Amateur Stringer vs the Pro Shop....

[Tennis_dude101]

I met a fellow tennis player at work who play's Section 1 night tennis. He in conversation he told me that he gets his racquets restrung monthly at a well known Pro Shop here in Melbourne(they use Wilson Baiardo stringing machines). They are charging him around $37 per restring for a full bed of 17 gauge Synthetic Gut(From the look of it I think it is a white Wilson Synthetic gut but I'm not sure as it had no printing on it).

Always up for a challenge, I offered to restring one of his racquets using my Pro Stringer as I was sure I could do a satisfactory restring for him at a better price. To do this I bought a reel of Gosen Sheep OG Micro 17 Gauge Syn gut for $91 as I didn't have any 17G Syn gut on hand. This works out to about $5 of string per racquet, thus with my usual labour fee I could change him $25 per restring saving him $12.

The pro shop were stringing his racquet 1 piece at around 25-26kg(he wasn't sure of the exact tension), as I prefer the simplicity of 2 piece stringing I stuck it that and strung his racquet yesterday at 26kg. I used Parnell knots for the mains and a Babolat starting knot/Parnell knot for the crosses. I took my time to make sure I did a good job, hopefully he will like it.

I'm now awaiting his feedback regarding the tension/string combination...

 

[fritzhimself]

Nice Job. Could you measure the strigbedstiffness?

 

[Tennis_dude101]

Nice Job. Could you measure the strigbedstiffness?

The only tool I have for measuring the stringbed is Racquettune which I find a bit hit and miss.

 

[dak95_00]

I’d string a lot more if I could get $30 for a bed of synthetic gut. Here the pro shops only charge $20 for Prince Synthetic Gut w/ Duraflex. For me to cut into their business, I’d have to do it for $15. It’s not worth my time or effort.

I offer my friends convenience.

 

[Tennis_dude101]

I’d string a lot more if I could get $30 for a bed of synthetic gut. Here the pro shops only charge $20 for Prince Synthetic Gut w/ Duraflex. For me to cut into their business, I’d have to do it for $15. It’s not worth my time or effort.

I offer my friends convenience.

In Oz I doubt that you could get a racquet strung at a pro shop for less that $35 dollars for basic syn gut. For something like a Luxilon poly it would be around $50.....

 

[Irvin]

In Oz I doubt that you could get a racquet strung at a pro shop for less that $35 dollars for basic syn gut. For something like a Luxilon poly it would be around $50.....

I’m moving to the land of Oz tomorrow. LOL

 

[Big Bagel]

I’m moving to the land of Oz tomorrow. LOL

Just make sure to stock up on strings before heading that way!

As for the original post, just be aware that your stringing machine is not of the same quality as the Baiardo, particularly with the clamps. To me, the clamps are probably the most important part of a machine, and using floating clamps just won't give you quite the same feeling as using the clamps attached to the machine. I'm sure you're still giving him a quality string job, just note that it might feel a little different because of that and be open to adjusting slightly to compensate for that.

 

[chrisingrassia]

Extraordinary price gouging if that's USD or AUD. Total disservice to the tennis community IMO. At that price you're gonna have people restringing only every 3 months. Entirely counterintuitive to why restringing is needed.

They are charging him around $37 per restring for a full bed of 17 gauge Synthetic Gut(From the look of it I think it is a white Wilson Synthetic gut but I'm not sure as it had no printing on it).

 

[Tennis_dude101]

Extraordinary price gouging if that's USD or AUD. Total disservice to the tennis community IMO. At that price you're gonna have people restringing only every 3 months. Entirely counterintuitive to why restringing is needed.

I'm talking in Australian dollars $37AU = around $26US, so my $25AU fee = around $18US for a Syngut stringjob. The minimum wage for an adult worker in Australia is $18.93AU per hour so maybe that accounts for the difference in price also. TD

 

[Tennis_dude101]

Just make sure to stock up on strings before heading that way!

As for the original post, just be aware that your stringing machine is not of the same quality as the Baiardo, particularly with the clamps. To me, the clamps are probably the most important part of a machine, and using floating clamps just won't give you quite the same feeling as using the clamps attached to the machine. I'm sure you're still giving him a quality string job, just note that it might feel a little different because of that and be open to adjusting slightly to compensate for that.

Yep, I'm well aware that different stringer with different machines will produce different feeling string jobs. I've told him that I can adjust the tension if necessary on the next restring to replicate the feel he is after.
TD

 

[chrisingrassia]

Ah, got it. I was assuming that was $37 USD, and then did a Google search the wrong way. $26 for cheap syn gut is pricey IMO, but then again I'm not greedy.

I'm talking in Australian dollars $37AU = around $26US, so my $25AU fee = around $18US for a Syngut stringjob. The minimum wage for an adult worker in Australia is $18.93AU per hour so maybe that accounts for the difference in price also. TD

This is exactly what stringing is about and why you can't compare across platforms and stringers and racquets and strings and gauges. Pick a racquet, pick a string, pick a tension, test/play it, and then tweak it over time as long as you remain the stringer, you use the same machine, and your pattern/process stays the same.

