Kirschbaum Competition String

[stringingman]

I have been given a set of Kirschbaum strings to string a racquet with - is there anything I should know about this string before starting? I haven't used it before

[Jay Cee]

If the Kirschbaum string is "Super Smash" then it is a polyester, certain precautions need to be observed :

Polyester strings generally hold their tension well for 3 to 5 hours of play, then a loss of 2 to 4 lbs of tension is accompanied by a loss of elasticity which kills playability of the string. A dead polyester is not only unplayable, but if the player continues to play with this string he will experience frame vibrations which could lead to shoulder problems.

As a principal, I do not string a polyester in a racquet unless the player breaks the string at least once a week. Most pros would be happy if they can get from 2 to 4 hours play, if it is not broken after 4 hours they cut it out.

The durability of the string (number of hours of play to break the string) depends on the gauge of the string, the density of the string pattern in the racquet and the surface of the courts (on clay courts string durability can be reduced by 50%). The pro-player will adopt the gauge that will give him the best performance for about 3 hours play, if it lasts longer he will take a thinner string, or thicker one if it breaks too soon. For this category of player a nylon in gauge 15L (1.35mm) would not last an hour.

If the Kirschbaum string is the "Touch Turbo" then the above precautions are not applicable. The latest high-tech MONOS are softer, more performant and very durable. Some of these monos, including the Touch Turbo, keep their excellent playability far longer than other strings and therefore offer a price/performance ratio that is unbeatable. The only difficulty is to find the most appropriate tension, a difference of only ONE kilo can really change a player's appreciation of the string. The best results that I have obtained is by stringing 2 lbs. less than usual tensions in the mains, then add 4 lbs. to string the crosses. That gives, for example : 54/58 lbs. for a racquet that you would string a nylon at 56 lbs. mains and crosses.