I played with syn gut and loved it! For 2 hours...

[three.dee]

Hi,

So, I just received my Babolat Pure Aero and it was already strung with Babolat Synthetic Gut 1.30 mm (16 gauge) @ 23 kg (51 pounds).
Initially I was thinking of cuttting it off, since I used only polys, but I was too curious about the racket, so I played with it.

Long story short - it blew my mind! It plays soooo good, I couldn't believe the control that I had and what shots I could make. Also really impressed with defense shots and serves.
I understand that syn gut might not be for most people, but for my game it worked miracles.

However, after just about 2 hours of play, it got quite bad, especially with the lack of spin. The tension loss is only about 5%, so this is not the cause.
I think the problem is this shiny layer that is no longer shiny, the string is no longer slick and it's very stuck now and all over the place.

My question is: is there any other string (I don't care if it's multi or poly, or syn gut, etc.) that offers similar characteristics, but lasts way longer?

Thank you!

 

[GodlessEndeavor]

Have you tried Triax? It's also a quite unique string that's worth trying and should last longer.

I don't know how it compares to the specific synthetic gut you tried, but it's a middle of the ground string between multifilament and poly.

I also hear good things about Gosen OG Sheep Micro Super as a synthetic gut.

 

[fuzz nation]

Hi,

So, I just received my Babolat Pure Aero and it was already strung with Babolat Synthetic Gut 1.30 mm (16 gauge) @ 23 kg (51 pounds).
Initially I was thinking of cuttting it off, since I used only polys, but I was too curious about the racket, so I played with it.

Long story short - it blew my mind! It plays soooo good, I couldn't believe the control that I had and what shots I could make. Also really impressed with defense shots and serves.
I understand that syn gut might not be for most people, but for my game it worked miracles.

However, after just about 2 hours of play, it got quite bad, especially with the lack of spin. The tension loss is only about 5%, so this is not the cause.
I think the problem is this shiny layer that is no longer shiny, the string is no longer slick and it's very stuck now and all over the place.

My question is: is there any other string (I don't care if it's multi or poly, or syn gut, etc.) that offers similar characteristics, but lasts way longer?

Thank you!

I believe that syn. gut is actually ideal for much of the recreational tennis world - that includes stronger players who are serious about the game, but not cracking the ball like Div-1 college killers in training. I recommend this string type around here all the time.

Its performance can be very tough to beat as you've seen for yourself and even though it's not the most durable stuff available, it's cheaper to replace than anything else. I string at home and it's easy for me to throw anything in my racquets. I'm often perfectly happy with tournament nylon - the spiffy yellow stuff from Forten looks good in my old black and yellow Volkls and that string goes for less than $25 for a full reel.

Considering that poly "goes dead" after several hours of use and it's supposed to be cut out and replaced well before it physically snaps, I don't knock syn. gut for its limited service life at all. I'd rather have my strings break down instead of my arm.

Some syn. guts are moderately soft and plenty arm-friendly for many of us, but they also come with a much lower price tag than any of the "premium" multis that are often the first option when folks want a softer string bed. Syn. gut doesn't soften for me as I use it like many multis can, so there's another check in the plus column for syn. gut.

Syn. guts are NOT all the same. If you want a more durable option, I'd say try Gosen OG Sheep Micro. Expect this string to play more firm than some other syn. guts - I don't use it myself, but it might be okay at a couple lbs. lower tension than a softer syn. gut. Prince Syn. Gut with Duraflex might also give you longer service life, but it will also feel more firm than some others - including Prince Original Syn. Gut.

 

[LOBALOT]

Not a fan of the stick for a lot of reasons in particular it forces the player into softer strings due to it's stiffness.

I string for a guy that uses Prince Topspin which is 15L so it lasts a tad longer due to it's thicker gauge. Try that.

Prince Topspin 15L/1.38 String | Tennis Warehouse

www.tennis-warehouse.com

 

[tele]

if you do not have arm problems, pairing syn gut mains with a soft poly cross can prolong spin. I like prince warrior response in the crosses, and isospeed cream is another good option. i also recommend wilson nxt control in a full bed.

 

[GodlessEndeavor]

I believe that syn. gut is actually ideal for much of the recreational tennis world - that includes stronger players who are serious about the game, but not cracking the ball like Div-1 college killers in training.

