What rackets should I demo?

[sansaephanh]

Facts about me:

3.0-3.5 player. 4.0 when I'm feeling healthy and quick haha.

Looking to improve transition/volley game (mostly footwork and timing).

I prefer between 5-7

I love 18x20's and the Pro Staff line. Looking for a mix of the two.

I love lightweight head balances with good plow through.

Since I'm just another low level rec player, I focus on my spin serves more than anything.

I really like/have a tendency to flatten out my ground strokes, but will hit loopy defensive shots when pressured. My bh slices are decent for someone as bad as me.

I'm currently more of a baseline player who hits deep and has a trouble hitting short angles and dropshots.

since I live in california I can get 5 rackets for 11.50 i believe.
___________________

That being said heres what i'm thinking about.

Donnay X-Dual Core Platinum 94 Racquet
Donnay X-Red 94 Racquet
Donnay X-Dark Red 94 Racquet
Yonex RDiS Mid
Dunlop Aerogel 4D 200 (2Hundred)
Prince Original Graphite Mid
Donnay X-Blue 99

So what i'm looking for is a solid feeling frame much like the older Pro Staff line, but softer. I play the Rebel, really nice racket, but I want to try something lighter and less mushier. So the above are my main choices. I like thin beams, but don't mind going bigger. They seem stiffer and lighter as well. As for balance, I figure I can grab a 5-10g buttcap without going out of my weight comfort.

Any other rackets that you guys believe might fit me? I like relatively solid weight and maneuverability. Which is what I have in the rebel already, but I'm now searching for more of a pro staff feel. Also that I really want to try a racket that will give me more racket head speed.

11.5oz+
5+ HL balance
60-70 Stiffness
Spin/flat friendly
Just a tad comfortable (wrist/shoulder problems)
290+ swingweight.
85-100 headsize.
I want to say 18x20 only (i've had bad experiences with open string patterns) but I shouldnt shy away since i'm just demoing.

Will add more as I see fit.

I've tried the prestige and it just felt too sluggish compared to the Rebel for me to get used to. I could really play through the ball with it, but i noticed i was late alot more with it.

 

[chrisyhy]

Probably you could try Dunlop 100 series. Specificaion-wise they are prefect match especially AG 4D 100.

 

[sansaephanh]

good thing i made this thread. Seems like theres going to be a thunder storm here this weekend. Hopefully I can get the demos in before the winter kicks in hard.

 

[fuzz nation]

Hey, wake up RossK and Fuji... We've got to get the support group together to help out another TT'er looking for love in the tennis world beyond their 6.1 Classics!!!

Nope, you're not alone by a long shot. Plenty of our pals around here have tried to find something to move into once it became time to hang up the ProStaffs. First thing that caught my eye though were the spec's you listed for a potential replacement. Coming from the 6.1 Classics, an 11.5 oz. racquet is probably going to be goofy lightweight for you. My old 6.1's weigh in at 12.8 oz. with only an overgrip and string dampener added on, but they also got me hooked on the feel of a racquet with lots of HL balance. You may find a whole lot of happiness with an alternative that's only a few tenths of an ounce less hefty than your Wilsons.

 

[anhuynh16]

you could wait until the new wilson prostaff BLX line releases

 

[fuzz nation]

Oh, forgot some suggestions. I've had a blast with the Volkl C10 since taking up with them a few winters ago. Soft, cozy alternatives to my 6.1's with a ton of baseline control that I didn't get from my ProStaffs, but I still get very acceptable all-court performance with these, too. The C10 has an extra measure of flex in its hoop, which makes for a bit of a distinctive personality, but it's worked out great for me. You might want to get a look at the other "10 series" Volkls including the PB 10 midplus. TW is selling those at a great price right now.

I think you're smart to look at Donnay, too. I'd expect their gear to be a little more scalpel than bludgeon in comparison with the 6.1 Classics, but I haven't gotten any test drives with their gear under my belt yet. From the sounds of your sampling of the Prestige midplus, you're probably as hooked on a lot of HL balance as the rest of us, since that frame seemed sluggish for you. After logging enough years with the Wilsons, I suppose I'll never be comfortable unless my gear balances at least 9-10 pts. HL. (Yes, I've put some lead tape on the handles of my C10's)

 

[jaybear1909]

Prince EXO3 Tour and Babolat Pure Storm ltd are good ones.

Didn't think I would like the Prince but its now my racquet of choice, not to mention its extremely comfortable. It's a bit flexible, but it plays a little higher than its rating. And you can customize if needed. Lots of options with this stick.

