Natural Gut Questions

[iHabNoTeef]

I'm looking to try natural gut most likely in a hybrid with blue gear mains for spin. Using natural gut as a cross, would there be any noticable difference between natural gut and a synthetic? What about between Babolat Tonic+ and Babolat VS Team?

If I choose to do a full job, does natural gut provide spin/control? Would there be a noticable difference between Tonic+ and VS Team in this case?

Also, what tension would I string gut at if I like Gosen OG Sheep Micro 1.20mm at 60 lbs and Pro Supex Spiral Flex at 57 lbs? Lastly, are there any things that should be done before stringing like pre-stretching?

 

[todot62]

Using natural gut as a cross, would there be any noticable difference between natural gut and a synthetic? IMHO, gut in the cross is a waste of money. You won't be able to tell that much difference.

What about between Babolat Tonic+ and Babolat VS Team? Not noticeable, especially for a first time gut user.

If I choose to do a full job, does natural gut provide spin/control? Compared to what? compared to Gosen OG-Micro? Yes--spin, about the same--control

Would there be a noticable difference between Tonic+ and VS Team in this case? Again, not noticeable for a first time gut user. If, at some point you become a connoisseur, then you would be able to tell the difference.

what tension would I string gut at if I like Gosen OG Sheep Micro 1.20mm at 60 lbs? 60 would work, you're going to have to adjust to the extra power at some point.

Lastly, are there any things that should be done before stringing like pre-stretching? Not a bad idea to pre-stretch, but not imperative.

Tod

 

[iHabNoTeef]

If I used a synthetic gut in the crosses as a hybrid with natural gut, would there be a huge difference between that and full natural gut?

 

[todot62]

If I used a synthetic gut in the crosses as a hybrid with natural gut, would there be a huge difference between that and full natural gut?

Nope, that's always a good place to start. I would just pick a good multi that holds tension well, like NRG2, and string the crosses 4# higher than the mains. I think in your case, a good place to start would be 58/62. I don't think the two pound drop on the mains will be that big of a deal and that would be better for the NRG2 at 62 rather than 64. I've used this on several people's racquets. Another good cross is TGV, and two I have not tried yet in this setup, but have become my favorite overall Multi's are LF Prostock or Weiss Cannon Explosiv. Both of these strings hold tension extremely well. With the Explosiv, I think you would be okay with 60/64.

Tod

 

[texag01]

I was wondering if someone could give me some advice on stringing natural gut. I am going to try gut for the first time and don't want to ruin it. I will string it myself on my klippermate. I know this is a lesser machine than many but it has been good to me for over 10 years. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[rasajadad]

I was wondering if someone could give me some advice on stringing natural gut. I am going to try gut for the first time and don't want to ruin it. I will string it myself on my klippermate. I know this is a lesser machine than many but it has been good to me for over 10 years. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Do a 2-piece string job. Wax the mains before weaving the crosses. Take your time and watch out for kinking.

 

[sciwriter]

I don't quite follow you, Tod. Do you mean use NRG2 in mains and a synthetic gut in crosses? NRG2 in mains at 62 and synthetic gut at 58?

I would just pick a good multi that holds tension well, like NRG2, and string the crosses 4# higher than the mains. I think in your case, a good place to start would be 58/62. I don't think the two pound drop on the mains will be that big of a deal and that would be better for the NRG2 at 62 rather than 64. I've used this on several people's racquets. Another good cross is TGV, and two I have not tried yet in this setup, but have become my favorite overall Multi's are LF Prostock or Weiss Cannon Explosiv. Both of these strings hold tension extremely well. With the Explosiv, I think you would be okay with 60/64.

Tod[/QUOTE]

 

[iHabNoTeef]

Do a 2-piece string job. Wax the mains before weaving the crosses. Take your time and watch out for kinking.

Would vaseline work?

 

[jim e]

Would vaseline work?

That would leave a good mess to say the least. I don't even wax any strings, years ago some did that with the older gut strings,(I never even did that years ago, and was fine), but todays gut that is no longer necessary,as they are manufactured better, only if it makes you feel better then wax. If you are careful with the gut, follow proper handeling, there is no reason to even wax any type of string.

 

[todot62]

I don't quite follow you, Tod. Do you mean use NRG2 in mains and a synthetic gut in crosses? NRG2 in mains at 62 and synthetic gut at 58?

I would just pick a good multi that holds tension well, like NRG2, and string the crosses 4# higher than the mains. I think in your case, a good place to start would be 58/62. I don't think the two pound drop on the mains will be that big of a deal and that would be better for the NRG2 at 62 rather than 64. I've used this on several people's racquets. Another good cross is TGV, and two I have not tried yet in this setup, but have become my favorite overall Multi's are LF Prostock or Weiss Cannon Explosiv. Both of these strings hold tension extremely well. With the Explosiv, I think you would be okay with 60/64.

Tod

[/QUOTE]

Pick a good multi that holds tension well to put in the crosses and string 4# higher than the gut mains. This does a few of things.

1. The tension will be a bit more even over a longer period of time because the multi will lose tension at a different rate than the gut. Something to consider in ALL hybrids, IMHO.

2. A bit less string movement

3. A bit less power

His reference tension was 60 for OG, so my recommendation to string at 58/62 was based on the fact that I personally don't like to string a multi past 62, with the exception of Exposiv, which I think would be fine at 64.

Tod

 

[todot62]

Do a 2-piece string job. Wax the mains before weaving the crosses. Take your time and watch out for kinking.

I would defiantly do two piece. I would not worry about waxing anything. Just use good technique and string one ahead and you'll be fine. I would also check all your grommets and make sure none are cracked. If ANY are broken or cracked I would either tube it, or better yet, replace your grommets. Gut is VERY prone to break from cracked grommets. Also clean your clamps before you start, just to be on the safe side.

Tod

 

[rasajadad]

I would defiantly do two piece. I would not worry about waxing anything. Just use good technique and string one ahead and you'll be fine. I would also check all your grommets and make sure none are cracked. If ANY are broken or cracked I would either tube it, or better yet, replace your grommets. Gut is VERY prone to break from cracked grommets. Also clean your clamps before you start, just to be on the safe side.

Tod

I agree with your suggestions but I still prefer to wax. It seems to prevent that "burning" when you're pulling the crosses. In fact ISO recommends waxing when your doing Classic Pro, I believe. If you've ever strung with it, you'd know why.

 

[texag01]

Thanks for the advice. I usually string all cyberflash at 64. What tension would you recommend for the gut? Is it really that much more powerful?

 

[Steve Huff]

I'm with Jim on this one. Waxing just messes up the clamps and string gripper. If you just fan the crosses, and don't pull as fast as you can, you shouldn't have any trouble not burning the string. Like Jim, I've been stringing a long time (since 1979) and the old, uncoated strings were often waxed. But, even then, if you took your time, it wasn't a necessity. Now, almost all the guts are coated, so you'd have to really be pulling fast to burn them. As far as the tension goes, 58/62 might feel ok, but be careful not to string the crosses too much tighter than the gut or you'll lose the feel of the gut. With OG Micro in the crosses, I'd string it 3-5# LOWER than the gut in the mains, so something like 62/59 would play well in my opinion.