Hello fellow badminton lovers, I just moved back to Thailand and today I bought a new Yonex Astrox 100zz from a new seller. I specified that I would like my racket to be strung with Yonex standard 4 knots which is what I usually go for. (Picture 1) But somehow, the seller ended up sending me a racket with four knots but the cross start knot and the main tie off are in an unusual position shown below. (Picture 2) I contacted him back and in his defence, he said that he did this because this way it slows down the tension loss. I don't mind trying a new way of stringing but my only concern is that whether this would affect the structure of the frame long-term, or when the string snapped because I am stringing them at high tension. I would love to get opinions from people who have more experience with this. The guy said if I want, he can fix it for me for free. Thank you in advance!
I wouldn't worry about where the knots are. If it feels good and is the right shape, and doesn't wobble when spun, then I'd be happy with it. Sent from my SM-A315G using Tapatalk
This seems fine. I guess he's trying to limit the amount of string outside the frame. I wouldn't worry about it too much, unless it breaks at that point more often when strung this way (once doesn't say much). I use an alternative knot location at the top when stringing aerobite to make it last longer, no worries.
It won't affect the frame strength or tension loss. But it certainly looks like a dog's **** - I can't abide knots on double grommets.
Lol your seller is probably on here as well. This is the so-called modified yonex pattern by one of our most famous stringers @kakinami.
I string in Japan now, moved from the US in 2017. I use this pattern because for me the length of the main ties are cut in half instead of tying my mains at 8b I tie on 9b so there is less slack in my tie-off, this enables me to tie my cross at 8b where the length of slack is cut in half on the sides making my string pattern look a little cleaner with shorter slack on the sides. I have been using this pattern for probably over 10 years with no complaints from customers in the US. To me I think it is a better pattern than the Official Yonex pattern. Should give the name of the shop to give them props for using a more techinical string pattern! In my theory the shorter slack, tying from main #10 to main #8 in the Yonex pattern compared to this pattern main #10 to tie on main #9 the slack is half so yoyr main #10 when you tie off has less tension loss from the tie-off. Shorter string, less string to lose tension, longer string, more string to lose tension. Hope that makes sense. Sent from my LG-US998 using Tapatalk
Looks like the AK modified Yonex Pattern, probably started in 2009 by Alan Kakinami a wannabe stringer from the US. This poser was an offical stringer for the US Open badminton championships from 1999-2012, 2005 and 2011 Badminton World Championships, 2012 All Englands and 2012 London Olympics. Also an ATP and WTA tour stringer. Stringing nowhere now I believe he started using this pattern. =) Sent from my LG-US998 using Tapatalk
Maybe using Aerobite you can get a better idea about that string pattern to show the lengths of the mains on the side. Hope the pictures help =) Sent from my LG-US998 using Tapatalk
