Alpha Pioneer III?
 

Hey guys, I saw one of these for sale and I wondered what you guys think is a good price for it.It looks like its in great condition:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/2447984...57605153235297

Also, can anyone give me any comments about the machine: ease of use, durability, clamp quality, etc?

I bougth an alpha pioneer 3 last summer for 240$. The guy who sold it wantet 300.. I`m new too stringing but i think it`s a good machine. Easy to use.
Only thing i didnt like was the mounting system.. sometimes the racket would pop out and over the "clamp" on the side.
But I just got that little problem fixed by Bolt here on the forum who sent me som adapters that works much better than the original clamps.

I bought one of the big auction site about two years ago for $175 plus shipping. It was in excellent condition with all the original parts/manuals that came with it. I still use it today and have had no problems with it.

When I bought mine, I saw others sell on the same auction site. I don't think any sold for more than $225.

It's a very good, heavy duty machine.

Is this item number 220237103059? Also, didn't you buy a gamma progression from Richie?

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Its the only one listed on fleabay, and yes, I just recieved the Gamma Progression, and love it. Its got such a durable construction, and the six point mounting is so nice. But, I wouldn't mind having the fixed clamps of the Alpha Pioneer III.I could always get it, and sell the Progression

LOVE mine, even more after the awesome Bolt sent me some updated clamps. Glide bars, turntable, solid six-point mounts. No better dropweight exists, IMHO...

This is a great drop weight machine, probably one of the better ever made, including today. It is built like a tank and has a double turntable for ease in stringing the crosses. The Alpha Pioneer III is the same machine as the Gamma 600-FC, and the Tenex 600-FC, manufactured until the early 1990s.

The machine pictured does not have the original Alpha clamps and is missing the four side supports. There is also a series of nylon head and throat adapters to allow a better mounting of various frames (two, one head & one throat) are shown in the pictues. You can probably still find these pieces at Alpha (newtechtennis) or Gamma. I do not think new clamps or glide bars are available, but you may be able to find used ones.

With all of the parts, this machine is equal to any dropweight out there today, with the exception of the S t r i n g W a y tensioning arm and is much superior to the Gamma X2, Klippermate, SP Swing, etc. It is limited in frame headsize and fan style paterns (will accomodate 110 sq. in.).

Do a search and you will find lots of information on this machine.

Good luck.

Thanks for the input guys. I would really like to get this, but I'm not sure how much it will go up to. I'll update with final price.

It's a shame that I can't find many stringing machines on the bay.

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Are you going to try for the Alpha Pioneer III?

Probably not, I want the luxury of the warranty and a return policy, just in case. Though it is a great deal.

I'd say the high demand for it would warrent a pretty decent return policy; just sell it and you'll get your money back

Hmm, i'm thinking about it. I dunno. That's not as 100% insured, know what I mean. Btw, are you still interested in it? Also, i've heard that a frame can pop out of it easily, or at least easier than other machines.

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Yea thats what I heard, about the frame popping out. Right now, with the price its at, i would get it, but its had 27 bids and a ton of views, so I'm sure its going to soar up at the last min. I love my gamma progression though, so I have no real desire to get it.

Any frame warpage w/ it?

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Nope, none whatsoever so far. Its the same one that YuLitle has in his videos, except he has an electronic tensioner. Its really stable and the adjusters really lock the racquet in firmely.

Is it a single knob adjustment?

Not sure what you mean. There's six knobs total, three each end.

its this mount exactly:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rshyofxT_TY&fmt=18

Oh, okay, i've heard some machines have a single knob for the throat and one for the head to adjust the mount.