Celebrity Death Match String-Off Between Diredesire and Yulitle: Who Wins?
- Thread starter verbouge
- Start date
fortun8son
Hall of Fame
Do we get to see flying body parts?
Of course. What's the fun without that??
Power Player
Bionic Poster
I would like to root for DD since we both have the same machine.
azn_lefty_roddick_jr
Rookie
+1! Both are great contributors, but I learned everything I now know from Yulitle!
jmverdugo
Hall of Fame
Methinks Diredesire has more to contribute but he's holding back. I think of Yulitle as akin to high school. Essential. Can't go on without it. But Diredesire is more like college. Deeper, more involved, more esoteric.....when you're ready for it, the professor will guide you to the next level.
Would love to see more videos from DD to give fodder to the death match, and to help our fellow stringers--like me--become better at what we do.
And Yulitle Mike....thanks to you so very much--all tongue in cheek aside. Superb stuff. You gave me my start by taking the time and effort to make your wonderful videos. There are no doubt many, many out here with the same sentiment.
Dave in Oregon
Would love to see more videos from DD to give fodder to the death match, and to help our fellow stringers--like me--become better at what we do.
And Yulitle Mike....thanks to you so very much--all tongue in cheek aside. Superb stuff. You gave me my start by taking the time and effort to make your wonderful videos. There are no doubt many, many out here with the same sentiment.
Dave in Oregon
All I know is that I could learn a LOT from either of these guys. Asking this question is akin to asking me if I want to take a Lambo or a Ferrari to the track next weekend. Answer: who cares, since both are better than my Civic!
Anyways, I voted for YuLitle because that's how I learned to string...
Anyways, I voted for YuLitle because that's how I learned to string...
diredesire
Moderator
It'd take me a loooong time to get competitive with the information dispersal as YUL. I always wanted to produce more stringing videos, but YUL got a really good thing going with his tutorials, so my interest tapered off before it got started. I'm not looking to compete with YUL, he's got the market cornered w/ the solid fundamentals down.
I'm definitely not all about re-inventing the wheel. I'll post more short, "Oh yeah! That makes so much sense!" videos if I see any frustration threads
I have to give my props to YULitle, video editing and just DOING this stuff takes quite a commitment (time/post-processing, etc). I've got a full enough life as it is, I don't need a huge time sink
With that said, YUL did get "my" ATW pattern wrong the first time around... I do think it was corrected in a later revision, but I don't spend a lot of time reviewing
Edit: I'd be happy to take specific requests, if anyone's got any ideas for videos.
I'm definitely not all about re-inventing the wheel. I'll post more short, "Oh yeah! That makes so much sense!" videos if I see any frustration threads
I have to give my props to YULitle, video editing and just DOING this stuff takes quite a commitment (time/post-processing, etc). I've got a full enough life as it is, I don't need a huge time sink With that said, YUL did get "my" ATW pattern wrong the first time around... I do think it was corrected in a later revision, but I don't spend a lot of time reviewing
Edit: I'd be happy to take specific requests, if anyone's got any ideas for videos.
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mikeler
Moderator
BounceHitBounceHit
Legend
I think we need to throw Geoff's hat into the ring!
My pal Geoff is a world class stringer (in fact, he's strung for not one, but TWO World #1's over the course of his illustrious career!!) Further his racquet matching skills are well, unmatched......ls that a paradox?
:twisted:
I say, "Add Geoff's name to the poll!!!!"
BHBH
My pal Geoff is a world class stringer (in fact, he's strung for not one, but TWO World #1's over the course of his illustrious career!!) Further his racquet matching skills are well, unmatched......ls that a paradox?
:twisted: I say, "Add Geoff's name to the poll!!!!"
BHBH
By all means! If Geoff wants to make (or already has made) instructional videos, he would be more than welcome to join the illustrious company that is the subject of this thread.My pal Geoff is a world class stringer (in fact, he's strung for not one, but TWO World #1's over the course of his illustrious career!!) Further his racquet matching skills are well, unmatched......ls that a paradox?
I say, "Add Geoff's name to the poll!!!!"
BHBH
What #1's did he string for? That's a big, big thing. Uber cool.
I'm also curious what his thoughts would be on the enthusiasts string job vs. the pro's string job. Would he agree with my assessment posted previously, or (most likely) differ?
diredesire
Moderator
My pal Geoff is a world class stringer (in fact, he's strung for not one, but TWO World #1's over the course of his illustrious career!!) Further his racquet matching skills are well, unmatched......ls that a paradox?
