Question about Gold Crown slate

[Dan White]

So I've been educating myself about GC tables here in AZ and elsewhere, and something came up that I'm looking for some clarification on. I was told that at one point Brunswick sold so many tables that they had trouble getting enough Italian slate. They resorted to sourcing Brazilian slate, which became a problem because for some reason the shelf was cut too shallow on these slates. Did this only happen on one model for a short period of time? Does anyone know the real story on this?

Thanks!

 

[Mr. Bond]

So I've been educating myself about GC tables here in AZ and elsewhere, and something came up that I'm looking for some clarification on. I was told that at one point Brunswick sold so many tables that they had trouble getting enough Italian slate. They resorted to sourcing Brazilian slate, which became a problem because for some reason the shelf was cut too shallow on these slates. Did this only happen on one model for a short period of time? Does anyone know the real story on this?

Thanks!

There has never been a shortage of Italian slate, they went with Brazilian because its cheaper. I'm not sure about the shallow shelf story...

 

[SouthernDraw]

Brunswick uses slate from Brazil on less expensive tables. Not sure about your statement of shortened slate. I do know that, in the past, Brunswick has attempted to make the game easier by cutting short shelfs. Attracting new lower skill players by artificially raising their skill level.

Not sure that this is your answer. Just another possibility.

Respect, Courage, and Commitment!

 

[The Renfro]

They even tried sandstone and called it brunstone for awhile to try and cut costs... Well I think it was sandstone

As far as the shorter shelf I could see them trying to make some tables easier.... Lots of pool rooms bought into the idea I think..

I just bought new diamond slates for a '39 Brunswick Moderne I bought because at some point someone sanded the slates at the pocket opening to funnel the balls into the pockets.... Pretty sure it had to have been in a pool room somewhere....


Chris

 

[Rockin' Robin]

Many years ago I happened upon a Mexican pool room in south Texas. Got a set of balls and started banging them around. One of the locals came over and told me I was playing on the 'Ladies" table.

He then proceded to show me how if a ball came close to the pocket opening, it would roll right in. Upon further examination of the table, a slight ramp was cut into the slate right in front of the pocket to make it play really easy.

Years later, an old timer told me that in the old pool halls where you paid by the rack, it made the games go faster, hence increasing the bottom line. Pure genius.