Lindros13
Semi-Pro
The Main tie-off location for my Volkl BB10 racquets is listed as 7H (seven at the head) for 1-piece jobs. The tennis associate at the shop where I bought the racquets seemed extremely knowledgeable with stringing, balancing, and various racquet specs, etc. They also had some state-of-the-art Babolat SW machine, Bab stringing machines, etc. Granted, the equipment does not make them knowledgeable, but it clearly seemed like they were. However, I just noticed that the new racquet that she strung for me has the Main tie-off knot at 6H and not 7H as prescribed for the 1-piece job.
If the Main tie-off knot was in its proper location (7H), then the last Main string (located at 9H) would travel on the outside of the frame over the first, top cross grommet (located at 8H) and tie-off on the previous Main (located at 7H). However, as I mentioned, the tie-off knot is currently located at 6H and not 7H as prescribed, so it actually travels over the top cross grommet, over the previous Main (located at 7H), and then ties off on 6H which is the 6th main string on that side. Note that both locations have larger grommet holes to accomodate two strings because 6H happens to be the prescribed tie-off location for the top cross when doing 2-piece jobs. So it's not like she forced the string into a smaller hole that is not made for knots.
I was incorrectly following this procedure when I just restrung another one of my racquets. That's when I spotted the error. So, at first, I tried to follow the prescribed stringing instructions, but I think I see why the stringer did it this way! It is not as easy to get the last main string into the prescribed 7H hole as it is the 6H hole! See the diagram below. As indicated, there is a string already inside both holes (6H and 7H), but the grommet hole for 7H is blocked. See diagram below.
Key Question(s): Is it bad for the racquet to use an incorrect 6H as the tie-off location? Obviously the manufacturer established a different location! If I push on the 7th main string to unblock the correct tie-off hole, can it cause my clamp to slip? I doubt that any tool I use will be pushing with more than 60 lbs of tension (which the clamp can handle).
If the Main tie-off knot was in its proper location (7H), then the last Main string (located at 9H) would travel on the outside of the frame over the first, top cross grommet (located at 8H) and tie-off on the previous Main (located at 7H). However, as I mentioned, the tie-off knot is currently located at 6H and not 7H as prescribed, so it actually travels over the top cross grommet, over the previous Main (located at 7H), and then ties off on 6H which is the 6th main string on that side. Note that both locations have larger grommet holes to accomodate two strings because 6H happens to be the prescribed tie-off location for the top cross when doing 2-piece jobs. So it's not like she forced the string into a smaller hole that is not made for knots.
I was incorrectly following this procedure when I just restrung another one of my racquets. That's when I spotted the error. So, at first, I tried to follow the prescribed stringing instructions, but I think I see why the stringer did it this way! It is not as easy to get the last main string into the prescribed 7H hole as it is the 6H hole! See the diagram below. As indicated, there is a string already inside both holes (6H and 7H), but the grommet hole for 7H is blocked. See diagram below.
Key Question(s): Is it bad for the racquet to use an incorrect 6H as the tie-off location? Obviously the manufacturer established a different location! If I push on the 7th main string to unblock the correct tie-off hole, can it cause my clamp to slip? I doubt that any tool I use will be pushing with more than 60 lbs of tension (which the clamp can handle).
