Increasing weight on GT Speed S so it will be more like GXT Prestige MP

[armandogomes]

Hello all,

So, pretty much what's on the title. I have two "very different" rackets (Graphene XT Prestige MP and Graphene Touch Speed S) and I would like to make the Speed S a little bit heavier. A little background...

I tried a demo of the GXT Prestige S and I quite enjoyed it - despite not really knowing what I should be experiencing. It was my first "real" racket so it felt good. Anyway, when I had the money - or took the call to buy it -, there were no more available. I tried to buy the Pro version without success so I ended up taking the MP instead. Read the reviews, being low powered seemed a good choice since I used to hit the balls just too deep. I quite like it - but it's somewhat heavy. So I decided to give it a go at a GT Speed S since: it is lighter, it's a different string pattern and well, it's a different racket.

A proper question right now could be: "Why did you bought those without trying them first?". Proper answer: because they were on sale and I can't really find demo rackets for my grip size (I'm trying the Speed S with Grip 4 but the prestige has Grip 5 and very, very soon the Speed will have it as well; also, after playing a few months with the Prestige, I tried "just for fun" to play again with a Grip 3 - no can do, baby doll).

I kind of like having different rackets because they give me different solutions: yesterday I was playing with the Prestige and "brand new" Alu Power strings but I was struggling. Arm was slow, everything was slow and the racket felt like it would weigh 10Kg. First set, 0-6, change racket. Second set, things started to get better but it was one of "those days". Anyway, fast forward an hour or so and I go to the class (I've started playing tennis in March, so 8 months) and I felt that I should give a go at the Prestige - again.

Suddenly, everything felt smooth. The "added weight" of the racket made the movements feel fluid, it felt like whatever I tried (without exaggeration, of course), it would always be in. I was in love again.

Now that I've shared my "love-hate" relationship, I'm asking for those who understand "about the business": how should I increase the weight of the GT Speed S so it will be more like Prestige - but without being so heavy? Added weight on the handle and lead tape on 10/2? Just as 12? 9/3? Welp!!!

Cheers all!

EDIT: the reason why I only have Head rackets it because of the pallet swap. I can't seem to find Wilson's with Grip 5 and so on.

 

[styksnstryngs]

The speed s is a lot more powerful and open, so I don't think you'll like it as much.

 

[Big Bagel]

Tennis Warehouse University has the perfect tool for this. Enter the current racquet specs and the desired specs, and it will tell you exactly where to put how much lead tape.

http://twu.tennis-warehouse.com/learning_center/customization.php

 

[armandogomes]

I appreciate both of the answers!

The speed s is a lot more powerful and open, so I don't think you'll like it as much.

As I said before, I *think* I like it because it gives me different weapons for the game. But, possible, I don't even know what I like, so... ahah

Tennis Warehouse University has the perfect tool for this. Enter the current racquet specs and the desired specs, and it will tell you exactly where to put how much lead tape.

http://twu.tennis-warehouse.com/learning_center/customization.php

I tried to use this but it doesn't seem to achieve a good result (?). In the result that I got, it pointed to increase the weight at the top of the handle. The only way to do it is with tape, right?

Cheers!

 

[Big Bagel]

I tried to use this but it doesn't seem to achieve a good result (?). In the result that I got, it pointed to increase the weight at the top of the handle. The only way to do it is with tape, right?

Is that a problem? Lead tape is very easy to use and quick to put on. You could figure out another way if you wanted to, but I don't see the issue in using lead tape.

 

[armandogomes]

Sorry if you understood that I was raising a problem I just wanted to confirm that is the "way" to do it and not through other unknown technique by myself

 

[TennisHound]

I wouldn't try to match the feel of the Prestige because you can't. Instead try to improve the functionality of the Speed S. For this, I would add a heavier grip (not too heavy, but somewhere around 18-20g, stock is about 14g), add two strips of 3"x1/4" strips in the throat, and 4 of these same size strips at 3&9, and one or two of them at 12.

 

[armandogomes]

I wouldn't try to match the feel of the Prestige because you can't. Instead try to improve the functionality of the Speed S. For this, I would add a heavier grip (not too heavy, but somewhere around 18-20g, stock is about 14g), add two strips of 3"x1/4" strips in the throat, and 4 of these same size strips at 3&9, and one or two of them at 12.

Thank you! I'll give it a go and will let you know the outcome!

 

[TennisHound]

Thank you! I'll give it a go and will let you know the outcome!

You could try a leather grip, even though it will weigh around 20g. Some grips, like Wilson Shock Shield and Gamma Cushion are heavier, like 22-23g. As light of a racquet that it is, a leather grip shouldn't negatively affect the swing or ball contact too much, especially if you counter it with weight in the other areas.

 

[Djokovicfan]

The graphene touch speed s is probably the best light racquet
With players racquet specs available.
Adding some 12 oclock lead might make it even better but i havent tried it yet.
The balance on the stock version of 3-4pts HL seems pretty good to me tho.

Idk about the gxt tho.

 

[armandogomes]

I wouldn't try to match the feel of the Prestige because you can't. Instead try to improve the functionality of the Speed S. For this, I would add a heavier grip (not too heavy, but somewhere around 18-20g, stock is about 14g), add two strips of 3"x1/4" strips in the throat, and 4 of these same size strips at 3&9, and one or two of them at 12.

TW Europe doesn't seem to have lead tape. How would I convert this into tungsten? easy "weight" conversion?

Cheers!

 

[TennisHound]

Tungsten should come in strips, just use it instead of lead