Chris from Tennis Warehouse agrees with you:

Tennis Warehouse - Gosen OG Sheep Micro String Review

www.tennis-warehouse.com

What type of player would you recommend this to?

Chris - "A lot of players who are using poly-based strings in light racquets or who are not playing at a high level would be much better served switching to a string like this.

 

[Pitti]

I play with babolat syn gut 1.30 somewhere between 22,5-23,5 kg depending on the racket and the time of the year. My current standard setup is pro staff 97 315 gr at 23 kg. It’s good on the arm, has enough power, enough spin and great control. In my case, it’s also good for durability because although I try to hit hard, I don’t hit with excessive topspin. And ans a bonus, it’s also cheap. So I’d recommend it to everybody.

It‘s true that it loses a bit of spin and “touch“ after some hours of play, but I think you can still hit good topspin if you want to. And bh slice is amazing in my case, even when it loses that little bit of tension...

Sadly I can’t recommend any other syn gut, since I can only get this one in my townand don’t know how to string rackets myself.

 

[Steve Huff]

Babolat Syn Gut is pretty soft, and I'm sure it plays well. Maybe try Gamma Gut TNT2. It's a little expensive, but I don't think it will die on you nearly as fast. Others are Prince Lightning, Yonex Dynawire, and Gosen OG Micro (a little firmer).

 

[Clarky75]

Hi,

So, I just received my Babolat Pure Aero and it was already strung with Babolat Synthetic Gut 1.30 mm (16 gauge) @ 23 kg (51 pounds).
Initially I was thinking of cuttting it off, since I used only polys, but I was too curious about the racket, so I played with it.

Long story short - it blew my mind! It plays soooo good, I couldn't believe the control that I had and what shots I could make. Also really impressed with defense shots and serves.
I understand that syn gut might not be for most people, but for my game it worked miracles.

However, after just about 2 hours of play, it got quite bad, especially with the lack of spin. The tension loss is only about 5%, so this is not the cause.
I think the problem is this shiny layer that is no longer shiny, the string is no longer slick and it's very stuck now and all over the place.

My question is: is there any other string (I don't care if it's multi or poly, or syn gut, etc.) that offers similar characteristics, but lasts way longer?

Thank you!

I had a similar experience. I grew up with tennis in the 90s, so I always used Syn Gut right up until Luxilon came along, I went with that as we all were, my tennis deteriorated fast, I just put it down to getting older, I felt I didn't have the precision and feel I once did. Long story short, back around 2018 I put syn gut in my racket at the time, the Blade, and I played unbelievable, the connection to the ball was back, the feel and precision were back. Anyway now I am back on poly, but I think I will go back to the syn gut, I think also as I grew up playing syn gut it feels so familiar. But yes Chris from TW and the poster above is right, most rec players myself included prob should play syn gut, for really strong players who generate tons of speed, no doubt poly is better, but for most rec players syn gut would be the better option

 

[jhick]

My go-to is Gosen AK Pro CX in the mains paired with a softer Poly. Currently using Ghost Wire in my crosses, but also liked and used Weiss Cannon Silverstring in the past.

FYI...I am USTA 4.5 for many years (with a short stint rated at 5.0)

 

[three.dee]

Thank you all for the input!

I'll have to try some more synthetic gut strings, especially the Gosen OG Sheep Micro and the Prince, which stand out in all discussions I looked, and are confirmed by most of you.
But as far as I understand, none of them will keep that great sensation for a long time. I played some more and I noticed that I still can get spin, but it's not very natural as in the first hours of use.
But if I make an effort, it's decent enough. So maybe some game adjustment needed, as well...

 

[Clarky75]

Thank you all for the input!

I'll have to try some more synthetic gut strings, especially the Gosen OG Sheep Micro and the Prince, which stand out in all discussions I looked, and are confirmed by most of you.
But as far as I understand, none of them will keep that great sensation for a long time. I played some more and I noticed that I still can get spin, but it's not very natural as in the first hours of use.
But if I make an effort, it's decent enough. So maybe some game adjustment needed, as well...

I always like the Prince Synthetic Gut, but again I grew up playing it, I also loved the Prince Topspin string, its only in 15 gauge, but that was always one of my favourites

I never used a full bed of the Gosen, but I have used it in a poly hybrid setup

 

[vokazu]

Hi,

So, I just received my Babolat Pure Aero and it was already strung with Babolat Synthetic Gut 1.30 mm (16 gauge) @ 23 kg (51 pounds).
Initially I was thinking of cuttting it off, since I used only polys, but I was too curious about the racket, so I played with it.

