Two-piece stringing on a “one-piece racquet”

[cd3768]

Hi,
I just bought a Pro Staff 97 (black, going for $139 on TW now) and noticed only two knots...a one-piece job. It was strung up with a full bed of Volkl Cyclone 17g and off the bat, off-center shots were pretty harsh. Even from other reviews on the TW website and these forums, off-center shots were harsh. So, I’m thinking of stringing it with a hybrid, maybe syn/nat gut main, with a poly cross.
What I need help is with how do I string it? I know you should tie off with big enough grommets but if anyone has done the Pro Staff 97 or other “one-piece racquets,” please offer some advice.

Thanks

 

[struggle]

Wilson Tennis Racquet Patterns

View racquet stringing patterns for your Wilson tennis racquet.

www.klipperusa.com

FWIW, it's not a "one piece" racquet.

 

[cd3768]

@struggle
Then what would you say it is? Thanks for the link too

 

[WestboroChe]

One piece racquets are typically older frames from the mid 80s and earlier. An RF97 being a pretty recent frame will be designed to be strung as a hybrid or four knot design.

 

[cd3768]

One piece racquets are typically older frames from the mid 80s and earlier. An RF97 being a pretty recent frame will be designed to be strung as a hybrid or four knot design.

Oh wow, didn’t know that. Thanks

 

[cd3768]

Just asking because on the TW website it said to string it using one piece.

 

[LOBALOT]

Hi,
I just bought a Pro Staff 97 (black, going for $139 on TW now) and noticed only two knots...a one-piece job. It was strung up with a full bed of Volkl Cyclone 17g and off the bat, off-center shots were pretty harsh. Even from other reviews on the TW website and these forums, off-center shots were harsh. So, I’m thinking of stringing it with a hybrid, maybe syn/nat gut main, with a poly cross.
What I need help is with how do I string it? I know you should tie off with big enough grommets but if anyone has done the Pro Staff 97 or other “one-piece racquets,” please offer some advice.

Thanks

To your original question though you can check Klipper USA web site and they will show where to tie off for 2 piece.

 

[Arzivu]

Just asking because on the TW website it said to string it using one piece.

Usually, when It says one piece, it means that it's a natural one: you are tying off your knots on the top of the racket, allowing to continue stringing the crosses towards the bottom, without using any special pattern (for instance, around the world). However, this does not exclude two-piece stringing, which is universal for any modern racket...

 

[LOBALOT]

In this particular case though in looking at the stringing instructions it is another one of Wilson's racquets that shows bottom up in which case I would not do traditional 1 piece as the instructions indicate. I could be mistaken but that is what I am reading. In any event, stringing 2 piece, which I would do anyway, is not an issue.

 

[Irvin]

https://www.wilson.com/sites/default/files/Pro%20Staff%2097%202017_0.pdf

 

[am1899]

I assume you’re referring to where it says “one piece” on TW’s website (along with other specs for a given racquet). That doesn’t mean you have to to string it one piece. You can string that racquet 2pc no problem.

Generally the only truly “1pc only” modern day racquets are the ones you buy at big box stores or some of the pre-strung entry level racquets. Which, even those can be strung 2pc, if you’re willing to enlarge a couple grommet holes.

 

[am1899]

Your racquet can also be strung it 1pc bottom up, per the manufacturer. Or, it can be strung 1pc ATW.

 

[LOBALOT]

https://www.wilson.com/sites/default/files/Pro%20Staff%2097%202017_0.pdf

Yes, that is the exact one I was referencing.

 

[cd3768]

Why exactly is stringing bottom up “worse” than top down?
If it is, why/how did Wilson make it this way?

 

[LOBALOT]

Why exactly is stringing bottom up “worse” than top down?
If it is, why/how did Wilson make it this way?

That topic has been discussed multiple times here and really I suggest you review those threads and then determine your own opinion on that.

 

[Irvin]

Why exactly is stringing bottom up “worse” than top down?
If it is, why/how did Wilson make it this way?

Pressure builds up in a racket towards the direction you string the crosses in. You want the pressure built up towards the throat which is stronger because of the throat supports and not towards the top corner of the racket that continually come in contact with the court.

 

[FFo]

https://www.wilson.com/sites/default/files/Pro%20Staff%2097%202017_0.pdf

It says 2p tie offs mains 6T and cross 11T.
I'm doing it mains 8T and cross 6T, anything wrong with that?

 

[Irvin]

It says 2p tie offs mains 6T and cross 11T.
I'm doing it mains 8T and cross 6T, anything wrong with that?

Nothing at all that’s better than using 6T for a main tie off when stringing 2 piece. Some tormentor at Wilson must be irresponsible for that.

 

[am1899]

Why exactly is stringing bottom up “worse” than top down?
If it is, why/how did Wilson make it this way?

As @Irvin said, while installing the crosses, the stress is directed in the direction the crosses are installed. Generally, the throat is the stronger part of the racquet. Thus the best practice to install the crosses from hoop, towards the throat.

Evidently though, some modern day frames are tough enough to withstand installing crosses bottom up - some Wilson and Babolat frames, for example. OTOH, Head generally requires 2pc stringing on their frames, else the warranty will be voided.

These days lots of racquets are 16x19 with 6 mains in the throat - which is one scenario that facilitates the mains ending at the throat, creating the need for ATW patterns, or stringing the crosses bottom up. I would guess that Wilson (and others) make racquets this way because it results in a more open string pattern - which tends to have a broader appeal these days, as opposed to a denser pattern.

Anyway, if there is any question about how a racquet can be strung - in particular if you’re thinking about stringing the crosses bottom up, it’s best to consult the manufacturer and/or USRSA. Else, I would play it safe and string 2pc.

 

[Wes]

@cd3768,

https://www.wilson.com/sites/default/files/Pro%20Staff%2097%202017_0.pdf

That Wilson pdf isn't correct for the PS97A/PS97/PS97L.

I suspect someone at Wilson merely (mindlessly) copied/pasted from the previous ProStaff generations (i.e. ProStaff 90), which was indeed...
16x19
Mains start: Throat
Mains skip: 7H,9H & 7T,9T
Mains tie-off: 6T (which will create double blocked holes at 7T)
Top cross tie-off: 5H
Bottom cross tie-off: 11T

Wilson Tennis Racquet Patterns

View racquet stringing patterns for your Wilson tennis racquet.

www.klipperusa.com

As @struggle pointed out - the Klippermate site actually does have it correct for the PS97A/PS97/PS97L, which is...

16x19
Mains start: Throat
Mains skip: 7H,9H & 7T,9T
Mains tie-off: 8T (which eliminates the double blocked holes at 7T)
Top cross tie-off: 5H
Bottom cross tie-off: 6T

 

[Irvin]

Personally I don’t use any patterns myself but the picture showing the 16x19 with mains skipping 7&9 head and throat is correct. Except maybe for the main tie off at 6T (green dot.) Look for the grommets with the larger holes for tie off locations. If the racket has 2 large hole grommets on each side where the mains end (most do) it is designed so it can easily accommodate 2 piece stringing. I doubt 5T is a tie off hole on the PS 97 that would be a very difficult hole to get a string in.