Synthetic Gut vs. MultiFilament ?

[TimeToPlaySets]

I want to try a set of strings that are not Poly.
That's all. I think strings are 1% of the outcome.
99% is your swing. So, we don't need to get too technical here.
Can someone suggest a specific name?

What is the "Google" of strings?
Also, Synthetic Gut vs. MultiFilament ?

 

[Deleted member 756272]

Start with this amazing thread.

https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/mikelers-multis.352048/

I got the top ten available at tw from his list to test recently.

 

[Deleted member 756272]

I remember multi feeling amazing but too expensive as a junior. My regular string is reels of Gosen OGSM (synthetic gut) which is $2-3 a string job.

 

[letstakeourshirtsoff]

seems like you learned something today

Syn Gut: low cost all-around solution. great way for starting out. nothing outstanding though, not much power, not much spin, durability often an issue as well. also, most Syn Guts are pretty much alike, with some differences in stiffness and durability due to coatings.

Multis: generally a bit higher powered, not very durable neither, often lack spin.

both Multis and Syn Guts are known to move like crazy, but since you are not in the market for polys, that's something you have to live with I'm afraid.

if I had to make but one suggestion, try Head Velocity MLT (affordable multifilament). average power, good spin for a multi, and also rather durable. In it's affordable price-range it really can't be beat in my humble opinion (also, due to a pretty slick coating, string movement is much less than with other multis).

 

[Deleted member 756272]

@letstakeourshirtsoff Why does string movement matter? I just move them back between points.

 

[letstakeourshirtsoff]

@letstakeourshirtsoff Why does string movement matter? I just move them back between points.

it matters to some; others like you don't care. that's why I thought I'd mention it. Personally, I'm ok with some movement; there are a bunch of multis out there that really move like crazy at lower tensions though.

 

[Deleted member 756272]

it matters to some; others like you don't care. that's why I thought I'd mention it. Personally, I'm ok with some movement; there are a bunch of multis out there that really move like crazy at lower tensions though.

Is there noticeable/measurable changes to spin or control or comfort or whatever attributes from not having the strings straight?

I just move them out of habit and concentration in between hitting.

 

[eelhc]

I want to try a set of strings that are not Poly.
That's all. I think strings are 1% of the outcome.
99% is your swing. So, we don't need to get too technical here.
Can someone suggest a specific name?

What is the "Google" of strings?
Also, Synthetic Gut vs. MultiFilament ?

I'd agree that string setup is less important than stroke mechanics but it's definitely more than 1%. Everything has to work in concert. If I strung up my wife/son/daughter's frames with my string setup they would see more than a 1% difference.

 

[TimeToPlaySets]

SynGut is considered pretty bad, then?
If money is not an issue, then go with MF ?

 

[eelhc]

SynGut is considered pretty bad, then?
If money is not an issue, then go with MF ?

Jim Courier won his majors with synthetic gut.

There is no good or bad. Having the right string setup for YOUR game is what's important.

That all said... If you're thinking about experimenting with multi-filaments... Keep in mind that so long as you're not a string breaker, natural gut will be more economical than a multi. Better tension maintenance, playability, etc...

 

[Deleted member 756272]

SynGut is considered pretty bad, then?
If money is not an issue, then go with MF ?

I don't think of it like good vs bad but the car you drive everyday vs the car you take out for a joy ride. I used to do multis on birthdays and tourneys for that extra mental edge.

Only started reconsidering multis bc someone pointed out on my wrist injury thread that there are multis that are softer than the Gosen OGSM. If you look at the string comparison tool on twu, they do rate multis as softer than synth guts.

But, I might have good memories of multis bc I made them special in my mind. Whats infallible is that the average multi is softer/more comfort than synth gut.

PS, I really like synth gut! I do recall multis breaking faster than synth gut, but a reel of Gamma Livewire is only 2x Gosen which ups your string job to $4-5 a pop.

