String Inventory Question

[LOBALOT]

I have been stringing racquets for approximately 2 years originally on a crank a pro gave me and now on an Alpha Ghost 2 I purchased new about 5 months ago. I started stringing as my son is a USTA Jr. tournament player and over the last year or so I have been stringing for friends. As such I have assembled an inventory of reels of string based on what I read hear along with reviewing the ratings DB on stringforum.net. My friends are all social / USTA 3.0 to 4.5 players so I tried to align my inventory with that in mind.

I have a few questions I will ask but wanted to start with checking with you to see if I am on the right track related to reels of string I should stock as a base inventory.

My thoughts are to supplement this with reels and individual sets of string I have assembled over the last few years (Luxilon Element 16L, Luxilon 4G 16L, Luxilon Big Banger, NXT, RPM Blast, etc.).

I selected the following reels as a base inventory:

Synthetic Gut

• Gosen OG Sheep Micro 17
• Prince Duraflex 16 (A few friends have requested this so I ordered a reel)

Multifilament

• Isospeed Control+ 16

Copolyester

• Volkl Cyclone Tour 17
• Weiss CANNON Silverstring 17
• Solinco Revolution 16L

Do you think I am on the right track and is there anything I should add?

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[am1899]

Consider Cyclone tour 16 instead of 17. Tension maint. Is way better w/ 16g.

I would dump the Revolution too. I’d spend a little extra coin for Hyper G instead. I find it to hold a little better, better control, and shock is night and day better with the Hyper G. I will say that some folks have said the opposite - that Hyper g hurt their arm, while revolution didn’t. (Obviously that wasn’t my experience). If the price tag is of concern, I’d look at Cyclone instead.

I also think you could do better than Isospeed control for multi. But it depends on what you intend to use it for - hybrids, full bed, or both? TW has Prince premier control 16 in a 660 reel for $89 currently, which is an absolute steal.

Edit: I just noticed you already have NXT. In that case, I would recommend a stiffer, control oriented multi that doesn’t fray so easily. Head FXP comes to mind - which is great in hybrids for heavy hitters. I still think Prince Premier Control is too good to pass up at the current price. (I don’t recall it fraying so quickly, either - certainly not like NXT).

Finally, IMHO Prince duraflex may well be one of the most awful strings on the market. But some people are supremely loyal to it. Can’t really figure them out TBH, but whatev. To me, Prince’s original synthetic gut is a far superior string. It would probably be redundant though, to carry both PSGO and Gosen OG. I’d pick one of those (or maybe Forten Sweet) in 16g and be done with it. (I probably wouldn’t bother carrying a 17g synthetic gut - unless I had significant demand for it).

Speaking of demand, that’s what should drive a lot of your decision making - what your customers are asking for and will buy. Such demand may well ought to trump any recommendations I’ve made, and what others here may chime in with. And that’s fine. The last thing you want is a reel of string that you can’t sell, that instead collects dust.

 

[Irvin]

Some strings I would suggest are Sensation, RIP Control, and Ashaway Kevlar.

 

[McLovin]

Speaking of demand, that’s what should drive a lot of your decision making - what your customers are asking for and will buy.

This.

Also, if buying a reel of something, you should charge people based off of the package price of the string, not the reel price, at least in the beginning. If you have some friends/long-term customers, then fine, maybe give them a $5 discount. But I have a few reels of string sitting around that will likely go unused because people either (a) changed strings, or (b) stopped playing tennis. Now I'm stuck w/ them because its string I'll never use.

Sure, I can throw it in a frame here & there when someone new comes along and doesn't care, but that will still take years to recoup my $ on the reel.

A lot of my customers use gut/poly, so I'm fully stocked w/ packs of Natural Gut, but that can be some expensive inventory to carry. However, it is nice to have a pack or two available if someone is experiencing arm problems.

 

[LOBALOT]

Consider Cyclone tour 16 instead of 17. Tension maint. Is way better w/ 16g.

I would dump the Revolution too. I’d spend a little extra coin for Hyper G instead. I find it to hold a little better, better control, and shock is night and day better with the Hyper G. I will say that some folks have said the opposite - that Hyper g hurt their arm, while revolution didn’t. (Obviously that wasn’t my experience). If the price tag is of concern, I’d look at Cyclone instead.

I also think you could do better than Isospeed control for multi. But it depends on what you intend to use it for - hybrids, full bed, or both? TW has Prince premier control 16 in a 660 reel for $89 currently, which is an absolute steal.

Edit: I just noticed you already have NXT. In that case, I would recommend a stiffer, control oriented multi that doesn’t fray so easily. Head FXP comes to mind - which is great in hybrids for heavy hitters. I still think Prince Premier Control is too good to pass up at the current price. (I don’t recall it fraying so quickly, either - certainly not like NXT).

