cuepaul
Registered
Hey everyone - I'm a new poster, but a thankful reader. This site is wonderful! I hope y'all let me know what you think of a buying decision I am weighing.... Pardon me if this runs a bit long while I explain things.
I have been wanting to buy a furniture quality, great playing table for awhile, that looks good enough to be in my living room area among fine furniture pieces. I have been waiting for my sons to get old enough to be able to play on it, without too much fear that they'll damage it. They are now ready, at 7 and 8 years of age, using the wonderful Trouble Shooter shorter but well-balanced cues.
I got divorced two years ago, and ever since then my large, empty, unused living room has been screaming for me to fill it with a pool table. Its footprint is about 24 ft X 16 ft, with ample extra "air room" on several sides, so I know it will easily accommodate a 9 ft table, with room for some seating and walk-through lanes.
From all I've read, and based on personal experience in playing 9 ft tables, I know that I'd be a dummy not to buy that size table, given all the room I have for it, in the best part of the house for it to become a magnet for family time with the boys, friend time for them with their pals, and grown-up time for me with my pals.
If I ever remarry and have to move the table, it could squeeze a bit into my basement (using shorter cues for some shots), although for that space an 8 ft size would be better. The lady I'm seeing has already been given notice of the intended whereabouts of the table, and hasn't balked at all! (Maybe she's a keeper!)
If I could afford a Diamond Pro or Diamond Pro-Am, even used (the only ones I can seem to find anywhere are on Diamond's site or tournament sites for those used just for one tournament), I would likely be buying one of them.... But the boys would go without lots of luxuries, and I won't do that to them.
If I could find a great condition Brunswick Gold Crown I or II (or other high quality antique from that company's glory days), I would surely consider buying one. (If any of you knows of one in the Southeast - I live in metro-Atlanta, please let me know!!!)
Here's where my big thanks to all of you comes in. There are SO many table companies, and yet only a handful seem worthy of any serious attention: Diamond, Brunswick (but only for old GC I & IIs), and Olhausen. I've read a LOT about others like Connelly and old Gandy 9, but from what I can tell, I'd be better off saving for a Diamond Pro or Pro-Am than buying one of those.
As best I can tell, if I buy a new good looking and great playing table worth the money within my mid-to-high 3K budget (including delivery, installation, quality cloth, top balls, and lesser quality cues+balls+racks), I have two companies from which to choose: Olhausen and Diamond.
I haven't looked to see what a Diamond Home upgrade to 9 ft would cost (its web site says special order only and there is no local dealer), so its product would be any of the 46X92 home tables, which seem to be priced at mid to high 3K delivered and installed (about $700 for that combo to my home from the factory), for oak or maple (cloth+balls+cues+racks not included). I've looked and looked and looked, and haven't found anyone on this site or others who discusses the quality and playability and resale on a Diamond home table ... which makes me leery.
I've enjoyed reading all about Olhausens, especially how they're USA-made, and almost all of its line is warranted for life, including the Accu-Fast cushions, and its excellent resale value. I have visited the local dealer, and enjoyed chatting with a salesman and one of its area execs.
I looked at its entry models, and quickly saw that only the Reno was worthy of a further look. Once I modified its legs to look like the rest of my home's fine cherry and mahogany queen anne furniture (made by my now-deceased dad), and added wide rails, I realized that the one-level-up Eclipse is probably the way to go, if I buy an Olhausen.
Here's what I was quoted, for an Eclipse 9 ft: $3250 + $150 for hydraworsted cloth (or $225 for Simonis 860) + $99 delivery including installation and lifetime leveling if in same house + racks/cues/balls (mid-level package) + $150 Aramith SuperPro balls. I didn't chat about lighting or cue stands, but know I will if I proceed to a deal with that dealer. I understand that Olhausen uses 1" slate on 9 ft tables. Is that right?
Please let me know your thoughts! Thanks!!!
I have been wanting to buy a furniture quality, great playing table for awhile, that looks good enough to be in my living room area among fine furniture pieces. I have been waiting for my sons to get old enough to be able to play on it, without too much fear that they'll damage it. They are now ready, at 7 and 8 years of age, using the wonderful Trouble Shooter shorter but well-balanced cues.
I got divorced two years ago, and ever since then my large, empty, unused living room has been screaming for me to fill it with a pool table. Its footprint is about 24 ft X 16 ft, with ample extra "air room" on several sides, so I know it will easily accommodate a 9 ft table, with room for some seating and walk-through lanes.
From all I've read, and based on personal experience in playing 9 ft tables, I know that I'd be a dummy not to buy that size table, given all the room I have for it, in the best part of the house for it to become a magnet for family time with the boys, friend time for them with their pals, and grown-up time for me with my pals.
If I ever remarry and have to move the table, it could squeeze a bit into my basement (using shorter cues for some shots), although for that space an 8 ft size would be better. The lady I'm seeing has already been given notice of the intended whereabouts of the table, and hasn't balked at all! (Maybe she's a keeper!)
If I could afford a Diamond Pro or Diamond Pro-Am, even used (the only ones I can seem to find anywhere are on Diamond's site or tournament sites for those used just for one tournament), I would likely be buying one of them.... But the boys would go without lots of luxuries, and I won't do that to them.
If I could find a great condition Brunswick Gold Crown I or II (or other high quality antique from that company's glory days), I would surely consider buying one. (If any of you knows of one in the Southeast - I live in metro-Atlanta, please let me know!!!)
Here's where my big thanks to all of you comes in. There are SO many table companies, and yet only a handful seem worthy of any serious attention: Diamond, Brunswick (but only for old GC I & IIs), and Olhausen. I've read a LOT about others like Connelly and old Gandy 9, but from what I can tell, I'd be better off saving for a Diamond Pro or Pro-Am than buying one of those.
As best I can tell, if I buy a new good looking and great playing table worth the money within my mid-to-high 3K budget (including delivery, installation, quality cloth, top balls, and lesser quality cues+balls+racks), I have two companies from which to choose: Olhausen and Diamond.
I haven't looked to see what a Diamond Home upgrade to 9 ft would cost (its web site says special order only and there is no local dealer), so its product would be any of the 46X92 home tables, which seem to be priced at mid to high 3K delivered and installed (about $700 for that combo to my home from the factory), for oak or maple (cloth+balls+cues+racks not included). I've looked and looked and looked, and haven't found anyone on this site or others who discusses the quality and playability and resale on a Diamond home table ... which makes me leery.
I've enjoyed reading all about Olhausens, especially how they're USA-made, and almost all of its line is warranted for life, including the Accu-Fast cushions, and its excellent resale value. I have visited the local dealer, and enjoyed chatting with a salesman and one of its area execs.
I looked at its entry models, and quickly saw that only the Reno was worthy of a further look. Once I modified its legs to look like the rest of my home's fine cherry and mahogany queen anne furniture (made by my now-deceased dad), and added wide rails, I realized that the one-level-up Eclipse is probably the way to go, if I buy an Olhausen.
Here's what I was quoted, for an Eclipse 9 ft: $3250 + $150 for hydraworsted cloth (or $225 for Simonis 860) + $99 delivery including installation and lifetime leveling if in same house + racks/cues/balls (mid-level package) + $150 Aramith SuperPro balls. I didn't chat about lighting or cue stands, but know I will if I proceed to a deal with that dealer. I understand that Olhausen uses 1" slate on 9 ft tables. Is that right?
Please let me know your thoughts! Thanks!!!