Yep, I'm well aware that different stringer with different machines will produce different feeling string jobs. I've told him that I can adjust the tension if necessary on the next restring to replicate the feel he is after.
TD

 

[Irvin]

I'm talking in Australian dollars $37AU = around $26US, so my $25AU fee = around $18US for a Syngut stringjob. The minimum wage for an adult worker in Australia is $18.93AU per hour so maybe that accounts for the difference in price also. TD

Now I know I’m moving to Australia. LOL

 

[Tennis_dude101]

Got some feedback after play testing, he likes it. His mate wants me to string his racquets now as well.

TD

 

[Tennis_dude101]

Now I know I’m moving to Australia. LOL

There is plenty of room here Irvin, the weather is nice too!

 

[Irvin]

Yes I went down there once on vacation for two weeks. Primarily for the end of a tournament in Sydney and the beginning of Australian Open. Very nice but I couldn’t leave family just joking around.

 

[10shoe]

Got some feedback after play testing, he likes it. His mate wants me to string his racquets now as well.

TD

That's how it starts. Next thing you know you'll be buying a Baiardo.

 

[mmk]

Now I know I’m moving to Australia. LOL

And then you can pay 10 AUD for a can of balls.

 

[norcal]

That's incredible, today at Target Penn balls were $1.87 (2.58 AUD).

 

[jim e]

. $26 for cheap syn gut is pricey IMO, but then again I'm not greedy.
.

I think $26 is reasonable! Not pricey as you say.
Those that brag that they string 4 racquets/ hour, good for them, I know it can be done and routinely and make a decent $. , but... I can say I believe they have shop help that inspects racquet and grommets , takes time and consults with client that has no idea of string or tension they want, so you need to inquire of there ability, and what they like/ dislike of that they have now, to appropriately suggest what would be best (that in itself can be well over 15 min. ) , also needs to write up order, go over fees for different string choices, record all necessary information name, serial# and stringing instructions, cut out strings and have it ready for stringer and then stencil for stringer when done.
All ,this takes time, and if stringer does not do this himself, then has to pay shop help to do this. A home stringer does all this himself, from when it comes in, to handing it back to player.
Take all this into consideration then that 15 min. job is no longer a 15 min job. Yes, I had some club players with no idea of strings, what previous stringers used, string or tension, and it all takes time to consult with those to help their game, and that gets them back, as they realize you know what you are talking about, but it all takes time, not just cranking out racquets for a cheap fee like some. So those that say a low fee is appropriate as they can string 4 racquets per hour, good for them but for others you need to charge what your time is worth. You can be a reputable stringer that does a good job and knows the business and charges a fair price, or a cheap stringer that can crank out racquets.
I would think there are some on these boards that would take that $26 fee and cut it in half and then get twice the business, that would make them no further ahead, but double their work load.
shorten their time by not inspecting the racquet when it comes in, not seeing a crack, then brought back to stringer, and the customers abused racquet is stringers fault because stringer did not inspect it. How many cheap jobs will it take to then break even?
Then you have a racquet that while stringing you notice a very small split in grommet. so you take grommet grinder to remove it, and some of that grommet falls into racquet frame, you then need to remove it, and realize that there is no trap door on but cap, so yopu need to remove overgrip and grip and take off but cap to remove the broken section of grommet and then replace it all. there goes your 15 min string job.
Things like this does not happen all the time, but once in a while things do occur. charge $10 for that string job and then deal with things like that and you time is way below min wage.
Then again, I am not looking to increase my stringing as I only have so much free time, but I do believe that stringers should charge what their free time is worth to them.

 

[RVAtennisaddict]

That's incredible, today at Target Penn balls were $1.87 (2.58 AUD).

Be careful, I got a six can case for Xmas from a work colleaque, Great gift, then I opened the first can... super dead balls (even though seal/pressure intact). Later opened the other 5 cans.. all the same.

Good news is my lab doesn't care about the bounce (they also all felt very heavy).

 

[jasonfoong]

Good one TD!
I really hope someone will do a stringing 'blind test' for: PS vs Baiardo or PS vs Star5
2 same racket model, same string, same tension
With photos/videos of the result/feedback from the player

 

[SavvyStringer]

Just because the machine is better doesn't mean the stringer is...

 

[norcal]

Be careful, I got a six can case for Xmas from a work colleaque, Great gift, then I opened the first can... super dead balls (even though seal/pressure intact). Later opened the other 5 cans.. all the same.

Good news is my lab doesn't care about the bounce (they also all felt very heavy).

Trust me, I learned first hand this winter. In the past I bought individual cans (so you can squeeze them plus I just don't want too many cans sitting around going dead).

Couple months ago got a case from Dick's online (black friday/monday whatever) for a great price. All twelve cans dead (or too soft for a decent rec player who plays regularly).

Then split a case with a friend from Costco, same thing. So I have 20 cans of dead balls, not worth the hassle to haggle about returning. Never again, will go to target and use the squeeze test. Also a Walmart relatively close by has Wilson US Open balls for 3.50 if I want 'good' balls.

