How hard is it to learn to string?

[bobleenov1963]

I bought my stringing machine, the Alpha Ghost, five years ago and it was a great machine. I started out by hiring a professional stringer to teach me and my kids how to string properly. I also offer him to use my Alpha machine to string the first 100 racquets for his customers, in addition to pay him $50 for an hour lesson of stringing. We took 4 lessons in all. My kids can now string racquets very well now. I also know how to string racquet but it will take me about 35 minutes to string a racquet since I've not done it in at least two years. My kids are not playing tennis anymore, they are playing golf 100% of the time, so the stringing machine is sitting idle most of the time. For me, it is much easier to pay the stringer $25 to string my racquet because I rather use my time playing tennis or golf than 35 minutes on the stringing machine but everyone is different.

yes, you can learn how to string by yourself, watch lot of youtube, and trial and error; however, it is much easier to hire a pro and have him/her show you how to do it. A good professional stringer knows all the tricks and tips and you can pick those up from them very quickly. 4 lessons from them and you will get really good with lot of practices. BTDT.

 

[jim e]

This one is great, I have seen pros using it too, used to be available on TW:

ERT 300 Tenniscomputer | Stringing

Der ERT 300 Tenniscomputer ist ein Mikroprozessor gesteuertes Messgert und bestimmt exakt und schnell die Besaitungs- und Spieleigenschaften Ihres Tennisrackets. So wird die Technologie der Weltklassespieler jedem engagierten Tennisspieler zugnglich - und das im Handy-Format. Das patentierte...

www.ert300.com

I don't believe this item is available anymore. As I recall a few years back, it was no longer available, maybe they started manufacturing again, but I have not heard anything yet.

 

[esm]

I don't believe this item is available anymore. As I recall a few years back, it was no longer available, maybe they started manufacturing again, but I have not heard anything yet.

You are right - I have been looking but do think they are making it again(yet)...
How about the MSV ministt?

MSV MINISTT Electronic Tension Measuring Device - Accessories - msv-tennis.com - msv-tennis.com

www.msv-tennis.com

 

[Moveforwardalways]

If you have two kids who are both high level juniors, it is in your interest to get a machine and learn how to string yourself. Yes, it does save a little money. However, you will need a lot of string jobs to make up the $1,000-$1,500 start up cost. The real advantage though, is saving time. For instance, if you are at a weekend tournament and break a string late Saturday, you can restring that evening and be ready to go Sunday morning.

 

[Happi]

You are right - I have been looking but do think they are making it again(yet)...
How about the MSV ministt?

MSV MINISTT Electronic Tension Measuring Device - Accessories - msv-tennis.com - msv-tennis.com

www.msv-tennis.com

Interesting I did not know of that device - I downloaded the pdf and this quote worries me:

"The Mini STT and all other string bed testers do not record a figure that is directly comparable with the stringing machine reference tension. Scientific research shows that the string bed tension immediately after stringing with a co-polyester string is 25% lower than the pull tension."

The ERT 300 is spot on the pulled tension of the stringer, if strings are very stretchy (thin sent gut) tension measured can be 1 kg higher, and if strings are very stiff the the measured tension on the ERT 300 can be 1 kg lower. To me that makes kind of sense, I am using an electronic constant pull Wise 2086 Head on my machine.

One can also alternative use Racquet Tune App, but I trust my ERT 300 more. I keep track on tension loss when testing new strings out, and it is a very valuable instrument.

I have seen Caroline Wozniacki use the ERT 300 when selecting racquet on changeover.

 

[loosegroove]

I am but a hobbyist who has, admittedly, strung 10+ years for a WTA tournament but my depth of knowledge is like a water puddle against the mighty Atlantic which is near to the one who knows it all.

Perhaps. But your puddle is such, that it was formed by fresh fallen Spring rain, shimmering under a moonlit sky

 

[esm]

Interesting I did not know of that device - I downloaded the pdf and this quote worries me:

"The Mini STT and all other string bed testers do not record a figure that is directly comparable with the stringing machine reference tension. Scientific research shows that the string bed tension immediately after stringing with a co-polyester string is 25% lower than the pull tension."

The ERT 300 is spot on the pulled tension of the stringer, if strings are very stretchy (thin sent gut) tension measured can be 1 kg higher, and if strings are very stiff the the measured tension on the ERT 300 can be 1 kg lower. To me that makes kind of sense, I am using an electronic constant pull Wise 2086 Head on my machine.

One can also alternative use Racquet Tune App, but I trust my ERT 300 more. I keep track on tension loss when testing new strings out, and it is a very valuable instrument.

I have seen Caroline Wozniacki use the ERT 300 when selecting racquet on changeover.

