Rabbit
G.O.A.T.
Well this weekend it was aptly named, I can vouch.
Alpha Ghost 2 Stringing Machine
- Thread starter Edgewood
- Start date
Folsom_Stringer_Musa
Professional
It is the stringer and his skills, not the machine!
EDIT: I meant to say, 2 machines of similar level with 2 stringers with different skills.
No point in giving a skilled stringer Klipper but give sloppy stringer high end machine and then compare the quality.
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Rabbit
G.O.A.T.
But I gotta say....the machine helps. 
I know I produce better, more consistent string jobs in less time with less effort using the Mighty Sensor. But for the most part, it's like peeing in a blue suit. You get a warm feeling but nobody else notices. I doubt the majority of people notice that the string jobs are better and I know all of them wouldn't be willing to pay more just because I got a better machine.
I know I produce better, more consistent string jobs in less time with less effort using the Mighty Sensor. But for the most part, it's like peeing in a blue suit. You get a warm feeling but nobody else notices. I doubt the majority of people notice that the string jobs are better and I know all of them wouldn't be willing to pay more just because I got a better machine.
g4driver
Legend
Q: "Hey do you have coconut water?" asks my teammate in Mobile for Sectionals in July at a gas station
A: "What is that?" say the Gas Station employee
Q: "water from the inside of a coconut" my teammate replies
A: "We don't have coconuts. We have bananas"
Destin is like Monaco compared to parts of Alabama.
Very true on my Ghost also.Ok, got my Head TE3300 this week (should be similar to the Alpha). I recommend to use the auto-lock function
Addxyz
Hall of Fame
In some YT vids, it seems like some machines, when you pull tension, the turntable will turn to line up and wobble back and forth once it reaches the line up point. Almost like the turntable is either rotating too easily or the head doesn't pull as hard?
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Irvin
Talk Tennis Guru
Sound to me like you’re saying 2 different things. If there is damping the turntable will not rotate as fast, or you can apply a brake to stop the turntable From rotating. If there is no / little damping, or no brake applied, and the turntable is not lined up correctly as tension is applied the the table will turn to line up. The inertia of the turntable and racket will continue to turn the table past the point of alignment and the table will continue in a wobbling motion until it stops.
My Star 5 has damping and no noticeable wobble. My 700-ES has very little damping. If you hand pull the string through the diablo and gripper on the 700-ES you can eliminate most of the wobble on tension pulls.
g4driver
Legend
Remember this @Rabbitt?
45 Years Later: Weebles Wobble but They Don’t Fall Down - Flashbak
In 1971, Hasbro/Romper Room introduced the world to a classic toy of the disco-decade: The Weebles.
flashbak.com
Ghost AutoBrake "OFF": If I have the string at a slight angle to the diablo, the turntable will "wiggle" not really a "wobble" and continue to pull tension until the wiggle stops and the tension locks out.
Ghost Auto Brake "ON": If I have the string at a slight angle to the diablo, the tension head will start to pull tension but not lock as the turntable turns to make the angle as close to 180 as possible (The center mains pulled would be nearly a straight line or 180 angle ), all the while the tension continues to pull. Once the Auto Brake Locks, the angle is between the grommet and diablo is set, and the tensioner will continue pulling tension and then lock off. The Wiggle is gone with the Auto Brake On and the turntable reaches a lock point much quicker than without it.
I have been flying for 34 years, IMO, the AutoBrake on a Ghost serves a similar purpose to a YAW Damper in a jet / airplane to counter adverse yaw. You can turn off the Ghost's Auto Brake feature, but I like it personally. The key in using it is to get the largest angle between the grommet and the diablo so your string isn't being pulled a 90 degree angle..
If the Ghost's AutoBrake "On" feature is simply a tool. If you know how to properly use it, it makes stringing faster. If you are sloppy with it, you will get inconsistent results if the angle between the grommet and diablo vary from one frame to the next frame. e.g. I strung three Yonex Ai 98 frames for one client this week. All three frames strung back to back, all same strings, tension and all using the AutoBrake feature ON. Client is a 4.5A down and I string 3 to 4 frame for him every month. He is 8-0 in USTA play in 2021 Men's tennis, and has never told me I give him inconsistently strung frames.
