hm... according to Alpha, they have not been producing the ASE. the model has disappeared from their online catalog and not for sale. but they know that the machine is popular and are working to bring it back to market again.
I thought Alpha China has a different version of the Alpha Express that is still on sales in China. It has articulated arms (one knob to control the opening and closing of the arms). There are a couple of improvements that can enhance the existing ASE should Alpha wish to bring it back to market in North America: Six-pont suspension mount (1) articulated arms (the China version) (2) true V shaped shoulder supports (3) 12 and 6 o'clock supports that don't swing (torque) while stringing (may require two insertion points into the mounting column instead of one) (4) adaptor(s) to accomodate the WISE head (the rail has the same length as the existing version) (5) much higher quality tensioner spring for the crank head (chromed referred) (6) 45 lbs maximum reference tension for the crank head (7) load spreaders
I showed some pictures and he seems to think it's doable so I'm going to take the plunge and get one from BENA 2002 from AEF sports. I think I'm going to go for clamp downs at the 6 and 12 o'clock points instead of the suspension mounting. I really need something more portable like this because lugging around a Stringway is not fun. It's also easier when people ask what kind of machine I have, to tell them I have an ECP rather than to tell them I have a dropweight and explain why its results are on par or superior to crank and ECP machines.
Newer models with better method/specification will be coming into the market . Just be warned: As soon as we buy a new machine (or new racket), we will always find another newer model with better method/specification coming into the market. .
Are you going to order the BENA 2002 from AEF? As for attaching fixed clamps to various types of shuttle express, I think and speculate that the Stringway type of single-action clamp system work the best for badminton. The reason is the alignment of the force from the tensioned string with the clamp base - the clamp base is in a straight line with the string. Regular swivel clamps have draw-back problems due to the out of alignment of the string and the clamp base. However, a very tight tolerance Stringway type single-action clamping system is needed. So much for theory, we need to put our ideas into drawings . . .
interesting to see a BENA 2010 now. inherits a lot from the 2002 but with a proper turntable. the amount of clearance seem to be quite small though. i don't think we can fit a proper clamp in there. other things i noticed: - fixed 6/12 o'clock mounting poles? - built in metal 6/12 o'clock load spreader - thumbscrew fastened side supports - lime green color (hm...)
Looks good!!! Theoretically, the fixed mounting columns should be a plus - a lot less adjustments are necessary.
Any reason this one is so ridiculously expensive? Even here asking for $4000HKD 2nd hand: http://www.badmintoncentral.com/forums/showthread.php?56516-FS-stringing-machine-GOSEN-AM200
because it is in Japan and because they can. for all we know, they are all OEM'ed from AEF. that machine look identical to the old Apha one.
"JP" version. Since when has there been an Alpha? Saw the Gosen mentioned in a 2004 thread already ... Also saw this green version a while back. Looks like the Pro's Pro: [video=youtube;-XlKBhMbBfM]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XlKBhMbBfM[/video] OT: Gosen GM2000EX looks awesome btw http://www.photostringer.com/exotic_high_end.htm (for some reason got a Gosen catalogue in addition to the Yonex one months ago and was just flicking through it. Probably overcharged on the shipping cost and felt they needed to make up for it )
Here it is: http://www.ganbaranai-bad.com/fs/ganbaranaibad/gut/gut_machine (saw Pete already posted the link on page 1 to the video) 65,000 Yen! The Pro's Pro is only €174 (including the probably 19% VAT/sales tax; Japan only has 6% I believe) ... €199 in the nearby store Guess the green one = Bena 304 then
so funny. as even the tools that came with the machine looks exactly like the tools i got from the Alpha (except the flying clamp which is in different color). another proof that they are from the same OEM.
clone from Eagnas .... take a look at the side-support here : http://img694.imageshack.us/img694/3986/st170b.jpg
clone from Eagnas .... take a look at the side-support here : http://img694.imageshack.us/img694/3986/st170b.jpg
side supports obviously designed by someone who has never strung a badminton racket in this machine before. the bottom part of the support protrudes too much into the frame area and prevents easy placement for the flying clamp. the original ASE also have the same issue. the other part is that i have used Eagnas machines with similar side arm design, a fixed arm with sliding support fixture. the problem with the design is that the fixing of the side support relies totally on friction, which starts to slide after a strings are tensioned. ABSOLUTE CRAP design.
