New MRT

drummerdan

drummerdan

Semi-Pro
I'm a new MRT!

I just received my MRT certification from the USRSA today!

I went through all the testing down at the GSS Symposium a week ago in Orlando. I must say that Dave Bone (of the USRSA) and Bob Patterson were invaluable as they gave a "cram" session to the 7 of us who took the test.

That was a pretty tough and stressful test as all of us were sweating it quit a bit. There's much more pressure to do everything right when you have people watching you and writing notes as you do it!!!

My scores:

Written - 92.3%
Racquet Evaluation - 100%
String removal/grommet replacement - 100%
Handle sizing and gripping - 100%
Stringing - 97.3%

Whew!
 
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P

Parker512

Guest
drummerdan said:
I just received my MRT certification from the USRSA today!

I went through all the testing down at the GSS Symposium a week ago in Orlando. I must say that Dave Bone (of the USRSA) and Bob Patterson were invaluable as they gave a "cram" session to the 7 of us who took the test.

That was a pretty tough and stressful test as all of us were sweating it quit a bit. There's much more pressure to do everything right when you have people watching you and writing notes as you do it!!!

My scores:

Written - 92.3%
Racquet Evaluation - 100%
String removal/grommet replacement - 100%
Handle sizing and gripping - 100%
Stringing - 97.3%

Whew!
Click to expand...

Great what did you need to get to pass. And the cost to take the test.
 
drummerdan

drummerdan

Semi-Pro
Parker512 said:
Great what did you need to get to pass. And the cost to take the test.
Click to expand...

The total cost is:

USRSA membership dues - $119
MRT testing fees - $150

The USRSA sends you all the materials you need to study for taking the test. You'll need to know how to string, re-grip, build up a grip, change grommets and take a written test over all the material the USRSA sends you. Then, practice and study!!
 
Jonny S&V

Jonny S&V

Hall of Fame
drummerdan said:
The total cost is:

USRSA membership dues - $119
MRT testing fees - $150

The USRSA sends you all the materials you need to study for taking the test. You'll need to know how to string, re-grip, build up a grip, change grommets and take a written test over all the material the USRSA sends you. Then, practice and study!!
Click to expand...

Congrats and happy stringing!

I notice that you're in the MO Valley area, so you would probably know where the closest place to take the test is. I've heard that Chicago is closest for me (I live in northern MO), but I'm not 100%. You happen to know this answer?
 
R

rich s

Hall of Fame
drummerdan said:
The total cost is:

USRSA membership dues - $119
MRT testing fees - $150

The USRSA sends you all the materials you need to study for taking the test. You'll need to know how to string, re-grip, build up a grip, change grommets and take a written test over all the material the USRSA sends you. Then, practice and study!!
Click to expand...

Congrats on your achievement!!

is there a time limit you cannot exceed when stringing the racquet?

it is a hybrid, poly, NG, syn gut?

do you bring your own machine or do they supply one. how much time do they allow you to familiarize yourself with the machine if they supply it?

thanks....
 
drummerdan

drummerdan

Semi-Pro
Jonny S&V said:
Congrats and happy stringing!

I notice that you're in the MO Valley area, so you would probably know where the closest place to take the test is. I've heard that Chicago is closest for me (I live in northern MO), but I'm not 100%. You happen to know this answer?
Click to expand...

I believe there is a tester in the Kansas City area.

rich s said:
Congrats on your achievement!!

is there a time limit you cannot exceed when stringing the racquet?

it is a hybrid, poly, NG, syn gut?

do you bring your own machine or do they supply one. how much time do they allow you to familiarize yourself with the machine if they supply it?

thanks....
Click to expand...

The time parameters are 20-45 minutes for maximum points and no more than 60 minutes. You can actually get docked points for stringing in under 20 minutes! But take your time. It's quality that counts, not speed.

It's a hybrid of syn gut in the mains and natural gut in the crosses. They hand you 2 sets of string and you have to figure out which is which. Not too tough but you have to pay attention. I strung on a Wilson Baiardo but that's because they were there already at the symposium. I had strung on it several times before the testing so I was familiar with it. Under usual testing, I think you can bring your own machine, if you want. They should have one there already. I'm sure you can ask what it is before you get there.
 
dancraig

dancraig

Hall of Fame
Congratulations Dan.

How many participates, not counting organizers and leaders and company reps etc, where present this year?
 
Lakers4Life

Lakers4Life

Hall of Fame
I know the MRT cert is only good for a year, but how much to re-test?

Also what did you do wrong during stringing to get a 2.7% deduction?

BTW Congrats ON PASSING!
 
dgdawg

dgdawg

Professional
drummerdan said:
I just received my MRT certification from the USRSA today!

I went through all the testing down at the GSS Symposium a week ago in Orlando. I must say that Dave Bone (of the USRSA) and Bob Patterson were invaluable as they gave a "cram" session to the 7 of us who took the test.

