synthetic gut=total package

[babolat king]

i am having a hard time leaving syn. gut strings behind. ive tried nat. gut, polys, hybrids and kevlars. all offer something good but lack something else. syn. gut have the total package.

synthetics offer good feel, easy on the arm, decent durability, and best of all...they are CHEAP!!!

natural gut= are too expensive and dont last.
polys= are hard on the arm
hybrids= always break, usually the poly mains eat through the gut/syn gut crosses.
kelvars= even harder on the arm and do not offer good feel.

imho i think a good syn. gut string is the way to go for most tennis players.

 

[skyzoo]

i am having a hard time leaving syn. gut strings behind. ive tried nat. gut, polys, hybrids and kevlars. all offer something good but lack something else. syn. gut have the total package.

synthetics offer good feel, easy on the arm, decent durability, and best of all...they are CHEAP!!!

natural gut= are too expensive and dont last.
polys= are hard on the arm
hybrids= always break, usually the poly mains eat through the gut/syn gut crosses.
kelvars= even harder on the arm and do not offer good feel.

imho i think a good syn. gut string is the way to go for most tennis players.

3 babolat pure drive gts, pro hurricane+n.vy hybrid @58/60

So ah..what is it that you use?

 

[babolat king]

oh sorry thats old, i need to update. i currently use head youtek prestige with babolat 17 gauge syn gut strung at 58, its a great set-up for me.

 

[Keifers]

i am having a hard time leaving syn. gut strings behind. ive tried nat. gut, polys, hybrids and kevlars. all offer something good but lack something else. syn. gut have the total package.

synthetics offer good feel, easy on the arm, decent durability, and best of all...they are CHEAP!!!

natural gut= are too expensive and dont last.
polys= are hard on the arm
hybrids= always break, usually the poly mains eat through the gut/syn gut crosses.
kelvars= even harder on the arm and do not offer good feel.

imho i think a good syn. gut string is the way to go for most tennis players.

I'm not sure I'd say syns are for everyone, but I certainly agree with the strengths you cited.

Among monofilaments, 3 stand out from the rest for me:

1. Gosen OG-Sheep Micro Super JC (Jim Courier) 17 -- incredible combination of crisp response and liveliness (alas, discontinued...but none of us can understand why ).
2. Prince Original Synthetic Gut -- as TW says, "They're not kidding - this is the original synthetic gut. Despite all the years and advancements in technology, there's something unique about this string that's kept it going." I've come across racquets that are > 20 years old with POSG strings that play still play great.
3. Gosen OG-Sheep Micro Super 16L -- great combination of feel, pop, spin potential and comfort.

 

[aussie]

I basically in agreement with the OP. Tried all types of strings over many years and have come back to syn gut for the same reasons above. PSGO is still one of the best, Gosen OG Sheep Micro 16 very good, Forten Sweet 16 and 17 very nice, Leoina 66 is a real surprise packet at the price, Wilson Extreme 16 is a great syn gut at a great price. I'm happy with any of these and can restring when I like without breaking the bank.

 

[xFullCourtTenniSx]

i am having a hard time leaving syn. gut strings behind. ive tried nat. gut, polys, hybrids and kevlars. all offer something good but lack something else. syn. gut have the total package.

synthetics offer good feel, easy on the arm, decent durability, and best of all...they are CHEAP!!!

natural gut= are too expensive and dont last.
polys= are hard on the arm
hybrids= always break, usually the poly mains eat through the gut/syn gut crosses.
kelvars= even harder on the arm and do not offer good feel.

imho i think a good syn. gut string is the way to go for most tennis players.

Hmmmm...

Natural gut - amazing power, feel, spin, and control
Poly - amazing spin, power, control, and durability
Hybrids - The best way to get the best of two strings and get better durability.
Kevlar - Never tried them
Solidcore Synthetic - Okay spin and control
Multifilament - Good power, control, and feel

The way I see it, Gut mains and poly crosses are the way to go. You get incredible power, touch, control, spin, feel, and durability. I'm using gut because monofilaments die out too quickly in my setup, but the gut I'm using not only lasts much longer, but costs less overall due to it's increased durability.

