Question about a particular stringing method

Double Fault

Double Fault

Semi-Pro
The Aero Storm Tour that I own was strung by Babolat's Lucien Nogues on his visit to Uruguay (apparently he's touring Latin America giving out stringing advice, etc.)

I've only used one stringer in my life and he works over at Babolat's distributor, but he's never strung my racquets like the way Lucien did. Here are some pictures:




What's this method called? Also, is there a way to know what tension he strung it at?
 
1012007

1012007

Hall of Fame
Buy a stringbed tester to find the current tension, it will be a few LBs lower than he actually did it at or just ask him.

In pic number 1 is shows the string "crossing" eachother, this shouldnt really be done
 
YULitle

YULitle

Hall of Fame
Yeah, the it looks like a standard two piece. But he made a big error there in picture #1 like 1012007 said. It's called a crossover and it should be avoided. It looks like it's on the shoulders so it's not that big a deal, but it's easily avoided.
 
1012007

1012007

Hall of Fame
Yeah but of a stupid thing to do especially by a Babolat stringer:)

YULitle someone beat you to a post!!:)
 
YULitle

YULitle

Hall of Fame
Yeah yeah yeah. I'm still waking up. ;)

Yeah, he is supposed to be the "most desired" stringer in the world at the moment. He does a lot of stringing seminars around the world, teaching people to string.
 
Loco4Tennis

Loco4Tennis

Hall of Fame
because you guys said he is a pro stringer, now i seriouly think the first picture is done like that on purpose, thsi seems to be a rookie mistake if it is one,
i was not sure at first and tought it a mistake, but on second look its where my "however thinking", is asking for further review :)
my thinking is to keep the long overlap from moving and such, so by having the cross string wrap arround it, it restricts the movement of it in a way, this is a fairly long overlap and it actually looks better this way to me
 
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Bubba

Bubba

Professional
Loco4Tennis said:
because you guys said he is a pro stringer, now i seriouly think the first picture is done like that on purpose, thsi seems to be a rookie mistake if it is one,
i was not sure at first and tought it a mistake, but on second look its where my "however thinking", is asking for further review :)
my thinking is to keep the long overlap from moving and such, so by having the cross string wrap arround it, it restricts the movement of it in a way, this is a fairly long overlap and it actually looks better this way to me
Click to expand...

Crossovers are not on purpose. They are to be avoided. My guess he was in a hurry and didn't bother correcting. Not good for a 'world class' guy.

Additionally, at a certain skill level, there in not that much difference in the physical stringing quality. The value add comes in the rest of the MRT portfolio with string and tension knowledge, as well as customizing frames.
 
B

bsandy

Hall of Fame
It's only bad if it's in a place where the string might protrude outside the grommets and allowing an abrasion.

Other than that, it just another anal stringer thing.

. . . Bud
 
1012007

1012007

Hall of Fame
iplaybetter said:
there are so me situations where you must cut your losses and acept a cross over on a blocked hole
Click to expand...

What are you on about?
If the string has gone over another string on a blocked hole, just go over the next string on the next grommet. After all if a string blocks a hole, you can move it up or down
 
Double Fault

Double Fault

Semi-Pro
Ok, so this Lucien guy, a stringer that has done jobs for Sampras, Federer and who knows who else, the world-class stringer that tours countries teaching people how to string, makes the same mistake on two different racquets?

Here are some pictures from the other racquet he did. Also, this is Babolat's new Aero Storm racquet, with the modified weight and balance.

 
C

Casco

Semi-Pro
Crossing over is discussed in the USRSA guide, and it is considered to be a major error because it raises the string out further from the racquet which could lead to more wear and eventual breakage.

It does, however, seem unlikely that a stinger of his caliber makes this error twice, but it certainly is possible given the quantity of racquets he must string. If, however, it is not a mistake then this discussion gets interesting because we are left with the question of why he does this. If it is deliberate, I might guess that it he may be using an awl and feeding the string under or around the other string (the main) before he ties off (the cross) because this would result in less tension loss with the other string pressing against it. But this guess could only hold up if, in fact, the cross-under or cross-around occurs just before the tie-off, and I am not sure from the photo that it does. If the cross-under or cross-around occurs just before the tie-off, I'll bet my guess is a good one. Even if he is not doing this, I may experiment a bit with this idea!
 
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TenniseaWilliams

TenniseaWilliams

Professional
I have some old woody's, and they all have mains with long strings outside the frame before tie off held down by cross crossovers.

Most of the nylon mains still test to 30lbs on my stringmeter, too.

