New Donnay X-Series - My Thoughts

[TonyB]

Originally Posted by TonyB

Just to follow up on this, I strung my Dark Red with Tour Bite 17g at 30 lb. (yes, 30 lb.) and it is INCREDIBLE. The spin is outrageous, the feel is well above average, the power level is medium and controllable. Power level feels around the level of a good syn gut strung at 52 lb. But the spin is awesome. Serves took some getting used to (most of my initial serves went into the middle of the net), but once I started to hit more "up" on the ball, they were landing in the middle of the service box and hitting the fence about waist high. Tremendous kick (for me). All-out flat serves were a bit tough to generate... I just couldn't get the spin off of the ball!

What I was really impressed with was the feel. Not the "touch", really, but the raw feel. When I hit the ball, I could feel where it was going, unlike almost every other string combination that I've tried so far. I didn't get a "thwack" sound like I expected from a poly, but rather more of a "swish" sound. I love the "thwack", but I'll take the "swish" since it gives me the best feel I've had from this frame so far.

So in my opinion, the hype and raving about Tour Bite on this forum is legitimate. I was extremely impressed with this string. Tension loss after 1 hour of hard hitting was only about 1-2 lb. on the stringmeter, which is negligible. Control was great, spin was amazing, power level was good at 30 lb. I'll have to buy a few more sets of this stuff to try out different tensions.

Another update: I've played a match (2 hours) last night with this setup and it worked flawlessly. Great depth, amazing spin. I really liked volleying with this string setup, plenty of power and better control than I thought. Total tension loss so far (as measured by the stringmeter) is about 6-7 lb. after 1 week and about 4 hours of hitting/matches. Not bad, but nothing spectacular, either. I was hoping for better.

I suspect next time I go out for 2 hours of hard drills, I'll lose another 2-3 lb. My guess is that this setup will be unplayable after 8 hours. But we'll see.

But aside from the tension loss (I may go up to 32 lb. next time), I really, really love these strings and frame. I have no wrist pain (which I usually do), no elbow pain, no shoulder pain. I'm a happy man at this point. I've been playing with frames and strings all summer to replace my old K90 ever since I developed wrist pain with it. The X-Dark Red is an outstanding, if not superior, replacement in every way. Easier to swing (at the same static weight), more comfortable, slightly less control, and can deliver more spin than the K90. The only thing I haven't learned yet with this racquet is the outright winner. The K90 is amazing at pulling out an outright winner from nowhere during a normal baseline rally. Just turn up the heat and let 'er rip. The X-Dark Red is definitely more of a control frame, which is fine with me.

[Shangri La]

Originally Posted by BodegaBay

Thanks for the heads up Shangri-La! TW graciously refunded me the difference for the X-Blue I ordered last week.

Nice! The Blue looks nice and I'm very attempted to try the 99...

[suppawat]

Finally I've found the right set up for X-Dual Gold 99, +10g butt cap, 3g weight slide at 12, double overgrip over 4-1/4 (normally I play 4-3/ and hybrid string at 55 lbs. The racquet plays very soft throughout the entire frame and this reminds me of Head PT57A. For sure, it's not 67RA as printed inside the throat. I think the Gold 99 may be just lighter and thinner version of PT57A (while Platinum 99 can match to PT57E). It's one of the most comfortable I've played. The way Gold 99 respond to hard-hitting ball is very well cushioned and comfortable, almost zero shock. Without 3g weight slide, the frame vibrates on off-center hit. No need to add more weight at 3/9 since the racquet is already torsionally stable.



The string I tried is also a dual core contruction. The outer core is poly and inner core is multifilament.

[maxpotapov]

Originally Posted by suppawat

The string I tried is also a dual core contruction. The outer core is poly and inner core is multifilament.

Wait, what string is this?

[suppawat]

Originally Posted by maxpotapov

Wait, what string is this?

Hi Max, it's a prototype string, not available in market yet.

[maxpotapov]

Originally Posted by suppawat

Hi Max, it's a prototype string, not available in market yet.

That's what I long thought about: combine durability of poly for OUTER coating and elasticity of multi for inner core. I'm glad that end result makes racquets play more like PT57A

And I'm very intrigued by your statement that Dual Core Donnays can be turned into Head Pro Stocks with standard customization and certain string setup.

[maxpotapov]

Originally Posted by suppawat

Hi Max, it's a prototype string, not available in market yet.

