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The Baiardo Era Begins

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Many local customers are acutely aware of  the health issues I have been facing.  I detail them today because they are a large part of my Baiardo story.

In February 2009 I began suffering from neck and back pain.  The MRI revealed both arthritis and bulging discs in the C5/C6 areas of the upper back and neck.  Physical therapy coupled with acupuncture helped to bring it under control within 2 months.  In 2010, the pain returned, this time it was much more severe resulting in me having to take heavy pain medications and go through extensive physical therapy complete with home traction.  The battle with the pain lasted 6 full months with losing approx. 90% of the strength and functioning of my right arm.

My Physical Therapist believes the ergonomic position used when stringing racquets is likely the cause of the pain.  It is more than a coincidence that both onsets occurred during the busiest stringing time of the season for me.  A time during which it was not uncommon for me to be stringing 12 – 15 racquets per day.  As part of my therapy I stopped stringing for several weeks and gradually reintroduced my body to stringing in a limited capacity.  I reduced my total racquet output to no more than 3 per day, all spaced out so that I could limit the amount of time I was in an unhealthy posture.

Because stringing racquets is the part of my job that I love most and because it is the cornerstone upon which my business is built I contacted Wilson to inquire about obtaining a Baiardo.  Ron, the principle designer of the machine and racquets for Wilson Sporting Goods, took a personal interest in my story and made it possible for me to secure one of the Baiardo’s that was used for the 2010 US Open.  We are both curious to see if I will be able to increase my racquet stringing capacity by taking full advantage of the ergonomic features that only the Wilson Baiardo offers.  I enter into the “Baiardo Era” of Guts and Glory Tennis with a great deal of hope and optimism.  I will chronicle my experience in this blog.

My Baiardo arrived direct from Flushing Meadow via FedEx this past Friday.  I set it up over the weekend and have begun using it.  Setup was very easy for such a complex machine.  Just tighten a few bolts with an Allen wrench and make a couple electrical connections and I was up and running.

The machine is elegant and extremely well built.  I am coming from a Babolat Star 5 and already I can tell a huge difference.  The computerized touch screen allows for easy customization.  In about 10 minutes I was able to customize the machine for my height getting it to raise and tilt into positions where I am no longer craning my neck to string a racquet.  Obviously this is the #1 PRIMO feature for me.

In setting my machine up I was able to calibrate it to my Star 5.  This is huge because it means that my remaining loyal customer base will experience no difference in the final result of stringing even though I have changed machines.

In stringing my first few racquets I noted the following advantages over the Star 5.  The Baiardo allows for much more customizatiom.  For instance, the pull speed is adjustable.  I have been able to set it to a slower pull speed which is better for poly-based strings.  I have also not noticed the overshoot when pulling tension that occurs with the Star 5.

Here’s a wild feature…the level of pressure that the tension jaws use to pull the string is fully adjustable.  This will aid with installing fragile strings and soft poly-based strings that are prone to bruising.

The table lock/brake is vastly superior to the Star 5.  No comparison.  I also really like the clamps and how well they hold the string.  I see less play than with the Star 5 and I have not seen the twisting that sometimes occurs with the Star 5. I also am delighted to note that the Wilson clamps are easier on the strings.  When releasing tension on the tie-offs with the Star 5, the string is often left with abrasion marks.  No such issue with the Baiardo.

I am still getting used to the clamping action.  The Baiardo clamp bases require much more pressure to lock than the Star 5.  The releasing action is noisy and still a bit clunky for me, though I am certain it will smooth out as I gain experience with the machine.  So far that is the only advantage I see for the Star 5 in comparing the two.

I also am digging the fact that I have not had the string hanging/catching at all.  It often would get hung up under the turntable of the Star 5…not an issue at all with the Baiardo. Both machines have small tool trays, BUT the Baiardo includes a slot on the side casing to hold a mobile phone or ipod type device and that is a welcome touch.

The mounting is fast and easy and thus far even flexier sticks like the Head Radical that were prone to getting stuck in the mounting system of the Star 5, have released with no effort whatsoever.

The engineering behind the machine is impressive.  It appears to be a smooth workhorse and is a joy to string on.  I just hope that as I slowly reintroduce myself to stringing at higher volumes that I will be able to do so without pain.  Please stay tuned to this blog as I will post progress updates.

A HUGE THANK YOU to Wilson for giving me hope and optimism for a successful return to the profession I adore.

8 thoughts on “The Baiardo Era Begins

  1. rackettec on said:

    Yes it is a great machine, I have strung with it at several tournaments and it keeps its calibration well, is easy to recalibrate when necessary, the turntable took a little getting used to after being used to the ease of the Babolat mounting system. The one thing I always had to remember is to not lean over the machine, kind of defeats the ergonomics of the machine.

    Reply
  2. David Yamane on said:

    I hadn’t heard the full story of your physical ailments, but I hope the Baiardo does the trick for you.

    I took my MRT exam on the Baiardo having just practiced on it a couple of times. It’s very easy to use, and I liked the ergonomic features — especially the height adjustment, which would be nice to have because my 15 year old son also strings alot with me.

    The only disadvantage I could see over the Star 5 that I use now is the portability. How easy it is to break down and drive to a tournament?

    Reply
  3. ggtennis on said:

    @David, the context I use my machine is different than yours. If there was a case (It comes in two boxes) the breakdown and transportation would be pretty easy. However, a case (probably two pieces) would be necessary. I have not measured the weight, but overall it feels pretty darn close to the Star 5. I was able to set it up alone even though the instructions pretty clearly state that 2 people should be used. It seemed easy, but it may have been the adrenaline of the new machine plus the steroids I was on at the time. :0)

    The only other disadvantage I have found compared to the Star 5 is the manner in which tie-off tension is set. On the Baiardo it is set at a percentage instead of a set # of pounds. This means it will pull x% of the tension setting. I prefer a constant, but can live with this I suppose as it will be consistent, but in a different way than I am used to. Also on the Star 5 I could hit the tie off after pulling tension and it would add on. The Baiardo does not do this, it must be hit first. Finally with the Star 5 if you wanted to increase tension or decrease tension after the initial pull (I sometimes did this with proportional stringing) it could be done. The Baiardo does not allow this as you have to release, reset and repull if you want to make a change after the initial pull.

    Reply
  4. Boris Becker on said:

    as a physical therapist, i highly recommend you get an inversion table

    ask doctors and they will all say its a good idea

    Reply
  5. Jason on said:

    Wow that machine looks solid. Is there zero clamp slippage after tensioning?

    Reply
  6. ggtennis on said:

    Slippage will depend upon clamps being adjusted properly. These clamps are very solid at holding the string and once adjusted, they do not slip. If you are asking about drawback, I can not say there is zero. It is, however, much less than any other fixed clamping system I have used/observed.

    Reply
  7. Jason on said:

    Ok you were right I was referring to drawback. Thanks for your honest and helpful insight John.

    Reply
  8. ggtennis on said:

    Jason, I know this will sound bizarre, but if you want the least amount of drawback possible, the Stringway triple flying clamps are probably the way to go.

    Reply

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