Gut/poly user here but still in search of a secondary string setup for wet weather or when my gut snaps mid session. Have shared my non-poly main, poly cross experiences here a few times. Most recently, I tested AK Pro CX and Velocity (natural) in matched rackets, same tension. Both in 1.30mm and with 1.27mm Ghostwire crosses.
I much preferred AK. So much so that I clocked 22.75 hrs (till breakage) with it vs 2.5hrs with Velocity. I just don’t like the feel of Velocity. It’s too trampoline-y. I can barely feel the ball on the strings. I’ve come to realise I much prefer a firm, responsive feel. I need that feedback to guide my hitting.
AK along with Quasi-gut are the most similar to gut in terms of having that feel. AK is firmer than Quasi but has less snap back. AK is also way more durable although my test with Quasi was with a different racket. In fact AK was nearly as durable as gut, but I think it was durable only because snap back was greatly reduced after the slick coating wore off around 9hrs of singles (less sawing effect).
This is my only complaint for AK at the moment. It plays great until the coating wears off (9 hrs for me), then you need some time to adjust to this loss of snap back, then it remains consistent at this above average playability till breakage.
I’m pretty close to committing to a reel because it has high performance to cost ratio, but at the same time I’m wondering if I can find something which plays great for longer, say 15 hrs even if it is not as durable. I’ll definitely retest Quasi at some point, but I’m not optimistic over its durability and performance to cost ratio.
Thus far besides these 3 multi/syn guts, I’ve also tried Tourna Syn gut armor and Kirschbaum syn gut. Syn gut armor was the worst, no durability and just an average string. Kirschbaum is a bit too soft and mushy for me, and lacks snap back.
What others do you recommend I try? That would be similar to AK? These are the characteristics I would prioritise:
- Firmness, responsive feel. I need to know where the ball lands on the stringbed for sweet spot feedback.
- Snap back
- Consistent playability/characteristics over its lifespan
- Tension maintenance
Strings I’ve shortlisted so far but have no clue whether their characteristics align with my preferences:
- X-one Biphase (since it’s often referred to as the most gut like string). Cost has deterred me so far.
- Triax (my gut tells me it might be similar to AK)
- Multi-feel Natural (I read that black is more muted so I suspect I’ll prefer natural even though black is lauded for its slickness)
- Ocho TNT (can’t remember why I shortlisted it)
- Head Syn Gut PPS (seems popular on this forum)
- TNT2