Stringing Machine Recommendations. ~$2000 budget.

moosehead · 09-09-2011, 07:06 PM

I am finally ready to pull the trigger on purchasing a stringing machine. It is long overdue. I have been reading a lot reviews/opinions and there appears to be a lot of choices out there which is making my decision extremely difficult. I would like to stay around $2000.

Initially I was interested in the Prince NEOS 1500 with the Wise 2086 ($1800) but after reading about some customer service issues with the Wise, I am having second thoughts.

Now I am leaning more towards one of the Gamma 5800 ELS's ($2099-$2299). Not sure which one. Considering the 6-point SC mount.

What are your opinions on the NEOS 1500/Wise vs. the Gamma 5800 and is there anything else I should be considering at this price point. Also which 5800 would be the best option.

Thanks for your suggestions.

-matt

marco forehand · 09-10-2011, 05:15 AM

Good luck with this. My impression (I am NOT an expert) is that you are in a middle ground. I've had a Wise 2086 for 10 years and it's been reliable. I've had minimal need for customer service but remember them being helpful. I have not heard of any problems with the Neos.
To my mind, that combination represents great proven value.
Another consideration is that you have a built in backup tension head (should power be unavailable or the Wise have to be shipped back for repair).
The Neos/Wise combination strikes me as the easier sell on the used market as well. (even many years later)
The Gamma seems very well thought out. I have a friend who has been using a Gamma for the past 10 years without any issues with the tensioning head.
that's my $.02 !

ATP100 · 09-10-2011, 05:40 AM

Buy the Gamma, you can buy a used Neos/Ektelon anytime where you live for a back-up.

Don't buy a Wise.

nadalex · 09-10-2011, 06:10 AM

I'd go with the Eagnas plus 8000
great machine, Ive personally strung a few racquets on it during the summer when i worked at the local pro shop. Easy functions, constant Pull electronic. and very well priced at $1295

True Gut · 09-10-2011, 07:36 AM

For two grand you can buy this Gamma 5800 on that big List site and still send me $1000 in appreciation. http://huntsville.craigslist.org/spo/2576928440.html

No? $500?

A thank you card?

Up&comer · 09-10-2011, 07:45 AM

Yeah, gammas are good. Definetely get the 6 point, I've had a few issues with the 2 point.

Jerry Seinfeld · 09-10-2011, 08:48 AM

Consider a Stringway ML100 or MS200. Lower cost than others mentioned in the thread and it produces superior results.

moosehead · 09-10-2011, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by True Gut

For two grand you can buy this Gamma 5800 on that big List site and still send me $1000 in appreciation. http://huntsville.craigslist.org/spo/2576928440.html

No? $500?

A thank you card?

Thanks for the link! If it works out I will definitely send you a thank-you card. I emailed them. Waiting for a response.

moosehead · 09-10-2011, 09:50 AM

Does anyone know how the mounting system and clamps compare between the Neos 1500 and the Gamma 5800? Does one have any advantage over the other?

marco forehand · 09-10-2011, 11:30 AM

here's another if you like
http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/spo/2551946775.html
good luck

quest01 · 09-10-2011, 03:53 PM

The mounting system on the Neos 1500 is easy, its a 4 point mounting system that's simple to mount a racquet on. All you do is adjust the spacing between the mounting towers, then adjust the white contact pad height and lastly rotate the knob bolts on the outside of the towers. Also the wise 2086 does make a nice addition to the 1500.

COPEY · 09-10-2011, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerry Seinfeld

Consider a Stringway ML100 or MS200. Lower cost than others mentioned in the thread and it produces superior results.

The Dick's up the street from where I live has a TF 7000 ($7K+), and I got one of the worst restrings I ever received a while back. Producing a quality job in my opinion is heavily weighted on the stringer, not the kind of machine he/she is using.

L10-11 · 09-11-2011, 07:26 AM

I have the Gamma 6400 and the 5800 I realy like both of these stringers. What I did not like was the mounting system on the 5800 over the 6400. I removed the six point on the 6400 and installed it on the 5800. I have no idea why Gamma put that six point on a stringer that cost twice as much as the 6400, and is twice as crapy. The problem was the set up. .The 6400 can be set up in a vert short amount of time, but the 5800 because of the many different knobs took much longer, and I don't believe the raquet was held any better. I do like the electronic machine better than the mechanical lock out because I think you get a better string job over all.
I have been a stringer for about five years.

SpinLikeRafa · 09-11-2011, 08:41 AM

In the same boat as OP, other then the bay or CL where could i find some used stringers

moosehead · 09-11-2011, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by L10-11

I have the Gamma 6400 and the 5800 I realy like both of these stringers. What I did not like was the mounting system on the 5800 over the 6400. I removed the six point on the 6400 and installed it on the 5800. I have no idea why Gamma put that six point on a stringer that cost twice as much as the 6400, and is twice as crapy. The problem was the set up. .The 6400 can be set up in a vert short amount of time, but the 5800 because of the many different knobs took much longer, and I don't believe the raquet was held any better. I do like the electronic machine better than the mechanical lock out because I think you get a better string job over all.
I have been a stringer for about five years.

