Babolat first generation

[Virginia]

I have four nice Destiny's now, ericcson and that's as close as I'll ever get to a Babolat. For some reason, I don't like them - Babolats that is - the Destiny's are nice, especially the Graphite Destiny - very cool paintjob.

[jimbo333]

Originally Posted by ericsson

Well like i said, there are two different first generations Pure Controls; the early ones are 335gr unstrung and the "later" ones are 330gr, both essentially the same stick and yes they are less maneuverable then the 2nd gen's controls. I had both the 335g and 330g in the exact same paintjob, i also had a Pure Control 1nd gen in + (extra length)
(the first gen PC comes from the famous Pro One mold by Donnay)

I also had a PC 1st Gen in XL

And also had a PD 1st Gen in XL (with 2nd Gen paintjob)

[jimbo333]

Originally Posted by Virginia

I have four nice Destiny's now, ericcson and that's as close as I'll ever get to a Babolat. For some reason, I don't like them - Babolats that is - the Destiny's are nice, especially the Graphite Destiny - very cool paintjob.

I have a Bronze Destiny

The Destinys aren't exactly the same mold as the 1st Gen PD's though!

Although Ericsson may know about the absolute original 1st Gen PD with exactly same mold as the Destiny?

[ericsson]

Originally Posted by Virginia

I have four nice Destiny's now, ericcson and that's as close as I'll ever get to a Babolat. For some reason, I don't like them - Babolats that is - the Destiny's are nice, especially the Graphite Destiny - very cool paintjob.

Well Virginia, many people don't like them and i know a lot has to do with Pure Drives changing the game and stiffness etc... but i know there are many that actually like them too, i'm not sponsored by Babolat nor i play with one but i really like the old Babolat models, machines and strings.

Originally Posted by jimbo333

I also had a PC 1st Gen in XL

And also had a PD 1st Gen in XL (with 2nd Gen paintjob)

Really, how interesting
why dont you post some pics here.

Originally Posted by jimbo333

I have a Bronze Destiny

The Destinys aren't exactly the same mold as the 1st Gen PD's though!

Although Ericsson may know about the absolute original 1st Gen PD with exactly same mold as the Destiny?

Well actually it's not the exact same mold, Babolat used the destiny mold but trust me it is not the exact same racket nor lay up.

[jimbo333]

Originally Posted by ericsson

Really, how interesting
why dont you post some pics here.

Well actually it's not the exact same mold, Babolat used the destiny mold but trust me it is not the exact same racket nor lay up.

Yes the PC 1st Gen XL that I had was exactly identical to yours

I don't have any photos of it unfortunately, and also my camera isn't working at the moment anyway as I managed to break it

As for the Destiny, I wondered if there was ever a PD with exactly the same mold, but you've made it clear that there isn't, and you would certainly know

[Dave M]

Having recently heard back from a friend about a first gen 7 ish out of 10 PC, i've ben offered it fo a bit north of £100, think these are worth it?
I'm tempted because i'd like to have a go with one so many years after my first sampling of them but equally if i buy it, hate it and want to sell it i'd rather not loose bucket loads of cash!!
I've just sold most of my frames, in fact i only have a nearly new mizuno pro classic now not in storage, sp I need to buy some frames, just not sure what, then what if i love it and can't get another........was the layup similar to the donnay?
THOughts please people.

[jimbo333]

Originally Posted by Dave M

Having recently heard back from a friend about a first gen 7 ish out of 10 PC, i've ben offered it fo a bit north of £100, think these are worth it?
I'm tempted because i'd like to have a go with one so many years after my first sampling of them but equally if i buy it, hate it and want to sell it i'd rather not loose bucket loads of cash!!
I've just sold most of my frames, in fact i only have a nearly new mizuno pro classic now not in storage, sp I need to buy some frames, just not sure what, then what if i love it and can't get another........was the layup similar to the donnay?
THOughts please people.

Dave, if it was 9/10 then yes definitely £100, but I personally think this is a lot for 7/10, just my opinion though!

