Where do you put your lead?
- Thread starter Finster
- Start date
prjacobs
Hall of Fame
flashfire276
Hall of Fame
First of all, you should only add weight when you NEED it. Don't go crazy about customizing just for fun. You have to know what's wrong with your racquet, and how you can change it so it's perfect for you.
As for your question, you can put lead tape ANYWHERE you want. Many people put it at 3 and 9 so it can stretch out the sweetspot. Some put it at 12 for a higher swingweight and more push from the racquet. I personally put it at 2 and 10 for stability, push the sweetspot up a bit, and for better push on my serves.
And for the handle, they put it there so they can get a more headlight balance. This helps the racquet have more control, lower swingweight, easier maneuverability, and actually brings the sweetspot lower. Also, they use it to "counterbalance" the lead they put on the hoop so they can retain their balance before.
As for your question, you can put lead tape ANYWHERE you want. Many people put it at 3 and 9 so it can stretch out the sweetspot. Some put it at 12 for a higher swingweight and more push from the racquet. I personally put it at 2 and 10 for stability, push the sweetspot up a bit, and for better push on my serves.
And for the handle, they put it there so they can get a more headlight balance. This helps the racquet have more control, lower swingweight, easier maneuverability, and actually brings the sweetspot lower. Also, they use it to "counterbalance" the lead they put on the hoop so they can retain their balance before.
I use a dunlop 4d 300. I'd like to stabilize my racquet and with a bigger sweet spot and maybe a bit more racquet speed on the serve. I have lead tape, adding a total of 4 gm at 3 and 9, making it less head light than stock. I've also heard of adding lead to the handle. Would you do that to keep the racquet in the same balance if adding lead to the head? And if so, where is the lead tape applied? Underneath the grip or perhaps on the butt end of the racquet?
I've tried that racquet--a friend of mine has it. If I were using it I'd keep those 4 grams at 3 and 9 and change the grip to a leather one to weigh down the handle. A Head leather grip in place of the synthetic one will add about 15 grams; Volkl or Fairway leather will add a bit more, and most other leather grips a bit less. With an overgrip on top of it (7 grams), that's already 22 grams added to the handle without having to mess with any lead tape. With just the grip change it should be easier to swing fast and be more stable. Also, leather seems to absorb vibrations in a unique kind of way that I like. Can't quite describe it, but to me it makes racquets feel less "tinny" or "hollow"
If you still want to add lead to the handle, I would test it first--without removing the adhesive backing, try hitting with lead tape tied onto the grip with thin rubberbands first, moving it around, adding and subtracting to figure out what feels best (how much and where on the handle). It takes a lot of trial and error. I find that even two racquets of the exact same model respond differently to lead positioning (babolat quality control??), so there is no set formula that works best. and then when you know exactly what adjustment you like, then remove the grips and tape the lead onto the bare handle. If you can't feel a difference in your hitting with the added lead, then you most likely don't need it.