I think the USRSA is mostly worried about abrasion at the top or sides of the head, not under the hoop.
 
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Double Fault

Double Fault

Semi-Pro
Casco said:
It does, however, seem unlikely that a stinger of his caliber makes this error twice, but it certainly is possible given the quantity of racquets he must string. If, however, it is not a mistake then this discussion gets interesting because we are lft with the question of why he does this.
Click to expand...

My thoughts exactly.

These racquets were strung "live" while explaining how to do a good string job. I wasn't there, but this is what I was told. Does anyone really think that he would make this n00bish mistake in front of an audience full of stringers?
 
Loco4Tennis

Loco4Tennis

Hall of Fame
Double Fault said:
Ok, so this Lucien guy, a stringer that has done jobs for Sampras, Federer and who knows who else, the world-class stringer that tours countries teaching people how to string, makes the same mistake on two different racquets?

Here are some pictures from the other racquet he did. Also, this is Babolat's new Aero Storm racquet, with the modified weight and balance.

Click to expand...

thanks for the pic, really backs up the argument that this is not likely a mistake

Casco said:
Crossing over is discussed in the USRSA guide, and it is considered to be a major error because it raises the string out further from the racquet which could lead to more wear and eventual breakage.

It does, however, seem unlikely that a stinger of his caliber makes this error twice, but it certainly is possible given the quantity of racquets he must string. If, however, it is not a mistake then this discussion gets interesting because we are left with the question of why he does this. If it is deliberate, I might guess that it he may be using an awl and feeding the string under or around the other string (the main) before he ties off (the cross) because this would result in less tension loss with the other string pressing against it. But this guess could only hold up if, in fact, the cross-under or cross-around occurs just before the tie-off, and I am not sure from the photo that it does. If the cross-under or cross-around occurs just before the tie-off, I'll bet my guess is a good one. Even if he is not doing this, I may experiment a bit with this idea!
Click to expand...

good point, tension retension could be better here i think
i was also saying it actually looks better this way, then if it was the straight overhangs
but also that it keeps the long overhand from moving

TenniseaWilliams said:
I have some old woody's, and they all have mains with long strings outside the frame before tie off held down by cross crossovers.

Most of the nylon mains still test to 30lbs on my stringmeter, too.

I think the USRSA is mostly worried about abrasion at the top or sides of the head, not under the hoop.
Click to expand...

i would think this to be true as well, when do you ever scratch the thorat ona racquet, i guess it could happen, but not very often

Double Fault said:
My thoughts exactly.

These racquets were strung "live" while explaining how to do a good string job. I wasn't there, but this is what I was told. Does anyone really think that he would make this n00bish mistake in front of an audience full of stringers?
Click to expand...

i tought to myself the same thing when i saw the first one and heard he was a popular stringer
time restraints or not, good stringers i would suspect would take pride on details such as these, specially if they are charging big bucks for it
i do atmit mistakes do happen, but i am more leanign towards this being a deliverate instance then a rookie/time mistake
 
Double Fault

Double Fault

Semi-Pro
Well, I contacted Babolat yesterday because I wanted to know what tension he used on the strings so that I can get the same job done again. I got an answer from Lucien himself (20% prestretched, 21 kg on both).

It was unclear if he prestreched the poly only or both, so I emailed him back asking and I took the opportunity to ask about this. I might be pushing my luck, but we'll see what happens. =)
 
nickb

nickb

Banned
Well I just find it strange that a Babolat stringer would string a racket at very very low tension with a pre-stretch while making a mistake overlapping strings. The rec tension is 52-62...

:confused:
 
S

Stan

Professional
Let me step in here.

An overlap on the throat is not in any way harmful. Overlaps at the head are harmful and are definitely errors because the string is raised and is more easily exposed to abrasion. Crossovers on the head are indeed errors.

Crossovers at the throat are sloppy work, but I would not call them an error. They are innocent enough and you would think most stringers would be careful to avoid them, but sometimes they happen. I do not think it is fair to crucify someone for a throat crossover. You can call them sloppy, but if they choose to let a racquet go out that way it is their call. It does not harm the performance in any way.
 
YULitle

YULitle

Hall of Fame
I don't think anyone here is really "crucifying" him... We're just having a discussion. A discussion in which, I feel, all of the salient points have been made.

What is left to know, I feel, is whether or not he did it on purpose. And, if he did, why?
Double Fault: Do you mind asking him, seeing as you have his email?
 
S

Stan

Professional
YULitle said:
I don't think anyone here is really "crucifying" him... We're just having a discussion. A discussion in which, I feel, all of the salient points have been made.

