Gold Crown & The Diamond Professional

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DrCue'sProtege

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I've always found it interesting that Diamond made a table that has a big time likeness to the Gold Crown. Must be a reason for that. The Gold Crown was the industry standard for 40 years, and many say it still is. Them Diamonds are great tables, i've played on a Diamond Professional and my brother just picked up a used one.

Sad though, a Gold Crown costs, what, around $9,000 new nowadays? Seems like Brunswick is pricing the Gold Crowns right out of the market.

DCP
 
I actually like the gold crowns over diamonds. That's not taking anything away from diamonds, because they are nice tables. Every time I play on a good crown it just feels like home as weird as that sounds.

DB
 
DrCue'sProtege said:
I've always found it interesting that Diamond made a table that has a big time likeness to the Gold Crown. Must be a reason for that.
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It's only interesting because the Diamond tables DO NOT have any likeness to a Gold Crown.

Freddie <~~~ other than the fact that it's a pool table
 
drcue'sprotege said:
i've always found it interesting that diamond made a table that has a big time likeness to the gold crown. Must be a reason for that. The gold crown was the industry standard for 40 years, and many say it still is. Them diamonds are great tables, i've played on a diamond professional and my brother just picked up a used one.

Sad though, a gold crown costs, what, around $9,000 new nowadays? Seems like brunswick is pricing the gold crowns right out of the market.

Dcp
Click to expand...



DCP,

what diamond table are you referring to?

SLIM
 
NolesFan83 said:
I actually like the gold crowns over diamonds. That's not taking anything away from diamonds, because they are nice tables. Every time I play on a good crown it just feels like home as weird as that sounds.

DB
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I hear what you're saying about that feeling of home. Only for me it's playing on a Diamond. I guess it's just what you grow accustomed to. I guess I'm in the younger generation of pool players (I'm 35) and I have played on Diamonds for years. Before that, I played on Pinnacles, the forerunners for Diamond.

Having said that, I kinda like the gold crowns for their antiquated charm. They remind me of the old school and the glory days of the pool scene that I never got to participate in.

But I guess nowadays, I'm at home on anything that has 6 pockets. Having said that, I would love to try some 3 cushion...but now I digress.

Cheers,

JL
 
I agree with the nostalgia of a Gold Crown. There is just something about the curve of the top rails, the ball storage rack above the return and the style that brings back fond memories of my first Gold Crown. When I was deciding on what table to purchase for my new home the Gold Crown was my first choice and a used one can be had at bargin prices. I eventually decided on the Diamond Pro AM largely due to conversations I had with RKC and exchanges on this forum. I miss the Gold Crown...great table but, the Diamond is a pleasure to own and play on. Either way, if you have a good mechanic and the table is in good condition I don't think you can go wrong either way.
 
I like GCs, but the newer ones are made out of this country, they sold out big time.

If I were to own a new table it would be a Diamond, made in the USA, employing we the people so the wealth created stays in the country.

I'm in the market, my two finalists are.....Diamond Pro or a reconditioned Anniversary.
 
Not sure what you're saying... you think gold crowns are better but too expensive? Were you trying to imply diamond is an inexpensive knockoff and brunswick needs to reduce prices to compete?

I think every single diamond I ever came across is their most common pro-am or the 7-footer. Never saw a diamond that was just like a gold crown, except maybe in irrelevant ways like, I dunno... rail width or something.
 
I think DCP is pulling our collective leg again. Cut it out, DCP! It tickles.:nanner:
 
DrCue'sProtege said:
I've always found it interesting that Diamond made a table that has a big time likeness to the Gold Crown. Must be a reason for that. The Gold Crown was the industry standard for 40 years, and many say it still is. Them Diamonds are great tables, i've played on a Diamond Professional and my brother just picked up a used one.

Sad though, a Gold Crown costs, what, around $9,000 new nowadays? Seems like Brunswick is pricing the Gold Crowns right out of the market.

