The Use of A Rubberband as A Shock Absorber

[justinyyang]

Anyone else out there like to use a rubberband? I'm not really into exspensive vibration dampeners. Some are easily lost or they break (like the Gamma worms). Some take too much feel away from the racquet too.

In my opinion, a rubberband softens up the racquet just enough and still gives you plenty of feel. I use semi-medium sized rubber bands. Nothing too big, but not too small at the same time. They need to be replaced once in awhile, but they're fairly inexpensive because you can get like 100 for $2.00-$4.00? Something like that.

My teammates always ask me if it works too. Of course it does or I wouldn't be using it, haha. Don't question the number three seed (me) about his equipment, haha. It's all about preference though. I don't like flashy shock absorbers. They're fun and look cool, but I like plain accesories for my racquet. The only thing that should look flashy is the racquet or the strings and maybe the grip/overgrip.

Anyone else agree with me on this?

 

[athiker]

A few people : http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=126387&highlight=rubber

Size #64 from Staples seem to be the most popular.

I was a member of the club. They worked fine for me. They dry and start to crack after a while. I switched to the Sampras "O"s which also work fine. They stay on, are light and are smooth so if the ball hits them it shouldn't be deflected too much.

I honestly can't tell much difference from one dampener to another. As long as they stay on, some don't, and aren't too heavy it works for me. They all seem to take the annoying twang sound away.

 

[blackfrido]

i don't see Shock Absorber (dampeners) expensive at all. Average $1.5
is that expensive? I buy one every two three years and keep them switching from one racquet to another........

 

[Dynasti]

I don't mean to sound juvenile, but I <3 my smiley face shock absorber. =p

Calms me down in the middle of my matches.

 

[Icedorb217]

I would like normal dampeners but they usually pop off my racket so I stopped using them. Also with rubberbands I feel theres a level of customization as the more you wrap it the deader the racket gets

 

[snoflewis]

i use rubber bands. i like the feeling of being able to use a new rubber band every restring. lol. and they actually stay on. i've had wilson dampeners that cover 8 mains fall off before

 

[matt.flynn60]

I've seen other use rubber bands. Haven't done it myself.

 

[billsgwn]

i don't see Shock Absorber (dampeners) expensive at all. Average $1.5
is that expensive? I buy one every two three years and keep them switching from one racquet to another........

Dampeners are the least expensive aspect of tennis I can think of.

 

[justinyyang]

I would like normal dampeners but they usually pop off my racket so I stopped using them. Also with rubberbands I feel theres a level of customization as the more you wrap it the deader the racket gets

I have too and I love it. I just don't want to use it though.

 

[NaeviusTennis]

I use rubber bands now, although thinner than the ones Agassi used. I find they dampen well and don't fall off.

 

[eidolonshinobi]

I don't mean to sound juvenile, but I <3 my smiley face shock absorber. =p

Calms me down in the middle of my matches.

Vibrafun ftw! It really does calm me down, I just smile when I stare at it after I lose a point or something.

 

[defrule]

Works great!

 

[justinyyang]

Size #64 from Staples seem to be the most popular.

They dry and start to crack after a while. I switched to the Sampras "O"s which also work fine.

Wow? #64 eh? I'll go look for that someday. I didn't know that rubber bands come in numbered sizes. There goes my ignorance. I guess I need to figure out the number for mine. I like the ones I use.

I have the Sampras shocks too. They kept falling off so I stopped using them.

 

[justinyyang]

i don't see Shock Absorber (dampeners) expensive at all. Average $1.5
is that expensive? I buy one every two three years and keep them switching from one racquet to another........

The price of the shock absorber really depends on which one it is. I just like that you can ten times more shock absorbers for the same price when it comes to rubber bands. They need to be replaced every now and then, but it's okay.

 

[justinyyang]

I don't mean to sound juvenile, but I <3 my smiley face shock absorber. =p

Calms me down in the middle of my matches.

I have one too and I love it, but I don't use it, haha.

 

[SirGounder]

Regular dampeners and rubberbands both work great for me. Rubberbands tend to be more secure. I've had rubberbands break and don't want to spend time to tie one on. I keep a couple regular dampeners in my bag so I just toss it on and keep playing.

 

[Mac_Attack]

Anyone else out there like to use a rubberband? I'm not really into exspensive vibration dampeners. Some are easily lost or they break (like the Gamma worms). Some take too much feel away from the racquet too.

In my opinion, a rubberband softens up the racquet just enough and still gives you plenty of feel. I use semi-medium sized rubber bands. Nothing too big, but not too small at the same time. They need to be replaced once in awhile, but they're fairly inexpensive because you can get like 100 for $2.00-$4.00? Something like that.

My teammates always ask me if it works too. Of course it does or I wouldn't be using it, haha. Don't question the number three seed (me) about his equipment, haha. It's all about preference though. I don't like flashy shock absorbers. They're fun and look cool, but I like plain accesories for my racquet. The only thing that should look flashy is the racquet or the strings and maybe the grip/overgrip.

Anyone else agree with me on this?

The rubber band is "old school" - it's the original dampener, & they work, but I prefer an actual dampener. They are inexpensive, consistent & generally very durable. I did have a Gamma worm burst on a volley and ooze black goo all over my strings, racquet and hands but only one time. It is annoying when a dampener flies off so I prefer the worm - it stays put.

 

[Fuji]

I use hair elastics along with other dampeners. I don't care for rubber bands, I find that they come untied fairly easily. Hair elastics on the other hand I can tie once, and they last a good 3-6 months before going dead.

-Fuji

 

[fuzz nation]

A bag of Staples #64's is my solution, too.

Superior function as vibration dampener and they don't pop out or anything. I usually weave one of them across six or eight mains at the bottom of the string bed and life is good.

 

[J_aces]

I tried out a coachs frame today who had rubberband dampeners and the feel was amazing compared to my gamma worm. Off to Stapeles to pick up a bag of #64s

 

[COPEY]

^^^Was it the same frame with the same strings at the same tension? If not, did you put your worm in your coach's racquet to compare?

 

[J_aces]

Same frame but strings were different. Actually tried it in 2 dif frames my coach had and both felt equally nice with dif strings too. It gives me the sound ilike and just felt really comfy. Absorbs more shock than most dampeners but a little less than the worm

 

[COPEY]

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[DFWLoop]

found a bag of #64 red rubber bands at the local staples. works great.