 

[TennisCJC]

Don't get anything until the new 2012 wilson blx prostaff line comes out early next year. Demos will likely be out in Jan/Feb with rackets for sale around Feb/March.

Go here to the see specs on new prostaff line
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=400803&page=3

The 95" is 11.6 oz strung, 7 HL, 16x19, 18 mm flat beam. I don't know SW yet but this looks promising.

There is also a 100" but it is 27.25 long which isn't for me. But, you may like it.

 

[sunof tennis]

You might try the Head Radical MP. It is a good, soft player's racquet. Stick a leather grip on and put a little bit of lead at 9 & 3 you will be in your weight specification. Because it is lighter than the Prestige it will swing a little easier, but is still solid for a fairly light racquet.

 

[keltserg]

First few facts about me:
recreational 4.0-4.5 when I am healthy (I am 50, so I can count such days)
Used to play with head racquets (Flexpoint, Youtek Radical, Radical Pro, Prestige) until I got a tennis elbow and wrist problem.

Switched to Yonex RDiS 200 (heavy version) as a result of extensive internet research on elbow/wrist friendliest racquets. It worked! Great for baseliner and excellent slicing! My volleys have improved! Feel and control is great and yet racquet can be very powerful. Serving is a pleasure because of the balance (HL). Very good at generating spin.

I tried many poly strings but all of them caused elbow/wrist problem. Until I discovered Tourna Unique string, which is soft and yet gives enough of control and power. This string along is too powerful and I am still afraid to damage my elbow and wrist, so I combined Tourna 16 or 17G at 47lbs mains into a hybrid with Gamma Professional 16G (crosses at 57lbs). Now I have perfect combination of racquet and strings.
I think this racquet is worth of trying.

 

[martin]

Vantage rackets are best by far if you look at build quality and if you know your specs you will exactly get the racket you want.

 

[sansaephanh]

Hey, wake up RossK and Fuji... We've got to get the support group together to help out another TT'er looking for love in the tennis world beyond their 6.1 Classics!!!

Nope, you're not alone by a long shot. Plenty of our pals around here have tried to find something to move into once it became time to hang up the ProStaffs. First thing that caught my eye though were the spec's you listed for a potential replacement. Coming from the 6.1 Classics, an 11.5 oz. racquet is probably going to be goofy lightweight for you. My old 6.1's weigh in at 12.8 oz. with only an overgrip and string dampener added on, but they also got me hooked on the feel of a racquet with lots of HL balance. You may find a whole lot of happiness with an alternative that's only a few tenths of an ounce less hefty than your Wilsons.

I'm thinking if I go an full oz lighter on my racket I can leave some leeway in the balance to keep the swing weight up, but I fell in love with the heft + HL feel just like you with both the PSC6.1 and the Prince Rebel 95s. HL 7+ is my sweet spot, but since I'm trying rackets that seem significantly lighter, I left my requirements at 5+ points headlight.

Oh, forgot some suggestions. I've had a blast with the Volkl C10 since taking up with them a few winters ago. Soft, cozy alternatives to my 6.1's with a ton of baseline control that I didn't get from my ProStaffs, but I still get very acceptable all-court performance with these, too. The C10 has an extra measure of flex in its hoop, which makes for a bit of a distinctive personality, but it's worked out great for me. You might want to get a look at the other "10 series" Volkls including the PB 10 midplus. TW is selling those at a great price right now.

I think you're smart to look at Donnay, too. I'd expect their gear to be a little more scalpel than bludgeon in comparison with the 6.1 Classics, but I haven't gotten any test drives with their gear under my belt yet. From the sounds of your sampling of the Prestige midplus, you're probably as hooked on a lot of HL balance as the rest of us, since that frame seemed sluggish for you. After logging enough years with the Wilsons, I suppose I'll never be comfortable unless my gear balances at least 9-10 pts. HL. (Yes, I've put some lead tape on the handles of my C10's)

What REALLY hooked me on the Donnay were the specs and the techs. All their rackets are within my specs with exception to HL balance, but I can always just add the 10g Buttcap. 25g=1oz so 10g = .4oz. So all of the rackets still are in my range with the butt cap.

I've tried the PB10Mid but it was a very limited experience. I might demo it again. I remember trying to look up the C10 and didn't know which model of it to try lol.

Prince EXO3 Tour and Babolat Pure Storm ltd are good ones.

