Centennials or Super Pros

[mamics]

It's how they play that really matters. I have a nice pink Cuetec for you also. It's shiny and bright.

Yep ok - fair call - touche' ! :-D

I agree - performance is king - was just wondering why the high end resin isnt as white and bright as the cheap end resin and why the high end spec balls result in 'not so clear' colour & number boundaries & smudging. Its a shame there has to be a trade-off (precision / clarity & definition)

Maybe the bigger shame is my shallowness on appearance ! lol (or my lack of love for aged looking yellowish balls)

I swear the aramith tournament balls used at the local club for snooker comp has got a very bright white cue ball. Only one way to objectively check - take my 2.25" aramith premier cue ball & compare it directly to the 2 1/16" aramith tournament cueball...

Cheers.

 

[DallasHopps]

Yep ok - fair call - touche' ! :-D

I agree - performance is king - was just wondering why the high end resin isnt as white and bright as the cheap end resin and why the high end spec balls result in 'not so clear' colour & number boundaries & smudging. Its a shame there has to be a trade-off (precision / clarity & definition)

Maybe the bigger shame is my shallowness on appearance ! lol (or my lack of love for aged looking yellowish balls)

I swear the aramith tournament balls used at the local club for snooker comp has got a very bright white cue ball. Only one way to objectively check - take my 2.25" aramith premier cue ball & compare it directly to the 2 1/16" aramith tournament cueball...

Cheers.

RE: clarity and definition between colors, white areas, and numbers, I believe it's due to the colors and printing being cast into the resin rather than printed or painted.

They match my blurry vision, so I can't tell much difference past arms length away when compared to cheap, crisply painted ball sets

 

[mamics]

Correct me if I'm wrong - but aren't the colours cast into the resin on the Aramith premier set ?

There is a photo of a cut away section of a 10-ball with the classic font (classic font = premier or lower quality ?) in the brochure inside the ball box.

The numbers do seem different though I agree - like they are surface etched then painted or something - you can just feel a slight little something with ur finger when run over the numbers on the premier set...

 

[mamics]

RE: clarity and definition between colors, white areas, and numbers, I believe it's due to the colors and printing being cast into the resin rather than printed or painted.

Nah, looks like its all because of the 'finishing vitrification layer' - according to the reply I got from Saluc below.
______________________________________________________________________
Dear SIr,
The blur is actually the signature of the higher quality of the Super Aramith Pro sets.
Indeed, beginning with the Premium set and increasing upwards the range, there is a translucent "vitrification" layer around each ball, which is extremely hard and scratch and wear resistant.
Hoping this answers your query,
Best regards.
ARAMITH - BELGIUM
______________________________________________________________________

 

[Bavafongoul]

Brunswick Centennial Rocks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I owned both sets.......Aramith Super Pro & their Brunswick Centennial Pool Balls. The Super Pro set has a brighter look than the Centennial set. But that was it.........the numbers on the Centennial pool balls are just infinitely better for appearance and aiming needs. The colors on the Centennial have a classic look which I greatly prefer......the balls look like they belong in a rustic pool hall setting or even a Chicago hotel ballroom for Championship Match Play like in the 40's & 50's. The Super Pros seemed more neon like with the colors and I really preferred the color tone of the Centennial set.

But here's the best point.....the tolerances on the Centennial pool balls were better than the Super Pro.......I know Aramith makes both sets..........every Centennial pool ball weighed 168 grams.......and every ball was 2.25".........I found some slight differences with my Super Pro set so I sold them and bought a second set of brand new Centennial pool balls from hookmehorns a couple of months ago.

Since I now have two sets of Centennials, I'll let the used set go for $170 (cash) or $175 (Paypal) plus shipping ($10-15 based on your zip code) in case anyone is possibly interested. I really am in no need of selling the set so please don't make me an offer.....it is what it is......the used set is in incredible condition.......I clean the pool balls using my Ballstar machine after every 2-3 visits to the pool hall. Remember dirty balls throw better than glossy balls but dirty balls don't roll as well as clean pool balls.......there's a trade off of sorts.......but I still prefer my pool balls to have a nice shiny look when I play so I keep the set very clean. If interested, send me a PM but just remember the price is non-negotiable.

