New Donnay X-Series - My Thoughts

[pjonesy]

Originally Posted by Kal-El 34

it's basically thor's hammer in tennis form

Couldn't agree more. I was able to pick it up, so I guess I am worthy.

[pjonesy]

Originally Posted by v-verb

Yes exactly the unreleased X-Platinums. Great frames - glad you're liking them!

This best Donnay X-series racquet for me, was the Blue 99. Loved the swing, balance and available power. But it was not as maneuverable when i tired or had to set up quickly. I couldn't find any 94in frames that felt like the Blue 99.
I did try the Gold 99, which was very consistent and maneuverable, but lacked the plow thru of the Blue 99. I even demoed the dual core platinum 94, but it was missing something. Maybe too muted.

Then i tried the X-Platinum 94. Wow. It's what I've been looking for. I am truly enjoying it. Has all the positive characteristics of the Blue 99 and is more maneuverable. On top of that, i believe the head moves much faster through the hitting zone, than Blue 99. Feels like I can still catch up to the ball, even when i'm late.

Have any of you guys tried the dual core Platinum 94 or 99?

[v-verb]

Originally Posted by pjonesy

This best Donnay X-series racquet for me, was the Blue 99. Loved the swing, balance and available power. But it was not as maneuverable when i tired or had to set up quickly. I couldn't find any 94in frames that felt like the Blue 99.
I did try the Gold 99, which was very consistent and maneuverable, but lacked the plow thru of the Blue 99. I even demoed the dual core platinum 94, but it was missing something. Maybe too muted.

Then i tried the X-Platinum 94. Wow. It's what I've been looking for. I am truly enjoying it.

Have any of you guys tried the dual core Platinum 94 or 99?

Hey Pjonesy

Haven't tried any other Donnays but looking forward to it. Actually I was thinking of the X-Blue 99 but it sounds like I may not have to now;<)

What string and tension are you using. As well how do you find it for spin and serve power?

Cheers

[pjonesy]

Originally Posted by v-verb

Hey Pjonesy

Haven't tried any other Donnays but looking forward to it. Actually I was thinking of the X-Blue 99 but it sounds like I may not have to now;<)

What string and tension are you using. As well how do you find it for spin and serve power?

Cheers

For the Blue 99, I had Volkl Cyclone 18g in mains and Isospeed Control Arm Protection multi 1.30(16g). It gave me even more spin, decent power and good control. But the feel was muted. As I lost feel, I started hitting more spin and was hitting too short. Can't remember tension exactly. Under 50lbs for Cyclone in mains and mid 50s for Isospeed multi.

Currently I am using a full bed of Tourna Quasi gut 17g in the x Platinum. String tension is 59. Much livelier string, but it provides a tremendous amount of spin. The ball will fly, if you catch it late. If you cover the ball well and hit a long full stroke, the Quasi gut pays off. Power and spin galore. Combined with the potential racquet head speed of the x platinum, it is lethal. I'm still adjusting to the racquet and string myself. But once I get locked in, I expect to be in total control of baseline rallies.

[Kal-El 34]

Originally Posted by pjonesy

Couldn't agree more. I was able to pick it up, so I guess I am worthy.

that is a relief because it is quite embarrassing when you try and pick up a racket and it is just stuck to the ground.. true story - ive seen it happen

[suppawat]

Originally Posted by pjonesy

This best Donnay X-series racquet for me, was the Blue 99. Loved the swing, balance and available power. But it was not as maneuverable when i tired or had to set up quickly. I couldn't find any 94in frames that felt like the Blue 99.
I did try the Gold 99, which was very consistent and maneuverable, but lacked the plow thru of the Blue 99. I even demoed the dual core platinum 94, but it was missing something. Maybe too muted.

Then i tried the X-Platinum 94. Wow. It's what I've been looking for. I am truly enjoying it. Has all the positive characteristics of the Blue 99 and is more maneuverable. On top of that, i believe the head moves much faster through the hitting zone, than Blue 99. Feels like I can still catch up to the ball, even when i'm late.

Have any of you guys tried the dual core Platinum 94 or 99?

Even though I am not playing the Platinum 99 anymore, but I still miss the fast/soft/solid feel of that racquet. I played it since it was a prototype in softer and stiffer layup. The stiffer one seems to work best, and it finally becomes X-Dual Platinum 99. Solinco Barb Wire at 52lbs works best for me.

A year later I had a chance to play the similar frame in a different layup and weight. It feels like Gold 99 (310g, 66RA, 310mm) with 18x20 string pattern. It's a really nice frame. Most pros/players who tried it easily fell in love with it. Donnay should have made this racquet for public.

[Kal-El 34]

Originally Posted by suppawat

Even though I am not playing the Platinum 99 anymore, but I still miss the fast/soft/solid feel of that racquet. I played it since it was a prototype in softer and stiffer layup. The stiffer one seems to work best, and it finally becomes X-Dual Platinum 99. Solinco Barb Wire at 52lbs works best for me.

A year later I had a chance to play the similar frame in a different layup and weight. It feels like Gold 99 (310g, 66RA, 310mm) with 18x20 string pattern. It's a really nice frame. Most pros/players who tried it easily fell in love with it. Donnay should have made this racquet for public.

surprised i never got my hands on one of these... love the thin beamed all blacked out rackets... so cool looking

[v-verb]

Originally Posted by pjonesy

For the Blue 99, I had Volkl Cyclone 18g in mains and Isospeed Control Arm Protection multi 1.30(16g). It gave me even more spin, decent power and good control. But the feel was muted. As I lost feel, I started hitting more spin and was hitting too short. Can't remember tension exactly. Under 50lbs for Cyclone in mains and mid 50s for Isospeed multi.
1
Currently I am using a full bed of Tourna Quasi gut 17g in the x Platinum. String tension is 59. Much livelier string, but it provides a tremendous amount of spin. The ball will fly, if you catch it late. If you cover the ball well and hit a long full stroke, the Quasi gut pays off. Power and spin galore. Combined with the potential racquet head speed of the x platinum, it is lethal. I'm still adjusting to the racquet and string myself. But once I get locked in, I expect to be in total control of baseline rallies.

