PrestigeMid 16x18???
 

Just acquired this.


It's a Head Graphite Edge TXE Mid with a 16x18 pattern. And I got to thinking.....

I've searched on here, found nothing, and this question comes out of pure ignorance but could I string-up a Prestige Mid (18x20 string pattern) with a 16x18 string pattern? Or any open pattern like 16x19?

I own a stringer and do my own jobs but by no means am I proficient at stringing or know too many ins/outs. If it is possible, it has to be done so that the frame isn't compensated in the process, at least that's my guess.

Thanks in advance,
-Klem

To go from 18x20 to 16x18 is easy enough. Just skip the last mains and top/bottom cross. You can also do the 16x19 pattern by skipping last mains and just the last cross at the bottom. Should be no frame integrity issues. You can't do anything about central main spacing, but I suspect the the string bed will be slightly less stiff.

Addendum: May have to find new tie off holes.

^Good to know. Thanks. So you're saying thew string bed wouldn't be uniform like other 16x18 or 16x19 frames?

Makes sense. Worth a shot.

By skipping the last outer mains and top/bottom cross, you'll leave more spacing between the woven strings and the edge of the frame. Theoretically, your string bed stiffness should go down because you can have more deflection.

Seems like a worthwhile experiment. It does look as if the feel would be more plush/soft.

The center (and pretty much everywhere but the extremes of the string bed) would still have the same string-density, no way around that I guess.

Good point! Most frames (more often than not) have 6 tie off holes - four on the end where the mains end so you can tie off each main and one cross. And two on the other end where only a cross is tied. If you omit the outside mains you will end on the wrong end, and use both tie off holes for the mains doing two piece. You may want to consider an ATW pattern if you try this and your mains end at the bottom or you are stringing hybrid.