Reasons for using high tension on racquet

Always wonder why players want to use higher and higher tension on their racquet.

Guess there is 2-sides of the coin.

Players would revert.
- hit further
- better control
- sounds nice when hit shuttle
- thin strings produce nice high pitch sound
- feel more "professional" as they would be using tensions closer to the world ranking players ??

IF I own a sports shop, I would say the following instead, as it would provide  more regular revenue opportunities
- higher tension strings break faster
- racquets would be easily damaged at higher tensions, especially when they clash
- racquets tend to turn soft after several restrings at higher tensions
- thinner strings at higher tension tend to snap faster

Does anyone ever ask if you experience any elbow pain, recent pain on the upper arm or pain in the neck area after you started using a higher tension? Never heard anyone in the shop asking such questions ... I do when the client wants to use a higher tension.

All you hear in the shops are  ... wow you still using such low tension???

You as the client need to ask yourself ... do they have your interest at heart, or, are you just an atm for them?

Same string diff thickness

Was quite surprised when I performed a comparison of the Yonex BG66 Ultimax string actual physical thickness.

The red string appear to be thinner than the yellow. Also find the red string composition to be more solid when compared to the yellow.

Bought from the same wholesaler in UK as the Yonex agent for South East Asia, Sunrise apparently does not sell strings in reel form when I made the inquiry.

Could this be evidence of an OEM activity eg Yonex contracts a 3rd party to manufacture for them, since Yonex does not confirm nor deny if they have factories which produces strings?

Gosen and Ashaway proudly confirms their manufacturing facilities.

Carlton 3.7X - 1st generation non-wooden racquet

Recently acquire the Carlton 3.7X for a collector.

Was curious how heavy it would be - answer in the pix below (in grams).

The 3.7X is quite collectable as it has a midway tapered shaft. The 3.7X also differ from the 3.7 as it was an all stainless steel frame vs the 3.7 frame which does corrode and easily cracked.

I lost my own then newish 3.7X at Narita airport in the late 1980's during a stopover flight from Singapore to LA. Was pretty disappointed as the authorities was never able to locate the missing racquet.

Racquet with designed Non-traditional stringing pattern

Unique stringing pattern for a Hart Infinite OV-3000, the grommet layout facilitates a top-down approach.

Overall view before last row tensioned

Top portion of frame

Bottom portion of frame

Using phone app to monitor string tension (Part-2/2)

Based upon testing using CARLTUNE (IPhone and android), the app will display a frequency of approximately (+/-10Hz) 1144Hz if you hit the sweet-spot on your racquet against the base of your palm, for tension of 22lbs. Basically is the average after several such hits.

Approximate CarlTune reading for 22lbs tension

Verifying tension on the newly strung Yonex Aerosonic

Please perform the action as close as possible to the phone mic for best results. I did discovered the phone can be further away if you are in a enclosed and closed room. In this scenario I try to keep a shuttle in the air gently via tapping, with the app monitoring the Hz of the hits.

Tested the procedure with racquets strung with Yonex Aerosonic (0.61mm), Yonex BG66 Ultimax (0.65mm), Gosen Pro66 (0.66mm) and Ashaway Zymax62 (0.62mm) which seem to provide similar results.

In addition, I had reverified the tension using the Tension-O-Meter since I just restrung one of my racquets with Yonex Aerosonic @ 22lbs - app shows 1144.xx Hz. Sometimes the result would be within a few Hz of the above. Irregardless, the percentage of error would be small and hence negligible for the purpose of (free) monitor facility.

Thus we can use the following simple formula to determine tension via the frequency readout on the app.

1144 Hz = 22lbs

1 Hz       = 22 / 1144

               = 0.01924

Thus a x Hz  readout would mean tension of approximately = 0.01924 * frequency shown on app (tension in lbs)

True this methodology is not 100% accurate as it is meant to provide a means for monitoring, not provide absolutely accurate readings. There are such commercial app and/or tools but they won't be free!

Using phone app to monitor string tension (Part-1/2)

Before I describe my layman version of the authors technique, please assist to review the original article at Badmintoncentral - give credit where credit is due.

They provide a technical in-depth discussion of the technique and the science behind it. 

Do you know how to make use of the information presented to actually monitor the tension on your badminton racquet?

If not, tune back next month and I will reveal how the average Joe can monitor their racquet tension without any expensive tools.

FYI Grommet replacement for Yonex Z-Force 2 (and alike)

Recently had to help a client replace the "in-line" grommets at the upper half of a Yonex Z-force 2, as it seem to be cutting into the string. 

Now for the shocking news - I called the local Yonex distributor as well as various local shops and they tell me to go order the replacement from overseas myself, as they would charge a processing fee for the item.

Why is it shocking, you say? 

If you try ordering it, the "in-line" grommet is not available as a single item. You must buy the entire set of grommets for the Z-Force2 at about USD$12 per set!!! This is before cost for shipping etc.

KUDOS to Yonex for this easy money making scheme!

So owners of the Z-Force2 and some models of ArcSaber/NanoRay/Voltaric be aware of these impending future expenses.