Prince Synthetic Gut Review & 
Test: Classic Or Just Cheap?

Performance

To evaluate Prince Synthetic Gut’s performance, I tested the string and rated it across eight distinct criteria. In the following sections, I detail my notes on each to give you a better sense of my hitting experience.

Power: 7.7/10

Despite its straightforward construction, Prince Synthetic Gut packs a reasonably lively punch, making it relatively easy to generate depth without having to swing big or accelerate my racquet too quickly.

Hitting groundstrokes, there’s a noticeable spring to my shots, but it’s not overpowering, allowing me to tighten up and simplify my strokes while keeping the ball deeper in the court. This balanced power level makes it forgiving on defensive shots while still offering enough pop to put away short balls when the opportunity arises.

On serves, I thought the string offered a reasonable blend of pace and control, and I didn’t have any issues hitting my spots. Flat serves came off the string bed with decent pace, while second serves didn’t quite get the same rotation and kick of the court I’m used to with a snappier poly, but it didn’t impact my consistency.

Overall, it’s not an explosive string, but it delivers dependable power that’s easy to tap into throughout a match.

Spin: 7.3/10

Prince Synthetic Gut isn’t a spin monster like poly. However, it still offers a respectable level of bite for a string that exhibits minimal snapback and more than enough to hit with margin and maintain control over the ball.

With quick racquet head speed, I could generate enough rotation on my groundstrokes to get the ball to dip back into the court, but I found I could get myself into trouble if I opened up my swing too much. In those scenarios, I wasn’t seeing enough traction to offset my swing speed, so I’d often hit long, unless I exaggerated my swing path, which isn’t ideal.

As a result, I found I needed to rein in my shots a bit and work the court more, rather than trying to hit through the court, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing; it’s purely a mental adjustment. More importantly, for the beginner to intermediate players with shorter and more compact swings, this would rarely, if ever, present an issue at that stage of development.

In practice, its spin potential won’t redefine your game, but it’s consistent and predictable, making it easy to trust and build your shots around.

Control: 7.2/10

With its moderate power and spin potential, it’s no surprise that Prince Synthetic Gut doesn’t overwhelm in the control department, but it’s not a complete slouch either; it’s pretty steady and reliable.

From the baseline, I found it offered a reasonably predictable response, allowing me to rally with confidence as long as I reigned in my swing speeds and didn’t aim too close to the lines. At net, it provided enough precision for solid volley placement, though I had to be a bit more deliberate on touch shots to keep the ball from floating.

Although it won’t rival the enhanced accuracy of a low-powered poly, it delivers a balance of control and power that is worthy of consideration for developing players seeking a dependable all-around string.

Feel: 7.0/10

Although it’s not entirely void of feel, I don’t find Prince Synthetic Gut to provide a memorable sense of touch or connection to the ball, with minimal pocketing to help enhance it.

Its feedback is relatively straightforward and not especially nuanced, which can come off as a bit tinny. However, in practice, it gets the job done, allowing me to play drop shots and delicate touch volleys as long as I’m deliberate with my approach and technique.

Overall, it’s not the most forgiving when my mechanics slip, such as when I’m fatigued, but when I’m focused and dialed in, it responds predictably, even if it falls short of a premium feel.

Comfort: 8.4/10

Prince Synthetic Gut is neither plush like a multifilament nor firm like polyester; it rides somewhere in between.

Its response is fairly crisp, airing on the side of firm, but there’s also an elasticity to the string that softens impact and reduces vibration, which is partially a function of its construction and softer nylon fibers.

As a result, it’s not the first string I’d turn to for players seeking to improve their racquet’s comfort. However, it’s also unlikely to cause issues, making it an excellent option for developing players who are conscious of arm health and looking to reduce the risk of injury.

Durability: 6.4/10

All strings have their pitfalls, and durability is easily Prince Synthetic Gut’s most notable weakness. Aided by Duraflex, it holds up reasonably well for a synthetic gut, but there’s no sugar coating that it falls short in this category, especially compared to most other types of strings.

During my playtest, notching showed up relatively quickly, and the strings broke during my third session on the court, so heavy hitters or players who frequent the court can expect to restring more often with this string.

That said, for beginners, juniors, or recreational players who aren’t generating extreme spin or pace, its lifespan will likely be acceptable, especially given its low cost, but you should weigh this factor when deciding whether it’s worth stringing in your racquet.

Playability Duration: 7.6/10

The upshot of Prince Synthetic Gut’s lower durability is that if the strings don’t break on you, they’ll offer reasonably consistent performance for longer. Tension loss is gradual, and the string bed maintains a similar feel over time without any dramatic drop-offs in performance.

If the price point and balanced performance appeal to you, but durability is a concern, consider opting for a thicker gauge like 16 or 15L to help reduce breakage while preserving its longevity.

String Movement: 6.0/10

When hitting with Prince Synthetic Gut, string movement is noticeable, as it lacks the pronounced snapback of a slick monofilament. Instead, the mains tend to shift and stay out of place, requiring regular straightening between points and over time, leading to a less predictable response.

For the most part, this has a negligible impact on performance, but many players, including me, find it distracting and a minor nuisance during play. While it’s far from a dealbreaker, it’s worth noting and speaks more to the string’s average spin potential than anything.