Do you use head guard protection tape? - Page 2

Richie Rich · 01-22-2008, 08:29 AM

why use headtape? bumpers are easily replaced

JavierLW · 01-22-2008, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richie Rich

why use headtape? bumpers are easily replaced

Bumpers dont always cover the whole frame, and you are more likely to scrape the sides of the frame then the tip of it.

I use it because Im paranoid about getting sweat on the strings where they are weaved thru the grommets (natural gut strings). Probally silly, but oh well....

PBODY99 · 01-22-2008, 12:28 PM

Yes I use it on the sides of the frame from 2 to 4 & 8 to 10 o'clock. This cuts down on the cosmetic nicks when the old knees don't quite allow me to get into position.
When a customer's frame needs a new bumper, I wile carefully use tape to "tide them over" until the next stringing,if they leave a deposit for the new head guard.

lawrence · 01-22-2008, 04:43 PM

im currently using some grap tape thing. a huge roll of it is probably only $5 and it works great
its lined with string or thread or something, dunno what its meant to be used for but i stole it from the garage and put it on my racket head haha

Vermillion · 01-22-2008, 04:45 PM

no, I break my strings too fast.

Also, they cost too much.

Vermillion · 01-22-2008, 04:46 PM

no, I break my strings too fast.

Also, they cost too much.

Maestro Nalbandian · 01-26-2008, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maestro Nalbandian

The Babolat black headguard tape weighs 4 grams on my scale. I used this http://www.usrsa.com/store/learningc...nedswtbal.html customizer to calculate it's effect on swingweight. In short, it increases stock SW from 322 to 335! Racquet used- RDS001MP strung weight 330g.

Does that sound right or am I missing something? That's a big change in SW.

Any thoughts on this?

Bud · 01-26-2008, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maestro Nalbandian

The Babolat black headguard tape weighs 4 grams on my scale. I used this http://www.usrsa.com/store/learningc...nedswtbal.html customizer to calculate it's effect on swingweight. In short, it increases stock SW from 322 to 335! Racquet used- RDS001MP strung weight 330g.

Does that sound right or am I missing something? That's a big change in SW.

I also use the Babolat. I put on 2 layers and overlap them by 2/3rds. That way it covers the entire beam and adds a bit or extra protection to the top of the head. Two layers is about 4-5 grams. This will definitely increase swingweight since it's basically being added at 12 o'clock (continuously from 10-2 o'clock)

Bud · 01-26-2008, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richie Rich

why use headtape? bumpers are easily replaced

The bumpers are meant to protect the strings. It's usually the racquet (side of the beam) that ends up with scrapes on it.

TennezSport · 01-26-2008, 03:09 PM

We use Head Protection Tape(HPT) here and we try to get our customers to do the same, as it really protects the racquets bumperguard. Babolats Super tape is the thinnest and lightest, but it also wears the quickest. Gamma Guard is a cloth based tape so it's a little heavier and more durable. The tape adds approx 2-4g for a 12" length, so you can use the link to calc SW. I use 2 layers of tape as opposed to adding weight to the 10 and 2 positions on my racquet; 2 birds one(2)tape.

Our reasoning for suggesting the tape is that it's a lot cheaper to replace the tape than it is to replace the bumper and grommets. Even it you string a lot it's still cheaper with HPT. We have a customer here that uses a Wilson KFactor 90 and rips through his bumper in a matter of weeks. He was going through a grommet set a month. We got him to use a little HPT from Gamma and now he is saving a lot of money as he goes through 2 to 3 sets of grommets a year. Hope this helps.

TennezSport

Gmedlo · 01-26-2008, 03:31 PM

If you're wearing out regular bumper guards, you're doing something wrong. I've never had to replace a bumper guard in my life, aside from the one on my racquet that I had when I was 9 (which I treated like trash.)

The bumper argument aside, all the tape really does is prevent scratching, which I believe is actually a bad thing. Scratching shoes signs of damage in a racquet, and when you sell a racquet in "like new" condition to someone that ends up cracking, I can't help but think that person was scammed.

The tape won't prevent damage to the racquet itself, only the paint.

peli_kan · 10-15-2009, 11:39 PM

I disagree. Head tape is enough to reduce the shock significantly, considering the normally high impulse of a racquet to court collision.

Sorry to necro, but this is a great thread. I have a question of my own: how does Unique's ad Wilson's head tape stack up against Gamma's? If I remember right, Unique's was rather thin but clothlike, while Wilson's was thicker but gooey and lasted longer.

eagle · 10-16-2009, 04:48 AM

Come on now... a few inches of thin tape won't add enough weight to the racquet for you to even notice it and impact your game.

I use it only to protect the grommets. Replacing them is not fun.

r,
eagle

peli_kan · 10-16-2009, 05:02 AM

They're placed at the end of the frame. Say that a long strip weighs 4g; that's a 10% increase in swingweight.

eagle · 10-16-2009, 05:05 AM

^^ We're nowhere near the level of the pros to even notice that. Adding a significant amount of lead however is different.

If you were to pick up two identical models, one with tape and one without, and without looking at the head you'd never know there is tape on one of them.

It's knowing it is there that plays on people's minds.

