My Head YTPMP TK82 to TK82S Pallet Swap

Red Baron · 09-05-2010, 05:50 PM

I'm in the process of swapping grip pallets on my Head Youtek Prestige MP racquets. Since I have not seen anyone post pictures of the differences between the pallets, I decided to share with everyone. Hopefully this will help clarify the differences. I'm waiting for leather grips and 1/2 butt caps to arrive before I finish the change. The TK82S pallets feel noticeably rounder (less rectangular) to me. Since I learned to play with Price racquets, which are even more square than the TK82S pallets, this will be far more comfortable for me.

Note that I'm also increasing the grip size from 3/8 to 1/2.

The album (with higher resolution pictures) is available here.

New TK82S 1/2 left, original TK82 3/8 right

new TK82S 1/2 left, original TK82 3/8 right

Red Baron · 09-05-2010, 05:51 PM

TK82S 1/2 left, TK82S 3/8 pallet center, TK82 3/8 right

Top View

Red Baron · 09-10-2010, 04:29 PM

My order consisting of leather grips and 4 1/2 butt caps arrived today, enabling me to finish my pallet swap conversion.

I'm very happy with the results, but wish that the Prestige handle allowed the pallets to extend farther up. Because it doesn't allow the new pallets to be placed slightly higher up the handle for better feel on two-handed backhands, I had to settle for simply wrapping the leather grips higher up. This can be seen in the pictures below.

Since I never compared the TK82 versus TK82S pallets in person, I was afraid that the difference would not be worth the expense or effort. After holding the finished product now, I am very satisfied with the change. It really does feel much more square, as opposed to the stock Prestige TK82 rectangular profile. For me, the slight bump up in size to 1/2 from 3/8 feels more comfortable as well. I can't wait to hit some (SW) forehand now that the grip feels more natural for it.

For those people who like Head racquets, but prefer a more Wilson like grip shape, I highly recommended this modification.

The leather grips look much nicer than the stock white synthetic grips.

View from the bottom.

Carl Roude · 09-10-2010, 10:35 PM

Are the squarer pallets (TK82S) the YouTek Speed pallets? Did you get them from TW Europe? Thanks

dr325i · 09-10-2010, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carl Roude

Are the squarer pallets (TK82S) the YouTek Speed pallets? Did you get them from TW Europe? Thanks

Correct....

Red Baron · 09-11-2010, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carl Roude

Are the squarer pallets (TK82S) the YouTek Speed pallets? Did you get them from TW Europe? Thanks

Yes. Just like dr325i said. You can get the TK82S pallets from TW Europe for 8.40 E each plus 17 E total for shipping. TW Europe also has the traditional (more rectangular) TK82 Head pallets, but their current stock of these seems to be running low. Volkl replacement pallets are available at TW Europe too. IMO, it's stupid that these items are so hard to come by in the US, especially considering that the actual work in making the pallet swap is quite simple.

If anyone is going to order from TW Europe, some of the European string brands are available at a lower price than in the USA. MSV, Weiscannon and Volkl are three examples. Saving money on strings helps to offset the higher shipping cost.

dadozen · 09-11-2010, 02:10 PM

Nice work! Did you have to change buttcaps or you used the same?

Red Baron · 09-11-2010, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dadozen

Nice work! Did you have to change buttcaps or you used the same?

Thanks. I did change the butt caps. However, this was not absolutely necessary. The 4 3/8 butt caps fit snugly on the 4 1/2 pallets. However, I did not find this out until after the order for the new butt caps was placed. The more squarish shape of the TK82S pallet does not make a difference to the butt cap since the relatively soft plastic bends slightly to accommodate the pallet. For a swap with the same size pallets (e.g. 3/8 TK82 to 3/8 TK82S), there is no reason to order new butt caps.

snoflewis · 09-11-2010, 03:47 PM

OP, is there a particular reason why you decided to go a size up on the more square pallets? because from personal experience, the rectangular ones feel smaller.

Red Baron · 09-11-2010, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snoflewis

OP, is there a particular reason why you decided to go a size up on the more square pallets? because from personal experience, the rectangular ones feel smaller.

