Gold Crown III $2000 used. Formerly in a pool hall for 3 years, very good condition.
$2,000 is way too much for a GCIII in this economy. It was also a pool room table, another negative. Might be in very good condition, but that's relative. Highly unlikely it being in very good condition is better condition than a home kept table in very good condition.
I've seen quite a few decent condition GCIII's on Craigslist for $1,200 - $1,500. I saw one sell for $900, but it was in rough shape.
Will need to buy new felt, find a way to move it, and a mechanic to set it up. I need to find a table mechanic around Austin TX and don't know if there are any good ones in the area or how much it would cost to do the work. I've read many times that a great mechanic can make a table play great, or a bad mechanic can do the opposite.
Mechanics that I've contacted quoted me about $1,000 for a move, assembly, level, cloth, rails (don't know if you need rails) for a GCIII. A little less without cushion replacement. However, for a "Diamondizing" reworking of the rails and pockets - assuming you can find a competent mechanic in your area to do that, it will cost more. Whatever you do, if you go that route - don't make a mechanic who isn't familiar with that process or have a good reputation for it do that kind of work. They won't say no to add ons and extra work as it's more pay for them, but that doesn't mean they will produce the results you want. Check out the "talk to a mechanic" forum here and talk to the experts about it. Locally, I've seen a few wannabe "diamondizing" attempts on Gold Crowns and the result is worse than just leaving the table as it was.
Diamond Professional Cherry wood $4500 used.
Formerly in a house, unknown time 3+years, great condition.
This is $2,500 more than the asking price of the GCIII. Home kept table is a huge, huge difference. It won't stink like smoke (if you're a nonsmoker), it will not have several hundred little dings and dents everywhere like a pool room table has, but which you will notice in the better lighting of your home. Happens to people all the time. Table looks ok in the pool room until they get it home and then it looks awful.
Diamond actually uses cherry wood. The Gold Crown is laminate. This is all above and beyond the better playability, better quality and better everything of the Diamond that you already know. Factor in higher resale. The Diamond at $4,500 is not out of line asking price. However, the GCIII is too high compared to others I see on the market at lower prices and still not selling. Still, the Diamond should be a little lower. Price in mid to high $3,000 range is more fair. Being cherry, rather than oak is why the asking price probably isn't in the 3's instead like other Diamonds.
I called up Diamond and can have them put on new modified rails, new felt, move and install for $1000 more ($5500 total.)
This is a great deal from Diamond. As I said before, some mechanics want that much to completely redo a GCIII - with Diamond you're getting more for the same money.
Problem is I only had a $4000 budget. I managed to squeeze another $1000 by selling some stuff and I can throw in another $500 from my next paycheck. Perfect, but I would not be able to buy a light for months.
Don't let the lighting complicate your thinking on the table. As was suggested already, you can put up an el-cheapo fluorescent shop light for about $40. It won't be bright enough. It won't have even lighting. It will be ugly. But it will work for however long until you save up for a quality light. And honestly, I've played in pool rooms and bars that have had lights not much better and in some cases worse!!! Don't skimp on the table because you want the best lighting right away. Get the better table, then work on lighting.
I guess I need help trying to figure out if the costs of moving, felting, assembling and the cost of new cloth for the GCIII would equal the amount I would have to pay to get the Diamond Professional.
That all depends on what price you can get on the GCIII work. I find it hard to imagine it will be cheap cheap. (Around $500 for everything). If you find that, I would be suspect of the mechanic's skills and reputation.
The difference between the Diamond and Brunswick is going to be about $2,500 either way. The big difference is, the Diamond is in great shape being a home table, it's better version too (cherry), and is a higher quality table all around. Worth an extra $2,500?
For me it would be. Because this is one of those buy once type of things. If you get the Brunswick, you will regret it. For one, if you want to sell it - you will take hit on it. The Diamond will hold more value - especially for you the second buyer. Next, every time you bridge on a rail or want to, but can't because of the scorekeepers or metal castings will mess up your cue - you won't remember your $2,500 and how you saved that - you will wish you got the Diamond instead. Finally, be sure the condition of the GCIII. What looks ok in a pool room, may not look ok once you get it home. You'll see more of the dents, dings and damage that are not noticeable at the pool room.
If you're serious, with cash in hand - try talking down the Diamond whatever you can. But if not - go for the Diamond regardless.
With the GCIII, you get an older design table lacking modern features and playability, less value, less resale, it's in worse condition - and will cost just as much as the Diamond to set up, except you get less - and it's over priced.
You have $5,500. Get the Diamond. You won't regret it, but you might regret the Brunswick. And you won't remember the $2,500. If you're going to do it, do it right.
BTW, I have a GCIII. That is why I'm telling you to get the Diamond. When I got mine, it was at a time when there were hardly any used Diamonds at all, and if there were, they were nearly new price anyway. Wasn't an option for me, but the GC was. I wish I could get $2,000 for my GCIII and mine has always been home kept never in a pool room, is a late model before they made the GC4, and is nearly immaculate. The GC has good playability - but in overall quality, it's overrated vs. the Diamond. Think of the GC as good playability on the cheap. It's a lot better than an Olhausen, Gandy or any of those by wide margin. But the Diamond is the king.
