Yonex Ezone DR 98 Tension / Dampener Question

[lstewart]

Just switched to the Yonex Ezone DR 98 frame a little over a week ago and am seeking string tension / dampener feedback from those playing the frame. Came from the Pacific X-Feel 95 frame which is a lower power flexible frame. Have always played the Pacific strung with a hybrid poly main / synthetic cross at something in the range of 53/55 lbs. Ordered the first DR 98 from TW with Yonex poly at 53 lbs. Hit with it a time or two, and then replaced the crosses with a synthetic at 56. Frame felt a little too tight and a little low powered. Eventually took out my dampener and the frame felt a little better, not as dead and boardy. Ordered a second DR 98 once I decided to make the permanent transition. Had this one string with the Yonex poly at 51, but changed the crosses to the same as before synthetic at 53. Frame still felt a little too tight / boardy, and pretty dead with the dampener. Again removed the dampener, and it played okay, although still like maybe it is strung a little tight. I'm not sure if this is just a frame that plays better strung below my normal ranges, or if perhaps the frame material is so dampened to begin with, that adding a dampener makes it feel too dead. I have never used to Yonex poly, and I am using a fairly low power synthetic in the crosses. Just looking for some feedback from others that may have noticed this and what adjustments you made (if any) to get the frame to feel more in line with your preference. Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[NickJ]

I like mine. DR98 with PolyTour Pro 125 at 53lbs and a rubber band dampener. Feels fine. Maybe you're overthinking it? Just relax and enjoy the game!

 

[Tim Bereika]

I play with the DR98 and have experimented with hybrid string tensions in the past. I've had the most success with Black Magic 17g @ 49# in the mains and Gosen OG Sheep Micro 17g @ 53# in the cross strings. Hope that helps.

 

[CodyZzZ]

Just switched to the Yonex Ezone DR 98 frame a little over a week ago and am seeking string tension / dampener feedback from those playing the frame. Came from the Pacific X-Feel 95 frame which is a lower power flexible frame. Have always played the Pacific strung with a hybrid poly main / synthetic cross at something in the range of 53/55 lbs. Ordered the first DR 98 from TW with Yonex poly at 53 lbs. Hit with it a time or two, and then replaced the crosses with a synthetic at 56. Frame felt a little too tight and a little low powered. Eventually took out my dampener and the frame felt a little better, not as dead and boardy. Ordered a second DR 98 once I decided to make the permanent transition. Had this one string with the Yonex poly at 51, but changed the crosses to the same as before synthetic at 53. Frame still felt a little too tight / boardy, and pretty dead with the dampener. Again removed the dampener, and it played okay, although still like maybe it is strung a little tight. I'm not sure if this is just a frame that plays better strung below my normal ranges, or if perhaps the frame material is so dampened to begin with, that adding a dampener makes it feel too dead. I have never used to Yonex poly, and I am using a fairly low power synthetic in the crosses. Just looking for some feedback from others that may have noticed this and what adjustments you made (if any) to get the frame to feel more in line with your preference. Thanks for your thoughts.

I removed my dampener on my DR98s for a different reason than yours. I thought the DR98 is so comfortable to swing that the dampener is unnecessary, and that gives me a bit livelier feel. Your next issue is a boardy feel. This typically occurs with a stiff string or high tension. Either try lowering tensions if you've found the perfect string combo, or look for a less stiff string. I've tried Yonex Poly Air recently which was super buttery and comfy, but not sure whether it is for everyone. Finally, you had an issue with low power. Instead of lowering string tensions which will impact control, trying increasing the swingweight by adding some lead, suggest you start at 3 & 9. Hope that helps.

 

[CodyZzZ]

@lstewart By the way, feel free to join da club and discussions here:
https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/yonex-ezone-dr-club.545985/

 

[lstewart]

Yes, I have also found the DR 98 to be pretty arm friendly without the dampener. I've got chronic wrist and elbow issues, so I can tell pretty quick if a frame is going to cause problems. I did have lead at 3 and 9 on the Pacific 95's, so that is certainly an adjustment option. I think the string in these frames is probably a little stiffer than what I have been using. So going a little lower with the current string, or switching back to the more lively string option should help. The dampener situation is more unusual for me, as I have been using one for many many years, and am surprised to find a frame that feels better to me without one. Of course, if I back off on the tension much, that might change.

 

[ZirkusAffe]

I removed my dampener on my DR98s for a different reason than yours. I thought the DR98 is so comfortable to swing that the dampener is unnecessary, and that gives me a bit livelier feel. Your next issue is a boardy feel. This typically occurs with a stiff string or high tension. Either try lowering tensions if you've found the perfect string combo, or look for a less stiff string. I've tried Yonex Poly Air recently which was super buttery and comfy, but not sure whether it is for everyone. Finally, you had an issue with low power. Instead of lowering string tensions which will impact control, trying increasing the swingweight by adding some lead, suggest you start at 3 & 9. Hope that helps.

agreed, the racquet is pretty muted already I usually always have a dampener on my racquets but I get better feedback without one on the DR. I like lead at 3' and 9' as well on the DR, I also have my Xi98 setup the same way.
Like NickJ said Poly Pro tours are nice but they are lower powered string although good comfort and control strung in the low 50's .. I've also used cyclone 18g and 19g (19's I've popped early but are comfortable, 18's are pretty awesome as well and last longer).