Anyway, my post is not intended as a sale thread rather than a strong endorsement for Brunswick Centennial Pool Balls as the #1 set to play with.......better than even Raschig pool balls IMO.

p.s. Important info....the red dot measles cue ball by Aramith is 2.25" and 169 grams......the blue dot Centennial cue ball is 2.25" and 168 grams. It is the closest weight cue ball of any cue balls in comparison to the 3 dot tournament ball. And playing with evenly matched cue ball & object ball weights is the most ideal arrangement for perfect pool conditions. The red circle dot cue ball by Aramith weighs 11.5 grams lighter than the 3 dot measles ball.......just some f.y.i.

 

[Highmiles]

Centennials. I've always used them. They've always played well for me, and they've always held up well for me.

And because I am apparently shallow, I love the way they look.

 

[DogsPlayingPool]

p.s. Important info....the red dot measles cue ball by Aramith is 2.25" and 169 grams......the blue dot Centennial cue ball is 2.25" and 168 grams. It is the closest weight cue ball of any cue balls in comparison to the 3 dot tournament ball. And playing with evenly matched cue ball & object ball weights is the most ideal arrangement for perfect pool conditions. The red circle dot cue ball by Aramith weighs 11.5 grams lighter than the 3 dot measles ball.......just some f.y.i.

I would qualify this statement. The balls you weighed were 168 and 169 grams. Out of the factory the only claim made by Aramith is that they are within official spec: 5.5 to 6 oz. I can almost guarantee that different weights have been posted on this forum for these balls than the weights you posted.

That's the problem with using an aftermarket cue ball for either the Super Pros or Centennials. Both of these balls are said by Aramith to be matched sets. That means that the balls in any given set should be close in weight, size, and color. Obviously then, the cue ball that came with the set should be close to the object balls. But when buying an after market cue ball like the measle, it may weight more or less than the balls in your set. This is also true when buying a replacement of the exact same cue ball that came with your set.

 

[hang-the-9]

WOW, I have the Tournament Set and haven't noticed that they play differently. I do notice that they play more consistent than the pool balls at my pool room but I thought that was because the pool room balls were older and more worn and the ball sets were mixed.

I'm going to pay more attention to the Tournament set when I take them out next time.

So have you played around with the Tournaments and compared to the other sets? What do you think, tougher to move them?

 

[Diogenes]

So have you played around with the Tournaments and compared to the other sets? What do you think, tougher to move them?

I just got a new set of Centennial TV Tours a few weeks ago. I also own a mint set of Super Pros and a 6 year old set of Centennials.
I was amazed at the TV Tour set, how well they moved across my table and came off of the rails full of life... especially the Q Ball. I had read (by some) on AZB that the blue circle was sluggish... B_S. My long time playing partner and I shot with them for about 8 hours and we both commented all night at how true and responsive the balls were and neither of us had seen a Q ball with that much action before. Of course my 860 cloth is in 1000X better shape than most PH tables.
It took us both a couple of hours to re-adjust our games because we kept overplaying our positions due to the difference in the better action on the TV Tour set.
So now when I'm shooting alone, or with non-shooters or in a pool hall, I use the older Centennials... when it's "game on" I'll only shoot with the TV Tours.

As for the Aramith Tournaments... I got to shoot with a brand new set on a GC-IV that was recovered just 4 hours earlier. To me they played a bit heavy and the Q ball had less response to draw and english. I had my Super Pros in my travel case and after shooting with the Tournaments for several hours I tried my Aramith balls. I was actually thinking it might just be because of the nap on the new cloth... NOPE... the Tournaments just played obviously heavy. It's a shame because I really liked the Centennial look that they gave them. That's why I bought the Centennial TV Tours.

And don't even get me started on how sluggish my $36 measles ball is. It's so slow it hardly ever moves off of the shelf in my equipment cabinet.

 

[JoeyA]

So have you played around with the Tournaments and compared to the other sets? What do you think, tougher to move them?

Haven't brought them to the pool room yet. There have been a couple of tournaments going on and I didn't want to play with different equipment leading up to the event.

I'll try and remember to post when I do.
thanks for the reminder.

JoeyA

 

[hang-the-9]

As for the Aramith Tournaments... I got to shoot with a brand new set on a GC-IV that was recovered just 4 hours earlier. To me they played a bit heavy and the Q ball had less response to draw and english. I had my Super Pros in my travel case and after shooting with the Tournaments for several hours I tried my Aramith balls. I was actually thinking it might just be because of the nap on the new cloth... NOPE... the Tournaments just played obviously heavy. It's a shame because I really liked the Centennial look that they gave them. That's why I bought the Centennial TV Tours.

And don't even get me started on how sluggish my $36 measles ball is. It's so slow it hardly ever moves off of the shelf in my equipment cabinet.

