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Everything Tennis

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Originally posted by: Mike2002
I just thought I would throw this website out there for anyone who needs stringing patterns. Its a great resource for the new rackets that you are unfamiliar with. http://www.klipperusa.com/stringing/manufacturers.php


TripleAAA----When you are pulling the crosses through the frame and spreading them apart so you dont burn the string, do you use your fingers to do this or something else. After I have strung a few rackets at a time, my fingers get really raw and torn up just using the fingers to pull the cross strings out.
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Yep, I know what you mean. Over doing a lot of racquets, I developed callusses to help with that. In your situation you might wanna buy some Paraffin wax which I think can be found at most hardware stores. You can gently rub a stick of that over the mains and it will help to lubricate things a little bit. I use it for stringing natural gut because it can be so delicate and expensive.

 
we'll see what kind of replies I get here before meriting it's own thread:

I'm thinking about stringing racquets for my local Sports Authority on a part time basis (funny story on how I "got" the job)...what is the avg going rate for this? They asked me that question, and I was just like "whatever's competitive is fine with me"

$20/racquet?
 
Originally posted by: Chewy
we'll see what kind of replies I get here before meriting it's own thread:

I'm thinking about stringing racquets for my local Sports Authority on a part time basis (funny story on how I "got" the job)...what is the avg going rate for this? They asked me that question, and I was just like "whatever's competitive is fine with me"

$20/racquet?
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I've found that fees vary quite a bit. It depends a lot on the area. If you are the only stringer in town, you can usually command a higher price. It also helps if you have certifications and what type of machine you will be using. The best way to do things imo is charge one price for the labor and then another price for the string. For example, I'd generally charge $12 labor plus the price of whatever string the customer wants.

Some people charge for the string and it already has the price of labor included in it. Personally I think this is more confusing. Since prices on strings can vary from about $3 to over $50 for one set of string, it's much easier to do it the way I mentioned. It also educates the customer by letting them know there definitly are differences from string to string.


 
TripleAAA, I am probably about a 3 on the NTRP. I am pretty altheltic and I plan to play a lot of tennis this summer and maybe try out for my high-school team. So I want a racket that will able to support me if I do get better. I am basically looking for one of those tweener rackets without breaking the bank either. My friend plays tennis and he let me try out his Wilson nSix-One I really liked the damping that had compared to some of his other rackets. If you could suggest a couple of rackets in different price ranges for my skill level that would be great. Thanks in advance.
 
Originally posted by: Schneider879
TripleAAA, I am probably about a 3 on the NTRP. I am pretty altheltic and I plan to play a lot of tennis this summer and maybe try out for my high-school team. So I want a racket that will able to support me if I do get better. I am basically looking for one of those tweener rackets without breaking the bank either. My friend plays tennis and he let me try out his Wilson nSix-One I really liked the damping that had compared to some of his other rackets. If you could suggest a couple of rackets in different price ranges for my skill level that would be great. Thanks in advance.
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Hey there. It's definitely a good idea in your case to get a racquet that you can "grow into" as you become better. Not only will this save you some money, but should advance your game at a steadier rate instead of plateuing. You don't want your racquet to limit you when you are trying out for the tennis team either. In other words, you should have your mind made up and be playing with one racquet you are comfortable with for at least a month or two before your high school season even begins.

You're looking in the right ball park with the nSix-One, however if your NTRP rating is truly a 3 the nSix might be a tad bit too 'head light' for you. This basically means that the majority of the weight is focused in the handle of the racquet, giving you better control but sacrificing power.

If you have a long, loopy, powerful stroke style but have some control problems, then the nSix would be right up your alley. Otherwise, if you want something slightly more powerful I'd suggest looking at the Prince O3 Tour Midplus 100 sq. inch head size. The larger head size will give you a little more surface area which means greater margin for error, while at the same time being a bit more forgiving on off-center hits.

Post again and let me know if you were able to try this one out.
 
Originally posted by: TripleAAAI've found that fees vary quite a bit. It depends a lot on the area. If you are the only stringer in town, you can usually command a higher price. It also helps if you have certifications and what type of machine you will be using. The best way to do things imo is charge one price for the labor and then another price for the string. For example, I'd generally charge $12 labor plus the price of whatever string the customer wants.

Some people charge for the string and it already has the price of labor included in it. Personally I think this is more confusing. Since prices on strings can vary from about $3 to over $50 for one set of string, it's much easier to do it the way I mentioned. It also educates the customer by letting them know there definitly are differences from string to string.
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True, but the way I envision things with Sports Authority is that they'll give me a racquet with the string, and I'll be stringing it using their Bobolat...so we're just talking about labor...so it sounds like you'd charge $12 for that.
 
