How to String a tennis Racquet Updated (Gamma X-2)

How to String a Tennis Racket for beginners using the Gamma X-2 Stringing machine.
The stringer I use: amzn.to/3xmmUsI
This machine is what's called a drop weight mechanism. This is the updated tutorial which goes into a lot more depth. This video will be a lot more helpful than the previous one. Please use it as a resource until you get comfortable with stringing your racquet on your own.
Like and subscribe if you want or if the video was helpful. Thank you.

[@AlanGrandman]

Thank you for all the positive feedback on this tutorial years later. This channel will soon focus on fitness/mental discipline content. If you're into that sort of thing, or if this video was a great help and you just want to support, consider subscribing. Thanks :)

[@KSardor1]

So many videos on youtube showing how to restring the racquet, but yours is the best of them all, very thorough and detailed explanation. Thank you very much for a great work!

[@AlanGrandman]

Thanks man!

[@jacklo325]

Ah, the good old faithful x-2, had one of those back in the day. It's simple and never fail, quality built!

[@AlanGrandman]

Best there is for the money

[@utkashdubey8458]

Thank you for these instructions, I've strung 5 rackets on my machine and I frequently go back to this video

[@AlanGrandman]

Great to hear!

[@Deescizzle]

Awesome video! Even 4 years later! I was able to string my first racquet today! Thank you!!!

[@AlanGrandman]

Thanks. Hard to believe this was 4 years ago haha.

[@rishijai]

Thanks for the informative video. I dusted out my X2 and strung my first racquet in 10 years. It took me 2h:45m but the job is perfect. I can get it down to 1h.

[@AlanGrandman]

It's always an awesome feeling to finish stringing a racquet!

[@JP_Covers]

Thanks to this video I was able to string my first racket today with ease. Thank you so much for the great step by step video!

[@Ncode92]

Perfect instructions! Just did my first racquet today following you along step by step.

[@envise]

Hi, thanks for putting together such a nice video! I break strings a lot for a recreational players (couple of times a month) but did not having confidence to get into stringing. Watching your video provided me the necessary confidence to buy a Gamma Progression 200. I watched the video again once end to end and went back a bunch of times while on the first racquet and manage to finish within 2 hrs. Thanks!

[@AlanGrandman]

Hey Joseph. Glad to hear!

[@twinwankel]

I think how you start the mains by double pulling on each side will contribute to lower tension on the center mains. The only way to prevent this is to measure the tension loss and then correct it by adding the loss to the tension at the center. So I know that by using a stating clamp, I lose about 3 lbs at the two center mains using a stringometer. I just undo the mains and increase the center tension by 3 lbs. After the completing the stringing, I remeasure the tension across all mains they are now uniform. It is important to keep the tension as uniform as possible. Of course, one could argue that by using vibration dampeners will also cause tension loss at that center mains. This is true, however, if one doesn't try to make the tension uniform, the loss from the dampeners will be much worse. One other thing, my Gamma's drop weight machine is off by +1.5 lbs. So if I'm doing a string job for X weight, I will set the machine to X-1.5 lbs. You can check your machine using a digital luggage weight scale.

[@vpatel1631]

I was confused as to how the remaining string after you put the first clamp would be tensioned, I guess it just doesn’t get tensioned

[@rishijai]

Here is a trick I did - to know when the dropweight is parallel. Place a Spirit Level on the Drop Weight arm until the bubble is level. Use a marker and make a line on top of the rachet gripper, - spanning the silver side to the black side. Voila, the drop weight is parallel when the two lines "line up".

[@albochile784]

Could you explain in more detail that of the line? since I have this same machine

[@rishijai]

@@albochile784 Here is a photo of the setup. drive.google.com/file/d/1AVEks9ANcuMH4qgkfsAEd7v08NY5hBZu/view?usp=sharing

[@dabbingpenguin4956]

I almost fell asleep so relaxing great video

[@byrne8509]

Thanks, this is a great tutorial and really helped me :) Many beginner tutorials like this aren't comprehensive enough, and assume too much of someone just starting out, this one didn't have that problem. IMO this is the best beginner drop weight stringing tutorial out there.

