it sounds like what you are trying to tell me is that consistent and uniform string tension alone will lead to better playability? i am still trying to connect the dots here.
You mean same racket, same machine, same stringer (inexperienced), same string & tension (basically everything the same). Still be able to produce a different result? Quite interesting because I never knew this. So far until now if I string same model racket, string, tension. it will produce the same result. DinkAlot, can you explain number 2? what do you mean by better timing? Thank you.
Yes, consistency which results in the uniformity of string tension is the main reason for better playability. Kwun, don't think too much into this, it's easy once someone demonstrates.
No offense intended and I may come off as sounding a bit impatient, it's not my intention but... ...of course, same everything unless otherwise stated (we have gone through this on BC in so many posts; I have posted at least 50 times some thing to the effect: ceteris paribus, all else being equal, unless stated otherwise, everything else is equal... That's the reason why I stopped visiting/posting on BC, too much redundancy). OK, back to the two stringers, one being good (consistent), one being bad (inconsistent), everything else being equal, assuming they do their respective jobs, one stringing consistently and the other stringing inconsistently will produce different results that are noticeable to an intermediate to advanced player. If you have rhythm or better timing, you will string faster and be more consistent.
There can be too many scenarios in the original question. The focus should on the consistency. If you string consistently, the string pattern will be uniform which leads to better playability and will minimize stress on the racket for a longer life span. Actually, a "bad" stringer can string well if he/she is consistently inconsistent. How? Whatever the stringer does wrong, if he/she continues to do it wrong the same way, it's consistent. The desired tension may not be achieved (will be lower) but the tension will be uniform... ...an example: this bad stringer only uses one floating clamp to clamp the strings and this floating clamps slips. Each pull looses about 3lbs. due to slippage and the stringer's inability to crank/thread/tighten the string/etc... effectively. However, if this stringer uses this bad technique and clamping each time, consistently, the string job will be consistent. So let's assume the racket is supposed to be strung at 30lbs. crank. This stringer's job will be about 27lbs. and a good one, just not 30lbs. So, one needs to recognize these things and compensate. In the case of the stringer above, he/she would need to string at 33lbs. to get the actual 30lbs. desired.
I would agree with Sir DinkALot. Also, just to add 1 more point about ES5Pro. From what I was taught about ES5pro and what I have done with other machines. The advantage of ECP machine is consistency. Given an inexperienced stringer is well taught and just follow all the instruction point by point, the inexperienced stringer will produce a string job close to 95% of an instructor level stringer. It is just like training a robot to string a racquet. Only difference in this case is the speed and some very minor details which the instructor don't even notice they are doing. Sorry Kwun, the best thing to do is to have a string fest (and beer fest too) at a club in N. Cal or S. Cal. Let's just have fun stringing and get to know what you and other do and you might see some difference. Actually, I will propose to the evil empire office in torrrance to sponsor a string fest in OCBC. What do you think?
This thread makes me want to get Tennishead 2086. I only have HQ table top stringing machine. After I measure the horizontal bar to racket shaft its only 17cm height. Will plan to modify the height to allow Tennishead on it
this makes me wonder if there's a placebo effect with string jobs. let's say person A had two of the exact same racket, and took one racket to his local stringer who has been stringing for 5+ years (with relatively good praise coming from the locals), and took his other racket to alan kakinami, under the guise of an inexperienced stringer who is just in his first week. after testing, person A comes to the conclusion that alan kakinami's string job was of poorer quality. is it because his mind thought that because alan was an inexperienced stringer, he would automatically produce a bad job? or was alan's string job at that point just bad? let's say that if two excellent stringers, who learned from the same person and have years of experience under their belt along with good track records of consistency, strung two identical rackets for the same person, and this person preferred stringer A's job over B's. let's also say that the general population prefers A's jobs over B's. what separates them? if two experienced stringers were given a 30-point checklist for the definition of the "perfect" string job, why is it that someone would believe one to be "better" than the other? my belief is that amongst good stringers, there are no better or worse jobs, just different. it all goes back to the age-old answer that it all depends on what you're used to and feel comfy with. a person may grow accustomed and used to a poor string job over time, and when his racket gets strung by a "better" stringer, may dislike his new string job simply because he's not used to it. the same can be said with two experienced stringers that receive good praise from their customers.
What kind of machine does Luxis use? Crank or Electronic? I think the pull is what makes the stringer good. If he is consistant on a crank, not pulling so fast,straightining out the string, not having that rainbow look when you pull and constant efficient time clamping. that is what seperates new stringers from experienced stringers.
wow ... - what is tension for Taufik and Lin Dan ? - when you did a stringing for them, did you add 2lbs on Cross ? thanks
If you can find a club and playtesters I can help out with your experiment, maybe 2-3 more stringers. I can see if I can get 5-6 of the same frame (Arc Z) same string, same tension, same machine, strung all within the same day(Saturday) then have them playtested the next day (Sunday) and have a feedback sheet for playtesters. Or you can have all the rackets strung on each stringers own machine (Same time, same day) then have them brought to the club to be playtested, so you can see how different machines feel. Let me know, willing to help. Can probably get a stringer from Asby, Affinity, Maybe Racket supply or Z Badminton or UBC?
in 2005 Lin Dan was BG 65Ti at 30 2009 Taufik US Open BG 66 32 Yo he had Arc 10's G6 with thin towel grip, 10 were shipped to him for US Open as well as 10 G5's he had 7 in his bag before he came.
lt isn't about type of machines used here, nor how the string is tensioned, it's about methodology applied.
Sorry I thought it was about differentiation of good / bad string job - medium tension. If you didn't know machines do make a difference to an inexperienced stringer. Yes to an experienced stringer it makes a little difference, Accuracy in springs in a crank, slippage in the crank tension head, clamps, etc. A string job by an experienced stringer on an Electronic machine will come out better, constant pull, little to no slippage. That does apply to method being used, and differences in string-jobs.
You would be an EXCELLENT playtester!! If you can rate one of Alan's string jobs low it would make a lot of people happy. Unfortunately if you rate his string job good, it would only validate his ego.
Also remember everything is relative. If some one uses a racket like a ns7k and they are play testing with a arc z they may not be a good candidate since the rackets are very different. Also string selection can play a factor. Some one may not like a hard string like bg85 so you would have to compare a different string. There are enormous variables on this, but the general method is accurate. Control as many variables as possible and only vary one variable. Different scenarios could be: Different stringers on the same machine Different machine, same stringer Different stringers on their own machines All keeping consistent racket and strings. I think the first two will provide the best data.