What do you look for in a good stringer?

Discussion in 'Badminton Stringing Techniques & Tools' started by Sgt_Strider, May 13, 2013.

  1. Sgt_Strider

    Sgt_Strider Regular Member

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    So let's say you need a racket to be strung. You're in a market where there are a dozen stringers. How do you differentiate the good stringers from the bad ones? What do you notice or look for as you observe the stringer stringing the racket?
     
  2. visor

    visor Regular Member

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    word of mouth referral

    must have ECP machine

    the flow must be smooth, fast, but unhurried

    the stringbed frequency should be reproducible

    there should be many rackets lined up waiting to be strung or have been strung
     
  3. NeverWalkAlone

    NeverWalkAlone Regular Member

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    it's rather subjective to be honest. u'll only know until u try out a few of the recommended stringers and play with their strings on court.
     
  4. Sgt_Strider

    Sgt_Strider Regular Member

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    ECP as in the electrically assisted stringing machines right? What does ECP stand for again?

    When you're referring to the flow, are you talking about the stringer's flow?

    lol at the frequency part. I saw your thread about it. I'm not sure how practical it would be for me to do it.
     
  5. Sgt_Strider

    Sgt_Strider Regular Member

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    I agree that it'll be subjective, but how about you list out what you're looking for so that everyone here will understand a bit of your insights.
     
  6. NeverWalkAlone

    NeverWalkAlone Regular Member

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    To be frank, i am more of a 'feel' type of person. I based my judgement on how i 'feel' the strings are performing.

    My criterias of a good stringer are:
    1. The strings shouldn't be too tight or loose after stringing. The string will lose tension quickly if it's too tight. If too loose, it's be bouncy.
    2. The string tension should be as stated, not higher or lower. There are some shops i went that gives higher tension. For example, saying it's 22lb when it should be 26lb. (something wrong with the calibration? i think so)
    3. The string should feel great. This is my experience from one shop. The strings feel dead and lose tension quickly whenever i go there. So, now, i don't.
     
  7. Sgt_Strider

    Sgt_Strider Regular Member

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    You raised a very important point and that is calibration. How long does it take for a stringer to calibrate the machine? Is it rude for me to ask if the machine have been calibrated or request that he calibrate the machine before stringing my racket?
     
  8. NeverWalkAlone

    NeverWalkAlone Regular Member

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    I never asked any stringer to calibrate the machine. It seems rude to be fair. I am sure there are a lot of stringers that will suit you out there. I said this was subjective because my friends and i all have different stringers we prefer.
     
  9. visor

    visor Regular Member

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    Re "feel, that only works if you're experienced and know what to "feel" for when you're pushing on the stringbed or playing with it.

    Amateurs like
    me can't tell the difference between 21lb and 28lb from just poking the strings. ;)
     
    #9 visor, May 14, 2013
    Last edited: May 14, 2013
  10. pcll99

    pcll99 Regular Member

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    A good stringer is a person who has a very busy shop. A huge backlog.
     
  11. _Rav_

    _Rav_ Regular Member

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    A meticulous nature.
     
  12. NeverWalkAlone

    NeverWalkAlone Regular Member

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    I'm sure your 'feel' is yoda-like nowadays visor.

    Amateurs like me. Without masters studies and research to back it up. Can only rely on 'feel'. :D

    Sgt_Strider. There is one thing i usually do when i go to an unfamiliar stringer's shop. Go to the finished rackets. Look at the strings. Good strings should be in perfect alignment. Meaning length and height between strings should be even.
     
  13. Mark A

    Mark A Regular Member

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    I'd be pleasantly surprised if asked when my machine was last calibrated - anybody who asks that question is likely to give you repeat business;).

    If I were handed a strung racket, I would look for (assuming the tension was correct)

    *frame symmetrical
    *no misweaves
    *straight mains and crosses
    *knots sitting proud of their grommets, with sufficiently long tails
    *no crossovers

    in order. Anybody who hits all five would get my seal of approval.
     
  14. Sgt_Strider

    Sgt_Strider Regular Member

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    Seems like there's a split on opinion here. Am I crossing a line if I were to ask if their machine is calibrated or not?
     
  15. Mark A

    Mark A Regular Member

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    To my mind, absolutely not. Anybody who takes offence at that doesn't deserve your custom, IMO:).
     
  16. MjölnirSlinger

    MjölnirSlinger Regular Member

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    I experienced a situation which i feel need to be told.. A bit off from the topic but somehow related to this subject been discussed..
    Well.. Here goes..
    I went to a local sport shop (suggested by a good baddie pal) for stringing..
    The stringer, a lady, able to lie to me when i saw her stringing my racket 2lbs lesser than i requested!!
    She was using an ECP machine with digital display which clearly shows the amount of tension.
    (she was quite surprised when i manage to 'caught' her unintentionally)
    Guess what she said?
    She told me that ECP machines are generally produce higher tension than the manuals do!!
    And she needs to lessen the tension around 2lbs so that she can generates the exact tension as equal as possible as the manuals did so that she doesn't over do it.
    What the heck?!? Right???
    I was.. WOWW!!
    And the lady manage to keep a straight face when she did this.
    So, as you people might have guess, that was the 1st and last time i went there..
    There are plenty more of details which i did not include..
    appreciate your time for reading this longggg post..
     
  17. pcll99

    pcll99 Regular Member

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    I use the following principles in choosing a shop or service provider (eg, choosing a dentist):

    (1) the shop is very busy
    (2) the shop is there at the same address for a long time (eg, 10 years)
    (3) the shop doesn't want or care much about your business

    cheers.. :)
     
  18. visor

    visor Regular Member

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    [MENTION=106929]MjölnirSlinger[/MENTION]

    What she says is true.

    Manuals generally are 2 lbs less than ECP.

    Your racket was probably previously strung manually and she just wanted to make sure to give you a tension that is the same with no surprises.
     
  19. extremenanopowe

    extremenanopowe Regular Member

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    You have to set your own expectation of your level of play.

    You also have to know who is the regular stringer. Also in the long run and not changing their staff regularly.

    You also need to test out a few stringers and test your preferred tension. ;)

    Go explore and you will find one. Yoda. ;)
     
  20. MjölnirSlinger

    MjölnirSlinger Regular Member

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    Dumbstrucked!!
    My racket was initially manual-strung is correct..
    So.. You're saying there are 2 types of tensions? One, is manually tensioned and 2nd is ECP-ly tensioned..,

    Please forgive my stupidity/ignorance because this is the 1st time i hear this. (from the lady)
    So.. From my understanding, let's say, for example, there are 2 exact same rackets strung with 22lbs,
    the only difference is 1 is manually and the other is by ECP..
    2 similar rackets with the same tension but actually are not exactly the same because the way it were strung..?
    Emmm.. If it's ok with you, could you elaborate more? Or perhaps it would be a great pleasure if someone/anyone be kind enough to direct me to any links which can explain more on this matter..
    Appreciate the help and thank you..
     

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