Alpha Gut 2000 String Review

Control - Score: 78 / Power - Score: 79

Although our playtesters couldn't agree on the exact power level of Gut 2000, they were both impressed by how easy it was to control the power. As someone who plays exclusively with low-powered polyesters, Marco didn't have much trouble adjusting to a livelier string. He said, "This is the first multi string I've playtested, and the first thing I noticed was more power return on my shots. The ball really sprung off the stringbed. This string offered more effortless access to power than the polys I'm used to, but it still gave me enough control to execute my typical strokes and be consistent."

Chris enjoyed the control he got from Gut 2000. He said, "I was very impressed by the level of control I found from this string. I was able to take full cuts at the ball without having to worry too much about overhitting. This is one of the more control-oriented multis I've hit, and it trumps Head's Reflex MLT, which had also really impressed me on a recent playtest. I wasn't getting as much power as I get from a string like Tecnifibre NRG2, but the lower power level gave me more confidence in generating my own power."

Spin - Score: 75

The high (and sometimes unruly) power level of multifilament strings makes it harder for a player to apply the vicious head speed required for effective spin. This helps explain why Chris was so impressed with Gut 2000, which turned out to be one of those rare multis that permitted faster strokes without sacrificing control. He said, "I was pleasantly surprised at the level of spin I got from this string. While it wasn't anything like the spin I get from a poly-based string, I did find enough grab to get my shots to dip quickly inside the lines. I was seeing some nice movement on my serves as well, with my slice biting nicely. My angles and lobs had good topspin, so I was able to get the ball to dip well. I think the lower powered response helped here because it encouraged me to swing harder. I was able to turn my racquet head speed into lots of spin and that further increased the control I found from this string."

Although this string didn't give Marco the bite he gets from a poly, he was still able to generate enough RPMs to bring the ball down on schedule. He said, "I wasn't getting crazy amounts of spin with this string, but there was enough there to feel in control of my shots. There wasn't the grip and grab from this string that I'm accustomed to with the polys I play with."

Comfort - Score: 92

For our crew, the most prominent feature of Gut 2000 was its undeniably high comfort level. Marco was more than a little impressed. He said, "This was, by far, one of the most comfortable strings I've played with. There wasn't any shock or discomfort no matter where the ball hit the stringbed. Also, this string pocketed the ball nicely, providing a nice and comfortable feel for my arm and wrist."

Chris also appreciated the extremely arm-friendly ride. He said, "I loved the soft and plush feel from this string. I could feel the ball sink into the stringbed, and that resulted in a soft and smooth feel through contact. This is a great string for players seeking comfort. At its price, Gut 2000 is tough to beat on comfort. Even in a stiffer beamed racquet, this string is going to up the comfort level."

Feel - Score: 86

After comfort, the second highest score for this playtest was awarded to feel. Although our crew typically prefers the firmer feel of polyester, both players were more than satisfied with the softer feel of Gut 2000. For Chris, this multi managed to feel soft without being mushy, which is key for control. He explained, "The feel of this string was soft, yet it wasn't overly soft and mushy. I liked the fact that the string offered great comfort but still had me feeling connected to the ball. I felt like I could consistently measure depth and direction with this string. I was dialed in on my touch shots, and I liked how the soft response took some of the sting out of off-center contacts."

Marco is still trying to find where the sweetspot of Gut 2000 ends. He said, "This string had a very soft feel and minimal vibration throughout the stringbed. It complemented the superior comfort and gave me the ability to really feel the ball come off the strings right down into my hand. Off-center hits were still pocketed nicely, and I couldn't feel a big difference between catching one in the middle or just off center, which was nice for a change!"

Playability Duration - Score: 75

Our team was decidedly impressed by the tension maintenance of Gut 2000, especially compared to their favorite co-polys. This multi took quite a beating, yet the comfortable and controlled response stayed remarkably consistent. Unfortunately, it also suffered the fate of nearly all multis: crooked strings. String movement was definitely a problem, albeit not a deal-breaker for Marco. He said, "I found this string to hold up remarkably well for the majority of the playtest. There was movement and fraying of the string about three-quarters into its lifetime, which I don't particularly like, but it made up for it with comfort and feel. Gut 2000 would be a great string to consider in the crosses of a hybrid with a poly in the mains."

"The tension held up very well for this string," said Chris. "As the string set in I found a nice and consistent response from the stringbed. I did find the string to stay out of position more and more as the test wore on. Players who hit with a lot of spin can expect to be adjusting this string regularly, but that can be said of pretty much all multis. This is a string I'm happy to keep hitting until it breaks thanks to the consistent response over the duration of the test."

Overall - Score: 81