bradsh98 said:

Grand Champion is the name of the Tournament Pro predecessor. View attachment 835337

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I think in the late 1990s it was actually just the Champion Pro table. I could be mistaken.

When I started playing about 15 years ago, I bought a Olhausen table. It was one of their furniture tables. The wife liked how it looked in the house, and at first, I felt it played OK. However, as I began to improve, I began to notice issues that caused me to question exactly how should a table play, and what was considered "normal" or "ideal". Reading prior comments it is obvious that what is normal, ideal, or correct, is personal preference. Especially when it comes to which balls should and shouldn't be accepted.

In my case, thinking about the construction of a table, it occurred to me that the contribution of the slate is pretty much the same for most decent tables and you can put on whatever cloth you prefer. So it came down to well supported/stable slate(s), rails with the correct geometry/appropriate cushions, and of course pocket angles. Things like flush pockets certainly add to playability. Colors, style, etc, don't affect how it plays and are secondary.

My final straw with the Olhausen came when I was kneeling next to the long rail, arms resting on the rail. I bounced a ball off the opposite rail and felt the entire table move. I gave the table away and got something that met my criteria. A frame that felt rock solid, correctly calibrated and solidly mounted rails, with properly matched cushions, heights, pocket geometry, as well as aesthetics. I don't see ever outgrowing my table again.

I do like the looks of the new Olhausen. I hope it plays much better than my old table, as well as many others on which I've played.

Cant wait for this one!!!

I will also look out for your golf podcast.

Cue Alchemist said:

if you do your research properly, you shouldn't need to ask.

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That could be said about just about every question on this forum. The cue ID threads don’t bother at all but having its own section is a great idea too. I think one of the reasons why we see so many more of these cue ID questions threads that are obviously not worth all that much to many that have been around the game awhile is for the same reason that we see so many more questions that seem naive or basic. It’s also why IMO why we see also so many answers/responses that are questionable too… it’s because they are coming from people that have not been around the game for very long and it’s indicative. I love AZbilliards and I come and go as my time permits and sometimes if I haven’t been around for a while, which has been in long stretches at times, I’ll speed read through older thread titles or do searches for topics that interest me that I might have missed. I’ve been around long enough to know who to listen to, who not to, who has thin skin, and who can take a punch and that’s always evolving right. A lot of the old schoolers have gone and as time goes on others become the old schoolers. I will say that AZB has taught me patience with SOME others that I definitely never had in a poolroom or even a grocery store checkout line. Or maybe it’s because I’m getting older.

iusedtoberich said:

What if I hate the way a Diamond plays? Tons of players like me looking for something better. And won’t care if it’s 10k or 12k installed.

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Tons? Ok sure.

trob said:

I’m terrible at waiting lol but jb is the best so it’s worth it. I got a nylon butterfly case with my name on it. Black with white piping around the pockets. It’s says 12 to 18 weeks and I know that’s not set in stone. Quality takes time and I’m fine with that but how long on average do any of you all that ordered your case from him have to wait?

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I bought a tweed JB butterfly case as a divorce gift to myself. Ordered it back on February 22 and it arrived on May 1. You will be pleased. Best case for the money that I've found

Patrick799 said:

I have for sale a Richard Black cue from around 1976 (according to Mr. Black). He has confirmed by email that he made the cue. He wrote that it was around 1976, when he built it. The cue is in playing condition, because it has been safely stored many years. The shaft is birds eye maple. The cue comes with an additional shaft for breaking (not built by Mr. Black) and a 45 year old case.
In the late 1970's, I purchased the cue from Dorthy Wise, a women's open pool champion for five years. Mr. Black confirmed he built a cue for Ms. Wise around the same time, 1976. Unfortunately, Ms. Wise is no longer with us to provide a confirmation of sale. Being a young guy at the time, I never asked for a receipt. There is a great tribute to her within a forum here on azbillards. She treated me with great kindness.
I am offering the cue for sale at $4,500.00 or any higher offer. Mr. Black's previously owned cues have been advertised for a high of $7,000.00.
Patrick799
View attachment 832832

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I am reducing the price to $3,000.00 and adding a new photo.