Starting crosses from throat
- Thread starter 10smonkey
- Start date
Mazilla2219
Rookie
On some racquets it's OK. As long as the manufactuer states to string the cross from throat up then it'll be fine and you'll maintain you warranty. I've always did an around the world pattern when faced with these racquets.
rufusbgood
Semi-Pro
Latest version of USRSA Digest is still showing crosses beginning at the throat for 1 pc stringing.
I think you are right. I wouldn't string a Babolat with a 1 piece or start from the throat with the crosses.
TennezSport
Hall of Fame
Why Patterns..........
Both Babolat and Wilson say that their racquets are strong enough to string throat up, but that still doesn not make it a good practice.
The reason you do not want to string throat up is because it puts a lot of stress on the top of the hoop and can lead to deformation, fractures or breakage over time (especially if you string frequently). Stringing head to throat is better because the throat and yoke provide more support minimizing deformation, etc.
To get longer life out of your racquets, string head to throat either via ATW patterns or 2 piece. If you change racquets frequently, then you can string however you want as long as it does not void your warranty.
Cheers, TennezSport
Both Babolat and Wilson say that their racquets are strong enough to string throat up, but that still doesn not make it a good practice.
The reason you do not want to string throat up is because it puts a lot of stress on the top of the hoop and can lead to deformation, fractures or breakage over time (especially if you string frequently). Stringing head to throat is better because the throat and yoke provide more support minimizing deformation, etc.
To get longer life out of your racquets, string head to throat either via ATW patterns or 2 piece. If you change racquets frequently, then you can string however you want as long as it does not void your warranty.
Cheers, TennezSport
drummerdan
Semi-Pro
When I was at the GSS Symposium, Ron Rocchi of Wilson said that some racquets are listed as ok to string throat up but he wouldn't do it. That's good enough for me!
rufusbgood
Semi-Pro
Here's what gets me about our buddies at Wilson. Years ago, they actually published ATW patterns for dozens of their racquets. If you look at a copy of the 1997 Digest there are dozens of racquets that are supposed to be strung like the Ultra FPK 95 and the Ace 110, 2 racquets for which they published an ATW pattern. Even the Pro Staff Mid instructions were for a modified ATW.
Now, this is the same company that publicly announced that if stringers did not double back with the cross strings to secure both ends of the bumperguard it would void the warranty. I think most stringers would agree that this was total BS. Nevertheless, Wilson insisted on it.
So, if you're dealing with a company that demonstrates that they can be real sticklers when it comes to warranty issues and they also demonstrate a capability and willingness to publish ATW patterns WHEN THEY REALLY MEAN IT it seems to me the prudent course is to follow their published instructions. From what I can see, the published instructions for the vast majority of Wilson racquets show 1 pc stringing from bottom to top.
Thank you.
</rant>
From the Babolat website http://www.babolat.com/media/tennis/stringing_pattern/Pure_Drive_Roddick.pdf Now I am thouroughly confused
Irvin
Talk Tennis Guru
Not so sure why you are confused. I contacted Babolat and they said all their rackets should be strung two piece top to bottom. The pattern you referenced shows both one and two piece if you look close.
Best choice is to always do two piece.
Irvin
rufusbgood
Semi-Pro
I know why he is confused. It's because if you follow the numbering system at the link he referenced it shows the crosses starting at the throat and finishing at the top. And nothing about stringing top down.
Irvin
Talk Tennis Guru
That is what I thought when I first looked at the pattern but it is not true. Look real close there are four tie off holes three at the bottom and one at the top. That pattern shows both a one piece and two piece that is what is confusing.
Irvin
rufusbgood
Semi-Pro
If there was something on that diagram in the way of a note that said "Start X's here" up at top then there would be no confusion. Instead they numbered the crosses. As a result, the only possible interpretation of the current drawing is that you can string 1pc or 2pc but always string bottom to top. I'm not suggesting it or recommending it, just reading it. I go by the Stringer's Digest. That's my bible.
onefromcov
New User
As Irvin said head to throat,the bottom cross tie off is tied to a cross string.
Ignore the numbering.
Ignore the numbering.
rufusbgood
Semi-Pro
That's a really interesting point you raise there. I was just stringing up a Pure Drive Team OS two piece and had to use a starting clamp to start it since the tie off up there at the top is on a cross. Opened up my bible and it seems there's a whole slew of Babolat racquets they are showing 2pc from bottom to top including several current ones like the Pure Storm GT and the Pure Storm Tour GT. If the location of the tie off holes is indeed an indication of the mfr's intentions then apparently Irvin was misinformed when he called up.
rufusbgood
Semi-Pro
Are you addressing me or onefromcov? Because that's exactly what he is saying and from what I can see that's exactly the way the USRSA sees it.
