Less tension for 17 gauge string?

[Chief]

I read a couple of things online that said you should string 17 gauge at a lower tension than 16 gauge (assuming similar string) for some reason.

Any reason why? I know poly should be strung lower than syn gut or multi. But the 17 thing is new to me....of course I am new to stringing so maybe this is common knowledge?

[Dasol]

Originally Posted by Chief

I read a couple of things online that said you should string 17 gauge at a lower tension than 16 gauge (assuming similar string) for some reason.

Any reason why? I know poly should be strung lower than syn gut or multi. But the 17 thing is new to me....of course I am new to stringing so maybe this is common knowledge?

I think 17 gauge is more powerful than 16, so I believe there is no reason why you should string 17 gauge lower than 16. For better control, I think it makes sense that you string 17 gauge little bit higher than 16. Personally, I do not feel so much difference between 16 and 17 when they are strung at the same tension.

[LttlElvis]

When changing something about a string, only change one thing. That way you know the difference. Since you are trying a different gauge of the same string, keep it the same tension so you actually know the difference.

Changing both gauge and tension, you wouldn't know exactly what makes the string play differently.

[arche3]

Originally Posted by Chief

I read a couple of things online that said you should string 17 gauge at a lower tension than 16 gauge (assuming similar string) for some reason.

Any reason why? I know poly should be strung lower than syn gut or multi. But the 17 thing is new to me....of course I am new to stringing so maybe this is common knowledge?

The reason is because a 17 will stretch more than 16 at the same tension. So the 17 will end up strung higher. The string bed tension will be higher when finished. So if you want the same string bed tension of a 16 you string the 17 slightly lower. But the 17 is slightly more power usually so the slightly higher string bed tension may actually be a better way to string for a 17 if you want the same power level.

[Squidward]

Originally Posted by LttlElvis

When changing something about a string, only change one thing. That way you know the difference. Since you are trying a different gauge of the same string, keep it the same tension so you actually know the difference.

Changing both gauge and tension, you wouldn't know exactly what makes the string play differently.

I agree with this process. One change at a time. Best method to find your goal.

[Lakers4Life]

Originally Posted by LttlElvis

When changing something about a string, only change one thing. That way you know the difference. Since you are trying a different gauge of the same string, keep it the same tension so you actually know the difference.

Changing both gauge and tension, you wouldn't know exactly what makes the string play differently.

Originally Posted by Squidward

I agree with this process. One change at a time. Best method to find your goal.

+2

When going from 16 to 17, you're giving up durablity for playability, and vice versa. If you're not a chronic string breaker, it may not make a big difference.

[fortun8son]

If we're talking two different gauges of the same string, I'd usually string the 17 a little higher.
Two different strings? That changes everything.
Some 17s are stiffer and/or less elastic than some 16s,etc.
One parameter at a time is a good rule.
If you're changing both string and gauge, that's two.
Don't mess with the tension yet.

[mikeler]

17g is usually more powerful than 16 as others have stated. All things being equal, you may wish to up the tension.

[coachrick]

A) It depends on the string. Most 17ga strings are not simply 'thinner' versions of their 16ga counterparts. Unless the string is a pure monofilament, the core may or may not change diameter from gauge to gauge OR the wraps may be different to allow for the change in gauge. It's not as simple as "From an engineering standpoint, thinner string(s) behaves a certain way compared to thicker strings". Much of what we 'feel' from the stringbed is pitch...a thinner string will generally have a higher pitch or 'ping' at a given tension compared to the thicker gauge. There is simply more material in a thicker string, thus the more muted sound(usually). It's not purely about power.

2) While I understand the 'change only one variable at a time' approach, I don't believe it applies in >90% of rackets/customers you will encounter. It's already been said that tension X will perform differently from gauge to gauge. In effect, you are NOT using the same tension simply because you didn't change the machine setting.

If a player came to me with a 15 gauge string(all we had on the deserted island) and he was used to 17ga, there is no way I wouldn't adjust the tension to try to replicate the feel of his favorite racket.

All this 'keep the exact same tension' talk doesn't take into account changes in balls, ball condition, temperature, humidity, opponent, court surface...etc, etc, etc. Of course, I would change tension to mitigate the change in other variables. Simply 'keeping the same tension' could easily result in a lousy feeling string job...when it would have been more advantageous to say "We are changing X...we need to adjust Y to compensate".

Heck, the difference in hitting when it's 55 degrees in the morning vs 85 in the afternoon(or the courts are wetter/drier, etc) would be reason enough to consider changing more than one variable at a time. That's where experience comes in .

[coachrick]

Originally Posted by mikeler

17g is usually more powerful than 16 as others have stated. All things being equal, you may wish to up the tension.

'Our' experience tells us that the "usually" part of the sentence requires some careful consideration on the part of the stringer. Is the string poly? Kevlar? stretchy multi?

To take an extreme example, someone has a ProBlend type string...thick Kevlar mains and standard crosses. No way would I increase the tension if that player gives me a set of 17 or 18ga Kevlar blend. The combination of the thinner gauge AND higher tension in a Kevlar type string would change the feel dramatically(and not likely in a good way! ).

Again, your experience and mine tells us to consider many factors...not just tension and gauge. IMHO, of course.