[Dave M]

Originally Posted by jimbo333

Dave, if it was 9/10 then yes definitely £100, but I personally think this is a lot for 7/10, just my opinion though!

It's what i was thinkg, what really gets me is that i was only paying around 450 french francs for them direct, why didn't i keep my first ones!
There was an early pure drive on 'bay end of last year, i watched it for days got distracted by a visitor and it ended by the time i'd remembered, £30 it went for, not seen one since!

[raging]

Originally Posted by ericsson

Hi Raging, you're welcome.
I am VERY sure that the mold used for the first Pure Drive was a Pro Kennex Destiny, for the Pure Control a Donnay Pro One Supermidsize.
Like i've mentioned i have first generations made in Taiwan, Thailand and China, i don't know in which order though...

Thanks Ericcson!
well my bet would be Kunnan's factory in Taiwan first with the prototype Destiny mold/Pure Drive but I have no proof, witnesses. Pierre Babolat would be able to tell me (he has sadly left us) or somebody at Babolat France who has been there since the start of racquet production, although Eric had just started so maybe he would know...it may be a history that they don't want to reveal...racquets were new for them in the early 90s and a lot has happened since then...
Great you have such a nice collection...I gave mine away

[ericsson]

Pure Control 1st gen. Made in Thailand:

[Dave M]

Originally Posted by ericsson

Pure Control 1st gen. Made in Thailand:

Was there more than 1 string pattern, the one i have here is a 16 by 18.

[ericsson]

Originally Posted by Dave M

Was there more than 1 string pattern, the one i have here is a 16 by 18.

Yep, only the very early ones were 16x18, then they drilled a 18x20 pattern.
Dave, where were yours made?

ps: if you have a 16x18 you can try put in a Pro One SM grommet set, it might fit.

[Dave M]

http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/p...t/DSC_0307.jpg



I havent had this one from back then, I just thought that the ones i first tried had a more dense string pattern than the pure drives i had and you photo and comment explains that may of been the case. It's made in sticker is gone but it's warranty shiney one is still there and the number is just about readable, it's only 5 digits long so assuming they were in order it must be fairly early.
Thanks Ericsson.

[zeeksmith]

The racquet mold Babolat used in the late '80's/early 90's to demonstrate their stringing machines was the same mold (perhaps same specs) as Gamma's 95 P+ racquet ('90-'92). Interestingly, Tennis Mag gave the 110 P+ one of the best ratings in the Racquet review issue (I think it was '92). The 95and 110 P+ racquets literally put Gamma in the [racquet] game...up until they copied and launched a Prince staggard-string knock-off collection two years later.

[flashfire276]

Originally Posted by Dave M

http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/p...t/DSC_0307.jpg



I havent had this one from back then, I just thought that the ones i first tried had a more dense string pattern than the pure drives i had and you photo and comment explains that may of been the case. It's made in sticker is gone but it's warranty shiney one is still there and the number is just about readable, it's only 5 digits long so assuming they were in order it must be fairly early.
Thanks Ericsson.

I wonder what PCM stood for. Those numbers probably stand for recommended string tensions.

[ericsson]

Originally Posted by flashfire276

I wonder what PCM stood for. Those numbers probably stand for recommended string tensions.

No, those numbers come from the RDC machine that measures weight, balance, stiffness, dynamic inertia (SW), stringbed stiffness and manueverability, letters stand for Power Control Manueverability.

[Puddy]

Originally Posted by Virginia

I have four nice Destiny's now, ericcson and that's as close as I'll ever get to a Babolat. For some reason, I don't like them - Babolats that is - the Destiny's are nice, especially the Graphite Destiny - very cool paintjob.

Post pics?

[ericsson]

Sorry for the delay but here is the beautiful first Babolat Soft Drive, this is Carlos Moya's first Babolat racket. (Paris-Bercy 1996)

[ericsson]

Note the two with "double line"
these are the oldest ones.





The double line cover (very rare)

[tbuggle]

i like the looks of the pure controls.

when i was a youth, the only thing i bought from babolat was
head tape and gripsy. not even a reel of gut for me...still.