This is the blog page of Racket Stringing Service Southport - Racket Stringing Service based in Southport, Merseyside, England

Polystar Energy

1/2/2022

POLYSTAR Energy offers optimal control over ball acceleration combined with outstanding elasticity and longevity.

Just arrived today! Will string one of my rackets up asap and then playtest it.

Ok just restrung my Powerangle with the Polystar Energy.
First impressions was it kinks a bit but that could be because it was very tight on the roll.
It felt softer as the stringing progressed, The tension was 53.5 Ibs (my go to tension with poly)
When strung the Dynamic Tension was 33DT (which is good for me!)
will await the weather tomorrow and hope to play.
Well played 3 hrs of men's doubles, First impression wow I've got my slice and kick serve back and the ground strokes have the topspin and slice again, This string has control, power, spin (the later was a pleasant surprise)
The Dynamic Tension after 24 hrs (plus 3 hrs of play) was 31DT which is what I would expect for a poly string.
The string plays soft for a poly which is good for the arm and you still have the control.
I will keep playing with it and see when I need to cut it out.

daveg

MSV Focus Hex Ultima

29/8/2021

The explosive shots with the MSV Focus – HEX Ultra could make all the difference in your next match.
Hard hitter beware! The Ultra Focus- Hex offers explosive Co-polyester mixture lots of bangs.
It does not really matter which characteristics one prefers, the best seller from Mauve is top value in all sectors. Control, spin, snap back, tension stability, durability – all first class with the Ultra. that is what Tennis magazine thinks too. Focus- Hex Ultra took second place in the 2016 Test.
Make sure you too profit from the excellent characteristics of the Power string MSV Focus – Hex Ultra.

a high quality string with very good price/performance ratio.
High durability
six sided structure for lots of spin.
Monofilament string of High-Tech-Co-Polyester
surface coating to prevent strings slipping.
top rated in Tennis magazine

Ok that is what the promotion says !
Stringing: It's easy doesn't kink and not much stretch when tensioning.
Strung at 53Ibs (my normal tension)
Playing: not a powerful string you have to take a full swing all the time, lots of spin and slice available.
So the strong points are, spin, control, and comfort, it is designed so you have to take a full swing but the balls will stay in court and not fly long.
If you don't have a full swing this string is not for you!
If you have a full swing and can generate your own power you will like this string!

Badminton Service no longer available

24/5/2021

I have made the decision NOT to service badminton rackets anymore.
I am sorry for the badminton players who have used my service in the past but some of the requests for restringing "outside of the racket recommendations " were just crazy and dangerous, (to both myself and the racket)
all the best !
daveg

Poly Star Classic is here!

30/3/2021

I have a new Tennis string on the way!
I will restring and test the string as soon as it arrives!
Watch this space!
daveg

Ok the reel of Poly Star Classic is here !

Poly Star's spiel:
POLY STAR CLASSIC is a monofilament, co-polyester all round tennis string. Continuously improved in the last 30 years with proven performance. Weather resistant and particularly durable thanks to the special preparation process, which reduces the friction intensity at the crossing points in the stringing grid and thereby increasing the durability. The elastic characteristic of natural gut strings has been integrated into our Classic’s attributes. The POLY STAR CLASSIC, like all POLY STAR tennis strings are effective at minimizing elbow and wrist shock.

Ok here we go stringing my PowerAngle racket,
First impression is that this string is soft and elastic, no normal poly kinks or twists!
wow very easy to string with almost like a natural gut or very soft synthetic!
Strung at 53Ibs giving a Dynamic Tension (DT) of 35, we will now leave the racket for 24Hrs and retest to see the tension loss.
(had more string left than for a normal poly after stringing - which would mean that this string really is elastic and stretches when tensioned)

back in 24hrs!

Right just checked the DT of the racket and a total of 3Ibs tension drop in 24hrs, That is a 6% drop which is acceptable.
I played 3 sets of mixed doubles today (social tennis) and I decided to just play a relaxed game style.
I didn't try to force anything and I found I didn't have to, the power from the strings was really good without losing control, it felt more like a multi or natural gut with the power. I missed the directness / crispness of the feel but I still knew were the ball was going. The serves were quicker without the effort and the comfort was very high! one of the opposite players said that the balls were kicking up with more topspin than normal (so I am pleased with that :-) )
I will carry on using this string it will become a "comfort / soft poly " that I will use and advise players to try it !

