Diary of a Racketaholic

PP,

Interesting reports on the platinum. Undoubtedly I am intrigued. My biggest concerns are towards the stiffness of the frame. Would you say that it played stiff (i.e. k95/bab), crisp (i.e.YT Mid) or soft (exo3 Tour/PC600)?

I also am not a big fan of powerful frames and lean towards as low powered as I can get. I think that is one of the reasons that my initial hit with the i.Prestige was so good.

I will keep an eye out for more updates on your hits with the platinum though. Very interesting indeed. Especially if you ever hit with the 94.

Fed, the plow on the Donnay is more like a prestige mid than a k95. The k95 would be a goat racquet for me, but it is a little sluggishly heavy and too stiff. My friend has a BLX 95 and likes it, but he was real intrigued when he swung the Donnay. The donnays just swing a lot easier. With OG and damp, it weighs 12.2, SW is 325, but it feels so much lighter than that. balance is also a hair more headlight than the black (6 pts, and the black is closer to 5). The rubbery feeling you are talking about is not there with the platinum to me.

Gads, there is interest in trying the 94, but the 99 plays so much like a 95 that I probably will not do it. I put it up to my Dad's dunlop 200 mfil and they are extremely similar in size. Feel is definitely crisper. It feels like the 99 red, but better. Like I said, imagine a prestige classic with a large sweetspot.

The first few hits I did not drop to knees and weep. But within 5 minutes of warm up, I was hitting consistently and really getting around on the ball. At this point I did feel pretty groaty about the stick because, like the prestige, the more you hit with it and dial in the sweetspot, the better the racquet feels. I then went to the net and the stability was insane..amazing volley stick. First impressions led me to believe that this is the ultimate all court racquet. If you can hit hard groundies, you will love the sweetspot on this thing when you obliterate the ball. I can not wait to serve with this thing since it is supposed to serve harder than the pure drive.

Suppawat, who owns a lot of pro molds compared it to the PT57e, which is the stiffer of the rare Pt57s. It just has that magic feel to it.

Ryu, I would describe the feel as crisp, but also very similar to the PC600, which is not soft, just a more rich and deep sweetspot.. No stiffness feeling at all. There is no way the racquet is actually 70 in stiffness. It is easily more like 64-65. I am not huge fan of powerful frames myself. What this racquet does that is unique to only a handful of sticks is simply give you controllable power. It was very hard for me to hit the ball out. My biggest issue with the pure storm was that it was a little too easy to hit the ball out in matches for me. This racquet is far more easy to control the power with. It basically is a power racquet for control racquet fans. If you are hitting deep with the black, then you will have the same depth with the platinum, just heavier pace.

^^

So how exactly is the swing on the platinum? I think I am relating so well with the i.Prestige because it still has that same, sweet swinging that all Prestiges seem to have. I know you said that it swings light but does it have the same presence as the Prestige does?

On another note, I'm loving the lower end of the tension range right now. I had the new frames strung up at 52/50 and it is just amazing. Much more comfort and still very controllable.

The swing is very similar to the prestige to me. Same balance, but it does not feel as heavy. My classic mid with synth grip is 11.9 and feels heavier than the Donnay. The Donnay is going to give you heavier spin and bigtime pace. It does not have the presence of the prestige, but it whips around even faster and allows you to do more to the ball.

It is like a prestige mid in a 99 size that hits with heavier spin and pace, retains the laser control and is far better at net.

Interesting. I'm not a spin junkie by any standard so I'm wondering if it would be in the realm of too much whippiness. Still, I am very intrigued by this. The Platinum 94 may just have to go on my list.

Its a good spin..the trajectory is the same as the prestige, but you can get more kick off the bounce, which will win you matches on it's own sometimes against 3.5s.

Not too whippy, or I would not like it..it is a 12oz stick with the same SW as the classic mid..that is what makes it insanely interesting. I need more time with it to give you guys more details, but I am super happy I took a shot on this racquet so far.

Added bonus, the hot little GF loved the PJ...she picked it as her favorite..I did not ask her to do this, but she came over and was checking out the racquet bag.

^PP - need to see (as an opponent/receiver) what the Donnays produce as compared to your other collection.

bad_call said:

^PP - need to see (as an opponent/receiver) what the Donnays produce as compared to your other collection.