 

[Valjean]

Try this: Compare the accuracy of any hybrid with a full bed of any string by hitting to a cone at a baseline corner T. Different competing launch angles for the two string types can't achieve the same consistency as the single bed does.

 

[babolat king]

What level do you play at?

i play 4.5

 

[babolat king]

I'm not sure I'd say syns are for everyone, but I certainly agree with the strengths you cited.

Among monofilaments, 3 stand out from the rest for me:

1. Gosen OG-Sheep Micro Super JC (Jim Courier) 17 -- incredible combination of crisp response and liveliness (alas, discontinued...but none of us can understand why ).
2. Prince Original Synthetic Gut -- as TW says, "They're not kidding - this is the original synthetic gut. Despite all the years and advancements in technology, there's something unique about this string that's kept it going." I've come across racquets that are > 20 years old with POSG strings that play still play great.
3. Gosen OG-Sheep Micro Super 16L -- great combination of feel, pop, spin potential and comfort.

good call on the posg, those are incredible strings.

 

[Power Player]

I agree. I love SG. I do lose some accuracy compared to when I throw poly in a hybrid though. I also sacrifice durability. But it feels like how my sticks felt growing up. I hit with Sgut at 65#s as a junior. There was no poly, and I still hit with heavy spin.

For me, the best possible is Wilson Stamina. Nothing has given me the feel of this string. I may try the POSG again just to see, but everything feels right with Stamina for me. It also is insanely loud when you hit, which is a shock if you have been using poly for a while.

Besides the low cost, Sgut is also real easy on your body. you can always go back to it when you need to rest your joints. Also for me, as a new stringer, it is far easier to string then polys.

The negative is that I will break strings faster and I lose a bit of accuracy. It is a little tougher to paint the lines and get shots to drop in. But I still get heavy spin with Sgut, it's just not as "sharp".

 

[TennisCJC]

Syn Gut not for me. Gut or NRG2 mains with poly cross gives me better control and I get about 10-12 matches before they break or become too dead/frayed. My experience is they last longer with the poly cross as the poly stabilizes the string bed and keeps them from moving around so much. Syn gut is OK but I don't get the durability, spin, or feel. I like a hybrid because the poly tightens the string bed and you get a touch more spin and the feel that the ball goes exactly where the racket face is pointed.

 

[Power Player]

One other thing is that I can feel the Syn gut go soft after an hour or so of heavy hitting. But it doesn't bother me too much. It is still nice and easy on the joints, and there is no perfect string in tennis.

 

[mikeler]

If you look at a regular synthetic gut versus a multi, I'll take the multi but sometimes multis are 4 or 5 times more expensive and they are not 4 or 5 times better!

 

[mctennis]

I agree with FullCourtTennis. I use a hybrid gut mains/polly crosses and get the best of all worlds there. PLUS this seems to last longer than any other string or string combos I've tried.

 

[Power Player]

If you look at a regular synthetic gut versus a multi, I'll take the multi but sometimes multis are 4 or 5 times more expensive and they are not 4 or 5 times better!

I personally hate the feel of multis. They are not crisp at all, and have this distinct muted feel to them that ruins it for me.

 

[Keifers]

I agree. I love SG. I do lose some accuracy compared to when I throw poly in a hybrid though. I also sacrifice durability. But it feels like how my sticks felt growing up. I hit with Sgut at 65#s as a junior. There was no poly, and I still hit with heavy spin.

For me, the best possible is Wilson Stamina. Nothing has given me the feel of this string. I may try the POSG again just to see, but everything feels right with Stamina for me. It also is insanely loud when you hit, which is a shock if you have been using poly for a while.

Besides the low cost, Sgut is also real easy on your body. you can always go back to it when you need to rest your joints. Also for me, as a new stringer, it is far easier to string then polys.

