My next home table

9BallPaul

9BallPaul

Banned
Recently I accepted an offer on my condo, and the SOB who's buying it fell in love with my man cave. He wants my basement table and bar. After doing the numbers, I accepted the offer. Much as I love my table, the housing market is so dead that I've got to part with it.

So now, I'm considering an A.E. Schmidt Cardinal. It's a lovely table and solid frame, American made and family owned.

http://www.aeschmidtbilliards.com/products/4

I've got a pal in the table business, but he can't sell Brunswick (don't want a new China-made table) and he doesn't have access to Diamonds. Other lines he carries are Vitale, Presidential, Imperial and some I can't recall.

Opinions?
 
9BallPaul said:
Recently I accepted an offer on my condo, and the SOB who's buying it fell in love with my man cave. He wants my basement table and bar. After doing the numbers, I accepted the offer. Much as I love my table, the housing market is so dead that I've got to part with it.

So now, I'm considering an A.E. Schmidt Cardinal. It's a lovely table and solid frame, American made and family owned.

http://www.aeschmidtbilliards.com/products/4

I've got a pal in the table business, but he can't sell Brunswick (don't want a new China-made table) and he doesn't have access to Diamonds. Other lines he carries are Vitale, Presidential, Imperial and some I can't recall.

Opinions?
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It's always a hard decision when it comes to buying a pool table. To me, the first consideration is playability. I just bought a Gold Crown I, and could not be happier. It has a few dings but nothing serious. I added Simonis, new rubber and had the pockets shimmed. Plays like a dream.
 
Not that my opinion should matter but I always loved Schmidt tables. Haven't played on a new one. One thing I liked is how the balls banked. No backup on the second rail like the Gold Crown.
 
I agree with Charlie, Playability. I understand your friend might be able to get you a deal, but this is a long term decision and I personally wouldn't be happy with anything except a GC or Diamond.
 
xianmacx said:
I agree with Charlie, Playability. I understand your friend might be able to get you a deal, but this is a long term decision and I personally wouldn't be happy with anything except a GC or Diamond.
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Understand what you're saying, but it's not as if I've got my eyes on entering the Derby. Almost all my pool is played solo in the basement, and Diamonds are beyond my price point.

I'm not asking him for any deals, or expecting one. He's been a great guy, backed up his warranty when I had some problems, and has become a pal. I'm happy to steer him my business, especially in a business climate as dismal as the one we're in.

Schmidt has an amazing history, and it's now in the fifth generation of family ownership. I'm confident I'll be happy.
 
9BallPaul said:
Understand what you're saying, but it's not as if I've got my eyes on entering the Derby. Almost all my pool is played solo in the basement, and Diamonds are beyond my price point.

I'm not asking him for any deals, or expecting one. He's been a great guy, backed up his warranty when I had some problems, and has become a pal. I'm happy to steer him my business, especially in a business climate as dismal as the one we're in.

Schmidt has an amazing history, and it's now in the fifth generation of family ownership. I'm confident I'll be happy.
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Paul,

This info is helpful. I think it all comes down to your expectations and what will make you happy. I have no no doubt that all the tables you mentioned are quality and will give years of enjoyment. Are you set on a new table or would you consider a used table? The used market on ALL brands of pool tables is very very soft.
 
That Schmidt looks like a nice table, but I wouldn't trade my diamond for anything, except a one piece slate diamond. The way I looked at it, I am buying a table once and using it for years to come. The initial invesment was high, but with the time you get out of it, its pretty cheap.

What else can you spend $4,000 on that will give you that much enjoyment and last as long as you want it with very minor upkeep. Having a home table is by far the best pool decision (along with making it a diamond) I have made since I started playing.
 
Since you say Diamonds are a bit more than you want to spend, I would wholeheartedly recommend a GC1 or 2. A real nice one can be had for approx $2000, then, depending on how fussy you are, you could get it hotrodded for an additional $500 to $1200 (again, depending how fussy you want to be - how much tweaking).

With a good GC1 or 2, theoretically, you could simply get away with just putting on new cloth and thoroughly enjoy playing for years to come.

Best,
Brian kc <----owns a non-hotrodded GC1 and enjoys it immensely.
 
Kickin' Chicken said:
Since you say Diamonds are a bit more than you want to spend, I would wholeheartedly recommend a GC1 or 2. A real nice one can be had for approx $2000, then, depending on how fussy you are, you could get it hotrodded for an additional $500 to $1200 (again, depending how fussy you want to be - how much tweaking).

With a good GC1 or 2, theoretically, you could simply get away with just putting on new cloth and thoroughly enjoy playing for years to come.

Best,
Brian kc <----owns a non-hotrodded GC1 and enjoys it immensely.
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You can find GCI & GCIIs on Craigslist for $800-1300! That's the way to go.
 
atthecat said:
You can find GCI & GCIIs on Craigslist for $800-1300! That's the way to go.
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Then that would be a great way to go.

I got mine for $1800 approx 5 years ago and it came with the orig matching wall cue rack (a $300 value). All in excellent condition. So I guess that may be possible to find one between $800 - $1300. Kinda like stealing, IMO. :thumbup:

xianmacx also posted a craigslist link for a Gandy Big G 9 footer and I've heard lots of good things about that model.

There's options. :cool:

Best,
Brian kc
 
We have two 9 foot Gandy's in my Community center. Built like a tank and they play very well. Used Gandy's are selling for very low prices (don't quite understand why). Don't skimp. Get Simonis 860 cloth and if you have new rubber installed, pay the extra for Artemis K66. Have a little tighter pockets cut and you'll have a table that will give GC's and Diamonds a run. That one for $1100 including new cloth is a great deal. Pay the difference for Simonis. For that kind of money you just can't go wrong. Send the Real King Cobra a PM and see if he's available for the install. You may want to get his opinion. You can trust whatever he says.
 
Next table

I am not an expert as I have only been playing for three years and don't know come here from sic 'em but our home table is a solid teak, 9 ft. Presidential with Simonis 860 cloth that we, and all our friends are extremely happy with! But again, if you haven't had butter on your biscuit then lard taste pretty good. Best wishes to you !
 
9BallPaul said:
Understand what you're saying, but it's not as if I've got my eyes on entering the Derby. Almost all my pool is played solo in the basement, and Diamonds are beyond my price point.

I'm not asking him for any deals, or expecting one. He's been a great guy, backed up his warranty when I had some problems, and has become a pal. I'm happy to steer him my business, especially in a business climate as dismal as the one we're in.

Schmidt has an amazing history, and it's now in the fifth generation of family ownership. I'm confident I'll be happy.
Click to expand...

Sounds to me like your decision is already made. Enjoy the table.
 
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