Diamond ProAm vs. Brunswick Gold Crown

[oldplayer]

thanks for the poll and info. i have only played brunswick for years. wanting to buy a table now and the timimg of the poll is perfect! wanted to play on a diamond table at johnny archer's place in marietta,ga but they wanted $14/hr vs $9/hr for a brunswick! thanks again

 

[realkingcobra]

Everybody knows a Gold Crown is superior to a Diamond. Anyone who says different is disingenuous or a fool!

I've spent the last 28 years of my life working on pool tables...Gold Crowns AND Diamonds....and I'll tell you what...you still have a lot to learn. I've made a lot more money fixing Gold Crowns than I'll ever make working on Diamonds

 

[jalapus logan]

I've spent the last 28 years of my life working on pool tables...Gold Crowns AND Diamonds....and I'll tell you what...you still have a lot to learn. I've made a lot more money fixing Gold Crowns than I'll ever make working on Diamonds

This statement speaks volumes.

 

[jalapus logan]

Made in China doesn't automatically equal lesser quality although some would like to infer that it does.

What are the less exacting specifications you're referring to?

Any decent table will last a long, long time if you take care of it. An owner of Gold Crown Billiards in Erie, PA posted here a while back. I looked at their website and their tables look like mostly Gold Crown I's in very good condition.

To be fair, I have not had the opportunity to play on a GC V. However, I have played on enough GC's throughout my 15 years as a pool player to know how the other generation GC's compare to the Diamond pro/pro AM and I can emphatically say that the Diamond has the better product for sure.

Seriously, look me in the eye and tell me that the Brunswick GC's laminate rails will hold up better than Diamond's Dymondwood rails or even hardwood? Not a chance. Having had a close look at the construction of each, there is no doubt that Diamond's table will be with me until my ultimate demise and playable even longer. I can't honestly say that about the GC's.

In the end, folks just have to make up their own mind. For some, it's all about styling. For me, it's about solid construction and playability. When and if I encounter a better built table that plays better than a Diamond, then I'll readily admit that and even go buy one, as I am fastidious in all matters concerning pocket billiards.

Also, for what it's worth, I play regularly with two people who have now traded their Brunswicks for Diamond Pro tables. Both are avid players. What does that tell you? About the GC 1, it's ok, I'll admit that. I play with another player who has one of these (it has been restored) in his basement. He likes my Diamond more.

In the end, I think the DeBeer's family has it right: Diamonds are forever.

 

[jalapus logan]

thanks for the poll and info. i have only played brunswick for years. wanting to buy a table now and the timimg of the poll is perfect! wanted to play on a diamond table at johnny archer's place in marietta,ga but they wanted $14/hr vs $9/hr for a brunswick! thanks again

Hmmm. That room wants a $5 price premium to play on the Diamond. This is another interesting data point.

Good luck with your purchase, whatever you choose.

 

[jalapus logan]

Made in China doesn't automatically equal lesser quality although some would like to infer that it does.

What are the less exacting specifications you're referring to?

Any decent table will last a long, long time if you take care of it. An owner of Gold Crown Billiards in Erie, PA posted here a while back. I looked at their website and their tables look like mostly Gold Crown I's in very good condition.

One last thought on this. I'm not speaking to folks who want a "decent" table. I'm just talking to those who want the best...

 

[risky biz]

I've spent the last 28 years of my life working on pool tables...Gold Crowns AND Diamonds....and I'll tell you what...you still have a lot to learn. I've made a lot more money fixing Gold Crowns than I'll ever make working on Diamonds

Wouldn't that be more an issue of the number of GC's vs. Diamonds, their respective ages, and how well their owners were taking care of them?

 

[risky biz]

thanks for the poll and info. i have only played brunswick for years. wanting to buy a table now and the timimg of the poll is perfect! wanted to play on a diamond table at johnny archer's place in marietta,ga but they wanted $14/hr vs $9/hr for a brunswick! thanks again

If the Brunswicks had big pockets I would automatically prefer the Diamonds but if they were Brunswick Tournament Editions I would be playing on the Brunswicks all day.