The negative is that I will break strings faster and I lose a bit of accuracy. It is a little tougher to paint the lines and get shots to drop in. But I still get heavy spin with Sgut, it's just not as "sharp".

Well said, especially the bolded comment. And your observation about the loss of some accuracy compared with a poly hybrid.

If you do try POSG again, I'd be very interested in your assessment of POSG vs. Wilson Stamina.

 

[Valjean]

I personally hate the feel of multis. They are not crisp at all, and have this distinct muted feel to them that ruins it for me.

In a flexible, thin beam racquet like you and I employ, that's so. In the stiffer, thicker, mainly lighter racquets for which most multis are principally intended, the "mushiness" isn't so evident but the comfort they are known for is.

 

[Power Player]

Thanks Kiefers. You know it is funny you posted that because I just ordered 2 packs of POSG in white today along with more Wilson, so I will be sure and post what I think.

Good point Valjean, but I personally have to go full poly or at least a hybrid with the thicker lighter sticks, or else the ball goes long.

 

[Keifers]

Great.

I've found that the white POSG plays a little stiffer than the gold. Maybe you want to change your order to one of each? Just a thought.. please ignore if you'd rather not.

 

[Keifers]

P.S. To me, the gold POSG feels closer to the original Original. ))

 

[SlapShot]

POSG Gold is a fantastic string that plays well beyond its price tag indicates it would.

 

[mikeler]

I personally hate the feel of multis. They are not crisp at all, and have this distinct muted feel to them that ruins it for me.

I should not say all multis. Just the Maxim Touch 17g I've been using this year. I tried some of the Gamma multis when I bought my stringer 2 years ago and none of them impressed me. My favorite of the free string that came with the Gamma string was plain old synthetic gut 16.

 

[Power Player]

Great.

I've found that the white POSG plays a little stiffer than the gold. Maybe you want to change your order to one of each? Just a thought.. please ignore if you'd rather not.

It's too late, but that's ok. I like stiffer a little better anyway. The Stamina plays a little stiffer and is insanely crisp.

My first serves using a full Stamina bed made me feel like I was 13 again playing tournies the way the ball came off the racquet..lol. It's wierd how that works. I will probably get a similar feel with the Prince.

 

[Keifers]

Looking forward to your comments.

Cheers.

 

[JT Corona]

It's too late, but that's ok. I like stiffer a little better anyway. The Stamina plays a little stiffer and is insanely crisp.

My first serves using a full Stamina bed made me feel like I was 13 again playing tournies the way the ball came off the racquet..lol. It's wierd how that works. I will probably get a similar feel with the Prince.

I currently have PSG Original Gold 16g in my Volkl at 58 lbs. Next time around will take it up to 60 lbs, but this setup does remind me of my junior days as well using frames such as the POG mid and Dunlop Black Max. I recently went back to this old favorite cuz if the X-1 Biphase is the crispest multi out there then perhaps multis aren't for me either.

From what I've noticed, the Duraflex version and Stamina are a bit stiffer than the Original Prince Synthetic. The PSGO is actually kinda soft but not a multi-kind of soft, still crisp yet soft enough for great touch shots (was hitting some amazing drop volleys today). Anyways I hope to test the white for any significant benefits and I'm also very interested in Gosen OGSM tho its not so widely available at shops here.

 

[Power Player]

POSG rates slightly stiffer then the duraflex. I do not know the stiffness rating of Stamina. I did get my POSG in and will string it up to hopefully try out this weekend.

Stamina is still by far my favorite string.

I string high BTW, at 62#s. This may be one reason I like Stamina so much. I strung at 60#s as a junior with POSG, so I am interested in seeing how it feels now.

 

[morten]

i am having a hard time leaving syn. gut strings behind. ive tried nat. gut, polys, hybrids and kevlars. all offer something good but lack something else. syn. gut have the total package.

synthetics offer good feel, easy on the arm, decent durability, and best of all...they are CHEAP!!!

natural gut= are too expensive and dont last.
polys= are hard on the arm
hybrids= always break, usually the poly mains eat through the gut/syn gut crosses.
kelvars= even harder on the arm and do not offer good feel.

imho i think a good syn. gut string is the way to go for most tennis players.

have you ever tried multis? You did not mention that..

