I do use a starting clamp with gut strings but anytime I use a starting clamp I try not to clamp a string where it will be making a turn going into a grommet or coming out of one near the head of the racket. There is some ghosting on gut string from the clamp but it should be fine. It is not just gut string I treat all strings that way.
It is possible your clamp is stronger than the one I use ot possibly not as strong. You must get to know your clamp pressure preferably on scrap pieces of string. My I an old VS clamp that is very strong and it will crush the string. I have 2 Gamma clamps. One of my Gamma clamps is stronger than the other. My older Gamma clamp I though was worn out but it was just the springs. I took the springs off a Pro-Pro clamp and put them on the old gamma and it came back to life. I would never use the VS clamp on gut it will flatten it pretty bad. On the newer gamma I put the string through the clamp so it even with the eyes in the clamp. For the one with the Pros Pro spring I can go a little lower. if the clamp is too tight it will crush the string. If it is not tight enough it will mar the string. You must find a happy medium.
Do you do it for yourself or install for others?
This is a good point. I have been using a new Alpha starting clamp. I don't know how its clamping pressure compares to other starting clamps. I have tried not to place the string too low in the clamp, but low enough to ensure that the string doesn't slip.
I'm also using the starting clamp to start mains and crosses. I haven't had any issues when it comes to polyester strings, which I've used for crosses. I'm not sure if the flattening/crushing effect that I witnessed with the gut mains will affect performance or longevity. We'll see. I just wanted to see if this was something that others are noticing and how to prevent it in the future. I'm using an Alpha starting clamp.
I had an Alpha and gave it to a friend. I didn't care for the head size and it was stronger. The clamp I use now, the GSS, is really good at holding without denting. The Gamma clamp, which I also own but down use, it good too. I have a new Babolat clamp which I also use as my 2nd clamp. It doesn't hurt the gut either.
It might be worth seeing if I can get ahold of one of those other clamps.
This is great, thanks. I wasn't sure if ghosting/crushing would actually make the string more vulnerable to snapping, and if that's not the case, then there's really no issue.
This is a good point. I have, actually, tried to clean the starting clamp. It wasn't very easy, given that it's very tight and not easy to keep open wide enough to maneuver in a toothbrush or whatever.
Take the springs out when you clean your clamp.
I had a client that asked for the low grade gut and I didn't have any so he had VS Touch / ALU Rough installed. He went home and played with it 1 time and cut out the low grade gut he had in another racket brought it, and 2 more to be strung with VS Touch / ALU Rough. On his next visit said the VS lasted 4 times as long and played better than the low grade did so it was actually cheaper in the long run.
They are just compression springs. It is easy to pull them away from the handle. Then you can put them back in the reverse. There are small nubs on the handle that keeps the springs in place. On some starting clamps you can easily remove the pin holding the clamp together. If you can do that you have better acces to check and clean the surfaces.
Ah, very simple indeed, just figured it out. Thanks.
I purchased directly from the guy who makes GG. But I am done.
