Identifying Various Ball Sets

[Rickhem]

I have been looking closer at some of the various sites that offer used items for sale, and a lot have ball sets at relatively low asking prices. What I'm realizing though, is that I'm really not able to identify what the ball set is by looking at it. The Centennials have the distinctive ring around the numbers, with ticks at 3 and 9 o'clock, and nobody else has that. But I can't reliably identify anything else. The "font" used for the numbering is different, and some have thicker numbers than others. Some use a curved line under the 6 and the 9, but some are straight, and some use just a dot. Some have a black line outlining the circle for the number, but most don't. Most have the number on the stripe for 9 through 15, but some don't. More variables than I can keep track of right now.
I've tried looking at pictures of different ball sets on eBay as a reference, and comparing those as the "known" to the others that I find, and that works, but it's slow. Is there a database, like the thread for pool ball weights, where a picture of different ball sets can be viewed? Are there any other ways to quickly ID a ball set?
While I would like to use information to get a good deal when one presents itself, I'd also like to know what balls are what when I play at a new bar or pool hall.

 

[garczar]

I have been looking closer at some of the various sites that offer used items for sale, and a lot have ball sets at relatively low asking prices. What I'm realizing though, is that I'm really not able to identify what the ball set is by looking at it. The Centennials have the distinctive ring around the numbers, with ticks at 3 and 9 o'clock, and nobody else has that. But I can't reliably identify anything else. The "font" used for the numbering is different, and some have thicker numbers than others. Some use a curved line under the 6 and the 9, but some are straight, and some use just a dot. Some have a black line outlining the circle for the number, but most don't. Most have the number on the stripe for 9 through 15, but some don't. More variables than I can keep track of right now.
I've tried looking at pictures of different ball sets on eBay as a reference, and comparing those as the "known" to the others that I find, and that works, but it's slow. Is there a database, like the thread for pool ball weights, where a picture of different ball sets can be viewed? Are there any other ways to quickly ID a ball set?
While I would like to use information to get a good deal when one presents itself, I'd also like to know what balls are what when I play at a new bar or pool hall.

Why worry about what balls are used in a bar/poolroom? There is a weight data base here on AZ. Search and you'll find. Buy a set of Dynasphere Bronze for 100bux. Best deal out there. You're welcome. BTW, most decent poolrooms use Aramith(they make the Centennials btw) balls of some kind. Bars may or may not. Some buy the cheapest balls they can find.

 

[rexus31]

I have been looking closer at some of the various sites that offer used items for sale, and a lot have ball sets at relatively low asking prices. What I'm realizing though, is that I'm really not able to identify what the ball set is by looking at it. The Centennials have the distinctive ring around the numbers, with ticks at 3 and 9 o'clock, and nobody else has that. But I can't reliably identify anything else. The "font" used for the numbering is different, and some have thicker numbers than others. Some use a curved line under the 6 and the 9, but some are straight, and some use just a dot. Some have a black line outlining the circle for the number, but most don't. Most have the number on the stripe for 9 through 15, but some don't. More variables than I can keep track of right now.
I've tried looking at pictures of different ball sets on eBay as a reference, and comparing those as the "known" to the others that I find, and that works, but it's slow. Is there a database, like the thread for pool ball weights, where a picture of different ball sets can be viewed? Are there any other ways to quickly ID a ball set?
While I would like to use information to get a good deal when one presents itself, I'd also like to know what balls are what when I play at a new bar or pool hall.

Look through this thread and educate yourself.

Pool Ball Collecting.

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Very early on in the Pool Ball Collecting thread (on the main forum) I posted up a plea for help in securing a much sought after box of Joe Camel marbleized pool balls. After searching for this rare and...

forums.azbilliards.com

 

[Rickhem]

Why worry about what balls are used in a bar/poolroom? There is a weight data base here on AZ. Search and you'll find. Buy a set of Dynasphere Bronze for 100bux. Best deal out there. You're welcome. BTW, most decent poolrooms use Aramith(they make the Centennials btw) balls of some kind. Bars may or may not. Some buy the cheapest balls they can find.

I was hoping you would respond. You seem to have a really good depth of knowledge with cues and other pool/billiard accessories, probably from years and years of experience. You've ID'ed cues, and referenced the "why" when doing so, so there definitely are things to look for. Agreed, it matters not what balls are used at a bar, and my experience is that most are mixed sets anyway, but you play cause that's what's there. Almost all Aramith balls use the curved line under the 6 and 9, so there's that.
Is there an easy way to identify phenolic composition from anything else?

 

[Rickhem]

Look through this thread and educate yourself.

Pool Ball Collecting.

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Very early on in the Pool Ball Collecting thread (on the main forum) I posted up a plea for help in securing a much sought after box of Joe Camel marbleized pool balls. After searching for this rare and...

forums.azbilliards.com

Thanks!

 

[garczar]

I was hoping you would respond. You seem to have a really good depth of knowledge with cues and other pool/billiard accessories, probably from years and years of experience. You've ID'ed cues, and referenced the "why" when doing so, so there definitely are things to look for. Agreed, it matters not what balls are used at a bar, and my experience is that most are mixed sets anyway, but you play cause that's what's there. Almost all Aramith balls use the curved line under the 6 and 9, so there's that.
Is there an easy way to identify phenolic composition from anything else?

The really cheap balls are a polyester resin. They don't usually shine like phenolic and they make a 'plasticky' sound. Don't see them all that often. Are you buying a set? If so i'd get the Dyna Bronze's. No reason to pay 300+ when balls this good can be had for a c-note.

 

[rexus31]

The really cheap balls are a polyester resin. They don't usually shine like phenolic and they make a 'plasticky' sound.

They are also much lighter than a phenolic resin ball.

 

[Rickhem]

The really cheap balls are a polyester resin. They don't usually shine like phenolic and they make a 'plasticky' sound. Don't see them all that often. Are you buying a set? If so i'd get the Dyna Bronze's. No reason to pay 300+ when balls this good can be had for a c-note.

I'm the guy that just bought the "ugly" Tungstens from the thread in the Tables and Accessories forum.

 

[kling&allen]

I'm the guy that just bought the "ugly" Tungstens from the thread in the Tables and Accessories forum.

Those are good balls from a playability standpoint (I have a set and use them often.).

If you are buying new balls, buy from a reputable company (like Seyberts who supports this site) so you don't wind up with counterfeits.