Other synth guts I liked: Babolat Synth Gut, Prince Synth Gut
Multis I liked: Babolat Xcel, Gamma Livewire > TNT, Wilson NXT > Sensation

 

[TimeToPlaySets]

I want to see if I am a string breaker.
I do not break Poly, and I cut it out after 20 hours.

I want to see how long it takes to break a non-Poly.

 

[Deleted member 756272]

I want to see if I am a string breaker.
I do not break Poly, and I cut it out after 20 hours.

I want to see how long it takes to break a non-Poly.

Haha! I haven't tried poly yet! Curious though...

Synth guts usually last 5-7 hours for me.

You should try both and see which one feels better for your arm and for your wallet.

 

[letstakeourshirtsoff]

Is there noticeable/measurable changes to spin or control or comfort or whatever attributes from not having the strings straight?

I just move them out of habit and concentration in between hitting.

yes there is;

1) spin relies on both the snap-back effect and the strings 'grabbing' the ball. a string that tends to move a lot has bad snap back to begin with, and once the strings are out of place, you have 'holes' in your stringbed where there is no string to actually grab the ball, thus you're losing spin on both fronts.
2) once the strings moved during a rally, your stringbed will have an inconsistent response to a certain degree due to the assymetry caused by out-of-place strings.

 

[letstakeourshirtsoff]

SynGut is considered pretty bad, then?
If money is not an issue, then go with MF ?

if money is not an issue, go with either a fullbed of natural gut or a hybrid consisting of nat gut and a soft poly (isospeed cream for example doesn't exactly feel as harsh as most polys; lot's of people who dislike the feel of poly actually give this string good reviews).

just keep in mind that once you start hybriding, you're entering yet another rabbit hole. do I put the nat gut in the mains and the poly in the crosses or vice versa? whilst there are some genereic answers to these kinda questions (namely nat gut mains / poly crosses offering more comfort, feel and playability whereas a poly mains / nat gut cross hybrid tends to last longer and generate more spin), it really is up to you to experiment and find something that suits your needs.

 

[Christian Olsson]

I want to try a set of strings that are not Poly.
That's all. I think strings are 1% of the outcome.
99% is your swing. So, we don't need to get too technical here.
Can someone suggest a specific name?

What is the "Google" of strings?
Also, Synthetic Gut vs. MultiFilament ?

And then there’s Babolat Origin. A fantastic string that’s neither a multi or a syngut. Tremendous feel and if you play a varied game and not too depending on too much spin game ala Nadal it’s very good. But expensive. A string everyone should try once.

 

[TimeToPlaySets]

What is the basic deal with natural gut ?
Am I really going to feel any difference from Synth?
Does it hold tension? Can I keep playing it until it breaks?

 

[letstakeourshirtsoff]

What is the basic deal with natural gut ?
Am I really going to feel any difference from Synth?
Does it hold tension? Can I keep playing it until it breaks?

1) nat gut has the lowest stiffness rating amongst all string type which translates into great feel and comfort
2) as syn gut is much stiffer there's definitely a difference in feel, and also in power
3) nothing holds tension as well as nat gut. yes you can play it till it breaks


this is a great sticky about most of the stuff you want to know:
https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/strings-stringing-faq-popular-topics.217127/

 

[TimeToPlaySets]

Is nat. gut harder to string ?

 

[Deleted member 756272]

Is nat. gut harder to string ?

Pain in the rear.

Prestretch, triple check you're not clamping too hard, don't let it touch the floor (pick up dirt), go slowly, no crimping... It's very delicate!

Similar to stringing poly, and I'm assuimng you've been stringing poly so shouldn't be that big of a deal.

 

[Deleted member 756272]

1) nat gut has the lowest stiffness rating amongst all string type which translates into great feel and comfort
2) as syn gut is much stiffer there's definitely a difference in feel, and also in power
3) nothing holds tension as well as nat gut. yes you can play it till it breaks


this is a great sticky about most of the stuff you want to know:
https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/strings-stringing-faq-popular-topics.217127/

Thanks! I've been looking for something like this.