I noticed the 5800 has a SC (Self Centering) version, in the 6-point, for $100 more. Perhaps they improved the setup a bit? Not sure which one you have.

moosehead · 09-11-2011, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marco forehand

here's another if you like
http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/spo/2551946775.html
good luck

Thanks for the link. Pennsylvania is a bit far for me. Is it common for sellers on CL to ship such a large/heavy item? Does anyone have any experience with this? I would be a little concerned for this type of item unless they had all of the original packing material.

moosehead · 09-11-2011, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by COPEY

The Dick's up the street from where I live has a TF 7000 ($7K+), and I got one of the worst restrings I ever received a while back. Producing a quality job in my opinion is heavily weighted on the stringer, not the kind of machine he/she is using.

Agreed, I have had a few bad stringings on top of the line machines also. That being said I think I would still prefer to have an electronic stringer for ease of use and setup. Since I have never owned an electronic stringer though my assumption may be incorrect.

How easy is it to setup the tension on the Stringway's compared to electronic. Also is there much of a speed advantage on either system?

moosehead · 09-11-2011, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Up&comer

Yeah, gammas are good. Definetely get the 6 point, I've had a few issues with the 2 point.

Do you know if the SC (Self Centering) version of the 6-point is worth the $100? On paper it looks good. Does anyone have any experience with it?

Up&comer · 09-11-2011, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moosehead

Do you know if the SC (Self Centering) version of the 6-point is worth the $100? On paper it looks good. Does anyone have any experience with it?

It's definitely helpful. I'd say it's worth it.

COPEY · 09-11-2011, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moosehead

Agreed, I have had a few bad stringings on top of the line machines also. That being said I think I would still prefer to have an electronic stringer for ease of use and setup. Since I have never owned an electronic stringer though my assumption may be incorrect.

Oh I hear ya - I just wanted to point out that it's not necessarily the machine that produces superior results; it's the stringer. Are the machines he suggested (ML100/MS200) good machines? Probably, but I don't have personal experience with them. The bottom line is some hapless, uncaring guy could easily produce just as crappy a job on those, too.

As for your preference for an electronic, sure - more power to ya. When I was in the market and reading these boards religiously searching for the machine that would suite my needs, I narrowed it down to two machines and simply pulled the trigger. You can read and search and re-read and do more searching and come away as indecisive as when you first started. Everyone has an opinion about this machine or that, cp vs lo, sc vs non-sc, etc. Do enough research, ask a few questions (which you're already doing), then make the decision. With the amount of money you want to spend I'm sure you'll be happy with your choice.

I opted for the Alpha Apex 2 with the intent to get a Wise, but decided I didn't need it. I focused on my technique, practicing, reading, watching videos (several times on occasion) until I was able to produce very consistent string jobs. With the volume of work I do (about 6 racquets per month excluding my own) the crank is plenty for me.

Be careful, however. Once you get into it, in the period of a year/year-and-a-half you could spend more than $2k in string lol. I have more string than I'll ever be able to use, but it's fun. I enjoy trying new string and having a large inventory so others can try a variety of string as well. It can get pretty addicting.

Anyway, good luck with your search!

09-09-2011, 07:06 PM	#1
moosehead New User Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Florida Posts: 28	Stringing Machine Recommendations. ~$2000 budget. I am finally ready to pull the trigger on purchasing a stringing machine. It is long overdue. I have been reading a lot reviews/opinions and there appears to be a lot of choices out there which is making my decision extremely difficult. I would like to stay around $2000. Initially I was interested in the Prince NEOS 1500 with the Wise 2086 ($1800) but after reading about some customer service issues with the Wise, I am having second thoughts. Now I am leaning more towards one of the Gamma 5800 ELS's ($2099-$2299). Not sure which one. Considering the 6-point SC mount. What are your opinions on the NEOS 1500/Wise vs. the Gamma 5800 and is there anything else I should be considering at this price point. Also which 5800 would be the best option. Thanks for your suggestions. -matt

09-10-2011, 05:15 AM	#2
marco forehand Rookie Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 104	Good luck with this. My impression (I am NOT an expert) is that you are in a middle ground. I've had a Wise 2086 for 10 years and it's been reliable. I've had minimal need for customer service but remember them being helpful. I have not heard of any problems with the Neos. To my mind, that combination represents great proven value. Another consideration is that you have a built in backup tension head (should power be unavailable or the Wise have to be shipped back for repair). The Neos/Wise combination strikes me as the easier sell on the used market as well. (even many years later) The Gamma seems very well thought out. I have a friend who has been using a Gamma for the past 10 years without any issues with the tensioning head. that's my $.02 ! __________________ half way to infinity

09-10-2011, 06:10 AM	#4
nadalex Rookie Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 198	I'd go with the Eagnas plus 8000 great machine, Ive personally strung a few racquets on it during the summer when i worked at the local pro shop. Easy functions, constant Pull electronic. and very well priced at $1295 __________________ 3x Prestige Pro Mamba Black Spin 1.24 (52#)

09-10-2011, 11:30 AM	#10
marco forehand Rookie Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 104	here's another if you like http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/spo/2551946775.html good luck __________________ half way to infinity

09-11-2011, 07:26 AM	#13
L10-11 New User Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 11	Gamma stringer I have the Gamma 6400 and the 5800 I realy like both of these stringers. What I did not like was the mounting system on the 5800 over the 6400. I removed the six point on the 6400 and installed it on the 5800. I have no idea why Gamma put that six point on a stringer that cost twice as much as the 6400, and is twice as crapy. The problem was the set up. .The 6400 can be set up in a vert short amount of time, but the 5800 because of the many different knobs took much longer, and I don't believe the raquet was held any better. I do like the electronic machine better than the mechanical lock out because I think you get a better string job over all. I have been a stringer for about five years.