Suggestions needed for newbie stringer!

[BigGriff]

My wife ordered a Gamma X-2 for my B-Day and it arrived today. I am an avid tennis player and this will be my 1st stringer. I am excited to start stringing my racquets but couldn't help but notice the lack of manuals provided by Gamma.

What manuals, videos, and sites do you guys suggest for a newbie racquet stringer? How long did it take to knock out the very 1st racquet?

[gotwheels]

BigGriff, Have you checked out the "Stringing Guide" available on this site? Also, there are some tutorials/videos on the sptennis site. I also recommend looking for an MRT stringer in your area and try to arrange a lesson and some observation. This will give you an excellent start and the MRT will help you avoid some typical errors and bad habits. Enjoy the stringing and string experimentation.

Remember, anyone can string but good stringing is an art and science.

[BigGriff]

Thanx for the reply and advice gotwheels. To answer your question, I have thoroughly read the stringing guide here and checked the sptennis site before I received my stringer. I guess I am a bit intimidated at the fully assembled stringer just looking back at me. I just need to stop being a chicken and give it a try.

The MRT stringer is a good idea and I may seek one out because I don't want to develop bad habits. My goals are to sucessfully string my first racquet and to get exposure to 2 piece and 1 piece stringing. Time is not an issue because I prefer a quality job over speed any day!

Do you suggest becoming a member of the USRSA for the additional exposure to the world of stringing?

[gotwheels]

BigGriff, The USRSA have some great information available. Equally, there is lot of good information on these types of discussion boards. It you take time to search the archives, there is invaluable information from good, experienced stringers. One of my favorites is "Jay Cee" - his words of wisdom can be found in the stringforum archives. If would be great if you can find an MRT (and there are very good stringers that are not certified) to observe or get a lesson. Also, if you know someone that has a KlipperUSA instruction manual (about $3 from their site), it is very good at walking through the stringing process with flying clamps.

Go ahead and get your feet wet. If you take care, you won't damage anything and if you make an error, that's just part of the learning process. Post your location and maybe a nearby stringer will invite you over to learn and observe.

Best of luck.

[BigGriff]

Thanx! I'll order a Klippermate manual (currently $4).

If anyone is interested in giving a newbie a stringing walkthrough, I live in Northern California, Bay Area.

Gotwheels if you were near me I'd buy ya a beer man! I'll let you know how my 1st job turns out. :)

[BigGriff]

It was rainy here in Nothern California so I couldn't get out there and play a few sets. I decided to try and string one of my racquets with my new stringer.

I used the USRSA getting started manual that came with my Gamma X-2, looked at one of my other racquets as a reference, and successfully strung my first racquet. It took me about 2 hours but I learned so much during the process. (Head iRadical OS, two-piece, 18/19 pattern)

I know I need to get better at understanding string patterns, using the flying clamp, tying knots and weaving but I feel like I did ok for my 1st time. Maybe I can cut the time in half on my next racquet.

Thanks for the support gotwheels.