Qualities of a Top Stringer

davidahenry · 05-21-2008, 11:13 AM

Dear Friends,

I have been playing 5.0 level tennis for over 20 years and am an enthusiastic fan of the game. I know a fair amount about different strings and their impact on playability and durability, but I am very new to stringing racquets and even newer to this forum.

As I grow as a stringer and continue to improve my knowledge and skillset, I have aspirations of starting a small stringing business "on the side". For my development, I am curious... What are the skills and traits that distinguish a good stringer from a great stringer?

Taking this further, what are the special characteristics possessed by Pro Tour stringers?

Taking this even further, what, if anything other than a fortunate relationship with a top pro, separates a legendary stringer like Roman Prokes or Nate Ferguson from "other Pro Tour stringers"?

(By the way, I am not assuming that a Pro Tour stringer is better than a great stringer in a club or shop. I know there are great stringers in clubs/shops around the world, and I know that there are great stringers on tour.)

Thanks in advance for the insights.

David

jcstennis · 05-21-2008, 11:51 AM

Dave... i work with a "Pro Tour" stringer, he worked with Jay, Roman, etc... the one thing that still amazes me is how he can size things up so fast and the infinite knowledge, technical knowledge of tennis is astonishing. I think he was born with "it"

Anyway, what he is teaching me is consistency. Not just about stringing technique, but knowing your equipment and using all that is available to you to its highest level... I learn something new from him every time we meet... i have been lucky enough to draw from his experiences. One thing that is a definite, is take your time. Be patient. There is a lot to learn, but enjoy every second of it!

There is a really nice guy on the boards here that is extremely helpful and very knowledgeable... YUlittle. Check out his vids and posts. Also posting on the boards are Tour stringers... they jump in and post, very helpful, insightful. There are other sites and forums you may want to explore on the web to help also... so far all those that i have come into contact with have been very helpful and nice.

davidahenry · 05-21-2008, 03:50 PM

Thanks for the information and quick reply.

I realized I probably should have posted this in the "Strings and Stringing" group instead of the "Stringing Machines" group, but I guess the same people probably hang out in both places.

David

max200G · 05-25-2008, 11:47 AM

Try ******************************

chrisplchs · 05-25-2008, 12:28 PM

As I am writing this, I am trying to finish my 1/2 case as well as finish looking over logic circuits so this might sound a bit rushed and/or convoluted.

There really is no one characteristics that can be tangibly measured on what separates a "good" and "great" stringer. It isn't like there is a standardized test that spits out a number that tells you "oh he's a 'great' stringer or nah, he's only a 'good' stringer". Getting the MRT is nice and all but it doesn't really make one a "great" or even "good" stringer and not having a MRT doesn't make one not a "great" or "good" stringer. I have seen phenomenal stringers who have worked at tour events and I'm willing to bet some of them could not tell you what "K-factor" or "Microgel" is besides that it supposedly makes the racquet better for the consumer and it sounds like an awesome project from Madison Avenue.

Speed isn't the most important quality, although it is some what necessary. Consistency and stamina are the two main qualities.

05-21-2008, 11:13 AM	#1
davidahenry Professional Join Date: May 2008 Location: Miamisburg, OH Posts: 953	Qualities of a Top Stringer Dear Friends, I have been playing 5.0 level tennis for over 20 years and am an enthusiastic fan of the game. I know a fair amount about different strings and their impact on playability and durability, but I am very new to stringing racquets and even newer to this forum. As I grow as a stringer and continue to improve my knowledge and skillset, I have aspirations of starting a small stringing business "on the side". For my development, I am curious... What are the skills and traits that distinguish a good stringer from a great stringer? Taking this further, what are the special characteristics possessed by Pro Tour stringers? Taking this even further, what, if anything other than a fortunate relationship with a top pro, separates a legendary stringer like Roman Prokes or Nate Ferguson from "other Pro Tour stringers"? (By the way, I am not assuming that a Pro Tour stringer is better than a great stringer in a club or shop. I know there are great stringers in clubs/shops around the world, and I know that there are great stringers on tour.) Thanks in advance for the insights. David

05-21-2008, 11:51 AM	#2
jcstennis Hall Of Fame Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 2,471	Dave... i work with a "Pro Tour" stringer, he worked with Jay, Roman, etc... the one thing that still amazes me is how he can size things up so fast and the infinite knowledge, technical knowledge of tennis is astonishing. I think he was born with "it" Anyway, what he is teaching me is consistency. Not just about stringing technique, but knowing your equipment and using all that is available to you to its highest level... I learn something new from him every time we meet... i have been lucky enough to draw from his experiences. One thing that is a definite, is take your time. Be patient. There is a lot to learn, but enjoy every second of it! There is a really nice guy on the boards here that is extremely helpful and very knowledgeable... YUlittle. Check out his vids and posts. Also posting on the boards are Tour stringers... they jump in and post, very helpful, insightful. There are other sites and forums you may want to explore on the web to help also... so far all those that i have come into contact with have been very helpful and nice. __________________ Pro Staff 6.1's from now on, should have never left in the first place!!

05-25-2008, 11:47 AM	#4
max200G Rookie Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 111	Try ****************************** Last edited by max200G : 05-25-2008 at 12:01 PM.

05-25-2008, 12:28 PM	#5
chrisplchs Professional Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 870	As I am writing this, I am trying to finish my 1/2 case as well as finish looking over logic circuits so this might sound a bit rushed and/or convoluted. There really is no one characteristics that can be tangibly measured on what separates a "good" and "great" stringer. It isn't like there is a standardized test that spits out a number that tells you "oh he's a 'great' stringer or nah, he's only a 'good' stringer". Getting the MRT is nice and all but it doesn't really make one a "great" or even "good" stringer and not having a MRT doesn't make one not a "great" or "good" stringer. I have seen phenomenal stringers who have worked at tour events and I'm willing to bet some of them could not tell you what "K-factor" or "Microgel" is besides that it supposedly makes the racquet better for the consumer and it sounds like an awesome project from Madison Avenue. Speed isn't the most important quality, although it is some what necessary. Consistency and stamina are the two main qualities. __________________ USRSA MRT Volkl C10 Pro w/ Fairway Leather Grip Babolat Star 3 Innocent! 6 13 45

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