Click to expand...

Yes I'd love to hit this weekend if possible. Have some potential family stuff going on, but if not maybe we can get together and hit.

In the bag I have the Classic Mid, Donnay Black and Dual Platinum. Also have a youtek Mid in my spare bag at home that I am looking to sell.

Power Player said:

Yes I'd love to hit this weekend if possible. Have some potential family stuff going on, but if not maybe we can get together and hit.

In the bag I have the Classic Mid, Donnay Black and Dual Platinum. Also have a youtek Mid in my spare bag at home that I am looking to sell.

Click to expand...

cool. maybe Saturday if nothing interferes. got a tentative family bbq on Sunday but that could change.

Power Player said:

The swing is very similar to the prestige to me. Same balance, but it does not feel as heavy. My classic mid with synth grip is 11.9 and feels heavier than the Donnay. The Donnay is going to give you heavier spin and bigtime pace. It does not have the presence of the prestige, but it whips around even faster and allows you to do more to the ball.

It is like a prestige mid in a 99 size that hits with heavier spin and pace, retains the laser control and is far better at net.

Click to expand...

Wow, this description alone makes me want to buy this racquet.

PP -- thanks for posting your thoughts. When you have a chance to dial in the serve, please let us know what your impressions are.

Edit: PP, I just noticed in the other thread that you injured your wrist and can't serve much. No worries on the request, take your time and heal up properly.

I just had my first real session with the i.Prestige mid. Absolutely amazing frame. Just so very good. I have created a new thread to chronicle my playtest.

I've done more hitting with the i.Prestige and had a few hits with the Ace as well. Very interesting so far. I'm taking the first hits with the Donnay today.

Donnay has a different feel to it so be patient.

The dualie feels much more prestigey. I am going to hopefully be free this weekend and try and let Bad Call weigh in. He has a lot of experience with the Prestige as well.

Noo..you have to have some bad days with the racquet for it to be your friend. It's not the racquets fault that you were hurting out there, plus you had dead strings..trust me..restring the stick..hydrate yourself and get rested. If you continue to suck with the racquet, I will be surprised.

What happened was you were almost guaranteed not preparing in time, overthinking the racquet, and were fatigued. Add dead poly to that and it's a bad thing. If you think like you need to switch racquets every time you have a bad day, you will never get better and never learn your racquet.

I hit with the tourbite in the Platinum..tour bite seems to work better in the black..but to be fair. I had literally just pulled it off the stringer before trying it out. I will spend more time with it tomorrow, but I really enjoyed the racquet. Swings so light for it's specs. The Black helps with my consistency and the platinum is even a little better at it. It swings a little easier than the black, but switching to the black when my grip got wet was no problem.

This thing is still reminding me of a prestige. It is easy to aim your shots, but you can rip them with more spin than the prestige. Basically I can moonball someone's backhand if I need to get back in a point, and then I can flatten out a cross courter. In typical donnay fashion, I feel like I can do anything to the ball.

I would say that the platinum would be great with a multi at 57ish as a poly in the 40s..it seems very flexible.

Ross dead poly will make any racquet feel like crap. If you dont string yourself and dont break string I would play thin gauge signum strings for a more uh...stable experience.

Hyperion 17 in your N95...eh?

Severiano Ballesteros - RIP...




R

Rossy it sounds like a bad day at the office and I know it hurts as it seems like a major set back and you have to set it all in motion again.

You seem to have a lot of love for those extended frames with hefty SW yet struggle to maintain your level cos of the weight. When you try this with modded standard rackets that are lighter you feel they are not stable enough and tinny etc etc. I also understand that hoop mods can be problematic and its a very delicate business to get right otherwise its straight up cumbrsome street.
Ive managed with the extended bc30 to have the kinda feel, ease and power I had with the pc+ swirly whilst keeping the weight down to the 330g (ok Im back with my beloved bc20 but thats a serving issue more than anything). The result is a manouverable, easy to use racket that doesnt feel long (due to the elongated 100" headshape) that is as stable as a heavy racket and has the build quality you desire.

Its finding a racket tha has such stability and build quality that doesnt twist etc wrapped up in a lighter, easy to use frame.

