One import table vs another

M

MSmithAZ

Member
Hey folks,

Was gonna get a Gold Crown, but I added a bar area to my basement and now I truly can't fit a 9', so I gotta go 8'. I've watched the used market for months and months and nothing I like/want is coming up (in all fairness, I'm picky on style). Anyways, I played on a Brunswick Glenwood and to be honest, I liked it. Was very happy with it. But...it's at the top of my price range and I can save a lot of money if I go with some smaller brands. Since the Glenwood is manufactured in China anyway, is there really much difference between it and say a Spencer Marston (York)? Or maybe Ozone - Marietta (I know less about this one but sounds decent)? Looking for a Black one, so options are pretty limited. But anyways, is there much difference between one quality Chinese table vs another quality Chinese table? I'm not talking ones where the slate is supported by 2x4's or filled with MDF, but rather solid Harwood with decent build quality? Would they be equivalent to a Glenwood if I added some 860 felt?

Thanks
 
MSmithAZ said:
Hey folks,

Was gonna get a Gold Crown, but I added a bar area to my basement and now I truly can't fit a 9', so I gotta go 8'. I've watched the used market for months and months and nothing I like/want is coming up (in all fairness, I'm picky on style). Anyways, I played on a Brunswick Glenwood and to be honest, I liked it. Was very happy with it. But...it's at the top of my price range and I can save a lot of money if I go with some smaller brands. Since the Glenwood is manufactured in China anyway, is there really much difference between it and say a Spencer Marston (York)? Or maybe Ozone - Marietta (I know less about this one but sounds decent)? Looking for a Black one, so options are pretty limited. But anyways, is there much difference between one quality Chinese table vs another quality Chinese table? I'm not talking ones where the slate is supported by 2x4's or filled with MDF, but rather solid Harwood with decent build quality? Would they be equivalent to a Glenwood if I added some 860 felt?

Thanks
Click to expand...
I think you would be missing out not at least shopping the used tables in your area (FB market place, Craigs List). People are sometimes almost giving away beautiful top quality American made tables.

As for imports we all know China can produce decent and even very good products. But you also have to consider service after the sale. China is a long ways away, what does your local table mechanic recommend.

I have owned two Olhausen tables over 20 years (they both played well). I purchased my second one after a move for $600. I had a mechanic move it, install it and replace the felt/ cushions for another $600.

The mechanic told me working on my table is easy (by design) so never any drama.

My opinion

Good luck with your table Sir!
 
Keep in mind even a GC after a certain date or model was made in China. I forget when it started though.
 
What about an 8-foot Brunswick sport king? They are a damn solid table. They were good enough for commercial. I know where there's two of them.
DSC_1075_zps37ff9115.jpg
 
CocoboloCowboy said:
REPOST ? HERE.


Talk To A Mechanic

This area is for questions for and conversation between table mechanics
forums.azbilliards.com
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Oh darn....you're right. I should have. Gotta remember that for next time. Thanks! Maybe I'll rephrase the question and focus less on playability and more on construction and add a second one there, if that's not a faux pas.

Nyquil said:
What's your budget?
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I'd love to stay below 4k all in if I could, but recognize I might go over...particularly with a new table.

Welder84 said:
I think you would be missing out not at least shopping the used tables in your area (FB market place, Craigs List). People are sometimes almost giving away beautiful top quality American made tables.
Click to expand...

Oh I definitely have. Obsessively for the last 6 months. If I didn't care about esthetics I'd already have my table, but the room is a brand new room that I've spent frighteningly many 10's of thousands renovating, and it's got a theme (it's a bar and music jam room with a particular style) so really want it to fit in and look awesome. A restored GC or even Big G would work well, but on the furniture side I'm more looking for a good looking black table (not the cheap looking black) and without claw-style legs. I also want it to be in excellent shape. When you add in that criteria, it's almost impossible to find used.

Welder84 said:
Good luck with your table Sir!
Click to expand...

Much appreciated!

buckshotshoey said:
What about an 8-foot Brunswick sport king?
Click to expand...

Mainly the aesthetics thing mentioned above. It's a nice looking table but just doesn't match the room theme well.

rexus31 said:
Why not hold out for an 8' (46" x 92") Gold Crown, Sport King, Centennial or Anniversary?
Click to expand...

Of those, I'd go for the GC in a heartbeat, but to find one is tough, and to get one in excellent shape or have it restored puts me about 2k+ over budget, especially when adding balls. Plus those darn extra 2" are actually gonna hurt me. Started out that I thought I'd almost never need a shortie, then I remembered the TV on the wall, and the acoustical panels on the walls that stick out 3" (it's a music jam room as well), and the extra 8" on the length puts me into walking path when you first walk in because of that new bar, etc.

I was going down the path of just dealing with all that, but after playing on the Glenwood, decided that it was good enough for me and played surprisingly well (in my amateur opinion). Then add in the fact that I can then possibly get like a Spencer Marston for 1-2k less then the Glenwood all in and it might be of the same quality, it just started to make more sense to go this route. But that's what brought me here....is it really the same quality as the Glenwood? I suspect yes, but not sure.
 
MSmithAZ said:
Oh darn....you're right. I should have. Gotta remember that for next time. Thanks! Maybe I'll rephrase the question and focus less on playability and more on construction and add a second one there, if that's not a faux pas.



I'd love to stay below 4k all in if I could, but recognize I might go over...particularly with a new table.



