I am going to explain the way I string. I would appreciate any feedback or suggestions to improve my stringing, although if you could keep it to knowledge rather than presumptions or guesswork ideas, that would be much appreciated. I string using the Yonex stringing pattern. I string the mains and tie off, all at one tension. I do not increas the tension on the tie off for 2 reasons. 1) I rarely hit the shuttle using the outside string, and if I do, I would rather they be a bit loser so that I get a little more bounce, rather than the dead feeling 2) I don't mind if the mains drop in tension 1 or 2 pounds, as lots of people have tighter crosses anyway. I then string the mains from the shaft upwards, starting at B9. I string up to the top. On the last cross, I have recently started adding 2lbs extra. This is because I found that the last mains was loser than all the rest, and an extra 2lbs, then drops to the same as the rest of the mains once I have tied my knot. Thus not losing any tension on the tie off. This is basically how I string, and it seems to work OK, although I'm not too sure what is best on the last cross tie-offs. Any suggestions and feedback much appreciated, but only from those who re-string or know how to. No guess work please. Many thanks!
For increment of tension at the top of the frame, another alternative would be to string top down, means head of frame to the shaft. Using this method, the bottom mains may feel softer instead of the top mains because of tie off, which will be perfectly fine, as you will be hitting at the sweetspot which is at the top. Hope this helps.
I know of a very good stringer who does that, its up to you. But, i myself dont do that. Its personal preference i would say. Do some experiments, and see which is better for you.