On the other hand, if I was you I would definitely consider moving to Las Vegas- $8 all day, every day, 8AM - 5PM. That's $2 an hour if you only play four hours. At six+ hours . . .

 

[risky biz]

One last thought on this. I'm not speaking to folks who want a "decent" table. I'm just talking to those who want the best...

I'm not in the least implying that Brunswicks aren't "the best". Just referring to your contention they won't last as long. What proof is there?

And, what about the "less exacting specifications" you mentioned?

It's notable that on Diamond's website they don't show how the tables are constructed but Brunswick goes into depth.

 

[risky biz]

To be fair, I have not had the opportunity to play on a GC V. However, I have played on enough GC's throughout my 15 years as a pool player to know how the other generation GC's compare to the Diamond pro/pro AM and I can emphatically say that the Diamond has the better product for sure.

Seriously, look me in the eye and tell me that the Brunswick GC's laminate rails will hold up better than Diamond's Dymondwood rails or even hardwood? Not a chance. Having had a close look at the construction of each, there is no doubt that Diamond's table will be with me until my ultimate demise and playable even longer. I can't honestly say that about the GC's.

In the end, folks just have to make up their own mind. For some, it's all about styling. For me, it's about solid construction and playability. When and if I encounter a better built table that plays better than a Diamond, then I'll readily admit that and even go buy one, as I am fastidious in all matters concerning pocket billiards.

Also, for what it's worth, I play regularly with two people who have now traded their Brunswicks for Diamond Pro tables. Both are avid players. What does that tell you? About the GC 1, it's ok, I'll admit that. I play with another player who has one of these (it has been restored) in his basement. He likes my Diamond more.

In the end, I think the DeBeer's family has it right: Diamonds are forever.

That tells me they had big pocket Brunswicks before and they noticed that a new Diamond is about 40% cheaper than a new Brunswick with tournament pockets.

Does your other friend's Brunswick have big pockets? If it does, you're comparing apples to oranges.

Also, the Brunswick rails hold up just fine.

 

[jalapus logan]

I'm not in the least implying that Brunswicks aren't "the best". Just referring to your contention they won't last as long. What proof is there?

And, what about the "less exacting specifications" you mentioned?

It's notable that on Diamond's website they don't show how the tables are constructed but Brunswick goes into depth.

Try this with your Gold Crown:

Take any random pool ball, hold it 3 feet above the rail, and then drop it. I've done this in front of guests at my house on my Diamond table with the Dymondwood rails. There is no damage, dent, cosmetic or otherwise, to the rail whatsoever. How do you think that the GC's laminate rails would respond to this test? You probably won't find out because you would be too scared to try, as would I.

As far as the logevity is concerned, I've just got no faith that the GC will outlast a Diamond pro, especially the Diamond w/ Dymondwood rails. Additionally, I do think that other vintage Brunswicks did have superior quality, as evidenced by their playability to this day, with many being > 100 years old. I do not think that today's GC's will be around in 100 years, as their forebearers are now.

As far as construction goes, just crawl under a Diamond pro/proAm. Or. better yet, just do a search here on the forums for the many, many details provided by RKC and others about the Diamond construction. Too bad that they don't show that on their website. They apparently are more into designing quality tables than they are into designing websites.

All told, I will, retract the "less exacting specifications" comment, as I am not a six sigma blackbelt at either company.

Also, all here should really not just take my word for it. I'm an avid player and pool enthusiast, nothing more.

Cheers...

 

[1shot]

Diamond/Gold Crown

Its like the chevy vs ford thing in motorsports. Some guys would rather walk fifty miles up a hill in the rain before they would drive a chevy.

One fact still remains if you play on a Diamond you can play on anything!!!

"C.D."

 

[jalapus logan]

That tells me they had big pocket Brunswicks before and they noticed that a new Diamond is about 40% cheaper than a new Brunswick with tournament pockets.

Does your other friend's Brunswick have big pockets? If it does, you're comparing apples to oranges.

Also, the Brunswick rails hold up just fine.