Oh I definitely have. Obsessively for the last 6 months. If I didn't care about esthetics I'd already have my table, but the room is a brand new room that I've spent frighteningly many 10's of thousands renovating, and it's got a theme (it's a bar and music jam room with a particular style) so really want it to fit in and look awesome. A restored GC or even Big G would work well, but on the furniture side I'm more looking for a good looking black table (not the cheap looking black) and without claw-style legs. I also want it to be in excellent shape. When you add in that criteria, it's almost impossible to find used.



Much appreciated!



Mainly the aesthetics thing mentioned above. It's a nice looking table but just doesn't match the room theme well.



Of those, I'd go for the GC in a heartbeat, but to find one is tough, and to get one in excellent shape or have it restored puts me about 2k+ over budget, especially when adding balls. Plus those darn extra 2" are actually gonna hurt me. Started out that I thought I'd almost never need a shortie, then I remembered the TV on the wall, and the acoustical panels on the walls that stick out 3" (it's a music jam room as well), and the extra 8" on the length puts me into walking path when you first walk in because of that new bar, etc.

I was going down the path of just dealing with all that, but after playing on the Glenwood, decided that it was good enough for me and played surprisingly well (in my amateur opinion). Then add in the fact that I can then possibly get like a Spencer Marston for 1-2k less then the Glenwood all in and it might be of the same quality, it just started to make more sense to go this route. But that's what brought me here....is it really the same quality as the Glenwood? I suspect yes, but not sure.
Click to expand...
Spencer whatston????

No pinball, no video games, no bowling... This is Ames mister!

NO SPENCER WHATSON TABLES!

You did your renovation backwards. Buy the table you want, then renovate with what's left over.

4k might get you a Diamond used at the pro tournaments.

You can email Diamond or Olhausen or Brunswick and look for like new table.

Just my humble opinion,
Good luck
 
I think though the answer to this thread probably is:

"Not sure, we haven't played on a Spencer Marston or Ozone or even Glenwood, so it's hard to compare. In general, our advice is do whatever you can to get a GC or older Brunswick or a Diamond, but good luck and hope it works out.".

And to that I say, I totally get it. Thank you everyone for taking the time to read this and offering advice. It truly is appreciated. Hope to get play with some of you one day.
 
MSmithAZ said:
Hey folks,

Was gonna get a Gold Crown, but I added a bar area to my basement and now I truly can't fit a 9', so I gotta go 8'. I've watched the used market for months and months and nothing I like/want is coming up (in all fairness, I'm picky on style). Anyways, I played on a Brunswick Glenwood and to be honest, I liked it. Was very happy with it. But...it's at the top of my price range and I can save a lot of money if I go with some smaller brands. Since the Glenwood is manufactured in China anyway, is there really much difference between it and say a Spencer Marston (York)? Or maybe Ozone - Marietta (I know less about this one but sounds decent)? Looking for a Black one, so options are pretty limited. But anyways, is there much difference between one quality Chinese table vs another quality Chinese table? I'm not talking ones where the slate is supported by 2x4's or filled with MDF, but rather solid Harwood with decent build quality? Would they be equivalent to a Glenwood if I added some 860 felt?

Thanks
Click to expand...
Get an 8 foot GC.
 
MSmithAZ said:
Oh darn....you're right. I should have. Gotta remember that for next time. Thanks! Maybe I'll rephrase the question and focus less on playability and more on construction and add a second one there, if that's not a faux pas.



I'd love to stay below 4k all in if I could, but recognize I might go over...particularly with a new table.



Oh I definitely have. Obsessively for the last 6 months. If I didn't care about esthetics I'd already have my table, but the room is a brand new room that I've spent frighteningly many 10's of thousands renovating, and it's got a theme (it's a bar and music jam room with a particular style) so really want it to fit in and look awesome. A restored GC or even Big G would work well, but on the furniture side I'm more looking for a good looking black table (not the cheap looking black) and without claw-style legs. I also want it to be in excellent shape. When you add in that criteria, it's almost impossible to find used.



Much appreciated!



Mainly the aesthetics thing mentioned above. It's a nice looking table but just doesn't match the room theme well.



Of those, I'd go for the GC in a heartbeat, but to find one is tough, and to get one in excellent shape or have it restored puts me about 2k+ over budget, especially when adding balls. Plus those darn extra 2" are actually gonna hurt me. Started out that I thought I'd almost never need a shortie, then I remembered the TV on the wall, and the acoustical panels on the walls that stick out 3" (it's a music jam room as well), and the extra 8" on the length puts me into walking path when you first walk in because of that new bar, etc.

I was going down the path of just dealing with all that, but after playing on the Glenwood, decided that it was good enough for me and played surprisingly well (in my amateur opinion). Then add in the fact that I can then possibly get like a Spencer Marston for 1-2k less then the Glenwood all in and it might be of the same quality, it just started to make more sense to go this route. But that's what brought me here....is it really the same quality as the Glenwood? I suspect yes, but not sure.
Click to expand...
Well 4k is a decent budget if your patient you could end up finding an older nice gold crown etc. If you play a lot of pool I would send it on a diamond if you can afford it.
 
I have an 8 foot Brunswick 'furniture' table. 3 piece slate. Solid table. I know a lot of folks here would look down their noses at this table because it's not a GC or Diamond. But it has seen a lot of use. The larger pockets are perhaps a bit of a down side, but honestly, for family and friend gatherings, we have a lot more fun playing than we might with tighter pockets. It stays level. No complaints.

Like you, I designed the room around a theme, but I started with the table. I went for a 60's pool hall/bar motif. I actually tore out a bathroom (one of two mirrored back to back) to make room for the table, then had plumbing readily available for the wet bar.
 

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^^^^I agree. Many of us (myself included) get locked into an "only the best will do" mindset. Just have fun & get better OR just have fun! Your table will still last for many years.
 
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