The short answer is that the larger grip size brings me back to my comfort level. The complete answer requires some background and explanation.

Growing up, I played Prince racquets with large (4 1/2 & 4 5/8 ) grip sizes. I found tennis again about a year and a half ago after a few years off. Naturally, I decided that I needed some new racquets (toys) and decided to follow the trend (fad?) of smaller grip sizes. After all, if it works for both Federer and Nadal, why not me as well? I gave this a try with 4 3/8 Head Prestige racquets: first MGPP, then YTPMP. The smaller grip size was OK. But, after picking up one of my old Prince TT Warriors with the larger grip size (4 5/8 ), it clicked to me that it was a mistake to follow the smaller grip size trend. The larger grip size allows me to more naturally hold the racquet with a loose grip and not muscle my strokes. This is more so on SW forhands and serves, whereas two handed backhands are not affected. With the larger grip size it is more comfortable/natural for me to take a bigger swing.

The second issue was the grip shape. With the rectangular Head pallet shape, my SW forehand would be erratic on occasion. At times, my grip would drift toward full western while, at other times, eastern. Even when I had the desired SW grip, the angle was not the same as in days gone bye, resulting in a racquet angle that diverged from preference. The end result was a lower racquet angle and thus less spin/margin. On serves, I also observed slightly less spin.

The notion that the rectangular shape makes the grip feel smaller never occurred to me. I have not compared different grip sizes with the rectangular Head pallets. While I could have put heat shrink sleeves on instead of swapping pallets to achieve a larger grip size, this would have increased the weight to a point that I'm not quite good enough to consistently prepare on time with.

I wonder how many others have jumped on the smaller grip size bandwagon, only to realize that it's not for them and return to the familiar and buck the trend also?

pyrokid · 09-11-2010, 05:47 PM

Wow, not as much difference as I expected at all.

snoflewis · 09-11-2010, 05:47 PM

haha. that's fair enough. how are the tk82s pallets compared to the prince frames? are the tk82s slightly more rectangular compared to prince gripshapes?

i've tried hitting with smaller grip size rackets, but found them to be strangely less stable, although they were more maneuverable.

Red Baron · 09-12-2010, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pyrokid

Wow, not as much difference as I expected at all.

Funny. That was my initial reaction after just looking at them side by side. After holding them though, the difference was as clear as night and day. In other words, significant and immediately obvious.

Red Baron · 09-12-2010, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snoflewis

haha. that's fair enough. how are the tk82s pallets compared to the prince frames? are the tk82s slightly more rectangular compared to prince gripshapes?

i've tried hitting with smaller grip size rackets, but found them to be strangely less stable, although they were more maneuverable.

The Prince pallets are more square than the TK82S Head pallets. The major distinction is on the diagonal (45 degree) edges. With the Prince pallets, the length of these diagonal sides is considerably shorter. However, the difference feels smaller than that between the Head TK82 and TK82S.

Some pictures for clarity:

From left to right: Prince L5, Head TK82S L4, Prince L4

Head TK82S L4 & Prince L4

Prince L5 & Head TK82S L4

t3Nn1sn0ob · 09-14-2010, 07:36 AM

Do you tend to do anything with the pallets that were taken off of the YTPMP? if not let me know I would like to pick one up if they're still usuable.

Let me know contact me at jchung105@gmail.com

Thanks

Torres · 03-23-2012, 07:54 AM

The TK82S pallets seem be longer - is that correct? Do they still fit?

Fredrik · 03-23-2012, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Torres

The TK82S pallets seem be longer - is that correct? Do they still fit?

They are considerably longer. But so are any head pallets bought loose. They need to be cut to length when fitting. The foam is light and cuts easily.

I just fitted TK82S pallets on a IG Prestige Pro yesterday. I had a Head 4 1/2 butt cap and a Wilson 4 1/2 butt cap and played around with both. Ended up going for the Wilson butt cap, it is a slightly steeper slope and a little larger at the big end. Makes my service grip feel more natural.

I´ve always liked Head rackets but have always served better with Wilsons. I suspect that it´s the grip shape that has made the difference.