No, my friend's GC is shimmed and quite tight.

And, no, the GC's rails do not hold up fine. I've seen many with the laminate peeling off, exposing bare, unfinished wood? If you are talking home use, then, by and large they will be fine. But, you never know. I walked into my basement once and saw my friend's 4 year old using my $300 Joss like a war hammer bashing the hell out of my table's rails. My table was just fine, but not the Joss - ha ha.

In a commercial environment, there is just no way you can convince me that the GC rails will hold up as well as Dymondwood (Dymondwood is not made by Diamond, btw).

Here is a factory description of Dymondwood:

Sometimes refererred to by the generic name of COMPREG, DymondWood® is a highly engineered wood/plastic composite, that has the physical and mechanical properties of high density hardwood, acrylic, polycarbonate plastics and brass. Here, brightly dyed northern hardwood veneers are combined with engineering grade resins, heat and pressure to create a product that has the best characteristics of each. DymondWood® is distinguished by its unique strength, durability, dimensional stability, and weather and moisture resistance as compared to regular wood.

Where on the Brunswick website do they do they use the bolded words above to describe their table??? They do offer a lifetime warranty though.

Look, I'm not putting down Gold Crowns, I'm just saying that this pool player has played on many of each, and I think that Diamond's tables are superior. All, just my opinion.

 

[jalapus logan]

Its like the chevy vs ford thing in motorsports. Some guys would rather walk fifty miles up a hill in the rain before they would drive a chevy.

One fact still remains if you play on a Diamond you can play on anything!!!

"C.D."

You got that right!

 

[jalapus logan]

Its like the chevy vs ford thing in motorsports. Some guys would rather walk fifty miles up a hill in the rain before they would drive a chevy.

One fact still remains if you play on a Diamond you can play on anything!!!

"C.D."

Oh yeah, I drive a Nissan. I don't know where that leaves me within the context above though...

 

[jalapus logan]

Made in China doesn't automatically equal lesser quality although some would like to infer that it does.

Perhaps it does not infer lesser quality, but it sure as hell does not infer superior quality and workmanship either, does it?

Hmmm, I seem to remember toxic paint on children's toys coming from China. And recalled drywall that led to regulation. I'm sure you can think of many more instances of troubling practices from that tyranical nation. Speaking of that, I'm increasingly uncomfortable buying and supporting a nation that oppresses their own people. But I'll leave that to another discussion board...

 

[1shot]

jalapus

Ive driven everything known to man so im with you there.

I have been inside & out of many diferent brand tables and all I can say is that Diamond has it right.

"C.D."

 

[cigardave]

Try this with your Gold Crown:

Take any random pool ball, hold it 3 feet above the rail, and then drop it. I've done this in front of guests at my house on my Diamond table with the Dymondwood rails. There is no damage, dent, cosmetic or otherwise, to the rail whatsoever. How do you think that the GC's laminate rails would respond to this test? You probably won't find out because you would be too scared to try, as would I.

To hell with DROPPING a ball... you can THROW it down onto the top of a Diamond Dymondwood rail and it will bounce up 5 feet or more... without hurting the rail.

The stuff's impervious.

Glen demonstrated that to me when he set up my Pro Am... and I, in turn, have demonstrated that to a lot of my friends that have not seen it done before.

 

[risky biz]

Its like the chevy vs ford thing in motorsports. Some guys would rather walk fifty miles up a hill in the rain before they would drive a chevy.

One fact still remains if you play on a Diamond you can play on anything!!!

"C.D."

I don't completely agree with that. I find that if I've been playing on a GC5 for 3 - 4 months and switch to a Diamond Pro-Am I will intermittently rattle balls in the corner pockets for about 8 hours of play. After playing on those tables for 3 - 4 months and then switching back to a GC5 I will intermittently rattle balls in the corner pockets for about 8 hours of play and then it goes away. You unconsciously adjust to the corner pocket shape.

 

[asbani]

I just love watching tournaments played in Goldcrown, I don't know why... but I just like the way they play/look, i love the 90's tournaments because of that.