Wrong intrepretation
The stringers digest lists this racquet one or 2 pc.and if 2 pc. to be strung top to bottom Nothing confusing about it.
That diagram is not really that confusing, as it is just a numbering system of the grommets stringing, not the order of string placement, otherwise if you went by the numbers you would be stringing all the mains on one side and then go to the other side , as they numbered the mains, but the numbers are just a guide of where the strings are, not an order of stringing.You can easily see that you can start the cross strings at the top, and end at the throat.Most likely the manuf. assumed that those who view the diagram have a basic understanding of stringing, and would know that you would not follow the numbers for order of stringing the strings.
The only place I have seen all the mains being strung on one side then the other was in a big box store.Maybe that stringer takes this numbering the wrong way, or was just too lazy.
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rufusbgood
Semi-Pro
Here's a link to Babolat's stringing diagram for the Pure Storm Tour. Should we ignore the numbering on this one too Jim and start the crosses at the throat? Apparently that's the way the USRSA sees it.
http://www.babolat.com/media/tennis/stringing_pattern/Pure_Storm_Tour.pdf
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Irvin
Talk Tennis Guru
^^ I agree with 'jim e' AGAIN.
In my previous post I was not addressing anyone in particular. I felt as though some people looking at the posts might assume two piece could mean bottom up and that is true. But when I look at two piece I ALWAYS assume the crosses go from top to bottom.
If you do not have a starting clamp and use floating clamps it is possible to start your crosses at the head and tie off on a cross but some new stringers may or may not know how to do that. IF I were unsure how to start crosses with a floating clamp and didn't have a starting clamp, I would string one piece and go from bottom to top because the diagram shows that it is allowed.
When I was told (in email) that Babolat always reccommends two piece for all their racket I replied back with the diagram and was again told two piece on all Babolat rackets is reccommended.
Irvin
In my previous post I was not addressing anyone in particular. I felt as though some people looking at the posts might assume two piece could mean bottom up and that is true. But when I look at two piece I ALWAYS assume the crosses go from top to bottom.
If you do not have a starting clamp and use floating clamps it is possible to start your crosses at the head and tie off on a cross but some new stringers may or may not know how to do that. IF I were unsure how to start crosses with a floating clamp and didn't have a starting clamp, I would string one piece and go from bottom to top because the diagram shows that it is allowed.
When I was told (in email) that Babolat always reccommends two piece for all their racket I replied back with the diagram and was again told two piece on all Babolat rackets is reccommended.
Irvin
The OP question was the Roddick, not the Pure Storm Tour.
The digest calls for top down on the Roddick when you opt for 2 pc.
The Digest also calls for bottom up on the Pure Storm for 2 pc. and top down for 1 pc. so the numbers don't really follow as it would be one way for 1 pc. and another for 2 pc.That in itself throws that numbering out the window.
The Pure Storm is a natural for a 1 pc job, since the mains end at the top.
I would string the Pure Storm Tour as top down no matter if 1 or 2 pc, as the beginning tie off is on a cross, I would use a starting clamp to begin,and then eventually tie it off as listed on the appropriate cross, as thats the best explaination why the Digest would have a 2pc. as bottom up for the Pure Storm Tour, for those who do not wish to use, or have a starting clamp.
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rufusbgood
Semi-Pro
Well, the USRSA agrees with onefromcov. The presence of a tie off hole that permits you to tie a starting knot on a main is the sole indicator of where to begin your crosses for a 2pc stringing. Therefore, according to them, the following Babolat racquets that can be strung 1pc top to bottom should be strung bottom to top when doing a 2 pc stringing. (Maybe before replying you might want to open up the Digest and have a look).
Drive Z 110 Cortex
Drive Z OS
NS Drive OS
Pure Drive 110 Cortex
Pure Drive 112
Pure Storm
Pure Storm GT
Pure Storm MP Team
Pure Storm Team
Pure Storm Tour
Pure Storm Tour +
Pure Storm Tour + GT
Pure Storm Tour GT
XS 109
Y105
Y109
Y112
Y118
Irvin
Talk Tennis Guru
I do agree with 'onefromcov' what is there not to agree about? Did you mean someone else?
Irvin
Thanks for all of your input ....I did ignore the numbering and I did and will continue to string two piece starting the crosses from the head..... By the way after playing with an 03 tour for the past few years the babolat roddick pure drive plus has been a refreshing change .....thanks again everyone
I wrote to the USRSA on this and was given this explaination, which should put this to rest:
(Is just what I was saying as well, as I always used a starting clamp and strung top down on those Babolat racquets that have a tie off on a cross string)
This is the USRSA response to me on this issue:
"Babolat recommends installing 2-piece crosses starting from the head. But, this requires a starting clamp because the tie-off at the head is to be tied to a cross. If you do not have a starting clamp, Babolat allows the crosses to be installed starting from the throat".
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