*sorry about going off topic*

 

[Irvin]

Then split a case with a friend from Costco, same thing. So I have 20 cans of dead balls, not worth the hassle to haggle about returning.

Costco takes anything back without a hassle.

 

[siata94]

I've been buying US Open at walmart for few years, not a single bad can yet. Never costco penn again and even if they were
consistent, the USO last much longer for me so imo a much better value.

 

[Nostradamus]

I met a fellow tennis player at work who play's Section 1 night tennis. He in conversation he told me that he gets his racquets restrung monthly at a well known Pro Shop here in Melbourne(they use Wilson Baiardo stringing machines). They are charging him around $37 per restring for a full bed of 17 gauge Synthetic Gut(From the look of it I think it is a white Wilson Synthetic gut but I'm not sure as it had no printing on it).

Always up for a challenge, I offered to restring one of his racquets using my Pro Stringer as I was sure I could do a satisfactory restring for him at a better price. To do this I bought a reel of Gosen Sheep OG Micro 17 Gauge Syn gut for $91 as I didn't have any 17G Syn gut on hand. This works out to about $5 of string per racquet, thus with my usual labour fee I could change him $25 per restring saving him $12.

The pro shop were stringing his racquet 1 piece at around 25-26kg(he wasn't sure of the exact tension), as I prefer the simplicity of 2 piece stringing I stuck it that and strung his racquet yesterday at 26kg. I used Parnell knots for the mains and a Babolat starting knot/Parnell knot for the crosses. I took my time to make sure I did a good job, hopefully he will like it.

I'm now awaiting his feedback regarding the tension/string combination...

I am so afraid amateur guys will Warp my racket. does that happen often ?

 

[jim e]

What is your definition of an amateur guy?

 

[Irvin]

What is your definition of an amateur guy?

Someone who does not get paid. Ignore definition #2 LOL

am·a·teur
/ˈamədər,ˈaməˌtər,ˈaməCHər/
noun

1. a person who engages in a pursuit, especially a sport, on an unpaid rather than a professional basis.
   synonyms:nonprofessional, nonspecialist, layman, layperson; More
   
   
2. a person who is incompetent or inept at a particular activity.
   "that bunch of stumbling amateurs"
   synonyms:bungler, blunderer, incompetent, bumbler;
   informalbodger
   "what a bunch of amateurs"

EDIT: I’ve seen professionals that I would consider rank amateurs if you include #2. They just get paid.

 

[LOBALOT]

I have been to quite a few tennis shops and racquet clubs over the years to have racquets restrung and from what I see "Mr. Pro Shop / Racquet Club Guy" is nothing more than "Mr. Amateur Guy" stringing racquets at a pro shop or racquet club on their machine. I have seen young high school kids, I have seen college kids/players, even older guys like me but nothing I see in the racquet I get back that tells me I am not dealing with "Mr. Amateur guy" either way.

I have also been at tournaments with broken string and been given a name of "Mr. Amateur guy" and scrambled to their house for a restring and have gotten back a great restring. These we file away and we use whenever we are in that town.

I think it is a mater of knowledge, experience, and pride in workmanship, and I am more worried about that then their Amateur Status.

 

[jim e]

I think it is a mater of knowledge, experience, and pride in workmanship, and I am more worried about that then their Amateur Status.

I agree with that!
I have seen deplorable stringing at 2 big box stores in past, and those are most likely professional since they get paid.

 

[Brickhouse8198]

I'm talking in Australian dollars $37AU = around $26US, so my $25AU fee = around $18US for a Syngut stringjob. The minimum wage for an adult worker in Australia is $18.93AU per hour so maybe that accounts for the difference in price also. TD

This is off topic, but is there a different minimum wage for adults and adolescents in Australia?

 

[Tennis_dude101]

This is off topic, but is there a different minimum wage for adults and adolescents in Australia?

Yes, adolesents in Australia are paid a % of the adult wage depending on their age, for a 17 year old it is 60% of the adult wage.

TD

 

[Tennis_dude101]

I am so afraid amateur guys will Warp my racket. does that happen often ?

So far in my stringing "career", I haven't warped or broken any racquets. Last weekend I was asked if I could restring a racquet that was owned by an 11 year old, it was a graphite Head racquet that had a partial thickness crack (50%) through the frame at 10 o'clock due to the kid whacking it on the ground when loosing his temper. I told him I would assess the racquet and repair/restring if possible. After removing the old string I found that the racquet was still structurally sound despite the crack. There was some CF brading loose in the damaged area and I repaired this with some Zap CA before restringing it at 50lbs. Hopefully I saved his mum some money providing he learns to control his temper....

TD

 

[SavvyStringer]

I agree with that!
I have seen deplorable stringing at 2 big box stores in past, and those are most likely professional since they get paid.

In our area, the big box can't even hire people to do it because they want to pay minimum wage. Most of the racket clubs have kids that have no care for what they are doing, but are required to learn to string, learn with bad technique and bad habits on professional caliber machines. There is one local sporting goods store that has competent employees whos only job is to string. They do solid work, outside of that, no way I would let anyone at the clubs touch my rackets. Many players do and don't actually know how poor of a job they are getting until they get back a misweave.