Used Prince Neos 1000 + Wise vs Stringway con with T92

[d0lph1n]

What would you do?

I’m looking to buy a stringer to string my dauther’s racquets. She is just 11 now, started competing a couple of months ago. She is breaking 1 multifilament string every 1-2 months but also we would like to experiment with dif. tensions and strings. String $9, stringing job $15.

The more I research the more I understand the Stringway’s simplicity and advantage but I can’t get over its high price and I can’t find an used one anywhere. I’m also considering an used Prince Neos 1000 or Gamma 6004 and upgrade to Wise head later.

 

[Rabbit]

You can't go wrong with a Neos.

 

[MAX PLY]

I second the motion made by my esteemed colleague, Mr. Rabbit.

 

[Wes]

You can't go wrong with a Neos.

... nor the 6004. Both are good.
Really just depends if you prefer swivel clamps or glide bar clamps.

 

[esgee48]

Stringways are hard to find used because owners like to keep them for their simplicity. If you live near Los Angeles, you MAY want to look at the Logic 90. Quality is not up to Stringway specs which is to be expected. Alpha is Stringway retailer in the US.

If looking for a used LO, I would look at Tennis Machines or a local seller so I could check the physical condition of the machine.

Your volume would be what? 1 or 2 frames a week? Why not a DW with fixed clamps?

 

[d0lph1n]

esgee48: there is a japanese guy on youtube comparing Logic90 to ML100. He doesn’t seem to like the Eagnas model at all. There is also a Logic 90 user on this forum that trashes the Eagnas quality, support and warranty. It looks like an Alpha or Gamma DW model would be a better purchase.

 

[esgee48]

I agree. That's why I mentioned QC. But if you live near their store, then you can have your complaints handled face-to-face. They're the only other firm with an auto DW on this side of the ocean.

Gamma/Alpha models are a better choice given your expected volume. And if you decide you still want the WISE, they can be upgraded to the unit. Space is probably also going to be a consideration. LOs take up space, at least 4'x5', plus storage for strings and all the other stuff. Would the SO want this sitting in the family room? Banished to your Man Cave? You could perhaps read the threads by Traffic, who recently acquired a 602 FC. His son is entering HS and he is doing 1-2 frames a week.

 

[d0lph1n]

... nor the 6004. Both are good.
Really just depends if you prefer swivel clamps or glide bar clamps.

I have no idea what I prefer because I have no experince.

My 11y daughter started competing a few months ago. Her wrist is still very sensible after she suffered a bicycle accident 1y ago. If she returns heavy serves or she hits with a ball machine for a while, she complains about mild wrist pain. The doctor can’t find any problem. I’ve been reading about stringers for the past weeks because I’d like to experiment with dif. strings and tensions. For now, she plays with Yonex full frame lite and 17 Gosen AK Pro CX (according to her, better feel and less vibration than 17 Wilson Sensation) at 50lbs. She breaks it every 1-2months. Also, IMO, 50lbs is too much.

For now, I’d like a stringing machine that I can trust, portable maybe, upgradable to a Wise head would be nice so by the time she will be breaking strings every week competing in tournaments, I’ll have enough stringing experience to deal with it.

 

[d0lph1n]

esgee48: 602fc was the first model that I inteded to buy before I started reading about stringers. I had no idea there are so many variables, so many models and so much BS. In his last post, Traffic says “But if I had to do it all over again, I would be tempted to look for a used Neos 1000“

 

[MathieuR]

My 2 cnt as a Stringway-groopy: If you start experimenting with different strings and tensions, a constant-pull makes life easier. (yes, I know a LO will get you there eventually).

And, Stringway gives you a 10 year warranty.

 

[jim e]

My 2 cnt as a Stringway-groopy: If you start experimenting with different strings and tensions, a constant-pull makes life easier. (yes, I know a LO will get you there eventually).

And, Stringway gives you a 10 year warranty.

This comment from MathieuR is no surprise.
To OP keep in mind, that MathieuR is constantly pushing Stringway, to where it is sickening to hear it from him any more.
Either he has something to do with company or on payroll, as no one pushes a product this much without being associated with the company. It's not what this forum is to be for as well.
Read some other posters comments below with Stringway.
BTW, the gamma with the wise would be a good machine CP and a good mounting system.
If you are not in a hurry, there are some electronic high end machines that do go used for sale from time to time.You just have to be checking the sites every so often.
I purchased my last machine about 10 years ago as a company lost their distributorship to another company, and they dumped there machines (new) all at one time for a fraction of retail price, so I got a great deal on a very high end machine. I started stringing in 1968 with an old Serrano automatic drop weight which served its purpose back then, but a high end electronic makes stringing more a joy than a job. Most stringers never regrets getting a better machine, as many later upgrade and eventually pay the price and then try to sell there lower end machine.
If you can afford it get as much machine as you can get.You will not be sorry.

Here's a post by a poster here and link to response by diredesire a moderator here on SW machines.
Mathieu posted that there are workarounds, but as diredesire ( TW moderator) , commented there really should not be any workarounds necessary.
There should be more posts like these!
So read below. this way you can see the flip side to some other posters comments.