If you would like I can send you my extended bc30 to playtest, see what its like, you dont need to go to the hassle of trying to extend it yourself....take the grip off and remove it and try it stock, call me, I can put it in the mail for you Monday??

PP,

Cheers. Yeah, for sure, those factors are all spot on. Fear not, I'm not going to go on a major racketaholic odyssey because of one 'bad day at the office' (that's your job anyway - ha, ha! )


Meags,

Sent you an email.


Fed,

Well, I loved Hyperion - in my YTPP. However, Tour Bite, in my APD and PC+ absolutely blew my mind as if Jimi Hendrix himself has plugged his guitar straight into my brain and played the solo from "Purple Haze. :twisted:... " Now, I could be very wrong, but I'm not so sure I'd like it in my APD. I'm certainly not ruling it out though....

BTW, QSN. I can guess the answer, but your fave strings in the PST are?...

BTW2, re the N95... hmm, I've kind of ruled out any serious look at it as, for my present tastes, I suspect I'd find it too h/light and a bit clubby and rough/abrasive feeling... that said, with these new soft polys, I know you could argue it would play/feel a lot nicer...besides that, if I was to seriously get back into 6.1 95 territory the open pattern BLX would be where my curiosity would reside...

"BIG SIGH" Man, so many frames, so little time.:grin:


R

Ross K said:

PP,

Cheers. Yeah, for sure, those factors are all spot on. Fear not, I'm not going to go on a major racketaholic odyssey because of one 'bad day at the office' (that's your job anyway - ha, ha! )

Click to expand...

Know you are kidding, but I can honestly say I never do that. A bad day is a bad day..they suck though. Especially with dead poly..uggh. Another reason I like the Black Magic string is I can play through when it's dead and survive the match before going home and cutting it out. I have a feeling the tourbite is not so kind in that regard.

I walked away from a stick after a good day though..the K95. I knew it was awesome, but it swung slow for me and was stiff. It was tough because those racquets are so nice. If I was 6'2, 200ish, I think it would be for me, but I need a little more racquet head speed and need my swingweights a little lower when I play against really solid players.

Power Player said:

Know you are kidding, but I can honestly say I never do that. A bad day is a bad day..they suck though. Especially with dead poly..uggh. Another reason I like the Black Magic string is I can play through when it's dead and survive the match before going home and cutting it out. I have a feeling the tourbite is not so kind in that regard.

Click to expand...

Yep, kidding totally. :wink: BTW, I think you're correct on that latter point.
R

Ross K said:

Yep, kidding totally. :wink: BTW, I think you're correct on that latter point.
R

Click to expand...

I have to be honest, so far the Tourbite is just a real nice poly, but not Gibson into Marshall, Clapton era Bluesbreakers godtone.

I am going to hit with Badcall in an hour and I will see how it goes in day 2. The B5e and Black Magic sit in their packages screaming for attention. I am all about feel and playability with my polys..dont care about much more than that because in my mind it is a poly and i know im going to get the spin I want.

Who knows ..the ultimate setup for the Platinum could be a hybrid..I really like full poly beds though. Matching a string to your new racquets is always fun. You can get lucky sometimes and hit gold in a few string jobs, but since these donnays are so new and unique, I really have no feedback to go by yet.

Power Player said:

I have to be honest, so far the Tourbite is just a real nice poly, but not Gibson into Marshall, Clapton era Bluesbreakers godtone.

I am going to hit with Badcall in an hour and I will see how it goes in day 2. The B5e and Black Magic sit in their packages screaming for attention. I am all about feel and playability with my polys..dont care about much more than that because in my mind it is a poly and i know im going to get the spin I want.

Who knows ..the ultimate setup for the Platinum could be a hybrid..I really like full poly beds though. Matching a string to your new racquets is always fun. You can get lucky sometimes and hit gold in a few string jobs, but since these donnays are so new and unique, I really have no feedback to go by yet.

Click to expand...

The combo that really did it for me was TB in the PC+ Swirl... the planets just aligned with these 2 (a particular stringbed feel so sensational Hendrix, K. Richards, Muddy Waters, Wes Montgomery, Djanjo Reindhart, etc, could have solo-ed on it! )I actually took my 2 APDs to the stringer this morning and am having 1 done with Sol/TB @ 50 lbs, and the other with B5E @ 47 lbs. I've also decided to look a bit more when the mood comes over me at the PC+ Swirl, and have gone with Revolution @ 50 ibs.

