check out my "Frankenstring" setup!

BruceD · 12-23-2012, 11:10 AM

After seeing all the hype about Wilson's new steam-Spin racquets and noticing they use a 17x15 string setup I though,"I wonder if I can duplicate this on one of my racquets?". So I took out 'ol Mr. Wilson, a '10 K-Factor Bold that had lost some of it's appeal for me, and proceeded to see which strings would be best left out to produce something like it.
I came up with a 16x15 setup and went over to my stringer friend Micheal to do the deed!
Using Pro's Pro Vendetta on the mains and Gamma syn-gut on the crosses produced a very open pattern in the sweet-spot area.
After only a few "bounce tests" I can see this WILL produce more spin!
Today I will go hit the ball to see exactly what it did.
Will I get more spin? Will I get an unplayable racquet, with TOO much power in the sweet spot and nowhere else? Will it just break the strings on the first few hits?
These questions, along with my findings will be posted later on today.
I'm hoping to make an older design into something that would cost FAR less than a new racquet.

canny · 12-23-2012, 11:20 AM

im looking forward to the play test. I read tennis.com article on the racquets and seem promising. Theoretically it should produce alot more spin.

mmk · 12-23-2012, 11:32 AM

While it will make for an interesting experiment, from my understanding it would not be legal for USTA play, as the string density in the center of the frame has the same as or higher than at the outer edges which your pattern isn't.

SteveI · 12-23-2012, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmk

While it will make for an interesting experiment, from my understanding it would not be legal for USTA play, as the string density in the center of the frame has the same as or higher than at the outer edges which your pattern isn't.

Sorry to say most USTA players have no clue about equipement or strings. You could make it to the Nationals before anyone might notice. They are all looking for foot faults or planning their next season best "sandbaging" team to win a 3.0 league.

Andyroo10567 · 12-23-2012, 01:36 PM

Well, time to go try this on my old head.

Ronaldo · 12-23-2012, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveI

Sorry to say most USTA players have no clue about equipement or strings. You could make it to the Nationals before anyone might notice. They are all looking for foot faults or planning their next season best "sandbaging" team to win a 3.0 league.

Don't take this for granted. Had a singles player ask an official to measure the head of my teammate's racquet to determine if it were legal. Our singles player was 65 at the time. Another needle***** move.

db10s · 12-23-2012, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ronaldo

Don't take this for granted. Had a singles player ask an official to measure the head of my teammate's racquet to determine if it were legal. Our singles player was 65 at the time. Another needle***** move.

What racket was it? Can't imagine someone doing that....

Ronaldo · 12-23-2012, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by db10s

What racket was it? Can't imagine someone doing that....

Been 10 yrs but it was either Wilson's Outer Limits or some giant Head racquet. But to pull that move on Gramps who was just eligible for Social Security, come on?

SteveI · 12-23-2012, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ronaldo

Don't take this for granted. Had a singles player ask an official to measure the head of my teammate's racquet to determine if it were legal. Our singles player was 65 at the time. Another needle***** move.

I bet in true USTA spirit you were winning that match... Class move.. measure a 65 year olds racket. BTW... how does one measure the head of a racket on the court??? Was the offical able to measure square inches?

Ronaldo · 12-23-2012, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveI

I bet in true USTA spirit you were winning that match... Class move.. measure a 65 year olds racket. BTW... how does one measure the head of a racket on the court??? Was the offical able to measure square inches?

Was busy with my own match. At least the incident occured before the match started. Yes the old man won for the 19th time that year.

SteveI · 12-23-2012, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ronaldo

Was busy with my own match. At least the incident occured before the match started. Yes the old man won for the 19th time that year.

Good for him!!!!!

Ronaldo · 12-23-2012, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveI

Good for him!!!!!

Not so good at sectionals, 20 yr olds with two legs and a racquet sent him packing back to the Shady Grove Home for the Weary.

db10s · 12-23-2012, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveI

I bet in true USTA spirit you were winning that match... Class move.. measure a 65 year olds racket. BTW... how does one measure the head of a racket on the court??? Was the offical able to measure square inches?

Length.... I think.

It says head... but thats the only thing I could think of.

