Category Archives: Natural Gut String
A Hybrid View…Part 2
Let’s Look at a Hybrid Graph
A client asked, ” Would putting natural gut in the cross string instead of the main string create a softer string bed?”
That question is the precursor to the graph below, so I will let the video tell the story.
This graph does not reflect the stiffness of polyester string. So, in any format, a natural gut may help soften the string bed if polyester is used.
Head Gravity Tour 98 Review Duex
After playing with the Head Gravity Tour 98 consistently for several weeks, this racquet has continued to impress me.
Head Gravity Tour 98
I personally prefer my string tension rather high- between 53 and 55 lbs. I tend to be sensitive to tension fluctuations. I only noticed a decline in my play when the tension dropped below 50 lbs. That being said, I had a full bed of Ashaway Monogut ZX strung at 55 which lasted probably 8 weeks or longer while playing 3 to 4 times a week.
The frame was recently restrung with a hybrid setup of natural gut and Ashaway Monogut ZX. I love this setup. Between the strings and the frame, the feel is almost silky when hitting a ball. I feel confident that I can put the ball where I want it with enough topspin to reduce errors. Touch shots like drop shots or slice backhands are easier with this racquet than with most I’ve played with.
My serve was one area of my game that didn’t come quickly during the first demo with this racquet, which I spoke about in my first review. However, that has changed and now I’ve found that I can hit both flat serves with pace and an effective slice serve.
I know that I will be ordering one of these racquets when they’re released and that’s the best recommendation that I can give.
Pro Stock Limited Reserve
This is a high-performance string that has gone unnoticed for a while and I don’t know why!
Pro Stock Limited Reserve is a string we purchased because it has interesting characteristics that appealed to us however the client base is small. Recently, however, with the number of players that are moving away from a polyester string, this has become a popular alternative!
Pro Stock Limited Reserve
In a word, this plot looks very much like that of natural gut, and whatever you think natural gut is still considered the best performance material for racquet string!
What are we seeing here:
- Linearity, the more linear the string the more consistent (predictable)
- Elongation, at 33.1 mm at 50 pounds
- Elasticity, 71.9 %
- This is the area where the advantages of pre-stretching will be seen.
- The curve will become essentially one line meaning the string returns to a nominal length after stretching.
- Ultimate Tensile Strength, 163.6 pounds to fail (high), @107.2 mm deflection
- Knot strength, @102.4 pounds, and surpasses natural gut in this property.
What we can’t see in the plot is the construction of this multifilament string. Each strand is a thin, flat ribbon of polyolefin material. The ribbons are much like the natural gut.
The plot below is a comparison of natural gut string and is included as a visual to compare to Pro Stock Limited Reserve and show how much natural gut fibers are the same for any string manufacturer. Of course, manufacturing techniques, bonding agents, and coatings make the difference between a good gut and a not-so-good gut!
If you compare the Pro Stock Limited Reserve to natural gut you can quickly see why it may be a good string to try!
Racquet Quest, LLC