R

wow b5e at 47#s..seriously interested in how this works for you because I am thinking it could be gold in that racquet. Possible Jimmy Page/Yardbirds level Telecaster tone.

Power Player said:

wow b5e at 47#s..seriously interested in how this works for you because I am thinking it could be gold in that racquet. Possible Jimmy Page/Yardbirds level Telecaster tone.

Click to expand...

Yes, I've researched, read the B5E threads and posts, looked at my tastes and decided to jump in @ 47s ... anyhow, I'm taking a leaf out of Hendrix's book; the GGOAT of course tuned his Strat low.

R

I was asked to contribute....

I just ditched 2 Aerostorms and a Babolat 6-pack bag to a fellow boarder. The three were 6 months or so old.

Long live the Prince Exo 3 Team!

My name is rabbit and I'm a racketaholic...

Ross the Tourbite is definitely too powerful for the Donnays, so it makes sense that it will not work in your Babs. I am going B5e next like yourself, and I think that will work out better.

Hey Power Player… I have switched racquets. To the Head Youtek Prestige MP. Pretty much because I was looking for an 18x20 stick, a larger headsize, and the fact that my friend gave me 3 for free lol. Tried them out and loved them. He had them originally strung with an Alu BB hybrid at 60 lbs it was HORRID. I have some experience stringing tighter string beds with full poly and I strung the stick up with 17 gauge Black Code at 36 lbs. Oh my it felt like butter. So nice. I only bring this up because of the similar string bed our racquets share. MP and 18x20. If you’re looking for a full poly job in something that tight definitely try a 17 strung low low low. Anything full poly close to 50lbs in the 18x20 felt stiff, unforgiving and tennis elbow inducing.

Devilito - u got some nice friends.

Damn..3 for free eh? That's awesome. Those are real good sticks and you can mod them as well. Some polys are good at low tensions like you are saying, but others are better closer to 50. I just put some B5E at 49#s in the Platinum.it will probably drop to 45 or so and I'll see how it plays. The tourbite was just too powerful for me in the platinum.

Power Player said:

Damn..3 for free eh? That's awesome. Those are real good sticks and you can mod them as well. Some polys are good at low tensions like you are saying, but others are better closer to 50. I just put some B5E at 49#s in the Platinum.it will probably drop to 45 or so and I'll see how it plays. The tourbite was just too powerful for me in the platinum.

Click to expand...

yeah i noticed that. I string up black code very low and it doesn't move and it's nice and firm. However, my friend's ALU at 50lbs moves around like spaghetti. Maybe the ALU loses a lot of tension quick but they definitely need to be treated differently depending on the poly used

PS Don't think i'll mode them much. They come in at 12oz which is feeling pretty nice atm

Rabbit,

I was asked to contribute....

I just ditched 2 Aerostorms and a Babolat 6-pack bag to a fellow boarder. The three were 6 months or so old.

Long live the Prince Exo 3 Team!

My name is rabbit and I'm a racketaholic...

Prince Exo 100 Team - Prince Lightning XX 17 @ 58 pounds

Click to expand...

Ha, ha ... welcome, Rabbit!... QSN. If I may... How does the Exo 3 Team match up/compare to your beloved C10? A few ballpark similarities? Or is it an entirely different animal altogether?




PP,

Ross the Tourbite is definitely too powerful for the Donnays, so it makes sense that it will not work in your Babs. I am going B5e next like yourself, and I think that will work out better.

Click to expand...

Can only say that, at the right tension, fresh (obviously), IMO it plays UNBELIEVABLY INCREDIBLE in the PC+, and very, very good in the APD. Note also that it's what PED has in his APDGT too. It doesn't work so well in the YTPP and TF320, but I don't think that's because of the strings power.... Look forward to hearing your views on B5E and swapping thoughts.



Devilito,

Come on now... 3 new FREE Prestige MPs? :shock:... you have got to be kidding us, Little Devil?!... I want your friends! :grin:


R

"News just in"...

