New member wants to buy a BB table

[briangardner]

Does anyone know of a decent quality BB table for sale? I've just joined, and live near Newcastle - so will have to pick table up - I've seen there's a few on E-Bay, and have been in touch with Ivor Champion. V Grateful for advice - Brian.

eBay is probably your best bet Brian.

There's this one on there at the moment which seems to tick all the boxes:

cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280587446525

Eight days to go.  If you land it for £600 or less you'll be doing well.

The refurbished ones which some sites offer at more than £1000 do not seem worth it, as many tables made 70 years ago are still perfectly serviceable and any 'improvements' will be largely cosmetic.

Good luck in your quest.

[briangardner]

Thanks for that Tommo - I'll keep an eye on that one. I fancied the burgundy covered Jelkes - but it seems v exp (min bid £1100) - maybe why there's no bids yet! I see there's a Riley ending this afternoon - what do you think of that one?

This one?
cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300489334989

It doesn't float my boat, Brian.

Generally speaking, Rileys are a lighter table (less sturdy) than the SAMs or Jelkes variety, which is fine just for home use.  But average prices for past eBay dealings are Jelkes £600, SAMs £500 and Riley £450 - as a guide.  Obviously whether or not you have a bargain depends on all sorts of factors such as condition of slate; cloth; pockets - and, very important, legs.

What puts me off this one is the word 'Leisure' in the seller's name: this suggests to me one of the controlling companies supplying equipment to Breweries. They are only in it for the money and to them a bar billiards table is nothing more than a gaming machine.  Okay they've invested in this one by having it re-clothed, but have covered the whole table in baize including what is supposed to be the bulk area.  So I'd steer clear.

[briangardner]

Hey Tommo
That's exactly the sort of steer I was after - I'll let the Riley go - I had exactly the same reservations myself! If I could get a decent Jelkes or Sams for £600 I'd be delighted. It probably sounds daft - but after not playing at all for the last 20 years (I'm aged 50) I'm confident that I'll dedicate a lot of my time to playing (and encouraging others to start) so I'd like to invest in a good sturdy table - so please keep your ears open.
The other thing is that prices may get inflated in the run up to Xmas I guess.
MANY thanks, Brian.

[barbelman]

Welcome to the BBB forum Brian.

Where did you used to play - in a league or just for entertainment?

cheers
Tony

[Chris_Sav]

Hi again Brian,

There is a decent chance that the burgundy one is in good playable nick. Peter Ludgate is a good restorer (dependent on how long ago it was restored). It is expensive for Ebay prices but has good provenance.

If you get a cheaper one in private hands you will be very lucky if it does not need recovering and possibly the cushions replacing.

If it has been refurbished by an unknown source, the odds are the cloth used will be cheap and coarse and you will need a three iron to reach the other end of the table.

But you might be lucky!!  ;D

You Pays your money and you take your chance!!

Sav

[briangardner]

Hi Sav - I had a long conversation with Peter this morning about the availability of tables, BB history etc and feel that I am now closing in on a table - the big unknown is just how much I'll end up paying!? As you suggest, I think there a bit of a premium for good provenance - after all - I only ever want to buy one table!
Thanks all for the help and chat - Brian.

[briangardner]

Just remember playing at an old pub in Great Yarmouth where I grew up (now live in Newcastle) - never seriously or league - just for fun - it was a while ago mind - 10p a game!

[BFG]

Hi Brian

Be very careful on the Riley front...quite often the top is just a little bit small and the formation of the centre pockets is a square rather than a diamond (the 100 should be further away from the 50's than the 200 is)

Some of them had a full length slate which could be why the baulk area was covered on that one.

The Jelks are beautiful if you get a good one but can be a bit of a minefield!

The most reliable would be the Sams but mind you don't end up bidding on a narrow 4 pin Sams!

There is a chance of a recovered Sams coming up for sale near me but not sure yet, pm me if you want me to let you know.

GOOD LUCK!

[briangardner]

STILL looking to offer a good home for a decent table - so if anyone knows where there's one for sale please get in touch.

Also - as I live in Jarrow, near Newcastle - is there any BB action up here?? Do any of the pubs have tables - or are members aware of anyone playing?

Cheers, Brian.