Diamond ProAm vs. Brunswick Gold Crown

[mdavis]

Nah, on Brunswick's website a new GC5 is at around $10K. Of course, that probably doesn't include shipping, but I'm also sure you can get the table for less than that - just not if you buy it online from Brunswick.

http://www.brunswickbilliards.com/catalog/pool-tables/gold-crown-v.html

Because of the dealer network, I wasn't quoted delivery charges for my GC V bid. The dealer is 2 miles from my house....On the flip side, the Diamond Pro-Am had to be trucked from the midwest and that cost me $1,500.00 and a very very long wait.

The numbers I used were very close to actual dealer quoted numbers...I almost bought a GC V.

I ended up with a Pro-Am.

1-piece slate and basement are pretty sketchy. RKC can give you specifics.

We had to use a 33 ton crane to install my 9' Pro-Am...that also added to the cost of the thing Add another $500 to the Diamond Column.

 

[mdavis]

It's surprising to see the Diamond Pro-Am losing to the Brunswick Gold Crown in the poll, given all the support Diamond has on these forums...but I understand the tradeoffs and can understand why some people (perhaps most people) would want the tables....just surprised it is the case for this demographic on this forum.

-mark

 

[cigardave]

The worst thing is the advertising stickers on the long side: simonis, etc...

-mark

Mark - Those can all be removed. They are just stickers.

When Glen delivered and set up my Pro Am I had him remove all of those.

The only side markings left on my table are the "DIAMOND" logos on the short rails. Those are engraved into the dymondwood.

 

[mdavis]

Mark - Those can all be removed. They are just stickers.

When Glen delivered and set up my Pro Am I had him remove all of those.

The only side markings left on my table are the "DIAMOND" logos on the short rails. Those are engraved into the dymondwood.

Mine as well...ordered without stickers, but the table was still delivered with...so Glen removed them.

I didn't install the stickers on the light either.

 

[Roadking]

I was reading that the ProAm would come fully assembled.
But if I bought one it would have to go in the basement. So my question is has anyone bought one unassembled & had it put together after it was delivered?

 

[mdavis]

I was reading that the ProAm would come fully assembled.
But if I bought one it would have to go in the basement. So my question is has anyone bought one unassembled & had it put together after it was delivered?

The 9' single piece slate is 618lbs.

The 3 piece slate would be a lot easier...

Which version of the table are you referring to?

Talk to Diamond/Glen about install specifics.

 

[cigardave]

I was reading that the ProAm would come fully assembled.
But if I bought one it would have to go in the basement. So my question is has anyone bought one unassembled & had it put together after it was delivered?

I'd send a PM to Glen (realkingcobra) with that question.

The issue with the Pro Am is the one-piece slate. I don't believe that there's much to be gained by fully disassembling a Pro Am... in order to facilitate moving it up/down stairs.

"Fully assembled" from the factory means that the Pro Am's lower legs are removed and stored inside the main body of the table (from underneath).

Also, a 9' Pro Am weighs ~1850 lbs, iirc.

Hope that helps.

cd

 

[Roadking]

Yes all the info was helpfull thanks.

 

[mdavis]

I'd send a PM to Glen (realkingcobra) with that question.

The issue with the Pro Am is the one-piece slate. I don't believe that there's much to be gained by fully disassembling a Pro Am... in order to facilitate moving it up/down stairs.

"Fully assembled" from the factory means that the Pro Am's lower legs are removed and stored inside the main body of the table (from underneath).

Also, a 9' Pro Am weighs ~1850 lbs, iirc.

Hope that helps.

cd

1080lbs for a 9' Pro-Am.

150lbs for the cart.

I had to use these calculations for my crane and the numbers came directly from RKC.

If you dis-assemble a 1-piece Pro-Am, you can get a 618lb piece of slate and the rest....which drastically lowers the weight of the load to move.

 

[cigardave]

I stand corrected. Thanks Mark.

Apparently, I didn't remember correctly.

 

[ITguy]

I was reading that the ProAm would come fully assembled.
But if I bought one it would have to go in the basement. So my question is has anyone bought one unassembled & had it put together after it was delivered?

