Wilson Baiardo first thoughts

SavvyStringer

SavvyStringer

Professional
I know this has been done before, sorry for being late to the party. I got my Baiardo lightly used from Wilson after the Miami Open this year. I set it up last night and strung a couple rackets on it. For anyone that is a serious stringer and is used to higher end electronic constant pull machines, this is a must try. I have used a Prince 5000, Babolat Star 5, and Aplha Ghost extensively as well as stringing a full tournament on a Tecnifibre ergo one. To say that this machine is a different stringing experience is a massive understatement. The height of the machine is incredible I'm 6'1"-6'2" depending on how well I've slept and using the B.E.S.T. technology to string last night I felt as if the machine was right under my chin. It was both awkward and fantastic. I felt like I was standing straight up the whole time I was stringing. The biggest adjustment is really in the clamps with them being a 4 tooth and different spacing versus my normal 5 on the Alpha or 3 on the Babolat and in reaching for my tools. With the Alpha that I was doing most of my stringing on I can virtually string with my eyes closed. I don't have to look for anything. On the Wilson I am still having to figure out where I put my tools and making sure they go back into the little slots in the adapter. Overall, only time will tell if I truly like this machine but almost solely based on the ergonomics I'm sold. With all of the tech and upgrades on machines currently, my biggest gripe is that most feel too low for me and the Baiardo fixes that.
 
Irvin

Irvin

Talk Tennis Guru
@SavvyStringer tool tray on the Star 5 is small so I have to choose my tools appropriately. I have in the tool tray thee tools, two starting clamps and bent pliers because I use them the most. Behind me on top of a stack of drawer I have my cutters and in a drawer I have a spare starting clamp and pathfinder awl. I went from a five tooth clamp to a 3 tooth and I like the 3 tooth much more. I used the four tooth on a Baiardo but they did not impress me as any better and I did not have a problem with them. Thanks for the review.
 
SavvyStringer

SavvyStringer

Professional
Irvin said:
@SavvyStringer tool tray on the Star 5 is small so I have to choose my tools appropriately. I have in the tool tray thee tools, two starting clamps and bent pliers because I use them the most. Behind me on top of a stack of drawer I have my cutters and in a drawer I have a spare starting clamp and pathfinder awl. I went from a five tooth clamp to a 3 tooth and I like the 3 tooth much more. I used the four tooth on a Baiardo but they did not impress me as any better and I did not have a problem with them. Thanks for the review.
Click to expand...
I agree with the tool tray on the star 5 being small. I typically keep a small pair of pliers, a small pair of cutters, and a blunt awl in the tray, and I sit both my starting clamps on top of the machine on the casing. Occasionally they'll fall off. Any thing else I need I usually keep in my bag near by. I only use the star 5 if I have to string at the university and I bring my tools from home.
 
grhcan99

grhcan99

Semi-Pro
SavvyStringer said:
I know this has been done before, sorry for being late to the party. I got my Baiardo lightly used from Wilson after the Miami Open this year. I set it up last night and strung a couple rackets on it. For anyone that is a serious stringer and is used to higher end electronic constant pull machines, this is a must try. I have used a Prince 5000, Babolat Star 5, and Aplha Ghost extensively as well as stringing a full tournament on a Tecnifibre ergo one. To say that this machine is a different stringing experience is a massive understatement. The height of the machine is incredible I'm 6'1"-6'2" depending on how well I've slept and using the B.E.S.T. technology to string last night I felt as if the machine was right under my chin. It was both awkward and fantastic. I felt like I was standing straight up the whole time I was stringing. The biggest adjustment is really in the clamps with them being a 4 tooth and different spacing versus my normal 5 on the Alpha or 3 on the Babolat and in reaching for my tools. With the Alpha that I was doing most of my stringing on I can virtually string with my eyes closed. I don't have to look for anything. On the Wilson I am still having to figure out where I put my tools and making sure they go back into the little slots in the adapter. Overall, only time will tell if I truly like this machine but almost solely based on the ergonomics I'm sold. With all of the tech and upgrades on machines currently, my biggest gripe is that most feel too low for me and the Baiardo fixes that.
Click to expand...

