When to restring
Strings age even when they don’t break: tension drops after stringing, and the bed loses its liveliness and control.
Tension drops over time
Strings lose the most tension in the first day or two, then keep slowly losing it. After a few months the bed can be much looser than when it was strung, so “it hasn’t broken” isn’t a reason to keep it.
Signs it’s time
- The sound is dull instead of crisp.
- Shots float and are harder to control.
- Strings are frayed, fuzzy or notched.
- Strings keep shifting and need pushing back.
- The bed feels clearly softer than it used to.
How often
- Badminton: playing 2–3 times a week, roughly every 1–2 months.
- Tennis: restring about as many times a year as you play per week (3 times a week → about 3 times a year); polyester loses tension fast, so more often.
- Before a tournament, restring a few days ahead so you have time to get used to it.