Gamma 5003, Axis Pro or Maestro?

M

mom2three

New User
Hello,

I need to stop researching this site because I seem to get more confused with more research.

In addition to the Gamma 5003, Alpha Axis Pro, now I am thinking of the Silent Partner Maestro.

Of these three machines, which would be the best for my high school son, with no strining experience. I know it has something to do with clamps, but I have no idea what that means.

Also, where do you purchase these machines?

TIA
 
All are pretty equivalent machines. I am partial to Gamma. I don't think you will go wrong on any of the 3, and he will make up the cost in no time. He has the advantage of being on the high school tennis team, so he will probably get the business of his teammates. When I was in high school, I made $1000 in stringing in my first 2 months, and that was in 1981.
 
Agreed...............kinda

I agree with LittlElvis as all machines are a good value in this price range.
My only issue with the SP Maestro is:
  1. the 3 finger clamps, which I have found can be a minor problem when stringing certain tight string patterns in racquets.
  2. no diablo, which takes a great deal of stress off of the string during pull.

My only issue with the Alpha Axis is the missing diablo for the same reason above. With all of these stringers nearly in the same price range, the Gamma 5003 stands out as it has none of the issues listed above and its a very sturdy machine with great tech support. Good luck in your search.

Cheers, TennezSport :cool:
 
The Maestro does have the self centering mounting that the other two don't. TennezSport aren't three toothed clamps better? It seems like a some professional level machines have them Star 5, Opus, Alpha Apex 2.
 
william7gr said:
The Maestro does have the self centering mounting that the other two don't. TennezSport aren't three toothed clamps better? It seems like a some professional level machines have them Star 5, Opus, Alpha Apex 2.
Click to expand...

Sorry, but the Maestro is not self centering either. Self centering means the head and throat bases move in unison and are always equidistant to the center of the table. All three of these machines require you to manually move the head and throat bases with a screw knob below the table.
 
LttlElvis said:
Sorry, but the Maestro is not self centering either. Self centering means the head and throat bases move in unison and are always equidistant to the center of the table. All three of these machines require you to manually move the head and throat bases with a screw knob below the table.
Click to expand...

Sorry I meant that the side supports move together at the sides at 2,4 and 8,10 I dont know what it is called but it centers the racquet.
 
TennezSport said:
I agree with LittlElvis as all machines are a good value in this price range.
My only issue with the SP Maestro is:
  1. the 3 finger clamps, which I have found can be a minor problem when stringing certain tight string patterns in racquets.
  2. no diablo, which takes a great deal of stress off of the string during pull.
My only issue with the Alpha Axis is the missing diablo for the same reason above. With all of these stringers nearly in the same price range, the Gamma 5003 stands out as it has none of the issues listed above and its a very sturdy machine with great tech support. Good luck in your search.

Cheers, TennezSport :cool:
Click to expand...

I'm somewhat confused because there seems to be two versions of the Gamma 5003; a 6-point and 2-point mounting systems. The 2-point system is slightly more expensive than the 6-point. What exactly is the difference between the two?

Edit: Ah I see - it's a scam. On the 2-pointer they throw in a set of tools and jack the price up $200. At least that's the way it appears since the description of features is the same for both models.
 
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I have an axis pro with the electronic wise head attached, and it has been working very well for me. The 6pt mounting take a few sticks to get used to but it very simple. Also, I ended up calling alpha for some clarification and they were very helpful.
 
COPEY said:
Edit: Ah I see - it's a scam. On the 2-pointer they throw in a set of tools and jack the price up $200. At least that's the way it appears since the description of features is the same for both models.
Click to expand...


No it's not a scam. The 2 pt and 6 pt mounting systems are just different types of mounting systems and require different type mechanisms to hold the racquet. Personally, I prefer the 2 pt and I find it is just nicer and better for me. Many people prefer the 6 pt.
 
Between the three, I would go with the Silent Partner Maestro. The Maestro clamps are very good and easy to latch. The Gamma 5003 does not have spring assisted clamps, at least the one I strung on. I like the Gamma 6004 clamps much better. Plus 3 tooth are much easier to use on dense string patterns and for me hold better. Most of the vendors or new high end products use 3 point.

