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Andrew Ratzke Allstar top string tutorial
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Top String Tuesday: LaxAllStars Top String

This week I wanted to bring you something special in honor of Veteran’s Day and the good ol’ US of A. Now, I can’t take credit for the creation of this top string.  Our very own Michael Allen sent me a photo and suggested it may make a great TST… He was right, obviously, so I wanted to break it down through an easy to follow photo tutorial.

I am a visual learner and felt that with the ins and outs of this top string it would be best to stay away from the video this week and just take you through step by step so that you can follow along at your own pace.

The LaxAllStars Top String is a spin off of the Chenango Top String I strung up in the first week of TST. The difference between the two is the LaxAllStars top features a little flair through the stringing of the second piece of top string. I’m not going to lie to you and say I didn’t do this just for looks, but I will say that I have found that the LaxAllStars top string rounds out the top of the pocket a bit more than the Chenango Top String through the tension that the bottom corner of the star adds to the mesh. I actually like the shape of this pocket a bit more as it eliminates the potential for a slower release that a Chenango runs the risk of creating if you string your channel too tight.

My suggestion: give them both a try and see which one you like best. Follow along with the steps below to string your own.

Step 1: Start by stringing up the first top string just like you would when stringing a Chenango. Don’t know how? Check out my tutorial.

star3
String 1 is just like a Chenango.

I like to start my Chenango Top String in the third sidewall hole from the top.  The lower you go, the tighter the channel will be and you will start running into release issues.

star2
3 from the top.  

Step 2: Add your second top string.

Second top string in the second top string hole.
Second top string in the second top string hole.

Step 3: The second top string goes through the first top string hole.  Make sure you string from the front of the head to the back.

String 2 through the front of the head.
String 2 through the front of the head.

Step 4: String the second top string through the back of the second diamond on your 9 diamond row of mesh.

Through the back of the second diamond.
Through the back of the second diamond.

Step 5: This is where the star takes shape.  Wrap the top string around the back of the sidewall, placing it through the outside of the second sidewall hole.  The string will continue up to the second top string hole where the first Chenango top string has secured the mesh to the head.

Around the back of the sidewall and up to the second top string hole.
Around the back of the sidewall and up to the second top string hole.

Step 6: String the top string through the back of the second top string hole and out the front.

String the top string through the front and out the back.
Up to the second top string hole.
Through the back and out the front.
Through the back and out the front.

Step 7:  String the top string underneath the fold of the middle diamond (the 5th diamond on the 9 diamond row) and then back through the front of the third top string hole.  This step is the same when stringing the middle two top string holes in a Chenango pocket.

Under the 5th diamond and back through the front of the head.
Under the 5th diamond and back through the front of the head.

Step 8:  Run the top string out through the inside of the first sidewall hole.

Through the inside to the outside of the head.
Through the inside to the outside of the head.

Step 9: String the top string through the front of the second diamond from the right side of the head (8th from where you started stringing).  The string will be brought from the front of the diamond to the back of the mesh and up to the remaining top string hole.

Through the front and out the back.
Through the front and out the back.

Step 10: String the top string through the back of the remaining top string hole and then down to the second sidewall hole – stringing through the inside of the sidewall hole to the outside of the head.

Around the back of the top string hole and down to the second sidewall hole.
Around the back of the top string hole and down to the second sidewall hole.

Step 11: String the top string around the outside of the head and up to the back of the second top string hole.  Pull the string through the back of the second top string hole and out the front.

From the outside of the head to the back of the second top string hole.
From the outside of the head to the back of the second top string hole.

Step 12: String the top string back through the front of the next top string hole and out to the back of the head.

String the top string back through the next top string hole.
String the top string back through the next top string hole.

Step 13:  String the sidewall out through the second sidewall and tie it off.

Run the top string through the second sidewall hole and tie it off.
Run the top string through the second sidewall hole and tie it off.

Step 14: Go out and show off your LaxAllStars Top String.

There you have it.
There you have it.

Be sure to check back next week for another edition of Top String Tuesday and, as always, stay laxy my friends.