 

[gameboy]

Where do you get the idea that nat guts don't last?

I get at least 20% to 40% more court time with all natural gut setup compared to a typical synthetic.

 

[hcelizondo]

I agree with the OP the first thing to look at is SG. Personally I hit with co-poly/SG hybrid but for a couple of reasons:
1) durability. If at least I could get 6 hours out of it i would consider going back to full SG setup
2)Spin. There is nothing better for this than poly (not sure about kevlar i have never tried it and don't want to).

Bottomline it all depens on what you are looking for but I have seen people going away form SG to Poly without even knowing why....

 

[jnd28]

Where do you get the idea that nat guts don't last?

I get at least 20% to 40% more court time with all natural gut setup compared to a typical synthetic.

I agree with this as well. Unless you are a string breaker gut just may be the most economical option. Unlike other strings it maintains its tension and actually plays its best right before it breaks!

JND28

 

[tarkowski]

Try this: Compare the accuracy of any hybrid with a full bed of any string by hitting to a cone at a baseline corner T. Different competing launch angles for the two string types can't achieve the same consistency as the single bed does.

Interesting post Valjean. Contrary to what some of the other posters have cited, I have found your statement to be true for me - or at least I'm thinking this is one explanation.

I have recently moved back to an all-gut setup from a gut-poly setup for this very reason. When pounding from the baseline using limited angles, the hybrid setup allowed me to swing out a tad more (seemed like the poly in the cross would provide a bit of a stop to forward launch) , but with all-court variety and angles, would also leave me with more "I didn't expect that" moments than just a full bed of gut.

With gut being a powerful string, I was perplexed as to why I would play more consistent with it.

 

[babolat king]

have you ever tried multis? You did not mention that..

oh yea i forgot multis, yea i have tried them but didnt really like them. they have too much power for my game, and i hate how they fray. i have never had much luck with them when it comes to durability.

i take big cuts at the ball off both wings and ive always liked a high tension syn gut as compared to everything else.

 

[Power Player]

i take big cuts at the ball off both wings and ive always liked a high tension syn gut as compared to everything else.

Yep same here. Syn gut lasts super long in a racquet if you use it and then put it away for a bit for some reason. I string mine high and have zero arm pain. The feel of crushing a ball with the right syn gut is better then anything else. And if you can hit with heavy spin, you will not need poly as a must have.

Pros can use poly because they get fresh string jobs every match and their career is riding on getting that extra spin and control.

Everyone is different. I just love higher tensions. For my racquet, 65 is considered high. That is why I love it. I can string at 62 and not stress the frame at all. The thin beam gives me the control I need, and the low power allows me to hit out and control my shots. It is an 18x20, so Sgut lasts for me and does not break nearly as fast as the open racquets I owned before.

Its actually pretty cool to go back to "old school" and hit with sgut and still hit harder and with more spin then all the guys with their new poly setups. It makes you remember what really matters, and that is your strokes and your game. You also save money and save your arm.

 

[laff66]

have you syn gut proponents noticed much of a difference between 16 and 17G in the same string? I just posted about all the crazy stringing I've been doing with my new stringer, and the ONLY two that I've liked have been the cheap 16G syn gut that came with it! I thought I was losing my mind since all my other string jobs were 17G in poly, multi, etc. and I've always heard 17G is supposed to play better?? I've tried going higher and higher on the tension and it just doesn't feel as good as the 16G at high tension (63-65lbs). Is it possible that I just like syn gut better, or does 16 vs 17G make that big a difference?

