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String breakage on grommetless racquets

Q: I have been stringing for a 55-year-old male (a good player but no powerhouse) who just purchased two Prince More Control DB 800 MP racquets, which have the Direct Contact String Channels instead of traditional grommets. I’ve been stringing them with Wilson Sensation 16 at 53 pounds on a Babolat Star 3. He is bringing them back to me sheared at the top.

My first thought was to try to enlarge the holes and tube them, but I have also considered using a grommet grinder to open up the top 10 holes and insert the 3.5 mm Alpha grommets.

Any suggestions?

A: If there were a problem with the Direct Contact String Channels, you would expect it to show up while you are pulling tension. However, you are using a fairly low tension, so it is possible that there is hidden string damage that only manifests itself later.

Unfortunately, you are not very specific as to the location of the breakage. For example, if the string is breaking at a main that you’ve used when tying off, it could be that the anchor string is sustaining hidden damage.

Enlarging the Direct Contact String Channels and installing grommets may help reduce breakage that results from this type of mis-hit, assuming a plastic grommet provides more protection for the string, but you risk ruining the frame in the process. At the very least, you will void the warranty. Your first step should be to ask your customer what shot he is hitting when these breakages occur.

If you determine that the breakages are not the result of over-zealous tying off or mis-hits, any modification of the Direct Contact String Channels must be done with extreme care. Before trying to enlarge the grommets to insert tubing or replacement grommets, try smoothing the edges of any problem holes. Take a piece of heavy-gauge aramid string, coat it with paraffin wax, and polish the inside of the Direct Contact String Channels, paying special attention to the sides of the holes where the string touches.

From the July 2005 issue
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