http://shodanimports.com/index.php?main ... cts_id=115

I'm looking for my first set (and hopefully have it be one of my very best). Is this a good deal, or should I look at Kiseido?

I would suggest considering glass stones, brown plastic bowls and a 3/4 inch katsura folding board.

https://www.yutopian.com/yutop/cat?prod ... ategory=fb
$66.50 + $9.00 s/h

https://www.yutopian.com/yutop/cat?prod ... ategory=Sg
$40.00 + $9.00 s/h

https://www.yutopian.com/yutop/cat?prod ... category=B
$9.00 + $5.50 s/h

$140 compared to $659.

Now it is true that this is comparing apples & pears, but the price difference is significant. I would recommend taking the cheaper option, and wait till you have a longer experience playing at different places before splashing out on top notch equipment. In your later travels to tournaments and investigating websites you may then come across some bowls that are just right for your taste & at the right price for you. At that point I would think bowls might become your first upgrade. You may then find that the option I've outlined keeps you happy for the rest of your life.

You might then find the $500 difference useful for something else. (In the end how rich you are & your attitude to money are significant factors.)

I appreciate your advice, however the price of it does not concern me. The quality is what I am looking at: is the board a good quality for the quality of stones I'm getting? Likewise with the bowls. Also is the price reasonable for what I am getting?

Not owning a comparable set, I'm not in a position to make a meaningful comment that corresponds directly to your exact question. As money is no object, Mr. Kuroki is worth looking at for comparison purposes.

http://www.kurokigoishi.co.jp/english/o ... index.html

I purchased a full set from shodan imports. I have been very happy with it.

I personally have a strong preference for the "Karin (Quince) Go Bowls" over the "Kuri (Chestnut) - Natural finish Go Bowls".

Don't know yet if I'll instill enough interest in kid to have this item be a viable heirloom, but I think the quality and the durability of the set itself seem to be up to the challenge. Maybe grandkids will take an interest?

For that money or a bit more you can get nicer stuff IMHO from Kuroki in Japan: http://www.kurokigoishi.co.jp/english/index.html I'm not saying the Shodan Imports stuff is poor quality, just that Kuroki offers a wider range of choices and fancier stuff (kaya boards, fancier bowls and stones) For example from Kuroki you can get a 2" Hiba table top board, extra large size Karin (Chinese quince) bowls and 9.5mm moon grade shell and slate stones for $750. Mr. Kuroki will suggest things if you tell him your budget, too.

If price is not an issue to you, get a better set. I don't like this set, the board is too thin (a 2.5 inch board looks much more solid), the bowls are a bit kitschy and the stones are of the lowest grade (jitsuyo). There's also the issue of whether you like the look of katsura (I don't).

That being said, if you're 29k, don't fall into the trap of valuing equipment more than the game. Will you still be playing a year from now? A go set of any quality is just a block of wood, two cups and a bunch of little mentos-shaped rocks, it will not help you play better or sustain your interest in the game.

I think that set for someone who wants a good set but can not afford the very best quality. For a first set it is better and more expensive than necessary, and for a really good set it is cheaper and lacks the quality. I think you should either
- first by a cheaper set and see if you are still playing after 1-2 years
- if you really have your heart set on having a good set and money is no object talk to either Kiseido or KGT. They have excellent Kaya boards, shell & slate stones and a wide variety of bowls. I bought mine from Kiseido and got a good deal and excellent service from Mr Bozulich,

e: You might want to look at e.g. http://www.kiseido.com/luxury.htm

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I agree that the set you posted is nice, but not what I'd choose if money really isn't an issue. KGT & Kiseido both have higher grade stuff. For the price & selection I'd go with KGT, but shipping won't be cheap & the yen is very strong right now.

For an inexpensive set that would also be useful for taking to a club event or coffee shop I'd recommend something like this:

Folding bamboo board: http://www.zengoban.com/2cm-folding-go-board

And either single convex: http://www.zengoban.com/single-convex-yunzi-stones

or double convex: http://www.zengoban.com/double-convex-yunzi-stones

Both of those come with straw bowls, but you could get bamboo or other wood bowls there too. The prices & shipping are very reasonable.

I have no connection with any equipment sellers.

Nice disclosure.

For one, my interest in Go will last for many years. I first gained interest over a decade a go, but lack of resources caused it to fade away from my life (I was very low in rank, maybe 28k). Now that I have re-discovered it, it was continue for years.

For two, I now understand the value of the set I linked. I will look for others. My price range is under $1000; ideally under $800. I'll keep an eye out for if any of you have any suggestions, I have open ears!

Definitely check out the equipment I mentioned from Kuroki. You could get it and the shipping for under $800. Kuroki Goishiten (Kuroki Go Stone Company) is well regarded as a source of high quality equipment at reasonable prices. Their customer service is excellent and they pack the shipped items very well.

After much consideration I am going the route first given to me: buy a cheap set first (around $100) then buy the better set later on.

http://www.go-gamestore.com/goequip/sets/g84_cs30j.htm

Is the set I am looking at. I greatly appreciate everyone's feedback!

you won't regret having a utility set that you're not (too much) afraid of getting it scratched, dinged and stained from food and drink spills -- while still saving up for a nicer set to use and enjoy with more care for lifetime.

Good.

Buying a utility set to start is a good thing. I have a fine kaya table board, mulberry bowls and Japanese clam stones but it is for use at home only, too much risk to take it to the club, for example. I also have a slotted board, chestnut bowls and glass stones for taking to the club and other travel. I should also say that while I greatly enjoy the beauty of top quality equipment, I find no loss in enjoyment of playing using my utility set in a cafe or bar

I keep debating on buying a real board. My vinyl + glass + Tupperware set works great at restaurants and can easily be crammed into a backpack.

Plus I'm so bad that I'd just be doing dishonor to any set that was finely crafted.

When you do start looking for a nice set, I can definitely recommend Shodan Imports. Good quality stuff and pleasant experience IMO.

Of course you should comparison shop.

Ack. I'm bummed I couldn't get to this thread sooner. But I'm shocked that no one even suggested YMImports (especially if you live in the US).

http://www.ymimports.com/p-938-shin-kay ... bowls.aspx

I bought this set and absolutely think it combines price with quality. You're talking biconvex stones, jujube bowls, and a shin-kaya board that can convert to either floor or table board and only $120. Just add like a Go accessory for another like $10 and you have free shipping. Killer deal if you ask me. And you won't have to deal with cheap grass bowls. Bleh.

If you are talking about getting a high quality set, I'd definitely figure out whether you really want a real kaya board. I think the shin-kaya is a quite solid on it's own, and the key thing you'll really want in terms of quality would be your stones. Slate and shell my friend. Here's a link to a set I'm thinking of buying but agonizing over price because I'm a poor graduate student. =D

http://www.ymimports.com/p-985-shell-an ... ze-33.aspx

I've shopped around and although this may not be snow grade, it's 9.2 mm stones at Moon Grade quality which I think should be more than adequate.

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http://www.bengozen.com

I have nice wooden bowls for my shell & slate stones, but I'm very fond of the grass bowls for my yunzi. The tight fitting lids are great.