Gamma 7900 els or Alpha Ghost 2
- Thread starter Clara
- Start date
Ft.S
Semi-Pro
I cannot compare them, but I have been using a 7900 ELS for about 18 months, and it is very low maintenance, tool boxes are great, electronic buttons are nice to the touch, and clamps are very good. Although I bought couple Babolat tools as well, the Gamma starter kit that comes with the machine is 90% sufficient. Also, the 6-point mounting stuff works very well, easy to pull strings through them. I would certainly recommend it.
I am not sure it makes a difference: I recalibrate the machine every 28-30 days (I string about 20-30 racquets a month, low volume, but all work great for an amateur).
I am not sure it makes a difference: I recalibrate the machine every 28-30 days (I string about 20-30 racquets a month, low volume, but all work great for an amateur).
LOBALOT
Hall of Fame
I am having a blast with my Alpha Ghost 2 I bought a few months back. I am still not sure how I talked my wife into buying it!!!
It took us about an hour to put together and string my first racquet.
The tension from what I can verify is on target. I really like the button right behind the tension head to tension and release the string after each pull and I have gotten pretty quick at stringing racquets for my liking as it takes me about 45 minutes from start to finish (Cutting out old, measure out string, restring, etc.). The keypad is easy to use, adjustment for tension, knot function, pull speed adjust, etc. are easy.
It would be nice if it had additional space for tools but that is not critical as I am setting up a workbench behind me for my extra tools, log, bins with string, and stereo / speakers in the corner of the basement I am attempting to carve out in the laundry room. The rubber pads on the top where by the racquets mount fall off when I take the cover off which is irritating but I deal with it.
I have have not used the Gamma 8900. I was considering it along with Alpha Ghost 2 as well. I researched both. I also read elsewhere on here that the Ghost 2 was made where the Prince is made which is another stringer I was thinking about so in the end I thought it was cheaper than the 8900 and if it is getting positive feedback why not purchase it.
I have no regrets.
It took us about an hour to put together and string my first racquet.
The tension from what I can verify is on target. I really like the button right behind the tension head to tension and release the string after each pull and I have gotten pretty quick at stringing racquets for my liking as it takes me about 45 minutes from start to finish (Cutting out old, measure out string, restring, etc.). The keypad is easy to use, adjustment for tension, knot function, pull speed adjust, etc. are easy.
It would be nice if it had additional space for tools but that is not critical as I am setting up a workbench behind me for my extra tools, log, bins with string, and stereo / speakers in the corner of the basement I am attempting to carve out in the laundry room. The rubber pads on the top where by the racquets mount fall off when I take the cover off which is irritating but I deal with it.
I have have not used the Gamma 8900. I was considering it along with Alpha Ghost 2 as well. I researched both. I also read elsewhere on here that the Ghost 2 was made where the Prince is made which is another stringer I was thinking about so in the end I thought it was cheaper than the 8900 and if it is getting positive feedback why not purchase it.
I have no regrets.
If you join the IART site for tennis stringers, Alpha is one of their sponsors and for their members
offer a 5% discount on stringing machines and diagnostic equipment priced over $750, (as well as 10% off their strings) , which would lower the price on the Ghost, and it is a good site to join as well.
offer a 5% discount on stringing machines and diagnostic equipment priced over $750, (as well as 10% off their strings) , which would lower the price on the Ghost, and it is a good site to join as well.
Steve Huff
G.O.A.T.
I've been considering a Ghost 2 also. I have an Apex with a Wise tension head. It's been good for 15 years. Alpha has been good. The Ghost looks nice.
SavvyStringer
Professional
Ghost
Storage: mine has a tool tray in the table, under the tension head, and on top of the motor casing.
Engagement: The trigger on the ghost is attached to the pull head making pulling tension one easy motion where gamma puts theirs on the casing of the machine.
Mounting: The ghost has an inner and outer wheel system for mounting that makes it quick and easy where gamma has 6 separate knobs that each have to be individually adjusted.
Customer service: Mark is the man. He's actually a stringer himself and uses an alpha machine.