 

[donquijote]

No dampener.
String at 45 with full poly for consistent hit.
Add 5 g at 9 and 3 o'clock.
Enjoy.

 

[oldcity]

I've done that with strings before on my stringer. in my experience, pulling the crosses out after the racquet is strung and replacing/changing tension, usually results in a boardy feel. my sticks are now both YPTP 1.25 @51 on a crank.both plush. I'd say drop tension a little. 53 is probably better tension for the 1.20 string.

 

[lstewart]

Thanks for the feedback. DId not think about restringing the crosses causing it to not feel right, but that could be part of the issue. I generally don't like all poly, but I did hit with the frame a couple of days with all poly at 53, and although I started having some wrist issues, I do think it felt a little more plush than after I restrung the crosses with a synthetic. So that could part of the issue. My normal set-up the past couple of years has been 17g Volkl Cyclone Tour mains, and Head synthetic 17g crosses. That is definitely a more lively string bed than the current 16L Yonex poly and 16g Pacific synthetic. Strings can make a big difference, so going to a new racket, and then having a string you have not used before make you unsure of what factors are at work. Sounds like I need to start over with one of the frames and restring with my usual string in the 51-53 range, than work from there. I'm hitting the ball pretty well with it as is, but it does feel a little boardy on volleys and touch shots.

 

[haqq777]

I do not use dampeners on mine even though I regularly use dampeners in my other sticks. DR 98 is already a bit muted for my taste. Cyclone 18 @50lbs for tension. Plays like a dream

 

[spindoktur]

I've tried a bunch of strings in my DR 98's, and the two I like most are Yonex Poly Tour Fire 1.25 or 1.20 @ 54 mains & 52 crosses, or Kirschbaum Pro Line 2 1.25 (red, not black) at the same tensions. Going to try some Big Ace 1.22 next. Also added lead at 3, 9 & 12 o'clock for stability, and use a rubber band dampener or the Yonex dampener (rubber band adds about 2 swingweight points, and the Yonex dampener adds approx 4). Would recommend playing around with different weights, balance points and swingweights till you find a setup that works for you. You'd be surprised how a little lead tape here and there changes the feel of your shots

Strings that I tried and didn't like in the DR98 (your experience may vary): Tier One Firewire, Kirschbaum Max Power Rough, Solinco Hyper-G, Wilson Revolve, Laserfibre Vorso.

 

[rh310]

I use Cyclone Tour 17 @ 51x48, and keep coming back to it no matter what else I try. Second best was hybrid, kinda Fed set up (VS mains, ALU Rough crosses) at the same tension.

Use a dampener, although don't really need it.

 

[Allcourtguy]

I also found it necessary to string lower with my DR98, I use HyperG 18g / Volkl Classic Syn Gut hybrid at 46/50. I have weight in the hoop and handle.

 

[MisterP]

The AI and DR lines are incredibly muted. I haven't used a dampener in over 2 years because it completely removes the feel. It's like hitting with a pillow. I now string my AI 98 at 46 pounds with Black Code 4S 17g, and could easily go down to 45 or 44 without a losing control. The string pattern is 16x19, but the way that Yonex builds these frames has the mains all squished together and it hits almost like an 18x20. So high tensions tend to feel really boardy.

 

[ZirkusAffe]

I guess I need to try mid 40's for poly in the DR seems like a lot of people are liking the control at lower tensions.. I can put to use some Kirsch PXL 1.25 (red) and see how it performs. great info on the DR setups.

 

[2ndServe]

strung all 3 at 57 lbs main 55 cross - Tonic Gut 15L and poly cross. It plays way too tight. I assume 57lbs is way too high on this racket, aslo the 15L gut doesn't play that great, too thick. Any advice to loosen it, I'd hate to cut the gut out.

 

[MisterP]

strung all 3 at 57 lbs main 55 cross - Tonic Gut 15L and poly cross. It plays way too tight. I assume 57lbs is way too high on this racket, aslo the 15L gut doesn't play that great, too thick. Any advice to loosen it, I'd hate to cut the gut out.

It's tough this time of year, but I've put mine in the trunk of my car for 20 or 30 minutes in the summer and that loosens them up a lot. When you restring, I'd go way, way down on tension especially with the poly cross. No higher than 50.

If it were me, I'd do my favorite 17g poly in the crosses at 46, with a 16g gut in the mains at 50.

 

[oldcity]

strung all 3 at 57 lbs main 55 cross - Tonic Gut 15L and poly cross. It plays way too tight. I assume 57lbs is way too high on this racket, aslo the 15L gut doesn't play that great, too thick. Any advice to loosen it, I'd hate to cut the gut out.

my experience is that this racquet feels boardy with no power with any tension over 52lbs on my crank stringing machine. I play with poly tour pro 16g @ 51/50 and drop a lb when its winter. I've tried some other poly strings and did a couple of hybrids. even the hybrid felt like a board at 55/55. maybe it just doesn't have enough mass in the hoop for higher tension. a lot of people like it in the 40's but that might be on a constant pull machine.

 

[Anton]

Volkl Cyclone 17g strung with 52lb Sergetti method = perfect in my DR98s.

I usually use rubber band dampener to get rid of pinging - but not needed in DR98