Advice on warping (of a Prestige Tour)

[wlinchon]

Hello,

I recently got a Prestige Tour 660 but it looks like its a bit warped at 2 o'clock.

Would cutting out the strings help the condition of the racquet? And would anyone know how a warp like this would affect playability of the racquet?

I don't plan to play with it for a while and the strings on it are somewhat nice. If there are no benefits to removing the strings and the racquet would play fine with the warp, I don't see why I should I cut it now and have to pay for a string job later. Any comments?

I've searced through the boards and haven't found a definitive answer. Can anyone help?

Thanks,
Warren

 

[Aeropro joe]

the manager of a proshop told me that if you cut the strings out it will return to normal, i reccommend cutting them out just so the racket doesnt undergo unneccessary stress.

 

[drakulie]

If it's warping it is done.

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

If it's warping it is done.

Yeah if it's warped, releasing the tension wont do anything. The next time you string it, it'll warp again

 

[AndrewD]

Warren,

There is a big difference between a deformation and warping. If the racquet head is slightly deformed due to stringing then cutting the strings out can have it spring back into shape. If the racquet is truly warped then there isn't anything more you can do about it.
Best thing you can do is cut the strings out and hope that it was merely deformed. If it is warped then it is still playable but not to the same degree it would be in pristine condition. Either way, it is a good idea to remove strings from a racquet if you don't intend to use it.

Hopefully Gaines, Thomas or one of the pro stringers on this board will be able to give you an more definitive answer. They might also be able to tell you how long those nice strings remain 'nice' when the racquet isn't being used.

 

[wlinchon]

Rays of light. Thanks all.

Andrew,

Can you elaborate on what it means by deformation? Maybe if I upload a pic it would be better.

Hang on.

Warren

 

[wlinchon]

 

[wlinchon]

Hmmm..not the best of my photos in my opinion.

In the first photo, the warp/deformation is on the top.

And on the other photo, its to the right.

It doesnt look that bad but kind of reminds me of those Head Hammer racquets that look like handball racquets, know what I mean? Well, not that bad. And it looks like it only to one side, not both.

I also wonder what caused this.

Warren

 

[drakulie]

wlinchon, AndrewD gave you some good advice. Sometimes the racquet warps from a bad string job, leaving the racquet in the heat, or it is losing it's strength/integrity. There could be many reasons and factors.

Also, sometimes when a racquet is incorrectly strung it may deform a little on one side. Maybe the stringer changed the tension in the middle of completing the job, did not follow an appropriate stringing pattern, missed a loop, or whatever the case. Taking the strings off will help it regain it's natural position, if it is not warped.

First thing you should probably do is cut the strings out. If the racquet is still warped I do not know of anything you could do. If it regains it natural position then have it professionally re-strung making sure you tell the stringer the "history" of the racquet.

Good luck!

 

[wlinchon]

drakulie,

So if it does even out a little/look better, would having it immediately restrung professionally further improve its changes of recovering?

Out of curiosity, if a stringer were told of what had happend, what would go through their mind when restringing? Afraid of getting blank looks and negative comments.

Warren

 

[drakulie]

Warren, I can't really answer your questions unless I string it. If the racquet does not go to it's original position after taking out the strings-as a stringer-I would not string it. Stringing a racquet will definitely not help the racquet regain it's original state. When a racquet is strung it goes under enormous strain.

To answer your last question ......If the racquet looked "sound" to me after being told this story, I would probably string it at the lowest recommended tension, and be very careful and patient. Making sure to look at the racquet for abnormalities during the job, and looking and listening for possible crackling noises.

However, be patient as there are lots of really good and quality stringers on these boards that I am sure have much more experience in this then I do. They may be able to provide you with other information.

You may want to post your question in the "stringing" section of the board.

 

[AndrewD]

Warren,
After looking at those pics of yours I'd say cut the strings out NOW. Instead of an oval shape you've got something that looks squared off at the top. A warped racquet would be 'bowed', not pulled out of shape like that (deformed). No guaranteed that the racquet will recover but its only going to get worse if you leave that string in there.

 

[tedmeister]

Sad to see such a thing happen to a nice frame From your pictures it seems that the deformity is symmetrical. This was most probably caused by too great of a tension difference between the Ms and the Xs with the mains being a lot higher or the stringer starting out the mains accidentally at 5 or even 10 lbs more in the first few main strings and then just bringing it back to the desired tension and not bothering to start from the beginning. Could also be some slight slippage occurring in the first couple of pulls and then the stringer just tightened the vise without remounting. Shabby I know, but it happens. Usually the frame bulges out near the 3 and 9 positions if the all the fibers are intact which is not what you have in your prestige. Doesn't look too good from here.

I suggest cutting out the strings to see if it will go back to its original shape. If it is really warped only on one side as you say, then the outlook is not so good as the fibers on that side is weakened such that when you string it, it will most likely fold up again.

Just hope for the best. String it up with some cheap synthetic gut at first to test it out. What's going for you is that these flexible racquets are more likely to ease back to their former shape than their stiffer cousins. I've recently "restored" a Head Liquid metal 4 that was brought to our shop measuring more than 27 1/2 to the original 27.25 with the owner saying that it plays better after the "restoration".

 

[NoBadMojo]

The 660 headsize Prestige and triSys300 frame were notorious for warping and I would be very surprised if there is anything that will restore it to its original shape unfortunately. especiallly since the warpage is at one side....if right at 12 o'clock, sometimes cutting the strings out will restore the frame to its original shape temporarily (until it is strung again)

 

[wlinchon]

Thank you all. You are the best.

I've cut out the strings. And, although I know it wouldn't do anything, stared at it for a while. Guess I was hoping my will power would make it go back to shape. And after looking at it for a while, I've confused myself. Wonder what I should do next. I guess I will just leave it unstrung for a while.

BTW, Does this happen often? And does this deformation happen soon after there is a mistake in the stringing or after play? What should one do when we notice this? Is there any liability of the stringer to provide a new racquet or something like that when this happens?

Again, words cannot express my gratitute for your fountain of wisdom everyone.

Warren