Looking for J.O. Waldner rubber or replacement
Equipment
Filippo Rotunno Asked 8 years ago
Dear Alois and Jeff
For years I had been playing with a rubber, J.O. Waldner, which in the U.K. is sold by Donic.
About 5 or more years ago Donic stopped producing it. I asked what was the nearest replacement and was given a new rubber which I purchased in good faith only to discover that it was completely different from the original J.O. Waldner. I have contacted other retailers and purchased various rubbers but none is the same.
By studying about hardness and softness of sponges I concluded that Mark V could be a good replacement. This has in fact worked on my backhand but not as well on the forehand. I have been able to last until now thanks to a supplier in the Philippines that was still stocking the original J.O. Waldner. Unfortunately their stock has finished.
A friend of mine suggested a small retailer that only stocks Donic products. I explained to this retailer the way I play, my age and he suggested a carbon blade and two new rubbers. When I received the bat I found that it was heavier than the previous one and much faster.
I have used it for two months and I have reached a point where I need your help. There is no denying that I am getting more used to it but I still find it difficult to control and keep the ball low and short. Last night at my Club I nearly lost to a player who I regularly and easily used to beat. I think he has improved but I found myself lifting the ball too much.
Considering my age (just over 70) what do you think I should do? Persevere? Or what else?
Thank you once again for your help and for all that you do for us.
Kind regards
Filippo
Alois Rosario Answered 8 years ago
Hi Filippo,
Nice to hear from you as usual.
This time though, I don't think I can be much help. I really am not across the different rubbers and blades.
I hope one of our readers can help, or may even have a little stash of Waldner rubbers hidden away somewhere...
Thoughts on this question
Become a free member to post a comment about this question.
Shaun Synot Posted 8 years ago
Persson used Coppa or J.O Waldner depending on which one he could get at the time so they are similar. Have you seen this http://www.iruiru.com/goods_page.php?ct=A&mk=L&gd=AL081
Jean Balthazar Posted 8 years ago
Hi Filippo,
Welcome to the infinite maze of current rubbers, blades and their combinations... Here you can lose a lot of time, money, and possibly your mind!
I tried to find information about the Donic J.O. Waldner rubber, which I never used myself, but it's difficult since it has been discontinued quite a while ago already, and apparently wasn't that popular to start with. Your first option could be the "Legend" Shaun referred to (is it the same rubber with just an updated name? I don't know).
Your second option would be to try to reproduce the characteristics of your reference setup: Rubber top sheet hardness / grip, sponge hardness and thickness, blade types / number or wood / composite layers, weight... By the way, why change your blade if it's still in good condition? Keeping it would reduce the number of variables.
Your third option would be to start from scratch: From your playing style and priorities (control, speed, spin, block, smash, chop), read reviews of blades and rubbers and try to find the holy grail. That's if you enjoy testing, have time and have money to spend.
Which other rubbers did you test that didn't fit the bill and what was wrong with them? Did you test them on your regular bat or on different ones? What's your reference blade ? What's wrong with the Mark V on your forehand? (again, with which blade are you using it?) What is that new blade + rubbers that you bought and find too fast? Lost of questions... maybe it would be easier to convince Donic to restart producing the J.O. Waldner rubber!
Filippo Rotunno Posted 8 years ago
Thank you to Shaun and Jean for their great help. Jean has asked some valid questions and here are my answers: My reference blade is Stiga WRB Allround classic. The reason why I changed blade is because the retailer that sold me the latest bat only sells Donic products. I trusted him that the carbon blade he suggested would suit my style. On my reference blade I had previously tried about 5 rubbers. The ones I remember (and still have) are: Stiga Neos and Andro Plasma 430. I agree with Shaun that Coppa (I cannot remember the type) is the one that came closer, but not quite the same as my JO Waldnetr. Mark V on the forehand also comes closer but somehow there are things I cannot do with it that I used to do with my JO Waldner. As Shaun suggests I will try pingpongonline. If it is the Philippine supplier I think that they may have not updated their website because I ordered some sheets from them and they returned the money as they did not have any in stock. I will give it another ago. What do you advise about the present bat. Should I carry on and if so for how long? Or give it up and test another rubber on my reference blade? If so which one? Finally the bat I am using has as a blade Ovtcharov-senso-soft carbon and as rubbers Desto F1 2.0 on f/hand and the same but 1.8 on the b/hand.
Kind regards to both
Filippo