@Edgewood turn off the Yaw Damper next time you at FL410 and let me know how the clients like it.
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Irvin
Talk Tennis Guru
I cand get it repaired probably but just wanted a new machine. I wanted to try the push / push clamp bases too and love them.
@Edgewood turn off the Yaw Damper next time you at FL410 and let me know how the clients like it.
Ahhhh no thanks. LOL
Irvin
Talk Tennis Guru
The bases and clamps on the700-ES do not say Xpider they have STRINGING TECH printed on them. The bases look like Xpider but the clamps are much slimmer profile clamps.
Rabbit
G.O.A.T.
Ok as I thought. @Richard Parnell addressed this in his ATW video I believe saying you shouldn’t let the turntable wiggle or wobble or move to and fro. I don’t use the brake, I keep a hand on the frame to keep it steady when tension is pulled.
BTW the Mighty Sensor has push down bases and they are sublime.
BTW the Mighty Sensor has push down bases and they are sublime.
That's how I prevent turntable "wobble" as well.
Gamma machines have turntables that spin/turn very freely.
Herb
Semi-Pro
They are Xpider, I spoke to one of the Xpider guys in Taiwan last week, and he confirmed that Tourna is their re-branded US distributor.
Irvin
Talk Tennis Guru
I’m pretty sure Unique Sports is the US Distributor for Xpider, and they are the distributor for Tourna.
Tourna is owned by Unique Sports. Tourna has its stringing machines made by Xpider.
jwocky
Rookie
This:
is aptly captured by:
and
In fact:
I know Unique Sports is the owner of the Tourna trademark brand.
is aptly captured by:
and
In fact:
I know Unique Sports is the owner of the Tourna trademark brand.
MAX PLY
Hall of Fame
Unique Sports Products is effectively Tourna--I believe Gene Niksich was the originator of those early products (Tourna Grip, the original "O" dampner, etc. and he has a ton of patents) and he and his sons continue to run the enterprise. Honestly, a great story of business success. As for the Tourna stringing machines, I believe they are made for the Tourna brand by a third party (presumably Xpider).
MAX PLY
Hall of Fame
Kevin is Gene’s son.
Rabbit
G.O.A.T.
I have it from a very reliable source that Tourna is not the distributor for Xpider, just a client. Xpider builds the machines for Tourna using their brand as they do other brands. Xpider is one of the smaller machine factories in Taiwan, Ex-Three is the biggest as they supply HEAD, Dunlop, Yonex, Alpha etc.
I hope this helps.
Irvin
Talk Tennis Guru
See video description or watch video. Whether Unique Sports is the only distributor of Xpider bases I don’t know.
ClaudTT
Semi-Pro
They may get really dizzy....Remember this @Rabbitt?
45 Years Later: Weebles Wobble but They Don’t Fall Down - Flashbak
In 1971, Hasbro/Romper Room introduced the world to a classic toy of the disco-decade: The Weebles.
Ghost AutoBrake "OFF": If I have the string at a slight angle to the diablo, the turntable will "wiggle" not really a "wobble" and continue to pull tension until the wiggle stops and the tension locks out.
Ghost Auto Brake "ON": If I have the string at a slight angle to the diablo, the tension head will start to pull tension but not lock as the turntable turns to make the angle as close to 180 as possible (The center mains pulled would be nearly a straight line or 180 angle ), all the while the tension continues to pull. Once the Auto Brake Locks, the angle is between the grommet and diablo is set, and the tensioner will continue pulling tension and then lock off. The Wiggle is gone with the Auto Brake On and the turntable reaches a lock point much quicker than without it.
I have been flying for 34 years, IMO, the AutoBrake on a Ghost serves a similar purpose to a YAW Damper in a jet / airplane to counter adverse yaw. You can turn off the Ghost's Auto Brake feature, but I like it personally. The key in using it is to get the largest angle between the grommet and the diablo so your string isn't being pulled a 90 degree angle..