[@AlanGrandman]

Glad to hear it!

[@justHereToKillTime]

Just got a Gamma progression 200 and strung 2 racquets. Saw several videos on KZbin but found yours to be the most helpful.thanks for the detailed explanations.

[@DB-CA]

Best tutorial on drop weight. Thanks

[@AlanGrandman]

Thanks for watching

[@roryoconnor4989]

Good to see you’re picking up some useful skills while in the witness protection program 😂 honestly, great tutorial. Thank you

[@Kai-gj3ji]

This has me rolling 😂😂

[@boson7354]

🤣 🤣 🤣

[@mypandabear50344]

One of the best explanation. Thanks man.

[@AlanGrandman]

Np man. Glad to help!

[@paulbuettner5195]

Very well done! I'm an old guy who just got an X-2. The instructions provided with the machine are complex and confusing at best. You provide all the essential details but simplify the process so well. It's given me the confidence to start on my backup racquet for practice. I will be revisiting your excellent video often, I am sure, to refresh my memory of the various steps and techniques. Thank you!

[@michael1electricianquiroz338]

Great video- I’m shopping for a stringer now .. very clear and concise instructions- and looks rewarding after it’s all done.

[@daveypowda]

Thank you so much for this video! I was just gifted one of these and the manual was confusing, but your video was very clear and straightforward. I now have my first racket successfully strung!

[@AlanGrandman]

Glad it helped!

[@keyurpatel1860]

Thank you! Was helpful as a refresher for me getting back into stringing.

[@hsh2292]

this is the best one for teaching how to string

[@SivaFolsom]

Thanks Alan! You video helped me to successfully restring my racquetball racket!

[@Cynnik911]

I got this same exact stringer and use this vid for reference often. Thanks man!

[@ausahd]

Excellent video Alan! probably the best video on gamma stringing machine. First I tried to string racquet just with wilson instructions but it was not sufficiently documented for first timers. Your video answered all the questions. Only thing would I have been useful for beginners is instructions on how to use awl. I struggled a lot on the last gommet to get the string through as it was blocked by mains string. I did not realize that you could use awl for such a situation until I was done. Oh well. next time. But thanks a lot for the video!

[@srvp2003]

Excellent video and very well instructed. Thanks a lot!

[@AlanGrandman]

Thanks for watching!

[@matteovantini4171]

This guy is so fantastic, you are so good, thanks for lesen me how to restring, thank you mate

[@ethanthomas7433]

Goat! couldn’t understand it until this video

[@saml2592]

Very clear, fully understand now! Thanks!

[@DeenAllah-b6m]

Thank you very much for uploading this!! I followed your instructions and I got it right from the first time… god bless you 👏🏼

[@AlanGrandman]

Awesome. Thank you!

[@sunubishwokarma1002]

Thank you so much great demo; I learned to restring now.

[@DB-CA]

Thanks. I learned from your video

[@helencusack2066]

That's very good tutorial! I feel I can start to string racquet now. :) Thanks!

[@AlanGrandman]

Thanks for watching!

[@robocheme880]

Thanks, Alan, excellent video. Easily the best video for those who are starting out on inexpensive machines. My first attempt ended when I broke a string when the drop weight bounced. The second attempt went flawlessly. My only comment is that you didn't cover how to get the cross strings through the grommets that were covered by the mains. I'm not sure this is correct or not, but I used an awl to move the mains enough to get the cross string through.

[@AlanGrandman]

You got it. That's the best way!

[@handymanird1632]

thank you Alan. Your video very good. Will string a racket soon following your video

[@scottrichards3172]

Thank you very much for the step-by-step instructions. Really appreciate you taking the time to walk me through this process thoroughly. I will be doing my first racket today and I am sure because of your video and instructions I will be successful.

