What setup gets me closest to a 9 ft Diamond?

tomatoshooter said:
I think they are wonderful tables but agree there is nothing special about how they play. The corner pockets may accept balls a little differently, but I don't think that I would adjust my game for this. I think it's more of an issue that tables with wider angles between the facings can be a bit snooty with hard shots hit along the rail. My game is nowhere near refined enough that I would play differently on different brands of tables, assuming they are properly set up and maintained.
Click to expand...
I do agree with how the pockets take balls, but that's how they shim the pockets on setup. If your slamming balls they never go in easily anyway. I find the cloth and rails play like they should.

I always found that playing differently on brand of table is complete BS. Their is nothing out their that states you need to play this way on Diamonds or Brunswick's or Gandy's.

The only thing I've ever had to adjust for is speed of cloth.
 
Last edited:
rexus31 said:
You may need a new instructor. Either that, or he should cease giving equipment recommendations.
Click to expand...
Ditto. Wait for the right table. Buy once and cry once. A quality table will last forever. Diamond or Crown… does it really matter? Both are world class
 
only_onionrings said:
I'm in the process of looking for a pool table. The place I take lessons at only uses Diamond tables however, it takes almost 45 minutes to get there and they are the closest place with 9 footers as well. I have the space for a 9 footer however I'm stuck on what to buy. Diamonds are 9k before delivery and setup. I'm in the and have seen exactly zero used ones advertised. I'd be willing to buy new except I haven't seen anywhere that does financing. I've been told go Gold Crown which is also really difficult to find around here. Also, after talking to my instructor, they suggested not getting a Brunswick since that isn't "the future of pool" and will play vastly different from anything I play on. I wondered if that was still true if I swapped out the felt for Simonis 860 and switched out the rails. Or by that time would I have put so much into it I would have been better of buying a Diamond? Is there any other setup that I haven't heard about that would at least put me closer to a diamond play style (even if it isn't exact)? I'm looking for a 3-piece slate (a single won't fit through my front entry hall and up the stairs) and a ball return. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Click to expand...
I saw a Red Label on FB Marketplace for $3000. Another 2K for a blue top and $300 for the leveling system, and you've got basically a new table.

Looks like I'll be getting to buy back my black GC4 that I sold when I moved. I'll be sending the top to JZMechanic for Artimus cushions and extensions for 4 1/4 corners. The GC4 plays similar to a Blue label without any modifications but I want tight pockets.
 
I'm in the camp of a great pool table is probably one of the best investments you will ever make if you love pool. I've had my Diamond professional for 3 years now, play 5-8 games a day on it, and have already gotten my purchase price back in enjoyment. This table will last the rest of my life, unless I move, and then will have to decide if I move it, or just buy another one.
Boats, I have owned boats for 50 years, cost justifiable, heck no, if you can't afford one just find a friend to go with on their boat. I really have a hard time admitting how much I just paid for my last boat a couple weeks back as it was quite a bit over 100k, but that's ok, I really enjoy it. I also really enjoyed my first boat I had in the 70's, a 14' MicroCraft and caught just as many fish with that as I do now.
Some need to take loans for things, that's just the way it is and is ok as long as it is a short term loan. I prefer to not give banks any of my money, buy only what I can afford, but thats just me.
 
jtompilot said:
I saw a Red Label on FB Marketplace for $3000. Another 2K for a blue top and $300 for the leveling system, and you've got basically a new table.

Looks like I'll be getting to buy back my black GC4 that I sold when I moved. I'll be sending the top to JZMechanic for Artimus cushions and extensions for 4 1/4 corners. The GC4 plays similar to a Blue label without any modifications but I want tight pockets.
Click to expand...
You sure about the Artemis cushions? I went with Artemis on mine but that was 10 years ago, everyone seems to be using Superspeeds now. If I had to replace my cushions now I'm pretty sure I would go with Superspeeds. I have no complaints about my Artemis cushions but they switched to Superspeeds for a reason, I think.
 
fastone371 said:
You sure about the Artemis cushions? I went with Artemis on mine but that was 10 years ago, everyone seems to be using Superspeeds now. If I had to replace my cushions now I'm pretty sure I would go with Superspeeds. I have no complaints about my Artemis cushions but they switched to Superspeeds for a reason, I think.
Click to expand...
I'm not sold on Artemis being worth the extra spend. My previous table had Artemis. I went with Diamond Black on my GCI and they play great for a fraction of the cost.
 
jtompilot said:
I saw a Red Label on FB Marketplace for $3000. Another 2K for a blue top and $300 for the leveling system, and you've got basically a new table.

Looks like I'll be getting to buy back my black GC4 that I sold when I moved. I'll be sending the top to JZMechanic for Artimus cushions and extensions for 4 1/4 corners. The GC4 plays similar to a Blue label without any modifications but I want tight pockets.
Click to expand...
The problem is there aren't any around here. We don't even have Brunswick GCs go up for sale. I see a few Windors and Centennials but that's it within a 3-4 hour drive.
 
rexus31 said:
You may need a new instructor. Either that, or he should cease giving equipment recommendations.

