I forgot to cut out strings.

[[ GTR ]]

So today I just broke my strings and immediately gave it in the pro shop for it to be re strung. This pro shop is not very professional in their work. Examples include:
*when you give your racquet in, they don't cut out the strings quickly, might take next few days for them to cut out the broken strings and replace.
*I have seen many times where they are stringing halfway, then go somewhere like have lunch, coach students, serve customers. This is all bad isn't it?

I had clippers in my bag and I was supposed to cut the strings out myself then give it in the pro shop....but I forgot. So I just want to ask, if you leave your broken strings in your racquet for a day or two...(which the stringers probably do) that puts heaps of stress on the frame and is very bad right?

Correct me if I'm wrong but do good stringers (even when having a lot of racquets to string for the day) cut out all the strings in the frames even though one frame was sent in later than the other frames.

 

[iplaybetter]

my coach told me not to cut it out and let the stringer do it

 

[Jonny S&V]

my coach told me not to cut it out and let the stringer do it

As long as you know to cut one cross and then one main, why shouldn't you (but I am a stringer). [ GTR ], why do you have this particular shop string your raquets when you know this is going on?

 

[[ GTR ]]

Ok, I'll admit I'm not professional at cutting out strings or anything, but I think I know the basics. Cut out diagonally from the middle? And slowly take it out without damaging the grommets. I've done this about 5 times already.

 

[[ GTR ]]

As long as you know to cut one cross and then one main, why shouldn't you (but I am a stringer). [ GTR ], why do you have this particular shop string your raquets when you know this is going on?

I would like to go to a better shop but my parents are always busy and it is pretty far away from where I live. And plus, stringing this racquet is an emergency as I have qualifying in a few days. This pro shop is very close and I can walk to it in 5mins. I can't blame the pro shop for their unprofessional work but blame myself for not cutting them out when I had clippers in my bag. I guess cutting out the strings myself and then giving it to them to string isn't that bad since all the stress on the frame is gone?...which is what I should've done......................

 

[ChocolatePie]

Ah well, the shop I go to is very popular. People within 30 miles no of this shop and you can demo rackets, use their ball machines to hit, buy clothes, etc.

My shop restrings rackets within 1 hour.

 

[iplaybetter]

As long as you know to cut one cross and then one main, why shouldn't you (but I am a stringer). [ GTR ], why do you have this particular shop string your raquets when you know this is going on?

i also am a stringer (now), and i believe the reason is to allow the stringer to see the racket strung so they could look for any odd things

 

[uk_skippy]

Correct me if I'm wrong but do good stringers (even when having a lot of racquets to string for the day) cut out all the strings in the frames even though one frame was sent in later than the other frames.

If I have a few rqts to do and I get given a rqt with a broken string I'll cut it out as soon as I get it, But also see my comment below.

i also am a stringer (now), and i believe the reason is to allow the stringer to see the racket strung so they could look for any odd things

This is a good idea as if the rqt is given to the stringer without its strinsg, albeit broken, the stringer may pick up on something that may help choosing string or replacing grommets etc. I note this when given any rqt for string and I cut the strings out straight away.

Regards

Paul

 

[netman]

Cut the strings out ASAP. If the stringer doesn't know how to string it properly they are not a USRSA member. The USRSA website has everything you need to know to string any racquet made in the last 20 years. Takes about 2 minutes to get what you need to string a frame.

 

[ProStaff Legend]

one person mentioned to cut diagonally and another to cut one cross then one main. is there a specific way to cut out ur strings?

 

[neverstopplaying]

Keep a pair of cutters in your tennis bag and cut out your strings as soon as possible to relieve any unnatural stress in your racquet head. You'll feel the tension relief as you cut the strings.

Starting in the middle, cut a cross and main together and then proceed to cut diagonally alternating up and down.

If you're concerned about the stringer not knowing the correct pattern, just leave all the cut strings in the racquet.

