Ashaway MonoGut ZX String Review

[@tenniswarehouse]

@Sasaan Keshtmand, To tag on to Andy's response, with a powerful string like this, a higher tension might get you more spin. Spin is primarily going to come from racquet head speed -- the faster you swing, the faster you can spin the ball. If the string is playing too powerfully with a low tension, it will force the player to hold back and not swing fast. A higher, more controlled tension can give the player confidence to swing faster. Chris, TW

[@gavlatennis2824]

This string really needs a thorough pre-stretch to get the best out of it. In stock form, it's pretty wild. When pre-stretched and used as a cross with a poly in the mains, both strung at higher tensions eg. upper 50s, it plays well.

[@tenniswarehouse]

@ 1vinurame, The only difference is the gauge. ZX Pro is a thinner 17 gauge, whereas regular Monogut ZX is 16 gauge. Andy, TW

[@tenniswarehouse]

@ MrAbhithapar, Using a shock dampener is merely a personal choice. Some people like the feel with it, and some prefer to play without one. It's simply a personal decision and doesn't affect the playability very much at all. Andy, TW

[@tenniswarehouse]

@ kingslave021, This is a new type of string made of the material Zyex, which is supposed to be the softest string other than natural gut. It bridges the gap between natural gut and nylon multifilament strings. Andy, TW

[@tenniswarehouse]

@ vsznifer, It's the previous iteration, the Yonex VCore 100 S. Andy, TW

[@tenniswarehouse]

@ Bob Jones, This will be softer and more powerful than Volkl Cyclone Tour. You might want to go up to 57 lbs in order to get a similar response to your Cyclone Tour. Andy, TW

[@bradleycranford8557]

Were the play-testers frames strung by Ashaway's stringing recommendations for MonoGut ZX? Pre-stretching is vital in allowing the string to reach its maximum potential. What stringing machine was used? If a constant-pull was used, it is advisable to use the pre-stretch setting. On a lock-out machine, double pulling is the best technique.

[@tenniswarehouse]

@Bradley Cranford, For this playtest, I pre-stretched this string by hand (with floating clamps), for about 30-45 seconds. I also did a double-pull, while stringing on a Prince NEOS 1000 lock-out. This string had pretty good performance, and was quite unique, but I still prefer my usual co-poly strings at lower tensions. Troy, TW

[@tenniswarehouse]

@ TRASHoftheTITANS, If you frequently break strings, then you'll get more than enough durability out of the 17 gauge. You're stringer is correct that since it is a thinner gauge you will get less durability, but if you don't break strings then you shouldn't have any issue. Polyester strings are in general very difficult to break. Andy, TW

[@tenniswarehouse]

@ Sasaan Keshtmand, Depending on how slick a string's surface is, a decrease in tension may promote more string movement and snapback, thus increasing the spin potential. Andy, TW

[@Channel_Yo]

How does Ashaway MonoGut Pro 17 compare to Dynamite Soft 18?

[@tenniswarehouse]

@ whyjustbecos, This would be a great string for you to try, along with a nice multifilament like Tecnifibre NRG2. Try stringing at 57 lbs and see what you think. Andy, TW

[@tenniswarehouse]

@ SoulStatement, Head RIP Control would be a good one to try, along with Isospeed Professional. Andy, TW

[@tenniswarehouse]

@phillip391984, For me, Tecnifibre X-One Biphase is the most gut-like. NRG2 is up there, too. Wilson NXT and Babolat Xcel are also good multis. Chris, TW

[@phillip391984]

@tenniswarehouse. Andy or Chris, is this string or NRG2 or anyother multi, which provides playabilty closest to natural gut? Thanks for answer. Love your product review, all from shoes to racket strings!

[@benvance3663]

Hi, I am experimenting with different string setups currently. I am using Volkl Cyclone Tour strung at 53lbs. I was wondering how this string would compare.

[@tonygareth221]

I’m going to try a full bed of this but how is it blended with a poly???

[@tenniswarehouse]

Could definitely be worth a try. It is a bit softer or elastic than most polys, so if you want a softer feel that could be a fun hybrid to try. Troy, TW

[@TRASHoftheTITANS]

Nice vid, but I have a question related to another string. Going by good reviews, I just purchased a pack of Tourna Big Hitter Blue 17. When took it to get strung, my stringer warned me that it may not last long due to it being a 17 gauge (I went for 17 gauge as I heard that the feel was better.) I am only 13 and have never broken a string before. Also, Tourna claim that BH Blue is one of the most durable strings around. So my question is, how long can I expect these to last?

[@kingslave021]

So is this a new type of string? I'm abit confused.

[@sasaankeshtmand9090]

Does an increase or decrease in tension affect spin at all ?

[@whyjustbecos]

Would this be a good string to try for me to try as I can't cope with poly string anymore even in hybrid since a wrist injury. I previously used black code at 54lb in Head IG Radical pro since the injury healed I have used sonic pro synth gut hybrid but found in less than 5 hours the strings start 'sticking' and hurt my wrist. Also what multies would you recomend for someone whating lower power and spin and what tension going from poly at 54lb. Thanks

[@SoulStatement]

For multifilament strings I need a string that has decent tension maintenance. It has to be soft yet not as powerful as most multi's. Are there any strings you would recommend?

[@vsznifer]

is this the yonex vcore xi 100 ???

[@balaji21121109]

1. I need to give this one to a local stringer who may not very highly technical and might have just strung polys 95% of his life. What should i tell him? Is pre stringing non negotiable? 2. Can i have this is a hybrid setup this way - monogut mains, multi cross at high or mid 50s? 3. How arm friendly is this string even at 60 or 62?

[@tenniswarehouse]

You can pre-stretch it, but it isn't necessary. You can definitely use it in a hybrid. I would rate this string as more comfortable than most polys, but maybe not as comfortable as most multi strings. Troy, TW

[@s3ab0zz97]

Hi Tennis Warehouse After getting advice from some friends whom are higher ranked on my team, they recommended not to go with two polys. After some research, I'm replacing the Kirschbaum Pro Line with the Ashaway Monogut ZX Pro, and to hybrid it with the same Luxilon Savage. Could I hybrid them and if so, what tension should each string be? Thanks!

[@tenniswarehouse]

+Sebastian Rodriguez , That will certainly work just fine. Try stringing at 53 lbs and see what you think. Andy, TW

[@ShakurasStalker]

Durability wise, how does this string stack up to polys? Is it more durable than RPM blast?

[@tenniswarehouse]

+Gerop , Monogut ZX will not be as durable as a polyester string, including RPM Blast. Andy, TW

[@1vinurame]

Hey, how does this differ from the ashaway zx pro?

[@VeganViolaPlayer]

Gauge

[@justmercuriciodide]

NRG-2 is so overrated in terms of being gut-like. It isn't that much. I used to play with Babolat VS Team in my ProStaff 85 and I tried "gut-like" NRG-2 and it was like hitting with a plastic board. There was no comparison really. The only difference is that it was a little better than playing with a plastic brick like Prince Synthetic Gut Duraflex. Dynamite, which is Zyex, is a lot better than NRG-2, despite the tendency of cross strings to lose the coating (don't burn when you pull). I haven't tried this but my friend uses it and loves it. He says it's better than NRG-2, which isn't surprising.