Lead tape experts: top or bottom of the handle?

[dadozen]

Hey guys, I was just wondering something.

I was using lead tape on the handle, but at the top of the handle, since I didn't want anything interfering on the grip size. It was OK, but I was feeling that it was changing the SW somehow - maybe because the grip was too big, thus I couldn't handle the racquet very well, especially on my 1HBH.

Then I changed racquets, got the same model but with a smaller grip( from L3 to L2 ). Then I decided to place the lead tape at the bottom of the handle, right above the buttcap, to maximize the weight effect.

It might be psychological, but it was still interfering on the grip size( I use to wrap an electrical tape layer above it ), so I decided to move it again to the top of the handle. Since I have three racquets now( and another one coming my way), I left the lead tape at the bottom of the handle in one of them, just to compare them. Although it felt good( lead at the bottom ), I wanted a smaller grip size. Go figure.

Do you guys feel any difference placing the lead tape at the top and at the bottom of the handle?

 

[ClubHoUno]

I have 6 grams of leadtape at the top of the handle just over the end of the Babolat Leather tape on my Babolat Pure Storm Limited GT racquets, and 3 x 1.5 gram at 10, 12 & 2 to counterweight it and it feels great.

I hide the leadtape over the handle under a piece of blacl electrical finihing tape and then make sure the last part of my Gamma Supreme Overgrip is long enough to reach and cover the part, where I've placed the piece of leadtape. This way I don't feel it at all.
I have also hidden the 3 pieces of leastape at 10, 12 & 2 inside the grommets and then put on a Babolat Super Head Protection Tape, so all my lead tape is hidden.

I feel the blance on my PSL GT racquets is very good for my game.

 

[dadozen]

Thanks Club!

Did you try lead tape at the top of the handle only? I tried that and I felt like it improved the stability of the racquet. Not sure if it was only because of the fact that the static weight was higher.

I was also thinking about trying the TW leather grip in the 1.3mm version, but I'm not used to leather feeling and I'm afraid of getting hard blisters. Also, I need to wait for someone I know to go for the US, since I won't pay $50+ shipping just because of leather grips.

 

[MomentumGT]

I have 7 grams of lead at the bottom of the handle directly above the butt cap on my AG200's and it feels really good. I cut the lead strips into smaller strips so it won't build the handle too much. I'm also using a leather grip with over grip and I don't even notice the lead underneath the grip. The tip of the butt cap is slightly raised and thicker than the handle, so I wrapped the strips right next to the butt cap and don't notice it when I play.

-Jon

 

[ronalditop]

I use 8 grams of lead at the top of the handle and without it I cannot play good at all. The racquet performs completely different with and without the lead there.

 

[callen3615]

I use 4 grams at the bottom of my kps88 handle. I cant tell a difference in the grip size.

 

[10ACE]

I just add a leather grip, works wonders

 

[AlpineCadet]

Lead at the buttcap gives me too much whip, while lead above the grip gives me a more stable feel at contact. This is with the i.Prestige, not sure about your frame and how high/low your SW is.

 

[Steve Huff]

Have you tried cutting it into strips and adding it to only the diagonal bevels? There are 4 diagonal bevels, 1 between the top and each side, and between the bottom and each side panel. I find that adding it here changes the grip shape the least. Normally, I put the weight INSIDE the handle anyway.

 

[dadozen]

Thanks for the input guys. I've also noticed that lead tape at the top of the handle improves stability, but I felt the racquet more maneuverable with lead at the bottom. Problem is grip size. I don't want anything interfering it.

Have you tried cutting it into strips and adding it to only the diagonal bevels? There are 4 diagonal bevels, 1 between the top and each side, and between the bottom and each side panel. I find that adding it here changes the grip shape the least. Normally, I put the weight INSIDE the handle anyway.

Thanks Steve, actually, my first time with lead tape was like that. I've added 4 strips, one at each diagonal bevel. Problem is that I use replacement grips, and every time I changed it the lead tape would come off. That's why I started using it around the handle, with an electrical tape layer on top of it.

I'll try one more tiem lead tape at the top, and I'll also remove the electrical tape on the racquet with lead at the bottom.

 

[Sublime]

If the pallet is hollow or you can dig material out, you can glue a fishing sinker on the inside of the butt cap.

Personally I just wrap the lead around handle either on or just above the butt cap. That isn't the area where I feel my grip to choose the right bevel, so it doesn't bother me that the bevels are slightly rounded or a little thicker.

 

[dadozen]

I tried to remove the electrical tape and it feels much better now. I'm just worried about screwing the lead tape when changing the replacement grip. I don't even feel the lead tape making the grip too bulky.

But I'll definitely try TW thin leather grip when I have the chance.