[@nadaypuesnada]

Thanks a million for posting this video! It has helped me more than any other videos I've found.

[@AlanGrandman]

Thank you for the kind words!

[@tennispunk2]

Alan is trying his best but he is far from being a professional at this time. This is not a good way to string. A lot of his procedures are very harmful to the frame.

[@khodsi]

So helpful buddy, thanks!😍👍

[@miketang7533]

Thank you. Great stringing tutoring. 👍🙏

[@nib7085]

Thanks Alan, just got my new gamma X 2 needed to see how to start the main strings. Have to put it together out of the box and see how it goes..

[@tennispunk2]

There is a much better way to start. Starting like in the video will not give you the desired tension for the center mains. The dynamic tension will be lower than the reference tension.

[@rishijai]

@@tennispunk2 I actually string 2 mains at once with the X2. I can't tell the difference. I string 2 crosses then 1 cross to change the pulling direction. I don't string one at a time.

[@Sokeresa]

@@tennispunk2 is there a video on how to start mains differently with flying clamps

[@fredericclerico1421]

Thank you very much. The explanations are very clear! Great job!

[@zerodegrekelvin2]

Thanks for sharing this how-to! I might invest in a stringer considering I break the strings so often.

[@bengray5013]

Thanks for this tutorial Alan, I’ve got a gamma stringer arriving soon so this is really helpful 👍🏻

[@bigalexg]

Thanks Alan. Good job. Thinking of getting this machine but I was afraid it would be too involved. I can see now it is quite doable. If you ever redo the video it might be a nice intro to explain the reasons why you might want to string your own - is is just convenience, do you save a lot of money in the long term etc etc.

[@ayanpatel7916]

Awesome video bro it was so helpful

[@Reakerboy]

Try putting a little bit of slack on the string before you put it in the clutch, you'll be able to build tension better and get a more accurate overall result. Good vid though, very helpful for people using this type of drop weight. 👍🏻

[@otm777]

True. And this is more of a concern with poly strings which stretch less than multifilament.

[@yungsuit]

Man I have been stringing for nearly two decades but only used a drop weight for the last three years after a friend gifted one to me. I didn't realize how many quirks there were to it

[@AlanGrandman]

Yeah, it's a lot easier to go from drop weight to electric then the other way around.

[@mattstorie276]

Great vid man, your a life saver. 👍

[@eliasfriedman]

Another tip, instead of trying to jam the clamp up from underneath on the first/second cross, clamp from the top down so the mounting platform isn’t in the way 👍

[@shervin327]

Great instructions, only issue i encounter was about the length of the string. 17 times racquet head is not enough for 100in2 head size. 19 times is the right length!

[@jaykay-qd1my]

Awesome job young man. take care.

[@yavuzc]

Very nicely done, thank you

[@augustobarros5517]

Very good video, I would like to have a string machine, but in Brazil it is difficult to have one. Thanks you

[@soundarisureshanand9546]

My far the best video I have seen on how to string your racquet. Very clear, well explained and video/Audio is very clear. Great job!!! I need to know how to string from the top. Is it any different?

[@AlanGrandman]

Thank you! Appreciate the kind words. What do you mean by stringing from the top? Do you mean clamping on top rather then having the clamps be floating?

[@RondelayAOK]

I've got a Klippermate and glad of it: my flying clamps totally rock compared to Gamma. I'd advise buying different flying clamps, works easier this way.

[@MavenFPV]

Omg, thank you!!! I was looking for this video!

[@AlanGrandman]

Thanks!

[@mihob]

great video

[@America2gether]

The BEST!!!!

[@adamjcuz]

Thanks so much for taking the time to make this video - clear, well explained and helpful.

[@AlanGrandman]

No problem. Appreciate the feedback.

[@jiyuanwang5244]

Thank you so much

[@AlanGrandman]

You're most welcome

[@joshfung2131]

Super HElpful!

