GGT Extra

Let’s label it “HEX-tacular!”

Posted on January 16, 2013 by GGTennis
Posted in MSV Strings, Strings, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The hottest selling string in the MSV lineup is the much loved and award-winning MSV Focus Hex®.  This string represents what is arguably one of the best price/performance values of any string on the market today.  The performance rivals and surpasses much higher priced competitors…a fact that thousands of players and schools and top-ranked juniors like Brooke Austin across the USA have already discovered.

Not content to rest on the laurels of the MSV Focus Hex®, Dr. Mauve decided to raise the bar.  After significant work designing, playtesting and re-designing; MSV is launching several new variations of their flagship string and all will be available in 2013.

The first new offering out of the gate is MSV Focus Hex® SOFT.  This product hit the shelves at the end of 2012 and has already garnered significant praise from MSV players as well as players switching over from other brands.  MSV Focus Hex® SOFT is a string derived from the same core materials as the MSV Focus Hex®, but it is 8% softer than the original string.  On the court this translates into a more plush hitting sensation.  Dr. Mauve was aware that the vast majority of players using Focus Hex enjoyed the crisp comfort the string offers, but some described the hitting sensation as a bit “plasiticy.”  The Focus Hex SOFT addressed this issue while providing the same outstanding access to spin and control that MSV Focus Hex users expect from this line of strings.  The new MSV Focus Hex® SOFT is available in 4 diameters and most offer a choice of 2 colors.
16ga (1.30mm) comes in white only
17ga (1.25mm) is available in red and black
17L ga (1.20mm) can be purchased in yellow or black
18ga (1.15mm) comes in your choice of aqua blue or black

As technology advances so do chemicals and additives that allow the formulation of poly-based string products to become increasingly player friendly.  The initial effort to create a version of MSV Focus Hex® offering a slightly different hitting sensation led to several formula variations that excited MSV playtesters across the globe.  The level of enthusiasm for some of the significantly softer versions of MSV Focus Hex® led to the design, production and release of the newest offering from Mauve Sports – - “MSV Focus Hex® Plus 38″

As you may have already guessed from the name of the string, this hexagonal offering measures an impressive 38% softer than MSV Focus Hex® in laboratory testing.  The inherent power that players will experience using the MSV Focus Hex® Plus 38 is greater than the original and soft versions of the Focus Hex, but at the same time the control is there to keep the power inside the lines causing significant problems for opponents.  In previous years softer poly-based strings were unable to maintain their playing properties, but playtesters and tests verify this is not a concern with the advanced materials used in the construction of this exciting offering from Mauve Sports.

Players who previously complained about the feel of poly-based strings are going to be scratching their heads in disbelief when they get a set of this in their frames.  The comfort level is at a threshhold where many users will have difficulty distinguishing it to be different than synthetic gut offerings.  At the same time they will realize greater spin and control than they have ever experienced with a traditional synthetic gut string.  The MSV Focus Hex® Plus 38 can be blended with synthetics, but adding comfort would not likely be a reason for this type of hybrid combination.  MSV Focus Hex® Plus 38 will be offered in 4 gauges and multiple colors beginning February 2013.
16ga (1.30mm) White only
17ga (1.25mm) Black, White and Red
17Lga (1.20mm) Black, White and Red
18ga (1.15mm) Black, White and Red

While the MSV Focus Hex® SOFT and MSV Focus Hex® Plus 38 are the first two new offerings to hit the shelves, there was one additional breakout string in terms of playtest results that is also coming soon.  This string is projected to be available later this spring.  It is called MSV Focus Hex® Plus 25.  As you have correctly surmised, it is 25% softer than the original MSV Focus Hex®.  There were several playtesters who appreciated the added comfort and power the MSV Focus Hex® Plus 38 offered, but preferred just slightly more crispy hitting sensations.  The MSV Focus Hex® Plus 25 delivers this exact level of performance.  This specialty string will initially only be offered in 2 diameters 17ga (1.25mm) and 17L ga (1.20mm) and will only be available in a single color – - black.

Exciting things are happening with MSV string products in 2013 and we hope you will consider playtesting them to determine if they are a string that can help you reach your full playing potential on the court.  We believe like thousands of players already firmly situated in the MSV camp, that you are going to love them!

The most biased, politically incorrect and completely over-the-top racquet review–EVER! (And it is ALL TRUE!…well, mostly true)

Posted on November 1, 2012 by GGTennis
Posted in Racquets | Tagged , | 3 Comments

As soon as I began warming up the first time with the Donnay demo that had been sitting in my bag waiting its turn for a playtest, I could sense something very special was about to go down.  In this case it was my league tennis opponent who went down…hard…extremely hard…whimpering off the court kinda hard!  He was completely shell-shocked as he was force fed a 1-6, 1-6 drubbing of epic proportions.