Didn't think I would like the Prince but its now my racquet of choice, not to mention its extremely comfortable. It's a bit flexible, but it plays a little higher than its rating. And you can customize if needed. Lots of options with this stick.

Exo3 Tour seems too soft. I'm a player that hasn't jumped on the poly bandwagon, so I usually don't enjoy a frame that is TOO soft, but I have heard a ton of interesting things about it... Oh no i'm turning into Ross K. Racketholic lol.

Don't get anything until the new 2012 wilson blx prostaff line comes out early next year. Demos will likely be out in Jan/Feb with rackets for sale around Feb/March.

Go here to the see specs on new prostaff line
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=400803&page=3

The 95" is 11.6 oz strung, 7 HL, 16x19, 18 mm flat beam. I don't know SW yet but this looks promising.

There is also a 100" but it is 27.25 long which isn't for me. But, you may like it.

Tbh, I've played with extended length rackets and they've always felt relatively the same, I do tend to hit near the top of the string bed, so it probably helped me with that more than anything. I don't understand how you can feel the .25 of an inch lol. And the 95 does sound promising, but I've played with the current BLX line and found it... Mushy. This is coming from a Exo3 player! lol. I thought it was perfect! Hefty, 8pts HL, Pro Staff pedigree, and a big hype. I played with one for about 4 hours. Felt just a tad too stiff, but extremely muted at the same time. It was like the mush was hurting my arm instead of the pop lol. It's hard to explain. It just felt like a hassle to play with in the long run. It just wasn't for me feel wise.

First few facts about me:
recreational 4.0-4.5 when I am healthy (I am 50, so I can count such days)
Used to play with head racquets (Flexpoint, Youtek Radical, Radical Pro, Prestige) until I got a tennis elbow and wrist problem.

Switched to Yonex RDiS 200 (heavy version) as a result of extensive internet research on elbow/wrist friendliest racquets. It worked! Great for baseliner and excellent slicing! My volleys have improved! Feel and control is great and yet racquet can be very powerful. Serving is a pleasure because of the balance (HL). Very good at generating spin.

I tried many poly strings but all of them caused elbow/wrist problem. Until I discovered Tourna Unique string, which is soft and yet gives enough of control and power. This string along is too powerful and I am still afraid to damage my elbow and wrist, so I combined Tourna 16 or 17G at 47lbs mains into a hybrid with Gamma Professional 16G (crosses at 57lbs). Now I have perfect combination of racquet and strings.
I think this racquet is worth of trying.

I really want to try the RDiS line. I've never played a Yonex and have heard many good things about spin potential and their mids. The specs for this particular racket really popped out at me as well.

Vantage rackets are best by far if you look at build quality and if you know your specs you will exactly get the racket you want.

I've heard this before but can't seem to find any for cheap. I don't want to buy any because I'm in the demo phase and I want to save up for my Camaro

 

[jedd]

you could wait until the new wilson prostaff BLX line releases

when will it happen?

 

[fuzz nation]

What REALLY hooked me on the Donnay were the specs and the techs. All their rackets are within my specs with exception to HL balance, but I can always just add the 10g Buttcap. 25g=1oz so 10g = .4oz. So all of the rackets still are in my range with the butt cap.

I've tried the PB10Mid but it was a very limited experience. I might demo it again. I remember trying to look up the C10 and didn't know which model of it to try lol.

I don't want to buy any because I'm in the demo phase and I want to save up for my Camaro

Yep, that customizing kit looks like the smart option for getting the Donnays feeling much more familiar. I haven't had a go with them yet, but I love that they've come back out with that tuning package for their frames.

I had a swing with the Volkl PB 10 mid when a buddy got a demo from another big-box tennis store. Sure I'm used to my C10's, but I really couldn't relate to that PB10 mid demo. It was probably strung with full poly and its sweet-spot was non-existent for me, but it also didn't have enough HL balance in its stock layout for my liking... and I have a couple of different hefty mids that I like a whole lot.

Just grab any C10 and have a go with it. As far as I know, the more recent generations have been rather consistent, while some of the earlier pressings of the older yellow and black generation (post "fish-scale") came with more heft in their stock layout. I have two of those which weigh 12.5 oz. stock, along with another pair (same paint) that I've taken up to that same weight by adding lead to their handles. The general C10 Pro 98 experience is typically a little unique, so just go with it.

...and I've got to respect the Camaro quest!!! I had a decent one of my own back in the day. Sure, there's "practical" in the auto world, but there's also automotive food for the soul out there. Good to hear that you're in the lunch line!