NXT ----> KGut Impressions

[Il Mostro]

I am restringing a friend's Dunlop 300G and he's leaving the string choice to me. I want to stay with something similar to what he already likes and is familiar with. He's been pleased with NXT (non Tour version), and NXT is a string that I do not have a real good feel for having only used it occasionally and then only the OS when goofing around with the Big Bubba.

I have mini reels of KGut in my inventory. Any opinions on anticipated reaction to 16 KGut versus his old 16g NXT? This seems like the "safest/closest" replacement to me, as i want to keep it as close to what he already likes.

Other options: KGut Pro 16g, Isospeed Classic Professional 17g, Gosen 16& 17, Forten Sweet 17.

Thanks!

 

[jim e]

Over the past year, I hit with a good # of strings, to know what they all were like, as to help the people I string for. (I should have wrote down at the time what they were like).. But k-gut was a little softer than the k-gut pro, and the pro should be more like the NXT from your choices you have. Just my thoughts. Jim

 

[Il Mostro]

Thanks Jimbo. Pro it will be. Forgot to mention that I have Pro Stock too, but wanted to keep it in the Wilson family to stay in his familiarity/comfort level. Your advice is much appreciated.

 

[Valjean]

http://www.racquetsportsindustry.com/issues/200809/200809allstrings.html

According to the lab tests run by the USRSA, though, K-Gut should play closer to NXT than K-Gut Pro. And that's been my experience too.

 

[Il Mostro]

http://www.racquetsportsindustry.com/issues/200809/200809allstrings.html

According to the lab tests run by the USRSA, though, K-Gut should play closer to NXT than K-Gut Pro. And that's been my experience too.

Valjean, thank you for taking the time to respond and the RSI info also.

 

[Raiha]

isn't the difference between nxt/nxt tour, kgut/kgut pro that the latter are pre-stretched?

 

[Keifers]

isn't the difference between nxt/nxt tour, kgut/kgut pro that the latter are pre-stretched?

No. If you look at a Wilson tennis catalog, you'll see that the construction of these strings is different.

 

[Nellie]

I find K-gut and NXT to play much differently, with the K-gut being slightly less soft, but a lot more durable. I used to cut out the NXT in a few hours, but the K-gut last me much longer. Also, the K-gut does not move at all.

 

[Bad Dog]

isn't the difference between nxt/nxt tour, kgut/kgut pro that the latter are pre-stretched?

Yes, good observation – the difference between Wilson's K-Gut versus K-Gut Pro is that the Pro “feels” like a pre-stretched version of K-Gut – regardless of any actual differences in construction ingredients. This agrees with what Valjean indicated. For me, I slightly prefer K-Gut, which has a bit better ball pocketing and a bit better comfort than Pro.

In my mind, both K-Gut and K-Gut Pro play better than – and keep their resilience properties longer than – NXT/NXT Tour.

Forgot to mention that I have Pro Stock too, but wanted to keep it in the Wilson family to stay in his familiarity/comfort level. Your advice is much appreciated.

Laserfibre Supernatural Gut Pro Stock is also a very good string that plays similarly to K-Gut Pro. However, in my experience K-Gut Pro lasts much longer. K-Gut and K-Gut Pro may possibly be two of the best multifilament strings available on the market today, because they play extremely well, and their resilience properties tend to last significantly longer than the competition.

 

[Il Mostro]

Thanks for the additional input guys!

 

[Dedans Penthouse]

just my 2 cents.

NXT Tour vs. NXT Tour: the "Tour" version retains tension a little better, expected with a slightly firmer, less comfortable string.

I would say the same thing respectively for K-Gut vis-a-vis K-Gut Pro (i.e. the "Pro" being firmer, etc.).

K-Gut is a slightly nicer NXT
K-GUT Pro is a slightly nicer NXT Tour

If you're going to string it with K-Gut and he's happy with NXT to begin with, then imho he'll be a very happy camper playing with K-Gut.

 

[antgun007]

what tension should kgut be strung?

 

[hoodjem]

Wilson K Gut 17 Nylon 1.28 183 (stiffness rating)
Wilson K Gut Pro 17 Nylon 1.27 163 (stiffness rating)

Wilson NXT Tour 17 Nylon 1.27 203 (stiffness rating)
Wilson NXT 17 Nylon 1.24 193 (stiffness rating)

 

[Il Mostro]

I wound up using 16g KGut @ 57 pounds on the 300G -- he's loving it.

 

[hoodjem]

Is KGut one of those that is soft AND crisp?

 

[Il Mostro]

Is KGut one of those that is soft AND crisp?

I have not use it on any of my own racquets, but my impression on the 300G is a balance of comfort and very good tactile qualities. I would include KGut 16 in my personal top tier of muti's. I would imagine the 17g might be even better but I only stocked it because of the mini-reel deal, which is only available in 16g. Same with the Pro (Fr***th buy two, get one free deal a while back) I would not pay $22.00 per set for either one, though.