Wilson Clash 26” juniors string lbs question

[Rhody]

What string / string lbs tension would you recommend for an 11 1/2 year old boy beginner? Am getting the Wilson Clash 26” Juniors racquet for him. He’s a beginner and is starting lessons in a couple weeks (athletic kid).
Was thinking NXT, but not sure about lbs tension. Was thinking upper 40s or low 50s(?). Any suggestions? Thanks!

 

[esgee48]

I would opine 48# with any 17 (1.25mm) ga SG. Soft multis like NXT are for people with arm issues. I also opine buying your own packs of string and just pay labor for installation.

edit: My preference for SG is Prince Original or Gosen.

 

[Rhody]

I would opine 48# with any 17 (1.25mm) ga SG. Soft multis like NXT are for people with arm issues. I also opine buying your own packs of string and just pay labor for installation.

Thank you. He has slight arm issues (from playing baseball). Stay between 48-50#?

 

[esgee48]

What type of arm injuries? Elbow? Shoulder? or Wrist? Does it hurt when he is not using the arm or is it mild?

 

[Rhody]

What type of arm injuries? Elbow? Shoulder? or Wrist? Does it hurt when he is not using the arm or is it mild?

It’s mild. It’s his throwing shoulder

 

[esgee48]

Ok. Make sure he loosens up that joint with slow rotation of arm. My recommendation stands. He should take some basic lessons to use legs-hip-arm when hitting the ball and he’ll be fine. Make sure the grip is not too small. There should be about 1/8-1/4” between fingertips and palm.

 

[Rhody]

17 Synthetic Gut at 48. He has smaller hands, so the grip should be ok. I can use a thicker wrap if it’s too small

 

[Rhody]

17 Synthetic Gut at 48. He has smaller hands, so the grip should be ok. I can use a thicker wrap if it’s too small

Thank you. Tennis Warehouse was suggesting 54#, which for a beginner 11 1/2 year I thought was way too high.

 

[esgee48]

TW uses a Neos 1000 which is a lockout when they suggested 54#. My machine is a eCP (constant pull) upon which I based the 48#. CP always string up tighter than LOs unless the stringer using the LO pulls multiple times. Knowing TW they won’t pull multiple times and their string jobs will be effectively looser when they finish. The normal difference between LO vs eCP is generally 4-7# depending on frame and string. The TW suggestion is nominally the same as mine given the machine difference.

 

[Rhody]

You know your stuff! So, if tennis warehouse is stringing it I should get them to do synthetic gut at their 54#? Or should I have them do 52#?

 

[esgee48]

Do it at 54# cuz it will lose tension quickly. If you get it when it is at 50#, it won't stay there for long. TW wants to get the customer's racquet out the door quickly. When you restring, ask the stringer if they are using a LO or eCP. If eCP, you can go with 48# or whatever your son thinks he needs.

 

[Rhody]

Do it at 54# cuz it will lose tension quickly. If you get it when it is at 50#, it won't stay there for long. TW wants to get the customer's racquet out the door quickly. When you restring, ask the stringer if they are using a LO or eCP. If eCP, you can go with 48# or whatever your son thinks he needs.

Thank you so much for the advice. I sincerely appreciate it! I’ll be calling them tomorrow to order it