about getting some natural gut( VS Babolat ) to try it.

In order to make it cheaper, I'll use synthetic gut in the crosses, but I'm not sure which is the best one to use. PSGD?

Also, is VS Touch much more durable than VS Team? Since I'll be paying a lot for it, I'd like to get the best durability out of it

Btw, I have been using co-polys @ low tensions( around 50-52 ) for a while now. I'm guessing that 57, maybe 58 lbs for the gut/syn gut hybrid will be OK, right?

Thanks in advance!

 

[GPB]

Synth gut on the crosses is a great way to cut the price of a natural gut job in half. However, since you're used to using co-polys, I'd consider putting one on the crosses. Keep it smooth, and the reduced friction will reduce the wear on the expensive mains even more!

 

[dadozen]

Thanks!

But won't the co-poly die much faster than the natural gut making the stringjob less durable when compared to the synthetic gut?

Also, is there a reason why Tonic+ is cheaper than VS Team and VS Touch?

 

[Tar Heel Tennis]

why don't you 'hybrid' with unifibre natural gut? at $12/pack, it will keep your cost down, and you won't have to worry about one type of string 'dying' before the other.

i haven't tried this setup yet, but will likely do this the next time I need a frame strung. I use both full beds of VS Team (17g) and Unifibre (16g). however, my stringer hates stringing a full job of unifibre, so i promised i would try the hybrid so his fingers aren't raw by the time he finishes a frame!

 

[Rabbit]

Invest in some string savers as well. They'll buy you a good deal of extra time with the setup. Hit at first without them, but if you like how it feels, they can really extend the life of a gut string.

 

[dadozen]

Tar Heel, thanks for the suggestion, I'll try to look for this string, although the webstore I usually buy strings doesn't stock it.

Btw, what's the difference between VS Touch and VS Team, beside the gauge? Is the durability of the Touch much better? Why the majority prefer VS Team? Does it play much better?

 

[Tar Heel Tennis]

the only difference (as far as i can tell) is the gauge.

I haven't used Touch before, since I prefer 17g strings, but i just picked up two sets of Touch at a local store that is no longer selling natural gut (tbh, the store probably would have sold VS reasonably well had they not charged $69/set for the string). I picked up the last two sets they had, and paid $32/set.

 

[dadozen]

Invest in some string savers as well. They'll buy you a good deal of extra time with the setup. Hit at first without them, but if you like how it feels, they can really extend the life of a gut string.

Rabbit, long time no see!

Thanks for the suggestion, haven't remembered of that! Will definitely invest on them!

 

[Rabbit]

Rabbit, long time no see!

Thanks for the suggestion, haven't remembered of that! Will definitely invest on them!

Oi! Yep, definitely been a while. Good luck with your venture into the world of natural gut!

 

[aggietex08]

I am going to make the same adventure into the world of nat gut soon as well. There is a thread on Rip Control as a cross that has a lot of positive reviews. It isn't quite as cheap as syn gut but still very cheap at 6.35. Since it is a ribboned string it locks the mains in place for less friction and wear. I plan to still use string savers on my attempt though. Another plus is that it is a very low powered multi so it helps tame some of the power while keeping the feeling of the gut in the main.

 

[Kcraig]

I am going to make the same adventure into the world of nat gut soon as well. There is a thread on Rip Control as a cross that has a lot of positive reviews. It isn't quite as cheap as syn gut but still very cheap at 6.35. Since it is a ribboned string it locks the mains in place for less friction and wear. I plan to still use string savers on my attempt though. Another plus is that it is a very low powered multi so it helps tame some of the power while keeping the feeling of the gut in the main.

I have been played several different combos of natty gut mains with different copolys starting with Klip Legend/Big Ace, Pacific Classic/CyberRed and then lateley the Pacific TghGut/Polyforce hybrid. The main advantage of the poly cross is that is really seems to lock the stringbed in place, but as mentioned by Dadozen and others, the poly dies pretty quickly (6-8hrs) while the gut mains is just getting started. I did try a combo of reg syn gut in the crosses a couple of time(PSGD and Supex Titan) but the string movement was crazy. I know have been testing some Head RIP Control 16g as a cross with Mantis Comfort SG (multi mains) and the RIP seems be a nice low pwred, tension holding/non-moving cross. So I am getting ready to do a nice comparison between the ToughGut/Polyforce and ToughGut/RIP. Also--in my limited experience with gut--I have to say the Pacific ToughGut is the best I have hit--great price and zero break in time. The Klip Legend and Pacific Classic had a 45min to 1hr break in period--the ToughGut is great from first ball. Also--according to the RSI ratings--ToughGut 16L is the softest out there. And for me--it lasts a good 15-17hrs!! (Stringsavers installed in soft/notching areas around 6-8hr mark).

