What ball set to get

L

livemusic

AzB Silver Member
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Resurfacing old 8ft Brunswick Windsor table in good shape with Simonis. I have read quite a bit, kind of thinking a faster cloth might be fun, and leaning toward 760. Old threads say 760 is faster.

My table and ball are close to 50 years old, so, I guess I need new pool balls. What? And what about a cue ball, I have no idea.

Anything else needed? What about cleaning the table/balls? I have a pool table brush that came with it but that was a long time ago. I don't even know where it is, lol.

I have learned that keeping table and balls clean is important.

I don't worry too much about cost, within reason.

EDIT: I see pool balls these days with a different color scheme for some balls. What do you think I should buy, is there a better mousetrap?
 
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Aramith Tournaments, just use the cueball that comes with them. Also, 760 on a 8' table is nuts, in my honest opinion. Brian.
 
My favorites. Just waiting to get rid of an extra (sports-themed) set I already have first.

This set came with my table from an estate sale. They work, I just prefer to use tournament colors.
 
A vintage-era Brunswick table you say?

And which ball set would be a perfect pairing...

Let me think for a moment.


I’ve got it.


A top contender and perfectly matched for that table would be a vintage-era set of Brunswick Centennials I’d say. 1960-1970’s.

I may have an extra set of those in good shape and it’s original box to help out - send me a PM if at all interested - or any other help or questions you may have on ball sets.

~ K.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Ball Set

Cue ball types has quite the disagreements on what is best.

I like the cyclops cue ball for spots on numerous sides to see how it reacts.

Unless you are televising you play, my personal preference would not be a TV set with pinkish ball colors. :oink:
 
There are some good Brunswick Centennials on eBay... maybe even some on The Forum For Sale...
 
Have you tried playing on 760 cloth before?

For ball sets, stick with

Aramith Duramith
Aramith Pro
Brunswick Centennials


Get a bottle of Aramith Ball Cleaner.
 
a1712;6206732 Also said:
Brand new 860 laid for major tournaments is the generally accepted speed choice. Too bad it won’t stay that fast for long. Thicker worsted wool will absorb more moisture/dirt. Unless your table is heated and your room is always tightly climate-controlled, you will likely learn to appreciate 760 after a few years of play, assuming your priority is maintaining speed, not durability.
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I'd probably get the Aramith Super Pro set with a measle cue ball. I'd want to match the set I'm most likely to use in most serious tournaments. It's the pro standard for a reason (well ok, for a variety of reasons).

KMRUNOUT


Sent from my iPhone using AzBilliards Forums
 
Why are pool balls so expensive? Between $15-$20 each! I don't know anything about them but I am surprised they cost so much! Must be hard to make perfectly round and balanced. Makes me wonder how they even made them in the old days lol.
 
Restoration on a vintage Brunswick?
Gotta go with Centennials and a red circle CB!
Just a classic set up.. can't go wrong, IMO.
 
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Runner said:
Restoration on a vintage Brunswick?
Gotta go with Centennials and a red circle CB!
Just a classic set up.. can't go wrong, IMO.
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Curious as to why would you not choose to use the blue circle cue ball that comes with the Centennials?
 
livemusic said:
Why are pool balls so expensive? Between $15-$20 each! I don't know anything about them but I am surprised they cost so much! Must be hard to make perfectly round and balanced. Makes me wonder how they even made them in the old days lol.
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I believe there are some members here taht are dealers that sell the top sets in the 200 range, as opposed to the advertised price of the 300 range. At least that is what I paid for brand new Centennials, and brand new Aramith Duramith Tournaments a few years ago from here. Make a post on the wanted/for sale forum asking for dealers to send you their best price. They are not allowed to post a price below MAP.
 
iusedtoberich said:
I believe there are some members here taht are dealers that sell the top sets in the 200 range, as opposed to the advertised price of the 300 range. At least that is what I paid for brand new Centennials, and brand new Aramith Duramith Tournaments a few years ago from here. Make a post on the wanted/for sale forum asking for dealers to send you their best price. They are not allowed to post a price below MAP.
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I would be shocked if you can find a brand new boxed set of Brunswick Centennial balls for $200. Just slightly under $300 is the best price I've been able to find for a new set. If you do find any for $200, please let me know ASAP!
 
Whatever floats your boat and price isn't important as long as you are happy with what you select/.
 
livemusic said:
Why are pool balls so expensive? Between $15-$20 each! I don't know anything about them but I am surprised they cost so much! Must be hard to make perfectly round and balanced. Makes me wonder how they even made them in the old days lol.
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Weight and size tolerances, impact resistance, finish, etc. The better matched the balls are to one another the more they are going to cost and the less variance there will be in a ball's reaction from shot to shot as compared to the rest of the set. I chose the top of the range set for myself for that reason and being used to the colors used in tournaments is important to me.

On the topic of how balls were made in the past: they were hand-carved from elephant ivory tusks. They required time to adjust to the room before they could be played and would become out-of-round after some time playing. The origin of the colored dot on a cueball can even be learned from this.

Bob Jewett can give you far more detail on this as can the search feature. It is an interesting topic in itself. If you're inclined to learn more also look up, "Clay Break Ball" (iirc).
 
before i quit pool for CAROM it was the good old classic aramith crown set for me and nothing else

ive bought this set new for 75 free shipping from ebay in the past


aramith-standard-ball-set_jpg_egpoolcue.jpg
 
For the old table you have the Centennials would be the most traditional choice and the Aramith Super Pros are the exact same balls as the Centennials except for a slightly different appearance. Same formula, same manufacturer.

Also from Aramith is their Duramith Tournament balls which are superb balls and slightly more than the Super Pros and Cents.

Any of the above 3 would be excellent choices for precision and durability.

Cyclop balls are Asian imports and there have been many mixed reviews on them.

Don't think I *ever* hear a bad comment on Super Pros, Cents of the Duramith Tourney sets.

best,
brian kc
 
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