Fresh strings at low tension vs. old / dead strings?

[Dly]

I recently started stringing at lower tension, around the mid-40s due to some elbow discomfort, after being at the mid-50s for most of my life. I've actually really liked the pop and spin I've felt. But now I'm wondering what the difference is between a fresh set of strings at, say, 40 lbs vs. a set of strings that were strung at 50 lbs but have already been used for several hours of hitting.

I'm wondering because I recently went used one of my rackets that hasn't been restrung for a while (but was originally strung in the 50s), and I had very little control. The strings moved around a lot and I'd have to straighten them out between points.

Have you guys had a similar qualitative experience? Any experts have an explanation for why low tension fresh strings behave differently than higher tension dead strings?

Thanks! (I use cheap and durable polys usually)

 

[mmazzini1]

That would depend on the string and how many hours of play

 

[ChanterRacquet]

I wonder if that elasticity and snapback gets down to what’s going on at the molecular level? That elasticity of fresh strings being a result of a lot of polymer strands still being intact whereas over time I might *imagine* that you get little nano-breaks in there resulting in both tension loss but also a drop in elasticity.

Volkl’s Cyclone Tour is a weird string in that you can string it in the low 50s but you’ll find in short order the tension has dropped into the low 40s where it will then sit for quite a while with great elasticity and snapback. And then all of a sudden the tension drops just a little lower and the strings start rainbowing in the frame and you lose all control.

From a macroscopic perspective the string is still intact, but on a molecular level the average strand length has shortened on an old string bed.

So, that’s my hypothesis anyway, and specific to polyester/“poly” strings, seeing as how polyamide/nylon/“syn gut”/“multi” strings hold tension very well but break more visibly (and readily). Makes you wonder if poly strings have a more branched structure (seemingly more durable even though playability is lost) and nylon a more linear structure (so once it’s broke in one-dimension it’s completely disconnected).

This is a *hypothesis*, for all you internet warriors out there.

 

[n1mothy]

The Physics of Tennis: How Tennis Strings "Go Dead — Part 1"

Study to determine the physical parameters that correlate to what tennis players refer to when they say a string goes dead or loses tension and resiliency.

twu.tennis-warehouse.com

The Physics of Tennis: How Tennis Strings "Go Dead — Part 2"

Study to determine the physical parameters that correlate to what tennis players refer to when they say a string goes dead or loses tension and resiliency.

twu.tennis-warehouse.com

 

[aaron_h27]

I recently started stringing at lower tension, around the mid-40s due to some elbow discomfort, after being at the mid-50s for most of my life. I've actually really liked the pop and spin I've felt. But now I'm wondering what the difference is between a fresh set of strings at, say, 40 lbs vs. a set of strings that were strung at 50 lbs but have already been used for several hours of hitting.

I'm wondering because I recently went used one of my rackets that hasn't been restrung for a while (but was originally strung in the 50s), and I had very little control. The strings moved around a lot and I'd have to straighten them out between points.

Have you guys had a similar qualitative experience? Any experts have an explanation for why low tension fresh strings behave differently than higher tension dead strings?

Thanks! (I use cheap and durable polys usually)

Low tension, fresh strings = high launch angle but with snapback which would give spin

High tension, dead strings = low launch angle, no snapback, no spin

So basically there are really no upsides to dead strings.

 

[Rabbit]

Nate Ferguson said “String as often as you can afford”. That is a solid endorsement of how much strings mean to your performance. And one I agree with.

 

[Dly]

Nate Ferguson said “String as often as you can afford”. That is a solid endorsement of how much strings mean to your performance. And one I agree with.

Makes sense. I understand now hahaha

 

[eb_tennis_247]

The Physics of Tennis: How Tennis Strings "Go Dead — Part 1"

Study to determine the physical parameters that correlate to what tennis players refer to when they say a string goes dead or loses tension and resiliency.

twu.tennis-warehouse.com

The Physics of Tennis: How Tennis Strings "Go Dead — Part 2"

Study to determine the physical parameters that correlate to what tennis players refer to when they say a string goes dead or loses tension and resiliency.

twu.tennis-warehouse.com

I think this is the most frequently ignored piece of scientific evidence for polyester string performance vs. the “dead poly” mythology.

It is the most exaggerated claim ever. Yes, the strings feel “deader”, but nothing to the point that your arm would “fall off” or elbow got inflamed.

The effect of the stiff poly string, strung at a high tension is FAR more damaging to the joints than of a poly strung at a low to mid-tension that has been used and sitting in the racquet for a while and lost tension. Yes, it looses some elasticity but stiff nature of the poly still generates plenty of return energy. The loss may at most be 1-3 mph.

Article elaborates on the latter part. All claims I made here are from the two papers.

So, for the top level pros that care about every small psychological or factual factor, this maybe be a thing. For “normal” players, it is really more about real issue of joints safety (go for low tension), a sense of control that pollys offer, and consequent psychological effects.

 

[Moldyoak]

^^^

That is a very interesting read. Thanks.

 

[codonnell]

I wonder if that elasticity and snapback gets down to what’s going on at the molecular level? That elasticity of fresh strings being a result of a lot of polymer strands still being intact whereas over time I might *imagine* that you get little nano-breaks in there resulting in both tension loss but also a drop in elasticity.

Volkl’s Cyclone Tour is a weird string in that you can string it in the low 50s but you’ll find in short order the tension has dropped into the low 40s where it will then sit for quite a while with great elasticity and snapback. And then all of a sudden the tension drops just a little lower and the strings start rainbowing in the frame and you lose all control.

From a macroscopic perspective the string is still intact, but on a molecular level the average strand length has shortened on an old string bed.

So, that’s my hypothesis anyway, and specific to polyester/“poly” strings, seeing as how polyamide/nylon/“syn gut”/“multi” strings hold tension very well but break more visibly (and readily). Makes you wonder if poly strings have a more branched structure (seemingly more durable even though playability is lost) and nylon a more linear structure (so once it’s broke in one-dimension it’s completely disconnected).

This is a *hypothesis*, for all you internet warriors out there.

Volvo Cyclone is a great example of a string that drops off a cliff after some play. But I agree I think the SnapBack and the elasticity has a role. I also believe that from a playing standpoint, when you string lower, the tension loss feels more gradual than stringing high so it’s easier to adjust to. Though I may be wrong. I will also say the launch angle does feel a bit different from fresh low tensions (higher) than used mid tension now low tension (lower) as well as the pocketing feel to me is better when fresh. Although I think dead poly the comfort can be a bit overblown depending on the string, the key difference is lack of control after a certain amount of hours played.