Anyone have experience with JLP Chess Boards?

They seem very well made and obviously influenced by the greatly admired Dreuke boards.

Curious if some of you folks have one. Appearance?....Craftsmanship?.....Thanks in advance.

They are the absolute best chessboards out there at the moment, and arguably (finish wise) better than Drueke ever was. Incredible craftsmanship, and worth every penny.

I own 5 JLP products (boards and boxes), and will likely pick up a Stack (magnetic chessboard) during the holiday season.

Thanks Victor....Though I certainly appreciate your honest response,my bank account probably won't.

IMO, chesshouse.com’s JLP boards are akin to heirloom - they are built solid with the natural wood that they are cut from, carved and put together with high quality craftsmanship, and can be passed down the next generations for them to enjoy as long as they’re properly cared for. 

How do you folks think they compare to those of Colorado Woodworker?

Thanks in advance.

They’re likely sourced from the same manufacturer in Colorado. 

Has me curious.

From what I’ve seen, Chesshouse.com’s JLP boards have their company’s markings on some of the models. Ralph has custom JLP boards that are built specifically for his brand only such as the maple and wenge chess boards which has been sold out since the first batch was introduced. Finally, if you are unsatisfied with your purchase, their people would make it right. 

Correction: chesshouse.com’s JLP boards are from Pennsylvania. 

https://www.chesshouse.com/collections/jlp-woodworking-hardwood-usa-products

Ever seen a JLP board with this kind of contrast?

Colorado Woodworker makes decent boards at a good price point, but they aren’t the same as a JLP. Different fit, finish and final product, it’s like comparing a pickup truck to a luxury sedan.

There are woodworkers out there who will adequately cut, glue, sand, poly, and ship 64 wood squares to you in 3 days — then there is JLP. 

@magictwanger Do you need a perfect $400 Drueke style board? Or is a decent Drueke style board for $200 good enough? It's not a knock on the lower priced board. $200 for a Drueke style board is still pretty significant for many people. 2 different categories of board for 2 different types of customer. 

If you're patient, vintage Drueke boards can be found for $200 in excellent used condition with minor scuffs and scratches here and there from normal play. But I get it, eBay is definitely not for everyone. 

I have a JLP board and, imo, it is exquisite. The finishing is super smooth, and it does exude quality (even though I'm no expert on woodworking).

The only downside (for me) it that it's quite heavy, which it not helping with easily retrieving/storing it--I already have some marks from accidentally scratching the wall. >.>

Also, because of its large size and weight, it's not so casual a board--definitely making a statement when you take it out. (This can be either an upside or a downside, depending on your intentions and mood.) So I don't always take out this board to play, but I'm still very happy that I have it and when I use it--it's just so nice.

The shipping cost + Vat & import tax must have been , Dire for NL

Chesshouse JLP boards are also heavy, so I recommend owners to purchase the appropriate-sized chess bags that chesshouse sells for them. They will make it easier to move around and have some protection while in transit or in storage. The bags are soft and padded, so I still recommend that they are stored upright in a climate-neautral space, if possible, to avoid warping and not to stack anything on top of them.

[EDIT]
It won’t hurt to keep a  humidity-absorbing packet in the chessboard bag.

Finally, chesshouse has posted their recommendation for the care and maintenance of their JLP boards:

https://chesshouse.myshopify.com/blogs/chess-sets-guide/renewing-the-finish-of-your-jlp-hardwood-games?utm_source=Klaviyo&utm_medium=campaign&_kx=qXRQ5ait7JwfCcCulDzSpH81iPTB8flRXRa-q69WQrg%3D.Qp8DxS 

Actually this information matters. People should know the size of the individual squares to match with their pieces in case one is particular on how cramped or spaced out their pieces will look throughout the board. People here on chess.com tend to notice when their kings with 2” base widths are on 2” squares. 

[EDIT] People may not realize that the chesshouse JLP boards can be played using the underside. Check out this video and jump to timecode 4:27. The border may look more balanced from that side. The quality of the playing squares is the same on both sides, so it may be a good reason to protect the board when it is placed down for gaming.  

I use Gibson Guitar Polish for my pieces and boards.....I used to collect acoustic guitars and this was recommended to me by the late "Great" Stan Jay,who was a seller of high end acoustic instruments to some of the most famous people in the music industry.....Works just fine....basically,because  I still have it around.

I do admit to jonesing for a JLP board.....I was wanting another platform board,but after looking into these gems,I'm lusting for one......Sheesh! This hobby and all of you folks' pictures.

When does it stop?

Indeed--shipping, VAT and Import Duties (to NL) added in total some 28% to the listed price of the board. So that was a hefty sum. (Though, funnily (?) enough, I discovered that once you start looking at more luxurious solid wooden boards, prices are easily higher by some multiples of the JLP board, even including the extra VAT and Import Duties.)

The board, however, arrived with some damage on its side, near a corner (and an accordingly damaged box). ChessHouse therefore asked compensation from the shipping company, but when they didn't receive any, offered me a discount on the board. But then, after a second round of pictures, the shipping company refunded all of the "shipping costs" (which actually included VAT and Import Duties) to ChessHouse anyway, which ChessHouse then also refunded to me. Both refunds together made for a very significant discount, so received pretty good deal in the end. (BTW ChessHouse was a pleasure to work with--super professional and generous.)

Yes, I experienced exactly that . If I were to do it again, I would 100% immediately purchase a protective bag for the board. (Thanks for the ChessHouse page on maintenance.)

I got the 2-1/4" squares board with the smaller rim. I have to admit the square size of 2-1/4" does feel a bit large for me, and the rim somewhat unbalanced. Therefore, I am left wondering if I shouldn't, in fact, "do it again" by getting the 2" board. (With the added "benefit" of then having a board that "supports" an exquisite 3,5" set--maybe even one by Oleg Raikis one day--even though I'm sure my Mora Staunton Europa set would be "adequately excellent" on it as well.)

3,5" Staunton Europa set by Mora on a 2-1/4" square size board by JLP.

Couple of things....MCH,I understand the psychology of buying something new,having been a Psych major in my college days....There is something about buying.Especially buying on emotion.

The good thing is,I can control the urge.....but....initially it feels soooo goood!

Then,when it all settles down,you feel kinda' crummy....because you didn't really need it in the first place.

That being said.....I wouldn't mind getting a nice JLP board and the Ceska Kublovka set....."Then",I'm done!  It would round out my collection at 20 Tourney sets and 4 boards.

Five sets per board just has a nice ring to it...Yuk.