If the Ghost's AutoBrake "On" feature is simply a tool. If you know how to properly use it, it makes stringing faster. If you are sloppy with it, you will get inconsistent results if the angle between the grommet and diablo vary from one frame to the next frame. e.g. I strung three Yonex Ai 98 frames for one client this week. All three frames strung back to back, all same strings, tension and all using the AutoBrake feature ON. Client is a 4.5A down and I string 3 to 4 frame for him every month. He is 8-0 in USTA play in 2021 Men's tennis, and has never told me I give him inconsistently strung frames.
@Edgewood turn off the Yaw Damper next time you at FL410 and let me know how the clients like it.
Rabbit
G.O.A.T.
I do! I would have responded way back when but you tagged somebody else!!!!!Remember this @Rabbitt?
45 Years Later: Weebles Wobble but They Don’t Fall Down - Flashbak
In 1971, Hasbro/Romper Room introduced the world to a classic toy of the disco-decade: The Weebles.
Ghost AutoBrake "OFF": If I have the string at a slight angle to the diablo, the turntable will "wiggle" not really a "wobble" and continue to pull tension until the wiggle stops and the tension locks out.
Ghost Auto Brake "ON": If I have the string at a slight angle to the diablo, the tension head will start to pull tension but not lock as the turntable turns to make the angle as close to 180 as possible (The center mains pulled would be nearly a straight line or 180 angle ), all the while the tension continues to pull. Once the Auto Brake Locks, the angle is between the grommet and diablo is set, and the tensioner will continue pulling tension and then lock off. The Wiggle is gone with the Auto Brake On and the turntable reaches a lock point much quicker than without it.
I have been flying for 34 years, IMO, the AutoBrake on a Ghost serves a similar purpose to a YAW Damper in a jet / airplane to counter adverse yaw. You can turn off the Ghost's Auto Brake feature, but I like it personally. The key in using it is to get the largest angle between the grommet and the diablo so your string isn't being pulled a 90 degree angle..
If the Ghost's AutoBrake "On" feature is simply a tool. If you know how to properly use it, it makes stringing faster. If you are sloppy with it, you will get inconsistent results if the angle between the grommet and diablo vary from one frame to the next frame. e.g. I strung three Yonex Ai 98 frames for one client this week. All three frames strung back to back, all same strings, tension and all using the AutoBrake feature ON. Client is a 4.5A down and I string 3 to 4 frame for him every month. He is 8-0 in USTA play in 2021 Men's tennis, and has never told me I give him inconsistently strung frames.
@Edgewood turn off the Yaw Damper next time you at FL410 and let me know how the clients like it.
USMC-615
Hall of Fame
This is exactly what I did from the get-go when I started stringing. I noticed the back and forth lateral turntable movement while pulling the string with a little hand tension to wrap around the Wise diablo, I'd steady the frame for a second or two, pull the string on through the gripper jaws and hit the tension lever. I did it this way with the first racquet I strung, up until the last racquet I did a few evenings ago. And I'll continue to do the same.
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brownbearfalling
Hall of Fame
the alpha auto locks a few seconds after the tension head initiates. It does allow for the turntable to get into the ideal position but you are right in saying that there is a possibility that the turntable will be auto locked in bad position.
brownbearfalling
Hall of Fame
For ported racquets, I hold the turn table at the desired angle and initiate the tension. Also the brake on the alpha can not fully hold the turntable at the desired angle so I assist it by holding the frame while clamping.
I was also going answer your earlier question on the type of braking system for the ghost. I think it is electro magnetic. I do not see any gears or friction pads between the turntable post and base. I think it is also the reason for its lack of adjustment / strength.
brownbearfalling
Hall of Fame
same here. I find myself not using the gravity clamps. The clamps “stick” to the string so after releasing the teeth they don’t just fall down to release the base. This happens on both mains and crosses. Worse when it comes to crosses. I end up using the side of my hand to push the button on the base to unlock.
Irvin
Talk Tennis Guru
The clamps on my Tourna do have a tendency to occasionally stick on the string also. I think it is because the clamps twist off center when the clamp base is engaged. With the press down bases, if I take my time the clamps will not twist and the sticking does not exist as often.
Rabbit
G.O.A.T.
On the few pulls that this happens on, I release the base after releasing the clamp. It really doesn't hurt anything. That said, I have become a steady user of the gravity release function and love it. I do not use it when tying off. @Richard Parnell has said a few times on the boards that you should string every string like it was natural gut. I have taken this to heart.