That was a pretty tough and stressful test as all of us were sweating it quit a bit. There's much more pressure to do everything right when you have people watching you and writing notes as you do it!!!

My scores:

Written - 92.3%
Racquet Evaluation - 100%
String removal/grommet replacement - 100%
Handle sizing and gripping - 100%
Stringing - 97.3%

Whew!
Click to expand...

Good job, man!!!
I took the CS test about 2 yrs. ago. I was sweating it as well. I thought it turned out to be pretty ease.
I'd already been doing pretty much everything in the test already.
The test you describe sounds like the CS test.
The MRT test requires fairly extensive knowledge of string technology and an annual renewal, with an annual written "mini" test to bump up on the year's new technologies.
I kinda thought I save the MRT test, and the annual renewal, for when I open my pro shop

Congrats, Dan!!! It's a awesome accomplishment

P.S.-I'm also a drummer. I play a Black Lacquer Yamaha Custom Tour kit
 
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dgdawg

dgdawg

Professional
Lakers4Life said:
I know the MRT cert is only good for a year, but how much to re-test?

Also what did you do wrong during stringing to get a 2.7% deduction?

BTW Congrats ON PASSING!
Click to expand...

Hey Joel-I think it's $195 annually. Could be mistaken, tho
The Certified Stringer's test has no annual renewal. It's lifetime.
Ha ha...that's why I chose the CS test. That's like...$120 one time fee, I think.
 
schap02

schap02

Semi-Pro
Good work, don't know if I will ever get certified in anything but congrats for getting the job done, charge a few more bucks to your customers now!!!
 
B

bigmatt

Semi-Pro
dgdawg said:
Hey Joel-I think it's $195 annually. Could be mistaken, tho
The Certified Stringer's test has no annual renewal. It's lifetime.
Ha ha...that's why I chose the CS test. That's like...$120 one time fee, I think.
Click to expand...

It's only $15 per year to keep your MRT status. You have to pass a test, but it's open-book.
 
drummerdan

drummerdan

Semi-Pro
Lakers4Life said:
I know the MRT cert is only good for a year, but how much to re-test?

Also what did you do wrong during stringing to get a 2.7% deduction?

BTW Congrats ON PASSING!
Click to expand...

Thanks!!

I'm not sure of the cost to keep the MRT designation but I think it's pretty cheap and it's open book.

On the last pull of the crosses, I got a kink (gut) but it was pulled all the way through and was cut off after I tied off. Dave Bone said that even though it wasn't part of the final string job, I kinked it and it counts off. Bummer...
 
drummerdan

drummerdan

Semi-Pro
dgdawg said:
Good job, man!!!
I took the CS test about 2 yrs. ago. I was sweating it as well. I thought it turned out to be pretty ease.
I'd already been doing pretty much everything in the test already.
The test you describe sounds like the CS test.
The MRT test requires fairly extensive knowledge of string technology and an annual renewal, with an annual written "mini" test to bump up on the year's new technologies.
I kinda thought I save the MRT test, and the annual renewal, for when I open my pro shop

Congrats, Dan!!! It's a awesome accomplishment

P.S.-I'm also a drummer. I play a Black Lacquer Yamaha Custom Tour kit
Click to expand...

Yeah, the racquet technologies section of the written test freaked me out a bit but I got through it. There were 120 questions total (I think) and had 90 minutes to finish. I finished with about 5 minutes to spare. Whew!

Your Yamaha is a nice sounding kit. I used to play a Pearl kit but switched to a Roland V-kit about 8 years ago and haven't looked back since. I love the control I have with the room noise, different sounds on the module and ease to set up and tear down for gigs. Awesome kit and fun to play.

dgdawg said:
I kinda thought I save the MRT test, and the annual renewal, for when I open my pro shop
Click to expand...

I figured that since I was at the symposium, I might as well do the MRT testing. Glad I did so it's out of the way now.
 
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dgdawg

dgdawg

Professional
drummerdan said:
Yeah, the racquet technologies section of the written test freaked me out a bit but I got through it. There were 120 questions total (I think) and had 90 minutes to finish. I finished with about 5 minutes to spare. Whew!

Your Yamaha is a nice sounding kit. I used to play a Pearl kit but switched to a Roland V-kit about 8 years ago and haven't looked back since. I love the control I have with the room noise, different sounds on the module and ease to set up and tear down for gigs. Awesome kit and fun to play.



I figured that since I was at the symposium, I might as well do the MRT testing. Glad I did so it's out of the way now.
Click to expand...

Nice...I haven't played the club scene in years. If I ever did start "working" again, I'd deff go electronic
 
drummerdan

drummerdan

Semi-Pro
dgdawg said:
Nice...I haven't played the club scene in years. If I ever did start "working" again, I'd deff go electronic
Click to expand...

Yeah. I don't play gigs much, if any, anymore. Just a regular weekly gig at Church where I've played for 10 years. We have a play set of about 300 songs. Electronic IS the way to go, IMHO. Just like stringing machines!!
 
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