GC 2 vs other years

hang-the-9

hang-the-9

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I just found out that a guy at my local pool hall happens to have a dozen or so GC 2 tables. The pool hall currently has AE Schmidt furiture tables, heavy, solid, but all need new rails and of course probably will never play as good as a GC even with work on them.

How is the GC 2 vs say a 3 that is also easily found and likely are the same prices? We can assume that the rails are of the same wear to make things simpler so ignore just the fact one is older and may be in worse condition. Given the same condition, is the CG 2 worth getting if there is some cost savings? Are there gotchas with working on them if they do need new rail rubber, or leveling issue?
Can the pockets be done as 4.5" without major reconstruction?
 
hang-the-9 said:
I just found out that a guy at my local pool hall happens to have a dozen or so GC 2 tables. The pool hall currently has AE Schmidt furiture tables, heavy, solid, but all need new rails and of course probably will never play as good as a GC even with work on them.

How is the GC 2 vs say a 3 that is also easily found and likely are the same prices? We can assume that the rails are of the same wear to make things simpler so ignore just the fact one is older and may be in worse condition. Given the same condition, is the CG 2 worth getting if there is some cost savings? Are there gotchas with working on them if they do need new rail rubber, or leveling issue?
Can the pockets be done as 4.5" without major reconstruction?
Click to expand...
Are you 100% certain they are Gold Crown 2's? They are very rare having only been made for a few years and if someone has a dozen or so of them, that would be amazing. Lots of people think their Gold Crown 1's are 2's based on a lot of bad information out there. Most believe if the table has a metal name plate, adjustable feet and floating nut plates, it's a 2. That isn't the case. All of those features were released during Gold Crown 1 production The only difference between a 1 and a 2 is aesthetics. 2's only came with Rosewood stained aprons and pedestals with bronze feet and ball tray bezel. In terms of playability, the Gold Crown 2 was the last Gold Crown to get Brunswick Monarch SuperSpeed K55 cushions which has a slightly different profile than modern K55 cushions, As such, the subrail bevel needs to be adjusted to properly accept the new profile and ensure the playing surface stays a true 100" x 50" and the rail height is correct. To tighten the pockets, wood will need to be added to the ends of the subrails and the pocket dimensions recut to the desired spec. Not may mechanics know how to properly do this and the cost for tightening the pockets, adjusting the subrail and installing new cushions will run $1,5000-$2,000 depending on where you are located and if you need to ship the rails to a qualified mechanic to have the work done. Gold Crown 1's and 2's are great playing tables that will most likely need some TLC by a qualified mechanic to play their best. When setup properly, they are some of the best playing tables available.
 
rexus31 said:
Are you 100% certain they are Gold Crown 2's? They are very rare having only been made for a few years and if someone has a dozen or so of them, that would be amazing. Lots of people think their Gold Crown 1's are 2's based on a lot of bad information out there. Most believe if the table has a metal name plate, adjustable feet and floating nut plates, it's a 2. That isn't the case. All of those features were released during Gold Crown 1 production The only difference between a 1 and a 2 is aesthetics. 2's only came with Rosewood stained aprons and pedestals with bronze feet and ball tray bezel. In terms of playability, the Gold Crown 2 was the last Gold Crown to get Brunswick Monarch SuperSpeed K55 cushions which has a slightly different profile than modern K55 cushions, As such, the subrail bevel needs to be adjusted to properly accept the new profile and ensure the playing surface stays a true 100" x 50" and the rail height is correct. To tighten the pockets, wood will need to be added to the ends of the subrails and the pocket dimensions recut to the desired spec. Not may mechanics know how to properly do this and the cost for tightening the pockets, adjusting the subrail and installing new cushions will run $1,5000-$2,000 depending on where you are located and if you need to ship the rails to a qualified mechanic to have the work done. Gold Crown 1's and 2's are great playing tables that will most likely need some TLC by a qualified mechanic to play their best. When setup properly, they are some of the best playing tables available.
Click to expand...

I have not seen them in person, but I have a feeling I know what place they came out of, a pool hall that closed and someone bought up their tables. The pool hall I go to was actually going to try to buy them but the owner never followed up. They were listed as GC 2s for sale when the place closed.

The note about the cushions being different is exactly why I asked on here. So a GC 3 or later won't have the same fitment problem with modern cushions?

I figured making the pockets tighter would be a bit of work, but the pool hall is going to be under new ownership and the new owner may be interested in getting that done vs keeping the standard 5" pockets or whatever they came as.
 
rexus31 said:
Are you 100% certain they are Gold Crown 2's? They are very rare having only been made for a few years and if someone has a dozen or so of them, that would be amazing. Lots of people think their Gold Crown 1's are 2's based on a lot of bad information out there. Most believe if the table has a metal name plate, adjustable feet and floating nut plates, it's a 2. That isn't the case. All of those features were released during Gold Crown 1 production The only difference between a 1 and a 2 is aesthetics. 2's only came with Rosewood stained aprons and pedestals with bronze feet and ball tray bezel. In terms of playability, the Gold Crown 2 was the last Gold Crown to get Brunswick Monarch SuperSpeed K55 cushions which has a slightly different profile than modern K55 cushions, As such, the subrail bevel needs to be adjusted to properly accept the new profile and ensure the playing surface stays a true 100" x 50" and the rail height is correct. To tighten the pockets, wood will need to be added to the ends of the subrails and the pocket dimensions recut to the desired spec. Not may mechanics know how to properly do this and the cost for tightening the pockets, adjusting the subrail and installing new cushions will run $1,5000-$2,000 depending on where you are located and if you need to ship the rails to a qualified mechanic to have the work done. Gold Crown 1's and 2's are great playing tables that will most likely need some TLC by a qualified mechanic to play their best. When setup properly, they are some of the best playing tables available.
Click to expand...
I have a 2 and it is exactly as you described.
 
hang-the-9 said:
I have not seen them in person, but I have a feeling I know what place they came out of, a pool hall that closed and someone bought up their tables. The pool hall I go to was actually going to try to buy them but the owner never followed up. They were listed as GC 2s for sale when the place closed.

