How Bad Do U Get After Racket Modifying?

[lordmanji]

hey all, just wondering how better or worse your game gets when you modify your racket with such things as string, lead tape, and even if you try a whole new racket out.

[RestockingTues]

When you modify your racket you'd usually know what you're doing and what you want from your your racket right? I'd say you'd get better; unless you don't know how to play at all and you're just customizing rackets for the hell of it.

[downdaline]

Hmm... when i first modified my racquet, my game became a little more... ... ... erm... ... highlighted. I added about 8grams of lead to my PS95 at the 3 & 9 position.

My weaker shots were REALLY bad but my good shots were REALLY good. It just took some getting used to, bcos of the timing. Serves too. Had to get used to swinging it with different timing. After an hour or so, i was back in the zone.

With strings, it's easier, just a matter of adjusting my grip a little and how hard i should be swinging. It takes me about 15min to get used to a new string.

New racquet? It took me a few days to get used to my new racquet when i switched from my old LM radical to the PS95.

[PimpMyGame]

The few times I've modded rackets I have done it bit by bit so the difference is not too big after each mod. For the main it has been an improvement each time with mods like adding lead to the hoop and weight to the butt.

Strings are still something that I don't play with too much. I want to, but I'm going to wait until I buy a stringing machine and learn to do it myself. Otherwise I can see that little habit getting quite expensive. I don't break strings very often but would love to learn how to do it, there aren't enough people who string where I live.

With new rackets (after demoing) I always improve. Unfortunately the improvement doesn't always last, as per when I had an nCode 95 and then a Bab APD. I was shocking with each of these rackets after 3 months of using them. My nBlades seem to be working much better for me, so much that I haven't considered modifying yet.

[burosky]

hey all, just wondering how better or worse your game gets when you modify your racket with such things as string, lead tape, and even if you try a whole new racket out.

Unless you don't know what you are doing or make a drastic modification, it shouldn't make your game worse. When done right, it should make your game better.

[drakulie]

When you modify your racket you'd usually know what you're doing and what you want from your your racket right? I'd say you'd get better; unless you don't know how to play at all and you're just customizing rackets for the hell of it.

I agree. I would also add **I** don't get any better but just like the feel or swiingweight of the frame better.

[AlpineCadet]

Experimenting to find the right customizations that suit your game all depend on the adjustment period. If you're willing to take the time to discover what you want out of your main stick, I'd say it's a great investment of your efforts. There's no rush.

[tbini87]

it should help your game. if it doesn't, then don't do it. the few frames i have modified (mostly the nTOur 95 because it was so light and even balanced) did not change my game much at all. i now play with tfight 335s stock (besides the leather handles), and they don't need any lead. the small things like a leather handle or vib damp won't affect your game, but just give the the feel you prefer...

[Tennis_Monk]

I am not so sure on Dampener part. Having a dampener killed my game. I got rid of it and my game is back to normal. It is definitely not psycological because i didnt even remember that i had a dampener on until rcently.

[lordmanji]

I am not so sure on Dampener part. Having a dampener killed my game. I got rid of it and my game is back to normal. It is definitely not psycological because i didnt even remember that i had a dampener on until rcently.

funny you say that. im the opposite. i actually used to play without a shock absorber, changed rackets then also put in a shock absorber cuz i heard it helped tennis elbow. it did, and now when i play without it, my shots tend to have more pop and go long and feels really light so i need my shock absorber. soemtimes itll fly off midmatch and i cant focus cuz i need it in my strings.

[Tennis_Monk]

funny you say that. im the opposite. i actually used to play without a shock absorber, changed rackets then also put in a shock absorber cuz i heard it helped tennis elbow. it did, and now when i play without it, my shots tend to have more pop and go long and feels really light so i need my shock absorber. soemtimes itll fly off midmatch and i cant focus cuz i need it in my strings.

I tried the dampener about 12 weeks ago. I liked it initially and left it. Trouble was my opposition at that time was more or less at my level and my results remained the same. Once i started playing tougher opponents, my game went south and i took it on me that my play level dipped etc etc (i didnt even remember the dampener part).
About a week ago, my frustration hit the top coz i am losing against opponents i used to beat handily (nothing wrong but my opponents havent improved that drastically). After losing first set badly,I started retracing my steps back and eventually landed on dampener.I started the second set and yet to lose a game against that opponent. Its night and day.

I played a few opponents after and i can more or less say that my plays are close to my original level. For my game, Dampeners are NO NO.

[FedererISBetter]

I wonder how bad I will tweek my racquet adding bits of lead on Ncode Tour 6.1 lol.... advice? I'm not sure where to increase it besides near the neck because head heavy Ncode 6.1 would be insane. But I'm not sure and havent tried it lol. 13 to 14 would be awesome : / big change eh

[veryfatchocobo]

Using Poly on the mains and NXT on the crosses (I know most ppl prefer the opposite, but I like this better) increased topspin for me tenfold.

[LuckyR]

Most folks report that their game improves immediately after making such a change as the OP mentions. However, the real story is will the improvement stay or quickly fade? That is when you know if the "improvement" really was an improvement.