Just picked up this vintage Howatt Diablo and need to get the proper string length. ID states 58" AMO but heard that older Howatts have special requirements for replacement strings. What would the proper actual length be?

some say 4" others 3". Give a reputable string maker a call he will help you.

If you are putting dacron on it, I would go with a 54" actual length and twist to proper brace after the string is stretched in. Now, the string maker should do the length under at least 100# of tension. That helps.

Thanks for the info. Am I correct with the date of manufacture on this bow as a '63? This has the "knife edge" sight window.

That's a beauty! Great find.

Thanks it sure is, great figure in the old rosewood, here's the other side.

It is a 1961 model. The bow is marked 58" but since it is pre-1968 when the AMO standards were adopted you would be wise to measure it. Many Howatt's from that era are shorter than marked.

Use a flexible tape and measure from one string notch to the other string notch, following the curve of the limbs along the belly and going straight across the riser. You will probably find its length is close to 56" nock to nock. In that case you'll need a 52" actual length string.

That's a very nice Diablo...

Very nice.

Man oh man that one looks like it was just built meaning very very clean. Looks just like one I was gifted and if the finish is original someone took good care for it. I have three 58" Howatts and need to check my strings I made for them and thinking they were 54" or 54 1/2" due to how I twist and as mentioned by Larry I put mine in my stretching jig as well. Again very nice Diablo.

My experience with older Howatts is that a Dacron string may need to be 5" shorter than AMO length listed. Not sure if that was the strings I bought or?

(I don't like excessively twisted strings. Putting 50 twists in a 50" string seemed too much to me, ymmv.)

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