Gut Main Poly Cross People - Which Cross String?

[TropicalFruit]

Going to test 16g gut mains in my next stringbed, with a poly cross. Obviously could go ALU, but I'm not changing the strings every 40 minutes so I'd rather not.

Currently considering:
ReString Sync
ReString Zero
Ghostwire

As possible cross-strings. I'll also use string-savers. The goal is to allow the gut to slide nicely, and maximize its play-ability before it breaks.

Any recommendations? I'm trying it because I just never quite feel confident on slices/volleys/touch shots with poly/poly, although ironically the best i've ever felt on those was with 16g RPM blast, so maybe I could go back to that as well.

 

[JK208]

Restring Sync is the closest to ALU. I think you would like that quite a bit and it will extend the longevity of the gut mains. GW is just a bit too soft with gut, for my liking.

 

[Happi]

Isospeed Cream works well with gut.

 

[Bambooman]

Kirschbaum Max Power is hard to beat.

 

[RichS56]

4G Soft works well for me - makes the stringbed feel very stable and holds tension well

 

[Mektik]

Try Grapplesnake Irukandji as cross. It's rectangular with rounded edges which allows the gut to slide freely. You won't need string-savers as Irukandji kind of is a string-saver itself.
It won't feel like RPM Blast though as Irukandji is much softer. Stringing it up some lbs would make sense.

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

Kirschbaum Max Power is hard to beat.

This, especially if you factor in its price. Been using it for a long long time as the hobo "Champion Choice".

 

[PD1978]

4G soft here.

 

[Bambooman]

This, especially if you factor in its price. Been using it for a long long time as the hobo "Champion Choice".

I use TF X-One mains with Max Power crosses for the complete "Chumpions Choice".

 

[forzamr_b]

Max Power or Max Power Rough and that’s even before you factor in its price! Max Power if you want a firmer feel and slightly more hours out of your gut, Rough if you want more snapback, softer feel.

For reference, I’ve tried 4G, Ghostwire, Irukandji. On my shortlist to try: Restring Zero, Toroline Wasabi X.

 

[veelium]

Thread 'The gut/poly thread'

Jan 2, 2015

I think this thread is way overdue so here we go! I will share my experiences with different gut/poly hybrids and I hope you all can add yours as well, so that we'll have one place where we gather experiences with different setups for comparison and optimization.

First of all, Tonic+ <15L/4G 16L. 4G is very stiff, so the stringbed is firm and has a very crisp response, despite the gut in the mains. The response is precise and touch shots are easy to execute. Control is the major aspect of this stringbed, as 4G's low power makes it hard to overhit; however, there is good pop off the...

• SpinToWin
• Replies: 5,171
• Forum: Strings

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Lots of information in this thread already. Better continue there instead of making a new threat.

 

[WNB93]

PT Rev works wonders for me as it's very stable and slick.
Not sure about the durability of the gut as REV is technically shaped but not very....

 

[SOY78]

Good ol' SPPP worked for me as a cross with gut.

 

[socallefty]

I’ve been using HyperG Soft for about 5 years and used HyperG before that as a cross with VS mains. Lasts about 15 hours or a bit more. Sometimes the poly goes dead first or sometimes the gut breaks. I didn’t have luck finding a round poly that didn’t go dead within 10 hours before that when I tried a bunch of strings in 2018-19.

 

[einca13]

Best cross for gut is a smooth slick round poly that holds tension reasonably well. For me in order:

1. Lux 4G Soft (favorite by a wide margin).
2. Yonex Poly Tour Fire
3. Tourna Black Zone
4. kB Max Power

 

[struggle]

Isospeed Cream works well with gut.

I've heard this for some time. Need to actually try it!!

I use Pro's Pro Red Devil 1.19 as a cross for my NG mains (VS, Klip, whatever 16 or 17g, no matter). Been using it for many years.

I play it until the NG breaks or is too loose. Works great, slides great (i'm never straightening mains, almost ever...), so good snap back.

And, it's cheap. Softens the blow of buying NG.

 

[Eudaimorium]

Best cross for gut is a smooth slick round poly that holds tension reasonably well. For me in order:

1. Lux 4G Soft (favorite by a wide margin).
2. Yonex Poly Tour Fire
3. Tourna Black Zone
4. kB Max Power

How would you say Lux 4G Soft distinguishes itself from the others on your list?

 

[skip11]

Alu rough is still the best for me. The loss of tension isn't as bad as what people make it out to be when it is hybrided with gut. I rotate 3 rackets with gut/alu rough averaging 6h of play per week (sometimes 8), I can use em for about 3-4 weeks before the stringbed loses control or the string breaks.

 

[andrewmsacc]

Tourna Big Hitter Silver is too solid as a cross for NAT gut.

 

[ShahofTennis]

Tecnifibre Razor Soft is my new go-to. Really a choice of touch and response. Spin and Power are accounted for with the gut. But the response and touch from TRS takes the entire setup over the top.

 

[Shroud]

My fav gut hybrid was gut/ monogut zx. Though not exactly a poly.

 

[thebigz]

How would you say Lux 4G Soft distinguishes itself from the others on your list?

I’m not the most familiar with other string he listed but 4G soft has very crisp and direct feel to it. Still firm ish and not super easy on the arm full bed but more powerful than regular 4G certainly.

I only hit with Fire once when I came out all the way back. Remember it being soft, slick, lively. Doesn’t last long full bed before tension drop sharply. To me Rev has that slickness but is firmer with much more stable playability over time.

But I can’t speak to either in a gut hybrid.

 

[Irvin]

ALU Rough 125

 

[thebigz]

ALU Rough 125

What about 4G rough?

I’m curious why it isn’t used more frequently. I find 4G feels good and wouldn’t 4G rough last longer than ALU rough?

 

[Irvin]

What about 4G rough?

I’m curious why it isn’t used more frequently. I find 4G feels good and wouldn’t 4G rough last longer than ALU rough?

Gut will go first doesn’t matter how long poly last.

 

[thebigz]

Gut will go first doesn’t matter how long poly last.

Gotcha. I was suggesting tension/playability drop that people claim the ALU rough isn’t great for, not talking about breaking.

 

[LOBALOT]

1.30 VS with 17G Poly Tour Fire. I string a lot of Ghostwire and Cream crosses and players love the setup but for me I like a tad firmer cross.

 

[Rob2D]

I'm really liking 4G as my cross right now. But I like that solid foundation kind of feel.