All this got me curious and I had a
Head YouTek Three Star come in. I measured the racket and here are the results:
Unbroken strings in racket - 27 10/16"
No strings in racket - 27 10/16"
Mounted racket no strings - 27 11/16"
4 center mains tensioned - 27 10/16"
8 center mains tensioned - 27 9/16"
12 center mains tensioned - 27 8/16"
all 16 mains tensioned - 27 7/16"
Knots tied clamps released - 27 7/16"
top four crosses tensioned - 27 8/16"
top eight crosses tensioned - 27 9/16"
top twelve crosses tensioned - 27 9/16"
all crosses tensioned - 27 10/16"
crosses ties off - 27 10/16"
racket unmounted - 27 10/16"
Mains and crosses were strung with Gamma SG w/WearGuard @ 57 lbs 2 piece pattern. Racket was compressed 3/16" stringing the mains but all length was recovered when crosses were strung. End result was the same as the start.
Irvin