On this night my game was pure magic!  It was fueled by the Donnay Pro One OS EXT, a remarkable achievement in racquet technology.   The engineers on the Donnay racquet design team clearly worked OT conjuring this modern marvel of pure tennis bliss. The racquet has no obvious weaknesses and no peers.  It is about as perfect as a racquet can possibly be in the hands of any competitive league player; which is incredibly hard to believe given the specs that will likely give players pause.  On paper it’s too light (10.5 oz).  It has too high of a swingweight for a modern game (330).  The headsize is somewhere in the hinterlands (105).  The extra 1/2″ length will certainly screw up your game (27.5).  Yet somehow this cocktail of cockamamie specs combines to form one of the most special racquets in the historic anals of tennis.

Let’s look at the important stuff.  The comfort and hitting sensations the player experiences with nearly every strike of the ball is beyond buttery.  It is sweeter and more delectable than Grandma’s homemade fudge.  Smooth comfort with sensations you will literally dream about. Like a catchy jingle, the hitting sensations will haunt you and render you completely powerless to get the feel out of your mind.  I played with a full poly setup and with most Donnay frames you expect outstanding comfort, but for some reason this frame is smoother, better and even more spectacular than the others I have hit.  The level of comfort is the same as if I were using the most subtle natural gut.

From a shotmaking perspective, just point and shoot baybee!  Groundstrokes are powerful and precise.  Angles are easier to come by than a hickey in a make-out session.  Spin is more ample than a double D pole dancer.  Slice is more effective than anything ever put out by Ronco or Williams Sonoma.

At the service line men will feel manly due to the easy extra MPH’s they will discover.  Heck, they’ll want to spit and grab their crotch after launching a barrage howitzers at their opponents.  Women wielding the Pro One OS EXT will want to be extra wary because they too may get a testosterone boost while serving and they run the very real risk of coming off the court after a long 3 set match sporting a full beard, cussing and looking for a beer.

The Donnay Pro One OS EXT is surprisingly adept and maneuverable at net. Volleys are Pine-Sol clean and bacon crisp.  For the player who thrives on variety, this racquet is totally capable of going lunar with mega spin if the mood strikes you. The dizzying variety of shots, ease of execution, precision and comfort make this racquet absolutely perfect for the vast majority of intermediate league level players.  I am not just saying that because I sell them, but because I have playtested many racquets and believe it to be absolutely true.  (Full disclosure:  I also really want to sell the heck out of this frame!)

The one criticism I have is that it should come with a straightjacket, because it is going to be sending many an opponent to the looney bin as he/she languishes in futility while trying to find a weakness in your game when you are wielding this weapon of war on your local neighborhood courts. (Always good to end an epic blog entry with a spectacularly grammar-challenged run-on sentence, eh?)

The Donnay Pro One OS EXT
Quite simply more pleasurable than any  K-Y product – Go get yourself one today!

Join the forum discussion on this post

Varying tension on cross strings

Posted on October 24, 2012 by GGTennis
Posted in Stringing | Tagged , | 14 Comments

For as long as we have been stringing there has been an ongoing discussion revolving around the pros and cons of altering the tension between the main strings and cross strings.  Many years ago we concluded it was a matter of personal preference.  The players in the camp advocating a lower set tension argued that because the cross strings are shorter they should be pulled at a lower tension.  Those in the opposite camp believed that pulling at higher tension reduced string movement.  Both camps argued emphatically that their method produced a better feel.  When it comes to a criteria like “feel” we are in objective territory and that is why we concluded it was largely a personal preference.

However, back when we drew this conclusion we were not in the era of polys and hybrids.  The physical properties of these  strings have not only altered the game, but have also provided a strong rationale for increasing the tension on the cross strings.

When a racquet is strung with the set tension the same in the mains and the crosses the differential between the two (as measured by a Stringmeter) is often in the 32 – 37% range. You read that correctly.  The mains will measure (on average) 35% tighter than the cross strings.  In the context of a full synthetic or a natural gut setup, this has not been an issue.  It has been status quo.  However, with full polys or poly hybrids it is less than ideal.  The differential in tension with poly-based strings should ideally fall in the range of 20 – 25%…no more.  When the differential in tension is brought closer together, the mains and crosses are able to work in unison with one another.  When they are further apart, (greater than 25%), the mains are punished until they stabilize and come closer in line with the crosses.  The result of this in the today’s world of polys is that the poly mains become overstretched and thus lose their tension and playability rapidly.  One easy way to extend the optimal life of your poly setup is to allow the crosses to support the mains.  This extends the useful playability by a considerable amount.