I have made this string my special for April 2021 first 5 restrings with this string for only £10 per restring, that is a bargin!

daveg

hope this helps!

getting ready for Monday 29th March 2021

4/3/2021

YOU:
1. make sure your body is ready for tennis, shoes still fit, toe nails all cut and the tennis clothes still fit
2. book your restring early so you don't miss out!
3. check you have a supply of new tennis balls
4. be glad you are able / ready to play, enjoy it and I'll see you all there!

Me: Check
1. string stock
2. PU grips
3. Anti-vibes
4. Clean and test Stringing machine and clean all stringing tools!

daveg

Reflections on my three years with Astro courts

31/12/2020

This is going to annoy some players and others will agree with my reflections!

The good points:
Astro allows you to carry on playing when the courts are damp or wet.

(sorry that's it)

Bad points:
No professional players will ever accept Astro as a competition surface, why because it's bounce is irregular, It will not take "kick" serves, it takes all the top spin out of the ball, the surface is totally inconsistent with bounce.
Players slice more on Astro because Astro deadens the ball.
When Astro is damp the balls get heavy and cause "tennis elbow"

Astro requires more correct maintenance than Hard Courts.
The amount of sand on Astro is critical to the way is plays.

You require correct "omni" soled shoes for Astro to maintain your correct grip.

Less rallies on Astro as the ball doesn't come through, it doesn't bounce and stays low. (you will never get to it!)

The adage that it is kinder to the knee joints is dependent on the type and amount of sand used. Too little sand too much grip, too much sand and you now have a clay like slippy surface.

Take the Astro players to a hard court and they will say
"The ball bounces too high "
"The kick serve kicks out of reach"
"The slice isn't working" "the top spin is pushing me back"
(all part of the top players way of playing)

and finally to get to be top players they need to play rallies learn to construct the points, 3 shot rallies will not do this !

Ending on a good point Astro in the summer is far better as they are drier the ball bounces, but still less top spin and kick lol!

note: these are my reflections on Astro courts v other surfaces,
I welcome yours.

PS: the LTA, ATP, have stated they will never accept Astro as being a competition surface!

PPS: I still enjoy playing tennis on all surfaces, Astro not as much as I did !

Update: Right the courts have been resurfaced with New Astro,
No more heavy wet tennis balls, good even bounce, so I'm back to liking the Astro again.
The problem was that the old Astro didn't drain the water off the courts, the new Astro has a different weave so it drains better.

Out with the old and in with the new

19/8/2020

Ok my Wise 2086 series 9 Tension head which has given me great service for over 10 years has died and is no more. This Wise Tension head owes me nothing, so when you are used to the best you stay with it.
Just purchased a Wise 2086 series 14 from those lovely people at Watdon. As you can see not much has changed, it is quieter and just as accurate. Update new feature action switch on the top of the tension head very good change!

Look after my Bills (Free £25)

3/12/2019

I have been using "Look after my Bills" to switch me to a cheaper Gas/ Electric tariff and they have done it again.
saving me over £300 per year!
I can recommend the team to help you out.
They do all the work of switching for you, all you have to do is sign up on their website, 30 seconds and your done.
If you use this link before 31 Dec 2019 we both will get £25 each(Free)
LINK
Hope this helps!
Daveg

You asked for it!

31/10/2019

Pro's Pro Speed 70 0.68mm Badminton Pro's Pro Speed 70 is a high-tech badminton string, featuring an ultra-strong string core, coated to increase durability.
Above that is a layer of braided multifilaments and monofilaments, spun. The unique coating with nano elastomers result in a rough surface for incredible setback force.
Speed 70 is ideally suited for players demanding the maximum in speed and durability.
Gauge: 0.68mm
Colour: Natural
On order should be here 1st week in November

Look after my Bills have just switched me to a cheaper company

19/8/2019

I have been using "Look after my Bills" to switch me to a cheaper Gas/ Electric tariff and they have done it again.
saving me over £300 per year!
I can recommend the team to help you out.
They do all the work of switching for you, all you have to do is sign up on their website, 30 seconds and your done.
If you use this link we both will get £20 each.
LINK
Hope this helps!
Daveg