Unlike wrapped gut, plain gut shouldn't be too much of a tuning problem with weather. I have to tune every time I play but they tend to stay pretty stable over a period of hours so it isn't much of a problem on gigs. Of course, that's after they are stretched out. When you first put them on, they are a little finicky.
You've figured out the first hurdle which is you can't muscle them. There is a need for a lighter touch and once you find the touch, you can make them sing out strong with very little effort.
There are trade-offs as well since they don't respond or recover as quickly and have much less mid range content. You have to find some new things to play when playing funk or more aggressive latin. They don't cut through like steel does. On the other hand, playing anything swing is glorious with that huge, warm fat sound and monstrously percussive thump. I find they have a very vocal quality to them.
Good luck with the rest of the week!
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