 

[Steve Huff]

There are pro's and cons to cutting out the string. If you just cut out the middle 2-4 mains and the middle 2-4 crosses. the others will begin to loosen enough that I seriously doubt any damage will come to your frame. But often, where and how the string broke gives the stringer information that will allow him to better suit your needs in the future. Sure, you don't want any undue stress on the frame. I think cutting the middle mains and crosses will eliminate the stress.

 

[Bubba]

My advise is to cut the strings as soon as possible... BUT, you can leave them in the racquet after cut (e.g. they don't need to be removed) - this would supply the stringer with answers to any questions they may have (e.g. pattern, tieouts, etc.)... though any good stringer worth their money shouldn't need this.

Additionally, with modern frames you don't really have to worry too much on damaging the frame if you don't cut out the strings immediately... the frames are generally tough enough. If you are using (for example) an old prince aluminum frame then this is a totally different issue.

Typically, if you break a string during a match you will put in in your bag and grab another stick... cutting the strings after the match is fine.

 

[Steve Huff]

Just for clarification, when I said that leaving the strings in can give the stringer information, I wasn't referring to the pattern. What I meant was things like--if you broke near the frame, I'd ask you if this is where you usually broke it. If so, I'd consider tubing the strings. If the crosses were fraying and breaking, I'd ask you about using a monofiliment in the crosses, or using stringsavers. Or, if your strings were all out of alignment, I might ask you about using something that didn't move as much.

 

[zapvor]

i always try to cut it out immediately, but sometimes i dont. i get paranoid because when i cut it i can feel the tension go loose and the frame like tweaks for that one instant.

 

[brandx]

I usually cut my strings as soon as I get home, as I did when I got home last night after a break in the sweet spot in set one. I am considering putting cutters it my bag though.

 

[saram]

Great thread.

Great thread. Gave it an excellent rating as there is a lot of information in here contributed by all that the general public just don't know.

I would say to the OP that it not your fault for not cutting out the strings. It is your fault however, to continue to offer your money to these guys with poor performance. I would address your concerns to them prior to handing them ANY money in the future.

 

[LoveThisGame]

Leaving the strings so the stringer can look at them can help the stringer advise you. Such as:

Heavy notching in short time ... more durable strings.

Crosses in hybrid fraying or notching in short time ... use different cross string.

Strings not notched very badly ... use thinner gauge string.

 

[tbini87]

cut them out yourself, especially if you are suspicious about the stringers in that crappy shop. i think taking care of your frame should come first, and you can look at the strings after they break, then relay what you saw to the stringer, or make your own decisions on it. if you break them a lot get something more durable. if you like your set up, then no need to leave the strings in.

 

[jonolau]

Whenever any of customer break their strings (regardless of whether it was strung by me or someone else), it is always good to know where the string snapped, and how it snapped.

As a stringer, it is important to know the mechanics of string failure (was it notched, was it worn down, did it snap at a knot or at a grommet etc.) This way we would be able to make adjustments and recommend a more suitable setup if the failure was premature. But if the player managed to get 2-3 months/at least 20 hours of play, then that's very acceptable. Of course, this is also subject to the type of string(s), the power of the player, and the type of grip style he plays with.

 

[[ GTR ]]

Whenever any of customer break their strings (regardless of whether it was strung by me or someone else), it is always good to know where the string snapped, and how it snapped.

As a stringer, it is important to know the mechanics of string failure (was it notched, was it worn down, did it snap at a knot or at a grommet etc.) This way we would be able to make adjustments and recommend a more suitable setup if the failure was premature. But if the player managed to get 2-3 months/at least 20 hours of play, then that's very acceptable. Of course, this is also subject to the type of string(s), the power of the player, and the type of grip style he plays with.

