Have you ever tried estate sales or antique shops? I got a very nice one at an antique shop that had come from an estate sale. And I thought the price was reasonable and well worth it. It did not cost an arm and a leg.
Try something along those lines maybe. You might find a real nice set by chance. Unless you are determined to have a new one. Then I don't know what to say. They seem pretty expensive here in the US too.
Originally posted by Pawn SmasherDid you have to buy a decent fable for yours Frank? Or a big assed cocktail table set up? The bad boy set up for me is when i get a house with a games room.
Thanks for the info Frank. I'm off to Bangkok next month so I might have a look around over there.
The set i like is a big pewter fantasy set up. Here you find el-cheapo to medium priced ones in your local Westfields shopping malls. Your top end sets you gotta activly hunt by phone or web.
Good tip on antique shops and estate sale notices.
😀
Originally posted by lordhighgusI don't have a table for it. I guess it is the cocktail table kind. The one I got in the antique shope was a nice onyx set. The board is 14" x 14", fairly heavy and stout. It probably should have its own table. Not a set one would pack around. My wife also gave me a nice classic set, wooden, about the same size. One you store the pieces inside and is portable.
Did you have to buy a decent fable for yours Frank? Or a big assed cocktail table set up? The bad boy set up for me is when i get a house with a games room.
The set i like is a big pewter fantasy set up. Here you find el-cheapo to medium priced ones in your local Westfields shopping malls. Your top end sets you gotta activly hunt by phone or web.
Good tip on antique shops and estate sale notices.
😀
We have a small game room, but it doesn't really have the size to set up a permanent chess table. Bummer that.
I've just bid on one on ebay. A beautiful set indeed. All for two pounds. Should have read the small print. £71 delivery costs. Conning bastians!!!! I will have to get some negative feedback for thefirst time. :'(
EDIT: Check out ebay though. They have over 100 sets and some look very tasty. Don't buy from China though!
35 years ago I bought one of those walnut chess tables with a storage drawer; it's about the size of a card table. It cost $180 then and they're about $600+ now. Even a cheap plastic set looks good on it, but my favorite is the '59 Zagreb set. I also won an e-bay auction for a 1950's Russian clock (total $80!) which looks really good on the table. Now I need a 1950's Russian-style chess set.
Originally posted by Pawn SmasherMy advice is to get a top of the line plastic set until you're ready to spend the big money on a wooden one. Some plastic sets are very durable, and really nice looking.
Why is it that even half decent chess sets are so expensive? I'm talking from an Australian viewpoint. Good sets here cost a fair bit. I want to have a good set to display but can't justify the cash.
Here's the one I have:
http://www.wholesalechess.com/chess/chess_pieces/Super+Staunton+Collector+Chess+Pieces+4inch
The pieces are heavy, solid and very nice looking. The set only cost me $40 (US).
Buy a nice wooden board to go with it. Then, save up some money and get a good wooden set. The old plastic set will always come in handy for travel, tournaments...etc.
Best deal on planet Earth, hands down- from the owner of many fine chess sets- www.jaqueshouse.com the 3.5 inch professional Staunton. Real Ebony ( I know how to tell)- Fantastic detail on the knights and bishop mitre- the kind of carving and detail work reserved normally for sets that retail for hundreds more. Someday one of you on RHP will breakdown and buy one, and you too will know that fantastic high quality sets don't have to cost big $. Seeing this set knocked Jaques of London and House of Staunton off their pedestals, and slapped me back to reality. All modern sets are manufactured in India, no matter where you buy them from, so why not buy direct from the manufacturers themselves- check it out- buy a set- its cheap.
Originally posted by 33movesMy wooden set (from House of Staunton) is nicer.
Best deal on planet Earth, hands down- from the owner of many fine chess sets- www.jaqueshouse.com the 3.5 inch professional Staunton. Real Ebony ( I know how to tell)- Fantastic detail on the knights and bishop mitre- the kind of carving and detail work reserved normally for sets that retail for hundreds more. Someday one of you on RHP will breakdown and b ...[text shortened]... m, so why not buy direct from the manufacturers themselves- check it out- buy a set- its cheap.
Originally posted by rbmorrisSo, you are saying that you own a 3.5 inch set from Jaques house, and in comparison to which set from HOS is it better? I own several different HOS sets, and happen to not believe you. Oh, I would belive that you have a set that is as nice, and every bit comperable in quality, its that you paid much more for it.
My wooden set (from House of Staunton) is nicer.