Originally posted by: Chewy
Originally posted by: TripleAAAI've found that fees vary quite a bit. It depends a lot on the area. If you are the only stringer in town, you can usually command a higher price. It also helps if you have certifications and what type of machine you will be using. The best way to do things imo is charge one price for the labor and then another price for the string. For example, I'd generally charge $12 labor plus the price of whatever string the customer wants.

Some people charge for the string and it already has the price of labor included in it. Personally I think this is more confusing. Since prices on strings can vary from about $3 to over $50 for one set of string, it's much easier to do it the way I mentioned. It also educates the customer by letting them know there definitly are differences from string to string.
Click to expand...
True, but the way I envision things with Sports Authority is that they'll give me a racquet with the string, and I'll be stringing it using their Bobolat...so we're just talking about labor...so it sounds like you'd charge $12 for that.
Click to expand...

Basically yep. I've found though that places like Sports Authority are gonna charge the customer much more than what you're actually charging if that makes sense.

 
Originally posted by: TripleAAABasically yep. I've found though that places like Sports Authority are gonna charge the customer much more than what you're actually charging if that makes sense.
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Yeah, but this Sports Authority gives free stringing if you buy their string (takes about a week to get back). So I dont' see how they can make any $ by paying someone else to string for them (they have no in-store stringers - right now, they ship racquets out to some lady).
 
TripleAAA, I have an i.radical OS right now, which I've had for about 4 years. Recently my string, Gamma TNT Fat Core, broke and I am debating whether or not to get an entire new racquet because I think I'd like to move to a mid or mid-plus. What should I be thinking about when trying to decide between an OS and a mid? Also, I play about 3 times a week, so what would you recommend for a relatively cheap racquet (I was thinking LM) and string? The i.radical I have now is decent, but I think it might be holding me back. Thanks.
 
Originally posted by: Chewy
Originally posted by: TripleAAABasically yep. I've found though that places like Sports Authority are gonna charge the customer much more than what you're actually charging if that makes sense.
Click to expand...
Yeah, but this Sports Authority gives free stringing if you buy their string (takes about a week to get back). So I dont' see how they can make any $ by paying someone else to string for them (they have no in-store stringers - right now, they ship racquets out to some lady).
Click to expand...


How much are they charging for "string" though?
 
Originally posted by: Packin
TripleAAA, I have an i.radical OS right now, which I've had for about 4 years. Recently my string, Gamma TNT Fat Core, broke and I am debating whether or not to get an entire new racquet because I think I'd like to move to a mid or mid-plus. What should I be thinking about when trying to decide between an OS and a mid? Also, I play about 3 times a week, so what would you recommend for a relatively cheap racquet (I was thinking LM) and string? The i.radical I have now is decent, but I think it might be holding me back. Thanks.
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By going from a larger to smaller head size, you will be sacrificing a little bit of power while gaining a bit of control. This is because a smaller head size (smaller surface area) will give you a truer ball response off the string bed. If you've found that with your i.Radical OS that balls have been sailing a bit long, then definitly consider dropping down to a smaller head size.

Since the creation of the Radical, the different models haven't changed dramatically in terms of overall construction and specs. They have always had a straight beam, head sizes have pretty much been the same, etc. The only differences mainly lie in the technologies they offer. You would be pretty safe going to the Liquid Metal and might not even notice much of a difference.

That TNT Fat Core string is decent stuff and might be a bit expensive, but how long did it take for you to break it? One nice thing about the Radicals is that they have always had a denser string pattern which means increased durability of strings due to less shifting/friction.

 
Originally posted by: TripleAAA

That TNT Fat Core string is decent stuff and might be a bit expensive, but how long did it take for you to break it? One nice thing about the Radicals is that they have always had a denser string pattern which means increased durability of strings due to less shifting/friction.
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Ya, that string has lasted me ever since I got the racquet... so around 4 years. I have noticed that the strings don't shift nearly as much as some other racquets I have used. I can't really afford that expensive of string anymore though, and so I was looking for some cheaper synthetic gut that played equivalently or better, if possible.
 
Originally posted by: Schneider879
Alright, I have come to the conclusion that my friend is just a fanboi. So, after reading some reviews I have narrowed it down to two main rackets.
http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/descpage.html?PCODE=PO3T
or
http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/descpageRCPRINCE-PO3HH.html
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The Hornet will be significantly more powerful mainly because it's almost an even-balance frame. Don't get me wrong though, it should still offer a fair amount of control.

Also keep in mind that even though that racquet won the Editor's Choice award through Tennis Magazine doesn't necessarily mean its the racquet for you.