I see where it's going: Xenocore string to compliment Xenocore lines of racquets. Brilliant idea, marketing wise, I guess Technifibre introduced similar approach with newest line of "perfectly matched" racquets+strings

Strings is a money cow for any racquet company, like cartridges for any printer company.

[suppawat]

Originally Posted by maxpotapov

I see where it's going: Xenocore string to compliment Xenocore lines of racquets. Brilliant idea, marketing wise, I guess Technifibre introduced similar approach with newest line of "perfectly matched" racquets+strings

Strings is a money cow for any racquet company, like cartridges for any printer company.

The string is not from Donnay though But it seems to work well with a Donnay Dual Core racquet.

[suppawat]

Originally Posted by maxpotapov

That's what I long thought about: combine durability of poly for OUTER coating and elasticity of multi for inner core. I'm glad that end result makes racquets play more like PT57A

And I'm very intrigued by your statement that Dual Core Donnays can be turned into Head Pro Stocks with standard customization and certain string setup.

Next year, there will be a lot of string technology introduced. A few inventions that I know of include:

1. Thicker guaged string that allow racquets with 16x19 string pattern to play very solid like 18x20 while maintain and spin potential of 16x19

2. Hybrid dual core string that allows players to get the genuinely soft feel (not plastic feel) of multifilament, and get the durability and spin potential of poly. The sampler I am testing has the right feel, now they need to optimize for spin and durability. Stay tuned.

I have a big collection of pro stock racquets including the popular PT7A and PT57E. The 57E was my favorite one because of solid feel, comfort, medium-stiff flex, and power. I don't care much about spin. When I first playtested two JHT027 frames (soft and stiff) which later the stiff one turn to be Platinum 99, I started to understand what Donnay is trying to achieve. It has a lot in common with PT57E execpt plow-thru that PT57E is a tad better. And when I played the Gold 99 last night, I immediately recognized the comfort from soft flex feel, and the way the ball dwells in stringbed of PT57A. The Gold may have better spin potential because of more open string pattern. So I think Donnay bring in a lot of good stuffs from pro stock racquets into their products. It'd be interesting to follow what Donnay is doing in the next release of racquets...may be tripple core, quad core, pentacore, xCore... we'll see.

[cayzi]

Originally Posted by suppawat

Finally I've found the right set up for X-Dual Gold 99, +10g butt cap, 3g weight slide at 12, double overgrip over 4-1/4 (normally I play 4-3/ and hybrid string at 55 lbs. The racquet plays very soft throughout the entire frame and this reminds me of Head PT57A. For sure, it's not 67RA as printed inside the throat. I think the Gold 99 may be just lighter and thinner version of PT57A (while Platinum 99 can match to PT57E). It's one of the most comfortable I've played. The way Gold 99 respond to hard-hitting ball is very well cushioned and comfortable, almost zero shock. Without 3g weight slide, the frame vibrates on off-center hit. No need to add more weight at 3/9 since the racquet is already torsionally stable.

suppawat did you try Silver maybe? I am very happy with Silver and feels much better for me than XP Dual. A lot of power.

I am using this strings:
http://www.solincosports.com/strings...e%20hybrid.php

Could you please tell me because now I am also interested in GOLD how this compare to SILVER. I guess with more static weight and less head heaviness + more flex you must have even longer swing to get power as SILVER deliver?

Also I notice that Donnay grips are a little smaller than other brands. For example I have Donnay in grip size 3 and I have a feeling that is more like 2.5 size. Should I even consider bigger grip size because I can put my finger on tight in between other fingers when holding it as hammer.

Here are the pictures how I measure the grip size on donnay grip size 3. It depends how I put my thumb finger - see pictures.

1. picture how i pick my racket in head. I hold it normally - no big squeeze, normal holding.


2. picture if I position my thumb in a way shown in picture there is enough room for index finger.


3. if I position my thumb as shown in picture there is not enough to put my index finger in between.




So what is not with my grip size? Is it ok or should I get bigger one? I already use over grip - I think is 0,6mm thin.


Thanks!

[TonyB]

Originally Posted by cayzi

So what is not with my grip size? Is it ok or should I get bigger one? I already use over grip - I think is 0,6mm thin.

I'm not being mean, but it's "thumb", not "thump". (Just trying to be helpful)

Secondly, yes, it does look like you need a slightly larger grip size. I agree that the L3 grip is almost an L2.5 grip. I usually need an L2 grip, but I can actually get away with an L3 grip with Donnay.

