GC IV > GC I? By how much?

B

bcarter123456

Member
Hello,

My first post here so I apologize in advance if this is not the right place for the question.

I'm considering my first home table and wanted to know what if any difference I should be willing to pay for a GC IV compared to a GC I in essentially the same condition. To throw in one more variable an older model would seem likely to have a few more dings in the laminate, how much does that effect the equation? I want to get a feel for what I should be expecting to pay. I'll also need to find and pay a good mechanic to set it up but that should cost the same for either model.

Thanks in advance for any input. I'm in Central FL so if someone knows of a good deal on either please send a DM.

Take care,
Brent
 
bcarter123456 said:
Hello,

My first post here so I apologize in advance if this is not the right place for the question.

I'm considering my first home table and wanted to know what if any difference I should be willing to pay for a GC IV compared to a GC I in essentially the same condition. To throw in one more variable an older model would seem likely to have a few more dings in the laminate, how much does that effect the equation? I want to get a feel for what I should be expecting to pay. I'll also need to find and pay a good mechanic to set it up but that should cost the same for either model.

Thanks in advance for any input. I'm in Central FL so if someone knows of a good deal on either please send a DM.

Take care,
Brent
Click to expand...
To start I don't have the experience some of the other people on here have but I'm getting there.

One thing to consider is if the table will need new rubber cushions or not, because they're old or if you're looking to close down the pocket. The reason this matters is the gc3 already has the rails calibrated for the newer shaped cushion.

The 3 also has the hidden nut/faster in the rail rather than the screw on plate. Some believe this to be better.

If I'm correct the 3 also has adjustable feet.

There has been many discussions on the Gold Crowns so search the forum a bit.

Either way you go the gc is a great table.
 
Welcome! Here are some of the features the Gold Crown IV has over the Gold Crown I.
  • 21 Point slate leveling system
  • Slightly wider rails
  • Flush mount pocket liners
  • Larger drop pocket liners
  • No rail counters
Except for very early Gold Crown I's, both tables have adjustable feet and floating nut plates in the rails. If you are looking to install new cushions or tighten the pockets, there's an extra step that needs to be taken on the Gold Crown I. The Gold Crown I originally came with Brunswick Monarch SuperSpeed cushions which have been discontinued for decades. The modern equivalent (K55 profile) are slightly larger than the original cushions so the subrail (where the cushion is mounted) needs to have the bevel adjusted (subrail calibration) so the cushion fits properly, the nose height is correct and the playing surface retains a 2:1 ratio (100" x 50" for a 9' table). The Gold Crown IV doesn't need this process performed for cushion replacement because the table was designed for the modern K55 profile since new. There are only a handful of mechanics in the country who know how to properly calibrate the subrails. If you skip this step, you run the risk of the nose height being off which will negatively impact how the rails play and the playing surface will no longer be a true 2:1 ratio, but will instead measure 99.75" x 49.75".

In terms of playability, in the hands of a good mechanic both tables can be setup to play exceptionally well. You really can't go wrong with a Gold Crown. I have a Gold Crown I which I cosmetically restored and my mechanic properly calibrated and extended the subrails, tightened the corner pockets to 4.125", the side pockets to 4.875" and installed Diamond Black cushions. The table plays awesome.

52269876034_f0f94f42c0_h.jpg
 
@rexus31 That is a beautiful setup. Thanks you for the very detailed and helpful information.

Thanks to all providing replies. Based on some preliminary searching it looks like a GC IV might run about $1500 more than a I.

The table at Crosby's was sold at some point though I don't know for what price. An OS 8 would actually be my first choice.
 
1500.00 is also what I paid to have my original rails recalibrated/restored and Artemis cushions installed. The GC I might seem like a better deal, but consider the work needed to get the rails right.
 
bcarter123456 said:
Thank you for sharing those costs. Based on that information a GC I at $1.5k vs a GC IV at $3k could be about a wash if they are in similar condition.
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They're basically the same tables. Some differences but all GC's share a lot of 'family' traits. The 3 is probably the worst one but even those are great with some tuning like better cushions, frame sag mod, etc. Place i hang at has ten really nice 4's and those have always been my fave GC.
 
That is encouraging as it widens the potential pool of tables. Am I correct that only a GC I would need rail modifications to replace the cushions? If so, is it a given that a GC I will need new cushions?
 
With all the GC I and II’s around you would think that by now Artemis, or Brunswick would have come out with replacement rubber for those instead having to redo the subrails. Maybe some day…soon I hope. It sure would save a lot of headache and money. Heck it should be easy for Brunswick since it’s a profile they used to produce. My local Brunswick dealer doesn’t see a problem with installing K-55 on the old Monarch subrails, and I won’t argue with him out of respect, but I think he is wrong. I’ve lived the nightmare.
 
Lawnboy77 said:
With all the GC I and II’s around you would think that by now Artemis, or Brunswick would have come out with replacement rubber for those instead having to redo the subrails. Maybe some day…soon I hope. It sure would save a lot of headache and money. Heck it should be easy for Brunswick since it’s a profile they used to produce. My local Brunswick dealer doesn’t see a problem with installing K-55 on the old Monarch subrails, and I won’t argue with him out of respect, but I think he is wrong. I’ve lived the nightmare.
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Not many II's floating around. They were only in production for a few years.

I agree with you on slapping K55 on old Monarch subrails.
 
bcarter123456 said:
Thank you for sharing those costs. Based on that information a GC I at $1.5k vs a GC IV at $3k could be about a wash if they are in similar condition.
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A GCI or GCII with recalibrated rails and new rubber will end up being a much better playing table than an original GCIII-V, apparently the pocket miters on original Gold Crowns leave a little to be desired.
 
rexus31 said:
Not many II's floating around. They were only in production for a few years.

I agree with you on slapping K55 on old Monarch subrails.
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Yeah was going to edit that to reflect that GC II are rare. I should have just stated GC I as the still plentiful table.
 
Lawnboy77 said:
My local Brunswick dealer doesn’t see a problem with installing K-55 on the old Monarch subrails, and I won’t argue with him out of respect, but I think he is wrong. I’ve lived the nightmare.
Click to expand...
Same problem with the Anniversary, the balls would hop off the rails. So the old mechanic at the room I'm working on now would put a layer of cardboard under the rail to raise it a little. Quick fix but not the best for sure.
 
Hard Knock Cues said:
Same problem with the Anniversary, the balls would hop off the rails. So the old mechanic at the room I'm working on now would put a layer of cardboard under the rail to raise it a little. Quick fix but not the best for sure.
Click to expand...
And K-66 rubber doesn’t work any better on those Monarch subrails either.
 
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