Thanks for the compliments. I've been stringing since 1979. Like many, I started with a dropweight--an ATS SuperStringer (which was actually made by Court & Slope). Eventually, I got an Ektelon H model and used it for several years. Sometime in that span, I picked up a Winn Pro and a Serrano 550B. About 3 years ago, I bought an Alpha Apex and a Wise Tension head. Sold the Ektelon and Winn. I string from home, and have never strung at tournaments. In the days of small-headed frames, I did string for a couple of guys that played on the minor level tour. I string around 800 rackets/year now. I do no advertising. I've taught tennis, organized and run tournaments, and have taught kids to string. I belong to the USRSA, though I've never bothered with getting a CT or MRT. I guess I'd say I'm a perfectionist. But, I think that almost anyone can string a racket, it's the ability to match strings/rackets to a player that makes a person a quality stringer. The only way to do that is to understand how different strings play, and by listening to each customer describe what they are looking for from their racket/string combination.
On a personal note, I have my bachelors in Business/Marketing from Ok St., an Associates in Nursing from San Juan College (Farmington, NM) and a Masters in Nursing from Virginia Commonwealth University. I'm retired now, on disability after having a kidney/pancreas transplant in 94. I'm married (also an RN), 2 kids (both teenagers). I play around 3 times/week, and hopefully will get to play seniors next year.
It's funny to see some of the new things that have come around since I started. Vibration dampeners for one. I have a small bag of rubber washers that I had cut slits in from 1975. I used them on an Arthur Ashe Comp I. I liked them because they gave a nice "thud" feel when I hit the ball. Who knew? Vibration dampeners didn't really arrive until the 80's I think.
Also, when Prince 1st came out. You'd see restrung Classics that looked round because they compressed so much. I used to use a leather belt that had holes all the way around it. I'd work it over the racket to "stretch" it a little, and to keep it from rounding when I strung it. I strung for a shop once while their regular stringer was on vacation. The customers that had Prince rackets were always suprised to find that their rackets weren't round when I returned them.
The 3rd thing that stands out was once when I broke one of my own frames stringing. It was a ProKennex Comp Dominator. I called PK and they described for me how to string an Around-the-World pattern. I've been using ATW patterns since that time.
There's probably a lot more I could write about, but don't want this post to get too long.
I'd love to hear some other autobio's too.