Thanks Pjonesy - great info!

Originally Posted by Kal-El 34

surprised i never got my hands on one of these... love the thin beamed all blacked out rackets... so cool looking

They look KILLER! Kal if you get one and want to sell please let me know

[Kal-El 34]

I am not at liberty to release prototype or pro stock frames. Actually i need to ask the board to quit emailing Donnay asking for them or we will have to take our pictures down as well... Gracias

[mimo]

i was just looking at donnay frames on the big auction site and came across a pro stock for sale. seems like a rare find on there!

[v-verb]

Originally Posted by Kal-El 34

I am not at liberty to release prototype or pro stock frames. Actually i need to ask the board to quit emailing Donnay asking for them or we will have to take our pictures down as well... Gracias

Absolutely understood - thanks for clarifying

[zapvor]

cant wait for my blue 99!

[Kal-El 34]

Originally Posted by mimo

i was just looking at donnay frames on the big auction site and came across a pro stock for sale. seems like a rare find on there!

yea i saw that. was surprised to see that there as they are not supposed to be sold

[DrewRafter8]

Anybody have a string and tension recommendation for the Platinum 99? I tried the Donnay CoPoly and it was pretty good. Right now I have a hybrid of B5E and Nvy. I think I might prefer a full set of a softer poly. I really liked how the CoPoly volleyed. Thanks!

[Kal-El 34]

try the donnay x-poly.. i actually find it to play softer than the co-poly... holds tension better and lasts longer too! goes great in the platinums

i also like full bed of solinco barb wire

[pjonesy]

[quote=v-verb;7175946]Thanks Pjonesy - great info!

I might have spoken too soon. I played with the x platinum, strung with the quasi gut at 56lbs. Played on hardcourts against a guy who hits very hard and I could barely keep the ball in the court. Ball was flying. I may need a poly to offset the springy nature of the quasi gut.

[anubis]

Hi guys,

Seems there's a lot of Donnay experts here, so I need some help please. I'm currently using a Babolat APD 2013 version, and the stiffness is just killing my wrist. I was hoping it wouldn't but there's no denying it.

I was looking at the X-Dual Gold and it appears the specs are almost identical with the APD except for the stiffness. If someone has a very spin-oriented game, using Tourna BHB7 @ 48 lbs, do you think the Gold is a good transition stick?

I like the lower SW and open string pattern of it. I'm hoping that with the Gold I can still generate good pace.

Any thoughts?

Thanks

[suppawat]

Originally Posted by anubis

Hi guys,

Seems there's a lot of Donnay experts here, so I need some help please. I'm currently using a Babolat APD 2013 version, and the stiffness is just killing my wrist. I was hoping it wouldn't but there's no denying it.

I was looking at the X-Dual Gold and it appears the specs are almost identical with the APD except for the stiffness. If someone has a very spin-oriented game, using Tourna BHB7 @ 48 lbs, do you think the Gold is a good transition stick?

I like the lower SW and open string pattern of it. I'm hoping that with the Gold I can still generate good pace.

Any thoughts?

Thanks

Gold 99 is a flexible frame with good spin potential but you have to add more weight to the hoop to get more power. It is a good frame for baseliners. The other frame you should also demo is Silver 99. The Silver 99 is 10g lighter and stiffer and has more power than the Gold 99, but no where close to atomic power of APD2013. Both Gold 99 and Silver 99 are thin beam frames which should allow you to serve and hit spin more naturally than thicker frames.

[anubis]

Originally Posted by suppawat

Gold 99 is a flexible frame with good spin potential but you have to add more weight to the hoop to get more power. It is a good frame for baseliners. The other frame you should also demo is Silver 99. The Silver 99 is 10g lighter and stiffer and has more power than the Gold 99, but no where close to atomic power of APD2013. Both Gold 99 and Silver 99 are thin beam frames which should allow you to serve and hit spin more naturally than thicker frames.

Thanks. I'm trying to stay away from stiffer frames, so that's why I chose the Gold. I like the low swing weight so that I can really whip it around to generate spin. Not too concerned about power though. I actually found the 2013 APD to be rather low powered. If I slowed down my swing enough, the ball really didn't travel very far or fast.

[Sreeram]

Originally Posted by anubis

Hi guys,

Seems there's a lot of Donnay experts here, so I need some help please. I'm currently using a Babolat APD 2013 version, and the stiffness is just killing my wrist. I was hoping it wouldn't but there's no denying it.

I was looking at the X-Dual Gold and it appears the specs are almost identical with the APD except for the stiffness. If someone has a very spin-oriented game, using Tourna BHB7 @ 48 lbs, do you think the Gold is a good transition stick?

I like the lower SW and open string pattern of it. I'm hoping that with the Gold I can still generate good pace.

Any thoughts?

Thanks

Gold can generate lot of pace with good technique. And it forces you to hit with good technique as just pushing around will not work with Gold. As you are Coming from APD, i will suggest you to try Pro One 16x19 as that is similar to APD with good spin. I can hit all kinds of shot with Pro one than Gold. But Gold is simply special on certain strokes. Pro one is not that stiff though its rating is high. You can use hybrid strings.