Ashaway Line & Twine Manufacturing Company

Completed quizzes must be submitted by March 31st, 2011. All those receiving a passing grade of over 70 will receive a free set of one of Ashaway's new strings. 100%+ correct will receive a special mention in the April column. (I’ve added in the extra credit question to give you a little boost.) Please try to complete the quiz on your own. Referring to past columns is okay, but please don't discuss with your friends or stringer. Good luck and stay tuned for answers in my next column here on the web site, or in the April issue of Squash Magazine!

Please note: The deadline to submit this quiz has passed.

General String Questions

If you want the ball to explode off your racquet with greater power, you should string your racquet at a higher tension.
True _____ False _____
Many new fibers have been used in racquet strings over the last 10 years. Which of the following fibers has NOT been used in a commercial racquet string?
Aramid _____ Kevlar^® _____ Zyex^® _____ Vectran^® _____ Spectra^® _____
In general, all racquet strings are pre-stretched before stringing.
True_____ False_____
What is the standard diameter range for an 18 gauge string?
1.00-1.05 mm_____ 1.10-1.15 mm_____ 1.20-1.25 mm
Which property is not monitored by Ashaway's Quality Control Lab and does NOT affect string durability?
Tensile strength_____ Knot strength_____ Loop strength_____ Shear strength

Squash String Questions

Doubles squash is growing in popularity every year. Squash stringers normally string doubles racquets with strings that are thicker and more durable.
True _____ False _____
The fastest growing segment of the squash string market is the Zyex-based string segment.
True _____ False _____
Zyex is represented by which of the following chemical acronyms?
UHMWPE _____ PEEK _____ PTFE
Which of the following is NOT home to a squash string manufacturer?
USA _____ China _____ Taiwan _____ France _____ Canada _____
Which statement in this list is NOT relevant to squash string?
Multifilament construction gives better feel _____
Textured surface construction gives better spin _____
Monofilament construction gives better durability _____

Squash Stringing Questions

The trend among tennis professionals (Federer, Nadal, etc.) to string their racquets with solid monofilament strings is the same trend seen in squash among squash professionals (Matthew, Palmer, etc.).
True _____ False _____
Hybrid stringing is not at all popular for stringing squash racquets.
True _____ False _____
The trend in squash stringing is to higher tensions.
True _____ False _____
The most popular tension range for stringing squash racquets in 2011 will be:
20 - 25 lbs. _____ 25 - 30 lbs. _____ 30 - 35 lbs. _____
All squash racquets have the exact same stringing pattern.
True _____ False _____

String Potpourri

A new Zyex-based squash string was introduced last month. It is 1.05 mm in diameter. What gauge is that?
20 gauge _____ 19 gauge _____ 18 gauge _____ 17 gauge _____
The biggest (largest unit volume) string market in the world is associated with which sport?
Squash _____ Racquetball _____ Tennis _____ Badminton _____
The general rule of thumb is that you string your racquet as many times each year as you play squash each week. (Unless your string breaks on a mishit, of course!)
True _____ False _____
A thin gauge and textured surface is desirable in a squash string since it grips the ball better for control and spin.
True _____ False _____
David Palmer has won 4 British Opens and 2 World Championships playing with Ashaway string in his racquet.
True _____ False _____

Extra Credit

Ashaway is the only brand of racquet strings manufactured in the United States.
True _____ False _____

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