Have learnt this morning I'll be checking out this: the Bast Core 30 very soon (thanks to Rich).




It's one of three or four frames that has really taken my attention of late, and I'm pleased to be able to test it for myself and get in with JG, Meags, etc, with the Bast Core debates. As you all are doubtless aware, the feedback has been exceptional re the 20 and 30. Now I can't wait for my first hitting session... excellent.

R

You *******!

Pun intended...my fellow holics, there comes a time in every man's paypal when choices must be made. Alliances must be consolidated. Post counts must be validated.
The righteous path must be chosen. Do we deny the power of the dark side?
Do we give in to our most craven tweenerish impulses in the hopes of shoring up some so called "weaknesses?"
Do we set out boldly with a fresh pair of vapors/elites and a resolve to upend the indecision that infects our progress like some omnipresent mosquito?
Will we simply stand by, nuetered in denial, searching for the false forgiveness of a soggy blanket?
We will not!
We will remember the goating and what brought it about. We will strip away the falsehoods.
We will think about our racquets the way that Jim Caviezel thought about Sean Penn in The Thin Red Line.

To my wilson prostaffs: I still see the spark in you.

Fed Kennedy said:

You *******!

Pun intended...my fellow holics, there comes a time in every man's paypal when choices must be made. Alliances must be consolidated. Post counts must be validated.
The righteous path must be chosen. Do we deny the power of the dark side?
Do we give in to our most craven tweenerish impulses in the hopes of shoring up some so called "weaknesses?"
Do we set out boldly with a fresh pair of vapors/elites and a resolve to upend the indecision that infects our progress like some omnipresent mosquito?
Will we simply stand by, nuetered in denial, searching for the false forgiveness of a soggy blanket?
We will not!
We will remember the goating and what brought it about. We will strip away the falsehoods.
We will think about our racquets the way that Jim Caviezel thought about Sean Penn in The Thin Red Line.

To my wilson prostaffs: I still see the spark in you.

Click to expand...

LOL!

As a serial racquet switcher, I love this thread!

Interested in how the Bast Core goes for Ross. 49 flex...what? Gads loves it, and he hates noodles..that is quite interesting and I hope you guys enjoy those sticks. Gads, you need to hunt down a platinum, A/B it to the Bastcore, and (sadly) your racquet tinkering should be over for a while..sounds like you really struck gold with the vantage.

I can't try out new sticks for a while, it just gets frustrating for me to suck while I adjust to the new stick...figure out string combos..etc. I also really really like the Donnays a lot..they basically made the exact racquet I have been looking for since I started playing tennis again...thin beam..12ozs..comfortable..control and power..likes poly at low tensions, can handle a hybrid at mid tensions..wilson grip shape..classic pro mold flex and head shape..I'm totally grailing over here, but not experiencing that "I am playing the best tennis ever!!" vibe, just really happy with my selection. I'm still dialing it in the platinum, but I know it is on me, and the racquet is groat worthy.

I credit the prestige..I could have easily stayed with the Pure Storm, but the prestige screamed to me..it told me I needed a thinner beam..control..tighter pattern..boomstick off the serve, and I listened.

Ross K! Some of my thoughts on how I handle the APDC...

Gday Ross K!

I have read the posts that you and others have put up on this thread.
They are all very interesting such that I wanted to go out and try a racquet other than my modified Volkl Tour 10 V-engine MP bats. It ends up being an APDC! This decision was made for the following reasons:
1. I thought that I was too weak to wield my old heavy battle axes after 2 yrs of almost no tennis.
2. I would like to add more curl to my down the line shots. I look at Nadal and the APDC TWU stats and think, let me rephrase, dream that the APDC can let me do this!!! This is truly a weird reason :roll:

What a nice reality check over the last month!

I served with the APDC in its stock form and found that the lighter weight of the bat messed up my serving form which then resulted in some golfer's elbow. To elaborate, I had to swing really b^&*y fast to get some pace on the serve and the speed was no where near what I can achieve on a 70 % serve with the T10 VE MP. In addition, I just could not seem to get the slider out wide. My groundstrokes were horrible with it LoL

I served with the APDC which has been modified according to Greg Raven's suggestion to emulate Nadal's bat. Again, I struggled on serve. I have hit some groundstrokes and can you guess what the result was??? It was the same as that for the serves!