 

[Ramon]

What is the basic deal with natural gut ?
Am I really going to feel any difference from Synth?
Does it hold tension? Can I keep playing it until it breaks?

The idea behind synthetic gut was to make it play as close to natural gut as possible. They did a good job of it, but they didn't quite get there. That's why people are still willing to pay big bucks for natural gut. I've used natural gut in the past. I like how it plays, but personally, I think some of the better synthetics are so close it doesn't matter. I stopped using natural gut when I broke a string and picked up an identical racquet strung with Prince Premier Control and figured out that for less than half the price my game was just as good. Natural gut does maintain tension, but only if you keep it dry. If you get any moisture on it from a drizzle of rain or from balls that picked up moisture from fairly wet courts, you will lose more tension in that one day than you would have ever lost with a synthetic.

 

[2nd Serve Ace]

I want to see if I am a string breaker.
I do not break Poly, and I cut it out after 20 hours.

I want to see how long it takes to break a non-Poly.

Just go ahead and put technifibre biphase 16 in @ 60 and see what happens.

If you can make 20 hours (or close) than stick with it.

 

[fuzz nation]

I want to try a set of strings that are not Poly.
That's all. I think strings are 1% of the outcome.
99% is your swing. So, we don't need to get too technical here.
Can someone suggest a specific name?

What is the "Google" of strings?
Also, Synthetic Gut vs. MultiFilament ?

I've been stringing at home for several years and syn. gut is my favorite stuff. It's moderately soft, which is a priority for me, but it doesn't feel so mushy that I can't tell the difference between good and bad contact. It also doesn't react to temperature swings as dramatically as other string types, especially poly. I'll drop tension with my syn. gut by about five pounds when I have to play outside in the cold, but otherwise this string pretty much "does what it's told" as far as my needs go.

My typical disappointment with multifibers is their tendency to steadily degrade - soften up - as they're used on the courts. If they start at a tension that gives me reasonable firmness, they usually go soft on me after only a few hits. I can compensate for this by increasing tension so that they can sort of settle in, but that means that they're going to be too hard for me when they're fresh. Premium multis are also relatively expensive, so I easily find better bang for my buck with a reel of syn. gut.

If you play a frame that has a dense string pattern, I'd say 17 ga. syn. gut is the better bet. Most open patterns - the two models I regularly play have 16x19 layouts - run better for bigger hitters with 16 ga. syn. gut, but I like the feel I usually find from a 17 ga. option. It's easy for me to restring whenever I want so the less superlative durability of the lighter gauge is no biggie for me.

Kirschbaum's standard syn. gut by the reel has been my favorite for a little while. It has the same middle-of-the-road firmness as other syn. guts like Volkl Classic and Prince Original (not Duraflex) syn. gut. Gosen OG Sheep Micro is a stand-out in this family that I like to use as a cross for any "customer" who wants a basic poly hybrid. The Gosen usually plays slightly more firm than average, but Prince SG w/Duraflex is probably the most rigid syn. gut I've used. Kirshbaum's Premium SG isn't bad, but it didn't thrill me in any way that justified its costing almost twice as much as their regular syn. gut. In case you want to sample a syn. gut that's almost as soft as a lot of multis, try Forten Sweet 16.

 

[Traffic]

I want to see if I am a string breaker.
I do not break Poly, and I cut it out after 20 hours.

I want to see how long it takes to break a non-Poly.

Try Wilson NXT strung slightly higher than mid-tension for your racquet. It's a good multi that doesn't last particularly long.
S-gut like OGSM should last longer, but get less spin.

There's a small following for Head Velocity (full bed or hybrid with a soft co-poly) because of its decent spin for a multi, low-mid power, muted feel; all of which are not typical traits of multi. But it is comfortable and holds its tension well.

Try stringing three racquets with three different s-gut/multi and play with them. Keep one racquet with fresh RPM (since that's what you know best) as control.