Where are you located? A properly setup Brunswick Gold Crown will play every bit as good as a Diamond at a fraction of the cost and will last the rest of your years in a home setting. Don't get me wrong, a Diamond is a great table and the are built to last as well. If you have the means and are willing to wait for delivery, by all means get one. A properly setup Gold Crown is a viable option. I was able to snag my Gold Crown I for $400, cosmetically restored it myself and hired the best mechanic on the west coast, Steve Leistikow, to adjust the subrail bevel for modern K55 profile cushions, extend the subrails, install new Diamond Black cushions and cut the pockets to 4.125" in the corners and 4.875" in the sides. Soup to nuts, I've got about $3K in it. It plays fantastic; just as good, if not better than a Diamond. In terms of aesthetics, it blows a Diamond Pro Am away.

49622667162_283e6b60a9_b.jpg


49603456301_6bf97eb126_b.jpg


51509051949_1ce1151cc5_b.jpg


52269876034_2ef2b3a948_b.jpg
Click to expand...
Great looking setup, but,,,,,,,,,, I wonder why you felt the need to suggest that a used gold crown was simply the only way to go for a lifetime of enjoyment or whatever, as opposed to the expense of a brand new Diamond.

Why not delve into the market for a used 9 ft Diamond? I like the idea of either over paying up for brand new, in either, so I agree with your post, just not as the only option.
 
Renegade_56 said:
Great looking setup, but,,,,,,,,,, I wonder why you felt the need to suggest that a used gold crown was simply the only way to go for a lifetime of enjoyment or whatever, as opposed to the expense of a brand new Diamond.

Why not delve into the market for a used 9 ft Diamond? I like the idea of either over paying up for brand new, in either, so I agree with your post, just not as the only option.
Click to expand...
In terms of the Diamond, the OP already addressed "zero used ones advertised". Used Gold Crowns come up more frequently than used Diamonds and when a used Diamond pops up, going rate is the same price or more expensive than new. My post afforded the opportunity to secure a "lifetime table" that can be setup to play outstanding for a fraction of the cost of a Diamond. Nothing at all against Diamonds.
 
only_onionrings said:
I wondered if they were actually in stock. I'm assuming I still have to pay extra to have it all set up after. I'm guessing about 2k for shipping. All in all, coming to about 12k. I know they retain their value. I never see any for sale out here so I might end up alright with it if I do need to sell it.
Click to expand...
What do you want to do? I have Diamonds in Spokane 702-927-5689

I also have 9fts, 1 piece slate, or 3 piece, new or used.
 
Last edited:
only_onionrings said:
I'm in the process of looking for a pool table. The place I take lessons at only uses Diamond tables however, it takes almost 45 minutes to get there and they are the closest place with 9 footers as well. I have the space for a 9 footer however I'm stuck on what to buy. Diamonds are 9k before delivery and setup. I'm in the and have seen exactly zero used ones advertised. I'd be willing to buy new except I haven't seen anywhere that does financing. I've been told go Gold Crown which is also really difficult to find around here. Also, after talking to my instructor, they suggested not getting a Brunswick since that isn't "the future of pool" and will play vastly different from anything I play on. I wondered if that was still true if I swapped out the felt for Simonis 860 and switched out the rails. Or by that time would I have put so much into it I would have been better of buying a Diamond? Is there any other setup that I haven't heard about that would at least put me closer to a diamond play style (even if it isn't exact)? I'm looking for a 3-piece slate (a single won't fit through my front entry hall and up the stairs) and a ball return. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Click to expand...
Call me 702-927-5689
 
only_onionrings said:
I'm in the process of looking for a pool table. The place I take lessons at only uses Diamond tables however, it takes almost 45 minutes to get there and they are the closest place with 9 footers as well. I have the space for a 9 footer however I'm stuck on what to buy. Diamonds are 9k before delivery and setup. I'm in the and have seen exactly zero used ones advertised. I'd be willing to buy new except I haven't seen anywhere that does financing. I've been told go Gold Crown which is also really difficult to find around here. Also, after talking to my instructor, they suggested not getting a Brunswick since that isn't "the future of pool" and will play vastly different from anything I play on. I wondered if that was still true if I swapped out the felt for Simonis 860 and switched out the rails. Or by that time would I have put so much into it I would have been better of buying a Diamond? Is there any other setup that I haven't heard about that would at least put me closer to a diamond play style (even if it isn't exact)? I'm looking for a 3-piece slate (a single won't fit through my front entry hall and up the stairs) and a ball return. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Click to expand...
I've reached out to you, I did my part, now it's up to you to respond.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top