One piece vs. two piece stringing

[timeisonmyside]

Suppose I have a racket that can support both 1-piece and 2-piece stringing, and I want to string it up with only one type of string (no hybrid), what are the pros/cons in terms of playability with each method? I realize that 1-piece is a little more difficult to string, having to pull the longer piece through the holes.

I am thinking in terms of playability. Does one method result in the racquet feeling tighter than it really is? Does one way better ensure tension maintenance? Could it affect the size of the sweet spot?

 

[Wilson95]

Doesn't matter.

 

[monkey-ranch]

as long as i know 1 piece stringing, loses tension faster that a 2 piece, giving it a bit more playability and feel. with 2 piece, is basically the other way, dont lose tension fast, not too much feel (this also depends on the tension you choose) etc, etc.

if i'm wrong in something feel free to write it here, thanx...

by the way i'm new here hello to everybody!!!

 

[timeisonmyside]

Welcome to the message boards.

 

[uk_skippy]

as long as i know 1 piece stringing, loses tension faster that a 2 piece, giving it a bit more playability and feel. with 2 piece, is basically the other way, dont lose tension fast, not too much feel (this also depends on the tension you choose) etc, etc.

Welcome to the boards, but what reason of evidence are you using to back your claim?

Regards

Paul

 

[monkey-ranch]

Welcome to the boards, but what reason of evidence are you using to back your claim?

Regards

Paul

hello, nice to meet you all.

im not using any kind of evidence, im just telling by self experience (im sure this may differ from person to person) and other stringers that recommend one over another, depending on the player's style of play...

thanks for quoting Mr. skippy!

 

[Gaines Hillix]

There isn't any real difference, in my experience and with those that I string for. However, for the purest, there are some differences. For instance, with a two piece job you'll have the bottom cross(assuming you string the crosses top down) and two outside mains that will have less tension on them unless you compensate by increasing the tension on those strings. With a one piece job you only have two knots and two strings that may have tension loss. With some ATW patterns you can string it so none of the outside strings have reduced tension.

 

[krz]

if it can be done with a 1piece i prefer to use the one piece. Because sometimes getting the string through the tie-off holes can be a real pain.

 

[tbini87]

doing two piece helps if you want to string from head to throat and don't know an Around The World pattern. i always string two piece now even if it is not a hybrid. more knots might mean more tension lost on outer strings but that is not a big deal and you can up the tension on the last strings if you choose.

 

[Bubba]

Suppose I have a racket that can support both 1-piece and 2-piece stringing, and I want to string it up with only one type of string (no hybrid), what are the pros/cons in terms of playability with each method? I realize that 1-piece is a little more difficult to string, having to pull the longer piece through the holes.

I am thinking in terms of playability. Does one method result in the racquet feeling tighter than it really is? Does one way better ensure tension maintenance? Could it affect the size of the sweet spot?

Couple of advantages to 2 piece string job...
1. Can string the mains and crosses at different tensions.
2. Tension maintenance is generally better since tension drop spread across the two pieces.
3. Ensure if you use two pieces that you have a solid starting knot and the the initial tension is retained on the first couple of crosses that are pulled. A lot of people give away tension when starting the crosses... be sure to protect it.

 

[Bubba]

Doesn't matter.

Wrong.....

 

[Bubba]

if it can be done with a 1piece i prefer to use the one piece. Because sometimes getting the string through the tie-off holes can be a real pain.

Just use a grommet tool and push it through to widen the hole... should have plenty of room... even with a new frame.

 

[uk_skippy]

There really should be a sticky about this subject. However I'd feel some points made are likely to be perceptions and not based on facts, e.g. its harder to string 1 piece than 2 because of the extra length on string involved.

Personally I'll string all rqts 1 piece inc gut restrings unless its a hybrid.

Regards

Paul

 

[timeisonmyside]

I agree, this should be a sticky. Anyone know how to do that?

 

[tbini87]

I agree, this should be a sticky. Anyone know how to do that?

im sure dire desire can and probably will when he has time...

 

[diredesire]

I'm hoping to make a more comprehensive stringing sticky in the near future, but i've been bogged as is. I don't want to sticky this thread alone, as there's not much "fact" or strong suggestions either way. I think some of the stuff in this thread is downright misleading. There have been a few threads created on this topic alone, so you can do a search for more info for the time being.

I personally don't think there is much difference between the two other than: overall "correctness" (stringing bottom to top), tension "even-ness" (this only really applies to outside mains, as the 1pc pattern ties off on a main on only one side whereas the 2 pc ties off on two). Other issues: how many knots, aesthetics, etc.

I don't have a preference because I find both patterns have their flaws and advantages.

 

[Rabbit]

Couple of advantages to 2 piece string job...
1. Can string the mains and crosses at different tensions.

Is there some reason you can't dial the tension down when starting the crosses? That's what I do so I can string the crosses and mains at different tensions.

2. Tension maintenance is generally better since tension drop spread across the two pieces.

Isn't tension maintenance really more a function of the string itself? I don't think a poly like Luxilon will retain tension no matter how you string it. The string certainly doesn't know it's been strung in two pieces.