Off topic but I would still like to point out certain issues with the machine:

1. It is not possible to clamp top or bottom certain cross string with certain rackets
2. Fixed clamps have quite a bit of drawback (on the other hand they grip the string very well with light pressure)
3. Racket mount is sturdy but it's quite slow to mount a racket, specially when stringing different rackets in succession.
4. Tension head pull distance is very short and with stretchy strings the tension head bottoms out and multiple pulls are required
5. Accuracy of the tension head not that accurate at every angle as advertised. Theory is sound but it assumes 90 degree angle between the tension head and the weight bar. Due to manufacturing tolerances this is not easily achieved and also the string diameter affects this angle. Due to this tension may differ several % from the set tension when the bar makes a bigger angle with horizontal (easily 1 kg at 30 degrees from horizontal). As this is caused by manufacturing tolerance it also means that every machine is a bit different and accuracy between machines varies. There was some discussion about this in "Stringway machines users club thread" about a year ago.
6. The weight (I mean the weight in the bar) is quite heavy and if you do several rackets in a row (or during one day) your shoulders may not like it.
7. Lack of 360 degrees rotation wo concorde. And with concorde the tilt angle further affects the pull accuracy.
8 Automatic tension head lock / release may not work that well with thinner strings, especially with badminton strings.

BTW here's a link posted by a moderator here on Stringway
what is the correct "timing" to clamp the tensioned string on a (e)CP

 

[onehandbh]

I have strung with a Neos, Gamma XST and a Stringway ML90. And own the last two.

I prefer the stringway bc it is simple to use, constant pull, and the flying clamps are amazing. I have had it for over 6 years and haven't had any problems. The other two machines I used had a stand and my stringway does not. I need it this way bc i put it away after each stringing.

I think all 4 are good machines. If you use a lockout just pull slowly bc different strings stretch differently.

 

[MathieuR]

This comment from MathieuR is no surprise.

@jim e , I introduced myself in the post as a "groopy", so the reader would be warned my opinion is "coloured".
And again: I use SW, I love the machine and the service Fred Timmer gives, and I am not associated with SW in any way.

 

[onehandbh]

If costs and time are a concern, you might consider teaching your daughter how to string. When I was growing up playing junior tennis, I rememer there being a couple kids that used to string racquets for others to help pay for their tennis costs. They had a few reels of popular strings. I didin't do this, but I did hold part-time jobs as a kid up through high through and college as I ddin't come from a wealthy family.

If she is traveling to play tournaments you might consider the new Stringway lightweight portable stringer:
https://www.stringway.com/us/product/light-weight-travel-machine/

* I do not work for Stringway and am not associated with them. I mostly string for myself these days, but did string for friends in the past. Probably string about 20x a year now that I don't play tennis very often. More often in the past.

 

[struggle]

Gamma has excellent CS. Can't be beat.

Prince is going by the wayside (for now) so CS is through Tennis Machines (dot calm).
Neos 1000 parts should be available for quite some time. (1500 too, i'd assume but it's a much
newer machine, so used parts may be hard to come by?)

Going used, either would be a good score. I love my 6004. I'd also love a Neos 1000 or 1500.
I have the Wise as well. Like it very much.

 

[graycrait]

At 59 I decided I needed a stringing machine to experiment with strings that wouldn't fall apart and I had never even seen a racket strung. Called Tennis Machines and got a used NEOS 1000 with all parts that come with a new NEOS. I check the calibration rarely now because it is never off. Plus I bet when you sell a used NEOS you will get nearly what you paid. Now, three years later, I can string a familiar racket in about 25 minutes with poly. I little faster with multis or syn guts, maybe 15 minutes if I push but what is the point. One of my dogs loves to lie nearby when I string and is soon snoring after I begin. If I were going to get a different machine or upgrade I would get an Alpha Ghost. I thought I just had to get a Wise and read everything I can find on upgrading a lock out with a Wise. But decided the NEOS is all the machine I need and this unit will be good for a new owner when I am finished with it.

 

[Irvin]

If I were going to get a different machine or upgrade I would get an Alpha Ghost.

The Ghost is probably a very good choice. But if I were looking for a new machine I'd check around first before committing to the Ghost. A Yonex ST 7000 can be had for just a few hundred more, and the Star 5 (especially used) may be close too, and the Wilson Baiardo is only about $1,200 more than the Ghost. The Ghost, Yonex, and Wilson would be harder to find used than the Star 5.

 

[Rabbit]

@Irvin - I might agree the Yonex is harder to find, but you can get a Ghost and Baiardo all day long at Tennismachines.com. That's not too terribly hard. I'd lean more toward the Ghost or Baiardo stricly on support though as both are current machines. I've not seen too many Star 5's for sale.

 

[Irvin]

@Rabbit there is a Star 5 listed in the For Sale forum with 329 rackets. Tennis Machines carries Star 5 machines too every now and then so JC told me.

 

[d0lph1n]

Thank you for all your suggestions.

I asked 3 tennis parents, 1 ex pro player and 2 tennis coaches and they’ve never heard about Stringway.
If I find an used Stringway, I’ll might buy it...else I think I’ll go with a Neos 1000 and upgrade to a Wise head in the future.

 

[Rabbit]

Well, that's 1 Star 5 @Irvin. Like I said, i haven't seen too many. If I were to upgrade, the Ghost is where I'd head (and new it's cheaper than the Star 5 used).

 

[MAX PLY]

I've strung on both the Star 5 and the Baiardo and they are both marvelous machines. I like the Ghost price but I'd definitely want to string a few frames on it before I'd commit. That stated, I'll stick with my mint condition H unless I go retail again some day (and even then, she'll be in the back room!).