Maybe it is just a disclaimer, so they don’t get sued for people who doesn’t know what they are doing with stringing.
I was thinking about that cos I couldn’t find an ERT300 “off the shelf”
I used to use RacquetTune, but I just couldn’t be bothered to have to setup with the details and make sure the room is whisper quiet... still have the App on the phone though.
Nowadays, I use the Tourna StringMeter for a quick n easy measure to track the tension loss. Lol

 

[loosegroove]

However, you will need a lot of string jobs to make up the $1,000-$1,500 start up cost.

True, but you can always recoup at least part of that start up cost down the line. If you buy used, you can fully recoup. If I ever decided I didn't want to string anymore, I could sell my machine for how much I paid for it. Thus I consider every string job a direct savings to how much I would have paid someone else to do it.

 

[zipplock]

If you have two kids who are both high level juniors, it is in your interest to get a machine and learn how to string yourself. Yes, it does save a little money. However, you will need a lot of string jobs to make up the $1,000-$1,500 start up cost. The real advantage though, is saving time. For instance, if you are at a weekend tournament and break a string late Saturday, you can restring that evening and be ready to go Sunday morning.

Time is priceless, so the $1000-1500 is easily recovered.

 

[RickySpanish]

I’m not trying to convince you to get a stringing machine. You do what’s best for you and your tennis. I will say that it’s VERY gratifying and most would even say therapeutic to string your own racquet. You get to try so many more string setups simply because you have access to a stringing machine. I tell everyone that plays, if you plan on playing tennis for the next 5-10 years, investing in a stringing machine is a smart choice. Worst that could happen is you try and don’t like it, you can always sell it.

I do really like the idea of trying all kinds of setups but I also am held back by my local tennis shop. They've always been good to me. Giving me discounts on racquets, apparel, and strings.

 

[g4driver]

I bought my stringing machine, the Alpha Ghost, five years ago and it was a great machine. I started out by hiring a professional stringer to teach me and my kids how to string properly. I also offer him to use my Alpha machine to string the first 100 racquets for his customers, in addition to pay him $50 for an hour lesson of stringing. We took 4 lessons in all. My kids can now string racquets very well now. I also know how to string racquet but it will take me about 35 minutes to string a racquet since I've not done it in at least two years. My kids are not playing tennis anymore, they are playing golf 100% of the time, so the stringing machine is sitting idle most of the time. For me, it is much easier to pay the stringer $25 to string my racquet because I rather use my time playing tennis or golf than 35 minutes on the stringing machine but everyone is different.

yes, you can learn how to string by yourself, watch lot of youtube, and trial and error; however, it is much easier to hire a pro and have him/her show you how to do it. A good professional stringer knows all the tricks and tips and you can pick those up from them very quickly. 4 lessons from them and you will get really good with lot of practices. BTDT.

I bought my Alpha Ghost five years ago also, but it's generating me approx $1500 profit (sometimes $1800 a month). December is always slow. My Alpha Ghost paid for itself the first year, but I already had a lot of clients by the time I bought the ghost.

 

[ScarletKnights]

I learned all by myself watching YouTube videos. It was daunting at first but after a few string jobs and getting used to tying knots, the task doesn't seem hard anymore. In fact it is kind of fun. I know some friends who actually enjoy stringing, it gives them like a stress releases sort of an experience. If you are on the fence I would say get a cheap stringer. You won't regret it.

 

[g4driver]

Wow, the number of stringing machines is overwhelming. Debating between prince neos1000 for 1399 vs or 850. Or is it worth going all in for an alpha ghost?

IMO, go all-in on the Alpha Ghost. You have two very talented kids playing tennis. While some people get more use out of their stringing machine than others, I regret not buying my Alpha Ghost sooner. Why? Because it is so much easier to string on than an Alpha Apex 2 or a Prince Neos. Every time my Apex 2 tensioner locked up, I had to send it in for repair. Frustrating. I would never buy any Alpha with a crank after my experience with an Alpha crank. All Alpha stringing machines aren't created equal and the difference between a crank alpha and Ghost is like Pinto vs a 4Runner.

My Alpha Ghost is perfect for my setup. I have it set up with 5 custom built cabinets holding reels and packs of strings directly behind me. The Alpha is a machine a shop could use. Is it perfect? No, but for $3100 is it s a great machine that provides a consistent string job over and over. I have never had one problem with my Alpha Ghost in 5+ years of heavy use.

I was stringing for 5 years before I bought my Alpha Ghost. If / when my Ghost breaks, I will most likely send it in for repair then sell it or sell it as-is and buy a Ghost 2. An Alpha Ghost 2 or Ghost 3 will most certainly be my next machine. I can't afford to be without a stringer as a guy who strings 90+ frames a month. For me, the price new Alpha Ghost 2 will be recouped in approx 75 days. If you are stringing for just you and your kids, it will take longer to recoup the costs, but you can make up the cost quicker by stringing more frames a few hours a week.

Caveat: I had two friends who know how to string but hated it so they sold their machines and had me start stringing for them. Not everyone likes to string, even after they purchase a stringing machine