Bingo, the Tournament set plays "heavy". I just played in a tournament using Centennials, and the promoter swapped out the regular Brunswick blue circle ball with a red circle. Which plays a lot different, it does not draw as easy and follows though balls a lot more. I actually lost my first set due to this, several times I tried to draw a few inches to get position and each time the shot ended up a stop shot. Mike Dechaine was playing at the table next to me and was saying the same thing, that the ball was reacting differently.

I finally figured out the speed to hit it in order to win the next two sets, but really should not have lost that first one to begin with if the equipment was not swapped.

No clue why they decided to swap out the cueball in a perfectly good set of balls.

 

[JoeyA]

Bingo, the Tournament set plays "heavy". I just played in a tournament using Centennials, and the promoter swapped out the regular Brunswick blue circle ball with a red circle. Which plays a lot different, it does not draw as easy and follows though balls a lot more. I actually lost my first set due to this, several times I tried to draw a few inches to get position and each time the shot ended up a stop shot. Mike Dechaine was playing at the table next to me and was saying the same thing, that the ball was reacting differently.

I finally figured out the speed to hit it in order to win the next two sets, but really should not have lost that first one to begin with if the equipment was not swapped.

No clue why they decided to swap out the cueball in a perfectly good set of balls.

I'm glad you keep bringing this up as I am going to compare these soon.

 

[Diogenes]

Bingo, the Tournament set plays "heavy". I just played in a tournament using Centennials, and the promoter swapped out the regular Brunswick blue circle ball with a red circle. Which plays a lot different, it does not draw as easy and follows though balls a lot more. I actually lost my first set due to this, several times I tried to draw a few inches to get position and each time the shot ended up a stop shot. Mike Dechaine was playing at the table next to me and was saying the same thing, that the ball was reacting differently.

I finally figured out the speed to hit it in order to win the next two sets, but really should not have lost that first one to begin with if the equipment was not swapped.

No clue why they decided to swap out the cueball in a perfectly good set of balls.

I couldn't agree more about the "red circle" Q balls. I have one and my blue circle will draw 5x farther on any shot. My shooting buddy actually likes to put a ball at diagonal corner pockets and the blue circle in the center of the table (on my 9' table) and try to draw from one corner to the other (and has made it a few times). With the red circle (as you said) I have hit perfect draw strokes that end up as stop shots. You can't get enough draw at more than 3' away from the object ball. My Aramith logo ball is about as responsive as the blue circle. I was ready to get a Viking cue with a V-spin shaft just for draw shots until I finally started shooting with the blue circle. Now I can draw the length of the table and beyond with an Everest Tiger on a low deflection shaft... and who in the hell wants to have to change cue sticks back and forth when they are in the zone?
The red circle makes you have to put more speed into your draw shots and thereby loosing some control even after you have adjusted to them. I've seen them at most of the halls where I shoot... but they should never be used in tournament play.

 

[DogsPlayingPool]

I just got a new set of Centennial TV Tours a few weeks ago. I also own a mint set of Super Pros and a 6 year old set of Centennials...

My understanding of the TV Cents is that they are the same as the Centennials except the colors of the 4, 7, 12, and 15 balls. Not sure I understand why they would play any different than the traditional Cents, especially since they come with the same cue ball.

 

[Poolshootindon]

Cents!!!

I have a set of Centennials that is have had for about 11 years. Would not think of getting anyhing else.

Don

 

[Diogenes]

My understanding of the TV Cents is that they are the same as the Centennials except the colors of the 4, 7, 12, and 15 balls. Not sure I understand why they would play any different than the traditional Cents, especially since they come with the same cue ball.

It's mostly because my older set (as best we could determine) must have been due to be rotated out. It's not that my old Cents don't still play well... and yes there is no difference between the Tour Cents and the Traditional (except for the color changes on the balls that you mentioned). But to my playing partners (and other shooters) and myself there does appear to be a slightly noticeable difference (more lively) which we all somewhat attributed to age and wear on the older balls. I also was swapped out with a red circle on my old set when I got them. It was my 1st set of Cents and I didn't realize until it was too late, so I mostly played with an Aramith Logo cue ball.
Believe me I would have gladly taken the Regular Centennials if I could have gotten the same deal as the TV Tours and there wouldn't have been any difference. But I am now a firm believer that balls that have been played hard for 6 years or so are not as lively as they were... 6 years or so earlier.
Sorry for any confusion. Sometimes I just multitask too much when I'm on AZB... and often don't proof my replies to see if they actually make sense before I submit.