Warm up with your control racquet. Then after about 15min of play, switch to one of your test racquets and play out the remainder of the practice. Take notes on:
Power - with my normal swing, does the ball land shorter or farther than what I'm used to?
Spin - with my normal swing, is there more/less spin on the ball?
Accuracy - with my normal swing, am I hitting the target more consistently?
Comfort - does my arm feel more/less sore after playing?

 

[Deleted member 756272]

This got me thinking... Hybrid multi mains and synth gut crosses? I started researching this on old postings here and seems like there's a there there.

Gonna try 16g multis on the main with Gosen OGSM 17g on crosses.

The idea is to have the higher quality, softer string on the mains and use synth gut crosses to provide support since multis lose elasticity quicker than synth gut.

 

[letstakeourshirtsoff]

This got me thinking... Hybrid multi mains and synth gut crosses? I started researching this on old postings here and seems like there's a there there.

Gonna try 16g multis on the main with Gosen OGSM 17g on crosses.

The idea is to have the higher quality, softer string on the mains and use synth gut crosses to provide support since multis lose elasticity quicker than synth gut.

not all multis lose elasticity faster than syn gut as far as I know. The big plus with the hybrid you mentioned is affordability imo; you can pair one of the higher priced multis with a syn gut and significantly reduce cost.

 

[TimeToPlaySets]

Is NTX Poly? The word Poly is in the description

• Combination of polyester and polyamide fibers

https://www.amazon.com/Wilson-Control-Tennis-Racquet-String/dp/B00GKQGKVQ

 

[letstakeourshirtsoff]

Is NTX Poly? The word Poly is in the description

• Combination of polyester and polyamide fibers

https://www.amazon.com/Wilson-Control-Tennis-Racquet-String/dp/B00GKQGKVQ

the string in your link is NXT control, not NXT; those are different strings.

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Wilson_NXT_16_String_Natural/descpageACWILSON-NXT16.html

as you can see, regular NXT is indeeda multifilament string and if TW's endorsement information can be trusted, the string is actually used by Maddy Keys.

edit: NXT control also seems to be a multifilament with even lower stiffness:

when in doubt, always check for string stiffness; there are some polys out there playing pretty soft nowadays. on the other hand, if stiffness rating is above 200, it's pretty much safe to say it's a poly and a rather harsh one at that.

 

[fuzz nation]

This got me thinking... Hybrid multi mains and synth gut crosses? I started researching this on old postings here and seems like there's a there there.

Gonna try 16g multis on the main with Gosen OGSM 17g on crosses.

The idea is to have the higher quality, softer string on the mains and use synth gut crosses to provide support since multis lose elasticity quicker than synth gut.

The multi mains are already softer than the syn. gut crosses and they also "saw" back and forth against the crosses during play. I'd expect 17 ga. OGSM crosses to cut into the multi mains more quickly than a thicker 16 ga. option. The lighter gauge syn. gut cross might have better feel (I use 17 ga. syn. gut most of the time in my own frames), but the thicker 16 ga. ought to be fine as long as the tension isn't too high.

I do agree that there's a there there. I've experimented with a hybrid of multi mains and syn. gut crosses, but decided that I can get everything I want with full beds of syn. gut at the right tension. If I needed to rely on the softness of a multifiber though, this sort of hybrid would probably be my try.

 

[Moveforwardalways]

Start with Wilson NXT. The most common string out there. Base everything else off of that.

 

[IowaGuy]

What is the basic deal with natural gut ? Am I really going to feel any difference from Synth? Does it hold tension? Can I keep playing it until it breaks?

Nat gut also has amazing touch/feel. Think McEnroe, Edberg, Sampras, Rafter for soft touch with nat gut strings.

Also more power than any other string. In fact, Courier used synthetic because Nat Gut was too powerful! Even in his 85" frame

 

[eelhc]

Nat gut also has amazing touch/feel. Think McEnroe, Edberg, Sampras, Rafter for soft touch with nat gut strings.