Long story short - it blew my mind! It plays soooo good, I couldn't believe the control that I had and what shots I could make. Also really impressed with defense shots and serves.
I understand that syn gut might not be for most people, but for my game it worked miracles.

However, after just about 2 hours of play, it got quite bad, especially with the lack of spin. The tension loss is only about 5%, so this is not the cause.
I think the problem is this shiny layer that is no longer shiny, the string is no longer slick and it's very stuck now and all over the place.

My question is: is there any other string (I don't care if it's multi or poly, or syn gut, etc.) that offers similar characteristics, but lasts way longer?

Thank you!

Try mixing it with polyester on the cross. Synthetic gut main, polyester cross.

 

[Trip]

@three.dee - What you're most likely enjoying about full-bed syn gut versus full-bed poly is the large increase in snappy free power and pocketing. The issue you're noticing, though, is the loss of so many dynamics once even the slightest bit of surface wear sets in. In order to remedy this, or at least prolong it from happening for a reasonably-long enough time, you'll need to look for strings that offer better and longer-lasting snapback even as they wear down.

One possible solution is an ultra-slick, mostly-non-poly hybrid using Tecnifibre strings that make use of both their SPL coating and PU400 outer material -- strings such as Multifeel Black and their "multiester" multi/poly fusion strings, of which HDMX is the most powerful. A hybrid of HDMX mains / Multifeel Black crosses, strung slightly lower in tension, should stay a lot more permanently slick for a lot longer, while still offering almost as much free power and pocketing (and also looking sweet in the Pure Aero, being a combo of yellow and black string). Yes, you'll invest up to 4-5x more in the cost of the string, but playability should last at least 2-3x longer as well, so there's a high chance of the trade-off being worth it.

So give something like that a try, and I think you'll like the results a lot more.

 

[Chairman3]

Babolat Xalt
Pretty decent spin for a non-poly, decent tension maintenance and relatively durable.
I got close to 10 hours before it snapped, syngut would be half that

 

[oldmanyellingatcloud]

I do synthetic gut mains and multi crosses, granted a multi that is relatively low-powered and plays similarly to poly. I'm not a string breaker, but good tension maintenance, confidence to be able to hit any shot, and very comfy

OG Sheep Micro is on the stiffer/firmer side of things. But if you want to try a softer synthetic gut, some have mentioned Prince Original Synthetic Gut but I'd even throw Forten Sweet in there

 

[pjv]

Another vote for Tecnifibre multifeel black (has to be the black) in the mains and a soft, smooth, slick poly in the crosses (ghostwire, MSV swift, isospeed cream). It will give you the feel you enjoyed from the Syngut but last a lot longer before it starts locking up.

 

[three.dee]

All right, I now have a lot of attractive string options from you people.
I'll start buying some of them and keep trying them one after another.

In the meantime I am getting used to the 'new' characteristics of the used Babolat Synthetic Gut string.
It's stuck and it clacks so loud sometimes!
But I still like it! I feel like the biggest loss is the spin. Spin is not my main request from a string, but I do need it in my game in enough situations.
However, I can still generate enough, but I need to put more effort into the stroke. When the string was new, the spin came kind of 'free'

Thank you all for the input!

 

[TennisCJC]

Lots of good suggestions if you like syn gut feel and playability. My suggestions: 1. try a longer laster syn gut, 2. try multi's - my fav multi's NRG2 16G and MultiFeel 16G, 3. try poly/nylon hybrid/mixed strings like Triax, 4. syn gut or multi mains with poly cross. I think all of these are better for majority of players unless you are truly a high swing speed ball basher. I've been using option 4 for 17 years now and no plans to change. I also like tried nylon/poly hybrid years ago and I like it a lot too. It was an TF string similar to Triax.

 

[what_army]

My advise: whilst not all synguts are the same, in terms of construction virtually all of them will have an inner nylon core, filaments around the core and an outer wrap. Synguts are all much more similar between them than polys are so don’t overcomplicate the decision of which one to get. I use Pro’s Pro synthetic power which only costs 15eur/reel.

 

[jimmy8]

I vote Head Velocity 1.30 Natural color. Natural plays better than the other colors. It has a thick, slick sheath that lasts long.