 

[Keifers]

have you syn gut proponents noticed much of a difference between 16 and 17G in the same string? I just posted about all the crazy stringing I've been doing with my new stringer, and the ONLY two that I've liked have been the cheap 16G syn gut that came with it! I thought I was losing my mind since all my other string jobs were 17G in poly, multi, etc. and I've always heard 17G is supposed to play better?? I've tried going higher and higher on the tension and it just doesn't feel as good as the 16G at high tension (63-65lbs). Is it possible that I just like syn gut better, or does 16 vs 17G make that big a difference?

Interesting that you say that because with POSG and Bab Super Fine Play, I much preferred the 16ga versions over the 17ga. The 17ga didn't feel as good, even if I got better bite on the ball; they felt brittle by comparison.

 

[max]

I basically in agreement with the OP. Tried all types of strings over many years and have come back to syn gut for the same reasons above. PSGO is still one of the best, Gosen OG Sheep Micro 16 very good, Forten Sweet 16 and 17 very nice, Leoina 66 is a real surprise packet at the price, Wilson Extreme 16 is a great syn gut at a great price. I'm happy with any of these and can restring when I like without breaking the bank.

Count me in here, too.

One extremely great string is Prince's Synthetic Gut Soft, which was later repackaged and sold as Ektelon Power Play, which you can still buy from racquetwarehouse.com

It's basically a softer (and spin friendly) Prince Original Syn Gut.

 

[Keifers]

Ektelon Power Play is available here at TW as well.

 

[Power Player]

Ok, I strung up the POSG at 62#s and I liked it a lot. It is similar to Stamina. I would still pick stamina as it has something to it that no other string has, but the POSG is definitley the best SGut I have used so far besides it.

I need to hit with it more to get more in depth, but I definitley got my great memories back from the POSG I used to use years ago. I love these crisp Sguts.

 

[SlapShot]

How does Stamina compare feel-wise to POSG?

I strung up a set of POSG 17 in my C10 this weekend, and sadly realize that I don't think I can get away with using it full-time, as I popped a main after 45 minutes on court.

 

[fuzz nation]

I'll bet that the ol' C10's would run okay with some 16 gauge synthetics in there, but I haven't sampled any in a little while. Maybe time to grab a few sets of Prince Original soon.

I've found lots of success with all syn. gut layouts, too. Multi's only work for me in frames that are especially soft and need a little extra life in their response. In terms of cost, I've been too poor lately to even sample some natural gut. But I can dream...

 

[SlapShot]

I strung up a gut/poly hybrid in one of my C10's yesterday and spent a couple of hours on the court. That's a fun setup - Pacific 17 in the main, Kirsh P2 17L in the cross. Awesome, awesome setup. Lots of life.

Just don't think I could justify the price, as I am popping strings with the C10 at a much faster rate that I have with any of the tighter patterned frames I've used in the past couple of years.

 

[Power Player]

How does Stamina compare feel-wise to POSG?

I strung up a set of POSG 17 in my C10 this weekend, and sadly realize that I don't think I can get away with using it full-time, as I popped a main after 45 minutes on court.

They both have a real crisp feel and are pretty similar. But the Stamina may have a little more pop to it. I will have to play more because I am mainly hitting with just the stamina for now until it breaks, so I need a few more days.

 

[Power Player]

Ok..hit more last night with a 5.0 player, so I got to throw heavy pace and spin at a guy who will eat it for breakfast if you make a mistake.

The racquet with stamina's grip got soaked after an hour and I had to change grips or sticks, so I grabbed my POSG and went back to it. I have to say that I barely noticed a difference. I am using the white POSG, and I used to use the POSGD so maybe that is why I was so surprised.

There may be slightly less spin in the POGSD from the stamina, but I could use it just fine. The durability is the biggest thing I will monitor. The POSG is a classic and the best starting point for Sguts. Personally, this is my type of string..crisp and loud and it gives you what you give it. If you hit with heavy spin, you will produce that on your shots.

There is no real reason for me to change from Stamina, unless the POSG lasts longer, but I don't think it will. It is nice to know I have options though. These strings play very similar.

What other strings compare to both of these? Ill buy 1-2 packs experimental each time I buy more Wstamina.

