Head IG Speed 300 Lead and Strings

PigPen · Mar 13, 2012

What were the string and lead weighting combinations that worked well for the IG 300?

I am a 50 year old 4.5 all court player with a one hand backhand and a medium swing speed. I play quite a bit of doubles and enjoy volleying. I'm looking for a 5-8 pt headlight balance, weight well below 12 oz and a swing weight less than 325.

TimothyO · Mar 14, 2012

See my signature. I'm 45 and mostly play singles but my wife makes me play mixed doubles.

I have a few grams at 12 and a very little at 3/9. I also have a couple of grams directly under the grip (under my palm) and my replacement grip is the Wilson Shock Shield which is very heavy.

My specs include overgrip and a rubberband for dampener.

I find this combo gives me a nice balance between head speed, plow, and stability. It also maintains the 300s flexy feel which I enjoy.

My standard cross has been CoFocus 17 but I've experimented with RPM and Focus Hex. RPM crosses provide superior control but died too fast. Focus Hex provides RPM-like control but also dies faster than CoFocus. CoFocus crosses provide more power and spin at the cost of some control. but CoFocus crosses also last forever. Where RPM and Hex crosses become boardy and stiff CoFocus gets soft and springy. So I'm going back to CoFocus after my current Hex crosses die.

For the 1/4" lead tape at 12 instead of spreading it along the hoop I applied it in a double layer.

wao · Mar 14, 2012

PigPen said:
What were the string and lead weighting combinations that worked well for the IG 300?

I am a 50 year old 4.5 all court player with a one hand backhand and a medium swing speed. I play quite a bit of doubles and enjoy volleying. I'm looking for a 5-8 pt headlight balance, weight well below 12 oz and a swing weight less than 325.

I didn't do this to the 300 but the 315. Went leather grip with 4" on the two main bevels and an over grip. I added 4" at 10 and 2 the racquets came in at 12.2 oz and 8 - 9pts head light. The string combo was NRG 16 (M) and RPM in the crosses. Spin was great but the plow through wasn't exactly what I was looking for so I sold them and went with the Prestige Pro.

PigPen · Mar 14, 2012

Timothy,

How much heavier is the shock shield than the standard grip?

PigPen · Mar 14, 2012

Timothy,

Also, exactly how much lead did you put at each location and what were the size of the lead strips?

PigPen · Mar 15, 2012

Anyone else have opinions on this?

TimothyO · Mar 15, 2012

I can only estimate the lead as I did it based on feel. It's about 2.5 grams divided between 3/9 and cut into 1/8" strips placed right next to the grommets.

I placed about 2 or 3 grams at 12. These are 1/8" wide strips applied in a double layer.

Note that I also covered the lead tape in black electrical tape.

The problem with providing specifics is that of the two 300s I purchased one was 3g lighter and a full point+ more HL. Three grams is like 12" of lead tape somewhere on the frame! Applying this mod to my heavier frame would make it feel sluggish compared to this one.

I think a better approach is this: the 300 is a little weak in plow and stability. First add just enough lead at 3/9 until the frame feels stable on off center hits. Then add lead at 12 until you're happy with both serves and groundstrokes. The precise amount will vary based on the specific stock frame and your personal preference.

Re the Shock Shield I wrote down the specs somewhere but IIRC it might have been 22 or 24g...I really need to go an look. OG adds another 3g or so.

PigPen · Mar 15, 2012

Does it make a big difference to use 1/8" lead strips placed close to the grommets? Do you recall how much weight the Shock Shield added over the stock grip?

Thanks in advance

bertrevert · Mar 15, 2012

I thought I posted this anyway

Head Speed @ 46lbs with Signum Pro Poly Plasma (mains) & 50lbs Gosen Sweet (cross)

I tested this last night. Now this is one low-powered frame we already know that.. With this string setup, while indeed the ball was going in, which was nice, there was neither any additional power, nor much high spin. I had to work bloody hard during the hour prac.

Now every now and then flattening out the ball and feeling the poly give its full force and snap back was gorgeous, however the rest of the time this setup lacked feel. The stringer said perhaps teh crosses were too tight?

Anyway I am going to go looser in this frame soon...maybe try some gut mains.

NicoHK · Mar 16, 2012

Almost everything is said in my signature.
To be honest, I have just modified a bit the setting as I am now at 342 gr (I have removed about 4 gr from 3 and 9). I do not know how you measure the HL? I just can say the balance is about 32.5 cm.

I have always loved the Intellitour string (25kg) from Head but I gave a try to NRG2 and ProHurricane at 26kg each. NRG2 is definitely too soft for this frame and PH is, IMO, too stiff or at least, I feel like a miss control for a couple of shot like my slice 1HBH and serve also.

TimothyO · Mar 16, 2012

bertrevert said:
I thought I posted this anyway

Head Speed @ 46lbs with Signum Pro Poly Plasma (mains) & 50lbs Gosen Sweet (cross)

I tested this last night. Now this is one low-powered frame we already know that.. With this string setup, while indeed the ball was going in, which was nice, there was neither any additional power, nor much high spin. I had to work bloody hard during the hour prac.

Now every now and then flattening out the ball and feeling the poly give its full force and snap back was gorgeous, however the rest of the time this setup lacked feel. The stringer said perhaps teh crosses were too tight?

Anyway I am going to go looser in this frame soon...maybe try some gut mains.

Why do you have the crosses so high? It's my understanding that the crosses sort of boost tension anyway by exerting force on the mains. With this setup the crosses are essentially locking the mains in place reducing their ability to slide.

I normally use gut mains and poly crosses with the mains +4 pounds. Yesterday there was a stringer error resulting in CoFocus crosses and Blast mains. Mains were 5 pounds tighter than the crosses (55/50). The mains are able to move freely over the crosses. Spin wasn't as good as gut mains but still good. Kick serves were easy.

