Cherry Rock‑Ola Shuffleboard Tables | A Warm, Vintage‑Inspired Interpretation of the 1948 Classic
The Cherry Rock‑Ola Shuffleboard Table offers a rich, warm reinterpretation of the iconic 1948–49 Rock‑Ola design. While the original mid‑century Rock‑Ola tables were crafted primarily from poplar and accented with a narrow maple apron, today’s Cherry Rock‑Ola brings a significantly more refined and enduring hardwood presence to the cabinet. Crafted from solid American cherry for the legs, horse collar, and sub‑frame, this model delivers a depth of color and character that simply wasn’t possible during the 1940s manufacturing era.
Cherry hardwood is prized for its smooth texture, exceptional stability, and unmistakable amber‑red tones that deepen naturally over time. As the years pass, a Cherry Rock‑Ola develops a rich patina, the wood mellows, warms, and gains the timeless glow that makes antique furnishings so sought‑after. This makes the Cherry model an elevated choice for customers who want their shuffleboard table not only to play beautifully, but also to age gracefully and become a true heirloom centerpiece.
Re‑Created With Precision | True to the 1948 Design, Enhanced by Cherry Hardwood
Every Cherry Rock‑Ola shuffleboard table is handcrafted start‑to‑finish by a single master craftsman, following the same meticulous process used for our maple and walnut models. More than 80 hours go into shaping, carving, sanding, and assembling each table, ensuring that no detail is overlooked. The teardrop‑shaped horse collar, the sculpted cabinet profiles, the hand‑cut hardwood diamond inlays, and the classic Rock‑Ola curves all stay faithful to the historic design while benefiting from modern precision and improved material quality.
Cherry’s consistent grain structure allows the craftsman to shape the horse collar with exceptional smoothness, creating a striking contrast between the warm cherry tones and the lighter maple side aprons. The result is a Rock‑Ola that captures the visual spirit of the originals while presenting a richer, more furniture‑grade appearance.
A Professional‑Grade Playboard With Lifetime Warranty
At the heart of every Cherry Rock‑Ola is the same legendary play surface used across all McClure Rock‑Ola models: a 20-inch-wide, 3-inch-thick hard maple playboard finished with our multi‑layer traditional coating. This board provides tournament‑quality performance with smooth glide, consistent speed, and long‑term dimensional stability. The playboard is backed by a lifetime warranty, ensuring that your Cherry Rock‑Ola performs beautifully for decades of dedicated use.
A Warm, Historic Look With Modern Durability
What sets the Cherry Rock‑Ola apart is the blend of vintage aesthetics and long‑term structural strength. Unlike the original 1948 tables — which relied heavily on soft poplar and were susceptible to movement — the Cherry Rock‑Ola uses kiln‑dried cherry hardwood throughout the major cabinet components. This upgrade dramatically improves rigidity, durability, and the cabinet's ability to withstand environmental and humidity changes.
Cherry’s natural color development also gives the table a dynamic beauty that evolves with the room in which it’s placed. Over time, your Cherry Rock‑Ola will shift from a bright amber‑honey tone to deeper, richer shades of red and brown, enhancing the nostalgic, mid‑century personality of the table.
A Perfect Centerpiece for Classic, Rustic, or Craftsman‑Style Interiors
The Cherry Rock‑Ola is especially well‑suited for:
- traditional home game rooms
- classic American interior styles
- Craftsman and mission‑inspired décor
- rustic cabins, lodges, and lake houses
- warm‑toned entertainment spaces
Its inviting color palette and authentic antique character allow it to integrate naturally into environments that favor organic materials and heritage craftsmanship.
Custom Finishes and Authentic Rock‑Ola Details
Although Cherry is beautiful on its own, you can further tailor your table with a wide range of stains and finishes. Whether you want a subtle warm tone or a deep, antique‑style patina from day one, each Rock‑Ola is finished to order by hand. Optional upgrades, including bead scoring, electronic scoring units, protective covers, and enhanced accessory kits, allow you to personalize your table exactly as you envision it.