New racquet has different tension range than my old one

[khingdheano]

Greetings,
I have for years played with a Prince CTS Graduate 90 that has a recommended string tension range of 50-65 lbs, and I get it strung at 60 lbs which is 2/3 of the way to the maximum. I just received my new Wilson Pro Staff 97 from TW (unstrung). It has a recommended range of 50-60 lbs. Should I have it strung 2/3 of the way to the max, say about 57 lbs, or should I go with 60 lbs, the same tension as my old racquet? It crossed my mind that if I had had my Prince strung at say, 62 lbs, that would exceed the recommended range of the Wilson. Based on that, I am speculating that keeping the 2/3 ratio to the recommended ranges would be the way to go, therefore stringing the Wilson at 57 lbs. I sincerely appreciate any guidance!
K

 

[esgee48]

No mention of string, so this is general advice. Recommendations are manufacturers' guess as to where the racquet plays for the general population. You do not have to adhere to them when going lower. You do have to pay attention when going higher, but upping tension 10# above the recommended range will not hurt the frame. You basically have 3 choices. One would be to string the PS97 at 60# with same string just so you know how to adjust the 2nd time. The second option is to use 63# to account for 90 to 97 and 14/18 to 16x19. The second string job is when you can get closer to what you like. I would use 63# since you have to seat the grommets on your new PS97 anyway. The third option is to start at 55# and adjust on second string job.

 

[khingdheano]

Thank you so much for your reply. Indeed I did neglect to mention the string I use, it's Prince Tour XC 16L.

 

[LocNetMonster]

I would recommend changing the string to one that is a little bit more forgiving poly than Tour XC for the PS97. Otherwise, if you are committed to using XC, start at 55#, play and then evaluate after two hours of play on whether to drop the tension or tighten it up more.

 

[esgee48]

Now you say you use Tour XC 16L. You need to be a strong player to use Tour XC 16L at 60# unless it was strung with a lock out. I would say use 55# or lower on an eCP or 60# on a LO.

 

[khingdheano]

Thanks, but I have no clue what a lock out or eCP is. I don't know the criteria for "strong player", however I did win a number of local tournaments in the past. I am for sure past my prime at this date, however.

 

[esgee48]

There are 2 types of tension heads. CP is constant pull which are electronic and/or mechanical. Then there are crank style. Cranks normally result in lower final tension. Ask your stringer which type of machine they have. If they do not know, find another stringer.

 

[khingdheano]

Good to know, thanks for the info.

 

[jmacdaununder2]

There are 2 types of tension heads. CP is constant pull which are electronic and/or mechanical. Then there are crank style. Cranks normally result in lower final tension. Ask your stringer which type of machine they have. If they do not know, find another stringer.

I've got to the stage where I might as well just auto-like your posts. They're invariably accurate and occasionally pithy but always in a positive way.

 

[mctennis]

My suggestion to this fact is that people are using polys now and back then they did not. The string mfgrs are adjusting the tension ranges to accommodate the poly craze. Plus the raquets now are mostly stiffer than they were years ago and have all these different composites that make the racquet stiffer. Just my thoughts on this.

 

[LOBALOT]

I've got to the stage where I might as well just auto-like your posts. They're invariably accurate and occasionally pithy but always in a positive way.

I agree I really enjoy reading @esgee48 's responses on this forum. I almost choked on a sip of wine when I read his answer here about Prince XC at 60lbs.

 

[LOBALOT]

As far as tensions I really think people have to be careful. I have a lot of pals that are older that bring me their larger racquets which have a higher range and in my experience they end up not getting the performance out of the racquet as they don't have the strong/powerful strokes to justify the tension.

I understand why the manufacturers do this but I don't if that makes sense. I think they do it to reign in the power but at the same time I would think someone buying such a racquet is seeking more power and a larger sweet spot and a higher tension negates that.