If I recall properly, Kim Dong Moon used to play with an "upside-down" tension - 28/26, or something. Might be worth a try.
I do mains with fixed clamps and crosses with flying clamps and +10% tension. However, I haven't tested much with mains = crosses. But people I string for love the feeling of the string job, be it low or high tension. I might test this next time I get to string 2 of the same rackets. The reason that mains + 10% might feel different than it did at the time might be the temperature/time of the year, actual perception or maybe psychological reasons. Just speculating though..
kwun, One thing I noticed about the difference between your ASE (or WASE) and your new Gamma is the spacing between the top and bottom side supports pair. The ones on your ASE are much further apart than on the Gamma and each machine does not "support" or touch the same parts on the racquet frame. I will give it a little more thought on how it might affect the finished string feel and post it later on.
Kwun, Just wanted to ask has this always been the case? I mean IM NOT TOOO SURE, BUT havnt you owned the GAMMA for some time now? (nearly a year?). When you first strung on the Gamma did it have that dull feeling? or did the DULL feeling only occurred recently?
yup. it was the case since the beginning. the feeling is different. i went through some iterations experimenting with different things and finally found the combo that works, and that's cross=main+10%.
Kwun - Sorry to hijack this thread but as you string Cross = Mains + 10%, if someone asks you personally for 24lbs, in your own stringing method how would you go about achieving this on your machine? I'm just trying to gather some exp and apply it to my own. Thanks
Sorry was meant to say would you string with one of the following tensions if asked for 24lbs 24x26 23x25 22x24
yeah. i thought about that too. firstly though, the difference isn't that much. maybe an grommet hole space or two. that's about it. the potential i can see is how the side support position prevents the side of the frame from bulging out when the mains are tensioned. and thus can potentially affect the shape of the final product. the effect maybe very very small though. i am not too convinced.
probably the shape is different due to the diff support, did you measure the width? could be millimetres different..
Just my 2 cents, (1) fixed clamps do hold tension a lot better than flying clamps; (2) stiffness and holding ability of side supports also make a huge difference; (3) Gamma 6004's support columns actually tilt inwards at very high tension of > 30 lbs (just look at Kwun's Youtube video about the tilting of the fixed clamp under tension)
Try to test at AK, I heard he and Terence just got an ES5 Protech so they have dualing machines, as well as a Yonex ST-3000 at home =) They can run 3 Yonex electronic machines. Probably the only shop in the states with 3 Yonex electronic machines. KRAZZY!!
to address (1) and (3) first. (1) flying clamps were used in both cases. the experiment done was down to the point where i didn't used any fixed clamp at all although in my latest flow i used limited fixed clamp for speed sake and found that it make no difference. (3) i wasn't stringing 30lbs as for (2), one would think the much more beefier supports from the 6004 would be stronger, but that's counterintuitive as why would then i need more tension on the cross when use the 6004?
Kwun, measure the length of the unstrung frame versus the same one right after you finished the main strings only.
What do you mean by stretch the frame? Horizontally? Vertically? I make sure that when i first mount the racket before stringing that i tighten the supports (including north & south posts) not to the point where i visibly see the frame distort yet secure enough that i wouldn't expect the racket to move (which i noticed with the gamma supports). Is this what you are talking about?