 

[bertrevert]

The only times I've put any lead under the grips I've regretted it. I just don't think you can do that without feeling it. Call it princess and the pea or whatever - since grip sizes vary by 1/8 inch it seems reasonable to conclude that ANY lead tape underneath will be felt and be noticeable. I believe it necessary to put the lead into the buttcap or above the grip tape.

Placement at either end of the handle has radically different effects upon the racquet. I get more thump from lead at the top of the grip. More manouverable whip (w/ decreasing power) under the buttcap.

 

[JavierLW]

I tried to remove the electrical tape and it feels much better now. I'm just worried about screwing the lead tape when changing the replacement grip. I don't even feel the lead tape making the grip too bulky.

But I'll definitely try TW thin leather grip when I have the chance.

use packaging or shipping tape instead, that's what I use. It's thinner then electrical tape because it doesnt have to insulate electrical wiring or anything.

I will not guarantee anything about lead safety, but it does keep the lead tape from getting ripped off when I remove the replacement grip.

 

[gerli]

Lead tape at the top of the handle gives you definatly a more stable feeling during the foreward move. Shots are more controllable.
Wonder how much lead tape is nessesary to reach this feeling?
Have 10g on my Prince EXO3 Rebel + Leather!

 

[dadozen]

use packaging or shipping tape instead, that's what I use. It's thinner then electrical tape because it doesnt have to insulate electrical wiring or anything.

I will not guarantee anything about lead safety, but it does keep the lead tape from getting ripped off when I remove the replacement grip.

Thanks, packaging tape seems to be a nice solution as well. I'll try that if I have problems removing the replacement grip.

Lead tape at the top of the handle gives you definatly a more stable feeling during the foreward move. Shots are more controllable.
Wonder how much lead tape is nessesary to reach this feeling?
Have 10g on my Prince EXO3 Rebel + Leather!

But EXO3 Rebel already comes with a lethaer grip right? So the difference between the stock racquet and your current setup is only lead tape?

 

[big bang]

I have been experimenting with lead on my 2 head mgpp, I added 25g of wilson leadtape on each bare handle, some on each of the sides and one strip just over the buttcap and one strip on top of the handle.
this way the weight and balance is close to my ps 6.1 classics and plays way better than the stock version.
I put the repacement grip on top and then a single prince overgrip and I cant feel the lead anywhere..

 

[ronalditop]

Lead tape at the top of the handle gives you definatly a more stable feeling during the foreward move. Shots are more controllable.
Wonder how much lead tape is nessesary to reach this feeling?
Have 10g on my Prince EXO3 Rebel + Leather!

I experience the same as you with lead at the top. It Gives me more control so I can really hit thru the ball instead of brushing in to get the ball in, thats why my shots have so much more pace on them.

 

[gerli]

Thanks, packaging tape seems to be a nice solution as well. I'll try that if I have problems removing the replacement grip.



But EXO3 Rebel already comes with a lethaer grip right? So the difference between the stock racquet and your current setup is only lead tape?

The Rebel comes without leather grip!

 

[dadozen]

Is there anyone who feels that lead tape at the top of the handle affects SW? TW Customization Tool says no, but when I had lead there, I felt like the racquet was heavier to swing.

I'm trying lead tape at the bottom now, 8g to be exact, and the whipping effect helped my 1HBH but I'm kinda struggling with my FH. Tried adding 3g @ 3 and 9 and it helped my FH, but my 1HBH suffered again. I wish I could get that whipping by adding lead at the top of the handle, but it doesn't seem to be the case.

Decided to add 2 more grams on the handle, but then I thought:"heck, that's too much lead already".

I'm kinda sick of thinking where to add lead tape. I just want to have fun playing tennis:evil:

 

[JackB1]

Is there anyone who feels that lead tape at the top of the handle affects SW? TW Customization Tool says no, but when I had lead there, I felt like the racquet was heavier to swing.

I'm trying lead tape at the bottom now, 8g to be exact, and the whipping effect helped my 1HBH but I'm kinda struggling with my FH. Tried adding 3g @ 3 and 9 and it helped my FH, but my 1HBH suffered again. I wish I could get that whipping by adding lead at the top of the handle, but it doesn't seem to be the case.

Decided to add 2 more grams on the handle, but then I thought:"heck, that's too much lead already".

I'm kinda sick of thinking where to add lead tape. I just want to have fun playing tennis:evil:

the little bits of lead you are adding shouldn't be making that much difference. If you just want that whipping action....try just adding some to 12 oclock. Start with 4 g's and go from there.

 

[JackB1]

Question for those that added leadtape to the top of the handle....