I served with the APDC which has been modified to have 14 g in the handle. Again, I struggled on serve. I have hit some groundstrokes with it and the result was still the same as the previous modification.

After all this funny business over the last month or so, I pull out the T10 VE MP bats. I still serve well with them and the groundies look like they are still there :grin:

I conclude that my lack of muscles from brussels minus the testicular killing leg splits cannot handle a SW greater than the highest SW measured for one of my T10 VE MP bats which is 314 More specifically, there is no fault with the APDC. Moreover, I will need to take steroids and hit a trillion balls and choke on a banana on a clay court to add more curl to my down the line with the APDC. :wink: I must add that it was alot of fun trying to figure out my strengths and weaknesses when using a new racquet bar the twinge of golfer's elbow.

Have fun everyone!!!

Ross K said:

Devilito,

Come on now... 3 new FREE Prestige MPs? :shock:... you have got to be kidding us, Little Devil?!... I want your friends! :grin:

Click to expand...

Canada has no market for used racquets and shipping a racquet to the US costs about $10,000 so basically racquets you don’t use are junk. Might as well give them to someone that will use them. But yeah it was awesome of him and very generous Highly appreciated and good timing as I was looking for a new stick just like the Prestige MP. Definitely a situation of paying it forward and doing something to help someone else when they need it. I string his racquets for free an gave him some stuff I wasn’t using.

Now about the racquets it’s such a noticeable difference between the Pro and the MP which should be only the difference between 16x19 and 18x20. If you need to generate your own pace and spin the Pro is better. If you’re picking up hard shots on the rise or using your opponents pace to counter attack the MP feels better as the balls don’t fly on you and the spin is more controlled. The Pro gives the type of spin that kicks up off the court while the MP provides the ability to hit a heavier more aggressive shot with the control required to play that aggressive. It’s a toss up. The Pro is really nice because its easier to hit with when you’re feeling lazy and the MP feels more rewarding when you’re willing to work your shots. Ok that’s the end of the review hehe.

Power Player said:

Interested in how the Bast Core goes for Ross. 49 flex...what? Gads loves it, and he hates noodles..that is quite interesting and I hope you guys enjoy those sticks. Gads, you need to hunt down a platinum, A/B it to the Bastcore, and (sadly) your racquet tinkering should be over for a while..sounds like you really struck gold with the vantage.

Click to expand...

Only a matter of time, my friend. Only a matter of time. Gonna be in New York for the next 10 days, will see if I can get a sneak preview of a Platinum while there. If not, I'll hopefully be in line for a test when I get back. Want to check out both the 94 and the 99.

Random thoughts:

Platinum related, is there ANY way the thing has TOO much power? That's among my only concerns, going in, based on all the power talk.

Also, PP, saw somewhere that you didn't like Tour Bite in the Platinum, saying it was too powerful. Question: Discounting the 'power level' entirely, did you like the 'feel' of it in the Donnay? Or was the feel also off? I say this because since I'm playing Tour Bite in my BC at 58 (to start with) and love it there, but you like your polys at low tensions, so I wonder if maybe the Tour Bite at a lower tension was too much for you, but perhaps it still could work in the 50s?

Related to that, the Tour Bite in my Bast Core has finally gone off the reservation. It's been three or four weeks of consistent hitting and the other day I was finally spraying too many balls, so now I know it's a two- or three-week string probably, at least in the 20.

Ross, that's awesome about the 30, man. Cheers to Meags for making it happen. I haven't played with the 30 myself but judging by your stick history and preferences, the 30 -- with its open pattern, 100-inch head (akin to the APD) and very healthy swingweight (maybe giving you SOME semblance of the Swirly oomph you loved) -- could be made for you. Personally I'm glad that a few others who have gone between the 20 and 30 have found themselves going back to the 20, which makes me less likely to give the 30 a shot for now (if TW ever got demos, THEN maybe I'd give it a shot, but right now, no reason). But Meags' extended version may be special. Will love to hear your findings.