Also more power than any other string. In fact, Courier used synthetic because Nat Gut was too powerful! Even in his 85" frame

IowaGuy...

Off topic but have you played All Iowa Lawn Tennis Club?

http://www.alliowalawntennisclub.com/court_res.html

 

[IowaGuy]

IowaGuy...

Off topic but have you played All Iowa Lawn Tennis Club?

http://www.alliowalawntennisclub.com/court_res.html

No. Sounds fun but I don't live there anymore!

Man, that court looks sweet!!!

 

[TimeToPlaySets]

I bought a pack of gamma TNT 17

 

[Notirouswithag]

Are you going to try it in a hybrid or as a full bed? Either way report back and let us know your thoughts.

ALso as mentioned give WIlson NXT a try, it is a very comfortable multi but it doesent last long and frays well before it snaps; which is standard to how multi's play

I myself am a multi/co-poly person and have found great success with hybriding either of them.

 

[TypeRx]

If you want a non-poly but like the performance of poly with a bit more liveliness/power, try out Ashaway Monogut ZX Pro. It can be used as a hybrid (either as a cross or main) with syn gut (cross), poly (cross or main), NG (main), or in full bed. Just know that ZX benefits from a healthy pre-stretch as this appears to massively reduce tension loss and increase life quite a bit (much longer than a poly, I believe).

 

[TimeToPlaySets]

I am sticking with mainstream stuff right now, partly just to know the basic paradigms.

I will see how long the TNT 17 lasts.
Does it hold tension until it pops?

 

[Traffic]

I am sticking with mainstream stuff right now, partly just to know the basic paradigms.

I will see how long the TNT 17 lasts.
Does it hold tension until it pops?

Have you decided what tension you will string at?

 

[Notirouswithag]

to mirror traffic, what racquet?

 

[TimeToPlaySets]

2012 Pure Drive.
I string at 56-58 with Poly.
Not sure what to string TNT at.

 

[graycrait]

Off topic but have you played All Iowa Lawn Tennis Club?

I've played there and I PM'd you. If you are anywhere near that place in season you need to go. The owner is a great guy. I live 700 miles south but have occasion to get up that way to visit relatives.


http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/news...rican_builds_replica_centre_courtin_iowa.html

http://globegazette.com/news/local/...cle_c12af450-8114-5217-92a9-87f4047f19b2.html

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/if-you-build-it-they-will-come-proves-true-for-tennis-in-iowa-too/

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2014/08/23/sports/tennis/23tennis-courts-photoessay.html

http://qctimes.com/news/local/you-r...cle_7e96ba72-9e9d-5b93-9d5c-4a0e99caa80c.html

https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/life/2016/06/21/tennis-field-dreams-wimbledon/86176382/

https://www.traveliowa.com/getinspireddetails/wimbledon-of-the-west/243/

http://www.tennisindustrymag.com/articles/2017/06/20_passionate_players_rallying.html

 

[Notirouswithag]

2012 Pure Drive.
I string at 56-58 with Poly.
Not sure what to string TNT at.

try TNT at 56 then. are you doing full bed?

 

[Deleted member 756272]

try TNT at 56 then. are you doing full bed?

Others have recommend -10% when you go from non-poly to poly. Should @TimeToPlaySets go higher since his tension with poly is already high?

Although, 60+ seems a bit high these days. I went from synth gut at 60 during juniors to mid 40s these days...

 

[esgee48]

Poly at 56-58 in a Pure Drive is tight. 17 Ga TNT (not sure what string this really is) is not going to last long on a PD since OP will need to up tension to 62-64. 56-58 SG will feel too loose compared to poly.

 

[Traffic]

Poly at 56-58 in a Pure Drive is tight. 17 Ga TNT (not sure what string this really is) is not going to last long on a PD since OP will need to up tension to 62-64. 56-58 SG will feel too loose compared to poly.

