Topspin101
Rookie
What types of machines were used to string in the 60's and 70's and do they have a collectors value today?
Vintage Stringing Machines.
- Thread starter Topspin101
- Start date
Lakers4Life
Hall of Fame
I beleive the Serrano fits that bill, and maybe the TTSM.
Lakers4Life
Hall of Fame
The Model D is the one with the screw down press at the throat and the bottom screw at the head? I would of thought 80's but not 70's.
MAX PLY
Hall of Fame
Actually my first Ektelon was a D which I got used from a sporting goods shop that was closing--and that was in the mid-70s. My first H was in the mid 80s--85 or 86 I believe.
I am not sure that vintage machines have much value as collectibles but maybe a Serrano (or one from the article I note below) might be an interesting conversation piece in a study with an antique racquet mounted in it. But you need both the room and an understanding spouse.
You might want to check out this article:
http://tennishistory.com.au/2008/07/stringing-machines/
I am not sure that vintage machines have much value as collectibles but maybe a Serrano (or one from the article I note below) might be an interesting conversation piece in a study with an antique racquet mounted in it. But you need both the room and an understanding spouse.
You might want to check out this article:
http://tennishistory.com.au/2008/07/stringing-machines/
Last edited:
Steve Huff
G.O.A.T.
I have 2 Serrano 550b machines. 1, I got for parts about 10 yrs ago. I'll eventually get around to restoring one of them, using parts from both.
Lakers4Life
Hall of Fame
Every once in a while someone is selling a used Serrano in my area.
Steve Huff
G.O.A.T.
It sounds sacreligious, but I'l probably lock up the weight arm and put a Wise on it.
MAX PLY
Hall of Fame
Oh No--You need an exorcism to cure that instinct. I think it would be very neat to restore it to new condition-then donate it to the Tennis Hall of Fame. It really did represent a breakthrough in racquet stringing.
Topspin101
Rookie
Great article. Thank you MAX PLY.
Heres a picture of my old Serrano. It was a good machine back in the day. I purchased that back in 1968.Its a real relic compared to my Pro Master.
It would still be usable today if I purchased the upgrade kit years ago, as that made it possible to string the larger racquets of today. I still use it once in a while when a wooden racquet comes my way to string.
It would still be usable today if I purchased the upgrade kit years ago, as that made it possible to string the larger racquets of today. I still use it once in a while when a wooden racquet comes my way to string.
Lakers4Life
Hall of Fame
Dang 1968, that's as old as me. 
How much was a Serrano circa 1968, Jim?
How much was a Serrano circa 1968, Jim?
Dang 1968, that's as old as me.
How much was a Serrano circa 1968, Jim?
I paid $200.00 for it and it was well used at that time. machine was probably made in the 20's. the old timer that sold it to me spent as day to teach me to string. I was then on my own, no videos, no internet , no USRSA,or sites like this one back then. People that want to learn to string have it easier now.
Back then I charged string price + $10.00 labor. Thats back when gasoline was approx. 28 cents/ gal. Seems like what some stringers charge now that they never heard of inflation over the last 40+ years.
Lakers4Life
Hall of Fame
$200 back then was a lot of money. About $1300 in todays money. Really, Serranos were made back in the 20s? I've seen prices on Serranos go from "FREE, take it away" to $500.
Most shops charge a mininum $15-$20 labor not including string costs. Some places even higher.
Most shops charge a mininum $15-$20 labor not including string costs. Some places even higher.
Last edited:
Adles
Rookie
Perhaps Serrano is still being made somewhere? Google found this Thai website selling new ones for 92,000 Baht. Which seems like a lot.
http://www.fbtsports.com/en/store/detail.php?IBLOCK_ID=11&SECTION_ID=70&ELEMENT_ID=2127
They look new:
I used to string on a Serrano at a club in the 80's. It was a big step up from my BR-3.
http://www.fbtsports.com/en/store/detail.php?IBLOCK_ID=11&SECTION_ID=70&ELEMENT_ID=2127
They look new:
I used to string on a Serrano at a club in the 80's. It was a big step up from my BR-3.
coachrick
Hall of Fame
We had a Serrano and a near-identical Oliver(with a busted pedal brake...had to e-a-s-e the tension on to keep the string from snapping)...took about twice as long to string on the Oliver. This was in the mid-'70s until we got our first Ektelon. Got spoiled for a few years until I moved to Atlanta and worked at a shop that had FIVE Serranos(before switching completely to Prince P-100/200). Fortunately, the club where I strung had Ektelon and I bought one for myself. Then Babolat came along with the Star, Star 2 and Star 3...great machines.
