Brunswick vs. AMF Playmaster table: pros and cons?
Pisqueeter
little information on the relative merits, in terms of construction and
playability, of the various manufacturers. I am currently looking at AMF
Playmaster and Brunswick tables, but have received (naturally) different
stories from the two different salesmen. Its hard to determine what is
marketing hype and what is reality. Looks are not that important, nor are
differences between various models -- just the differences between the
manufacturers.
Some of the issues were:
(a) Italian slate (AMF) vs. Brazilian slate
(b) Brunswick tables are used in 70% of all tournaments, but is this true and
are a lot of these tournaments sponsored by Brunswick?
(c) Which has the better cushions, Brunswick's Superspeed cushions or AMF's.
Any help is greatly appreciated.
Bob Johnson
think it plays beautifully.
--
Bob Johnson, Denver, Co.
Home of the back to back World Champion Broncos!
bo...@cris.com
Pisqueeter <pisqu...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:19990327183336...@ng145.aol.com...
Patrick Tobin - The Cue Prescription
Playmasters in them; infact, they were the actual tables used in the 95'
World Nine Ball by RJR in Winston-Salem. In my opinion, they need the 8 and
the crash from Brunswick. (The poolroom replaced them with Kim Steele
tables; which could give AMF the 7 and the crash...IMO)
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Pisqueeter wrote in message <19990327183336...@ng145.aol.com>...
gide...@my-dejanews.com
pisqu...@aol.com (Pisqueeter) wrote:
> I am considering the purchase of a home (4' x 8') pool table but have found
> little information on the relative merits, in terms of construction and
> playability, of the various manufacturers. I am currently looking at AMF
> Playmaster and Brunswick tables, but have received (naturally) different
> stories from the two different salesmen. Its hard to determine what is
> marketing hype and what is reality. Looks are not that important, nor are
> differences between various models -- just the differences between the
> manufacturers.
>
> Some of the issues were:
> (a) Italian slate (AMF) vs. Brazilian slate
> (b) Brunswick tables are used in 70% of all tournaments, but is this true and
> are a lot of these tournaments sponsored by Brunswick?
> (c) Which has the better cushions, Brunswick's Superspeed cushions or AMF's.
>
> Any help is greatly appreciated.
>
Well, this may be the blind leading the blind, but I will give you my
comments nonetheless. I have been looking for a table for the last several
months, and may soon have a place to put one, which will make me make up my
mind. Unfortunately, up here in Toronto, AMF does not seem to have a
presence, so I can't speak to the quality of their tables. I will give you
my thoughts on the process so far, FWIW.
First, do your homework. I don't know what you did to narrow your search to
Brunswick and AMF, but there are other brands which you may want to consider,
such as Gandy or Olhaussen. Search dejanews (www.dejanews.com) for the
manufactures names and you will get a ton of information. I also really like
the Gandy webpage: www.gandys.com, which contains a wealth of information on
pool table construction (although like all marketing tools, it should be used
with caution).
You also have to make a base choice between a furniture table and a
commercial table. If looks truly aren't important to you, then get a
commercial table. Used Brunswick Gold Crowns (GCs) pop up quite regularly,
and my sense of the majority of the group opinion is that these really are
the standard at pool halls and tournaments, and for good reason. However,
the GCs are built very differently than the Brunswick furniture tables (no
matter what they try to suggest in the marketing literature). In particular,
ask your salesman for the glossy pictures of the GC III or IV with the
technical info on the back (including diagram of a cross-section of the
table) and compare it with the same info on the furniture table (for some
reason, the glossy photos of the Cabriole and the Ventura II have this info,
while others do not). You will see immediately that the GC have cross beam
support and other features that make it much stronger than their furniture
tables.
All of that to say that if you don't care about the looks (sorry, this may be
heresy, but the GC is an ugly beast - the commercial Medalist less so), I
would get a used GC or a new one if you've got the $$. From what I've read,
in the group and beyond, from a purely playing standpoint a GC is the way to
go (other than perhaps REALLY spending money on a Diamond
(http://www.diamondbilliard.com/)
(One note of caution. It seems that Brunswick switched from Italian slate to
Brazilian slate several years ago, although I gather they have switched back.
I would not want a table made with the Brazilian slate.)