Finally, IMHO Prince duraflex may well be one of the most awful strings on the market. But some people are supremely loyal to it. Can’t really figure them out TBH, but whatev. To me, Prince’s original synthetic gut is a far superior string. It would probably be redundant though, to carry both PSGO and Gosen OG. I’d pick one of those (or maybe Forten Sweet) in 16g and be done with it. (I probably wouldn’t bother carrying a 17g synthetic gut - unless I had significant demand for it).

Speaking of demand, that’s what should drive a lot of your decision making - what your customers are asking for and will buy. Such demand may well ought to trump any recommendations I’ve made, and what others here may chime in with. And that’s fine. The last thing you want is a reel of string that you can’t sell, that instead collects dust.

Thank you very much for your help. I concur about not having string on hand that won't be used and have been seeking input from my friends who I string for which also drove some of my selections.

In general I found that I received responses of "Synthetic Gut" or "What do you think?". As such I thought I would have a nice small mix of reels on hand that have a variety of playing characteristics and were also affordable. And then backfill with the individual sets for those with more specific requirements (Cyclone, RPM, NXT, ALU, etc.).

I will add the Volkl Cyclone Tour 16G vs. 17G.

As far as Hyper G vs. Revolution I was looking at Hyper G as well as I see many tournament kids using it these days. The reason I started with the Revolution is I was worried that Hyper G would be a little harder on the arm but it sure makes sense to have Hyper G on hand due to it's popularity with the Juniors. I was also looking at Cyclone in this category as well. Perhaps I can have a few sets of each as I have buddy who uses Cyclone.

My intent with the Multi / IsoSpeed Control+ was to have something on hand that could play well on it's own and in a Hybrid. A string that would be softer and yet not be too powerful. I have some NXT on hand as I used to hybridize with it in my racquet. I will look at Prince Premier Control and Forten. I think the Head FXP also sounds like a great idea. I am a little bit worried about this category being something I have on hand and would not be used.

I agree with you RE: Duraflex. I started stringing with Prince Original and found it to be a very nice string similar to the Gosen. I do not like the playing characteristics of the Duraflex at all but have friends asking me to restring with what they had in their racquet (which was Duraflex) and also asking for it specifically.

I will summarize all the responses into a list.

Thanks again for taking the time to help me get started.

 

[LOBALOT]

Some strings I would suggest are Sensation, RIP Control, and Ashaway Kevlar.

Thank you for all your help. If I am correct I believe it is your youtube videos I found very helpful in getting started. Thank you!!!

Sensation / RIP Control sound great. I did not think of Kevlar and Ashway. Thank you.

 

[Irvin]

Thank you for all your help. If I am correct I believe it is your youtube videos I found very helpful in getting started. Thank you!!!

Sensation / RIP Control sound great. I did not think of Kevlar and Ashway. Thank you.

If you’re talking about Mr10sStringer yes that’s me and thank you very much.

 

[LOBALOT]

This.

Also, if buying a reel of something, you should charge people based off of the package price of the string, not the reel price, at least in the beginning. If you have some friends/long-term customers, then fine, maybe give them a $5 discount. But I have a few reels of string sitting around that will likely go unused because people either (a) changed strings, or (b) stopped playing tennis. Now I'm stuck w/ them because its string I'll never use.

Sure, I can throw it in a frame here & there when someone new comes along and doesn't care, but that will still take years to recoup my $ on the reel.

A lot of my customers use gut/poly, so I'm fully stocked w/ packs of Natural Gut, but that can be some expensive inventory to carry. However, it is nice to have a pack or two available if someone is experiencing arm problems.

I have a friend who likes to hybridize with natural gut and have restrung his racquets so was going to get a few packets as well (and store carefully).

Thank you so this brings up an interesting topic... My wife is in your corner when it comes to pricing!!!!

I was planning to start a separate thread on this topic/question I had.... The fee.

I have been basing my fee off the set vs. the reel price. The question comes what to charge for labor. I have been cutting my pals a break but can see the need to evaluate the price for labor that I charge others.

After originally starting to string to keep my son in useable racquets (He sure could go through the string), this has morphed into something I enjoy, and thus I bought a new stringing machine.

Now I see an opportunity to string for others (and this could help defer the cost of the new stringing machine.). I can definitely see myself doing this after I retire.

I probably have not been charging my pals enough for labor and need to determine a fee for labor I charge others as well. What do you think that fee should be?

Thanks!

 

[LOBALOT]

If you’re talking about Mr10sStringer yes that’s me and thank you very much.