True Tension sold quite a few machines in North Carolina in the '80s, but I don't recall seeing them in Atlanta. Maybe it was the same sales rep that sold the gahd-awful turf and sand courts all over the Carolinas.
True Tension sold quite a few machines in North Carolina in the '80s, but I don't recall seeing them in Atlanta. Maybe it was the same sales rep that sold the gahd-awful turf and sand courts all over the Carolinas.
coachrick
Hall of Fame
Heres a picture of my old Serrano. It was a good machine back in the day. I purchased that back in 1968.Its a real relic compared to my Pro Master.
It would still be usable today if I purchased the upgrade kit years ago, as that made it possible to string the larger racquets of today. I still use it once in a while when a wooden racquet comes my way to string.
Between having to twist the clamp handles to grip the strings and then hand-stretching Fairway grip installations all day, it's no wonder I had a 15" right forearm back then! Still got nasty tennis elbow(that was exacerbated by installing leather grips for many many rackets each day
) when I added teaching/playing each day to the mix.
MAX PLY
Hall of Fame
We had a Serrano and a near-identical Oliver(with a busted pedal brake...had to e-a-s-e the tension on to keep the string from snapping)...took about twice as long to string on the Oliver. This was in the mid-'70s until we got our first Ektelon. Got spoiled for a few years until I moved to Atlanta and worked at a shop that had FIVE Serranos(before switching completely to Prince P-100/200). Fortunately, the club where I strung had Ektelon and I bought one for myself. Then Babolat came along with the Star, Star 2 and Star 3...great machines.
True Tension sold quite a few machines in North Carolina in the '80s, but I don't recall seeing them in Atlanta. Maybe it was the same sales rep that sold the gahd-awful turf and sand courts all over the Carolinas.
Ditto on the turf/sand (I believe they were called Omni courts)--unsuitable for playing tennis while upright. I, likewise, was in the Carolinas in the 70s-mid-80s, almost universally Ektelons with an occasional Serrano or TT. Strung a lot of Blue Star, Gold Twist and Leoina 66 in those days in woodies, Head Masters and Pros, and Yonex greens and golds.
coachrick
Hall of Fame
I think I played on those once. Blackburn had at least a half-dozen of those with a few that stayed in the shade. Those courts were wet ALL the time!
When I traveled through North Carolina, 'they' said the turf courts were a way to get a clay court 'cushion' without worrying about freezing. That may have been all they were 'good at'. In addition to Omni-Court, it seems like one brand was called Tennis-Turf or some such. Nasty stuff
PBODY99
Legend
I think I played on those once. Blackburn had at least a half-dozen of those with a few that stayed in the shade. Those courts were wet ALL the time!
When I traveled through North Carolina, 'they' said the turf courts were a way to get a clay court 'cushion' without worrying about freezing. That may have been all they were 'good at'. In addition to Omni-Court, it seems like one brand was called Tennis-Turf or some such. Nasty stuff
Willingboro, NJ replaced their Omni courts a few years ago. Astro turf shoes worked to keep you upright.
coachrick
Hall of Fame
I think the turf courts had about half a chance IF you groomed them every other game!
I played on one that was groomed 'to exact specs' and it wasn't too bad until they showed some 'wear' from play...sand shifting, exposed turf that was grabby when dry but slick when wet, etc. Also, it seemed folks installed them over less than perfect base courts in an attempt at a 'band-aid' re-furb of inferior courts. Any inconsistency in the base surface was magnified by the addition of the turf/sand. There was a time in my tennis life that "any court is better than NO court"; but I'd rather not play than have to play on turf . Feed a lesson? no worries...practice quick volley drills? fine...actually PLAY on the stuff...no thanks. I'm glad the turf courts virtually disappeared in the late '80s and '90s....kinda like stringing on a Serrano! 
flash9
Semi-Pro
Not knowing about this seven year old post about Vintage Stringing Machines, I started my own post on my Oliver that was manufactured in Australia.
I do not know when it was manufactured and most of the images of these Oliver Stringing Machines have found show a triangular base where my machine has an oval base.
Here is a link to my post.
I do not know when it was manufactured and most of the images of these Oliver Stringing Machines have found show a triangular base where my machine has an oval base.
Here is a link to my post.
