So I recently picked up a 9ft GC1 I want to refinish and the Monarch Superspeeds played really slow, so I am going to replace them but I can't decide on the Artemis K55's or the Diamond K55's. I know the Artemis are the best cushions available, but I also know the Diamond blacks are good cushions and over $200 more affordable than the Artemis. So I am trying to find out if I should save the money and get the Diamonds or just Buck up and get the Artemis... RKC did tell me that the rails will have to be re calibrated for either cushion. Anyone have advise on this I would appreciate it, thanks...
To Artemis or to Diamond black?
- Thread starter kickshotkid
- Start date
I had the same decision to make over a year ago. Went with the Artemis cushions and I have never regretted my choice.
Artemis
I second the Artemis! Had my rails redone by SDBilliards! Best decision since asking my wife out a second time after being told No the first time!
I second the Artemis! Had my rails redone by SDBilliards! Best decision since asking my wife out a second time after being told No the first time!
Thats teriffic, I like your style!
Cool, what Kind and size table do you have? I think I herd Diamond uses there cushions for the 8ft and 7ft tables but Artemis for there 9ft. I am leaning toward the diamonds because of the price, but I really don't want to sacrifice playability if the Artemis are that much better. Thanks for your input.
Thank you for your input. So what made you go for the Atremis over the Diamond's and have you had the chance to try Diamond blacks on a 9fter?
I also went with diamond black cushions for my 9ft, and though they play fair, they dont play nearly as well as artemis..
I wanted my GC to play as much like a diamond as possible. RCK did the install work with the necessary subrail modifications.
My point is, if you have to go through the same labor for both, why not use the best cushions in the world.
Ask yourself this how many more times are you going to have this rail work done on the table?
My point is, if you have to go through the same labor for both, why not use the best cushions in the world.
Ask yourself this how many more times are you going to have this rail work done on the table?
SOmeone I trust very much told me the Diamonds are fine, fine cushions, but he felt the Artemis were worth the cost difference.
And he workc for Diamond!
And he workc for Diamond!
There is a bit of sticker shock, but remember that it is a 1-time purchase. spread that cost out over the table's life and do it right!
Just did my GC in Feb. this year, Josh at Absolute Billiards did my rail recalibration and installed Artemis cushions, I do not regret spending 1 penny of what it cost, I figured I would get at least 10 years out of the rubber, so when you break it down it really does not cost that much. I also used Simonis cloth, then I had to get new Centennials and a Delta 13 rack, I couldnt use old stuff on a nice new looking table.
That is a very good point Tony, thank you for that. And I will say if the prices were the same or I wasn't buying a lathe right now too I would have got the Artemis for sure.
Thanks for telling me your guys experiences and opinions, they are seriously appreciated. I am a little slow, ok alot slow but I think I get it now, I think I am sensing a pattern. That was the exact info I needed guys thanks again.
4.5x9 GCIII
Thanks bowiebil and rrich 1. Ya I think I am going to find a place with 7ft-8ft and 9ft diamond tables and play on them both, see if I mind the difference. because it seems both really are good cushions and if the Diamonds bank true without any crazy ball hop I don't see any reason to not save the money and buy them.
I think the major difference between the two cushions is speed. I remember reading a post on here before that said Diamond doesn't use Artemis on the 7 and 8 foot tables because the table would play too fast.
So what you're saying is that the Diamond black is actually faster than the Artemis 55?
Buy Simonis cloth and Artemis rubber and most importantly, pay a quality mechanic to do the work. I know money is tight for some folks, but if the extra ~$250 in labor and material is going to absolutely kill you, maybe a pool table isn't where any of your money needs to go right now.
If you get the job done right, it's going to cost you at least $500 in labor/material. If either the material OR the labor are sub par, you'll be spending the money again inside of 6 months. It'd be much smarter to pay ~$750 once and know it's good to go for 3-5 years on cloth and 5-10 on the rubber.
If you get the job done right, it's going to cost you at least $500 in labor/material. If either the material OR the labor are sub par, you'll be spending the money again inside of 6 months. It'd be much smarter to pay ~$750 once and know it's good to go for 3-5 years on cloth and 5-10 on the rubber.