What are the effects of adding a significant amount of weight to a racket?

[daunvidch]

I play with an old pro staff and even though I've tried a lot of newer rackets, I just don't like the feel and weight to them. I'd like to get a newer frame, but because I don't really like most modern specs, I want to try tinkering with a cheap one to make it similar to what I'm playing with now. So for example, if I were to buy a Prestige S at 11.4 oz strung, 3 points HL and I add around 35 grams or 1.2 oz of lead tape to my handle to make it 12.6 oz, 10 points HL (I've found that every 5 grams on the handle adds around 1 point HL), is there any factor that would make this a bad idea? For example, are heavier racket frames structurally different to be able to handle the extra mass? Does adding 35 grams of weight to handle significantly lower and negate the racket's original sweet spot? Is the playability of it completely wrecked by making such a huge change to its balance and weight or will it play like a racket that comes stock at that weight and balance? Has anyone tried something like this before? Thanks in advance.

 

[SpinToWin]

Well I do advise adding some lead to the hoop, because the weight in the handle will slow down your swing, which, along with the lack of power through swingweight, will make the racquet rather underpowered. Additionally, I recommend you use silicone in the handle rather than lead. I think you will like/prefer the solid feel it will give you.

 

[oble]

It won't be a bad idea. It's not going to affect the racquet structurally. Chances are, you might find the racquet feel more "solid" at impact with all the weight in or on the handle (provided that the racquet's hoop is already relatively stable), but it's not going to make it any more powerful.

The 2014 Pro Staff models are cheap and maybe you should try them out? The 90 probably doesn't need much tweaking to get to your preferred specs, whilst the 95 responds very well to weight in both the hoop and the handle.