Should factory strings be replaced?

[osublonde]

After research and demoing, I ended up with the Prince O3 Red (I'm a 3.0 female rec player). A friend who's been playing since high school suggested that I replace the factory strings that came with the racquet, so I wanted to check with the experts. I received a number of suggestions for strings on another post, I would just like opinions on if the factory strings should be replaced.

Thanks!

 

[Deleted member 232704]

Well, usually when you buy a racquet ( not from Big5 and Sports Authority and such ) it should come unstrung. If not that's fine but the strings they give are really low quality but if you don't mind spending a little cash, definitely get it restrung. There most likely trash strings thats super low quality.

 

[jmjmkim]

Prince Red is a higher end recreational model, so there is no doubt that you have acquired a decent racket for your level. The O3 Red is an older version as opposed to the EXO Red. I would guess that the strings are a few years old.

If you are 3.0 and can rally consistently, using the sweet spot of your racket, then by all means a new fresh string will increase the feel of your ball contacts.
But if you are a 3.0 and still lack consistent, sweetspot hitting, and you are framing or using the outside of the sweetspot a lot, then save the money and keep the old strings. It probably will not improve your game.

To my knowledge, the high end rackets that come with factory strings are pretty good, such as the Prince Premiere. If it is just regular "synthetic" and you are a decent player who is already familiar with personal favorite strings, then new strings are always welcome. New strings always feel better... (as longs as you are hitting the sweetspot consistently)

 

[esgee48]

Play with the factory strings for a bit before deciding if they need to be replaced. At your current level, I doubt that you can tell the difference. If it is too loose or too tight, then replace the strings.

In your other thread regarding the PD 107 GT, you're getting info to use relatively cheap synthetic gut and there won't be much difference between that and what you may have now.

 

[JohnB]

I would definitely replace them. The strings are probably in there for quite some time and strung "loosely" so that the frame isn't under much stress.

 

[Venetian]

Play with the factory strings for a bit before deciding if they need to be replaced. At your current level, I doubt that you can tell the difference. If it is too loose or too tight, then replace the strings.

In your other thread regarding the PD 107 GT, you're getting info to use relatively cheap synthetic gut and there won't be much difference between that and what you may have now.

I agree. Play with them first to see how they feel. If they feel fine to you, then go with them until they break.

 

[Turbo-87]

The 03 Red will be a great racquet for you. I am no expert, but I would just hit with the stock strings for a while so you can see how it behaves for you. You have to have some experience with a particular setup to see what changes need to be made. When I had a Prince O3 Shark, I hit with the stock strings for a couple of months before moving to a different string and tension as suggested by a friend who was tutoring me. In my case, I went quite a bit tighter and smaller gauge. He was right and we saw an immediate difference between me hitting with factory strings vs his suggested setup. Some simple things can change the game, for better or for worse.

Hit with it, make mental notes on what is happening with your game and then relay that information to your club stringer and I am sure he could advise you on a change, if any.

 

[fortun8son]

The O3 Red is an older design, but it has been reissued.
The strings are , most likely, PSGD and not more than a couple of months old.
It is a nice tweener stick and LightningXX or Premier Attack would work well, as would staying with PSGD.

 

[popsicleian]

I just bought myself two new O3 Reds a few weeks ago, both of which came with the factory strings. I honestly can't tell that much of a difference between the factory strings and the multis that came on the demo I ordered from TW. It's my understanding that the factory strings are the Prince Duraflex synthetic gut, so it's not some crap nylon.

I'll probably experiment with something else when I break a string, but I've concluded that the factory stuff is good enough for me for now.

 

[loosegroove]

I agree with all those that said play with the factory string for a while. I'd be surprised if it would make much of a difference to you if you had it restrung. Save your money.

 

[GlenK]

When ever I order a new racquet I have them string it with what ever they do for free just to set the grommets.
Then when I receive it just cut them out and install my own set up.

 

[shell]

I just bought myself two new O3 Reds a few weeks ago, both of which came with the factory strings. I honestly can't tell that much of a difference between the factory strings and the multis that came on the demo I ordered from TW. It's my understanding that the factory strings are the Prince Duraflex synthetic gut, so it's not some crap nylon.

I'll probably experiment with something else when I break a string, but I've concluded that the factory stuff is good enough for me for now.

This is most likely the best for the OP.

 

[itsmen]

I would play with the new racquet with the factory installed string and make sure it is OK before upgrading the string. I wasted a $20 string once because the racquet cracked on me.

 

[tennisjon]

I would play with them once and see if they are acceptable. Personally, I find factory strings to be pretty crappy and strung way too loose. The strings on a racquet are probably even more important than the racquet itself. If you are a 3.0 or better you should be able to tell the difference between good and bad strings. My mom is 3.0 and she plays with a poly hybrid. I restrung her racquet with the same strings but an even softer cross without telling her and she recognized the difference. Luckily, she liked the new strings even more.

 

[Vlad_C]

I would replace them. The factory strings were in the racquet for a few months at the very least, and they've likely lost most of their elasticity.

Of course you can try hitting with those first, but you will not get good results. When you'll replace them, you will feel the difference right away.

 

[fortun8son]

A fresh set of even inexpensive syngut would probably be a improvement.

 

[sansaephanh]

I vote forten sweet 17. I always do though =D

 

[garywsyu]

check on the knots.......then replace it...no second thought.