Personally, I am still undecided. I really don't like the look of the GC,
and my table will be going in my living room. I am seriously thinking of the
Brunswick Medalist (with hardwood rails). If I go for a furniture table, I
am leaning more towards Gandy than Brunswick, as the slate support structure
looks much stronger, and they both make attractive tables. I am still toying
with blowing the wad on a Diamond, or perhaps getting a Dufferin table -
which seem to be sold only in Canada, look nice, but I haven't examined their
structure yet.
Sorry for the long post, and I wish I could give you some info on AMF.
Good luck,
Gideon
-----------== Posted via Deja News, The Discussion Network ==----------
http://www.dejanews.com/ Search, Read, Discuss, or Start Your Own
ssi...@erols.com
blind!)
The guy who installed my table is a real pro - he plays everyday for
$$, as well as install the tables in a family business. In other words
he lives and breathes pool. He also told me that the GC was the best
overall table, ie. much better construction than any furniture tables.
This guy also said that if you are going the reasonable priced
furniture route that Gandy's are very good tables. So what did I do? I
cheaped out and went for a used 9' (I just can't get used to 8' tables)
Olhausen. And what did the pool guy say about my new acquisition? He
really did not like the quality - a hard synthetic wood-like veneer over
processed (particle board?) wood. The table is very pretty with solid
wood rails. So why did I buy it? Price - it was $1,000 including ping
pong table top, several decent cues, and all accessories. My installer
said there was moderate warping on one side - but with adjustments it
became perfectly straight.
I have two little boys (4 and 6), and I don't know how often I will
use my new toy. This way, I can see how much I really use it (and allow
for potential youthful attacks on it) without getting too $$$. If I use
it alot, I will buy a very nice furniture table (Gandy?) down the road.
Goo luck in your hunting.
- Scott
--
Scott Ives
ssi...@erols.com
- avid father, husband, photographer, kayaker, jet skier and
Mustang Cobra convertible owner
Cattleac
Cattleac
Smann448
>
BRUNSWICK was bought out by Kimball piano and moved production south of the
border(south america)
AMF PLAYMASTER is located in bland, missouri ( working up the ladder in the
billiard industry) they also make RENNAISANCE table by Charles Porter (heirloom
quality tables only 400 built per year)
Bill
>> I am considering the purchase of a home (4' x 8') pool table but have found
>> little information on the relative merits, in terms of construction and
>> playability, of the various manufacturers. I am currently looking at AMF
>> Playmaster and Brunswick tables, but have received (naturally) different
>> stories from the two different salesmen. Its hard to determine what is
>> marketing hype and what is reality. Looks are not that important, nor are
>> differences between various models -- just the differences between the
>> manufacturers.
>>
>> Some of the issues were:
>> (a) Italian slate (AMF) vs. Brazilian slate
>> (b) Brunswick tables are used in 70% of all tournaments, but is this true and
>> are a lot of these tournaments sponsored by Brunswick?
>> (c) Which has the better cushions, Brunswick's Superspeed cushions or AMF's.
>>
>> Any help is greatly appreciated.
models" than you. I would want to compare the structure.
I would ask which is "good, better, and best". What's going to keep it
from sagging ?
It might be helpful to compare where they are built. It would not
surprise me if different manufacturers have tables built in the same
factory.
Availability of "service after the sale" would be a priority to me too.
I would want the "same sort of cushions" that I would find in a
tournament. Good luck! I don't have room for a table at home.
Bill
Bill
your body and see whether the balls move".
If they do, scribbled on the nameplate won't matter.
cleod...@suddenlink.net
> I am considering the purchase of a home (4' x 8') pool table but have found
> little information on the relative merits, in terms of construction and
> playability, of the various manufacturers. I am currently looking at AMF
> Playmaster and Brunswick tables, but have received (naturally) different
> stories from the two different salesmen. Its hard to determine what is
> marketing hype and what is reality. Looks are not that important, nor are
> differences between various models -- just the differences between the
> manufacturers.
>
> Some of the issues were:
> (a) Italian slate (AMF) vs. Brazilian slate
> (b) Brunswick tables are used in 70% of all tournaments, but is this true and
> are a lot of these tournaments sponsored by Brunswick?
> (c) Which has the better cushions, Brunswick's Superspeed cushions or AMF's.
>
> Any help is greatly appreciated.
