Hi Folks,

I am new to Go and would like to get a quality board at a reasonable price.

What do you all think Of the two boards below from EBay?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/221013494643?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649#ht_3081wt_702

http://www.ebay.com/itm/280868456500?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649#ht_2770wt_922

The Korean board seems very reasonably priced for a 3.5inch thick board

Hope to get your views.

Thanks

For comparison: ( hyuga kaya table boards )
http://www.kurokigoishi.co.jp/english/o ... index.html

(I don't like the first eBay board -- with the white, inlaid lines -- but that's a personal preference. )

The first board is not very traditional.
The second board is shin kaya spruce.
The link from EdLee is for Hyuga kaya which is considered the most desirable wood for go boards.
The link to compare with Shin kaya at Kurokigoishi is this one http://www.kurokigoishi.co.jp/english/o ... index.html
In general, I prefer Japanese craftsmanship to Korean craftsmanship when considering go boards.

_________________
http://tchan001.wordpress.com
A blog on Asian go books, go sightings, and interesting tidbits
Go is such a beautiful game.

The Shin-kaya board from ebay is one piece. While the Hyuga kaya boards are 4-6 pieces stuck together

_________________
Studying Go in China- http://www.Aaronko.net - My Go Blog

Don't close your eyes or the stones die.

In Go it's not how thick it is, it's what you do with it!

My Kgs Rank Graph

The first board has strips mitred to make the outer edges of the board. Spruce (shin kaya) is generally considered inferior to genuine kaya because the wood does not retain its luster over the years and the sound made when a stone is played is not as appealing. If you are looking for quality of construction and the price is very low you have to wonder about the quality. Unfortunately you can't examine these boards in person to determine whether they meet your needs. A 3.5" board really is too thick for use on a standard height table, you'd have to use a low table.

Hi All

Thanks for all your comments.

It appears that neither of the two boards are a compelling buy.

I checked out the Kurokigoishi site and while the equipment there is without doubt supreme quality, they are also very expensive. Can anyone advise me if the Combo sets comprising of board, stones and bowls are worth getting?

You can also consider getting their outlet items. Japanese quest for perfection means that the outlet items are usually still quite high quality but has some imperfections. But the prices are much more reasonable.
http://www.kurokigoishi.co.jp/english/o ... index.html

_________________
http://tchan001.wordpress.com
A blog on Asian go books, go sightings, and interesting tidbits
Go is such a beautiful game.

nir, is your first purchase ever? Maybe you can consider starting with 8 ~ 10 mm Japanese glass stones,
and something like a 0.5-inch Japanese board (folding or slotted).
There's a learning curve to Go as well as Go equipment, and IMO
you'll better appreciate finer equipment later if you start with a more "modest" set now.

It's perfectly fine to buy high quality equipment as a first set but you might also consider that if you buy a utility set at the start you can use it to learn the game and at the same time educate yourself about go equipment. Then, if your passion continues or increases you can buy a higher grade set. My first set consisted of a folding katsura board three-quarters of an inch thick, 8mm thick Japanese glass stones, and chestnut wood bowls. I bought that set 45 years ago. I still have that set and use it often even though I have a fine Hyuga kaya table-top board, 8 mm slate and Japanese clam stones, and mulberry bowls. My best set would probably cost over $3000 to replace now and my beginner set would cost less than $250. I use the less expensive set to take to the go club or some other place like a park or a friend's house. My best equipment stays at home and gets used for study or when a go friend comes to visit.

One thing I'd add. A portable set is very useful. e.g a slotted board in an appropriate carry case. A good quality board looks great but if you actually want to play you need something you can carry/pack easily..

I like that first one, a lot. I like non-traditional. But I don't like that its veneered - probably particle board underneath so maybe more than I'd be willing to spend

Hello Everyone

Thanks for your comments and inputs.

I am likely to go with the suggestion to start off with less expensive and value for money equipment and then proceed from there...

Curious/...how does one tell if its veneered or not (ie not solid wood)? Maybe its a few pieces of thick wood glued together like (which is the case with some of the Japanese kaya boards...)

According to the seller, its suppose to weight 21.5 pounds...can particle board weigh that much, give than its about 2 1/8 inch thick only...

look at the grain on the all the sides, top, and bottom. Do they connect up naturally with each other?

_________________
http://tchan001.wordpress.com
A blog on Asian go books, go sightings, and interesting tidbits
Go is such a beautiful game.

If I gonna pay over $120 for shipping

then I would do a huge move:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/6-Thickness-GO- ... 41666103fe

what do you think of this board?

Looks great...but I am not keen on a floor goban...I can't even sit crossed-legged for any amount of time without getting cramps...