I am and I have learned a great deal from these videos. There is another tournament family we know and they just purchased a Gamma Crank and they were having some difficulty and approached me last week as they knew I started stringing a few years back. I told them... "Go out to youtube and check out Mr10sStringer".

 

[Irvin]

I have a friend who likes to hybridize with natural gut and have restrung his racquets so was going to get a few packets as well (and store carefully)

Hybridize? Is that a word? LOL Actually quality gut comes in an hermetically sealed package and requires no special storage other than how you would store other strings.

 

[LOBALOT]

Yes, goes with Hybridology

 

[McLovin]

The question comes what to charge for labor.

This has been discussed & debated here ad nauseam, but the consensus is somewhere in the $15-$20 range.

 

[am1899]

Thank you very much for your help.

Of course, happy to help.

Just to address a couple of your comments:

Revolution vs. Hyper G - Probably a toss up comfort wise between the 2. They’re both good spin-oriented poly strings. As you eluded to, Hyper G is gaining a lot of popularity in all areas of competitive tennis - probably in large part due to its popularity on the ATP tour.

As far as a versatile mutlifilament - As @Irvin recommended - Sensation would be a good one. I sell a ton of it. Durability is probably its weakest characteristic, though. FXP and PPC are more durable, but probably not quite as soft feeling right off the stringer (as Sensation). I find both FXP and PPC to feel fine after a short break-in period. The Sensation would probably be better to have if the majority of your multi customers are not string breakers. PPC or FXP might be better if you have mostly heavy hitter type customers. Out of all of them, at least in my area, Sensation is by far the most recognizable in the multi category amongst customers.

Best way to figure out what to charge is to find out what the competition in your area charges. Asking people here might be like asking, “How much is a gallon of milk where you live?”

 

[ByeByePoly]

If you’re talking about Mr10sStringer yes that’s me and thank you very much.

Wow ... just glanced at your Youtube library. Impressive, and good to put a face with members. I know where I'm starting now if I ever buy a stringer.

 

[fuzz nation]

I have a friend who likes to hybridize with natural gut and have restrung his racquets so was going to get a few packets as well (and store carefully).

Thank you so this brings up an interesting topic... My wife is in your corner when it comes to pricing!!!!

I was planning to start a separate thread on this topic/question I had.... The fee.

I have been basing my fee off the set vs. the reel price. The question comes what to charge for labor. I have been cutting my pals a break but can see the need to evaluate the price for labor that I charge others.

After originally starting to string to keep my son in useable racquets (He sure could go through the string), this has morphed into something I enjoy, and thus I bought a new stringing machine.

Now I see an opportunity to string for others (and this could help defer the cost of the new stringing machine.). I can definitely see myself doing this after I retire.

I probably have not been charging my pals enough for labor and need to determine a fee for labor I charge others as well. What do you think that fee should be?

Thanks!

I'm probably a little like you in that I started stringing several years ago when I started coaching high school teams. I wanted to be able to offer the troops overnight re-stringing during the season when they really need it. A little time goes by, word of mouth builds some momentum, and now I'm rather busy with my stringing for a healthy circle of locals during the warmer months.

I typically like to make about $15 per racquet, so I'll charge $20 when re-stringing with basic stuff. I only have a few sets of more pricey "premium" string on hand and I'll let somebody know beforehand if it will cost more to replace what they have. I don't stock a lot of that more expensive string, since I'm not a certified racquet/string tech working for an established shop, etc. I don't want to make a big investment in that sort of string and then hope for my pals to eventually request it.

I do sometimes encourage folks I string for to buy their own sets of string so that I can always take care of them very quickly when they pop their favorite stuff. Otherwise I've tried to keep it simple. You've got enough string on hand to cover LOTS of bases and I don't think you need to make any major changes to your stock. Here's my basic rundown:

Syn. gut:

Gosen OG Sheep Micro 16 - ideal for crosses in poly hybrids and also decent in a full bed.

Kirschbaum SG (not the premium option) 16/17 - I adore the bang for my buck I get with this string. Slightly softer than the Gosen and I use the 17 in my own racquets all the time.

Poly:

Isospeed Baseline - I have a reel of each gauge, but the two lightest options (1.20mm and 1.25mm) are easily my most popular.

Volkl Cyclone 17 - a relatively new addition that seems to outperform the Isospeed without costing much more.

Multi:

Alpha Gut 2000 16 - rather well received, decent performer, and affordable. I'll also be picking up a reel of 16 ga. Prince Premier Contol from TW asap - that's a decent multi at a great price.

I also have a little of this and that sitting around (got a great deal on a little bundle of sets of NXT last summer), but unless I'm using a specific string on a regular basis for a few pals, I really have no need to stock it. As long as we have a decent array that covers the different string types, then we have something to offer when somebody wants us to "re-string with the same stuff". We can't cover every possible request, but it's a lot better than nothing.