Doesn't that concentrated weight in one spot feel weird to you? especially when serving? I tried adding just a few grams 7" from the end of the handle and it felt weird when serving. Like I could feel that little area where there was concentrated weight.

 

[dadozen]

When I was using lead at the top of the handle, I didn't feel it was weird at all. It actually increased the overall stability of the racquet, although I wasn't trying that and the racquet was stable enough before adding lead.

 

[AlpineCadet]

Question for those that added leadtape to the top of the handle....

Doesn't that concentrated weight in one spot feel weird to you? especially when serving? I tried adding just a few grams 7" from the end of the handle and it felt weird when serving. Like I could feel that little area where there was concentrated weight.

That's because you added weight there. If want to change your racket with lead, then why would you want it to feel the same as stock? If anything, you can always apply less so the change will be subtle enough to not make a huge difference.

 

[JackB1]

That's because you added weight there. If want to change your racket with lead, then why would you want it to feel the same as stock? If anything, you can always apply less so the change will be subtle enough to not make a huge difference.

I understand that! My point was that it felt "concentrated" since it was wrapped around the handle in a circular fashion. I was wondering it it wouldn't be as "noticeable" if the lead was attached lenghtwise down the length of the bevels?

The way a stock racquet is designed...the weight is evenly spread out, so you don't feel any "heavy spots". I would think would be ideal.
If you add lead tape all in one spot, it is bound to be more noticeable than if it's spread out. Of course I want it to "feel different", but I
want it to feel heavier overall...not so concentrated, if that makes any sense.

 

[AlpineCadet]

The PB10 and K90 have weight that isn't spread "evenly" through out the frames. Anyway, you need to figure out your SW limit and go from there, because you def. don't want to slow down your racket head speed. Lead is basically removable tape, have fun.

 

[EasternRocks]

B

 

[TennisManiac]

Thanks for the input guys. I've also noticed that lead tape at the top of the handle improves stability, but I felt the racquet more maneuverable with lead at the bottom. Problem is grip size. I don't want anything interfering it.

Lead tape at the top of the handle will make the frame feel more stable but will feel a bit heavier. Lead tape at the very bottom of the handle will not be as stable but will be much more whippier and feel much lighter. If you dont want to increase the grip size. Pop open the trap door and add your weight in there. That's what I do. It's perfect.

 

[EasternRocks]

Lead tape at the top of the handle will make the frame feel more stable but will feel a bit heavier. Lead tape at the very bottom of the handle will not be as stable but will be much more whippier and feel much lighter. If you dont want to increase the grip size. Pop open the trap door and add your weight in there. That's what I do. It's perfect.

I prefer the stability and since it actually makes the racquet a tiny bit more headlight, it's a win win. I've tried putting it in the buttcap, but the whip didn't do much good when I couldn't get any beef behind the ball.

 

[EasternRocks]

Lead tape at the top of the handle will make the frame feel more stable but will feel a bit heavier. Lead tape at the very bottom of the handle will not be as stable but will be much more whippier and feel much lighter. If you dont want to increase the grip size. Pop open the trap door and add your weight in there. That's what I do. It's perfect.

Going to try an experiment where I split the weight I'm putting above the handle half between that spot and on the buttcap. I don't have a trap door, so I'll just have to stick it on the buttcap itself.

 

[galapagos]

interested in more comments

 

[Classic-TXP-IG MID]

Hey guys, I was just wondering something.

I was using lead tape on the handle, but at the top of the handle, since I didn't want anything interfering on the grip size. It was OK, but I was feeling that it was changing the SW somehow - maybe because the grip was too big, thus I couldn't handle the racquet very well, especially on my 1HBH.

Then I changed racquets, got the same model but with a smaller grip( from L3 to L2 ). Then I decided to place the lead tape at the bottom of the handle, right above the buttcap, to maximize the weight effect.

It might be psychological, but it was still interfering on the grip size( I use to wrap an electrical tape layer above it ), so I decided to move it again to the top of the handle. Since I have three racquets now( and another one coming my way), I left the lead tape at the bottom of the handle in one of them, just to compare them. Although it felt good( lead at the bottom ), I wanted a smaller grip size. Go figure.

Do you guys feel any difference placing the lead tape at the top and at the bottom of the handle?

Instead of Lead... try using Tungsten Tape as it's denser and therefore you use less for the equivalent weight (meaning it may not be as thick and bulky).

I place it according to what I'm trying to achieve. The top of the handle (7" from the butt cap to be precise) increases the stability and is where I counter-weight any weight added to the head. I then add some Tungsten Putty inside the butt cap if I want to increase the degree of HL balance. Sometimes I do both... but most times I add it at the top of the handle (as I add weight to the head).

Hope that helps