What is left to know, I feel, is whether or not he did it on purpose. And, if he did, why?
Double Fault: Do you mind asking him, seeing as you have his email?
Click to expand...

You're kidding...right? To even entertain the notion that this is intentional is absurd. He was in a hurry and paid no attention to the crossover. Again, sloppy, but no real harm. It is most definitely not premeditated nor is there any secret rationale behind it.
 
Loco4Tennis

Loco4Tennis

Hall of Fame
dont know if everyone sees this, but on both pictures the strings that were crossed/overlapped were the MAINS, with the CROSS strings
not making a point, just stating the similarities of the overlap
 
YULitle

YULitle

Hall of Fame
Loco: This is why I'd like to give him the benefit of the doubt, and at least try to see if he had a reason. Just because I (we) can't imagine any reasons, doesn't mean one doesn't exist (regardless of how silly it may or may not be.)
 
iplaybetter

iplaybetter

Hall of Fame
1012007 said:
What are you on about?
If the string has gone over another string on a blocked hole, just go over the next string on the next grommet. After all if a string blocks a hole, you can move it up or down
Click to expand...

if there are the tabs, and you have it on the top, and the string wont go through except over it, and then you cannot pass the string except under
 
Double Fault

Double Fault

Semi-Pro
YULitle said:
Loco: This is why I'd like to give him the benefit of the doubt, and at least try to see if he had a reason. Just because I (we) can't imagine any reasons, doesn't mean one doesn't exist (regardless of how silly it may or may not be.)
Click to expand...

Exactly.

He just replied and stated that he prestretched the Xcel Premium string 20% as well. He requested pictures of the crossover since he didn't understand what I meant and I sent him one.

We'll see what he says. I just can't believe that he would make this elementary mistake twice on the same day. I actually think that he did it on purpose and want to know the reason why.
 
Bud

Bud

Bionic Poster
Double Fault said:
Ok, so this Lucien guy, a stringer that has done jobs for Sampras, Federer and who knows who else, the world-class stringer that tours countries teaching people how to string, makes the same mistake on two different racquets?

Here are some pictures from the other racquet he did. Also, this is Babolat's new Aero Storm racquet, with the modified weight and balance.

Click to expand...

What kind of dampener is that on the racquet?
 
Bud

Bud

Bionic Poster
It appears it was done intentionally. It would take more effort to do this twist the way it's shown here than to do it 'correctly' since there is a straight shot to the grommet.

The twist does look pretty cool :)
 
D

Deleted member 25923

Guest
Whoa, could you translate what he said? also, how did you manage to get a racquet strung by him?

Finally, aren't you only supposed to prestretch gut?
 
S

Steve Huff

G.O.A.T.
A crossover at the throat is no big deal. It was probably just because that's where the string fit through the easiest. If you look at the string blocking the hole, it runs on the low side (in the picture), so the obvious place to put the string through the hole is on the high side. That's what he did.

Now, suppose he did it intentionally. That means he's been stringing for a long, long time. With wood rackets, when you tied of one of the mains at the bottom, the crosses came over that string at the throat. In really old frames (before the 1930s), a lot of stringers did not use knots. They simply forced the string under a few of the strings on the outside of the throat and relied on those strings to hold tension on the last string. He might believe that as the string relaxed, there would be less tension loss on that last main if he overlapped it.

But, my real belief is that he does that as sort of his "signature". It doesn't hurt a thing, and that's his way of leaving his trademark stringjob. I wouldn't worry about it, and no, I don't think it was a mistake.
 
Dark_Angel85

Dark_Angel85

Semi-Pro
The stringing method on the racquet doesn't really affect your game, nor does it really affect the lifespan of your strings. If you're using hybrids of tougher strings (kevlar or poly), then the crossovers of the strings ain't gonna matter much (unless you wanna take into consideration the very minute cases where it might rub on with a couple of shots, which at that position would almost never happen).

But if you can avoid such crossovers, of course it'll be better... but Really.... i don't think it's really important
:p
 
YULitle

YULitle

Hall of Fame
Dark_Angel85 said:
The stringing method on the racquet doesn't really affect your game, nor does it really affect the lifespan of your strings. If you're using hybrids of tougher strings (kevlar or poly), then the crossovers of the strings ain't gonna matter much (unless you wanna take into consideration the very minute cases where it might rub on with a couple of shots, which at that position would almost never happen).

But if you can avoid such crossovers, of course it'll be better... but Really.... i don't think it's really important
:p
Click to expand...

In regards to the issue of this thread, perhaps. But, in general, this is not true.
 
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