Vintage racquet stringing help!

7zero

Semi-Pro
Hello fellaz,

I got very string job pleasant order today: to string vintage Snauwaert Lady Caravelle racquet. It is supposed to be the wedding day present for one top 30 WTA player who is abut to get married. It looks like 18x19 pattern, but I am not sure as outside crosses does not seem to be parallel to the neighbouring ones. I usually do two piece (4 knots) job. Is there any old experienced stringer to help me out with this (pleasant) problem? :)
 

jim e

Legend
This is typical wooden racquet.
Back in the 60's that was the majority of my stringing.
I hope this helps! Jim


General wooden pattern: Pattern: 18 × 20 or 21
Tension range: 45-60
Start mains @: H
Tie off mains @: 6T
Mains skip: 9T
Start crosses @: 7H
Last cross @: 7T
Tie off crosses @: 6H, 5T
Shared Holes: 7T, 8T, 10T & 7H, 8H, 10H may be others but will be similar depending on racquet.
Be sure to place leather pads under 1 main strings, as this kept the string going straighter into the opening. If you do not have these pads, then just cut an old leather belt, as you only need a small pad to placed one on each side on the 1st loop on outside frame on 1st main strings left and right.
Many wooden racquets share a common stringing method. Others can be strung with variations on this method, like the Tad skipping 9H as well as 9T, but you can see variations with these racquets by the grooves in the racquet.
If you want to string as one piece then, Zig-zag (5 hole) groove will accommodate short side.These grooves are not standardized, so you may need to pre string loosly with some to determine the proper short side.I always strung them as 2 piece, especially with gut, as Bow Brand back then came in 2- 17' pieces to one set of strings.
You would start crosses on opposite zig zag side for 2 piece.There is like a double width groove that the crosses start from, the starting knot on one end of the groove and start crosses on that other end of the double width groove , as that is a shared hole with the main strings, this is the 1st of a few shared holes, so the crosses start off of this double wide groove that accommodates 2 string loops on outside of frame.
If you use a starting knot, with a wooden racquet it does not need to be a bulky knot as any knot used will not pull through the wooden racquet hole like todays grommet racquets would.

Back in the day, there were very few patterns as most wooden racquets were very similar with a few variances along the way, then came the T2000's and then others.
 
Last edited:

7zero

Semi-Pro
This is typical wooden racquet.
Back in the 60's that was the majority of my stringing.
I hope this helps! Jim


General wooden pattern: Pattern: 18 × 20
Tension range: 45-60
Start mains @: H
Tie off mains @: 6T
Mains skip: 9T
Start crosses @: 7H
Last cross @: 7T
Tie off crosses @: 6H, 5T
Shared Holes: 7T, 8T, 10T & 7H, 8H, 10H
Many wooden racquets share a common stringing method. Others can be strung with variations on this method, like the Tad skipping 9H as well as 9T, but you can see variations with these racquets by the grooves in the racquet.
If you want to string as one piece then, Zig-zag (5 hole) groove will accommodate short side.These grooves are not standardized, so you may need to pre string loosly with some to determine the proper short side.I always strung them as 2 piece, especially with gut, as Bow Brand back then came in 2- 17' pieces to one set of strings.
thanks Jim, this is quite extensive description - I gues I am spoiled a bit with all those "main tie off" and "cross starting knot" and dots for mains on modern racquets.. I am embarassed I do not know how to find all those Hs and Ts :D
 

jim e

Legend
thanks Jim, this is quite extensive description - I gues I am spoiled a bit with all those "main tie off" and "cross starting knot" and dots for mains on modern racquets.. I am embarassed I do not know how to find all those Hs and Ts :D
I added a little more to the description above, as I wanted you to know just what to do.
it really is simple as once you are going,along, you follow the grooves in the wooden frame.
Note that on most wooden racquets, this one included that the end main strings are not straight, they closer at the head and wider near the throat, as this racquet you just skip 9T and not 9H like some other wooden racquets.
You would know the ones that skip 9H as well due to the groove pattern on frame.
 

pvw_tf

Rookie
Hi,

Very nice racket. Done many Snauweart Caravelle's. You can string it 16 * 18. On the top you can see a longer slit. You have to skip with the lengths the 8 top and bottom hole. You can then use tubing on the bottom 12 strings. The first cross string goes to the 8 hole.

This string pattern was something from Snauweart. You can string it the standard 18*20 wooden pattern too. But the 16*18 is a bit more responsive.

Peter
 

shamaho

Professional
Wow great info. Thanks

I also plan to string my Wilson Chris Evert autograph, to play on a thematic tournament played only with wooden rackets.

Excuse my brevity, sent from mobile on puny keyboard and rocking public transport
 

Irvin

Talk Tennis Guru
Before you start stringing one of the old rackets make sure you can string it on your machine. I have a Star 5 but can't string a vintage racket unless I upgrade to different posts (longer ones) for the 6 and 12 standards because the standards do not move. Or o could have an extension made for the standard posts.
 

Wes

Hall of Fame
Before you start stringing one of the old rackets make sure you can string it on your machine. I have a Star 5 but can't string a vintage racket unless I upgrade to different posts (longer ones) for the 6 and 12 standards because the standards do not move. Or o could have an extension made for the standard posts.

So, as is (without an upgrade) does this also prevent you from stringing racquetball or squash frames too?
Sounds like badminton frames are completely out of the question without the upgrade.
 

Irvin

Talk Tennis Guru
So, as is (without an upgrade) does this also prevent you from stringing racquetball or squash frames too?
Sounds like badminton frames are completely out of the question without the upgrade.
Don't know I think racketball would be ok. But all I really want to string is tennis anyway.
 

jim e

Legend
Irvin: I am surprised that the Star 5 will not hold a wooden racquet.
I have a 6 point suspension mount very similar to the Star 5 and it holds a wooden just fine.
The side supports keep it level and the 6 and 12 o'clock move in enough to accommodate the racquet.
To be honest, the few wooden ones I get to string I typically use my older serrano machine, as that brings back memories of my stringing back in the 1960's, (strung a lot of racquets back then, mostly wooden and the T 2000's) , but I can mount a wooden in my pro master machine I use now.
 
Top