Table-Buying Dilemma

A

Angle Detective

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I'm looking for a 9' table for my basement. On this forum there is a lot of encouragement to go with Gold Crowns and Diamonds, but if someone has a budget of say $2,000 for a fully set up table with Simonis 860HR cloth, I haven't seen any options anywhere near me in South Jersey. All Gold Crowns seem to be over $2500 and that's before any move and new cloth and setup.

I want a fully set up table that plays very well with new Simonis 860HR cloth and maybe new cushions, possibly even Artemis. But I see no way of getting all of that unless I look into the lower quality tables like the Gandy Big G, Brunswick home models, etc. that people are selling for under $500.

Yesterday I rented a truck to pick up a disassembled Gandy Big G being sold for $200, but when I unwrapped everything, there were parts missing. After feeling how flimsy some of the components were, I decided to eat the truck rental cost and walk away. I might have been happy with the table if I put the money into it and had it set up with the new cushions and cloth. I just don't know.

It made sense to me to buy a lesser table for cheap so I could afford to put on new Artemis cushions and Simonis cloth.

So given two options, which would likely play better?

1- A Gold Crown (if I'm patient and find one cheap enough), but without the upgraded cloth and cushions and probably having been in pool halls for decades taking abuse.

or

2- A lower quality but inexpensive table with 1" slate like a Big G, set up with new Artemis cushions and Simonis 860HR cloth.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
 
I personally would wait for a Gold Crown and fix it up. I nice Gold Crown now will be a nice Gold Crown 10 years from now and beyond.
 
bluepepper said:
I'm looking for a 9' table for my basement. On this forum there is a lot of encouragement to go with Gold Crowns and Diamonds, but if someone has a budget of say $2,000 for a fully set up table with Simonis 860HR cloth, I haven't seen any options anywhere near me in South Jersey. All Gold Crowns seem to be over $2500 and that's before any move and new cloth and setup.

I want a fully set up table that plays very well with new Simonis 860HR cloth and maybe new cushions, possibly even Artemis. But I see no way of getting all of that unless I look into the lower quality tables like the Gandy Big G, Brunswick home models, etc. that people are selling for under $500.

Yesterday I rented a truck to pick up a disassembled Gandy Big G being sold for $200, but when I unwrapped everything, there were parts missing. After feeling how flimsy some of the components were, I decided to eat the truck rental cost and walk away. I might have been happy with the table if I put the money into it and had it set up with the new cushions and cloth. I just don't know.

It made sense to me to buy a lesser table for cheap so I could afford to put on new Artemis cushions and Simonis cloth.

So given two options, which would likely play better?

1- A Gold Crown (if I'm patient and find one cheap enough), but without the upgraded cloth and cushions and probably having been in pool halls for decades taking abuse.

or

2- A lower quality but inexpensive table with 1" slate like a Big G, set up with new Artemis cushions and Simonis 860HR cloth.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Click to expand...

Given your stated options and posting, it is pretty clear you would prefer to own a gold crown.
Be patient or save up to buy what you really want. Once you have your true table of choice, you can always update the cloth/rails/pockets as the budget warrants it.

Even if you updated everything on the (as you say) "lower quality" table you will still see it as such.
I owned 3 tables before I got my Diamond; in the long run I certainly spent more than I would have if I bought my dream table in the first place.

Through the years as you head down to the basement to play or spend money updating, it will on the table you wanted. Otherwise, it will still be the table you wanted.
 
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Gold Crown!!!

Hopefully I have a fully functional shop in the next 2 years to replace ALL tables currently made with conformity across all tables. Can't wait to drop this shit on yo asses!!!
Jason
 
Another option might be buying my 10' table. Brunswick Arcade. Needs restoration or play it now. Let me know if you're interested. I'll make it fit your budget
Jason
 
i just bought a used Brunswick Monticello after conferring with AzBers. Basically a Gold Crown. $675!!! Deals are there if you wait and look. Found mine on Facebook Marketplace.
 
