Genesis Synthetic Gut Classic Review and Play Test
String: Genesis Synthetic Gut Classic (16g)
Construction: Synthetic Gut
Racket Used: Babolat Aero Pro Drive
Tension: 60 lbs (about 27 kg)
Previous String in Frame: Genesis Blizzard Synthetic
Cost: $2.90 a set
Strung Date: June 18th
Strings Cut Out: July 8th
Synthetic Gut Classic – What You Need to Know
Most synthetic guts feel, perform, and cost about the same. Generically speaking, if you like the feel of synthetic gut (many players do) I strongly encourage you to visit a site like tennisexpress or tenniswarehouse and buy yourself a nice sampler. A pack of Babolat, Prince, Head, Gosen, Gamma etc. so that over the next 6 or 8 months you have the chance to compare and eventually settle on what feels best to you. Some players are extremely sensitive to different strings and are able to describe in detail every nuisance. On the flip side you might not be able to sense or feel any significant difference. I write this because Genesis Synthetic Gut Classic is similar to Blizzard and Babolat synthetic gut but it costs a bit less. It’s recommended that you restring synthetic gut every 4 to 6 weeks if you’re playing regularly so that $1 or $2 can add up over several years. And/or if you find a synthetic that plays well for you over a longer period of time you can save on the number of restrings.
From my experience synthetic gut classic definitely feels a little stiffer (less pop), seems to have a bit less spin potential and offers a little less feel as compared to Blizzard or Babolat. That being said I think the string is more durable and plays consistently for longer. I probably could have gotten another week out of the string but I needed to restring because of lessons with better players where I needed the topspin potential.
Synthetic Gut Classic – What I Loved
I was surprised at just how consistent this string played over time. I taught with it for a couple of weeks and then played at a pretty high level for a couple of hours. Even after that couple of hours the tension didn’t drop a significant amount and I was able to keep teaching with the string the following day without sensing much of a change. It’s soft on the arm and has a lot of inherent power. It’s a good string for my game because I found I could take a big cut at the ball and it would stay in. Some players may feel the string doesn’t have enough power and if that’s the case you’re only real alternative is natural gut. Like all synthetics the feel is good. The strings didn’t really move on me until the third week and even then it was only minor.
Synthetic Gut Classic – What I Hated
Right off the stringer the strings felt pretty stiff and dead especially compared to Blizzard or Babolat Synthetic. After a couple of hours (the second play) the strings broke in and felt much softer. Definitely whack a few balls into a fence or gently step on both sides of the string bed to speed up the break in process.
Synthetic guts aren’t known for their topspin potential; and I would say Genesis syn gut classic errs on the low end of the “syn gut top spin potential scale.” I didn’t necessarily hate that but there are other synthetics out there that are better in the topspin department. You could turn this trait into a positive if you are looking to temper down excessive spin potential of a poly in a hybrid setup. No other complaints.
Value
Obviously at under $3 this string is a great value especially if you know how to string. For players who want a little extra pop, feel, and spin potential I would say it’s worth the extra 3 quarters to go with Blizzard or Babolat. At a $1.50 for a half set this is a no brainer to try as a cross string in a hybrid setup. I found this string to be pretty durable and to retain tension well so definitely give it a look in a hybrid alongside a spin friendly poly. My gut feeling tells me it would last longer than Blizzard in a hybrid setup but I don’t know that for certain.
Who this string IS for
Like all synthetics this string will work nicely for virtually any player. Specifically this string is targeted at players who prefer the feel of older and relatively “deader” synthetic guts. This string could work nicely as a cross string for very spin friendly polyesters since this string is a little deader and little more durable than Blizzard.
Who this string is NOT for
The only players who really won’t have a good experience with this string are players who take a huge cut at the ball and need to generate a lot of spin. Aka you use spin to push opponents back. I found I could take a big cut at the ball and keep it in the court (hit past people) but the spin potential is pretty low and thus regular rally balls may sit up for your opponents.
Final Verdict
Overall I like the feel of blizzard more but I still had a positive experience with syn gut classic. It’s already one of the more popular strings I stock and although a major factor is cost it plays well to the tune that people are coming back requesting the same thing.
Once I broke it in I liked the power potential and feel. It’s not difficult to blast the ball past people with this synthetic. For the 3 weeks I had the string in I played virtually everyday and didn’t notice a significant drop off in playability or tension as I have with other synthetics. If you’re willing to sacrifice a marginal amount of pop, spin, and feel give it a go. Or if you find something like Blizzard has too much pop Genesis Synthetic Gut Classic would be the first alternative to try.