And regarding the Bast Core stiffness ratings, it's like the opposite equivalent of Donnay's ratings. BC 40s feel much higher, just like the Donnay '70s' and '60s' feel much lower than what they're listed at. You definitely feel a certain flex with the Bast Core 20, but it's more of a 'crispy noodle' rather than a 'soft noodle' (I had Chinese food last night), though 'noodle' is not the best word to use in the first place. It's something that is totally unique and has to be felt to be understood. The BC20 almost gives you the illusion that the frame is almost only flexing forward, not backward, in a way. I know that's not the case, but the flex-forward, or 'recoil' as they're calling it, is just so much snappier and stiffer in feel than other 'flexy' frames that I've ever played with, like Volkl or even some of the Donnay X series frames, to compare a few.

NOW, I will say this: regarding my awesome run with the BC20, the only thing I had trouble corralling throughout the first couple of weeks was first-serve consistency. I figured it out by altering my service motion to take advantage of the juicy 'pop' the frame gives you when you use that special recoil factor just right. Once I altered my usual, longer motion, shortening it up into more of a Roddick-style snap-through, my serves started BANGING. However, after a pretty busy string of tennis days, I've noticed a general funny soreness in my shoulder that I've never, ever experienced before. Not 'pain,' just feels kind of funny and worn, so I think the new motion is putting a bit more stress on the shoulder and this does concern me long term. So that's pretty much my only concern moving forward with the BC20, but for now it's just kind of in the back of my mind and not any kind of a deal breaker.

For me personally, all signs point toward an all out gunfight between the BC20 and Donnay Platinum series. Can't wait.

Gads I am quite sure that you could use Solinco at around 54#s in the platinum and be fine. But since it is a little stiffer (think youtek prestige), I think a softer copoly is a better match. I am going to hit with the B5e in a few and see how that goes. I would say Solinco is a better match in the Black.

The racquet definitely does not have too much power so far imo. I had the solinco at too low a tension...I should have done it at 52#s, it had dropped to 42, and thats not going to work with that type of string. I would reccomend a soft poly at 52#s, or a hybrid at 55/58. It will play fine.

But I will post more after hitting with the b5e (currently settled in at 47#s). It is all an experiment for me. My next one will involve Black Magic, and I will string that at 52#s. I am hoping that is the best combo since a reel is so cheap. Solinco struck me s a very powerful poly, and that is not what you want in this stick. Thats a good thing IMO, since you can get something more comfortable on the arm and really not have to worry about injury.

pug,

Cheers mate. Nice to hear that.


Fed,

We will think about our racquets the way that Jim Caviezel thought about Sean Penn in The Thin Red Line.

Click to expand...

Laughed by derrier off at this one FK! Seriously, it's time to start collating these one-liners and witty posts and put them in a collection/book. I'd buy a copy of it!:wink:


PP,

Yes, I thought that too re the RA, but apparently it's simply feels/plays like nothing else and defies all preconcieved notions... so it better be good then!:grin:


Oz,

Welcome aboard buddy. I personally can't cope with too much lead on the APD. I tried specs in the past that were closer to Nadal's actual spec and it killed my wrist/arm and was too cumbersome to smoothly wield. In fact, as I've referred to a lot in the past, I find the frame devilishly tricky to get right with mods - and I'm talking about relatively small amounts (eg, I've recently had 7g on the butt and 3g @ 10 and 2 - and I've ended up rejecting that also.) Of course, the APD is a great frame that suits a certain style, tastes, requirements, etc, and, along with it's bro, the PD, will one day be afforded real 'classic' status IMO. Anyhow, sounds like you've had your love for your heavier T-10 MP renewed - which is certainly good.


Devilito,

Although I said a week or 2 back I'd seen enough of the Prest Pro, I neglected to mention anything about my TGK PP... I definitely want another look at this one before calling it a day. And to think I was perfectly happy for a few months with my TGK/retaill PPs, and then I had a few hits with that Swirly Bab, and that was it - I was seriously messed up!:roll:

R

I have descended even further into racketaholism. I have just procured a PC600. The plot thickens.

B5E FTW..amazing..has that Black Magic feel that I love in tight patterns. The Platinum hits so nasty now..I strung it a hair lower then I will next time..really need to stay low 50s since the tension will drop anyway, but this racquet is sooooo sick with the Black Edge. Ross, I would suggest 52#s for your APDs..But this string IMO, is FAR better than Tourbite..just blows it away in all aspects for my style of game and racquets.