ClaudTT
Semi-Pro
Strings are plastics which have plastic deformation, some more some less and stick to any thing transient even if is a flat surface. That is why IMO is just better to release the base engagement. No drama.
ClaudTT
Semi-Pro
It is possible that the lock doesn't align 'perfect' from time to time on certain string on certain angle on certain racket on a given initial pull... yes, that is a possibility.
When you design a control system, like a yaw damper for an aircraft that was mentioned before, your target is NOT perfect alignment but 'close enough at stable attitude'. Secondary correction fix the rest. Stringing brake system is not any different. Chances are strong that this 'quasi perfect' position is easier to get if you pull at slower speed. Nothing else can be done.
racquetscientist
New User
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LOBALOT
Hall of Fame
Good Luck, the Ghost 2 is awesome. I will be ordering a second one in the next month or two.
Papa Mango
Professional
It's a fine machine, and does a great job. But ask @Addxyz , he's had since last year.
Edit:
I misunderstood, (had to go back and see my earlier post) the m/c in my pic is the Dunlop 2.0. Addxyz has the Alpha Ghost 2.
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Rabbit
G.O.A.T.
A second one? You gotta make a video of how you string two rackets at a time.
I mean there is one poster on here who can do it, but he's apparently out of the video business (thankfully).
LOBALOT
Hall of Fame
A second one? You gotta make a video of how you string two rackets at a time.
Well, I am going to give the old one to my son as he will be in an apartment for his Junior year of college and I think it will make a nice addition to his eclectic collection of living room furniture.
That said my wife really wants to learn and I have been getting really busy so maybe we will get a third and with that perhaps I can convince her to move these out of the basement!
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racquetscientist
New User
Ah! Nice
Yup they are exactly the same as mine too, on the Head TE-3600. Makes sense though, these are all cousin machinesHello fellow stringers,
I’ve been using the Alpha 2 machine for the past five years, stringing around 2000++ frames without any issues, I like Alphas auto-lock and gravity clamp features. I consistently use the auto-lock for stability, and while the gravity clamp isn't always consistent depending on the position, it's been a helpful feature. Now, I’m looking to expand my setup to another location and alternate between the two every 5-7 days.
I’m considering purchasing a new Wilson Baiardo L directly from Wilson. It's about $300 cheaper than another Alpha 2 from Greg and can be delivered in 3-5 weeks vs Alpha around June+ However, I have reservations about the Wilson model because it lacks the same auto-lock and gravity clamp features that I’ve come to rely on. My past experience with the original Baiardo model was also less than ideal, as it required frequent clamp adjustments due to maintenance issues ( just trying to show people how to string well
I would appreciate hearing your experiences, particularly from anyone who has transitioned from an Alpha 2 to a Wilson Baiardo L, or manages those 2 machines across multiple locations. Are my concerns about losing the auto-lock and gravity clamp features valid? Do you think I’ll be satisfied with the Wilson Baiardo L after being a long-time Alpha 2 user?
Thanks for your advice!
I’ve been using the Alpha 2 machine for the past five years, stringing around 2000++ frames without any issues, I like Alphas auto-lock and gravity clamp features. I consistently use the auto-lock for stability, and while the gravity clamp isn't always consistent depending on the position, it's been a helpful feature. Now, I’m looking to expand my setup to another location and alternate between the two every 5-7 days.
I’m considering purchasing a new Wilson Baiardo L directly from Wilson. It's about $300 cheaper than another Alpha 2 from Greg and can be delivered in 3-5 weeks vs Alpha around June+ However, I have reservations about the Wilson model because it lacks the same auto-lock and gravity clamp features that I’ve come to rely on. My past experience with the original Baiardo model was also less than ideal, as it required frequent clamp adjustments due to maintenance issues ( just trying to show people how to string well
I would appreciate hearing your experiences, particularly from anyone who has transitioned from an Alpha 2 to a Wilson Baiardo L, or manages those 2 machines across multiple locations. Are my concerns about losing the auto-lock and gravity clamp features valid? Do you think I’ll be satisfied with the Wilson Baiardo L after being a long-time Alpha 2 user?
Thanks for your advice!
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