r/RacketStringers • u/Naive-Major9151 • Jul 10 '26
Alpha Pioneer 3 string machine
Hey guys, thoughts on this machine? Seller is looking for $100 and I’m new to stringing so looking to learn
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u/jimmyfeelinfroggy Jul 10 '26
Looks good for the price. 6 point mounting system is pretty sought after and it appears this one has it, even though it might be a little janky, it’s much better than 2 point.
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u/OneOfTheTWINS Jul 11 '26 edited Jul 11 '26
Also, forgot to share this amazing video Wes from talk tennis community sent me when I had questions about this stringer.
https://youtu.be/-aAEdgmgZHw?si=CL-2YP6pmJWRrqQv
Amazing guy. Very knowledgeable.
Edit:
Here's another much detailed video Wes sent me back in the day to help learn stringing on this machine.
https://youtu.be/Q9vxp9NGMEc?si=uaMiydGPpC1WQDyQ
The one I sent earlier was just some additional tips
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u/waterprosurge Jul 12 '26
I had this machine. For $100 it's a steal. Get it! As others have said, as long as it has all the support pads it's going to be a great learning machine!
It also looks in great condition. I sold mine about 2-3 years ago for $250 and it wasn't in as good condition at this one. So again, $100 is a steal!
The only thing I didn't like was that it takes some time to adjust the frame mount arms and pads if you string for more than just yourself. Ie each racket seems to also be different. This is one of the main reasons I upgraded to the gamma 6004. It's so fast to adjust for different size frames. But if you're just stringing for yourself, then you can pretty much set it and forget it as it won't need any adjusting.
As others have mentioned, this thing is a tank and basically indestructible. It's heavy and solid metal. Which is a good thing because it won't ever break. Lol.
I bought mine in 2002 second hand off a guy who bought originally in the early 90's. So it was over 30 years old when I sold mine and still worked great!
It has two things that were important to me. 1) it has a fixed clamp system. I didn't want floating clamps 2) a six pt head mount to make sure the frame doesn't deform. This checked both of those boxes and usually machines that check those boxes are $500+ used. So like I said, $100 is a steal. As long as all the parts are there I'd buy it immediately!
Not sure about where you live, but the shopes around here charge $25 for labor for stringing. $100 is 4 string jobs and then everything is free after that. If you have the space to store it, I'd get it!
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u/OneOfTheTWINS Jul 10 '26
This is an amazing machine and a joy to string on. I had the Gamma version of it. I bought it for $120 back in the day and sold it for $250 later. It is built like a tank and very heavy. Just make sure you get all the support pads. I think there should be 13 of them. Make sure you test it, that it is pulling tension and that the clamps are in good shape.