Dead Strings

ace of spades

Semi-Pro
This may be a noob question i will go ahead and ask it.
In the several years I have been playing tennis, I still dont know why strings simply "go dead". I know why they loose tension and break and I know what happens when they go dead (loose feel,pocketing,elasticity) but I dont know why they go dead (other than constant use). I alos know it is time to get a new string job when they go dead but it would be impossible to explain to my parents for the constant restringing. They think that if a polyester does not break and does not loose tension, it can be used forever. Can somebody help me out and explain this to me. Also what determines the life of the string.
 

Kevo

Legend
I tend to think of a string going dead as the string has lost most of its elasticity, or it's ability to bounce back into shape after an impact.
 
S

SageOfDeath

Guest
Kevo said:
I tend to think of a string going dead as the string has lost most of its elasticity, or it's ability to bounce back into shape after an impact.

I agree, though if you don't break strings after a while you get used to the dead feeling. I restring if I break strings personally, unless its before a tourney.

Though if you constantly restring, you own your own stringer don't you? If not maybe you might think about buying own because you could save $$$
 

Steve Huff

G.O.A.T.
Exactly what Kevo said. Add that when they lose their elasticity, they become harder on your arm. Better a few more $$$'s for restringing than a lot more $$$'s later for orthopedic MD's and physical therapy.
 

SteveI

Legend
Steve Huff said:
Exactly what Kevo said. Add that when they lose their elasticity, they become harder on your arm. Better a few more $$$'s for restringing than a lot more $$$'s later for orthopedic MD's and physical therapy.

Hey there,

Not only is Steve Huff right on.. not only will dead strings hurt your arm (because you will nedd to keep hitting harder and harder to get the same output from your racket), your overall tennis game will suffer. You will be changing your strokes to account for the "dead strings". Control and power will suffer and therefore your results. BTW.. if you are a serious tennis player.. talk your parents into getting a stringer. Many of the good local juniors here have their frames strung by a parent... or tell them you will be happy to string your own frames (with the new stringer). The machine will pay for itself in no time and your game will improve.. you will learn a skill.. and maybe even pick up a few bucks by stringing for others. In addition, if you string for yourself, you can experiment with other strings and maybe move from polys (therefore saving your arm). Bring the facts and prices to your parents.. the facts do not lie. Can't hurt to ask???

Regards,
Steve
 

Valjean

Hall of Fame
"....They think that if a polyester does not break and does not loose tension, it can be used forever....."

Incidentally, polyester does lose its tension--indeed, it loses far more, far earlier than other string compositions.
 

python

Semi-Pro
not only will dead strings hurt your arm (because you will nedd to keep hitting harder and harder to get the same output from your racket), your overall tennis game will suffer.

I'm inclined to think the bad health aspects of using dead strings are overstated. Using fresh strings is definitely preferable, but it's not like using dead strings will kill your arm. I used the same poly job (Super Smash) for almost three months one time before it finally broke. The Super Smash was pretty loose and dead after five weeks, but I could make do with it. Perhaps some are more sensitive to dead strings than others. I certainly didn't notice any difference in the pace of shot I was generating.
 

DXS

Rookie
I can't stand hitting with dead strings. It's a waste of time to me. Like others have said, it hurts your arm and forces you to work harder.

I love Poly's crispness, but the tension loss is awful. I just restrung with Lux BB 18g. It has lasted three hits. It was great when fresh, but now it's like hitting with a 2X4.

David
 

LoveThisGame

Professional
If you realize that your strings are fairly dead, why not re-string? Why not put extra enjoyment into your play? If spending money on indoor play, why put up with play that is not particularly desirable.

I'm reminded of a customer years ago who purchased a frame mail-order and had it strung with simple nylon. She found the tension too high for her, yet she played 10 months with it, including indoor courts, before bringing it for re-stringing. It boggled my mind. Heck, life's too short not to enjoy it fully.
 

SteveI

Legend
LoveThisGame said:
If you realize that your strings are fairly dead, why not re-string? Why not put extra enjoyment into your play? If spending money on indoor play, why put up with play that is not particularly desirable.

I'm reminded of a customer years ago who purchased a frame mail-order and had it strung with simple nylon. She found the tension too high for her, yet she played 10 months with it, including indoor courts, before bringing it for re-stringing. It boggled my mind. Heck, life's too short not to enjoy it fully.


I am with you on this one. Life is way to short to play with dead strings. That is one of reasons I got a stringer. I love the feel of a newly strung frame. It also seems to give you a "mental lift" to know you are playing with new strings. Have a good one!

Steve
 
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