The note about the cushions being different is exactly why I asked on here. So a GC 3 or later won't have the same fitment problem with modern cushions?

I figured making the pockets tighter would be a bit of work, but the pool hall is going to be under new ownership and the new owner may be interested in getting that done vs keeping the standard 5" pockets or whatever they came as.
Click to expand...
A GC 3 will not have the cushion fitment issue that a one or two will have.
 
hang-the-9 said:
I have not seen them in person, but I have a feeling I know what place they came out of, a pool hall that closed and someone bought up their tables. The pool hall I go to was actually going to try to buy them but the owner never followed up. They were listed as GC 2s for sale when the place closed.
Click to expand...
Very likely the owner's were mistaken but also possible that they are real deal 2's. More times than not, people mistake 1's for 2's because they are uneducated on the differences.

hang-the-9 said:
The note about the cushions being different is exactly why I asked on here. So a GC 3 or later won't have the same fitment problem with modern cushions?

I figured making the pockets tighter would be a bit of work, but the pool hall is going to be under new ownership and the new owner may be interested in getting that done vs keeping the standard 5" pockets or whatever they came as.
Click to expand...
It can be a pricey proposition when multiple tables are being considered.

Tony_in_MD said:
A GC 3 will not have the cushion fitment issue that a one or two will have.
Click to expand...
Correct. Gold Crown 3's used the modern Brunswick SuperSpeed cushions and they are a direct replacement with no subrail adjustment needed. That being said, I feel the 1's and 2's were superior tables.
 
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Tony_in_MD said:
A GC 3 will not have the cushion fitment issue that a one or two will have.
Click to expand...

I have a feeling this may be the deal breaker here, since GC3 are probably the most common used commercial table one can find so, like a Corolla, spare parts are easy to get and finding people that know to work on them easier. I don't think I could recommend a place buying the tables and then having to take extra time and money getting them setup well.
 
Lets see if these work.

RKC doing the table, he probably still remembers it as the only time he had to rebuild rails in a ditch.
DSC_2063.JPG
DSC_2063.JPGDSC_2123.JPGDSC_2126.JPG
 
Thanks for all the good info on GC tables.

I have a Nine foot GC I bought out of someone's basement of there house built in 1968.
The table was placed in there basement after construction.
Hardly any play on it except for the two kids they had.
The table has white bases, turquoise aprons, adjustable feet an drop pockets.
The slate is black.

Is this table a 1 or 2 ??
I always thought it was a gc1
Thanks for any response.
 
mr magoo said:
Thanks for all the good info on GC tables.

I have a Nine foot GC I bought out of someone's basement of there house built in 1968.
The table was placed in there basement after construction.
Hardly any play on it except for the two kids they had.
The table has white bases, turquoise aprons, adjustable feet an drop pockets.
The slate is black.

Is this table a 1 or 2 ??
I always thought it was a gc1
Thanks for any response.
Click to expand...
I think a Gold Crown 1. See link that might give you some info

 
mr magoo said:
Thanks for all the good info on GC tables.

I have a Nine foot GC I bought out of someone's basement of there house built in 1968.
The table was placed in there basement after construction.
Hardly any play on it except for the two kids they had.
The table has white bases, turquoise aprons, adjustable feet an drop pockets.
The slate is black.

Is this table a 1 or 2 ??
I always thought it was a gc1
Thanks for any response.
Click to expand...
Gold Crown I. The Gold Crown II was only produced from '74-'76. Post up some pics of your table!
 
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Yeah, thank you also rexus 31
I would love to post some pictures but The table is disassembled as I sold the plase I had it in.
With a lot of luck I will have it back together this summer.
 
About ten years ago I was inquiring about putting diamond rails/cushions onit. I talked to a traveling table mechanic
Who said, no problem but spendy.
I lost track of his name and #. he told me that he could get the rails, install them using a rail height jig he had
Designed and made. He and one or two other people were the only ones in the country using this height adjuster tool.
Anyway new rails and felt and his service was around 2 grand. Would have tightened the pockets and play like a Diamond table.
I couldn't afford it at the time but maybe I will do that next set up.e
I just have to find that guy again. Maybe he will see this post and let me know.
Thank you all
 
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mr magoo said:
About the years ago I was inquiring about putting diamond rails/cushions onit. I talked to a traveling table mechanic
Who said, no problem but spendy.
I lost track of his name and #. he told me that he could get the rails, install them using a rail height jig he had
Designed and made. He and one or two other people were the only ones in the country using this height adjuster tool.
Anyway new rails and felt and his service was around 2 grand. Would have tightened the pockets and play like a Diamond table.
I couldn't afford it at the time but maybe I will do that next set up.
I just have to find that guy again. Maybe he will see this post and let me know.
Thank you all
Click to expand...
That is the same work that Glen RKC did to mine.

Rebuilt the subrails to accept Artemis cushions.

I am not sure he is traveling around doing this type of work anymore.
 
I wouldn't touch the III. But, the II will need work as mentioned . Don't pay more than $1K.
I'd skip the Artemis cushions in the rework.
Go with Super Speed .
And I like 4 7/16 corners with 139* more than 4.5" at 141*.
 
If you do decide to go the subrail modification route and extend the rails, pay the $$$. It's worth every penny.

And Superspeed is the way to go. After a few years if playing on a Superspeed GC4, it plays very close to a Blue Label, imo. No issues switching between the two tables at all.
 
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