Nice. How much did you get it for? And what happened to the Ghost?
 
Smittithekitty

Smittithekitty

Banned
Baiardo has always been our favorite! Everything about the machine is smooth as it looks. I do enjoy the clamps however that plastic pad and cover around the handles feels a bit cheap and warps through use... i rather have a solid design with just the metal.
 
Herb

Herb

Semi-Pro
I love my Baiardo. What I like is I can set it for me 6'1", and then let set it for my trainee 5'2" on the same racquet. Not sure if you know this, if you have a racquet with 2 different tensions you can se the tensions for the mains and crosses separately. If you get multiples of the same setup for someone you do not have to remember to change tension each time. Set your main tension, then hit the cross button and set your cross tension. As you go from mains to crosses it will adjust your tension. I keep pliers and starting clamp in the main tray, string cutters in the underneath tray, awl, snips, and setting off awl in the side tray. I keep a starting clamp set up to use as a bridge in the little side pocket above the side tray. I just keep the string wrapped around the clamp with the ends in the jaws.
 
am1899

am1899

Legend
Smittithekitty said:
that plastic pad and cover around the handles feels a bit cheap and warps through use... i rather have a solid design with just the metal.
Click to expand...

That’s how the original clamps were - metal throughout. But Wilson changed the design a bit, which in part added the plastic pad you referenced. For me the redesigned clamps work better, and require less maintenance, but I agree...the plastic pads are weak sauce.

Somehow myself and my peers have found a way to fill up the tool trays to the left side of the lcd screen, and both the add-on tool trays below and on the side of the machine. It’s a routine occurrence to have various tools fall to the floor. Things can get really interesting on hot days on which I wear sandals. Grand scheme though, not a big deal.
 
SavvyStringer

SavvyStringer

Professional
Herb said:
I love my Baiardo. What I like is I can set it for me 6'1", and then let set it for my trainee 5'2" on the same racquet. Not sure if you know this, if you have a racquet with 2 different tensions you can se the tensions for the mains and crosses separately. If you get multiples of the same setup for someone you do not have to remember to change tension each time. Set your main tension, then hit the cross button and set your cross tension. As you go from mains to crosses it will adjust your tension. I keep pliers and starting clamp in the main tray, string cutters in the underneath tray, awl, snips, and setting off awl in the side tray. I keep a starting clamp set up to use as a bridge in the little side pocket above the side tray. I just keep the string wrapped around the clamp with the ends in the jaws.
Click to expand...

For me the best feature is for sure the height. Most machines aren't made for people over 6 ft. Its nice to be able to stand up straight rather than slightly hunched for hours on end. Even without the tilt, the overall height is great. I'm still trying to decide my tool set up but I'm sure after a couple of weeks it will become second nature again.
 
g4driver

g4driver

Legend
SavvyStringer said:
With the Alpha that I was doing most of my stringing on I can virtually string with my eyes closed. I don't have to look for anything.
Click to expand...

Congrats on the Wilson Baiardo.

What was the used price on your machine ? I have heard / rumored price to be approximately $4400 but have never seen one on sale for that price.

I have strung many frames on Prince 6000, Star 5, and Wilson Baiardo , but purchased a new Ghost a couple years ago. The Ghost works very well for the price. It was rough $3200 delivered. I am 5'9" so the the machines that don't tilt probably don't bother men as much as stringer over 6"

I would think $4500 for a Wilson Baiardo in excellent condition would sell quickly.

Very happy with my Ghost and not looking to upgrade or change. While it doesn't have the name recognition of Babolat, Prince, Wilson, it strings their frames just dandy. And I love the auto-brake feature.

Congrats again on the Wilson.!
 
g4driver

g4driver

Legend
Irvin said:
@SavvyStringer tool tray on the Star 5 is small so I have to choose my tools appropriately. I have in the tool tray thee tools, two starting clamps and bent pliers because I use them the most. Behind me on top of a stack of drawer I have my cutters and in a drawer I have a spare starting clamp and pathfinder awl. I went from a five tooth clamp to a 3 tooth and I like the 3 tooth much more. I used the four tooth on a Baiardo but they did not impress me as any better and I did not have a problem with them. Thanks for the review.
Click to expand...