You might be able to add a second overgrip and build up the size so that it fits your hand better. I wouldn't say that your current grip is REALLY undersized, but you could certainly use a larger grip if you wanted.

[cayzi]

Originally Posted by TonyB

I wouldn't say that your current grip is REALLY undersized, but you could certainly use a larger grip if you wanted.

Somewhere I read that Donnay grip 3 is smaller than usual 3 size but Donnay grip 4 is a really big.

Putting 2 overgrips on racket I am afraid that I will lose some feeling of rounded grip shape or not?

[suppawat]

Originally Posted by cayzi

suppawat did you try Silver maybe? I am very happy with Silver and feels much better for me than XP Dual. A lot of power.

I am using this strings:
http://www.solincosports.com/strings...e%20hybrid.php

Could you please tell me because now I am also interested in GOLD how this compare to SILVER. I guess with more static weight and less head heaviness + more flex you must have even longer swing to get power as SILVER deliver?

Also I notice that Donnay grips are a little smaller than other brands. For example I have Donnay in grip size 3 and I have a feeling that is more like 2.5 size. Should I even consider bigger grip size because I can put my finger on tight in between other fingers when holding it as hammer.

Long time ago I played them side by side and cannot find the difference. I will spend more time with the Silver and see the difference. Please stay tuned.

In terms of grip size, I can feel that in some Donnay racquets and found out that synthetic based grip partially cause the problem. Donnay synthetic grip is softer than other brands. When I hold the racquet tight, I can feel the Donnay grip size is smaller. Try a firmer grip like Volkl leather or Wilson K-Control grips.

[suppawat]

One user asked me to do a side-by-side comparison of headsize of Donnay 94 to Head 93, and Donnay 99 to Head 98. You guys may be interest to know too.

Donnay 94 VS. Head 93



Donnay 99 to Head 98

[Murray_fan1]

Suppawat,

Is that prototype string made by Solinco? I love their string especially tour bite so I am very eager to see what their next string will be. I noticed in one of the pictures you are using Solinco over grip? Just wondering how it stacks up to other over grips like Tourna, Supergrap etc.

[HiroProtagonist]

Originally Posted by suppawat

One user asked me to do a side-by-side comparison of headsize of Donnay 94 to Head 93, and Donnay 99 to Head 98. You guys may be interest to know too.

Very interesting, seems like the Donnays are smaller than advertised just like the Heads, though it is hard to tell exactly, I would love it if the 99s were actually 95s just like the Head 98s.

Thanks for posting those.

[cayzi]

Originally Posted by suppawat

In terms of grip size, I can feel that in some Donnay racquets and found out that synthetic based grip partially cause the problem. Donnay synthetic grip is softer than other brands. When I hold the racquet tight, I can feel the Donnay grip size is smaller. Try a firmer grip like Volkl leather or Wilson K-Control grips.

So you are saying that I should exchange basic grip because Donnay is using thinner or more soft grips?

[suppawat]

Originally Posted by cayzi

So you are saying that I should exchange basic grip because Donnay is using thinner or more soft grips?

Yes, and let's see if it solves the problem. For me, it does help.

[gd!]

Somebody willing to sell (a part of his or hers) customization kit? Let me know, I am interested in.

By the way, I am also very much interested in to know your Donnay racquet head and grip weight, adding both total would be equal to racquet total weight

I describe you how it works:

Take a electronic scale and search for book(s) of total same heigths than scale. Put the head to the middle of the scale and the grip to the middle of the book, read weight = Head weight.
Vice versa = Grip weight.

Currently using a Gamma T-7 at total weight 330 grams, headweight 155 - gripweight 175.

Detailed info from your Donnay racquet would help me to find some close specs versus my Gamma which I am looking for. Thanks.

[TonyB]

Originally Posted by gd!

Somebody willing to sell (a part of his or hers) customization kit? Let me know, I am interested in.

By the way, I am also very much interested in to know your Donnay racquet head and grip weight, adding both total would be equal to racquet total weight

I describe you how it works:

Take a electronic scale and search for book(s) of total same heigths than scale. Put the head to the middle of the scale and the grip to the middle of the book, read weight = Head weight.
Vice versa = Grip weight.

Currently using a Gamma T-7 at total weight 330 grams, headweight 155 - gripweight 175.

Detailed info from your Donnay racquet would help me to find some close specs versus my Gamma which I am looking for. Thanks.

I'm pretty sure the swingweight and balance measurements take all of this into account. Those two values should be enough to find a similar racquet for you.