 

[Power Player]

Ok it has been a month alternating Stamina and POSG. The Stamina wins. But it is close.

Stamina lasts longer (no pun intended). I am not saying you will not break it, what I mean is that after it dies a little, then tension maintenance and control is still there. When POSG dies, your game will drop off more. Also, there is more string movement with the POSG

The feel is better with stamina, just a little more satisfaction on sweet spot crushers and a little less vibration on off center hits.

IMO after 5 weeks of swapping , Stamina is a better version of POSG. They are both damn god though.

If you like to string around 58-65, use a tight pattern racquet, can generate heavy spin without needing poly, then you should definitley try it out.

 

[Limpinhitter]

i am having a hard time leaving syn. gut strings behind. ive tried nat. gut, polys, hybrids and kevlars. all offer something good but lack something else. syn. gut have the total package.

synthetics offer good feel, easy on the arm, decent durability, and best of all...they are CHEAP!!!

natural gut= are too expensive and dont last.
polys= are hard on the arm
hybrids= always break, usually the poly mains eat through the gut/syn gut crosses.
kelvars= even harder on the arm and do not offer good feel.

imho i think a good syn. gut string is the way to go for most tennis players.

I'm very hard on strings. I've tried several hybrid combinations without much durability, usually breaking the 7-8th cross from the top after 4-8 hours of hitting. However, I just recently got about 20 hours of hard hitting with Luxilon mains by Babolat synthetic gut crosses with no breakage. The Luxilon did pretty much die at that point. There was some pretty heavy notching in the Lux mains. But, the Babolat crosses were almost unaffected. My conclusion is that the Babolat synthetic gut is about the most durable synth out there. JMHO! YMMV!

Having said that, I'm quiting all poly's now while my arm is still attached.

 

[travlerajm]

???

I can play with syn gut, but why? I like it for power on overheads and flat serves, but that's about it. And I don't really use flat serves. It gives absolutely no bite on the ball unless I use a really flexy frame. Without the bite, I lose all the variety in my game that makes tennis interesting.

I much prefer my Ashaway Kevlar 16/Prince TOurnament Poly 16 combo at low tension that bites the cover off the ball to let me put some tight curl on the ball when I need it. It's significantly lower powered, but feels just as soft as syn gut once it's broken in.

 

[Power Player]

I can play with syn gut, but why? I like it for power on overheads and flat serves, but that's about it. And I don't really use flat serves. It gives absolutely no bite on the ball unless I use a really flexy frame. Without the bite, I lose all the variety in my game that makes tennis interesting.

I much prefer my Ashaway Kevlar 16/Prince TOurnament Poly 16 combo at low tension that bites the cover off the ball to let me put some tight curl on the ball when I need it. It's significantly lower powered, but feels just as soft as syn gut once it's broken in.

Thats cool, but Kevlar and Poly blows. I would rather saw my arm off then use that. The majority of players hit with syn gut just 10 years back, and many still do where I play. It is really personal preference, but to act like using syn gut is crazy and it is fine to use poly and kevlar was pretty funny to read.

 

[Keifers]

Ok it has been a month alternating Stamina and POSG. The Stamina wins. But it is close.

Stamina lasts longer (no pun intended). I am not saying you will not break it, what I mean is that after it dies a little, then tension maintenance and control is still there. When POSG dies, your game will drop off more. Also, there is more string movement with the POSG

The feel is better with stamina, just a little more satisfaction on sweet spot crushers and a little less vibration on off center hits.

IMO after 5 weeks of swapping , Stamina is a better version of POSG. They are both damn god though.

If you like to string around 58-65, use a tight pattern racquet, can generate heavy spin without needing poly, then you should definitley try it out.

Appreciate the comparison, Power Player. I'll have to order some Stamina. Was it 16ga that you used?

 

[Power Player]

Yes, I used 16 gauge. If you are a fan of POSG, I'd be interested in what you think of Stamina.

 

[Keifers]

Yes, I'm a longtime POSG user. It's my reference string among syns. Will definitely post my thoughts on Stamina.