I've got my MP99 back from the stringer, and I've noticed what looks like a crack at the 12 o'clock position on the frame. It hasn't been strung at a particularly high tension, only 25lbs w/ BG68Ti. Does that (see image below) look like a paint chip or a more serious frame defect? It does seem that the central area between the two grommets is slightly depressed compared to the areas to either side, although it may not be obvious on the photos. There's also what looks like a deep gash beside grommet hole next to the word "SHAPE", and a deep mark in the paint at the T-joint as well. These definitely weren't present before I took the racket to be re-strung. I've phoned the shop (Hobbs Sports, Cambridge), and the guy who answered told me to take the racket in and talk to the manager about it. What are your experiences with poor stringing and what can I do about it now
i wouldn't worry too much about it. it is the mark made by the stringing machine, it looks like the marks aren' that deep.
Thanks for your reply. I'm glad to hear that. It looks like a 6 point machine was used, although the marks at 12/6 o'clock would indicate that those positions were still key pressure points. It's the first time I've used this stringer. I used to send my racket to a guy in London, but I needed my racket rather urgently again after a string breakage, so I tried out this local stringer. I'm not completely happy with the stringing result, so I suspect I will stick to the guy in London in future. I've never had any problems with him, but it is an inconvenience to send it off to be re-strung everytime.
yeah. the fancy color paint on Yonex rackets seems to be a bit softer so one can easily ding or chip the paint. it is also the fault of the stringer though, as he probably didn't apply the correct pressure and padding when clamping the racket. i know some stringer who put at piece of leather at the contact point to protect the racket at those positions. you can still talk to them and show them the damage, they may or may not compensate you for it.
From the pic, I think it's just a paint chip, and should not effect the internal graphite. Agree with kwun, maybe the stringer did not properly mount the racket, which resulted in extra pressure against the frame. To my surprise, I thought a 2 point support machine will get into such issues easier, but he was using 6 point.
you should be careful with any weaknesses at the 12o'clock position though. i've already gone through breaking two mp99's just by hitting a bird on the frame and both broke right at the 12o'clock position!
nod, nice pics. Which camera and what mode of shot used? mo99: personally i wouldnt stand for that result. He damaged your racket even if it is cosmetically. Would u stand for paint scratches from a mechanic changing your tires? Your racket had been devalued. The 2 scratch marks dun look like serious but the indentation at 12 oclock is still worrysome. Most low end racket will crack for sure. Whether your mp99 will get the high noon disease or not, that part had been weakened and crack may still come down the road depending u miss hit this part or not.
that is so common but players 99% of the time blame the breakage on the manufacturers. Just like any bugs or virus, the damage is internal and in most cases are non visible. I rate Yozza infection as class B. It's a dead giveaway how that racket was strung.
The camera used is a Sony DSC-V1, in macro mode. The pics were highly cropped (but not resized), as the resolution of the original pics is 2592*1944 (5M pixel). You can view the original full size pics below (about 1.7MB each): 12 o'clock position 12 o'clock position again (using flash) 12 o'clock position again (w/o flash) T-joint mark T-joint mark (different angle) I'm not sure if it's worth my bother taking my racket back to the shop and showing them the damage. They most likely wouldn't do anything about it in any case. Depends on whether I have time to go in this week. I'll make sure I avoid getting my stringing done there in future.
just tell them by phone and let them know that u had taken lots of photos to back it up. Just keep checking 12 oclock every so often to see if there's change on that indentation.
Looking at the original pics. the damage looks fairly superficial; however, if I were you I'd take the racquet back to the stringer to complain. You're obviously annoyed enough to go to the bother of taking pics. and posting them, so why not take advantage of the consumer rights in Britain and demand compensation? Incidentally, did you get it restrung at a generic sportshop?
I suppose it is a "generic" one, that sells equipment ranging from rugby to badminton. However, it is fairly well known in Cambridge as 'the' place to get a racket re-strung.
Broken MP 99 At least your Mp99 works...i broke mine last night ....when i hit a bakestball hoop that was behind the court
Re: Broken MP 99 sorry to hear that. it is truly hazardous to play badminton in canada; racket clash with basketball hoop, head banging the back wall 2 feet from the back line, slippery floors (tonten) or dirty floors (badrad), etc.
I repaired (outsourced) racket that have snapped. Depending on how bad is the cracks, in most cases, it still playable.
