Hi: Bought the long waited Yonex AT900T. However, while removing the original string, noticed strange spacing on the top of the frame. they are not even as I have seen on other Yonex (or even non-Yonex) rackets. Anyone notices the same on your AT900T?. I believe this is a genuine racket, since I bought it from authorized Yonex dealer, which I bought some rackets from before. However, this racket showed un-even spacing on the top grommets. I am due to restring the racket, and will update the picture to show the spacing as well. thanks.
Drifit: first of all, congratulations on your "promotion" to moderator. No, I took off the string to get it ready for restringing this morning (US Eastern time). I just had it restring, and will post the picture in a few seconds.
Great to hear this. I would like to make sure this one is not out of spec. However, since it was so symetrical that I think it has to be due to the design. if so, still wonder why they do that though. to cut through air easier? i simply don't see the benefit when the shuttle is hit around that area.
Strung picture Finally, here is the picture when it's strung. you can notice that the gaps between the strings are definitely NOT even. since this pattern is VERY symetrical, I believe it's the design of it. IF so, this brings me following questions: - IF it's really designed to be this way, what's the benefit of this design? I can only imagine that the shuttle may behave different when you hit the tighter spot, vs the wider spot. - what about AT900P? is it designed the same way? - any other rackets that's designed this way? ??? anyway, very curious to find out, even though I don't think this will bring any major issue to me during play. UNLESS I can jam the shuttle between the string, which is MISSION IMPOSSIBLE with feather shuttle and 26lbs tension.
I have not problem with stringing part. Just wanted to make sure I understand the reason behind this odd spacing.
I have AT900P, also same pattern/gaps, at top. Even at the bottom, there are 2 that are wider than the rest, eg. the first of the non-Musclepower grommet moving outwards from centre, if that makes sense.
Well different stringing patterns can result in different sweet spot sizes. I have a Babolat Satelite Star racket and the stringing pattern on that is 20x21. Which results in a more densely packed centre. I personally find this Babolat pattern creates a larger sweet spot as my smashes are almost never off. Just a suggestion.
For me, i feel, the only difference is that it is easier to string because it is not shared. Other than that, i do not see any differences. I am guessing, easier for the stringer to string the racket.
due to the new string pattern on AT900, it is easier to string anyway. while I don't see it will affect my play, still would like to make sure that this gap is there due to design, not quality control.
I wonder if anyone has more information on the uneven gaps for the a900 rackets.. I recently got one and noticed the same thing, and found this thread. I've been searching for a while, and just can't seem to find any other info on it. Like others on this thread, I really want to know what the purpose/benefits are for having such a grommet pattern.. help.
looking forward to any new info on this, and I'm sure as well as all others that have this racket but never got to find out why it was designed this way.
I checked out AT900T and AT900P rackets in USA and Singapore, and found the same pattern. I also checked out the 2009 Yonex brochure and web site, and saw the same thing as well. Anyway, I am not too bothered with it, but wondering about the reasoning behind it.
Just wondering if there's any new information on this? I've had the racket now for about 3 weeks, and so far so good.