If you are considering the 2 point mounting system, why not buy the 6004. You get better clamps and the the 2 point system does not cost extra.
 
LttlElvis said:
No it's not a scam. The 2 pt and 6 pt mounting systems are just different types of mounting systems and require different type mechanisms to hold the racquet. Personally, I prefer the 2 pt and I find it is just nicer and better for me. Many people prefer the 6 pt.
Click to expand...

I'll concede that maybe the word "scam" was probably overstating the point, however, typcially you pay for convenience, and this seems to oppose that line of thinking (based on what I've read here, 6-pt seems to be the preferred mechanism of choice). Granted, I know nothing about the difference between the two types of mounting, and I also realize that more doesn't always mean better...with the 2-pt system they throw in a few tools (worth $35) yet there's a $200 price difference. I find it incredibly hard to believe that the cost of the different mounting mechanisms justifies $165. In my mind it's a marketing ploy.

Anyway, I'll need to do a little reading on 2-point mounting systems.
 
2 point vs 6 point

Two point mounting systems are just faster. It is argued that 6 point mounting systems secure the racquet better and protect it from deformation. I've used both, and they both work. The important thing is to mount the frame properly. I've seen an improperly mounted frame on an Ektelon H crack, and I've also seen people tighten up the center supports on a 6 point mount Gamma or Babolat machine so much that it "stretched" the frame.
 
daunting Machine Choices

I believe the gamma 5003 2 point mount has a different (more expensive) turntable than the one used for the 6 point.

Personally, I'm also trying to upgrade my machine, and make the same cost decision.

I used to teach tennis lessons at a club and string professionally. I strung on an Ektelon H, Gamma 5000, Gamma 6000, and Gamma and Baboloat Electrics.

Now now I'm just a high school coach and teacher. For the past 5 years, I have used a Czech sports manual upright, 6 point mount. I string for mostly myself and my team. I have been tracking my earnings and said when I earned enough from stringing team players rackets, I'd upgrade my machine. When I do, my Czech machine will be on **** and/or craigs****.

I must admit, like so many members of the forum, the choice is daunting to make. I wish there was a place to go and string a racquet on each of the machines - and Alpha Axis, Alpha Apex, Gamma 5003, Silent Partner Maestro, and Prince Neos - so that I could test drive each machine.

Having strung on so many different machines at a large club, I know that there are unique idiosyncrasies to get used to on any machine. The Ektelon/Neos didn't fit certain frames very well. I think that all of these companies make a quality product, and those of us looking for help in making this decision. At the Big Club, we used to log the rackets we strung seperately for each machine. Some players could tell a difference.

For the amount of stringing I currently do, I would rather buy the first used model of any of the above mentioned machines, but I am amazed at how much these used machines typically sell for.
 
Here is a well put article that was published by thr USRSA in their RSI magazine dated Aug. 2008. When you get to the bottom of the page click on the features link and it will put the models listed in a table form with list prices and manuf. links as well. Its a worth while article to look at.

http://www.racquetsportsindustry.com/articles/2008/08/2008_guide_to_stringing_machin.html

http://www.racquetsportsindustry.com/issues/200808/200808stringing_machines.html

There are tabs on the top of the link above to list different features.
 
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COPEY said:
I'll concede that maybe the word "scam" was probably overstating the point, however, typcially you pay for convenience, and this seems to oppose that line of thinking (based on what I've read here, 6-pt seems to be the preferred mechanism of choice). Granted, I know nothing about the difference between the two types of mounting, and I also realize that more doesn't always mean better...with the 2-pt system they throw in a few tools (worth $35) yet there's a $200 price difference. I find it incredibly hard to believe that the cost of the different mounting mechanisms justifies $165. In my mind it's a marketing ploy.

Anyway, I'll need to do a little reading on 2-point mounting systems.
Click to expand...