I say, "Add Geoff's name to the poll!!!!"
BHBH
We need to get some videos of high-level customization! That's one thing that I feel the enthusiast community is sorely lacking, customization knowledge.
Particularly in the realm of custom grip molding!
Geoff
Hall of Fame
YU's instruction videos are first class in my assessment. From content to presentation. I know that DireDesire is also very knowledgeable. We are quite fortunate with the depth of stringing knowledge on this Board. I have personally learned a lot from the various posts since joining the board.
The former #1's that I had the pleasure for stringing for are Jimmy Connors and John McEnroe. While a teaching pro in the 80's at Turnberry Isle I strung their frames while they were in town training. Connors lived there full time and McEnroe had a condominium at Turnberry. I could say that I strung for a 3rd #1 as well. I strung for my boss, Fred Stolle who was #1 in the mid 60's.
I do not have any videos to contribute but would be happy to entertain any way to add to the great library of videos already available.
Geoff
Hall of Fame
I totally agree with you. I feel having the ability to do custom grip work is where the bar is truly set!
Geoff
Hall of Fame
.
I'm also curious what his thoughts would be on the enthusiasts string job vs. the pro's string job. Would he agree with my assessment posted previously, or (most likely) differ?[/QUOTE]
Hello Verbouge
I am not sure what your question is specifically. Generally speaking though is that the professional's string job is CONSISTENT from frame to frame. The attention to detail is paramount. This includes technique and equipment maintenance. This comes in my opinion, with practice and being extremely meticulous and particular with each string job. An enthusiast string job can be as good as a pro's if they follow the same attention to detail.
I'm also curious what his thoughts would be on the enthusiasts string job vs. the pro's string job. Would he agree with my assessment posted previously, or (most likely) differ?[/QUOTE]
Hello Verbouge
I am not sure what your question is specifically. Generally speaking though is that the professional's string job is CONSISTENT from frame to frame. The attention to detail is paramount. This includes technique and equipment maintenance. This comes in my opinion, with practice and being extremely meticulous and particular with each string job. An enthusiast string job can be as good as a pro's if they follow the same attention to detail.
mikeler
Moderator
diredesire
Moderator
Excellent idea! Get to work DD.
If i had equipment and knowledge of PU foam molding and stripping i'd be on this already
BounceHitBounceHit
Legend
Hello Verbouge
I am not sure what your question is specifically. Generally speaking though is that the professional's string job is CONSISTENT from frame to frame. The attention to detail is paramount. This includes technique and equipment maintenance. This comes in my opinion, with practice and being extremely meticulous and particular with each string job. An enthusiast string job can be as good as a pro's if they follow the same attention to detail.[/QUOTE]
And yours are INCREDIBLY consistent, my friend! Thanks for all the work you do for me. It is appreciated!!
BHBH
Power Player
Bionic Poster
I'd love to see you mount a stick and string 2 piece on the Ms200..just because I feel like I am going through at a good speed on mine, but still am taking an hour to get it done.
mikeler
Moderator
If i had equipment and knowledge of PU foam molding and stripping i'd be on this already
Darn, since we use the same exact stick I was hoping you were a guru in that area!
diredesire
Moderator
I don't own the MS200 anymore, but my friend now has it. If I get a chance, I'll make a video in the distant, distant future. It might be faster for YOU to make a video, and I can give you tips
I've been thinking about a general speed-up tips video, but the more I think about it, the more I think it'd have to turn into a speeding-up-stringing series, as each one deserves a little bit of analysis. I'm a big fan of stringers actually understanding what it is they're doing, why they're doing it, and why it matters. I find a lot of people re-explaining things to others and it feels to me like there's a lot of barfing of information without a complete understanding of why.
Unfortunately, no
I'm interested in reshaping grips, I'm starting to wonder lately if I just like the Prince grip shape better. The worst part is I just haven't liked any prince frames for the last several, several years, so it's hard to find out. i don't want to drop ~$100 per frame to find out, either. I might be making a switch to the BPDC+ soon, too...
nalvarado
Semi-Pro
Amen to that. In just a few short weeks I am not able to string for a VERY string sensitive friend. First time I strung his frame he requested 60/60, said it felt like a 59 right off the bat, sure enough my weight was at 59
Hi Geoff,
First, let me say that once again I find the rating system of this message board ironic. You're a rookie. That's funny. Actually, I'M a rookie. I may be dedicated, committed to excellence, and learning at breakneck speed, but I'm still a rookie. You're an old pro, and as such I would love nothing more than for those on this post to draw you out and learn what they can from somebody who's seen the evolution of strings, stringing, machines, techniques, and players, and may know a thing or two about what's important and what's not.
