Buying Table Advice - GC vs New

T

The Bronx Bull

Registered
I'm in the preliminary stages of scouting for a table. I will be moving into a new home late this year, and will be specifically looking for something with a finished basement that can accommodate a 9' table.

I have read from numerous folks that they feel a used Gold Crown is a better option, in many cases, than a new table for the same price. My budget will be around 4-5k.

For the Gold Crown option, I have done some research and found "Sloezen Billiards" in nearby New Jersey, which restores Gold Crown tables. His price is about $2850 for a restored GC (looks like the first generation?), and I would then need to pay about $1495 for delivery, setup, and Simonis cloth, given my distance from the table (I am in upstate NY). Total - $4345 plus tax.

Karl Sloezen tables are here: http://www.sloezenbilliards.net/tables2.html

On the other hand, there are Brunswick dealers nearby that can order any table of my choosing, but the only one that appears to fit the budget is the Brunswick Glenwood 9'. This table would run me about $4500, in addition to maybe $300 for delivery and setup. Total - $4800 plus tax.

Which is the better option?
 
Neither one. The NJ guy is way overpriced, and you don't want a furniture style table. Check Craigslist and you'll find something there. You have plenty of time to look. Once you locate a table, someone here can give you the heads up on who the best mechanic is in your area to set it up.

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com
 
IMO

4300+ tax is high for a GC1 unless its mint, original condition. I think for that kind of budget you have lots of option.

regardless, I would completely eliminate the new home table from your options.

Ian
 
I can generally find a good GC 1 or 2 for under a grand around here, usually Craigslist.

Typical would be around 1500 or so.

Add moving it and new cloth of course.


Of course you need to shop around. But don't think that just because you pay more you are getting better. You can get crap for 4,000 and you can get a gem for 800. Very often people need to unload a table because they are moving or need space in their home so they are selling urgently. Maybe talk to a table mechanic about paying him to go check out a table when you find one. It helps avoid surprises that you might not see.






.
 
What part of Upstate NY are you from? I am an hour South of Syracuse. I may be able to help you find something, for a much better price than what you were quoted.
 
Scott Lee said:
Neither one. The NJ guy is way overpriced, and you don't want a furniture style table. Check Craigslist and you'll find something there. You have plenty of time to look. Once you locate a table, someone here can give you the heads up on who the best mechanic is in your area to set it up.

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com
Click to expand...

Why is there always prejudice against "furniture style tables", especially when they are for home use. If the are the "correct" size, level etc, etc why do some hate them so much?
 
You should be able to find a GC I or II for $1,000 or less. Send the rails to Mark Gregory and then have a reputable mechanic do the setup and your total cost will be well under your budget of $4,000-$5,000.
 
Nine ... corner said:
Why is there always prejudice against "furniture style tables", especially when they are for home use. If the are the "correct" size, level etc, etc why do some hate them so much?
Click to expand...

again, IMO.

-They don't play as well
-they aren't built as solid
-huge depreciation on resale market. that 5k furniture table will be worth 1k or less if he tried to resell it.
-most people are this site are serious about pool, why buy a new daisy bb gun when you can get a used glock for less money.

Ian
 
As a serious player, I only wanted the best. As a frugal guy by nature, I did not want to pay full price. I limited my search to only Diamond, Gabriels, or Brunswick Gold Crowns. Of those three, I settled on Diamond, as in my experience they played more consistent and are built like the Great Wall of China (all my opinion of course). I got mine used from ebay for $3100 and that came with the Dymondwood rails, a set of Super Aramith Pro balls, and the embroidered cover. I was and am satisfied with the deal I got.

I would also think that Diamond's "Tournament Used" package would fit your budget nicely and you would be guaranteeing yourself a great playing table for years to come. In fact, given that all used tables have some risk that a hack has worked on them (regardless of brand), I would think that Diamond's used program would hold quite a bit of appeal to the fastidious player.

Diamond says this on their website:

"New and Tournament Played Smart Table Pricing
Call 812-288-7665 for or multiple table discounts with or without matching light units and special pricing on Tournamanet Used commerical tables (when available)."