The cost of the different mounting does justify the price. The table of the 2 pt 5003 is much more complex and a newer style table than the 6 pt. 5003. The 6 pt 5003 has actually been around much longer than the 2 pt. The 2 pt 5003 is self centering, meaning both towers move in unison and automatically keep equidistant to the table center axis. This is something that the 2 pt 5003, 2 pt 6004, and 6 pt 6004 all do, but the 6 pt 5003 does not. It is kind of hard to appreciate this function without actually ever using it. The 6 pt 5003 is a great value for what it does. The 2 pt 5003 generation is just different and it really is not an apples to apples comparison. If you look at Gammas 2 pt and 6 pt 6004 machines, they are priced the same, and those can more easily be compared to each other. In the end, to me, they are all priced accordingly for the functions they do.

I've string on both 2 pt and 6 pt 6004. I ended up purchasing the 2pt. The 5003 2pt table and mounting are exactly the same as the 2 pt 6004, except for the clamp bases. However, The 5003 6 pt table and towers are really a generation below all 3, thus the price difference. Once again, all priced accordingly. And all great machines.
 
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LttlElvis said:
The cost of the different mounting does justify the price. The table of the 2 pt 5003 is much more complex and a newer style table than the 6 pt. 5003. The 6 pt 5003 has actually been around much longer than the 2 pt. The 2 pt 5003 is self centering, meaning both towers move in unison and automatically keep equidistant to the table center axis. This is something that the 2 pt 5003, 2 pt 6004, and 6 pt 6004 all do, but the 6 pt 5003 does not. It is kind of hard to appreciate this function without actually ever using it. The 6 pt 5003 is a great value for what it does. The 2 pt 5003 generation is just different and it really is not an apples to apples comparison. If you look at Gammas 2 pt and 6 pt 6004 machines, they are priced the same, and those can more easily be compared to each other. In the end, to me, they are all priced accordingly for the functions they do.

I've string on both 2 pt and 6 pt 6004. I ended up purchasing the 2pt. The 5003 2pt table and mounting are exactly the same as the 2 pt 6004, except for the clamp bases. However, The 5003 6 pt table and towers are really a generation below all 3, thus the price difference. Once again, all priced accordingly. And all great machines.
Click to expand...

This is better than i could have stated.

the $200 up charge on the 5003-2pt (& 5800-2pt) is because of the additional parts needed to make it a self-centering turntable. compare any of the machines that are 6pt w/ self-centering turntable (knobs at the end of the turntable) and the price is the same as the 2pt. the stringing tools that are included with the machines are the same for 6pt & 2pt.
bret
 
I have the Alpha Axis Pro with 6pt without self centering. It takes me less than a minute to mount a racquet. I really can't see any other mounting system being all that much faster and I would not consider a self centering system worth an extra $200. If you have a lot of money to burn you wouldn't be considering any of these machines.
 
Gamma Tech said:
The $200 up charge on the 5003-2pt (& 5800-2pt) is because of the additional parts needed to make it a self-centering turntable. compare any of the machines that are 6pt w/ self-centering turntable (knobs at the end of the turntable) and the price is the same as the 2pt. the stringing tools that are included with the machines are the same for 6pt & 2pt.
bret
Click to expand...

Ah ok, and again, excuse my rudeness by referring to the cost increase as a scam. It was late, I was at work and I hadn't had lunch. I get kind of grouchy when I'm hungry lol.

Anyway, I happend to be looking on the MW Sports site, and it seems their description is somewhat incomplete. It doesn't give you enough information to discern the significant differences between the two models. TW doesn't sell the 6-pt model, and even they omit the fact that the 2-pt 5003 is self-centering.

Mostly the fault is mine since I'm fairly ignorant with respect to stringing machines and their features.
 
for the most update info on the machines, check the GAMMA website. Almost all of the machines are drop shipped from GAMMA so even if the info on the distributors site is different/incomplete everybody gets the same machine. Currently i'm working with our inside sales staff to contact all of our distributors, to send them update info about our new machines, changes, etc. Hopefully most of them will update their info and avoid this confusion later on.
bret
 
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