[@johnlyndsay]

Thank you.

[@AlanGrandman]

You got it!

[@pdpotomac]

Having strung well over 100 racquets with this model stringing machine I commend you for putting up the how to video, BUT the viewer needs to know several very important details have been left out. Watch the other videos on this stringer available before you start and read the manual that comes with the stringer. Practice with a cheap string starting out. Knots, string length, one piece vs two piece all do matter as well as tie off points. Find the manufacturers stringing pattern instructions for your racquet. Details matter across all the racquet brands.

[@justpar2012]

Good demo.

[@nugget6292]

Great instructional vid man! If I had an extra starting clamp (in addition to the 2 flying clamps) can I go ahead and tension the first main? Instead of pulling tension on essentially the 3rd main?

[@AlanGrandman]

I believe that should work if the starting clamp is attached to the machine. If not I am unsure. I personally don't use starting clamps.

[@yousefa1604]

Insightful

[@AlanGrandman]

ty

[@anurajms]

thank you

[@gnohn9366]

I don't think you are supposed to bounce the weight up and down like that. Just let gravity do the work and lower the weight gently, then adjust as needed. Otherwise very informative.

[@lydavy]

So is this confirmed?

[@tennispunk2]

Yes that is correct. You should not allow the weight to bounce like that.

[@bsrichman]

Letting the dropweight bounce can lead to snapped strings, even potentially damage to the frame. Also inconsistent pre-stretching across the string bed.

[@ludwigslughole9403]

That's exactly what you're meant to do. I started on one of these type machines and was taught by a very experienced pro stringer. I strung on it for many years. In this video he correctly demonstrated that you arrive at the correct tension by gently bouncing the weight to get to the point where the arm is parallel to the ground.

[@rishijai]

The advantage of getting the X series gamma stringers is that it never rusts because it's made from aluminum alloy. The Progression series rusts over the years as its made of steel.

[@jonl8164]

Nice video! Was very helpful

[@AlanGrandman]

Glad to hear!

[@rishijai]

My X2 is 13 years old and still works perfectly.

[@AlanGrandman]

It's a sturdy piece of equipment!

[@rishijai]

@@AlanGrandman The drop-weight model lasts forever.

[@kimhk1789]

Hey I am a beginner stringer and I learned from you video. Thanks for the awesome video! I strung three multi by following the steps you took and there were no problems, however I was string 4g soft the other night and the weight wouldn’t go down it seemed like the string was not elastic at all so I had to force the weight down and it led to a bad pop.. I don’t understand how it happens..do you have some idea about it?

[@AlanGrandman]

Hi. For some reason didn't see your comment earlier. Might be too late for a response but I'm not sure why that particular string has the issue. The tension on the machine might be set as too high but am not certain.

[@lss922]

Thanks so much for tutorial, very clear instructions. Is it normal if the strings "sound" when picked different while doing the mains and after knotting them up?

[@AlanGrandman]

Yes when just the mains are on they sound almost like an instrument

[@user-xq9oy1sh6e]

Thanks please what do you do if your drop weight remains highly above parallel after dropping

[@rcheoun]

Great video! is there a reason you go through two lines before pulling the first weight on crosses?

[@timbihl2753]

FYI, that knot is called a double half hitch.

[@Cesarini77]

Awesome video! Simple and covering the info we should know when stringing a racket. Have you tried the 6 point mounting system machine? If so, what are the advantages/disadvanteges between the two models.

[@AlanGrandman]

Yes, I have. The 6 point mounting system keeps the tensions on the racquet way more evenly distributed so its better for the frame. Most 6 points are electric so you would be able to get the string job done a lot faster. With an electric machine, I am able to complete the job in about 20-25 minutes but with this stringer, it takes me about 40-45 minutes.

[@tennispunk2]

A 6-point mounting system has nothing to do with getting better tension distribution. It is just for better support to hold the frame to keep it from distorting.

