T-W: Strings for a Prince Woodie?

[TripleB]

Tennis-Warehouse,

Ever so often I like to pull a racquet off my 'Wall of Frames' and string it up to see how it plays. Typically it's a more modern racquet so I can use my current string set up: Solinco Tour Bite mains (gauge varies depending on racquet it's going in) and Gosen OG Sheep Micro Super 16L...usually strung in the mid to upper 40s range.

I'm getting ready to string up a Prince Woodie and would like to hear your suggestions as to what string to put in this racquet, as well as what tension to use.

Some people say poly strings would 'cut' into the wood, others say it wouldn't.

Some say natural but is best way to go with this racquet, my wallet says it isn't. Maybe a good but inexpensive (under $10 or so) multi or synthetic (since this won't be my full time racquet) - suggestion?

The tension suggestions I've seen suggest 70 to 76 pounds...but what would be a realistic tension to try?

Some say I should make sure I use pads across T1-T5. I just checked my racquet and I have pads inside the throat but from pics I've seen it appears I should have at least two on the outside of the racquet. It there something readily available I could use for the missing pads?

Thanks for any all advice you can give and have a wonderful holiday season!

TripleB

 

[ollinger]

I always strung my Woodies, a generation ago, with gut at about 76 lbs. (I think Spiky was the only poly my proshop carried back then.) By contmporary standards you will find it very low powered and I think it needs the pop gut provides.

 

[Triskadekaphilia]

Poly won't damage the frame. It's plastic not piano wire. I have used poly crosses with gut in wood frames, low tension, no issues. Full poly will completely suck in a standard woodie. Unless you use a very low tension, then it would play ... unusual.

If you want to see how the racquet feels use a cheap syn gut. Forten sweet or something similar. That way the strings won't change or mask the underlying feel of the racquet when you play.

 

[TripleB]

I always strung my Woodies, a generation ago, with gut at about 76 lbs.

I know that the recommended tension is 70-76 but that seems awfully high, especially since my current racquet is 36/39 (albeit with poly mains).

If you want to see how the racquet feels use a cheap syn gut. Forten sweet or something similar. That way the strings won't change or mask the underlying feel of the racquet when you play.

Yea, I think I have some of the Forten Sweet 17g in my 'tennis closet'...good idea...have some Gosen OG Sheep Micro Super 16L as well.

I think I may order some IsoSpeed Control Classic 16 to try in it as well.

Still would appreciate any advice from T-W.

Thanks.

TripleB

 

[TW Staff]

Triple B,

There is no universal standard that cuts across individual preference and playing styles. It really depends on what feels good to you.

Since we don't have this racquet here, your best bet is to string it with a cheap syn gut (between 55-60 pounds) so that you can let your on-court experience tell you what feels right. Since the Woodie is heavy, it can handle higher tensions. I would hold off on natural gut or an expensive multi until you test it with a cheaper set-up.

Thanks,
Jon

 

[TripleB]

1 last question: my racquet is missing 2 or 3 of the 5 (I believe) leather pieces that lay between the string and the racquet at the bottom of the head. Could nylon tubing be used here instead of the leather pieces?

Thank you for your help Jon!

TripleB

 

[TW Staff]

I assume you are talking about the leather power pads? If so, you can use pieces of an old leather grip, belt or even shoe. Just cut the leather into small squares and stack to the desired height. You can also roll the leather as an alternative -- works just as well but has a different look.

Power pads help reduce the angle the string has to make as it turns the corner to go back through the next hole = more friendly for natural gut strings and you might also note a slightly dampened feel from the stringbed verses without.

Cheers mate,
Chris, TW

 

[radically_prestigious_guy]

Hey Chris

How much do you think the power pads dampen compared to traditional rubber dampeners? Rubber band, O-shape, worms etc.
Really enjoying a gut/poly hybrid in my pro staff 95 but haven't settled on how much string dampening I want.

Cheers mate

 

[TW Staff]

Hey Chris

How much do you think the power pads dampen compared to traditional rubber dampeners? Rubber band, O-shape, worms etc.
Really enjoying a gut/poly hybrid in my pro staff 95 but haven't settled on how much string dampening I want.

Cheers mate

They don't dampen as much. The level of dampening is subtler. It is well worth giving a try and you can always add a rubber band if you want more dampening.

Cheers,
Chris.

 

[leroy_sunset]

So, how did it go? I am thinking of going low poly mains in my Woodie (~40 or so) and then crossing with Forten Sweet or something like it. Not sure on the cross tension if I'm going 40 on the mains.