I'm a newb so sorry for the long winded silly question but my head is spinning now. Also I have used the search functions etc but still dont have enough answers. Situation - I have an MP88, have had it a couple of years. In this time it has been restrung twice. First time just over a year ago and then just in the last few weeks. I was playing once a week max for 1 hour so not very much, sometimes less for periods so not advanced and with same friends. When restrung I took it to the local guru and asked for it tight. Now heres the prob I dont have a clue what it was strung at. I can not get in touch with the shop as i am now in another city and can not get hold of them for love nor money. I will try when home at xmas. Now to present day. I am now playing 5 to 7 hours a week, competing a little and playing with people at at much higher standard than before. I am also on the University Badminton team etc and earned my place so not playing "too" badly. Unfortunately the inevitable happened and i broke a string. When getting it restrung the local shop here asked what tension? I said it was tight but the guy inspected it and said he did not think the others were that tight. So he convinced me to go at 20lbs (racquet rated to 21). Now the racket feels less powerful, sounds much duller(mine always pinged compared to other 88s I have seen) Another thing is that the arrangement of the furthest side strings is different and now at and angle - before they were all parallel - does this affect the sweet spot? I have seen other yonex racquets like this but it is not how mine used to be. Now I have read tons on here but have not found anything on the string arrangement at the side? Also how far would I go up in tension if I get it restrung as I have a feeling it was over the rating of 21. I know I will have to spend the bucks and suck and see it but any good advise would be appreciated Thank you for reading my long winded post Martin
Next time when you restring, try to ask for 23lbs main x 25lbs cross, that should give you a better idea what kind of tension you prefer. Then you can decide if you want to go higher or lower. Another thing to consider is the type of string you're using, it will affect the repulsion also.
MP88 was my first racquet, very flexible but lack of power when you begin to do more smash. recommended stringing for a MP88 should be 18-22lbs, but it's safe to make it around 24lbs since you're a male player. and when restring a racquet, tension of Vertical string is usually set lower than the cross, eg. 20X22,or 23X25lbs. string type 65Ti - nicer durability bg80- support better maneuver but easy breaking
Thankyou for the replies It was 65ti they put in so will get them to use that again. I will try the 24lbs as you have done it with out problems and on the review pages it seems many have. I play a mixture of doubles and singles - almost 50/50 and was thinking of a new racket for singles, slightly more offensive but have always loved this racquet. Just after the restring it has been harder work clearing base and does not "seem" as powerful. Any comments on the outer main string arrangement being changed? Thank you Martin