[@jordann5606]

@@tennispunk2 yes, as Alan says, the racket (not string) is more evenly distributed and 6-pt support is better for the frame (shouldn't make a difference for the strings).

[@briancampbell2735]

What happens if you go to drop the weight and it is already too much tension?

[@Bond.James.Sean.]

Hey man! Great video! I only have 1 question: Are there any defferences if I put the string more than one time arround the round-head? Because sometimes the string slides a bit if I only do it one time. Thanks!

[@Stellarffxi]

Don't see why it would make any difference personally

[@mplslawnguy3389]

Very nice tutorial man. The clearest one I've seen so far. How do you like that machine? Is this the one you'd recommend if I'm just going to be stringing my racquets at home or are there others that are better?

[@AlanGrandman]

This is the best one for the price in my opinion!

[@mplslawnguy3389]

@@AlanGrandman I ended up buying one last year and it works perfectly. You're correct, for the money, you can't beat it. It's already paid for itself many times over.

[@AlanGrandman]

@@mplslawnguy3389 Glad to hear!

[@peppio]

i would buy it..do you think is good for a recreational player like me?

[@rydermiller4263]

Whats the point of the little 2 blue things you putting on the strings?

[@roballjobs]

I took 18 counts of string to do mains. There was not enough string to tighten the last main string on either side. Lesson learnt. Try the first time with a cheap string. I tried with luxilon alu power

[@Widmer09]

I had the same issue on my 1st stringing job. I didn’t want to loose that set of string, so I used the old string to tie a knot with it to make it longer and pulled, then cut out the knot. It was a pain, but it worked on both sides.

[@nugget6292]

Is there a technique to tension the first 2 mains with a drop weight as opposed to your method of pulling tension on the 3rd and 4th mains. Wouldn't the tension of the 1st and 2nd main be inaccurate?

[@rakesh0085]

The center 2 mains were never given tension. Started from 2nd hole from either side. This will lead to incorrect tension at the center 2 mains,

[@robertpapp96]

You can't do it with this machine. This is the right way won't be problem. Also I did around a 200 racquet with same machine nobody said it was any problem. ;)

[@steveb2854]

He states exactly why you can't tension the center two mains on this machine. Do people even listen anymore?

[@imateapot51]

I feel bad for you guys with drop weights. I would be half way done with the crosses by the time you did a few mains. I use a Prince Neos crank pull and also a Babolat 5 Star electric constant pull. One thing I did not realize about using drop weights is that you have to keep adjusting the drop weight while you are tensioning the string. I always say consistency is the key to a good string job. How long a string is tensioned, how long to move and set the clamp how long to release the tension. Doing all that at the same amount of time every time is key. If you spend 10 seconds with a string in the tensioner and then on the next 30 adjusting the weight I worry how good a job will result. It would be like if I had a string in the tensioner and then went to answer a phone and got distracted.

[@otm777]

Very true, but it boils down to cost (and probably stringing volume). As you prob know, a drop weight machine is considerably less than a crank pull or electric pull. But if the volume and/or stringing frequency warrants the more advanced machine, then I'd say it prob makes more sense to opt for the more expensive option if one's budget can support it. Besides getting the job done quicker, it's likely to be more consistent.

[@alessandrotringali813]

Many thanks.. very clear!! Two points holding is ok or it can damage the frame? I would like ti buy your same machine.. and string only for my self.. what do you suggest to me? Thanks Alessandro

[@AlanGrandman]

Two-point works well. My frames have never been damaged from it.

[@hych8429]

What is the distance for winder support standing from the corner? You seemed to be putting about 3 inches from the start

[@neurodavidus]

Thanks for this great video. I am a beginner and have a similar counterweight machine. I feel that a lot of tension is lost when doing the not. I find it hard to maintain some tensions between the clamp and the knot? Am I doing this something wrong? Is there a trick to reduce the loss of tension? Would the 2 knots technique help in this regard? thanks again for this video and looking forward to hearing from any advice.

