Head is coming out with something called the Adaptive Fan Pattern on some of their new rackets.
They’ve basically drilled the grommets in such a way that you can choose between two different stringing patterns on a given racket:
- straight up and down, in the traditional manner; or
- fan-shaped
Here’s a diagram that Squash Galaxy put together, which I think shows it pretty well:
According to the blurb on Squash Galaxy:
Head’s Straight String Pattern is designed for players looking for maximum power with optimal touch and feel.
Head’s new Fan Pattern is designed for players looking for a stiffer string bed. This dense fan pattern increases the stiffness of the string bed increasing control while maintaining power with longer main strings.
The new Adaptive Fan stringing pattern will be available on the newest Head traditional-head-shape rackets:
Reviews
Stefen from RacquetGuys wrote in to say:
I was given a SlimBody 120, 135 and a Xenon 135 with the AFP to try out a few months ago from Head. The drilling on the grommets is different but the pattern is the same, this accommodates the AFP option.
I was impressed enough that I’m switching to the new SB 135. The Xenon 135 is the racquet I noticed the most different with AFP. The standard pattern made it feel “hollow” (not a negative just a personal preference) but with the AFP pattern it felt more stable at impact.
Tor says
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Can this pattern be used on the older Head Graphene XT Cyano 135?
Pierre says
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I don’t believe so
Keith D Flanigan says
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Probably. I have the Head Cyano 115. The holes in the grommet strips look to be large enough to take a 2.1mm string for the fan pattern
Sanna says
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https://media.head.com/_11__/documents/DL/242448-ayt0eu6g71kosgws
In head website you can find all stringing patterns and instructions.
JB says
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Still looking for a step by step pattern. Anyone?!!!
Ole says
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Hi JB
I’m eager to hear your experience with the AFP pattern since your first announced message in June. (Strange thing that the produser Head cannot provide an image with instructions.)
I have strung som fan patterns on eye rackets before and when you get started with the middel mains it becomes quite logical/clear how to do it/what to do next. All I could find is this link to a Dynergy rackets fan patten, but Its the same just continue til you got 20 mains on the Head. Hope this can be some help to get you to try! Good luck!
http://www.smashsports.co.uk/media/Information%20Sheets/DYNERGY%20MAX.JPG
Ole
JB says
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Ole Thank you. Head provided the numbers for the stringing and I figured it out this weekend! I tried before and kind of came up with it before played it that way for a few months loved it, go to racquet. A string broke so I figured I would try to do it how Head says. It is logical once you do it once. Quite different then the Eye which I also have a vlite control. I think for me the first time gives me a challenge then you are right it makes sense as you go. Thank you again for the input. Just a note compared to the Eye the state 120 is more balanced and slightly heavier then my Eye vlite control 115. Less power much more control. The grip size is slightly larger and slightly more rectangular. I also have a Tecnifibre 130NG that I fall back to. So which one works the best, the one I am most focused when playing with…but the adaptive strung one seems to be the one I win more games with….it just keeps me in better control…enjoy the game!
Pierre says
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Here’s an AFP stringing template that was put together by RacquetGuys.com for the Slimbody models:
Photo via racquetguys.com →
JB says
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Awesome thank you!
Jon Catuccio says
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I’m picking one of the 120 to try. Anyone playing or have acquaintances that play near Tampa? There is a court at USF apparently, and I’d love to get some court time in this Summer. Please drop me a line if you know anyone!
thanks,
Jon
h/i/f/i/t/u/b/e/s/1/7/@/g/m/a/i/l
JB says
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Anyone have a step by step string guide for the adaptive pattern? I would like to give it a try. Thank you Enjoy the game!