A customizing question

[grip]

I have four Wilson K Pro Tour rackets that I am playing with and they have the following strung weight and balance:

1. 336.5gm 6pt HL
2. 326.0gm 9pt HL
3. 330.0gm 8pt HL
4. 330.0gm 8pt HL

a. If I like the way racket 2, 3, and 4 plays. Is there anyway to bring racket 1 in line with the other rackets or should I just forget about it?

b. If I try to match racket 2 to rackets 3 and 4 should I match the weight without changing the balance or should I match both the weight and the balance?

I have no equipment to measure the swing weight. (I have found a way to measure the swing weight since I first post this a few hours ago.)

[cheezhdinil]

Grip, since your favorite ones are the lightest, there's no easy way to match weights. You'd need to match to the heaviest one... but, 2 grams (perhaps a bit more) in the throat may give you the 2 more HL points without too much hassle.

If you truly wish to make them "the same", you check the swing-weights of all 4 and work from the one with the most mass. If you'd just like #1 to feel 'familiar' try several pieces to lead tape, inside the throat (where you'd string through) and see if it doesn't create a more HL situation.

I've had good luck with Wilson, sending back what I believed to be out of spec rqts but, I'm dealing with a rqt rep that I've known and worked with for 20 years.

Good luck, Cheez

[Stefano]

Hi grip.

When it comes to quality control, Wilson is unbeatable. Always the worst! :D

But I have a question: you say "strung weight and balance". Are they strung with the same string?

If not, you should measure the frames as unstrung and start from there. Different strings can make a big difference in terms of weight and balance.

Now, while I was writing Cheez told you everything already.

Unfortunately, you cannot reduce the weight. With the 3 lighter frames, you can add lead tape until the balance and weight is the same. The weight would obviously go up. With the #1 you can have the same balance as the lighter ones, but again, the weight would increase.

As Cheez stated, you can see if the Wilson people are kind enough to send you a frame that matches ;)

[grip]

Cheez and Stefano,

Thanks for your inputs. Unfortunately I do not have the pull with Wilson, but I got them at half price.

Stefano, Good point. Only the crosses are different but the crosses are all 16 gauge strings. I will weigh them again unstrung and without the overgrip just to be sure.

[Stefano]

Grip, if you had them at half price I suggest you a smart move.

Sell the heaviest one, you will at least get your money back (or more) and invest that money in another frame that matches the other 3 you have.

Any serious shop would weigh a racquet for you to be sure they match.

Then you can work on them and match them completely ;)

[grip]

Stefano,

Good suggestion. I bought a total of eight of the same. It is a discontinued model.

The newer model has the same head size, similar static weight, tighter string pattern, different balance and much heftier swing weight. Wilson signed with Jaun del Potro to push it.

[Stefano]

Wow grip!

So probably with 8 frames you may have at least 4 that match.

Maybe you can match them in groups (like 3 in a way, 3 in another way...).

This way, you can have different set ups to use, based on the opponent, if you play singles or doubles, the kind of court, your mood...;)

[grip]

Stefano,

You have a lot of good ideas.:)

I check the weight and balance all eight rackets. For all intends and practical purposes seven of them are close enough to the specifications for me.:)

[Stefano]

Stefano,

You have a lot of good ideas.:)

I check the weight and balance all eight rackets. For all intends and practical purposes seven of them are close enough to the specifications for me.:)

Sweet! Problem solved then :D

[grip]

Stefano,

Yes, problem solved.

Update 2/25/10: More accurate calculations show that racket 1 cannot be matched in swing weight by adding weights at 3 and 9 to rackets 2,3 and 4.