I played a guy that I struggled with when I had the prestige and just blew him off the court with the plat. He literally stood almost touching the fence to return my shots, and then apologized to me afterwards for not being able to do anything.

The feel was perfecto, and I had not hit that heavy in a long time. To be able to hit with that lower 18x20 trajectory and rip with spin is tough for people to handle. And then to follow it up with drop shots was a great dynamic. My wrist is finally able to handle serving and while I did not really go for anything, I can not wait to get at it in a few days with this beast.

Ryu, I have thoughts on your quest..I will post in your thread.

PP - need to have another serve/hit session with the platinum now that's strung with B5E.

Yes for sure. It is a much better racquet now IMO..still a little low. I would prefer it at 52#s off the stringer, but I can easily play with it as is..far better than what we had yesterday..this racquet is awesome.

Groovy news, PP. I'm gonna have to check that string out and the Platinum drool level just increased. I had a long hit today but the Tour Bite in the Bc20 was just completely dead, so I fiddled around with some of the other sticks that I'd been dating before the 20 came along, the Blake Ace and IG Speed. Unfortunately, in a rush and in a state of sheer giddy delight after the Lakers got destroyed, I'd forgotten to put the PC 600 in the bag.

Two things:

Found that Tour Bite, just like Fed and some others have noted, is quite a bit stiff in already stiff frames like the IG Speed. In the 20 it can feel like a dream, but in the Speed it was definitely just a little too much.

The Ace, man it was fun swinging that thing again. Really lasers the ball and provides that level of precision that reminds me why I love closed patterns so much. But maybe because I'm so used to the BC20 open pattern and altered feel of late, those 'lasers' often went right into the tape today. Too many of them for my taste.

In all, this was a day where the Speed was a little too stiff feeling and spinny, the Ace was shooting lasers but too many of them were into the tape, and overall I was missing my 20 with a fresh string job. I do wonder if that Platinum 99, with the closed pattern in a larger head, plus the thin beam, might be something of a fantastic in between in regards to these sticks that have been in my conversation.

Anyway, sounds like some cool things happening on this thread. PP and his Platinum, Ross soon to be testing the BC 30, Ry with the Mids battle, Fed apparently turning the clock back. Good times. Been fun reading of late.

Power Player said:

B5E FTW..amazing..has that Black Magic feel that I love in tight patterns. The Platinum hits so nasty now..I strung it a hair lower then I will next time..really need to stay low 50s since the tension will drop anyway, but this racquet is sooooo sick with the Black Edge. Ross, I would suggest 52#s for your APDs..But this string IMO, is FAR better than Tourbite..just blows it away in all aspects for my style of game and racquets.

Click to expand...

Hey PP,

Did I imagine it? Or were there a flurry of posts about this string playing well in the 40s???

You know what... "ALARM GOES OFF IN BRAIN"... I have a horrible feeling I might have confused B5E with another string (maybe BHBR) - eek!

So, looks like I'll be hitting with a rocket launcher then!:roll:

R

Cheers Ross K! You keep testing.....

Thanks mate!

Keep up the testing and keep providing your experiences

Ross K said:

Hey PP,

Did I imagine it? Or were there a flurry of posts about this string playing well in the 40s???

You know what... "ALARM GOES OFF IN BRAIN"... I have a horrible feeling I might have confused B5E with another string (maybe BHBR) - eek!

So, looks like I'll be hitting with a rocket launcher then!:roll:

R

Click to expand...

No, you should be ok, the b5e strings do play well strung lower. It's not a launcher in mine around that tension. Way better than tour bite at that tension. Just when I see 40s and the apd, I always get a little nervous. Lol.

Gads..know what you mean about netting the ball, but that is because your swing path changed for the bc20. That's not on the racquet, it is just a byproduct of demoing sticks. If you had to play with the ace for a few days, I assure you that you would regroove to it rather fast.I was netting balls with the platinum, but I made the adjustment. You have to give each racquet more time.

Do you guys think B5E is as good as tornado/hyperion? Not really concerned about price, more about stability, consistency of the string over time...everyone seems to love it.