DCP
Click to expand...

In a way, you are right.
Brunswick discovered, or stumbled across, depending on how you look at it, a truly efficient table design, that has been emulated, either on purpose or simply by engineeering necessity, by practically every major table maker on the planet at some point or another.

The GC has achieved what you might call "cultural icon" status, not unlike the 'Red-Ryder' bb gun, 'Star Wars' or a 'Xerox' machine, it's one of those things that will be in an american museum in 500 years.
 
The fact that such discussion as this happen at all speaks volumes about the Gold Crown, regardless of what one's position on the matter might be.



I am going to get a used Gold Crown this year. For sure. I am not even considering something else.

But then again, I still prefer air cooled Porches, I don't even consider anything with water circulating through the engine a Porche at all in any regard.


Yes, it is a bit about nostalgia. But I am glad to see some others share an affection for the tables. The GC is in fact highly deserving of its status. There are many things one can pick on, many nuances of the various vintages. But that changes nothing about their status.

I play because I enjoy it. Period. And I will enjoy it more if I am playing on my own Gold Crown. Why? Lots of reasons, some of which I cannot describe as they are matters of the heart. People can pick on me if they like, tell me some other table is better, but they cannot dictate to me what I enjoy and what makes me feel good. Yes, in a way a matter of the heart. America has had a bit of a love affair with Brunswick and Gold Crown for a long time. Avery long time.

The way I see it anybody who says that they have been playing on something else "all their life" isn't even old enough yet to feel nostalgic about it, it is simply what they are used to. Those same people will look at those of us that are nostalgic for Gold Crowns and say we are "just used to" Gold Crowns only because they cannot yet understand what it means to enjoy the nostalgia...hell, I think I am only barely old enough to begin to understand it. I don't really care how good people think a Diamond is, there is one ultimately superior quality that no Diamond will ever have no matter how hard anybody tries...it will never be a Gold Crown.



Hopefully I will find a GC that is not too screwed up. Recent conversations in this forum have scared the hell out of me about finding a decent table.





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.

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I totally disagree with the OP. I have absolutely no nostalgia for any GC model at all.

If I am going out for a 4-5 hour practice session, I will travel 35-40 miles to practice on Diamonds rather than play on Gold Crowns 5 minutes down the road.

1. I don't miss getting rubber on the shaft of my cue. Yeah, they might have fixed it in the latest model, but that was only in response to Diamond's improvements. WTF? How do you lead the home/commercial market for like 150 years and let a newcomer wipe you off the map overnight with simple improvements?

2. Every Gold Crown table I've ever played on plays differently. Either they are buckets, or they have been "tightened up" by a table mechanic who has different thoughts on how to make a Gold Crown play "right". This is not a problem with Diamonds. If it is Pro Cut, it plays right straight from the factory.


And lest ye think I am just dramatizing, I am getting back to Seattle tomorrow from a work trip, and will be travelling up to Golden Fleece, the all-Diamond pool hall north of me, on a daily basis in preparation for DCC.

I just have no love for Brunswick any more. Once you've had filet mignon, it's not like a tough piece of gristle is gonna cut it. I will play on them if I have to, but I feel my practice time is ALWAYS better spent on Diamonds.

Russ
 
Russ Chewning said:
I totally disagree with the OP. I have absolutely no nostalgia for any GC model at all.

If I am going out for a 4-5 hour practice session, I will travel 35-40 miles to practice on Diamonds rather than play on Gold Crowns 5 minutes down the road.

1. I don't miss getting rubber on the shaft of my cue. Yeah, they might have fixed it in the latest model, but that was only in response to Diamond's improvements. WTF? How do you lead the home/commercial market for like 150 years and let a newcomer wipe you off the map overnight with simple improvements?

