How do u tell when your strings have "gone dead"?

[JackB1]

Is it obvious when your strings have "gone dead" or is it a subtle change?
I am currently using XOne Biphase and my stringer told me that they are great, but "go dead" quickly. I asked her how do you know when that happens and she said "they lose their lively-ness". So does this happen all of a sudden and is it easy to tell?

I thought that strings got more powerful as they got older and lost tension?
So how can they gain power and go dead at the same time?

p.s. I know this is probably a stupid question

 

[YULitle]

It's usually a subtle change, but "dead" is different to everyone. Some people are fine playing with 3 year old synthetics that they can't manage to break. Others need fresh poly for every set.

It's a personal preference.

 

[Power Player]

Experience. Play more and you will figure it out.

 

[dadozen]

As Yu said, it's subtle and is different for each person.

Also, poly and multi strings "die" differently. A dead poly is easy to tell, it starts moving around like hell, gets very mushy and dull, and might cause arm pain. A dead multi is harder to tell: it just loses tension. Some people might actually like it, since they can save some energy, but most of tennis players want the string to have its original properties.

It's actually not contraditory when you say that a multi goes dead, yet becomes powerful. It loses tension, increasing the trampoline effect, which results in less control. If you can adjust to that, better for you, but, as said before, some players want their strings to let them play at will. If they have to hold their arm on their groundstrokes, then re-stringing might help.

That's why people say the string has gone dead. It's because it has lost its playability.

 

[JackB1]

As Yu said, it's subtle and is different for each person.

Also, poly and multi strings "die" differently. A dead poly is easy to tell, it starts moving around like hell, gets very mushy and dull, and might cause arm pain. A dead multi is harder to tell: it just loses tension. Some people might actually like it, since they can save some energy, but most of tennis players want the string to have its original properties.

It's actually not contraditory when you say that a multi goes dead, yet becomes powerful. It loses tension, increasing the trampoline effect, which results in less control. If you can adjust to that, better for you, but, as said before, some players want their strings to let them play at will. If they have to hold their arm on their groundstrokes, then re-stringing might help.

That's why people say the string has gone dead. It's because it has lost its playability.

so when the ball start "flying" on me, time to change? I guess I will learn to recognize that as I play more. thanks

 

[Power Player]

No I would not change every time you get tension drop. That would cost you way too much. I would change when the strings start moving (if it is poly) like Dadozen said.

For multis..I would play them until they break. They usually last me maybe 6 hours if I am lucky so I doubt you will have to worry about those going dead.

 

[coyfish]

I don't really think synthetic gut goes dead or multi's for that matter. Then again I break them within 5 hours but they seem to play the same from start to finish.

I use lux BB poly and syn gut hybrid and its great for about 5 hours. Then it goes downhill. The poly gets looser and you lose that control / crispness. Its not terrible so I play with it until it breaks which is about 12-15 hours for me.

USually when people talk about strings going "Dead" they are talking about poly.

 

[liftlobby2]

My multi move ard a lot more towards the end. Thats when i change them.

 

[KenC]

I would think that if you are using X-One and its going dead before it breaks to go to a thinner gauge, like 1.24. My experience with X-One 1.30 is that it plays really well right up to when it breaks.

I did notice that a full bed of Bab Addiction went dead before it broke, as it stopped giving me my normal topspin and balls were going long on normal shots. I cut it out right away. I never noticed this with X-One though. X-One plays great until POP! and I have to reach for another racquet.

 

[jefferson]

I find that as my strings lose tension, going dead, I start to hit with much more topspin. Which is not a bad thing, but i tend to try and keep it in play more. This is when I know it is time to cut them if they don't break. If I do not adapt to the string, my ball will fly on me. I do love hitting a heavy ball but when I want to not because I have to. If you know what I mean.

 

[Valjean]

Is it obvious when your strings have "gone dead" or is it a subtle change?
I am currently using XOne Biphase and my stringer told me that they are great, but "go dead" quickly. I asked her how do you know when that happens and she said "they lose their lively-ness". So does this happen all of a sudden and is it easy to tell?

I thought that strings got more powerful as they got older and lost tension?
So how can they gain power and go dead at the same time?

p.s. I know this is probably a stupid question

When you've lost 20% of your tension, you're probably going to hit long.

 

[fps]

when the ball starts flying on you, when you feel a coupla hits in a row that your level has inexplicably dropped (be honest with yourself, there are lots of *explicables*) it's probably time to change.

but that's me- i don't have a lot of money and i like to keep the strings in for a while.

 

[skyzoo]

when the strings suck

 

[Confusedaboutgear]

when you hit and the ball doesnt feel lively anymore. Usually happens to me when i have the string for about 3-5 days

 

[Irvin]

The more resilient a string is the more power it has. This is the string's ability to recover when it is stretched by contact with the ball. When you string tight the string will lose some of its resilience. But as a string loses tension resiliency does not come back you just lose tension. There is a difference between resiliency and tension.

If you can't tell when a string is dead what difference does it make? As the string in your racket goes dead you will gradually start having to hit harder and harder to get the same effect. I think dead strings cause your joints be be under more pressure and can cause injuries. So if you can't tell when your strings are dead it is best to follow the rule change your strings as many times in a year as you play in a week. Never allow your strings to stay in a racket too long. If you only play once a month don't wait twelve years to change your strings.

 

[nabbydian]

i heard poly strings loses tension quickest compare to all the other strings type, but even when my stringer tells me the strings has lost all tension it stilll doesnt fray or moves

 

[SteveI]

Hi,

From Irvin,

1st one to post this:

"So if you can't tell when your strings are dead it is best to follow the rule change your strings as many times in a year as you play in a week."

You play 5 times a week.. you should restring the frame 5 times a year.

Thanks Irvin..

 

[tennisdad65]

Every time you lose a match, blame the loss on the 'Strings gone dead' and restring

 

[Kenny022593]

when the strings suck

For my friend that is all the time -.- "That racquet is strung with PSGD... It sucks"

 

[SteveI]

For my friend that is all the time -.- "That racquet is strung with PSGD... It sucks"

The PSGD might suck in your eyes (and in mine BTW)... but I might have this wrong but .. is it not the biggest seller on the market? I only like the white in 17.. not a fan of the rest.