I am looking to upgrade my Gamma X-2 and have been looking at the SP Maestro, Alpha Revo 4000 and the Gamma 5003. My problem is that in addition to tennis rackets, I need to be able to string squash rackets, in particular Prince fan pattern rackets like the O3 Tour that have a unique throatless design. Will any of the above stringers work with that type of squash racket? I am worried mainly about 1) the clamps, which I have heard may be too big for squash rackets; 2) the tension range -- I need to be able to go down to 25 lbs; and 3) the mounting system, which may not work on squash rackets and the Prince in particular. Any help you can give me would be much appreicated! Thanks...
Maestro, Revo 4000 or Gamma 5003???
- Thread starter qcumber
- Start date
matchpoints
Professional
I would go with the SP Maestro....I've owned the Revo and just not a fan of K shaped side mounts. I prefer the V shaped ones and hence why I own the Alpha Apex now. The Maestro also has the option for an attachment for throatless designs plus their clamps are thin. I believe all the machines can string badminton racquets so squash shouldn't be a problem as long as the stick can fit which it should. I would call the manufacturers directly and see what they have to say. The guys at Alpha and SP are easily to get a hold of on the phone and there's a fella here from Gamma on this board that's always around.
Thanks! I ended up with the Gamma X-ST, which I got for cheap from a friend. SP couldn't confirm for me that the Maestro could do my type of squash racket, and my friend was able to do it on the X-ST, so I just went with the sure thing. I would have preferred the Maestro for tennis rackets, although I do like the portability of the X-ST. I'll give my thoughts on the X-ST after I've had a chance to do several frames...
Gamma Tech
Professional
FYI, incase parts are missing, we have badminton metal fixed clamps and floating clamps, not sure if you have them. there are different plastic adapters and longer frame supports (6 & 12 o'clock).
bret
bret
The fixed clamps were fine for my squash rackets. It is a tight squeeze to get the clamps against the top and bottom crosses, but it will clamp so everything will work great. And for tennis rackets, stringing should be really easy... Thanks.
The only other question I had was with the tensioner. The wheel makes a metal on metal sound when you turn it -- it looks like there is a piece of metal rubbing against the wheel on purpose. Is this correct? I'm not sure why it would be there other than to stabilize the wheel?
The only other question I had was with the tensioner. The wheel makes a metal on metal sound when you turn it -- it looks like there is a piece of metal rubbing against the wheel on purpose. Is this correct? I'm not sure why it would be there other than to stabilize the wheel?
Gamma Tech
Professional
My guess of the sound you are hearing should be the disc brake rubbing against the disc brake pads when you are turning the handle. there are a couple on the backside of the disc to keep it aligned. Also, there is one underneath of the brake lever infront of the disc that squeezes the disc when the lever is released.
bret
bret
One other question I had was with the mount. The mounts at 6 and 12 o'clock don't seem to add much stability since the racket is suspended about an inch from the base in those spots (the mount secures the frame from the inside). Is that the way it is supposed to be? Am I supposed to use spacers under the frame at those places? My stringer came with a bunch of spacers that look like they have never been used.
Gamma Tech
Professional
it sounds like you are mounting the rqt. correctly. it is suppose to be suspended. when you are stringing a rqt. or pulling tension all the force is in the horizontal direction 12 & 6 o'clock provide that.
the adapters are probably for the 12 & 6 o'clock or shoulder supports.
bret
the adapters are probably for the 12 & 6 o'clock or shoulder supports.
bret
Thanks. Just finished my first racket on the X-ST -- a Wilson Hyper ProStaff 6.1. Everything worked great. The mount is super secure without blocking holes, the clamps were easy to use and held the string tight without much pressure, and the crank tensioner couldn't have been smoother. I can't imagine going back to my X-2! Maybe I'll actually enjoy stringing now...
I hope to post a few pictures of the machine, and some side by sides with the X-2 to show you the differences. I was shocked (in a good way) by how much bigger the X-ST was than the X-2. It really is a great machine!
I hope to post a few pictures of the machine, and some side by sides with the X-2 to show you the differences. I was shocked (in a good way) by how much bigger the X-ST was than the X-2. It really is a great machine!
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