With a stiff poly cross 4-5 pounds lower than the gut mains this frame offers excellent pocketing and spin. Control can suffer if the cross is too soft but you can bump tension if that's a problem.

If your arm can take it a full bed of soft co-poly is amazingly precise too.

TimothyO · Mar 16, 2012

PigPen said:
Does it make a big difference to use 1/8" lead strips placed close to the grommets? Do you recall how much weight the Shock Shield added over the stock grip?

Thanks in advance

Don't remember the difference with stock grip since my SOP for any frame is to immediately replace the grip with a Shock Shield. I just love the comfort and prefer a more HL balance anyway. So my baseline before any customization is Shock Shield, overgrip, and rubberband dampener. I also remove that little rubber ring at the throat since they can weigh as much as 2-3g or the same as 8-12" of lead tape.

Another member advocates for getting the lead as close to the grommets as possible. I don't know why but it feels soft to me. He's an MRT and has been banned drom TT.

PigPen · Mar 16, 2012

Just received my 300 today. Will be experimenting with lead. I hit with one several months ago and it was too light and unstable in stock form. I'm looking forward to it as I have grown tired of racket testing. Should be on the racketaholic thread (maybe should label myself a rentaholic).

TimothyO · Mar 16, 2012

Yes, in stock form it is definitely too light. But if you're looking for a 100" head with 16 mains with a very low flex and soild feel it's probably the best option. That's where the low weight becomes a huge asset: plenty of room for customization from the low to high 11 oz.

PigPen · Mar 16, 2012

The racket unfortunately weighed 11.3 strung with Sonic Pro. I wanted to stay around 11.6-11.7, about 6pts head light and 320 swingweight. Will be difficult to customize.

PigPen · Mar 17, 2012

I put a few grams at 12 and a few at 3 & 9. I also added 8g on the handle The frame feels solid, but too heavy at almost 12 oz. Any advice?

NicoHK · Mar 18, 2012

PigPen said:
I put a few grams at 12 and a few at 3 & 9. I also added 8g on the handle The frame feels solid, but too heavy at almost 12 oz. Any advice?

I figure out this is a setting I would love!
Take off the few grams at 12 to make a try, I think this could be ok as the stability will be the same and maybe a bit less of power but a very clean feel.

If this does not bring you what you look for, remove 4grams on the handle and half of what you put at 3and9, this should bring something different, around 11.6 oz. maybe closer to what you are seraching. Please, let us know the results of your tinkerings!

PigPen · Mar 18, 2012

I have 3 grams in the handle and 3 grams total for 2 & 10. With the overgrip, the racket is now 11.7. I will play with it later today and we'll see how it goes. I am disappointed in the Quality Control. 5-6 grams off is quite a bit in my opinion.

NicoHK · Mar 18, 2012

Maybe a bit too light for me but good setting I think.
You are fully right but the Head Quality control has never been, at least to my knowledge, great. One of my friend who is sponsored and under contract with Head can have two sticks with sometime 11 grams difference!

PigPen · Mar 20, 2012

Thanks Nico. I played a match after placing 3" of lead on each side just above 3 and 9. 7g in the handle. 1g at 12. The weight was 11.8 oz.

The weight, balance and plow felt pretty good. I hated the strings though (Sonic Pro). I will now try klip gut in the mains and tour bite in the crosses at 55/51.

I think I need to either buy or make my own balance board.

PigPen · Mar 22, 2012

Just got my racket back tonight strung with Klip gut and tour bite. The frame will be tough to customize being the weight is 11.3 stock and pnly 2 pts head light. I put on a shock shield grip, 3" of lead at 2 and 10, and 2 - 1" strips at 12. With an overgrip, the weight is 11.9 and 3pts head light which is heavier than I wanted.

I may need to take the overgrip off and reduce the amount of led in the head. Any ideas?

What is the rubber ring in the throat?

gino · Mar 29, 2013

Does anyone have an update on how this stick plays with lead in the handle?

I am a one-hander with elbow problems, and I am looking for a stick that I can mod to play with for the long-term.

TheRed · Mar 29, 2013

I've got lead in the handle, silicone in the handle, lead at 3/9 and lead at 11/1. It hits wonderfully. I've got wrist tendonitis but the racquet doesn't bother me. It does feel stiffer than 60 though. A hidden gem. easy power on groundstrokes, good feel on volleys, easy access to spin. Feels a bit like an APD with more feel and flex. I use gut mains and rpm blast crosses.

gino · Mar 30, 2013

TheRed said:
I've got lead in the handle, silicone in the handle, lead at 3/9 and lead at 11/1. It hits wonderfully. I've got wrist tendonitis but the racquet doesn't bother me. It does feel stiffer than 60 though. A hidden gem. easy power on groundstrokes, good feel on volleys, easy access to spin. Feels a bit like an APD with more feel and flex. I use gut mains and rpm blast crosses.

Hey TheRed thanks for your comment. What is your balance? Do you think this racket can hold up against big hitters at the college level?

Thank you

G

TheRed · Mar 30, 2013

gino said:
Hey TheRed thanks for your comment. What is your balance? Do you think this racket can hold up against big hitters at the college level?

Thank you

G

I customize based on feel but I know the specs I generally like are about 5-6 pts headlight, 12 ounces even unstrung. I play around the 5.0-5.5 level so yes, it will hold up fine against a college player.

gino · Mar 30, 2013

TheRed said:
I customize based on feel but I know the specs I generally like are about 5-6 pts headlight, 12 ounces even unstrung. I play around the 5.0-5.5 level so yes, it will hold up fine against a college player.

Just sent you an e-mail through personal messages!

Thanks

G

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