Those who follow our blog know all about our love affair with Prince port-style racquets.  While we give them high marks on innovation, we find the attention to detail in terms of making them friendly for stringers to be seriously lacking.  In the past we have blogged about the issues with these racquets and the inconsistencies that can be attributed to the design issues.

In a previous entry on this topic we referred to the mess that is the top of this racquet.  With grommet insets barely deep enough to protect the strings, it creates some issues.  These issues are amplified when the racquets are strung using a two-piece method which happens to be the only way to install a hybrid.

Due to the design of the port-style frames, stringers have virtually no options but to tie off where indicated.  The trouble is when tying off the mains, the cross strings are then forced into slots/positions and crossovers that are not desirable.  In short it can get very messy.  Prince engineers have installed string guides that really only amplify the problem with crossovers and strings not being able to be manipulated where needed.

In our shop we have a fairly simple solution that we use in order to keep the top clean and professional.  It is probable that many of our blog readers already follow this process, but for those who might be frustrated by these blasted frames, here's a look at our solution.

After you pull tension on the outer mains, go ahead and clamp them off, but DO NOT tie off at this point.  Instead take your cross string and insert it in the space for the top cross and weave it through.  We advise to install it from the opposite side as where it is going to tie-off.  This will give you less to pull through. Go ahead and insert the end into the grommet where you will eventually tie off.  Give yourself plenty in order to tie a starting knot.  (Note, this will most likely be in the same grommet where the last main is still clamped off.  Makes it kind of busy in there, but all is fine…I promise!)

Now go ahead and take the opposite end of the cross string and weave it through, leaving a loop large enough to pull tension on the first cross. No other action is needed with this string at this point.  It is just going to wait for a few minutes for you to get back to it.

Now go back to the mains which remain clamped, but are untied.  With all strings in the channel you can now see how they are going to lineup when tensioned.  If any adjustments need to be made to avoid crossovers or to keep things running in alignment, go ahead and maneuver the main.  Since no tension is yet applied manipulating the strings should be relatively easy.  Once everything is aligned properly, go ahead and tie off your main string.

Next repeat the process on the opposite side.  Align the strings.  Once aligned, tie off the main.

Now it is time to pay attention to your cross string.  Go ahead and tie a starting knot.  Next take the loop you left and pull tension on the first main.  Clamp off and you are ready to continue with your crosses.

Those that have read our previous entry will immediately note we have abandoned the 50/50 method.  While the 50/50 method is clearly acceptable, we prefer this method because it is much easier to manage the flow of strings in the top trenches.

In order to be comfortable with this method, we string these racquets on our Baiardo that has a killer braking system.  More importantly we follow a tip we read in a fairly recent RSI issue where it was suggested to mount the port-style racquets as low on the machine as possible.  (This means adjusting the machine to hold it as far down by the handle as can be managed).  By mounting using this method, there are only 2 or 3 crosses that fight trying to pull the string to the top of the port when tensioning.

So there you have it.  Give it a try.  The results look very nice and avoid many of the issues these frames create.  That said, if tomorrow all port-style frames in the universe were to miraculously disappear, we would not miss them.

Read original blog post

Irvin,

We seem to be constantly changing our method/approach to Prince Port frames.  We have never found a method that we can really state is "comfortable."  The method described in this blog entry reflected what we were doing this past fall.  We no longer use the 50/50 method but rather we use the tools that Prince provides and we continue to experiment.  We continue to struggle to find a way to make peace with these frames.

I will give your method a try as it sounds interesting to me and I am always open to new ways of doing things and learning from others.  If you go to the original blog entry in the comments section John Elliot stated how he handles these.  I have also tried his approach which works decently.  Unfortunately it appears I have to be resolved that I am NEVER going to enjoy stringing Prince port-style frames.  They are too restrictive as I like to change tie-off points to minimize the length of run from the last pull to the tie-off point. 

I find the port design to provide quite a muted on court experience.  The Prince port style racquets do not provide nearly the same feel/sensations as the older Prince models.  I fear the port-style racquets, if Prince continues to produce them exclusively, may lead the company down a dark path.

In terms of stringing they are unpleasant on many levels.  I agree that the 50/50 method addresses some of the issues associated with consistent tension in crosses, but even with that you have to be very careful with getting started.  Just take a string meter to the crosses where 50/50 is initiated.  I find it hard to get consistent readings with the other crosses and the areas of concern are too close to the center of the string bed for my liking.  I like the readings I get on the cross string better when I use the boomerang tool, in some cases.  Again, IMO, there is no perfect solution for these frames.  I wish they would go the way of rollers and power holes.  If we could only be that lucky!