Brunswick Ashbee American Pool Table
July 25, 2008
Way back in 1845 when John Moses Brunswick first decided that producing high quality billiard tables seemed like a good idea, the designs of the time were very much influenced by the classic European styles of France, Italy and Great Britain. America was yet to define its own styles on the world, being less than 100 years old as an independent rebublic!
Billiard tables like the Ashbee were very much the style of choice of the time for those that could afford one, with intricate hand inlays the full length of the cabinet sides highlighting the inherant quality and class required.
Of course, looks are only skin deep as the saying goes and as Brunswick himself had declared that his billiard tables would be better than anyone else’s, they had to play well too. Thankfully, things have moved on somewhat since the mid 19th century and although Ashbee remains faithfully in looks to the period, the performance is that of the 21st century.
Just because you want a reproduction antique, doesn’t mean that it has to play like one and Brunswick have ensured that Ashbee has the same cushion rubbers and slate bed as their flagship ‘Gold Crown V’ professional pool table. What this means is that your ability to play shots knowing pretty much exactly where the cue ball will stop, is massively enhanced.
Similarly, Brunswick’s insistance that all their classical and traditional range of tables use bolts in the construction of the table (rather than screws as some other manufacturers do), ensures that the Certified slate bed reamins solid and flat as is required for a great game of pool.
So what this means is a very solid table that looks every bit the (reproduction) antique it’s supposed to be, yet a table that plays almost as good as the best performing pool table there is…not bad!
A sign of how popular Ashbee must be, is Brunswick’s decision to add the new ‘Espresso’ finish (shown above) in addition to the traditional Original™ Mahogany stain that has been the only option previously. Of course the finish complements the other options that can be specified, being a choice of either 8ft or 9ft table size, and either tassle/fringe or shield pocket sets.
In conclusion, Brunswick’s Ashbee American pool table is not a table that will appeal to everyone, but in a suitable setting, this billiard table will provide not only great entertainment, but look every part the grand piece of furniture one would expect it to be…
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