[@azetyui8814]

Very good but you need a loop for finish your cross, you lost alot of cross tension like this. Try

[@LubaLuba1]

Which one is better or worse between these two: gamma x-stringer x2 tennis stringing vs gamma proression 2 200 tennis stringing?

[@AlanGrandman]

I've only ever used the X2, but from what I heard, it's slightly superior.

[@LubaLuba1]

@@AlanGrandman I see and whats the total weight of this machine?

[@AlanGrandman]

@@LubaLuba1 30 lbs. I put a link to it in the description. Should have all the details. It's quite heavy to move around a lot(but you can if you need to) so best to find one good spot for it.

[@avanith3579]

Is this stringer basically the same as the klippermate?

[@user-xh3ei4lx3b]

does this give accurate tension like the expensive machines ?

[@sonyfxi]

Thanks for the tennis brain 🧠 food

[@humanentity2214]

Nice video. How much was the stringer and what's the model name?

[@AlanGrandman]

Put the link in the description

[@paullee1521]

Your weight went dropped every time you pulled tension. What do you do when the weight does not drop or drops little, so it doesn't get close to parallel. It happened to me today as I strung so I made some adjustments to the area where I was clamping and at some points just moved on without it being parallel. I'm pretty sure my tension is all mixed up on this round but I'm still going to play with it and see if it's playable. For future use, what do you do? I read somewhere that you start the weight not 90% but closer to parallel so it doesn't have to drop as much, or even start below parallel and crank it up as necessary. What does it mean when this happens and what would you do?

[@brapp5973]

Hi Alan, this is a good video. But my one point of confusion is that you don’t really explain which strings you are clamping together and why you move the clamps to a particular location. I think you are clamping the one you just tensioned with the one next to it, right? And then I see you move the clamp, but you don’t say why you are moving it from one end of the racquet to the other. Can you explain in one sentence, WHICH STRINGS you are clamping together and how you decide WHICH END of the racquet you move the clamp to? I’m a beginner! Thanks!

[@otm777]

He's clamping the string that he just pulled tension on and the one next to it which was tensioned prior. After pulling tension you must move the "flying clamp" to the end where you pulled tension to "hold" the tension; otherwise, if you just remove/release the string from the circle ratchet you'd lose the tension and defeat the purpose for pulling. Placing the clamps closet to the end where you're pulling tension maintains the tension from that point backwards. Then you just pull, clamp, and repeat.

[@StuPendousMi]

Do you find that the tension comes out accurate?

[@razolmahari]

Hey great video. Clear instructions. Well done man. One question: with a hybrid which one goes as mains and which as crosses? I'm using ashaway crossfire 17g poly and aramid on a 2006 babolat aero pure drive plus. Thanks.

[@AlanGrandman]

Appreciate you. It's whatever you prefer. If you want more spin go with the poly in the mains. If you want better feel go with the aramid in the mains.

[@nicksends102]

Hi Alan, I’ve been copying your technique for the crosses and I clamp two strings as you did in the video. When I finish the racquet it seems to be loose and the crosses move around even when strung at 52 pounds

[@AlanGrandman]

Yea, there is really not much you can do with those edge strings. It's the big disadvantage of flying clamps in addition to speed.

[@lydavy]

@@AlanGrandman would increasing the tension by 10% just for those strings compensate?

[@AlanGrandman]

@@lydavy I personally don't lift the tension, but I know people who do. It's especially necessary with an electric stringer. So I would say try both and see what works best.

[@vidpromjm]

@@lydavy I usually give the tie off mains a bit more otherwise they can end up too loose. Another thing you can try is jamming an awl in the grommett hole to hold tension before tying off. Just be careful not to "nick" the strings. A lot of people seem to be anti-awl but it was suggested to me by a guy who strung for the Australian Davis Cup team back when they were winning!