My is installed in my basement. It came fully assembled and then Jay (A-1 Billiards) took it apart in the garage and moved the individual pieces down then reassembled it. Still heavy :grin-square:


Jim

 

[jalapus logan]

Because of the dealer network, I wasn't quoted delivery charges for my GC V bid. The dealer is 2 miles from my house....On the flip side, the Diamond Pro-Am had to be trucked from the midwest and that cost me $1,500.00 and a very very long wait.

The numbers I used were very close to actual dealer quoted numbers...I almost bought a GC V.

I ended up with a Pro-Am.

1-piece slate and basement are pretty sketchy. RKC can give you specifics.

We had to use a 33 ton crane to install my 9' Pro-Am...that also added to the cost of the thing Add another $500 to the Diamond Column.

For what it's worth, I own the Diamond pro table with the three peice slate and would highly recommend it. Honestly, I don't think that I would ever even want to mess with a one piece slate. I suspect that folks are overestimating the worth of the one piece. My table is still as level as the day it was set up almost four years ago and is easier to disassemble and move, should I choose to.

In my experience, I can't tell a whit of difference in playability on the pro am vs. the pro. For those wanting a ball return, I guess that would leave just the pro am though. I've never seen the pro table with a ball return, but I guess it is possible that some exist.

 

[Cuebuddy]

For what it's worth, I own the Diamond pro table with the three peice slate and would highly recommend it. Honestly, I don't think that I would ever even want to mess with a one piece slate. I suspect that folks are overestimating the worth of the one piece. My table is still as level as the day it was set up almost four years ago and is easier to disassemble and move, should I choose to.

In my experience, I can't tell a whit of difference in playability on the pro am vs. the pro. For those wanting a ball return, I guess that would leave just the pro am though. I've never seen the pro table with a ball return, but I guess it is possible that some exist.

It's my fourth year for my Diamond Pro also and I will have the ability to move my own table due to the fact that it can be broken down to bite size pieces. The one piece slate would be something that I would have to farm out if I ever needed to move.

Cuebuddy > needs more friends if a one piece slate is in his future.

 

[risky biz]

Why not compare the Pro-am to the tourney edition GC V? Seems more logical..

I voted Brunswick on the assumption it was a tournament edition. Why would I want to play on a non-tournament edition?

I think the Brunswicks have more dependably flat slate, more consistent cushions, and there isn't any big table leg in the way when I'm shooting from the corner. All based on personal impression playing on both. Doesn't mean I don't like Diamond. I play on a Diamond all the time lately. If they re-cover the Brunswick tournament I'll start playing on that more.

 

[PickPocket]

Both are great.

But buck for buck, I'm gonna go with the stock 4.5625 pockets. diamond it is!

 

[jalapus logan]

I voted Brunswick on the assumption it was a tournament edition. Why would I want to play on a non-tournament edition?

I think the Brunswicks have more dependably flat slate, more consistent cushions, and there isn't any big table leg in the way when I'm shooting from the corner. All based on personal impression playing on both. Doesn't mean I don't like Diamond. I play on a Diamond all the time lately. If they re-cover the Brunswick tournament I'll start playing on that more.

I seriously doubt that GC's have more "dependably" flatter slate than the pro am's 1 piece. Or than the Diamod Pro table's three piece for that matter.

 

[9 on the snap]

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

 

[jalapus logan]

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

If, by saying superior you actually mean manufactured in China and then made to less exacting specifications and lesser longevity, then I suppose that you are correct.

 

[risky biz]

I seriously doubt that GC's have more "dependably" flatter slate than the pro am's 1 piece. Or than the Diamod Pro table's three piece for that matter.

Just based on my impression after many hours on Gold Crown V's and Diamonds that there are less odd rolls on the Brunswicks. There could be reasons other than the slate itself but there must be some reason why the difference is consistent. They're all set up by Ernesto and Oscar Dominguez so I don't think it's a set up problem.

One-piece doesn't automatically make it flat. There could be variations in milling.

The Brunswick cushions also bank more symmetrically. I've seen Diamond advocates gush about how Diamond cushions "tighten up beautifully". In other words, asymmetrical, which, if you're accustomed to it, gives you an advantage over someone who isn't.

 

[risky biz]

If, by saying superior you actually mean manufactured in China and then made to less exacting specifications and lesser longevity, then I suppose that you are correct.

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.