Bringing the mains and crosses closer in tension offers HUGE benefits for poly players. It allows players to string at lower reference tensions where polys will shine, it extends the useful playability of the stringbed and extends the time players can get solid performance before having to restring.  The easiest way to bring the mains and crosses closer to one another so they will work in unison is to increase the tension of the cross strings by approximately 4 pounds.  The simple act of altering tension in this manner will definitely lead to a noticeable increase in performance in most instances.  HOWEVER, when increasing the tension on the crosses it is possible to overstretch the poly, exceeding the elastic limits of the string.  This is most likely to occur on constant pull machines that overshoot tension.  Because of this potential pitfall we recommend keeping the tension on the crosses the same or up to 2 pounds lower than the mains and using extended pulling time before clamping off.  The extended pulling time on a constant pull machine (much more difficult to achieve this effect on a crank machine) will produce the desired outcome much more reliably than increasing the set tension.  We recommend keeping each cross under tension for 20 seconds before clamping off.  This may seem like it will add considerable time to the stringing process, but it really does not.  While the cross is under tension go ahead and pre-weave the next cross string.  After weaving the cross, release the tension and clamp off.  Stringing in this manner  is a bit awkward at first, but soon the stringer becomes fluid in working with this method.  The on court results are definitely worth the effort!

 

Join the forum discussion on this post

NEW! MSV Focus Hex Soft Arrives – - All Hail Mauve Sports!

Posted on July 26, 2012 by GGTennis
Posted in MSV Strings | Tagged | Leave a comment

American tennis players have a huge appetite for MSV Focus Hex tennis string.  In fact, the appetite for the most delicious string in their line is so veracious on an global level that it is difficult to produce adequate supplies to meet the rapidly increasing demand.

Players of all levels continue to discover the delightful MSV Focus Hex and have been raving about the price to performance ratio for years. Inspired by the phenomenal success of this string, Dr. Mauve created a newer version that MSV Focus Hex users will immediately recognize and appreciate.  The familiar sensations of Focus Hex have been augmented with increased feel and added control.  This new formulation is being presented to the tennis playing public as MSV Focus Hex Soft – - a string clearly proud of it’s heritage and ready to delight players who value outstanding performance at a reasonable cost.

Just how reasonable is the cost?  (He asks rhetorically.)  The cost per set when purchasing in a 660′ reel comes to $5.31 per full stringing.  Compare that to the big brands and you will find a savings of at least $11.00 or more per string job.  What you will also find is performance that our early adopters/playtesters describe as being vastly superior to the more well-known brands.  The MSV Focus Hex Soft is best described as a control based poly with an appreciable blend of comfort.

MSV’s newest offering is clearly going to be a home run with consumers.  It is currently available in 3 gauges, 1.15 mm (aqua blue only), 1.20mm (yellow only) and 1.25 (red only).  Guts and Glory Tennis has it currently in stock in sets and reels, but you will want to note it is selling fast…real fast!  (Our next shipment will arrive middle of August.)  Later this year a 1.30mm version will be introduced and if sales continue booming there is a definite possibility it will be introduced in black for all gauges.  Stay tuned to our web site, blog and facebook pages for updated information on this exciting new MSV product offering.

 

Join the forum discussion on this post

Recycling Tennis Balls

Posted on June 2, 2012 by GGTennis
Posted in Guts and Glory Announcements, Other Equipment, Poo-Poo Platter | Tagged , | 2 Comments

What do you do with your tennis balls after they lose their bounce and are no longer playable?  It is not unreasonable to assume that the vast majority of tennis players simply toss them away with the leftover meatloaf that has been in the refrigerator for the past month.  Did you know it is estimated to take approximately 450 years for tennis balls to decompose naturally?  Did you know that recycling centers do not current accept tennis balls?

So what is an environmentally conscious tennis player to do?  Each match a fresh new can of at least three balls is cracked open introducing fuzzy yellow balls into the wild.  In some instances these balls are used for another practice hitting session or two or perhaps added to ball hopper, but they eventually lose their bounce and become unplayable.  What happens then?

Rather than relegate them to ride in the big smelly truck to the nearest landfill, how about bringing them to us?  At Guts and Glory Tennis we are proud to serve as a tennis ball recycling center for any local tennis players.  We will gladly take your used and unwanted balls and extend their useful life cycle thus diverting them from the landfill.  We do not provide this service for any monetary gain, but rather as a public service to help those who want to recycle and reduce landfill waste.