 

[kiteboard]

Hybrid it with blue gear.

 

[aggietex08]

I have to say the Pacific ToughGut is the best I have hit--great price and zero break in time. The Klip Legend and Pacific Classic had a 45min to 1hr break in period--the ToughGut is great from first ball.

Kcraig which would you recommend between KLIP Legend and Pacific Classic?

 

[Kcraig]

Kcraig which would you recommend between KLIP Legend and Pacific Classic?

I actually preferred the Pacific over Klip. I think all the Pacific stuff is top notch and their quality control is great. Also a huge fan of their XTack grips-last forever and are nice and soft/tacky for 3-5matches. I usually only get 2-3 out of other grips. Just my .02

 

[dadozen]

I'm almost decided to get Mantis Power Synthetic or Rip Control. Still need to check if the webstore carries Rip Control.

I've also been told by some friends to use it in a full job, but if I really like it and start thinking about using it regularly, I'll go bankrupt. Then it might be better to start low profile anyway

Btw, for those who have used polys, does gut last longer than regular polys? I'll only think about start using gut if it lasts longer than polys for me( usually they break or go dead at the 7-8hs mark - WeissCannon Scorpion in my case ).

 

[Kcraig]

I'm almost decided to get Mantis Power Synthetic or Rip Control. Still need to check if the webstore carries Rip Control.

I've also been told by some friends to use it in a full job, but if I really like it and start thinking about using it regularly, I'll go bankrupt. Then it might be better to start low profile anyway

Btw, for those who have used polys, does gut last longer than regular polys? I'll only think about start using gut if it lasts longer than polys for me( usually they break or go dead at the 7-8hs mark - WeissCannon Scorpion in my case ).

In my gut/poly experience (big ace, cyberred, and polyforce) the poly ALWAYS went dead before the gut! BUT--that first 4-6hrs of GUT/POLY is unbelievable!!!

Polys are only really good/playable for first 6-8hrs and then can do more damage than good--especially to your arm! I am still struggling with a tricep/elbow tendonitis I got from serving too hard with some dead poly--

 

[Limpinhitter]

In my gut/poly experience (big ace, cyberred, and polyforce) the poly ALWAYS went dead before the gut! Polys are only really good/playable for first 6-8hrs and then can do more damage than good--especially to your arm! I am still struggling with a tricep/elbow tendonitis I got from serving too hard with some dead poly--

In addition, I have found (at least with Luxilon), that poly de-tensions about 3-4lbs in the first hour, settles in for a few hours and de-tensions again to an unplayable degree, if I don't break it first. The 8-10 hours of playability isn't worth it for me. I'm an old schooler and I just don't see the point of dealing with the small window of playability poly gives you. I prefer a string that settles in quickly and maintains its tension until it breaks.

Anyway, I'm also looking for a practical way to work nat gut into my frames. I'd probably break full gut in less than 2-3 hours. Not practical or cost effective. What do you think about nat gut mains and a near gut cross like NXT Tour? Any benefit compared to full gut? Too much movement?

BTW, back in the day, we used to spray nat gut with a can of varnish to protect it from moisture. I wonder if that would do anything to hold the string down and prevent movement in todays larger frames.

 

[Kcraig]

In addition, I have found (at least with Luxilon), that poly de-tensions about 3-4lbs in the first hour, settles in for a few hours and de-tensions again to an unplayable degree, if I don't break it first. The 8-10 hours of playability isn't worth it for me. I'm an old schooler and I just don't see the point of dealing with the small window of playability poly gives you. I prefer a string that settles in quickly and maintains its tension until it breaks.

Anyway, I'm also looking for a practical way to work nat gut into my frames. I'd probably break full gut in less than 2-3 hours. Not practical or cost effective. What do you think about nat gut mains and a near gut cross like NXT Tour? Any benefit compared to full gut? Too much movement?

BTW, back in the day, we used to spray nat gut with a can of varnish to protect it from moisture. I wonder if that would do anything to hold down the string movement in todays larger frames.

I am getting ready to test out Gut/Head RIP Control (very unique multi with good tension maintence and low pwerd/great feel). From what I can tell from limited experience with RIP and reading lots of reviews--RIP Control plays like a poly without the negaitives--it is low pwrd, durable, does not move, and spinny, but also soft and arm friendly--plus it is CHEAP ($6.35/pk). The issue I would have NXT Tour or other high end multis is the price is too damn high! (There is a thread on Natural Gut/RIP--good info).