Save up awhile longer... It will be worth It to get a GC...or save a little longer and get a diamond
 
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Do you know who the best mechanic in your area is and have you called him, stating your desire and budget? Added bonus of getting someone that know so what he's doing is that it will be done right, the first time.

Get the gold crown. I know you want it now, but hold out for the proper table.

500 is doable.
 
You might want to contact Pat O'Donnell & get his advise. He's a pretty good mechanic in South Jersey. I think he's pooltable911 on AZB.

Deals are out there, if you're patient.

Good Luck,

Harry
 
crazy to get an inferior table and try to make it good. get the g.c and move and set it up yourself and play as it is until you can get better cloth and cushions. you may find the current cushions on it are okay anyway.
dont compound stupid decisions.
 
I'm not seeing any GC in Louisiana and Houston area. The 2 shops in my town aren't very helpful as I think they're mainly interested in selling their stock or make more off a new Brunswick.

Close to just biting the bullet for a new Diamond.

I think go ahead and use new cushion and cloth from the get go. That plus a good install could be around 1K.
 
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bluepepper said:
I'm looking for a 9' table for my basement. On this forum there is a lot of encouragement to go with Gold Crowns and Diamonds, but if someone has a budget of say $2,000 for a fully set up table with Simonis 860HR cloth, I haven't seen any options anywhere near me in South Jersey. All Gold Crowns seem to be over $2500 and that's before any move and new cloth and setup.

I want a fully set up table that plays very well with new Simonis 860HR cloth and maybe new cushions, possibly even Artemis. But I see no way of getting all of that unless I look into the lower quality tables like the Gandy Big G, Brunswick home models, etc. that people are selling for under $500.

Yesterday I rented a truck to pick up a disassembled Gandy Big G being sold for $200, but when I unwrapped everything, there were parts missing. After feeling how flimsy some of the components were, I decided to eat the truck rental cost and walk away. I might have been happy with the table if I put the money into it and had it set up with the new cushions and cloth. I just don't know.

It made sense to me to buy a lesser table for cheap so I could afford to put on new Artemis cushions and Simonis cloth.

So given two options, which would likely play better?

1- A Gold Crown (if I'm patient and find one cheap enough), but without the upgraded cloth and cushions and probably having been in pool halls for decades taking abuse.

or

2- A lower quality but inexpensive table with 1" slate like a Big G, set up with new Artemis cushions and Simonis 860HR cloth.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Click to expand...

Don't get fixated on things that can be changed. You can always update cloth and rubber later You can't update a cheap table into a Gold Crown. Great cloth and rubber won't make an inferior table into a good table
 
Wow. I didn't think it would be such a strong consensus toward the Gold Crown, but it must mean something. It makes me wonder what's so bad about other tables that are set up properly.

I guess I'll be patient and look for a great deal on a Gold Crown. I just haven't seen anything come close to what people on here say one can be had for. But it has only been a month that I've been looking.

So I'm looking on eBay, Craigslist, this forum, and now thanks to Rich I know to look on Facebook Marketplace. Anywhere else I should be looking?

Yes, I have spoken with Pat about what he had on hand. He has nice tables but the price is too high for me. I've also been to Lanza Billiards in Magnolia, NJ. He has a beat up Gold Crown I for $2500 and 4 Victor Cleveland tables for around $1200.

jasonlaus, a 9' table is already pushing the dimensions of my basement, so 10' is a no go, but thanks for the offer.
 
I agree wait for a Gold Crown. If you are in a hurry, expand your search. There are 2 for sale on craigslist near RI for $1000. A couple more hours driving and you got your table.
Good luck.
Stan
 
Save money and keep checking Craig's list, etc. don't buy a cheap table!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I'd prefer a GC, but I did a lot of playing on Gandys. Yeah, they're not quite as nice but the ones I played on seemed to be setup well and played just fine best I could tell. I'd be interested in hearing what RKC thinks. Other than it's not a GC, and it's maybe not as heavy duty, I don't personally really have any hate for a Big G, and if the price was right I'd wouldn't mind having one.
 
You might try using "Search Tempest", with a 500 mile radius. It won't hurt to drive a few miles & get a good table.

Don't buy a Gandy..
 
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