What if I did this? Or that? or add this? or remove that? or ......

r,
eagle

tennytive · 10-16-2009, 06:16 AM

I use Gamma Guard, which is virtually the same as gaffer's tape. I place it from 8 to 4 o'clock mostly to protect the grommets and guard for my POGOS which have or have not, depending on what I read, been discontinued.

Before I press the tape in place, I cut slits every few inches to try and avoid crimping around the curved edges. My rackets were both bought used with several nicks and scratches, so the tape tells me how many I put on myself. So far, only one.

Weight is negligible… I don't notice at all.

MayDay · 10-16-2009, 08:43 AM

Used tape when I got my first racket - it was kind of like a "new car" thing... ...but after a while, I just got tired of it and never re-taped after a couple string jobs.

During the time I used tape, it did make slight swing weight difference which just need a little adjustment on timing.

Maybe it's just me, but why hide the paintjob? It's a race car, use it!

The_Question · 10-16-2009, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tennytive

Weight is negligible… I don't notice at all.

If you use 2 sometimes 3 layers like I do, you'll notice the difference.

I've used Prince, Gamma, Babolat, now it's HEAD. I like HEAD so far, cost and protects better than other brands...

ClubHoUno · 10-16-2009, 01:41 PM

I use the black Babolat Super Head Tape with white letters.

It protecxts the frame from getting scracted, while not as protective as the Gamma Cloth Tape, it still adds some protection.

I normally use two pieces on each frame, and have my 2 X 1.5 gram Babolat Lead Tape added at 10 and 2 under the Head protection tape, so you can't see nor touch the lead tape.

I reuse the lead tape twice, when I change the strings in my racquets.

I would never play without the protection tape, the grommets only protects the strings, not the sides of the frame.

fattsoo · 10-18-2009, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChuDat

i used to use head guard protection tape but i stopped, mainly because I don't have time to go to the store and buy any

Yeah and it's too much work ripping off the tape everytime I restringing my racquet

01-22-2008, 04:43 PM	#24
lawrence Hall Of Fame Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 1,871	im currently using some grap tape thing. a huge roll of it is probably only $5 and it works great its lined with string or thread or something, dunno what its meant to be used for but i stole it from the garage and put it on my racket head haha __________________ "I currently rank Federer as the 8th greatest male player of all time." -grafselesfan

01-26-2008, 03:09 PM	#30
TennezSport Hall Of Fame Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Northern NJ, USA Posts: 1,867	Pro tape.......... We use Head Protection Tape(HPT) here and we try to get our customers to do the same, as it really protects the racquets bumperguard. Babolats Super tape is the thinnest and lightest, but it also wears the quickest. Gamma Guard is a cloth based tape so it's a little heavier and more durable. The tape adds approx 2-4g for a 12" length, so you can use the link to calc SW. I use 2 layers of tape as opposed to adding weight to the 10 and 2 positions on my racquet; 2 birds one(2)tape. Our reasoning for suggesting the tape is that it's a lot cheaper to replace the tape than it is to replace the bumper and grommets. Even it you string a lot it's still cheaper with HPT. We have a customer here that uses a Wilson KFactor 90 and rips through his bumper in a matter of weeks. He was going through a grommet set a month. We got him to use a little HPT from Gamma and now he is saving a lot of money as he goes through 2 to 3 sets of grommets a year. Hope this helps. TennezSport __________________ Yonex VCore98D;Tecnifibre Duramix @ 50/46lbs USTA,USPTA,USRSAMRT,IART,TIA :Tennis begins with Love Last edited by TennezSport : 01-26-2008 at 03:18 PM.*

01-26-2008, 03:31 PM	#31
Gmedlo Professional Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: P-Town, WA Posts: 1,185	If you're wearing out regular bumper guards, you're doing something wrong. I've never had to replace a bumper guard in my life, aside from the one on my racquet that I had when I was 9 (which I treated like trash.) The bumper argument aside, all the tape really does is prevent scratching, which I believe is actually a bad thing. Scratching shoes signs of damage in a racquet, and when you sell a racquet in "like new" condition to someone that ends up cracking, I can't help but think that person was scammed. The tape won't prevent damage to the racquet itself, only the paint. __________________ Ignore List: Japanese Maple, bet

10-16-2009, 04:48 AM	#33
eagle Hall Of Fame Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Kona, Hawaii Posts: 1,560	Come on now... a few inches of thin tape won't add enough weight to the racquet for you to even notice it and impact your game. I use it only to protect the grommets. Replacing them is not fun. r, eagle __________________ Alternatives to COME ON: Don't TAZE me Bro! ... DYNOMITE! ... I'm gonna shove this ball down your throat!

10-16-2009, 05:05 AM	#35
eagle Hall Of Fame Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Kona, Hawaii Posts: 1,560	^^ We're nowhere near the level of the pros to even notice that. Adding a significant amount of lead however is different. If you were to pick up two identical models, one with tape and one without, and without looking at the head you'd never know there is tape on one of them. It's knowing it is there that plays on people's minds. What if I did this? Or that? or add this? or remove that? or ...... r, eagle __________________ Alternatives to COME ON: Don't TAZE me Bro! ... DYNOMITE! ... I'm gonna shove this ball down your throat! Last edited by eagle : 10-16-2009 at 05:09 AM.