String Tension Test By Sound

**DinkAlot** · 03-22-2008, 03:24 AM

Many have asked me for a guide to string tension. The favorite question is, "What is a true 30lbs.?" There's no easy way to answer that but asfter so thought, a general comparison by sound would be the best (and easiest) way (while minimizing the variables).

Remember, the higher the tension, the higher the pitch the string will make.

For those that don't know, string tension can vary greatly due to string thickness, string type, the stringer, the stringing machine used, constant pull vs. crank, pre-stretching the string, weather changes, and time since stringing.

Below is a general guideline based on sound with the variables minimized.

Data:
+All the rackets used were Yonex Ti10s
+All were strung with Ashaway Micro Power White (0.70mm)
*Note: DinkALot has since clarified that the string used was Ashaway ZGut X1709 (0.73-0.74mm)
+All the rackets were strung with an electronic constant pull machine (www.tennishead.com)
+All strings were pre-stretched 10% on each pull and clamped
+All rackets were used for about 1 hour of play.

Enjoy the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uISvZjI_V74

Disclaimer: your results may vary due to numerous factors. Testing the string sound right after you string your racket is always going to have a higher pitch. As time goes by and/or you play with your racket, the pitch will lower due to the string breaking down and most importantly losing tension. So you cannot compare a newly strung racket with one that has severely worn string.

**jhirata** · 03-22-2008, 03:56 AM

Excellent contribution, master DinkALot!

Wow.. 25 lbs 'pingpingping'.. 31lbs 'tingtingting!!!'

**jerby** · 03-22-2008, 04:50 AM

lovely job, I liked it...

From comparison, I had a 12,5kg job (11,5 x 12,5...which should be 25,5 x 27 or so) which sounds a little tighter than your 27x28...
but then that was a cp6k, ML, dropweight, strung in holland..

So all in all, different climate, different pulling/clamping/etc produced a 1-1.5lbs difference... That's pretty cool

How do you like the ti-10's? already trashed some?

**xXazn_romeoXx** · 03-22-2008, 05:08 AM

wow, you can make a nice musical melody with them Ti-10s

**DinkAlot** · 03-22-2008, 05:20 AM

Originally Posted by jerby

From comparison, I had a 12,5kg job (11,5 x 12,5...which should be 25,5 x 27 or so) which sounds a little tighter than your 27x28...but then that was a cp6k, ML, dropweight, strung in holland..

How do you like the ti-10's? already trashed some?

A perfect example: ML already produces a higher pitch than MP at the same tension. Couple that with the CP6K has an oval-iso shape, it will hold tension better = for sure high pitch.

One yellow Ti10 shaft is cracked on the inside, it's now quite flexy.

**Dreamzz** · 03-22-2008, 05:35 AM

wowzers, the sound on the old ti10 at 29/30 is nice. the 31/32lbs new ti10 sound is a bit too high pitched though. but yeah, it does clearly demonstrate that you can just about tell the tensions by sound alone, if comparing the same racquet using the same gauge of strings.

**jerby** · 03-22-2008, 05:49 AM

Originally Posted by DinkAlot

A perfect example: ML already produces a higher pitch than MP at the same tension. Couple that with the CP6K has an oval-iso shape, it will hold tension better = for sure high pitch.

One yellow Ti10 shaft is cracked on the inside, it's now quite flexy.

freaky...might be the gauge, I guess...

for the rest, if you'd factor in that, I'd say the tension difference is pretty slim... Which is kinda neat considering you live halfway across the globe (from my perspective

) in a different climate, with a different machine..

you cracked a shaft, form the inside? how the...

**Dreamzz** · 03-22-2008, 06:06 AM

so jerry, what about a clip with the sound of that racquet you strung at 36? or was it 38?

**jerby** · 03-22-2008, 06:23 AM

I did 36 on a w7, probably a year ago now... also 34lbs on an 85gram D500
It was way tighter than the 32 in the vid... but just insane...
It hurts the palm of your wrist to test it

Not exactly playable, from my standard..

