Alternative to Brunswick Superspeed cushions
- Thread starter phanispal
- Start date
Go with Diamond black K55. The profile is a very close match. You should be able to source them through a European Diamond distributor.
Does a GCIII still have Monarchs? I thought the GCII was the last year for Monarchs.
Early GCIII's had Monarchs before they switched to SuperSpeeds. Most likely left over rail stock from the GCII.
From what I understand, whether mine has Monarchs or Superspeeds, the new K55 will fit either way without modifications.
I can’t seem to find Diamond Black K55 either, the guy that sells the GC told me he can find Sam cushions as an alternative to Superspeed. I can’t find any information about Sam cushions.
He also told me Artemis doesn’t produce K55, only K66 and even if I would modify the rails the Artemis would be too bouncy for GC.
I can’t seem to find Diamond Black K55 either, the guy that sells the GC told me he can find Sam cushions as an alternative to Superspeed. I can’t find any information about Sam cushions.
He also told me Artemis doesn’t produce K55, only K66 and even if I would modify the rails the Artemis would be too bouncy for GC.
Artemis does make K-55 profile cushions. Diamond tables have used them for years.
Arrowslinger148
New member
I just had Artemis k55 installed on my gold crown 2 last month. They play great
Why don't you purchase SuperSpeeds online and have them shipped to Greece? Less expensive than buying Artemis.
Yes.
Not essentially, they are a K55 profile.
Not true. The selling point is the quality of the rubber is supposed to be superior so you are paying for longevity. That being said, my mechanic has told me he's seen dried out Artemis after 10 years of service.
Might be an open window or a draught, that is ageing the rubber / heard it from the regular maintainence guy from our poolhall
My Artemis cushions are 13 years old now and doing just fine. It wouldn't break my heart to put Superspeeds on it, when my rails were modified it was about 2 days before everyone switched to using Superspeeds instead of Artemis. I think Superspeeds are still the go to on Gold Crowns.
I have thought of that, but today I found a Brunswick distributor here in Greece, he told me he is going to receive an order within 10 days. I have been told he was done dealing with billiards parts, only bowling so that’s the reason I didn’t contact him initially.
I meant they have a slightly different nose.
Can this be attributed to room climate conditions, or how heavy they have been played?
What would you say is the life expectancy of SuperSpeeds for mild domestic use?
I would guess that the life expectancy of Superspeeds to be similar to Artemis, if not a slight bit longer... In my experience, Artemis seem to be good for only about 15 years. Maybe slightly longer, if the table is in a controlled environment. My 9' Diamond is a Red Label, from 2009. It was converted to Blue label, in about 2011, using the same Artemis cushions. They have been banking sluggish for a couple of years now.
I've seen several Brunswick tables from the late '90's, with Superspeed cushions that are still just fine. However, I've seen many from the early '90's, which have dry-rotted, and required replacement. Supposedly, the rubber composition changed in the mid-'90's. I don't know that to be 100% accurate, but it would make sense.
Arrowslinger148
New member
Yes they are the intercontinental 66 in the k55 profile and they play great
All this talk about about Superspeeds vs. Artemis has got me thinking about doing another video comparing the two. Both sets of my rails are about the same age (rubber wise). It would be interesting to check the rebound again to see if one has aged better than the other. I think I’ll do it! Stay tuned, more to follow on this subject. Just a quick cliff notes on this, I did a video comparing the two when they were new using a ramp incline that would get basically a 1 rail lag. The Superspeeds actually traveled further by a few inches, but my hunch is that Artemis will yield more energy on harder hits.
I saw your video on YouTube and yes, I’ve thought of that also. I think it is difficult to compare them with such methods.
About 10-15 years I think it’s fine if they last and play well.
Another question now, is it better if the cushions are pressed to the rails or if they are glued?
I've played ongold crowns with the diamond k55 rubber and found they very much changed the feel of the table.
Far too bouncy, resulting in a strange ratio between rail and bed speed.
Agreed with superspeed for replacement.
Far too bouncy, resulting in a strange ratio between rail and bed speed.
Agreed with superspeed for replacement.
Pressed?
You might change your mind if you played on my table.