Unplayed new. Waited a long time to have the current group made. 3 already gone. Excellent cue value. Top build quality.

I have a super nice unplayed wrapless Manzino merry widow, 59”.

sjm said:

Read the thread title.

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50 years was actually an arbitrary number the OP picked. Reality is though, most of the changes you point out are very recent. 50, 45, 35 years ago would all be about the same regarding the OPs point.
If you read the OPs post you see where he's coming from regardless of how far back you have to go. His post was fairly simple and straightforward.

JAM said:

So, Stu, you’re in luck. Today pool is exactly where you want it to be in caliber of play, venues, and professionalism. The best tournament players are no longer the most feared money players. It’s a different era, and I hope you enjoy your front-row seat as the game evolves into its next frontier. Modern pool, your cup of tea, is technically superior, thanks to advances in equipment and training. Classic pool, my cup of tea, was culturally superior. Different eras produced different animals, and both deserve respect.

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Yep, this is where we seem to be. There are more world class players, more tournaments, and probably more tournament money around today than there was 50 years ago. It's hard to argue against that. But personally, I often times find those tournaments boring. And I don't think this thread was limited to tournament play. "Better" is subjective.

The absolute most entertaining person I have ever seen in pool, was Jack White. He put on a demonstration at my college, twice, in the 1970s. No grand stands, or anything like that. He just walked up to a table in the student union, and we all gathered around him. He told stories, and did a number of trick shots. He would play with anyone bold enough to pick up a cue, and he made them enjoy looking like a chump. He told jokes and interacted with the crowd. He would say things to his opponent like: "If you make that shot, I'll give everyone in this room $100". Someone in the crowd yelled out: "Let's see your money". So Jack pulled out a roll big enough to choke a horse. He kept us all laughing for a couple of hours. He was an absolute gem, in the pool world. A true ambassador.

I'm sure there were, and are, better pool players than Jack White, but I've never seen anyone more enjoyable to watch.

Perfect for evaluating Jaw run-out, joint roundness and pin run-out.

Mulambo said:

Thanks for sharing! Thats the set I meant. I guess I must have seen it in here some time ago, but it would be tedious to dig through 150 pages

I wonder how many other prototypes have been made over the years, which never saw the day of light...

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I’m hoping to compile a decent index for the thread again one day, Mr M.

I’ll put them on posts 1, 1,000 and 3,000.

HawaiianEye said:

I didn't even like Kelly Pool when it was popular.

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What about the simple "fun factor" of hanging in a real pool hall? Games I found to be the most "fun" (with friends, for "friendly" money) are listed below to help jog your memories. (Played otherwise, they were still "good" games.)

1. Golf
2. 9 Ball Ring Game
3. Kelly Pool

I'd like to know how many afternoons/nights I "blew" while deeply involved in one of the above.

bbb said:

Hunter lumbardo wont give you action?

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What room does Hunter play at?
A half dozen trips ago or so, someone at Society said they’d play me but the pool rates are high for a dungeon $17 per hour, no daytime special.

If it is truly a GCII,and the cushions are shot, would changing the bevel be as simple as running the rails through a table saw? Is there enough rail there? I mean to shave off the wood to change the angle? I did notice in the pictures the aprons look to be painted.
Thanks again,
John