You mean your old gamma machine had 5 tooth clamps and the Star 5 comes with 3 Tooth clamps ???

I do remember liking the Star 5's three tooth clamp quite a bit, and have not looked to see if i could swap my 5 tooth Ghost clamps for something nice with 3 tooth clamps.
 
SavvyStringer

SavvyStringer

Professional
Update: I finally strung a Prince O-port on the Baiardo for the first time today. Similar to all other O-ports it was gross. I'm not a fan to begin with due to having to use the table brake. It was strung at 58lbs per customer request. The brake had a little more give in it than I would have liked. It isn't just absolutely stuck in place like my Alpha magnetic brake. Maybe there's an adjustment that I'm not aware of to tighten it? If not, I have no idea how they string Isner's O-ports on the Baiardos.
 
am1899

am1899

Legend
@SavvyStringer I find I have to use my hip and the brake - at least on the first couple crosses. Not ideal, but it is what it is. I will say that we had to replace the tension head once already. And i would bet that that tension head bit the dust due to extra wear stringing O-port racquets over the years. Since then, I’ve taken much extra care to ensure that on every pull, the angle into the tension head is just barely sufficient to hold the string against the port. (It would be easy to pull at a much greater angle. But I suspect this puts a lot of extra stress on the tensioner, and probably wouldn’t be a good thing with regard to tension accuracy either). I don’t care for the 2pc 50/50 method on swivel clamp machines - due to the required clamp dancing. But that’s me. So that’s my 2 cents.
 
Irvin

Irvin

Talk Tennis Guru
SavvyStringer said:
Update: I finally strung a Prince O-port on the Baiardo for the first time today. Similar to all other O-ports it was gross. I'm not a fan to begin with due to having to use the table brake. It was strung at 58lbs per customer request. The brake had a little more give in it than I would have liked. It isn't just absolutely stuck in place like my Alpha magnetic brake. Maybe there's an adjustment that I'm not aware of to tighten it? If not, I have no idea how they string Isner's O-ports on the Baiardos.
Click to expand...
The only reason you have to treat ported rackets any different is because the string tends to pull to the wrong side of the port. There are many methods to hold the string in position without using the brake.
 
am1899

am1899

Legend
Rabbit said:
After reading this, looks like I’ll go back to using boomerangs on the Mighty Sensor. Better safe than sorry.
Click to expand...

Why? Clothes pins are clearly superior. ;)

Seriously...i wouldn’t think you have much to worry about if you keep the angle to a minimum, as I mentioned.
 
Rabbit

Rabbit

G.O.A.T.
@am1899, clothes pins, huh?

Seriously, thank you very much for the heads up. I don't string many O-ports (thank goodness) now, and will keep the angle down on the few I do.
 
S

seekay

Semi-Pro
SavvyStringer said:
Update: I finally strung a Prince O-port on the Baiardo for the first time today. Similar to all other O-ports it was gross. I'm not a fan to begin with due to having to use the table brake. It was strung at 58lbs per customer request. The brake had a little more give in it than I would have liked. It isn't just absolutely stuck in place like my Alpha magnetic brake. Maybe there's an adjustment that I'm not aware of to tighten it? If not, I have no idea how they string Isner's O-ports on the Baiardos.
Click to expand...

My Baiardo's brake has never given me trouble. With it engaged, I can grab the towers and rotate the table to make it slip, but that's a lot more torque than the tension head would apply. You might want to contact Wilson if it's slipping from string pulls.
 
SavvyStringer

SavvyStringer

Professional
Irvin said:
The only reason you have to treat ported rackets any different is because the string tends to pull to the wrong side of the port. There are many methods to hold the string in position without using the brake.
Click to expand...
Right. I’m not a fan of the port banana tools either.
 