Ok, but what if I choose what string I like instead of them recommending strings for me? Normally they recommend to everyone some head synthetic gut which breaks so quickly, say a week or two for me. Well anyways, my string was Luxilon Zolo Rough 1.25mm and it notched (is that when the crosses saw through the mains?) very badly until it broke about 3cm above the centre of the racquet. I picked Pro Hurricane Tour 1.25mm, so I'm using a string similar to my old ones?

 

[Duzza]

As long as you know to cut one cross and then one main, why shouldn't you (but I am a stringer). [ GTR ], why do you have this particular shop string your raquets when you know this is going on?

Really? When I worked at a Pro Shop, they just told me to cut all the crosses then the mains. Just a long stroke along all the strings with pliers...that's how they did it too.

 

[jonolau]

Ok, but what if I choose what string I like instead of them recommending strings for me? Normally they recommend to everyone some head synthetic gut which breaks so quickly, say a week or two for me. Well anyways, my string was Luxilon Zolo Rough 1.25mm and it notched (is that when the crosses saw through the mains?) very badly until it broke about 3cm above the centre of the racquet. I picked Pro Hurricane Tour 1.25mm, so I'm using a string similar to my old ones?

I understand the angle you're coming from. Perhaps I will give you a bit of background: I'm a home-stringer doing this as a hobby. One of the main reasons why I'm doing it is for reasons like the one you mentioned above. I've had quite enough of being at the mercy of commercial stringers who are only out to make a fast buck and whose recommendations aren't always to the customers' best interests.

If you are more well-informed, like yourself, then it's good to try what you think is suitable for you. For those who don't have the time or inclination to learn more about strings, then it is the stringer that has to make a professional and objective recommendation.

However, too often you will find that money and objectivity don't gel too well together.

 

[jonolau]

Really? When I worked at a Pro Shop, they just told me to cut all the crosses then the mains. Just a long stroke along all the strings with pliers...that's how they did it too.

That's just bad practice and reeks of laziness. It also puts the customers' racquets at risk of unnecessary stress. Though nothing may have gone wrong (so far), it shouldn't be done that way.

The strings should be cut out either:

1. Diagonally - start from the centre and alternate cuts across until you reach the frame.
2. Laterally - alternate cutting 2 crosses, then 2 mains and work towards the frame.

As you can see, this takes a little more time, but it will prolong the life of the racquet by taking less chances.

 

[harry2110]

just remember to tell the stringer the pattern for the racquet

 

[[ GTR ]]

Thanks everyone for their help especially jonolau.

 

[[ GTR ]]

just remember to tell the stringer the pattern for the racquet

Why would I have to tell the stringer the pattern for the racquet? Anyways, I doubt they actually know the patterns of the racquets they string.

 

[MooreTennis]

GTR, depending on where you are in Sydney - I could help you out with stringing depending on what you need we could work something out.

 

[Steve Huff]

A stringer that recommends a string that breaks sooner than your expectations, or sooner than your budget allows, is not doing you any favors. He's stringing for HIM, no for YOU. I've strung for teaching pro's that thought they knew what they wanted. When I recommend a string, i give them the reason and what they can expect that they're not getting from their current setup. I've only had a couple say, "let's go back to what I had" (out of thousands). Lucky. Maybe. But mostly it comes from knowing how different strings play, and finding out what areas a string could make a player better, and learning to match them.

 

[jonolau]

A stringer that recommends a string that breaks sooner than your expectations, or sooner than your budget allows, is not doing you any favors. He's stringing for HIM, no for YOU. I've strung for teaching pro's that thought they knew what they wanted. When I recommend a string, i give them the reason and what they can expect that they're not getting from their current setup. I've only had a couple say, "let's go back to what I had" (out of thousands). Lucky. Maybe. But mostly it comes from knowing how different strings play, and finding out what areas a string could make a player better, and learning to match them.

I totally agree. Great post, Steve.

 

[Duzza]

Thanks for that info Jonolau. I'll be sure to ask my friend if he does that to my racquets!!

These guys had worked at the Australian Open and US Open as stringers, you'd think they'd know the basics of cutting strings?