Looking for durable syn gut

[qriusgeorge]

So I'm a hard hitting 4.5-5.0 and recently noticed issues (durability) with my mains and potentially sizing for crosses.

I typically string a syn gut main and poly cross. I definitely prefer it over a poly main/syn gut cross or full poly. I've never used multi's or gut. The poly I have been using is the isospeed control (16/1.3) because it was cheap and I just found another reel of it. The syn gut I have been experimenting with over the fall and winter is OGSM 16 and 17. Only recently have I used a Forten Sweet 16 and 17.

The OGSM 17 seemed to break very fast (~5-7 hours or two hitting sessions) but also made me think the isospeed went dead before that. I never felt the poly go dead so fast, because before this week I was using the OGSM 16 and it felt fine. The 17 was a bit more powerful which was clear once the poly went dead (I think).

I did a test with one racquet having the OGSM 16, the other OGSM 17, and the third a Forten Sweet 17.

I had a good soft feeling with the Forten sweet 16 but it too broke pretty fast (~ 9 hours), but longer than the OGSM. The OGSM 16 was nice but I didn't feel as much spin potential after using the OGSM17. The OGSM 16 last about the same as the OGSM 17 (~6 hours). The Forten sweet 17 felt the best for me (spin/power/control) but due to a string error the string broke around top of the frame so I only had it for <2 hours. The FS 16 felt good but also lacked the spin the FS 17 seemed to have. I could see myself using it but again, broken string maybe around 10 hours, so most durable so far.

I'll give the Forten sweet 17 another try, but are there any other comparable strings?

Do I look for a softer poly for my cross and not worry about having such a soft syn gut main like forten? (head ultra tour 17 or sig pro megaforce 17)

Should I get a more durable syn gun but still as soft as the forten sweet?

Would getting a 17 gauge poly cross soften it enough to use with a 17 main and lessen the notching?

Any help/thoughts/suggestions would be appreciated and tried.

-George

 

[loosegroove]

Huh, I thought Isospeed Control was a multi?

 

[qriusgeorge]

Sorry. To clarify, I meant isospeed baseline control.

 

[loosegroove]

I'm surprised the Forten Sweet lasted longer than the OGSM, normally it's the other way around. Getting thinner poly crosses will exacerbate your problem, since it will provide a thinner edge with which to cut/notch your mains.

So why don't you like poly in the mains? Why not just go with a full synthetic job?

 

[qriusgeorge]

I am too about FS lasting longer than OGSM. I literally broke the OGSM 16 and 17 at almost the same amount of playing time, and the FS was a few hours longer making to a third session.

You make a good point on a full synthetic. I've never done it, but would the control or spin suffer at all? I always thought the poly would add a bit more control or spin potential, but only recently did I switch to a syn gut main. I think it just felt softer and a bit easier to control with a syn gut main. Maybe just made my arm feel better.

I used half of the single packs of FS 17, 16, and OGSM 16 and 17 so if I'm ordering more, I might as well get some other strings too. Any suggestions on a full synthetic besides these four?

 

[Valjean]

You should try out Babolat's N.vy too.

 

[qriusgeorge]

as a full or hybrid? and 17 or 16? I didnt see reviews on tw for the 17 but the 16 gets good ones.

 

[BigT]

5-7 hours with OGSM 17 is pretty good for a hard hitter. 9 hours with Forten Sweet is incredible. I am lucky to get 3 hours with either of these.
Do you hit flat? With what racquet?

 

[qriusgeorge]

I used a MGPM at 52# for both. Typically a heavy spin but it varies on my hitting partner. I've been hitting with the same 5.0+ recently which is probably why it's a bit different. To be honest, I've never realized when a poly goes dead so soon until recently. I started to lose control and shots were flying a bit long in the OGSM 17 hybrid before it broke, so I switched to the OGSM 16. The 16 broke 1.5 hours later, so I grabbed the 17, 30 minutes later it broke too. I was switching between the 16 and 17 the last session which is why the 16 broke so soon this time. I ended up hitting with my buddy's Wilson to finish off the set.

 

[qriusgeorge]

I meant to say, i use microgel prestige mids with both mains and crosses at 52#. i thought i might have confused people with my response.

 

[Valjean]

as a full or hybrid? and 17 or 16? I didnt see reviews on tw for the 17 but the 16 gets good ones.

You were asking about a full bed when I responded. In my view, both gauges play well.

 

[Chyeaah]

Bab n.Vy isnt worth the $89 in a full bed, you might as well go with a cheap syn gut as most of them play the same although it is a really good cross, not so sure about main though.

I've tried syn gut main and poly cross, imho so terrible compared to a gut main poly cross, it was just worst in every aspect.

To make this thread short, your not gonna find any much more durable cross as most syn gut has the same durability, if you want more durable, go for a 1.35 or 1.40 syn gut.

a hard hitting 4.5-5.0 should break the syn gut in half the time your getting, they usually break after 4 or 5 hours for a hard hitter, so you should be content with the time your getting.

 

[qriusgeorge]

well im going to do another full comparison with the ogsm 16, 17, fs 16, 17, pro supex spiral flex, and even see about changing the isospeed poly to a weisscannon scorpion.

it's just so hard to believe everyone re-strings their racquets every two sessions/days. it seems like a bit too often.

thanks again to everyones insight. i'll give it another shot and if they are all similar durability, i'll be happy with what i get.

has anyone taken a poll on how often people re-string their racquets weekly? if so, i'd love to read it.

 

[fortun8son]

PSGD17 may slide better with a poly cross/
You also may want to check out a fullbed of Red Alert