3. Ensure if you use two pieces that you have a solid starting knot and the the initial tension is retained on the first couple of crosses that are pulled. A lot of people give away tension when starting the crosses... be sure to protect it.

In my experience, the absolute best way to ensure tension on the first cross of a two-piece job is to use a starting clamp. I leave the clamp on until I tie off the bottom cross. Then, I go back and re-tension the first cross and remove the starting clamp. I then clamp the top cross on the far side, re-tension the top cross again, and tie off. Starting knots have never been the best way, IMO, to do a two-piece.

 

[TheMurph]

I prefer two-piece personally because you dont have a really long piece of string to deal with on one side.

 

[LPShanet]

Suppose I have a racket that can support both 1-piece and 2-piece stringing, and I want to string it up with only one type of string (no hybrid), what are the pros/cons in terms of playability with each method? I realize that 1-piece is a little more difficult to string, having to pull the longer piece through the holes.

I am thinking in terms of playability. Does one method result in the racquet feeling tighter than it really is? Does one way better ensure tension maintenance? Could it affect the size of the sweet spot?

As you've now discovered, there are a lot of opinions on the differences and benefits of each, and quite a bit of mythology as well. In fact, there isn't that much difference in practical playing terms, and there are stringing advantages to each. While one piece does require you to pull a longer piece through part of the racquet, it's actually not much of a factor, since it's really only on half of the mains, and you don't even have to weave those. As long as you keep track of your long end while you do the mains, you'll be fine. Once you start the crosses, it's essentially the same length of string you'd be handling anyway. The plus side for one piece is that you do two fewer knots.

Generally most racquets have either a recommended pattern (sometimes one piece, sometimes two), or have a correct way to do both. Consult the recommendation for your particular frame. The only caveat is that it's accepted wisdom that you don't want to do a one piece job if it will make you install the mains from the bottom up. Otherwise, do whichever recommended pattern you prefer.

As for playability, you will NOT be able to tell the difference, assuming you do each string job well. The tiny differences in one outside main and/or the extra tie offs will be negligible. Tension maintenance will be almost exactly the same...there can be a slight edge to the one piece job, but not enough to matter. And anyone who tells you they can feel the difference in the sweet spot is kidding himself/herself or not doing the best job possible with one or both method.

 

[LPShanet]

as long as i know 1 piece stringing, loses tension faster that a 2 piece, giving it a bit more playability and feel. with 2 piece, is basically the other way, dont lose tension fast, not too much feel (this also depends on the tension you choose) etc, etc.

if i'm wrong in something feel free to write it here, thanx...

by the way i'm new here hello to everybody!!!

Actually, this is backwards. Although the differences are minor, if all other things are equal, a one piece job will hold tension as well or slightly better, as the tie off strings are the greatest source of tension loss. Since one of the mains continues on to the crosses without such a tie-off, that main and the top cross will hold tension slightly better than a knot would have, but the difference is mostly evident only to measurement devices and not the people using the racquets.

 

[LPShanet]

Couple of advantages to 2 piece string job...

2. Tension maintenance is generally better since tension drop spread across the two pieces.

Not true. The "drop" will be the same on each piece as it would be on one, and with two piece, it's in 4 places instead of 2 (at each knot). Good points about making sure you make good knots and hold the tension you do have, though. Also, with a well-designed frame, the amount of string outside the frame (that isn't tensioned separately) is less on a one piece job.

 

[goakka]

G'day

I use a 2 piece string job if I'm using a set because I hate the coil in the string in a set. you can pre-stretch to get rid of the string memory but some strings tell you not to pre-stretch, and on the long side can be a pain in the butt because of the twisting getting knotted up that if the set has enough string length to accommodate a 2 piece job.( I.E some sets come in 11.5 meters and if its a 18x20 pattern you have to do it in a one piece)

If I'm using a reel I'll do it in a one piece to try to save enough string to do one more racket

I know I'm a tight a&&

Cheers goakka

 

[diredesire]

Not true. The "drop" will be the same on each piece as it would be on one, and with two piece, it's in 4 places instead of 2 (at each knot). Good points about making sure you make good knots and hold the tension you do have, though. Also, with a well-designed frame, the amount of string outside the frame (that isn't tensioned separately) is less on a one piece job.

I beg to differ (slightly). While the "drop" is the same, on a one piece (traditional), one side is tighter than the other. While there is LESS of a drop (overall) on a one piece, it is uneven.

I think the tension loss (symmetry wise) is more uniform on a two piece. I think it's all minor, especially if you decide to compensate for knot tying (which i do not).

 

[LPShanet]

I beg to differ (slightly). While the "drop" is the same, on a one piece (traditional), one side is tighter than the other. While there is LESS of a drop (overall) on a one piece, it is uneven.

I think the tension loss (symmetry wise) is more uniform on a two piece. I think it's all minor, especially if you decide to compensate for knot tying (which i do not).

Those are all fair points. I agree with all of what you just said.