Parts to convert Gold Crown 5 to ball return
- Thread starter Cue
- Start date
Could be done but>>Would take a lot of custom work. Pockets can be found. Gullies possibly improvised. Ball box would have to be built
B'wick sold a ball-return version of the 5. finding the parts might be tricky. pic:https://valley-billiards.com/product/9-brunswick-gold-crown-5-with-ball-return-pro-rails/
For some reason I did not like the look of the 5. Thought Brunswick killed tradition...... But that particular 5 is a beautiful table.
middleofnowhere
Registered
What is it about your drop pockets that you don't like? I've owned a few dozen gold crowns with ball returns and almost without exception switch them all to drop pockets. Ball returns a lot of times are trouble. Balls hang up people drop chalk in the pocket they're noisy particularly in a room when you got about 15 of these tables going at one time. Keep your drop pockets or maybe you can replace them with a nicer drop pocket that's quieter and maybe holds more balls I don't know what's out there but I wouldn't go to the trouble to try and do that change. Way more trouble then it's worth.
I have GC4...gave a lot of thought to swapping the ball return to drop pockets. Tired of bending over. I like drops for 1p.
dendweller
Well-known member
You need a lot of parts to make that conversion. It won't be cost effective.
Plus, the ball box on the GC5 is the worst one ever made. On the 1,2,3,4, it was the same width. On the 5, it became about as wide as the entire width of the table. When you stick your hands in there to grab the balls, they are all over the place, far in the corners of the box. It doesn't sound like a big deal, but you notice it the first time and every time you stick your hands in there.
The GC5 was always my favorite look from all of them, and one I wanted to buy, until I played on one with a ball return.
Plus, the ball box on the GC5 is the worst one ever made. On the 1,2,3,4, it was the same width. On the 5, it became about as wide as the entire width of the table. When you stick your hands in there to grab the balls, they are all over the place, far in the corners of the box. It doesn't sound like a big deal, but you notice it the first time and every time you stick your hands in there.
The GC5 was always my favorite look from all of them, and one I wanted to buy, until I played on one with a ball return.
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They are all like that. They came in 2 or 3 finishes, I forget the exact number. The finish in that picture was probably the most popular.
I've seen very few 5's in the wild, because by the time they were released, most of the commercial rooms were already buying Diamonds.
I've only seen 6's in the wild in one room, and that was in Greece no less. I don't think I've ever seen one in the states with my own eyes.
Lost my love my after the 4. Brunswick should have keep the same design (1-4) in different woods. The GC1-4 is modern art.
Problem there is pool was barely on BrunswickCorp's radar screen as the yrs went by. I'm surprised they didn't just quit offering GC's altogether.
Guess i'm lazy, I hate walking around the table to get the balls out. I dont care about noise, it is my only table in my gameroom and I am usually practicing myself. I did find pockets at Classic Billiards but he doesnt have any other parts, Brunswick doesnt sell them anymore either but they used to. Wouldn't be hard to add it as the pockets bolt in and the ball box also bolts on, the table was offered with it when new.
I never liked drop pockets for one hole. 9 ball, yes. But in one hole, a ball return forces the players to use the ball holder above the ball tray. That makes the score visible in an instant. With drop pockets, players usually leave the balls in the hole, or in the side pocket when the corner gets too full, and you have to go to potentially 2-4 pockets to see what the score is.
It is only called - paying attention - it doesn't cost anything.
No arguments from me … however my age I can screw anything up. Such as leaving a ball or two in the ball box and confusing the score. Main reason is do not feel like bending
SlateMan
Registered
I converted my GC IV from a rail system to drop pockets and never regretted the decision. The rails worked just fine, and the box was less noisy with a piece of floor mat rubber in the bottom. I like the pockets. Walking the table gives me excercise and I hated bending down for the box. I have a bad back, and the drop pockets aren't as low or far-reaching. Mucho Better.