It's also not rare for folks to ask me for a new grip when I re-string for them. I've started keeping at least three or four spare replacement grips handy because once I become somebody's "racquet guy", I'm usually the one who gets asked to take care of the whole rig. I've had good luck with the Gosen MG-10 and the basic Gamma Hi Tech.

If you're not keeping a log of the strings and tensions you're using for your "clients", start now.

 

[LOBALOT]

Of course, happy to help.

Just to address a couple of your comments:

Revolution vs. Hyper G - Probably a toss up comfort wise between the 2. They’re both good spin-oriented poly strings. As you eluded to, Hyper G is gaining a lot of popularity in all areas of competitive tennis - probably in large part due to its popularity on the ATP tour.

As far as a versatile mutlifilament - As @Irvin recommended - Sensation would be a good one. I sell a ton of it. Durability is probably its weakest characteristic, though. FXP and PPC are more durable, but probably not quite as soft feeling right off the stringer (as Sensation). I find both FXP and PPC to feel fine after a short break-in period. The Sensation would probably be better to have if the majority of your multi customers are not string breakers. PPC or FXP might be better if you have mostly heavy hitter type customers. Out of all of them, at least in my area, Sensation is by far the most recognizable in the multi category amongst customers.

Best way to figure out what to charge is to find out what the competition in your area charges. Asking people here might be like asking, “How much is a gallon of milk where you live?”

Thank you! I will check out those strings as well. That is an excellent point related to evaluating what others are charging related to fee.

 

[LOBALOT]

I'm probably a little like you in that I started stringing several years ago when I started coaching high school teams. I wanted to be able to offer the troops overnight re-stringing during the season when they really need it. A little time goes by, word of mouth builds some momentum, and now I'm rather busy with my stringing for a healthy circle of locals during the warmer months.

I typically like to make about $15 per racquet, so I'll charge $20 when re-stringing with basic stuff. I only have a few sets of more pricey "premium" string on hand and I'll let somebody know beforehand if it will cost more to replace what they have. I don't stock a lot of that more expensive string, since I'm not a certified racquet/string tech working for an established shop, etc. I don't want to make a big investment in that sort of string and then hope for my pals to eventually request it.

I do sometimes encourage folks I string for to buy their own sets of string so that I can always take care of them very quickly when they pop their favorite stuff. Otherwise I've tried to keep it simple. You've got enough string on hand to cover LOTS of bases and I don't think you need to make any major changes to your stock. Here's my basic rundown:

Syn. gut:

Gosen OG Sheep Micro 16 - ideal for crosses in poly hybrids and also decent in a full bed.

Kirschbaum SG (not the premium option) 16/17 - I adore the bang for my buck I get with this string. Slightly softer than the Gosen and I use the 17 in my own racquets all the time.

Poly:

Isospeed Baseline - I have a reel of each gauge, but the two lightest options (1.20mm and 1.25mm) are easily my most popular.

Volkl Cyclone 17 - a relatively new addition that seems to outperform the Isospeed without costing much more.

Multi:

Alpha Gut 2000 16 - rather well received, decent performer, and affordable. I'll also be picking up a reel of 16 ga. Prince Premier Contol from TW asap - that's a decent multi at a great price.

I also have a little of this and that sitting around (got a great deal on a little bundle of sets of NXT last summer), but unless I'm using a specific string on a regular basis for a few pals, I really have no need to stock it. As long as we have a decent array that covers the different string types, then we have something to offer when somebody wants us to "re-string with the same stuff". We can't cover every possible request, but it's a lot better than nothing.

It's also not rare for folks to ask me for a new grip when I re-string for them. I've started keeping at least three or four spare replacement grips handy because once I become somebody's "racquet guy", I'm usually the one who gets asked to take care of the whole rig. I've had good luck with the Gosen MG-10 and the basic Gamma Hi Tech.

If you're not keeping a log of the strings and tensions you're using for your "clients", start now.

Thank you for string options. I also regrip.

As far a log of customer strings, tensions, racquets, I have been using RacquetTune to do that for me. I test each racquet as it comes off the stringer and then e-mail the results to my customer. When I get the racquet back to restring I ask my customer if they would like the same configuration and if so go into RacquetTune and use the value from the last time I restrung.

Thanks for all your help!

I bet coaching High School is a lot of fun. Enjoy the season!

 

[haqq777]

Would like to add here on a side note that not only are @Irvin's videos great, he is also very helpful person if you contact and ask him specific questions about stringing. I am a novice stringer who owns a basic drop weight, and he helped me determine stringing patterns for a couple of racquets and answered some of my noob questions as well. Pretty cool helping fellow TW members like that.