Vibration Dampeners - Do You Like Them?

[JB]

I use a vibration dampener on my racquets. I've heard that most pros don't use them because it takes away "feel" from the racquet.
Personally, I don't like the way my racquet feels when I hit without them.

 

[Kirko]

Yes . I use the grommet H.D. sells ; with it every shot feels solid .

 

[Jerry Seinfeld]

Personally I don't like them at all. I believe it takes the feel away. I like to feel the response of the ball off the strings. Too much dampening takes this sensation away. I also use leather grips to crete more feel/feedback.

 

[Duc Nguyen]

If you guys dont use vibration dampeners, how do u get rid of teh ping sound your racket makes? :?:

 

[@wright]

I HATE using them. I insist that if I have to use a vibe dampener, it's not the right racquet for me! Duc, not all racquets make a ping. I like racquets that thud instead of ping.

 

[Brent Pederson]

Depends on the racket. I used to use the radical os, and needed a dampener to really feel like I was getting a solid shot out of it. Other rackets, like the C10 Volkl, seem to play better without one...

 

[peter]

Personally I don't like them at all. I believe it takes the feel away. I like to feel the response of the ball off the strings. Too much dampening takes this sensation away. I also use leather grips to crete more feel/feedback.

Same here. There will definitely be any dampeners on my rackets.

Since my goal is to play better tennis I want to feel how I hit
the ball. If I mishit - I want to be punished for it.

I think that's the same reason I like playing with the
Wilson PS6.0-85 - a slight mishit and voila - instant
punishment On the other hand - a perfect hit and
you're in heaven...

 

[Jerry Seinfeld]

Personally, I find the ping sound to be soothing and even harmonic. It's not a problem. Getting the feedback is what I crave. Instant gratification.

 

[Koz]

I've always use a dampener, and probably will for years to come. I just like the more plushy feel given by the dampener. I've used them in everything, from Prince Thunder & TT series, Babolats, and Wilsons, to Fischer (Pro 1), and now my Volkls (both C10 and Tour 10). So even with the more solid, flexy sticks, I still like the feel of a vibe dampener.

 

[prince]

i have used the dampener since i started playing (4 years ago)and without it - seem different - even if it is psychological .

 

[Shaolin]

I hate dampeners. Takes away feel.

 

[hangzhou]

I have my own dampener(different than Agassi's): two rubber band tied together and weave across couple of mains. Then tie again on the other end. My friends love my dampeners...

 

[D. Nelson]

....Geez....I'm addicted to them... I always have a 'few' with me...!! I even use multiples for weights...!!!! I DON'T use them with ALL frames though......

 

[polakosaur]

the ping sound annoys the living crap out of me, does the use of dampeners correlate with less tennis elbow, and does no use correlate with tennis elbow

 

[Kirko]

I know one thing since I started using a vib. damp.abt. 1 yr.ago my arm is never tired like it was before.

 

[corncob3466]

i think they rob the feel from the racquet. personally, i use a rubber band, so that some of the vibration is stopped, but you still get plenty of feedback from the racquet

 

[Nosoupforyou]

I've always used one, it just seems weird not to, if i dont use one then it feels like im sacrificing a ton of control

 

[KFwinds]

I have found that I like to use dampeners in racquets that either have a beam width wider than 20mm, or head size larger than 95si, or both (those characteristics usually go together anyway). I do like the feel of a racquet better without the dampener (and the "ping"), but on racquets with wider beams and larger head sizes the sound gets to be a little too distracting.

 

[jayserinos99]

I used to use one, but it got to be too much hassle when it kept flying off so I stopped using it.

 

[Benjamin]

Couldn't play without one. I've tried about every kind and most of them (actually all of them except one) take away too much of the feel. I use a rubber band (ala Agassi except I cut mine on one end so the "vibrations will go out of the string bed" :lol: ). Takes away the "ping" but doesn't remove all of the feel. Greatest thing I've found.

Benjamin

 

[Loud]

Hate the ping. Need the damp.

 

[brijoel]

im a bit of a pursit in terms of feel i guess.......i absolutely cant stand playing with dampeners. most people dont realize the ping sound can be remedied by adjusting string tension or changing the string itself.
besides, i remember seeing a test of several dampeners awhile back vs what a racquet plays like without one, and the difference is basically all in your head essentially, just the sound changes slightly....lol