Dubrovnik Redux

With 2016 well underway and Chess Bazaar now having their Dubrovnik 2.0 set available, I feel it a good time to refresh Dubrovnikmania.  Here's what is now available and my thoughts on it all.

In this thread I am talking about the design we now call Dubrovnik II or the 1960's version of the set design.

Of course Noj makes the gold standard of Dubrovnik reproductions.  No one can argue that theirs is the most true reproduction or duplicate of the design.

I own 2 of these sets, one in Walnut as pictured above and one in the Red dyed.  Both sets I own are the original size of the King at 3.6".  Both of my sets play exquisitely and the look of this set is unmatched.

The next entrant to this venue is The House of Staunton:

I know 2 people that have one of these sets.  They like them very much, especially use when playing Chess.  While there are some differences in design to the Noj, they do stay pretty true to it all.

Next is The Chess Bazaar with their 2 versions, now.

First is their original version that claimed the least expensive by a long shot title compared to the competitors:

At about $126 delivered, this set is quite the bargain.  Yes, it does depart from the original design quite a bit, but heck for a set to play with, it apparently works just fine.  We have had many positive testimonials from the people posting on this very forum about this set.

Recently CB came out with their 2.0 version:

This newer version has a design that is indeed closer to the original.  At this time this 2.0 set only comes in the Crimson color.  I suspect they will be coming out with it in other colors and woods.  They have increased the cost of this set to be at the same level as The House of Staunton's Dubrovnik.  And that increase is about $73 from the original.  It looks as if this set plays as well as its predecessor, 1.0.

Now the Dubrovnikmaniac needs to make a closer look and decision between the HoS and CB sets as they are the same price.  And please don't insult us saying that CB has a wonderful sale bringing the price down.  HoS also has sales making the 2 companies very close in price.

You will note that I have not given any personal opinion comments regarding the various set designs, except that the Noj is recognized as the most accurate to the original.  And no one on these forums has disputed that or the fact that the Noj sets are the best of the bunch.  Yes, they are the most expensive, excepting the HoS Blood Rosewood version.

And now HoS and CB are in the same price range for products that look similar..

So, do any of you fine folks own more than one of the above sets?

And do any of you own the new CB 2.0 set?

What are your thoughts and comparisons?

In order to purchase the HOS set at the same price as the 2.0 Chess Bazaar set you would need to purchase a $50 membership to their collector's club.  Most people are buying maybe one chess set a year over $100 other than a handful of  super collectors on this forum and would see little benefit from this membership. 

Right now Chess Bazaar offers a flat $50 off on orders over $200.  If you buy the $199 chess set and an item of your choice for around five bucks you'll get the chess set shipped to you for free for about $156. 

House of Staunton always has a 10% off coupon available online somewhere, and you can combine that with the Collector's Club discount to 161.19.  Which is still more than CB.  But then you're still out the $50 you initially invested.  And you have to pay $10-15 shipping.  You're going to be out of pocket about $225 in the end doing this. 

$225 vs $156

I can't agree they are priced at the same level.

The House of Staunton does have sales.  I have seen 15% and 20% sales. 

I know because I have taken advantage of both of these in the last 6 - 8 months.

I bought my Pawn Sacrifice set at 20% off.  And yes, I included my Collector's Club 10% on top of that.  I paid and even $300 including shipping.

So, HoS does have sales.  And they also have times where there is free shipping.

Also Jack, I am talking about price range, not exact price differences.

Yes, Chess Bazaar has sales, a lot.  But it's not fair to other companies to say they do not when they do.

For instance, if I were currently in the market for a really red Dubrovnik, versus the deep Oxblood of the Noj, which is phenomenal by the way, I would give a hard look and comparison to the HoS and CB sets.

Looking at the pictures I feel the HoS set, with Noj as the standard, has the Bishops and Queens closer.  The CB set has the pawns closer, in my opinion.  And they are the same in the other pieces.  I think that they are both off a bit in the Rooks, Kings and Knights compared to Noj, but not too bad.

Personally I like the looks of the HoS a tad more than the CB 2.0, but not too much.

And if the HoS set would cost $15 - $25 more, in the $160 range, I would get the HoS set because it just edges out the CB set for me.

Please understand that I am not biased for HoS or against any other company, including CB and Official Staunton Company, no matter what goodknightmike might believe.