Good luck with your search.
 
Nine ... corner said:
Why is there always prejudice against "furniture style tables", especially when they are for home use. If the are the "correct" size, level etc, etc why do some hate them so much?
Click to expand...

A lot of them are crap but there are some good ones too. I have been nothing but happy with my Vitalie. Whoever bought it new dropped a bunch of cash on it though. I would probably never buy a brand new table, furniture style or otherwise.
 
I actually got my table (GC4) through Sloezen billiards. While not the cheapest I can assure you it was refinished beautifully, installed properly and plays great.
As a matter of fact, after owning it for over a year, I called them as I was not happy with 1 of the cushions. They replaced all of the cushions at no cost.
 
madhatter44 said:
I actually got my table (GC4) through Sloezen billiards. While not the cheapest I can assure you it was refinished beautifully, installed properly and plays great.
As a matter of fact, after owning it for over a year, I called them as I was not happy with 1 of the cushions. They replaced all of the cushions at no cost.
Click to expand...

This sounds promising. Regardless of what brand you wish to aquire, I think that it is important to buy from a reputable source in this situation. Pool tables are large, heavy, somewhat expensive items and it is important to get it right the first time, as a poor quality purchase and/or a poor install will be a real pain in the ass to remedy. As has been said, your budget should accomodate some pretty good options from some reputable vendors.
 
bradsh98 said:
What part of Upstate NY are you from? I am an hour South of Syracuse. I may be able to help you find something, for a much better price than what you were quoted.
Click to expand...

Albany, NY - so a little ways from Syracuse.

What are some good sources for used GCs? Craigslist is empty up here for those - and the only ones on the NYC Craigslist appear to be Sloezens!
 
There is a GC 1 and a GC 4 on that site - at the same price ???

But no price on the Anniversary ???
Think that one would be my choice - but I have no idea of the relative market value.
 
Scaramouche said:
There is a GC 1 and a GC 4 on that site - at the same price ???

But no price on the Anniversary ???
Think that one would be my choice - but I have no idea of the relative market value.
Click to expand...

I wasn't sure if the one at the very top was a GC 4 - is it? It is labeled "Gold Crown 4 1/2 x 9" - I mistakenly thought the "4" in the table dimensions pertained to the Gold Crown model.

As for the Anniversary - I haven't yet checked the price on that table. I haven't played on one either - are they better than the GCs in any way?
 
madhatter44 said:
I actually got my table (GC4) through Sloezen billiards. While not the cheapest I can assure you it was refinished beautifully, installed properly and plays great.
As a matter of fact, after owning it for over a year, I called them as I was not happy with 1 of the cushions. They replaced all of the cushions at no cost.
Click to expand...

I do like the fact that a year after purchase, he was still willing to help you out, extensively might I add.

Do you have any pictures of your table?
 
Nine ... corner said:
Why is there always prejudice against "furniture style tables", especially when they are for home use. If the are the "correct" size, level etc, etc why do some hate them so much?
Click to expand...

I believe it would be more proper to say "furniture grade" than "furniture style".

Generally: Structurally inferior, inferior materials (such as cushions), more difficult to make them play correctly if at all.

Obviously there are beautifully styled tables that play excellent, and are very expensive generally. But we don't call those furniture "grade".

"Furniture grade" generally implies that the table is more a piece of furniture whereas the characteristics of structure and materials that make it a pool table are generally compromised.


.

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The Bronx Bull said:
I wasn't sure if the one at the very top was a GC 4 - is it? It is labeled "Gold Crown 4 1/2 x 9" - I mistakenly thought the "4" in the table dimensions pertained to the Gold Crown model.

As for the Anniversary - I haven't yet checked the price on that table. I haven't played on one either - are they better than the GCs in any way?
Click to expand...

The Anniversary is a good compromise between furniture and commercial....
....it's art deco style looks good in any home....
...well worth checking it out.

Here is an example of why an Anniversary is worth buying....any classic is worth restoring if you want to treat yourself later...
https://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=...kl-W7Y7pZRxewOi3w&sig2=5A8l4Z05ZPeKGqZMXZr2ag
 
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