Anyone have any thoughts on new vs. used tables? I want one for the house and I have a budget of 2k? Seems to be a lot of internet retailers and wholesalers with some nice tables for under 2k. Any brands to stay away from? I know about 1" slate and no mdf in construction any other suggestions?
Paging RiverDave!!!!!!
If you plan on keeping it for a looooooong time I would stay away from the internet retailers and the super cheapy deals as they are import tables. Also a lot of times you still have to pay to have it assembled and it might cost a bit more because they are in a thousand different pieces and basically built in your home. IMO Brunswick and Olhausen are the best brands out there. Brunswick is the most pricey though I think. There is an Olhausen model that is under 2 grand but you don't get much choice in color options and such. I bought my Olhausen Eclipse and it was $2400 out the door. It's a nice table but doesn't have all the extra hand carved stuff that makes them super expensive. The difference between a couple grand and 4 grand a lot of times is not only the carvings and decor but also the wood. Mine the legs and aprons and all that are solid oak but the frame is a veneer. Olhausen are built in the factory. Completely put together and checked and then the frame is shipped whole. In your house the attach the legs, slate and rails and apron and cloth, level and such. Takes about an hour, two at most. Another nice brand that will cost you less is Imperial. Probably not as good as an Olhausen or especially a Brunswick but they cost less or for the same price you can upgrade the hell out of it with Diamond sights and different woods and stuff like that. They are in a lot of pieces but if the tech is good they will set it up right and in a couple of hours or so. Just depends on what you want for the money you want. The 2400 I spent included Aramith balls, a couple of custom cues, a couple of house cues, book, brush, and chalk. Make sure you get everything to be able to play a round or two as soon as it's setup and see if that's included in the price for comparison. I get compliments all the time about how bichen my table plays. Family I know with pool tables don't get the same compliments. My in-laws Imperial is nice but doesn't play as fast. That could be in the setup though. I don't think the cloth was pulled as tight.
Oh well wait for Riverdave. He will say buy a used Brunswick Gold Crown. Even though it will look like $hit it will be the best table you every played on.