As far as varnish, etc.. I sometimes will take some baby oil and wipe down the strings. However, I have found that the treatment process of Pacific ToughGut does not require the "wipedown" as much as the "cheaper" guts did (such as Klip Legend or Pacific Classic). I felt those needed to be wiped down after every match--even if it was not humid/damp.

 

[WilsonPlayer101]

In addition, I have found (at least with Luxilon), that poly de-tensions about 3-4lbs in the first hour, settles in for a few hours and de-tensions again to an unplayable degree, if I don't break it first. The 8-10 hours of playability isn't worth it for me. I'm an old schooler and I just don't see the point of dealing with the small window of playability poly gives you. I prefer a string that settles in quickly and maintains its tension until it breaks.

Anyway, I'm also looking for a practical way to work nat gut into my frames. I'd probably break full gut in less than 2-3 hours. Not practical or cost effective. What do you think about nat gut mains and a near gut cross like NXT Tour? Any benefit compared to full gut? Too much movement?

BTW, back in the day, we used to spray nat gut with a can of varnish to protect it from moisture. I wonder if that would do anything to hold the string down and prevent movement in todays larger frames.

Limpinhitter, that's funny that you mention the spray that would go on natural gut to protect it. As a teen in the early '80s I would go to Westwood Sporting Goods by UCLA and get my Head Arthur Ashe strung up with Imperial gut and they sold me a can of that spray and told me to spray my strings every so often with it. I forgot how long, maybe a month. I was wondering if they still sold that spray and if anyone did that anymore.

If I recall it was a small can and I think the color of the can was yellow.

Why do you think that your gut would break in 2-3 hours? Are you a big time string breaker? Fortunately I don't break strings, whether they are multi, synth gut, or real natural gut. I break strings maybe once every 10 years. The strings will go dead before they break on me. Some say gut doesn't go dead it breaks first but for me I don't break strings so the strings will definately go dead first.

 

[WilsonPlayer101]

I don't think anyone mentioned stringing the crosses with the multi Ashaway Dynamite. I heard and read good things about it. Maybe you can use that as to bring the overall cost down and get a great feeling string that is close to gut.

I have a hybrid of Technifibre NRG2 and it's good but it is in the mains not the crosses. It's with Poly in the crosses. I also have a full bed of NRG2 also. Good stuff but I heard better things about the multi Dynamite.

 

[Limpinhitter]

Limpinhitter, that's funny that you mention the spray that would go on natural gut to protect it. As a teen in the early '80s I would go to Westwood Sporting Goods by UCLA and get my Head Arthur Ashe strung up with Imperial gut and they sold me a can of that spray and told me to spray my strings every so often with it. I forgot how long, maybe a month. I was wondering if they still sold that spray and if anyone did that anymore.

If I recall it was a small can and I think the color of the can was yellow.

Why do you think that your gut would break in 2-3 hours? Are you a big time string breaker? Fortunately I don't break strings, whether they are multi, synth gut, or real natural gut. I break strings maybe once every 10 years. The strings will go dead before they break on me. Some say gut doesn't go dead it breaks first but for me I don't break strings so the strings will definately go dead first.

I'm a string murderer. NXT Tour 16 lasts about 8-10 hours and Luxilon lasts about 12-15 hours before they break. I haven't tried gut in a modern racquet, but, my stringer just looks at me and shakes his head. He thinks I'd be luck to get two sets out of full gut, especially on clay.

For many years I used Prince Pro Blend (Kevlar/synth), to save money, at the expense of my shoulder, it turns out. Now, I'm looking for the most arm friendly solution, but, I need some durability and stability. String savers do little to keep the strings from moving for me, although they do extend string life by about a third.

Anyway, most of my tennis was played with all nat gut (in wood frames), and Prince Pro blend in graphite frames. So, by necessity, I'm trying to educate myself now that my bionic arm has finally worn out.

 

[WilsonPlayer101]

Limpinhitter, if you are a string breaker then you probably need a hybrid setup to save money. So instead of break a full set of gut which is expensive bring down the cost of the setup with a gut/multi hybrid. Maybe it will cost 10 bucks less overall but if you break it you won't blow as much money.

Even though I don't break strings I actually think that I might do that hybrid because I just want to save money. I guess gut in the mains and multi the crosses. I did a multi/poly hybrid but I am still testing out.