removing weight from a PS 85

[ionutzakis]

Here is the story:

I bought a 4 1/2 PS 85, strung with Stamina 16 gauge.

Initial Weight: 355g. Initial Balance point 8.5 head light.

I measured the size of the grip: a true 4 1/2. I didn't knew that Wilsons are larger than Prince so I had problems snapping the wrist on serve. Grip size felt big.

I quickly noticed that I made blisters from the leather. Putting an overgrip was increasing the grip size too much.

Therefore, I replaced the leather grip with an excellent Karakal PU Super Grip, that weights only 10G.

Measured again the grip size, was 4 3/8 and a half, and I felt it even smaller than leather due to compression. Much much better, and the Karakal is so tacky that I will not need an overgrip.

The new weight was 345, balance point 7.5 head light.

My question is:

1) do you thing that the drop in weight and the 1 point change in balance will negatively affect its playing characteristics? I haven't yet played with the new setup.

2) going from the 16 gauge to 17 gauge, what will be the difference in weight, I'm hoping to restore the initial 8.5 balance. I know that some will say to add some lead on the handle but the racquet is too heavy as it is to add lead to it.

And BTW, today I played the first time with PS 85 and I it was so easy to move the other player from side to side I coudn't believed it. All he kept saying was "how can you hit such a heavy ball?"

Much to my surprise, second serves were so easy, very easy to put topspin on them, I made fewer double faults than usual.

 

[ionutzakis]

I also measured the pallets, the size is an exact 4 1/4, just for info.

 

[Dennis Chan]

I don't think the balace change would affect play. But if you really want to take some weight off the head, cut the bumper strip (assume it has one) from 10 to 2 o'clock. I did that to my Chinese model. And also used a synthetic grip to replace the (heavier) leather. Overall weight is 12.3 oz now. Making it very maneuverable yet still solid.

 

[Alafter]

Trust me, your changes wont do a darn thing to your playing. If anything feels different, it's the string.

 

[mctennis]

Take it to a professional master stringer to get his opinion. Once you ruin your racquet you might as well throw it away. To modify is one thing to really change the racquet so only you can play with it is your option.IMHO.

 

[ionutzakis]

let's not get carried away, I only removed the leather and replaced it with some synthetic grip, no big deal.

I'm looking for feedback from those that made the same thing in order to find out if they put counterweights on the handle.

Also looking for feedback from PS 85 users as to what their racquet weights (specify if the weight is with an overgrip on or not) and what is their balance point.

 

[Gaines Hillix]

What Dennis said. You already put on a lighter grip, so the only other thing you can do is remove the outer areas of the bumper guard. You'll need a sharp pair of scissors or a cutter of some kind and a steady hand. I believe you can still purchase these, so you could experiment with a couple until you got the weight/balance you are looking for. You'd have to cut your strings out and restring it, of course.

 

[ionutzakis]

Thanks. On the other hand, how much is the difference in grams going from a 16 to 17 gauge, same string? That would help too.

 

[jck01]

I reduce the weight on my ps original by taking the lead tape off.

 

[travlerajm]

Removing that amount of weight from the handle DOES have an effect. It will give your shots slightly more spin but slightly less power and penetration.

 

[travlerajm]

Going from 16g to 17g will decrease weight by roughly 1.5 grams, and decrease SW by roughly 3 kg-cm^2.