Tips for using PACIFIC natural gut strings

Are there any tricks that will make natural gut tennis racquet strings last longer?

Yes, many.

The most traumatic experience any string ever goes through is the stringing process, particularly when stringing the crosses. We always apply a thin coat of wax to any string to act as a protective lubricant during stringing, it is a must for gut. Keep the string clean, if you wipe the string down with a top quality Carnauba car wax after play it will; remove grit, reapply a protective lubricant, and protect against water. The resulting improvement in string durability and performance life are dramatic and well worth the bother.

Care and feeding

Like nylon, polyester, Kevlar or any other racquet string material, natural gut is sensitive to moisture and especially grit. Moisture makes nylon loose tension, and both nylon and natural gut loose liveliness. Grit imbeds into the surface turns the strings into sandpaper that cuts through strings. By the way, moisture means humidity in the air, not using it as an emergency fish net.

Where should my racquet be stored?

Treat it as you would your favorite child. Not too hot, not too cold, not too damp and not to dry. Ideal is 60^o to 85^o F. and a relative humidity of 60% to 75%. Never leave any racquet or string (even our competitors) in a hot car, they will be ruined. When in extreme climates, keep the racquet in the shade and in it’s thermal case when you are not using it.

String savers

They are little spacers that go between the strings at the points where they touch each other. They decrease friction and prolong string life. Many pros use them, particularly when a string starts to fray. They actually carry the insertion tool in their pockets and put them in during a match. If you place a string saver at cross points were a string is starting to fray as soon as you see the problem you can double or triple the string’s playing life. Remember it is not necessary to put them at every cross point, only where needed. If you are experiencing excessive tension loss, string savers can be placed at every cross point. This will bring your tension up two pounds or so, and give the strings slightly more “bite” on the ball.

Gut-friendly racquets

Natural gut is more like a Ferrari than a Ford — it sure can go fast, but it does not like dirt roads. In order to get the most out of natural gut strings you should make sure that the grommets in your racquet are in excellent condition. I would also suggest going a bit farther and flaring any which the string has to make a turn coming into or out of.