FLEX PAD CHESS BOARDS (thin type)

First I thought we could use a separate topic on the thin mouse pad boards that have come to market since the first Glen Butterman board was made. 

Also, I hope the chess vendors read this thread as I have yet to see this color which I feel would be a good seller, better than some of the colors being offered at least. 

It is the old colors of the DRUEKE FOLDING LINEN BOARD. I have never seen the colors duplicate in other club boards. I would not buy vinyl boards anymore since the new thin flex pads are out for many reasons. 

When the vendors see this color combo I sure hope one of them will make 100 of them. Copied a picture from the net so the colors may not be exact but they look very close plus there are many pictures of this board out there.  

What do chess players think of this color combo and did I overlook a place that is selling this color in a thin flex pad? 

From a personal point-of-view (and deferring that others may not feel the same way) I like the color combo. It's pleasant, and gives a strong appearance. Now the bigger question---will it improve my rating??? Probably not. But, still,  a good board. 

This is a great color combination, Mike.

Shelby to the rescue?

https://www.chess.com/forum/view/chess-equipment/custom-chess-boards

https://amchesseq.com/collections/customized-chess-products/products/customized-mousepad-tournament-chess-board-in-assorted-colors-20-inches-made-in-the-usa?variant=20010893541434

1/16 inch thick

In that case, Shelby's description of his services is a bit misleading. "We just got a new machine in that allows full custom color chess boards to be made in house. ... I can now do custom vinyl and the thin mousepad chess boards." So Shelby offers "full custom color" as long as you choose from the 11 pre-selected colors?

@TundraMike Contact Shelby/ACE directly and get the straight scoop.

No, you are right,  I was just saying the colors he has listed or shown are not the same as what Mike has shown.

I will call Shelby and see if he can print a thin mousepad board the Drueke linen board colors.

Not really.

HoS sells one but the colors are quite too bright, making the board look like a child’s toy.  I own one.

Occasionally and rarely you can find a used one on eBay.  But there is no one having a quality linen board produced and sold.

The Chessstore once sold vinyl boards in that color. The folding PVC boards are about as close as you are going to get with that Hunter Green and Beige color. As far as thin mouse pads go. White is going to be the main color for light squares. Green is my favorite color. However ever since chesshouse and ACE came out with Olive and Army Green colors. Olive Green is the shade of green I prefer for roll up boards. BigLew's video on Shelby's leather roll up board is something I wished I would have bought at the time. Hopefully Shelby can bring back those boards.

(75) Roll Up Leather Chess/Checker Board - YouTube

Just on the secondary market. I have one in pristine condition and I am going to get it out for the new Ultimate Set I just received and it will look great and play great.  I bought it off Bob Long, who operated Chessco at the time and then evolved to Thinkers Press for about $19.99 +shipping which was about $6-7 at the time UPS.  Was not a cheap price back in the '80s when I bought it. 

Just got off the phone with Shelby, he will look into the colors from the old Drueke Folding Linen Board right after the busy season is over, sometime in January. 

He told me he can do any custom color for $30/board and can have the whole color spectrum, but does not have that set up on the website at this time. 

Mike, I will talk with Shelby and tell him that if the board looks good, I’ll buy a few.  Maybe that will bring the price down a bit.

Will you be requesting notation? I'd be interested in one as well if the price comes down a bit (or free shipping?), but I need notation. If not, no biggie.

Yes, it will the $30 is just for one piece custom made. I have a feeling when he sees the colors he will print 100 of them. Sell them for the same price as all the other boards. Make some w and w/o notation and no outlines on the squares would be good. I like my boards w/notation at this age I double-check my notation LOL   I now have had MH surgery twice, one in each eye. As you know only too well you never get back to "normal" eyesight but a 70% recovery is not bad. Depth perception is a problem even when playing chess. about 18 months ago I went to grab my room on the 7th rank and came up empty-handed, the square on the 6th rank lucky for me was vacant. My opponent looked at me like "what are you doing:  Oh well. I appreciate my eyesight a whole lot more these days, something almost everyone takes for granted. 

LOL @Tundra, I hear you.  About 4 years ago, before I had cataract surgery, I was playing a rapid event at the Marshall CC and I was struggling somewhat with the glasses I was wearing, since they made it blurry to look straight down.

I was playing the black side of a French with bishops on e7 and d7.  I went to move the dark squared bishop and grabbed the d7 bishop instead.

A couple of you have gone out of the way and convinced Shelby to make customized boards styled after the old Drueke line board. Much appreciated! And please count me in.

I also prefer notations but would purchase one without if that is the only one available.

Now, if you will allow me, there are two issues that have prevented me from ordering Shelby's customized mousepad boards. They are as follows.

1. There's a black line acting like borders surrounding each squares. Hope we don't have that in the repro.

2. Some of the flexpad boards have numerical notations in awkward angle, making them difficult to read.

Hope these issues are minor and can be addressed by Shelby.  

@zagryan I agree that is why I hope to convince him to make the Drueke Folding Linen colors without the black line going around the squares. No line looks so much more aesthetically pleasing but then I guess some just like the black outline of the squares.  

I told him about this thread today. I really do not think he would have any problem selling 100 of that color, if it is correct, in 1 months' time.  

I for one would do a custom order if Shelby put the whole color spectrum on the website.  Just to see how it would come out. I have an original board tucked away from the sunlight so it still shows the true colors. I then can compare it and relay the success or failure to Shelby. I am sure EyeChess can also do this since he has a couple of the original boards. 

Have no idea what it would take for him to actually let you pick your own colors for a custom board. If it was the whole spectrum I can see people doing them for awards and presents etc. as the options would be endless. 

@TundraMike I don't suppose you have a Pantone swatch book? PMS 342 is pretty dark hunter green. Maybe PMS 475 for the linen. Or mail Shelby the board to use as a color match. And then he can mail it back to you with your order. I know it's a tough ask. 1 or 2 slight shades off and hello "Butter Cream."