Ronaldo · 12-23-2012, 03:01 PM

Curious how long the strings last with such an open pattern. TW University has an article on string patterns and spin potential, http://twu.tennis-warehouse.com/lear...ingpattern.php

db10s · 12-23-2012, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ronaldo

Curious how long the strings last with such an open pattern. TW University has an article on string patterns and spin potential, http://twu.tennis-warehouse.com/lear...ingpattern.php

That was pretty cool!

BruceD · 12-25-2012, 05:06 PM

Success! Now I get more trampoline effect AND incredible amounts of spin!

I don't plan on entering any USTA event soon, so I'm not too concerned about the 'legality' of my monster!

Andyroo10567 · 12-25-2012, 05:14 PM

^^ Now that's what im talking about!! Im going to probably try it on one of my old Prestiges. I'll post some pics when i get around it.

fortun8son · 12-26-2012, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BruceD

Success! Now I get more trampoline effect AND incredible amounts of spin!

I don't plan on entering any USTA event soon, so I'm not too concerned about the 'legality' of my monster!

I'm glad it's working for you.
Tournament legality aside, if it increases your enjoyment, go for it.
Now, let's see how long it lasts.

MikeHitsHard93 · 12-26-2012, 01:09 PM

I can imagine that your stringer was both happy and confused about stringing less crosses lol

fortun8son · 12-26-2012, 01:20 PM

I was the stringer.'Twas not bad at all.
I was more concerned with deformation.
I wanted to string the crosses tighter.
It shortened 1/8 inch coming off the machine.

12-23-2012, 11:10 AM	#1
BruceD New User Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Las Vegas, baby! Posts: 70	check out my "Frankenstring" setup! After seeing all the hype about Wilson's new steam-Spin racquets and noticing they use a 17x15 string setup I though,"I wonder if I can duplicate this on one of my racquets?". So I took out 'ol Mr. Wilson, a '10 K-Factor Bold that had lost some of it's appeal for me, and proceeded to see which strings would be best left out to produce something like it. I came up with a 16x15 setup and went over to my stringer friend Micheal to do the deed! Using Pro's Pro Vendetta on the mains and Gamma syn-gut on the crosses produced a very open pattern in the sweet-spot area. After only a few "bounce tests" I can see this WILL produce more spin! Today I will go hit the ball to see exactly what it did. Will I get more spin? Will I get an unplayable racquet, with TOO much power in the sweet spot and nowhere else? Will it just break the strings on the first few hits? These questions, along with my findings will be posted later on today. I'm hoping to make an older design into something that would cost FAR less than a new racquet. __________________ Top-End T-3 wchair maniac, Prince Air Light 118" P Spin b&w poly, W K-Bold 37X 41lbs 16x14 Frankenstring setup, hybrid

12-23-2012, 01:36 PM	#5
Andyroo10567 Semi-Pro Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 782	Well, time to go try this on my old head. __________________ Racquet : Prince Youtek 6.1 Tour 531g 17x19 Strings : Steel Wire ( 21G ) <- Prototype

12-23-2012, 03:01 PM	#14
Ronaldo G.O.A.T. Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 12,117	Curious how long the strings last with such an open pattern. TW University has an article on string patterns and spin potential, http://twu.tennis-warehouse.com/lear...ingpattern.php __________________ LET US RUN WITH PATIENCE THE RACE THAT IS SET BEFORE US

12-25-2012, 05:06 PM	#16
BruceD New User Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Las Vegas, baby! Posts: 70	Power and SPIN!! Success! Now I get more trampoline effect AND incredible amounts of spin! I don't plan on entering any USTA event soon, so I'm not too concerned about the 'legality' of my monster! __________________ Top-End T-3 wchair maniac, Prince Air Light 118" P Spin b&w poly, W K-Bold 37X 41lbs 16x14 Frankenstring setup, hybrid

12-25-2012, 05:14 PM	#17
Andyroo10567 Semi-Pro Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 782	^^ Now that's what im talking about!! Im going to probably try it on one of my old Prestiges. I'll post some pics when i get around it. __________________ Racquet : Prince Youtek 6.1 Tour 531g 17x19 Strings : Steel Wire ( 21G ) <- Prototype