An idea for Dan's next video series

Pros playing on camera with non sponsor equipment? That will be tough^^

I thought the same. and even if they used cheap rubbers and blades from their sponsor, the only acceptable conclusion I think said sponsor would allow is more expensive is better otherwise it would blow their business model and make them look like charlatans.

Maybe a retired non-sponsored pro and not a top pro?

NextLevel said:

Maybe a retired non-sponsored pro and not a top pro?

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That could work

If you name the rubber/blade it is basically advertisement and promotion, for which they would (and should) ask for money.
Bad idea I think.

Also pointless. As a pianist I can tell you immediately the difference between a high grade and low grade instrument, in terms of sound quality and mechanical fluidity, but of course it doesn't mean I'll play less good on it. It'll just not sound as good, possibly.

I also find something distasteful,, dishonest and preachy about making a video like that. What, you're trying to 'prove' something to 'beginners' ?? You're going to give random equipment to a good player, show that the player can still play, and from that infer that 'equipment doesn't really matter', when both you and the good player know for a fact is a lie (or else they'd be using random equipment in their career) ?
And you want an equipment shop to make the video for you???

Meh. No.

Lightzy said:

If you name the rubber/blade it is basically advertisement and promotion, for which they would (and should) ask for money.
Bad idea I think.

Also pointless. As a pianist I can tell you immediately the difference between a high grade and low grade instrument, in terms of sound quality and mechanical fluidity, but of course it doesn't mean I'll play less good on it. It'll just not sound as good, possibly.

I also find something distasteful,, dishonest and preachy about making a video like that. What, you're trying to 'prove' something to 'beginners' ?? You're going to give random equipment to a good player, show that the player can still play, and from that infer that 'equipment doesn't really matter', when both you and the good player know for a fact is a lie (or else they'd be using random equipment in their career) ?
And you want an equipment shop to make the video for you???

Meh. No.

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Atas does sound a bit like he's got an agenda here but I don't think it's an issue, he's being open as to the aims and merits of such of a video, and the fact it could go both ways.
I, for one, would enjoy that kind of thing, maybe following NextLevel's suggestion.

Also, Dan is a very good player in his own right and, as the next best thing, I wouldn't mind a review with Tom (it's been a while! I love seeing the two of you going at it) of a non-tensor, run-of-the-mill rubber. Maybe GoldArc 5, Xiom Musa 3, Nittaku Factive, Cornilleau Drive or something (I don't know enough about Chinese rubbers so didn't name any, but would also love that kind of thing with "2nd tier", albeit good stuff). And by that, I mean really going for it.

One criticism I have for, say, the Rasanter or Target Pro videos, is how quickly one sponge hardness was singled out as being a standout, and how little time was given to the other variants. I understand you need to remain in good terms with brands and rely on people reading between the lines, rather than singling out negatives, not to mention putting on a good show with whatever works best for you, etc. And you always mention whom the less favoured rubbers could suit.

But still, if you were to say "look, this is really not my kind of rubber (soft, slow and all; take the 42.5 GA5, for example) but we'll see what we can get out of it". I am sure that stuff would be playable and I don't think this would sound offensive as people mentioned, in the way "we've decided to play shite rubbers and make a random video" would - so long as you don't go too far down the scale. In this case, you could reach out to a whole lot of people who don't quite identify with the T05 vs T64, or Rhyzer 48 vs BS Z1, or whatever. Or better still, reach out to the persons who do, and make them have a think.