Customizing the Prestige Pro closer to a K 6.1

[chiruanna]

Hi,

I like the Prestige pro very much but I've always felt it lacked the power I needed.

I've recently demoed a K Factor 6.1 Tour 90 - the federer recquet and like the added swing weight a lot. I thought it gave me the same kind of control and maneuverability with a bit more power.

So, instead of buying a couple of new ones, I thought if I could customize my Prestige to play more like the Tour 90.

I'm wondering if I could add some lead tape and increase the swing weight but I dont know if its the right thing to do or where to add the weight to get the same effect.

Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. I don't want to fork money to buy new Tour 90s.

Thanks.

[Red Baron]

Hmm. When I tried a friend's k6.1 90, I felt that it had less power than my Prestige Pros. Then again, I never did feel like I really hit the sweet spot on the k90. Nice racquet though, just too demanding for my skill level.

I do agree that the Prestige Pro swings too light. Consequently, I've added lead to mine, counterbalanced by a leather grip and overgrip. 1/4 inch wide strips are easiest to work with. Afterwards, it felt much better with the added SW.

Some links to help you understand how and where to add weight and to what effect:
http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/LC/Customizing/customize.html
http://www.sandiars.com/reference/racquet-customization.htm

To increaes the swingweight of a Prestige Pro to that of a k6.1 90, an increase from 316 to 336 (TW #s) is necessary. The USRSA online SW calculator in the link below will give us a rough idea of how much to add and where:
L=68.6 cm, BP=32.07 cm, M=343 gm, SW=316 kg*cm^2

Adding 6 gm at 68 cm (i.e. at the head) increases the SW to 336.18 kg*cm^2 with a BP of 32.6 cm (about 5 1/4 pt HL).

http://www.usrsa.com/store/learningcenter/lc_combinedswtbal.html

Finally, you can add more lead to the butt cap to get the same balance point if desired. To make the modified Prestige Pro about 9 pt HL like the k90 try about 17 gm.

I suggest you double check my numbers (it's really late here now) and try to understand why they were chosen.

Presumably you've already considered changing strings and/or tension to get more perceived power?

Good luck. :-)

[chiruanna]

Thanks Red Baron. I didn't there was a formula for this.

I was thinking of adding the tape at 3 O'clock and 9 as I noticed the added weight/bump at that place on the K 90. I thought it provided some twisting stability. Also, I thought adding it at 12 O'clock would mess up the balance.

The Prestige originally is 7 pts HL. I'll be fine with it.