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Which tension to use?

Q: Here’s a situation I have come across from time to time— a difference in stringing tension between what’s stenciled on the racquet and what the Stringer’s Digest says. I recently strung a Prince Triple Threat RIP with a tension range of 62 pounds, +/- 5 pounds stenciled on the inside of the handle. The Digest gives a range of 53 to 63 pounds for this racquet. The customer wanted it strung at the top of the range. As far as he was concerned this would be 67 pounds, although the Digest would indicate 63 pounds. Which is the correct tension range?

A: In most cases, the tension range in the Digest is correct. Manufacturers can and do change the recommended tension range, but they can neither change the stenciling on existing racquets, nor contact existing owners of those racquets. One of the many benefits of USRSA membership is that you have a source for the latest information on tensions: The Stringer’s Digest.

However, not every stringer is a USRSA member, and a non-member may have strung the racquet at the higher tension. This is another good reason why you should ask at least a couple of questions of new customers (we’re assuming this is a new customer because you don’t mention having records of previous restringings). In addition to getting the tension information, you should find out if the customer was having his racquets restrung on a constant-pull or lock-out machine, as that can have an effect on the stringbed stiffness, too. You should contact your customer and find out what he expected. If he wants you to use the higher tension, and you’re not comfortable with that, you can offer as a compromise to pre-stretch the string but use the lower recommended tension. If your customer wants the higher tension no matter what, advise him that because of the potential for frame damage, you cannot take responsibility if the racquet breaks during restringing.

Finally, if you are confident that the customer will love your string job despite your using the lower tension, you can guarantee him that he will be happy with the job or you’ll restring it for free. You might occasionally have to re-do a racquet, but typically this kind of customer service really impresses customers, and you’ll have them for life.

From the June 2006 issue
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