On a related note; I went down in grip size (to an L3) a couple of years ago when I started playing the Babolat Aeropro Drive. I had a bout with the Donnay XP Dual Tour last fall, loved the frame but it ended up killing my forearm. The L3 Donnay felt smaller than the Babolat. I suspect that the small grip is partly to blame for my arm problems.

As a result, I have opted for an L4 TK82S.

I have yet to play with the IG PP with the TK82S, but I am eager to see how it goes.

Torres · 03-24-2012, 12:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fredrik

They are considerably longer. But so are any head pallets bought loose. They need to be cut to length when fitting. The foam is light and cuts easily.

Presumably you're cutting the big end rather than the slopey end of the pallet?

Is it not possible to use the full length of the pallet or is it the case that the slight 'ridge' (where the painted part of the handle meets the unpainted handle) prevent that?

Fredrik · 03-24-2012, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Torres

Presumably you're cutting the big end rather than the slopey end of the pallet?

Is it not possible to use the full length of the pallet or is it the case that the slight 'ridge' (where the painted part of the handle meets the unpainted handle) prevent that?

Yes, I cut the big end.

The ridge will prevent using the full length (or close to full) since the pallet is very thin up top. Thus, cutting out material is difficult since there is little thickness to begin with. It might be possible to cut the inside of the pallet with an x-acto knife to accommodate the ridge, but I think that buying a new grip and wrapping that further up would do pretty much the same.

Torres · 03-24-2012, 08:42 AM

Ok, thanks Fredrick

09-05-2010, 05:50 PM	#1
Red Baron New User Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 53	My Head YTPMP TK82 to TK82S Pallet Swap I'm in the process of swapping grip pallets on my Head Youtek Prestige MP racquets. Since I have not seen anyone post pictures of the differences between the pallets, I decided to share with everyone. Hopefully this will help clarify the differences. I'm waiting for leather grips and 1/2 butt caps to arrive before I finish the change. The TK82S pallets feel noticeably rounder (less rectangular) to me. Since I learned to play with Price racquets, which are even more square than the TK82S pallets, this will be far more comfortable for me. Note that I'm also increasing the grip size from 3/8 to 1/2. The album (with higher resolution pictures) is available here. New TK82S 1/2 left, original TK82 3/8 right new TK82S 1/2 left, original TK82 3/8 right

09-05-2010, 05:51 PM	#2
Red Baron New User Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 53	More Pictures TK82S 1/2 left, TK82S 3/8 pallet center, TK82 3/8 right Top View

09-10-2010, 04:29 PM	#3
Red Baron New User Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 53	Finished! My order consisting of leather grips and 4 1/2 butt caps arrived today, enabling me to finish my pallet swap conversion. I'm very happy with the results, but wish that the Prestige handle allowed the pallets to extend farther up. Because it doesn't allow the new pallets to be placed slightly higher up the handle for better feel on two-handed backhands, I had to settle for simply wrapping the leather grips higher up. This can be seen in the pictures below. Since I never compared the TK82 versus TK82S pallets in person, I was afraid that the difference would not be worth the expense or effort. After holding the finished product now, I am very satisfied with the change. It really does feel much more square, as opposed to the stock Prestige TK82 rectangular profile. For me, the slight bump up in size to 1/2 from 3/8 feels more comfortable as well. I can't wait to hit some (SW) forehand now that the grip feels more natural for it. For those people who like Head racquets, but prefer a more Wilson like grip shape, I highly recommended this modification. The leather grips look much nicer than the stock white synthetic grips. View from the bottom.

09-11-2010, 02:10 PM	#7
dadozen Hall Of Fame Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 2,623	Nice work! Did you have to change buttcaps or you used the same? __________________ 3 Yonex VCore 89 Tour -MSV Focus Hex 1.10 @ 43 Gamma X6-FC

09-11-2010, 05:47 PM	#11
pyrokid Hall Of Fame Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 1,768	Wow, not as much difference as I expected at all. __________________ Stereotypical Teen Player Babolat APDGT, Vamos Rafa, all that jazz.