re-stringing frequency

[christos_liaskos]

I'm fairly new to this part of the forum. Having read through a few of the threads I'm sure everyone will have their own opinions on my questions...

Reading through advice on stringing, I see terms such as 'regular string breakers' should use such and such string. What is classed as regular string breaker though? How many hours of play roughly?

Also, how long should different types of string be left in a racket? Such as single core single wrap, monofilaments or single core multi wraps etc (don't know if I'm getting those names/descriptions right? Are they all classed as synthetic gut, or isn't the monofilament?) I see on the forum people talking about the string going dead or losing it's tension. Is this caused through play or just by leaving the racket lying around?

 

[Carolina Racquet]

I use poly strings and since I have my own stringer, I tend to restring more often than others. I like the feel of fresher poly and also want to avoid string breakage. I will usually replace the string after 8-10 hours of play.

That leads to your other question. IMO playability is impacted mostly by usage rather than just being in the racquet. With poly, other factors like exposure to extreme heat and cold can change tension.

I have left non-poly strings in frames for extended periods of time without a huge change in the string's performance. I felt that synthetic gut plays well until it breaks. Multis, the same, except you get more notice about wear because of all of the individual filaments that break before the string is compromised.

The life of strings depend primarily on the type of strokes used, the frame's string pattern (closed or open) and the tension used. For me, syn gut usually breaks after 3 hours of play because I'm a hard hitting topspin player using an open pattern frame.

 

[fgs]

everything depends on the type of player you are resp. your stroke mechanics (topspin player vs. flat striker) and to some extent on the stringpattern, in the sense that an open stringbed (16mains) will have more wear than a closed stringpattern (18mains). regarding the latter, you might find oversized sticks that have a 18mains pattern but are about as dense as a 16mains 95sq.inch, so the stringpattern is always relative.

1. there are polyester strings which by nature of the material are less elastic than the other ones (nylon or natural gut. of course there is also kevlar, but those stiff strings are not very popular as far as i can tell). polyester strings usually are monofilaments (although the newest developments indicate to the upcome of multistrands with this material as well - tecnifibre has made a first, or so i am aware of). these polyester strings are a lot stiffer than the nylon or natural gut counterparts and have been developed MAINLY for competitional players, i.e. players with quite precise stroking mechanics. next is to be mentioned that poly strings ONLY make sense for topspin hitters, which regularly won't get more than max. 10 hours of play out of a set of strings. some wear them down in less than two hours, others (like me for instance) take them up to 10-12 hours. polys, due to the nature of the material they are made of have the tendency to "go dead". that is that they lose their elastic porperties and sooner or later, if you go on to play with them, can really do harm! polys go dead even if not played, but stored under tension (i.e. strung in a stick) over longer periods of time (month+).
thus, even if you don't break it, it is advisable that you replace it latest after 15 hours. there are polys which go dead within 3 hitting hours, and others which last for 10-12, maybe up to 15 (very few).
same thing applies if you make a hybrid with poly in the mains or in the crosses!

2. nylon strings are either so-called syn guts (can be monofilaments or solid core surrounded by some outer wraps of thinner strands) or multis (up to 1000+ strands surrounded by a coating). nylon stays elastic much longer and therefore they are percieved as not going dead. they are very well suited for flat hitters as well as for topspinners, just that the latter will go through them "in no time". i don't get more than 3 hours at best out of any syn gut or multi. this has to do with the much softer nature of nylon as opposed to polyester. there would be no need to replace synguts or multis before breakage, unless you had them sitting around for more years between outings.

i think at tw university they have a much more professional description of the various sorts of strings and you might want to do some reading. i just scratched the surface, so to say.