Not sure if I got the right string?

[-Joseph]

So I just went to the local sport shop to get a new string for my bow.  It says 60" amo and I got a 56" string and maybe it's just me but it seems a bit short.  The length from the string to the center of the shelf is roughly 11.5" which seems long but I am coming from shooting wheelie bows so I don't know for sure.  Also the string really only measures aproximately 51.5" unstrung, does this all sound right?  Thanks.

-Joseph

[Jeff Strubberg]

That is WAY short!  60" AMO means you buy a 60" AMO string, not a 56" string...

[frank bullitt]

Joseph, take it back, something not right! Mis marked, maybe. Take your bow with you, if possible,. The string should measure about 56", out of the package. If it was made to amo specs, it actually should have been 57". But a 56" string should be about right for the Sears Bow.

[-Joseph]

That is the problem.  The shop I went to doesn't do much traditional stuff and was not very helpful.  Should I have bought the string that said 60" on the package then.  I guess going by what I have read the string should physically measure 4" shorter than the AMO. Which would mean I really bought a string for a 56" amo and that is why it is so short.  Thanks guys.  I was hoping that by going to a local place I would have gotten a little more help, maybe I should have just went to 3riversarchy to begin with.

-Joseph

[rastaman]

60 inch amo bow == 60 inch amo string which should be an actual measurement of 57 inches.  If your local shop doesn't do much traditional stuff they can hurt more than help.  Pick the phone up and call one of our sponsors..3 rivers is an excellent choice.  

[Ryan Sanpei]

Is it a recurve or longbow?  Do you know what the brace height is?  

I'm guessing it's a 60" recurve, I've seen strings with and end to end measurement from 56" to 57" on average.

The brace,  the measurement from the deepest part of your grip to the string will ensure that you have the correct length string.

[JimB]

Joseph,it can get confusing because some strings have been sold by AMO length,ie the string package is marked 60",just like the bow and some strings are sold by the actual length of the string which would be app. 56" if your bow is a recurve.

In the future,you could just measure the string at the shop to see if it is the same length as your bow or 3-4" shorter.It is also a good idea to read carefully when ordering strings as the supplier will specify if you should order by actual string length.The ones I buy lately are by actual string length but I have quite a few in the original packages from 15-20 years ago that go by the AMO bow length.

[Jon Shade]

Yea, use one of the sponsors for a new string. I just picked up one from Frank Bullit that I'm very happy with.

[NorthernCaliforniaHunter]

I'll ditto Jon's suggestion. Frank Bullit is tha man!  

[Whip]

Yep, sponsors here are your best bet.  They know what you need and what questions to ask.  Oliverstacy builds some great strings - you can find him in the sponsor classifieds.

Is the bow that you have an older one?  If so, your string should likely be dacron - not a fast flight material like the wheelie shop likely sells.  Use the wrong material and you could do permanent damage.