Glad you chimed in.
I'm still perplexed at where the original tension of 56-58 came from. Who recommended it? Was it just strung that way when @TimeToPlaySets bought his first Pure Drive?

It seems like many are playing RPM blast upper 40s to low 50s.

 

[esgee48]

Have no idea who recommended that tension or how OP ended up there. Most players I string for using PD/APD type frames are using 16 Ga zombie polys 48-52. The ones that can afford the good stuff like BBO or ALU string their own now except when they give me enough lead time. But still, they're breaking 16 Ga in < 10 hours. 17 Ga is way too short lived for my clients. Not as bad as Jolly, but a few hours and their strings are done using 17 Ga. [I tell them to slice like an old lady!]

 

[Traffic]

Have no idea who recommended that tension or how OP ended up there. Most players I string for using PD/APD type frames are using 16 Ga zombie polys 48-52. The ones that can afford the good stuff like BBO or ALU string their own now except when they give me enough lead time. But still, they're breaking 16 Ga in < 10 hours. 17 Ga is way too short lived for my clients. Not as bad as Jolly, but a few hours and their strings are done using 17 Ga. [I tell them to slice like an old lady!]

Well, HyperG 18 goes dead for my son in 12hrs. He probably hits a tad harder and with more spin than TTPS. Sonny boy also was breaking NXT in about 15hrs. But that was two years ago. He'd break HyperG17/OGSM in about 15hrs (OGSM cross). Similar with Velocity as a cross.

I am really curious to see what @TimeToPlaySets thinks of S-gut and multi. He uses good topspin strokes. But the poly makes it a little easier for that. Also, if tension is not right for sgut or multi, the ball can go sailing pretty easily with less TS.

 

[LaZeR]

I want to try a set of strings that are not Poly. That's all. I think strings are 1% of the outcome. 99% is your swing. So, we don't need to get too technical here. ...

This was exactly also my mode of thinking before FINALLY trying Natural Gut.

What is the basic deal with natural gut? Am I really going to feel any difference from Synth? Does it hold tension? Can I keep playing it until it breaks?

For decades I avoided Natural Gut (NG) thinking it's "not a big whoop", "too expensive", Poly mains are best, etc, and basically never gave NG a 2nd thought nor believed all the hype. A couple years ago I found Tier 2 Natural Gut which comes at a discount from big name brands, gave it a shot, soon thereafter joined the NG bandwagon so to speak, and discovered that everything people say is true.

Further to many comments already posted, NG is, and has always been, considered the King of Strings, and trending right now a NG/Poly hybrid is the Holy Grail of string patterns in terms of ergonomics, feel, performance, playability - most pros also attest to this - and for many recreational players it turns out that NG is also the most economical.

Apparently NG holds tension better than any other type of tennis string, and lots of folks say you can in fact play with it on your racquet until it breaks. If hybrid with Poly or Syn Gut or Multi, keep the NG on your mains, and just cut out & re-string crosses whenever necessary.

Once again I never believed any of this before, but after converting to NG/Poly hybrids a couple years ago, I found that even with the higher cost of NG, if you're NOT a string breaker, NG/Poly hybrids CAN actually be the most convenient & economical because: a) NG lasts SO LONG, b) you can play with the SAME stringbed literally for months & months before having to re-string thereby also less stress on your racquets, and c) cross strings ARE SO CHEAP.

But, all of this applies even more so if you get Tier 2 Natural Gut from discount wholesalers. Give Natural Gut a shot... and let us know how it goes.

 

[Notirouswithag]

Others have recommend -10% when you go from non-poly to poly. Should @TimeToPlaySets go higher since his tension with poly is already high?

Although, 60+ seems a bit high these days. I went from synth gut at 60 during juniors to mid 40s these days...

If its a softer multi it wont last long and upping the tension will make it fray quicker and tighter usually means more control. since its a softer string in his Pure Drive I dont think he will need to go higher than 56-58

I just reccomended trying 56 because its what TTPS says ge usually strings his poly at.