THE MOST COMMONLY ASKED STRINGING QUESTIONS

•  Why do my new strings move around so much? Strings are coated with many materials that may cause movement. New strings will have a tendency to move more than older strings that are notched. Even oil-coated string will move around at 90 lbs. The amount of grommets and their density determines the movement of the string.

•  Why do my outside main strings seem loose? There is a lack of friction against the outer most main string because there is no cross string holding it in place.

•  Why have I never broken a string? Players who hit with a squared racquet face (flat with little spin) do not cause string movement (friction) so they rarely break a string unless they severely miss hit the ball.

•  Why do I always break strings? Excessive friction caused by topspin or slice will cause the string to notch. Eventually, the cross string will grind through the main string and it will break. In some racquets the grommet/headguard is damaged and the string is rubbing against the frame, which causes premature breakage.

•  What tension should I use? The higher the tension generally means more control and lower tension means more power with less effort sacrificing control. If your frame recommended tension is 55 to 65 lbs we usually suggest 62 lbs to get a crisp control feeling from your new string.

•  What gauge of string should I use? The “string breaker” should use a larger diameter of string, which is 15 gauge. 16 gauge is the market standard and is strung in most new performance racquets. The non-string breaker should use the thinner string such as 17 gauge for more control. Very few players should consider 18 gauge.

•  What string do you recommend for playability? Wilson NXT 16 or 17 (which is the closest to natural gut and is the #1 rated synthetic in the world) or Wilson Reaction 16 for playability and for maximum durability request Wilson HyperLast 15 or Wilson EnduroPro 16.

•  When do I need my racquet re-strung? If you play once a week, restring once a year. If you play twice a week, restring twice a year, and so on. This is the minimum standard recommended by the USRSA and is affected by the amount of spin and power plus climate changes.

•  What is the best overall restringing value? Wilson Synthetic Gut Extreme 16, which is part of the Pro Shop “string and grip special.”

•  Why is there a Pro Shop label on my racquet? It lists the name of string, tension, gauge, completion date and the date when the racquet should be restrung. We do record all stringing information for your next service.

•  Do vibration dampeners really work? Sports science studies have proven that dampeners do not reduce shock or vibration that causes arm fatigue/tennis elbow. They do change the sound and the duration of the noise upon impact.

•  Why is QOSTC's string machine unique? The Pro Shop uses the Gamma 6002 ES Electronic Constant Pull machine. The major benefit of constantly pulling the string electronically is the tension accuracy.

 

Thank you for your continued business. If at any time you are not completely satisfied or should have questions or comments, please feel free to contact Brian Fankhauser, Director of Tennis.