jorge306: Back at the beginning of the year I was having a tough time trying to decide between a LF MS200TT w/SA clamps and a Alpha Revo with a Wise Head.
I had never strung before. Probably the main reason I was even considering buying a stringing machine was because I was tired of the inconvenience (and cost) of having others do it for me. I didn't particularly want to become a stringer, so I especially wanted a machine that would be easy to use. I also wanted a quality machine so that I would never have to upgrade, even if it was overkill for my need, which was to only string for myself.
I really went back-and-forth between the LF and Alpha/Wise. I corresponded with each of the reps for the LF, Alpha and Wise. Mark at Alpha even had a Alpha Revo without the crank tensioner that he would sell me at a reduced price, so that the price between my two options was very close.
In the end after a lot of waffling, I finally went with the LF. The main reason was that I felt that the LF would more likely require less maintenance in the long run than the Alpha/Wise. If I thought I would string for others, in addition to myself, then I would have gone with the Alpha/Wise.
What have I learned now that I have my LF? I've learned a few things.
- I'm definitely glad I bought a stringing machine. I should have bought one years ago. The convenience is great.
- I found that I like stringing. I thought it would be more like a chore, but it's not at all.
- Stringing is easier than I thought it would be. I think the LF tensioning systems helps contribute to that. Laying the string in the tensioning jaw and doing one pull is very easy. I've never used a crank system, but it sounds like it would be fairly easy to use. I haven't used a drop weight that requires a (near) horizontal, but it sounds like extra work. The Wise with a foot pedal sounds sweeeet!
- I'm glad the machine is easy to move around since I don't string that often.
- I'm glad I bought a quality machine that's easy to use, as well as the SA clamps, but since I don't string all that often, I probably would have been just as well served with a less expensive quality machine. (Boy. I'm sure glad I don't even have to think about doing another comparison! Too many machines and variables to even to think about!
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Sorry, I kinda rambled here and went a bit off-topic, but hopefully my experience will be of some benefit in your decision making. As you've now heard a million times (and I used to hear as well), you really can't go wrong with either machine. Good luck.