But I don't have a webcam/microphone/anything...pitty.. I also don't have any "scrap material" to sacrifice to the high-tension-gods...
It'd be a shame to wreck a perfectly usable racket for a laugh

(though I ended u selling the w7, my sister is using the d500... so both survived)

Btw Dan, have you switched to the ti10 now? or did you buy 6 just for poops and giggles? I can't keep up with you

***drifit*** · 03-22-2008, 06:42 AM

thanks grandmaster for another great test.........

now, i know when to cut off the string if it drops tension too low....

after using ti-10 for awhile, time to update the rackets' review.

**ants** · 03-22-2008, 06:56 AM

Very creative way of showing sounds for different tension. I would suggest next time you use 2 different rackets and string it the same tension.

You will be amaze of the results.

**DinkAlot** · 03-22-2008, 10:05 AM

Originally Posted by jerby

freaky...might be the gauge, I guess...

for the rest, if you'd factor in that, I'd say the tension difference is pretty slim... Which is kinda neat considering you live halfway across the globe (from my perspective

) in a different climate, with a different machine..

you cracked a shaft, form the inside? how the...

Yep, the gauge is thinner and 5,000 microstrands versus 3,000 microstrands. So ML is more resilient.

You are using a (I assume) calibrated drop weight. I'm using an electronic constant pull (ECP). So our stringing process is pretty close.

One side of the shaft is cracked on the inside. If you flex the racket you can feel it.

**DinkAlot** · 03-22-2008, 10:07 AM

Originally Posted by ants

Very creative way of showing sounds for different tension. I would suggest next time you use 2 different rackets and string it the same tension.

You will be amaze of the results.

I know what you mean Ants, you'll get a different tone and/or pitch. Even if you string two identical rackets identically, back to back, the tone and pitch maybe off slightly.

Stringing will seem very inaccurate based on sound.

**ants** · 03-22-2008, 10:10 AM

Originally Posted by DinkAlot

I know what you mean Ants, you'll get a different tone and/or pitch. Even if you string two identical rackets identically, back to back, the tone and pitch maybe off slightly.

Stringing will seem very inaccurate based on sound.

Yeah.. its hard to get identical sound. The racket is not a musical instrument. Hehehe.. Its hard to tune the stringing machine with a tuning fork. hehehe

**DinkAlot** · 03-22-2008, 10:11 AM

Originally Posted by jerby

Btw Dan, have you switched to the ti10 now? or did you buy 6 just for poops and giggles? I can't keep up with you

I bought 5 x yellow Ti10s for "fun" and have 5 x purple Ti10s on the way. They are also for "fun". I still enjoy my NP728s but they are a bit too light.

After trying all these rackets, I still prefer the Woven 7 or if Chao Pai would make the NP728 in 91-92g, that would be ideal too.

But ideally, I would prefer the Woven 11 with a 30mm longer handle = 30 shorter shaft and an extremely beefed up shaft.

**jerby** · 03-22-2008, 10:21 AM

Originally Posted by DinkAlot

I bought 5 x yellow Ti10s for "fun" and have 5 x purple Ti10s on the way. They are also for "fun".

After using all these rackets, I still prefer the Woven 7 or if Chao Pai would make the NP728 in 91-92g, that would be ideal too.

Ideally, I would prefer the Woven 11 with a 30mm longer handle = 30 shorter shaft and an extremely beefed up shaft. That would be my ideal racket.

wait, was that dark coloured ti10 a purple one, or the "classic"? I can never tell...

I quite agree with you on sotx's handles... the wovens have a very long (and slim) cone... I prefer the new handles they stick on the D's and CP's...
Your reason is probably to stop the w11 from breaking?

Have you tried any other 680mm rackets, did they also break? Or is the w11(a) just "unlucky"?

(edit: wayy off topic btw, I'm sorry)

**DinkAlot** · 03-22-2008, 10:33 AM

Originally Posted by jerby

wait, was that dark coloured ti10 a purple one, or the "classic"? I can never tell...

Have you tried any other 680mm rackets, did they also break? Or is the w11(a) just "unlucky"?

(edit: wayy off topic btw, I'm sorry)

3 were yellow and 1 was the original Ti10.

Any extra long shaft racket dies by the Panda.

No worries about OT, I should change my name to OT Panda.