Irvin

Irvin

Talk Tennis Guru
abllee2198 said:
Baiardo refers to a magical Italian horse that would do and become what ever the rider wanted. A kind of do all and be all anyone that rode it. That's all I can remember from the briefing given at some NYC Hotel by Wilson in 2008. Nice machine.
Click to expand...
Maybe https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baiardo

Many companies tend to come up with naming conventions that have no meaning at all. That way when translated to a different language they don’t lose the brand name.
 
SavvyStringer

SavvyStringer

Professional
I just wanted to add to this thread on how I felt using my alpha ghost after having used the Baiardo full-time for about 6 months. I strung a college tourney this weekend and ended up doing 84 rackets Thursday-Sunday. I did it on my ghost rather than move the Baiardo downtown. Wow, the ghost feels cheap compared to the Baiardo. The clamps aren't as substantial, the tension head isn't as substantial, the controls aren't as precise. This doesn't mean I don't believe the ghost to be effective, it just isn't a Baiardo. I believe I'm still a bit faster on the ghost than the Baiardo (I think it pulls faster). After this weekend, I think I am finally going to part with the ghost. I love the machine, the functionality is great, but Wilson has spoiled me.
 
Herb

Herb

Semi-Pro
I have had my Baiardo going on 2 1/2 years and I am still moving tools around. Starting clamp on main tray, snips and pliers in bottom tray, string cutters, awl, and set off awl in side tray. I do have a few spots that the black finish is chipping off. I put tape over spots of the puller head as I have worn off most of the chrome. I have also wrapped over grips around the support arms to keep from scratching them up. There is no way to adjust the table brake, but open port racquets are far between. I have not had one in over a year. Machine still pulls dead on, and works fantastic. Dont be afraid to take the turn table apart to clean. I take it off, take rails out, take clamps apart, and clean everything. Not every time, but I can tell a difference when I do a complete cleaning compared to just cleaning clamps and wiping down. The people I teach to string love to learn on it, but i dont like to teach in it. The have a hard time transitioning to the cheaper machines. They can learn on my Gamma and move to the Baiardo easily, but not the other way around.
 
mad dog1

mad dog1

G.O.A.T.
Herb said:
The people I teach to string love to learn on it, but i dont like to teach in it. The have a hard time transitioning to the cheaper machines. They can learn on my Gamma and move to the Baiardo easily, but not the other way around.
Click to expand...
Always hard to go back to Motel 6 once you have stayed at The Langham! :)
 
Last edited:
C

chrisingrassia

Professional
what do you guys think.....a Baiardo for $3500 with 350 racquets strung. I gotta go pick it up, so add $100 gas. Minimal tools included.
 
Herb

Herb

Semi-Pro
chrisingrassia said:
what do you guys think.....a Baiardo for $3500 with 350 racquets strung. I gotta go pick it up, so add $100 gas. Minimal tools included.
Click to expand...
I would say that that is a very good price. Used after a tournament you are looking at $4000-$4500 plus shipping. Get from UK after shipping and import tax is close to $5000. Most used ones start at $4000 and up if you can find one, and most will have many more racquets on them. Tools are a non issue.
 
SavvyStringer

SavvyStringer

Professional
chrisingrassia said:
what do you guys think.....a Baiardo for $3500 with 350 racquets strung. I gotta go pick it up, so add $100 gas. Minimal tools included.
Click to expand...
For 350 rackets, that's a steal. Who cares about the tools? I prefer my own tools anyway. I haven't even unpacked the Wilson tools that came with mine after Miami last year. I bought mine tournament used and it had more rackets on it.
 
Nostradamus

Nostradamus

Bionic Poster
SavvyStringer said:
3000 euro converts to $3400 USD. Lowest price I've seen US is $3500. I wonder if they're manufactured in the EU so shipping is cheaper?
Click to expand...
Do you think one day rackets will be strung by robots ? just give your racket to an android and it is strung in 2 minutes, costs 1 dollar per racket
 
B

Big Bagel

Professional
Nostradamus said:
Do you think one day rackets will be strung by robots ? just give your racket to an android and it is strung in 2 minutes, costs 1 dollar per racket
Click to expand...
I doubt it. They could make a robot capable of stringing a racquet, but it wouldn't be cost effective, at least not in the near future.
 
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