Is there anything so far that you've not seen covered here that you would like to see, or that you would like to cover yourself? Are there any things in particular that you've seen on these boards that you think are universally important; things everybody should see and abide by? What are the biggest changes you've seen in the world of tennis and stringing during your career? What remains unchanged; what doesn't resemble anything of the past?
You seem like a true "find" here, and I, for one, would love to hear you speak up.
By the way, regarding the point I made in differentiating the enthusiast's string job from the professional's, part of it involves speed. I'm talking about tournament stringers, in particular, churning out racquets as fast as they can to accommodate the needs of their clients. We seem to worship those who can produce a stringbed in 10 minutes. I've come to believe that speed in stringing is not necessarily a virtue, but can be an impediment to excellence. For instance, I use Stringway machines (ML100 and MS200), and can see the stretch of the string with each pull as it comes to tension. Some strings tension quickly, some strings tension slowly. I let the machine work as long as it needs to for the tension mechanism to nearly completely stop before clamping off. This adds minutes to every string job that many on this board are probably not willing to spend, but it pays dividends with the satisfaction of my customer base and the longevity of their string jobs.
Cheers,
Dave in Oregon
Geoff
Hall of Fame
Hello Verbouge
I'll do my best to address your questions.
In regards to what I would like to see covered more here at Talk Tennis is grip customization I feel that this area for stringer's is the most difficult to learn and master. There seems to be very little information on how one can learn to master this technique where as other areas in customization are well covered. I have heard conflicting reports from friends in the industry on the expense and difficulty of learning how to duplicate the art of custom pallets.
What I feel is universally important in stringing is consistency. This is a common theme that I hear echoed on what makes a great stringer standout. This includes everything down to the very minute details. Top stringers take great pride in every string job that they turn out. Knots are the same, strings are straightened as they string, avoiding string kinking, frame care during stringing, grommet inspection, record keeping, etc. There are "tricks" that great stringers utilize that can vary from stringer to stringer. The bottom line is that everything leads to producing a consistent string bed every time. This is paramount when you have a customer that utilizes your service on a regular basis. The biggest compliment that I can receive from a customer, is that every string job feels the same. A stringer can help to alleviate any concern that one racket could be different from another for a particular player.
I have been stringing for over 35 years so I have been fortunate to see how equipment has evolved. In regards to stringing there have been improvements in every aspect from string to stringing machines. The number of choices of both is staggering. There are many great machines on the market whereas at one time you either used a Serrano or an Ektelon. Try stringing all day on a Serrano with the foot pedal/drop weight tensioning! The machine is very accurate but not as easy as an Ektelon. I feel that the advent of electric machines allowed for more consistent tensioning. Also clamps are lighter, more maneuverable, easier to service as well as better at holding tension. String has evolved from not only the variety but the thinner gauges. In the 70's 15L was considered a thin gauge. There were much less string companies. Natural gut was either beef or lamb (which came in 22' coils). Nylons were monofilament and multifilament. Synthetics started to become common in the mid 70's. Polymers first appeared in the mid 80's but were not common nor popular. The benefits of the modern strings are well documented on these boards and this has been one of the biggest equipment revolutions since the advent of oversize rackets in my opinion.
What has remained the same in tennis equipment is racket pricing and non gut strings. In some ways frame prices have actually come down in price since graphite frames first became popular. String prices outside of natural gut are basically unchanged in the last 25+ years.
Rackets are obviously the most noticeable difference over the years. The degree of innovation is very slight now as compared to when oversize and midsize frames were first introduced. We have seen an array of elements and beam widths as well as variety in string holes.
Speed in stringing is often debated here. At a pro tournament it is a necessity with the volume created by players restringing each day. Great stringers can turn out a perfect string job very easily in under 20 minutes. They gain speed by how well they keep the string organized, weaving proficiency and dexterity with the clamps. Basically they utilize efficiency over pure speed of pulling cross strings. Speed or efficiency come with time and practice. Consistency that is often discussed should be every stringers top objective. If you are stringing for yourself and producing a quality string job on every frame then speed is not a relevant factor.
I hope this helps to answer your questions. I feel that stringing is a skill that you can continue to lear about and improve. I have learned a lot from other members here and appreciate the unselfish sharing of knowledge.
I'd like to give this post two huge thumbs up.