Clamps: Alpha uses the prince quick release clamps which speed up your stringing time and are easy to disengage by just opening the clamp to release the string.
Storage: mine has a tool tray in the table, under the tension head, and on top of the motor casing.
Engagement: The trigger on the ghost is attached to the pull head making pulling tension one easy motion where gamma puts theirs on the casing of the machine.
Mounting: The ghost has an inner and outer wheel system for mounting that makes it quick and easy where gamma has 6 separate knobs that each have to be individually adjusted.
Customer service: Mark is the man. He's actually a stringer himself and uses an alpha machine.
Clamps: Alpha uses the prince quick release clamps which speed up your stringing time and are easy to disengage by just opening the clamp to release the string.
Cobra Tennis
Professional
I just hit my 2500th frame on my Ghost that I purchased in ~2012. Still works like the day I bought it.
SavvyStringer
Professional
I’m 4,000+ on mine and it doesn’t show a bit of wear outside of a copper colored ring coming through the chrome on the diablo from all the poly.
If something happened to my machine, I would get the ghost 2 as well. For the $ you get a lot of features.
Hopefully my machine will last a number more years of service.
Clara
New User
Similar price range and features.
Clara
New User
Thanks! I have a question about the mounting in Ghost. Does it cover racquet holes often? Is it difficult to go through with certain frames?? It’s hard to judge based on pictures.
From the looks of the supports the alpha and gamma are close (both have somewhat of a V support) but the alpha looks like it would block less if anything.
The 7900 does not really look like a good alternative to the ghost2 for two main reasons.
- Individual arm adjustments
- Clamp bases
Other than that
- both machines have a trigger on the pull head
- both machines have tool trays
- both companies are known for good customer service
I bought a used 5900ELS which has similar clamp bases and mounting system to the 7900 , and while they work fine I would prefer a single adjustment for both shoulder supports, and the upgraded clamp bases.
On a side note I actually do use the string meter to pull off of reels, maybe I'm just lazy
If it were me already about to spend $2500 on a 7900ELS, I'd spend the extra $300 and get the Ghost2.
Irvin
Talk Tennis Guru
both models have C supports on the sides so I doubt there would be any issues with blocked holes. I'm not sure but it looks like the standards on the Gamma are fixed and the standards on the Alpha are adjustable. This means you can move the 6 or 12 (and side supports) on the Appha in or out to accommodate different size frames. Where on the Gamma all you can do is move the 6 and 12 in or out. Both work fine unless you have an occasion to string an extremely large or small frame. This also means you can avoid blocking holes with the side supports even better on the Alhpa but it is not easy or needed. My machine has fixed standards and C supports and is over 1600 string jobs I've never had a problem. But I cant string old standard wood rackets unless I get extenders for the 6 and 12 supports. They also make 6 and 12 supports for very large frames too.
Long story short if you're stringing tennis rackets it is a non issue.
Ft.S
Semi-Pro
They are adjustable on the Gamma as well.
Irvin
Talk Tennis Guru
Thanks for that info I didn't know that. I know they were on my 6004 but it did not look like they were on the 7900.
SavvyStringer
Professional
I've never had any problems with blocked holes on the Ghost. I think it helps that the c or v clamps that hold the outside of the frame are fairly large, a solid plastic, and fairly open in the middle. With the tecnifibre ergo 1 that was my biggest frustration, I felt like certain frames had holes blocked at the top of the head by the arms and occasionally I'll experience it with the star5 as well. I think part of it is material and part of it is angle of the arms in relation to the sides of the racket. The ergo 1 and the star5 have a softer rubber like material on the inside of the supports where the ghost is a solid plastic.
Steve Huff
G.O.A.T.
Actually, my next stringer will be a refurbished Serrano 550B. I will somehow make the mounting system and the clamps work well, then I'll add a Wise tension head---heresy, I know.
SavvyStringer
Professional
Yes. It has little feet under it to allow for table top use. Used it on the stand 99.9% of the time but when I took it to a tournament I used as a table top.
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