I am so sick of that design(nothing personal if you have one).  I never really liked it to start with.  I guess most people like it because of the mismatched finials, it's uniqueness vs standard staunton, the connection with Fisher(and Russian champs), and the low prices.  But, I've just always found the design distracting, and not very striking.  

Oh, I understand.  The thing that I found is when the set is on the board and I am playing Chess with it, it works really well. 

The profile pictures we have and even the ones with the pieces on the board don't do the set real justice.  Of course I am talking about the Noj Dubrovnik II version.  I have seen the HoS version but only to look at and play around with the pieces a bit, not in a game.

But heck, to each their own is what I think.

I personally prefer standard Staunton stylings.  And I definitely am a huge proponent of usefulness, and functionality over flash, and fabulousness(in most things but definitely chess sets). 

Oh yes, I hear you my friend.

My favorite sets are the HoS Players Series and Fischer-Spassky Commemorative (which they have on Clearance for $149) and the Noj Dubrovnik II set which I like for playing in G/45 - G/60 controls.

The Players Series and Fischer-Spassky are the standard Staunton design and look good, but also have the best feel in play compared to others.

And, the Noj Dubrovnik II handles very well and is stable when the pieces and pawns are moved on the board.  The look of this set is alright when you view it from a player's perspective.  I do agree the standard Staunton design does look a little better.

Wow, that is a lot.  In Illinois I usually pay $12 as an average and at most $16.

I know that what I am paying for shipping is not as high as it used to be from HoS.  A number of years ago they were quite high for shipping.  I started ordering again from them, after a break, a little over a year ago.  And the shipping prices are lower now.

And at $11 - $16 for FedEx, they aren't making any real profit on what they are charging, at least for Illinois.

They are in Alabama, so depending on how heavy what you are shipping is, 26$ seems reasonable

Many people who have never purchased a decent chess set before, do not realize how HEAVY a solid wood weighted chess set can be(once boxed for shipment).  
An average 4.4" set weighs a little under 5 pounds(JUST the pieces alone), when you box up 5 pounds of dead weight, it doesn't show up on the shipping scale as 5 pounds.  Depending on the size of the box, it can quickly become like a 20pd(shipment).
I have NO IDEA how chessbazaar ships their sets for free. 

Prices are even higher when shipping to Hawaiʻi. 

I have a 6" king set http://www.chessbaron.com/chess-X2019.htm (mine is bud rosewood), with a 3" board(which is 3/4" thick).  The board shipped in to me(alone) at I think 24 ounds ha.  Trust me, you can not play a normal game of chess on a board that size.
Anything above 2.5" squares is just to big for regular playing IMO 

BKB,

Interesting set. I bet it looks great in bud rosewood. I can't believe that ChessBaron recommends a 2" board with this set!!?? The king's diameter is probably wider than that!

How do like playing with such a large set? Do the pawns get lost in the forest of the other pieces? I've had my eye on a 6" set, but wasn't sure how it played, or how often I'd use it.

Thanks.

It is purely for novelty,  It took me years to end up with both the set and board, and it is the jewel of my collection.  The 3" board is really the only size the set feels proper on because of the height(obviously) but also the size of the knights(i took this pic a while back, look how wide their bodies are)
 Here is a comparison with a 4.4" king's 2" base
 Here they are beside a standard 4.4" 2" base set
 If you want a 'main set' 6" sets are not gonna work.  I think your chess playing pals would loath you for forcing them to try and stretch their chess vision around a set this size(in a serious game).  But if you want a VERY impressive, striking set to make people go "whoa that's cool", then 6" is for that, and then sitting down at the set to play a game of not much consequence. 

Maximum weight for USPS first class is 13 ounces.  Over that the best way to ship with USPS is Priority One Rate and Zone bnoxes that come with free tracking and insurance. FedEx I also compare and sometimes choose that. 

I have mentioned this many times and told many venfors about the Zone boxes which hold 15 pounds and ship Priority with free insurance and tracking. I have now noticed 2 chess vendors taking advantage of this, most still remain clueless. I ship packages everyday and use more Zone A boxes than anything else, 2 day delivery and cheaper that the Medium Flate Rate box. They do not carry these boxes at the post office, you must order on line and they are also free.  

Mike, do you want to remove the block on me?  You see, I do not have one on you so you can post in my threads.  Decide what you want and I will act accordingly.

No response is still a response.  So be it.