“What do we do with the balls we collect?”  Well, we have several ways of putting them to good use.  First and foremost, the balls that still have decent felt are packaged and donated to a tennis ball recycling company called “reBounces.”  This company has a machine that uses a ball re-pressurization system, (called the Green Tennis Machine), to re-pressurize the balls.  The balls are then resold in bulk at a discounted price to tennis facilities, coaches, camps  and schools who use them in their coaching efforts.

We also receive calls fairly frequently from school systems and nursing homes who make use of used tennis balls.  In classrooms they are used on the feet of chairs and desks to reduce noise when chairs are moved on the flooring.  In nursing homes they are used on the legs of walkers to help them glide  more smoothly over the flooring.  When we have tennis balls on hand we provide them to these groups for no charge unless they are not local.  In those cases we do assess shipping costs.

Finally our favorite way to extend their useful life is to make them available to dog owners who want to use them to play fetch with their dogs.  We do need to advise that in some circles dog people are concerned about the dye used in tennis balls.  Based on our internet research, we believe the dyes used today to be harmless.  We do allow our dogs to play with tennis balls, but we still feel obligated to notify those seeking to use them for their dog to enjoy that there is a school of thought that advises against this.

So there you have it.  Next time you are about to throw away your tennis balls, stop!  Just drop them by our shoppe at 333 Main Street, Suite 200 in Suwanee, GA  (30024) and we will take it from there.  If you are not local and are interested in recycling tennis balls we suggest you visit http://www.rebounces.com

Playing MANTIS!

Posted on May 12, 2012 by GGTennis
Posted in Racquets | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Several weeks ago we were proudly adding great-playing racquets that were arm-friendly to our inventory.  We did extensive playtesting and brought in a large selection of Donnay frames and a few from Pacific.  We were ecstatic (and still are!) about these terrific additions to offer our customers.  As we were finalizing our plans to carry [...]

Donnay Frames now available!

Posted on April 18, 2012 by GGTennis
Posted in Guts and Glory Products, Racquets | Tagged , | 3 Comments

We are extremely proud to introduce Donnay as the first line of racquets Guts and Glory Tennis has made available directly to our local and online customers. We chose Donnay as the first line of frames we are making available to our customers  for two main reasons.  1.  The performance aspects of the frame are [...]

Your New Source for Arm Friendly Racquets

Posted on April 13, 2012 by GGTennis
Posted in Guts and Glory Announcements, Guts and Glory Products, Racquets, Tennis Elbow | Tagged , , | 19 Comments

Located in the heart of Suwanee, GA at 333 Main Street, tennis players will find a friendly family-run tennis business with a passion for providing local tennis players the absolute best in racquet services.  When our shoppe opened in fall 2011, it served as  showroom for our online tennis gift products and a friendly stringing [...]

New breakthrough in racquet customization…

Posted on April 1, 2012 by GGTennis
Posted in Humor/Satire, Other Equipment | Tagged | 4 Comments

Cork.  Major league baseball players have been using it for years to enhance their hitting performance.  It is illegal in baseball, but to date, there is NOTHING in the rules and regulations of tennis to prevent it from being used.  Guts and Glory Tennis has been experimenting with integrating cork into many of today’s modern [...]

An arm-friendly poly hybrid? This Physical Therapist thinks so…

Posted on March 13, 2012 by GGTennis
Posted in Tennis Elbow, WeissCANNON Strings | Tagged | 13 Comments

Below is a recently received review for the new WeissCANNON Dual Reality.  Currently available at introductory pricing from Guts and Glory Tennis! I am a Physical therapist of 25 yrs who has treated many weekend warriors who write Vamos on their sneakers and string their rackets with hybrid or poly strings only to be reminded [...]

Mythbusting: L-TEC Pricing

Posted on March 9, 2012 by GGTennis
Posted in L-TEC Strings | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Introducing a string brand that ignores convention clearly has caused some confusion out of the gates.  One area that seems to cause the greatest confusion is in regard to pricing.  L-TEC Premium strings, when purchased in individual sets, do indeed carry a hefty price tag.  The poly-based offerings range from $16.90 per set to $19.99 [...]

L-TEC: Up Close and Personal

Posted on March 3, 2012 by GGTennis
Posted in L-TEC Strings | Tagged , | Leave a comment

In fall of 2011 we began exposing tennis players and stringers to a new high performance line of tennis strings.  We confidently and boldly proclaimed that L-TEC was poised to shatter the way the world of tennis has  traditionally thought about strings.  The L-TEC Premium line was the first to promote full-copolymer hybrids.  The first [...]

Guts and Glory Tennis, LLC    3655 Sentry View Trace Suwanee, GA 30024   Phone: 404-926-6060
© Copyright Guts and Glory Tennis, LLC. All rights reserved.    Site by HEROweb