2. Every Gold Crown table I've ever played on plays differently. Either they are buckets, or they have been "tightened up" by a table mechanic who has different thoughts on how to make a Gold Crown play "right". This is not a problem with Diamonds. If it is Pro Cut, it plays right straight from the factory.


And lest ye think I am just dramatizing, I am getting back to Seattle tomorrow from a work trip, and will be travelling up to Golden Fleece, the all-Diamond pool hall north of me, on a daily basis in preparation for DCC.

I just have no love for Brunswick any more. Once you've had filet mignon, it's not like a tough piece of gristle is gonna cut it. I will play on them if I have to, but I feel my practice time is ALWAYS better spent on Diamonds.

Russ
Click to expand...

Thou havest thy points! I know whacha mean...

Good luck at the derby!
 
Mr. Bond said:
In a way, you are right.
Brunswick discovered, or stumbled across, depending on how you look at it, a truly efficient table design, that has been emulated, either on purpose or simply by engineeering necessity, by practically every major table maker on the planet at some point or another.

The GC has achieved what you might call "cultural icon" status, not unlike the 'Red-Ryder' bb gun, 'Star Wars' or a 'Xerox' machine, it's one of those things that will be in an american museum in 500 years.
Click to expand...
I agree. The Gandy Big "G", Olhausen Champion, Brunswick Gold Crown, and Diamond Professional all look similar because they are tournament-style tables meant for playing pool on, not looking pretty. Pool players may like the way they look because of the simplicity or nostalgia, but the reason that furniture tables sell is because they look better to non-players (often significant others) and can become part of the decor.
 
Looking good at 50! More than nostalgia.
wholegcnice.jpg
 
Golden Fleece

"And lest ye think I am just dramatizing, I am getting back to Seattle tomorrow from a work trip, and will be travelling up to Golden Fleece, the all-Diamond pool hall north of me, on a daily basis in preparation for DCC."

Russ[/QUOTE]

Russ, I understand the Golden Fleece has moved to temporary location and only set up 8 footers for an up coming tournament.

Anyone with further details?
 
DrCue'sProtege said:
I've always found it interesting that Diamond made a table that has a big time likeness to the Gold Crown. Must be a reason for that. The Gold Crown was the industry standard for 40 years, and many say it still is. Them Diamonds are great tables, i've played on a Diamond Professional and my brother just picked up a used one.

Sad though, a Gold Crown costs, what, around $9,000 new nowadays? Seems like Brunswick is pricing the Gold Crowns right out of the market.

DCP
Click to expand...

I first played on a diamond around 1990 and I knew it was different than any table. They looked different because they had no metal parts but their profile was much more substantial. The pockets were flush with the rail and the table played fast as lightning. Of course, everyone took note and much later Brunswick began building their tables with flush pockets and a more substantial profile. Also, they stuck with a shelf that is still shallow for easier pocketing, as opposed to Diamond's deeper shelf. This is probably because Brunswick rely heavily on recreational consumers, where Diamond relies on a more sport-enthusiast consumer. Anyway, I like both tables, but they're really built for two different clients.

"Keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars." ---Casey Kasem
 
SouthernDraw said:
I first played on a diamond around 1990 and I knew it was different than any table. They looked different because they had no metal parts but their profile was much more substantial. The pockets were flush with the rail and the table played fast as lightning. Of course, everyone took note and much later Brunswick began building their tables with flush pockets and a more substantial profile. Also, they stuck with a shelf that is still shallow for easier pocketing, as opposed to Diamond's deeper shelf. This is probably because Brunswick rely heavily on recreational consumers, where Diamond relies on a more sport-enthusiast consumer. Anyway, I like both tables, but they're really built for two different clients.
Click to expand...

Ditto. Other than the round platform leveler and shape of the two legs for the Diamond Professional, there is no likeness between the GCIII (and prior) especially where it really counts: where you play the game.

Freddie <~~~ no scoring wheels, return rails, metal corners, plastic pockets, ashtrays...
 
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