Jay's Custom Stringing

[robstepp]

I can only guess that I am going to step on a whole bunch of toes and really upset a few people with this question. However, my curiosity has definitely overcome my common sense so here is my question.

I am sure everyone in the stringing world has seen the J bags on all of the pros racquets. That is great for him. What an accomplishment. I attempted to research JCS and found that their web site is down. However, I was able to view a couple of caches and interviews with JCS stringers.

One of the JCS stringers said that she was told to forget everything she learned about stringing because JCS does it their own secret way with their very own secret patterns. Does anyone have any idea what the secret methods or patterns are?

My secret is I tie my 2-piece stringing starting knots into heart shapes. I wonder if anyone out there will comment on this post? I would love to be educated!

-Deuce

 

[backhand_finish]

must be the MIB. oh and J's an alien.

 

[dancraig]

I always wondered what the J on the bag was about.

 

[Deuce]

I can only guess that I am going to step on a whole bunch of toes and really upset a few people with this question. However, my curiosity has definitely overcome my common sense so here is my question.

I am sure everyone in the stringing world has seen the J bags on all of the pros racquets. That is great for him. What an accomplishment. I attempted to research JCS and found that their web site is down. However, I was able to view a couple of caches and interviews with JCS stringers.

One of the JCS stringers said that she was told to forget everything she learned about stringing because JCS does it their own secret way with their very own secret patterns. Does anyone have any idea what the secret methods or patterns are?

My secret is I tie my 2-piece stringing starting knots into heart shapes. I wonder if anyone out there will comment on this post? I would love to be educated!

-Deuce

Please don't 'sign' your posts '- Deuce'. Thanks.
Consider yourself educated.

 

[LafayetteHitter]

I could tell you buth we'd have to kill you.....j/k
Who knows, everyone has some trade secrets and those guy are definately one of the best so I am sure they have some unique ways of doing things.

 

[Stan]

It's no big secret, just marketing. It's a 3 x 3 box pattern with all ties on crosses instead of mains.

 

[BDAZ]

does Jay's Custom Stringing still exist as a company? do they have a shop, or do they just go from tourney to tourney? isn't what was JCS in new york now ****? that's why the site is down.

 

[Gaines Hillix]

The "JCS pattern" is also called a triple box or 3X3 box pattern, which is a modified ATW, "around the world" pattern. The theory here is that this pattern evenly distributes the tension across the frame. As with any ATW pattern, it's used when your mains end at the throat.

1. Start by stringing the mains, leaving the last main on the short side unstrung.

2. Using a starting clamp, clamp off the long side main. This is done so that you free up the clamp on the long side, which will be used to clamp the crosses.

3. Take your short side string(which should be at the head) and weave and tension the top 3 crosses. Tie off at the second cross grommet hole (this hole should be widened with a waxed awl before starting the procedure).

4. Using the long side (which should be at the throat), weave and tension the bottom 3 cross strings. This put you on the short side.

5. String your last main on the short side. You should now be ready to finish the crosses starting with the fourth from the top.

6. Weave and tension the remaining crosses and tie off on either the third or fifth cross at the bottom(again, you may need to widen the grommet before starting the procedure).

I've not used this one myself.


JCS in no longer in business as a shop. Ron Prokes, ****, took over the business, as I understand it.

 

[mctennis]

It is Roman that took over Jay's business. I think Jay maybe doing just the pro tour but I know Roman's number works and Jay's rings into Romans or it did at one time. I've had Roman do all my racquets since Jay isn't there. They do a great job and I've been happy with the work they have done for me and I will continue to use them in the future.

 

[all_court]

Two questions about Jay's method:
1. What is the rationale for choosing those particular holes to tie-off, instead of using the tie-off holes provided by the manufacturer?
2. Does it make a significant difference whether or not the top three and bottom three crosses are installed top to bottom?

 

[Stan]

The method prevents tying off on the mains which is perceived by some as unnecessarily adding to the load of the main strings. The only time this can conceivably come into play is with wicked hard hitters. Since some of these fall into Jay's clientele, I suppose his method makes some sense for them.

Bottom three go bottom up and top three go top down. Not sure it really makes any difference.

 

[Rabbit]

Good to see you posting again, Gaines.

It should also be noted that this method is probably harder on frames. The pros who subscribe to this and say it's better don't have to pay for their frames. I'd suggest top down as the preferred method of stringing for any frame.

 

[giver deaner]

Back in the day when almost all pro's we're using nat gut this pattern made a difference. Gut was not the same quality as it is now. These day's with poly it doesn't make a lick of difference. More machine than pattern

 

[Gaines Hillix]

Two questions about Jay's method:
1. What is the rationale for choosing those particular holes to tie-off, instead of using the tie-off holes provided by the manufacturer?
2. Does it make a significant difference whether or not the top three and bottom three crosses are installed top to bottom?

Some stringers prefer not to tie off on the mains believing that this puts more stress on them and also might effect the response of that particular string. The top three strings are done top down and the bottom three bottom up although I don't know if it makes a huge difference. I'd probably also look at it from the perspective of which cross was closest to the grommet the main came out of to avoid a long run of string on the outside of the frame, particulary at the head.

 

[robstepp]

Any other secrets?

What about knots. Are they just using the Pro's Knot? :roll:

 

[robstepp]

Top Stringers....

I will agree there are the best of the best in everything in the world. For our little piece of the world, I will give props to a few.

Star Stringing at Indian Wells, my personal favorite, is well loved.

JCS, who sold out to **** is reported as one of the best.

But let's be real, Grand Slam Stringers are the tops in the world. Does anyone out there have a web site like theirs? Umm, NO! ****'s site is sad. Looks like a 1st grader designed it. Look at GSS's experience base and equiment too.

GSS, I don't normally care to give people their dues, but you guys are the money. Love your site, your products, and your commitment. thanks.....

 

[Clintspin]

I would think they would do the top three crosses from the bottom to the top so that the top cross would be the one to lose tension on the tie-off and not the third string.

 

[robstepp]

I wonder too

I think its the idea of containing the tension, like building it from the outside in. That top outside cross is kind of like the foundation and you squeeze the tension into the racket, instead of stringing away from the center and giving it a release. That's just my odd view on it.

I imagine making a circle with my hands and squeezing that circle smaller and smaller. That gives me the mental image of the tension being equal and contained within the racket.

Make any sense?