I would encourage you to demo both racquets. If you don't have a place locally to try them out (and assuming you live in the USA), you can take advantage of Tennis Warehouse's demo program. For probably around $10-$16 you can try both of those racquets. Might be a good investment if you are spending over $150 for a frame. Good luck!

 
Originally posted by: Chewy
Originally posted by: TripleAAA
How much are they charging for "string" though?
Click to expand...
As you said before, depends on the string, but it was like anywhere from $18-$35 + tax
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What I would do is compare their prices on strings with an online retailer like Tennis Warehouse.

A basic synthetic gut 16 (what the majority of people play with) is gonna run around $4-6 dollars a package.
 
TripleAAA,

I picked up a ProStaff 6.0 at a thrift store for $5. It's in pretty good condition but in need of new strings. Right now I can tell the tension is
very loose I can't get very much power out of it and it's killing my arm to use it with any success. I usually have my racquets strung at 70,
whether or not the stringer gets it there is another question. In any case feel is a very important issue, can you reccommend a good string to use.

Funny story to go with this racquet. It was my dream racquet in HS. I had honed my serve on another 85" frame and knew the 6.0 mid would be a perfect fit.
I finally got one sophomore year but it was stolen after a few weeks. Anyway I
played with what I had after that and borrowed my dad's Yonex RD TI-70 from time to time. 7 years later i'm at a thrift store and i see a faded tennis sleeve
and just take a peek. I was so utterly thrilled to see an original 6.0 85sq in. head in there in very good condition. I can't believe I paid $140 for a new one had
it stolen then came upon this one for $5. I think tennis karma worked in my favor in the end.
 
Originally posted by: BullsOnParade
TripleAAA,

I picked up a ProStaff 6.0 at a thrift store for $5. It's in pretty good condition but in need of new strings. Right now I can tell the tension is
very loose I can't get very much power out of it and it's killing my arm to use it with any success. I usually have my racquets strung at 70,
whether or not the stringer gets it there is another question. In any case feel is a very important issue, can you reccommend a good string to use.

Funny story to go with this racquet. It was my dream racquet in HS. I had honed my serve on another 85" frame and knew the 6.0 mid would be a perfect fit.
I finally got one sophomore year but it was stolen after a few weeks. Anyway I
played with what I had after that and borrowed my dad's Yonex RD TI-70 from time to time. 7 years later i'm at a thrift store and i see a faded tennis sleeve
and just take a peek. I was so utterly thrilled to see an original 6.0 85sq in. head in there in very good condition. I can't believe I paid $140 for a new one had
it stolen then came upon this one for $5. I think tennis karma worked in my favor in the end.
Click to expand...


That is a funny story and a great deal! You may or may not be aware of it, but stringing at such a high tension is going to decrease your power significantly. On the other hand, the current tension on the racquet might be so loose that it would function better as a butterfly net! Before I give you some recommendations on string, I need to know a few more things:

Are you a string breaker?
Any arm/shoulder problems?
Do you remember what gauge and type of string you used in the past?
Approximatley what level player are you currently? I'm assuming you lost a step or two since high school like myself. 🙂
 
On another note Bullsparade, you might want to make sure you don't have a St. Vincent Pro Staff. If so, that frame is worth quite a bit.

Trying to remember how to tell though escapes me, so you might want to Google it if you got some time to kill.
 

I haven't played competitively since highschool, but I just dusted off my prince triple threat scream...I think that's what it's called...the yellow one. I don't know what's new in the way of racquets, but I've mainly been a prince, gamma (sponsered our club), and back to prince man. Still really really enjoy this racquet.

Like riding a bike : )...save for serving, gotta work on that somewhat.

<3 tennis.
 
Here's a tennis related question:

Why can't I see the ball on the french open on espn 2?

I just upgraded to digital cable and have the DVR thing going, and if I pause it after a serve or a hard hit, the ball is just a faint blur. It's like the refresh rate is too low. You think that's because of the cameras they're filming with, the broadcast, my TV, or what?
 
Originally posted by: bigalt
Here's a tennis related question:

Why can't I see the ball on the french open on espn 2?

I just upgraded to digital cable and have the DVR thing going, and if I pause it after a serve or a hard hit, the ball is just a faint blur. It's like the refresh rate is too low. You think that's because of the cameras they're filming with, the broadcast, my TV, or what?
Click to expand...

This isn't really my expertise, but part of it may be the fact that the balls do get a little dirty (take on the color of the court) after a while. They do change the balls though every 6 games though, so it shouldn't affect it too much. Sounds like its something with your setup.

 
TripleAAA I wasn't able to find any info on how to identify the St. Vincent pro staff's. Any idea how much of a premium they command. I figured when I got it that if it was worth maybe $200 I would still hold on to it.
 
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