House Of Chess vs Chess Bazaar "Zagreb" version

Hi, I would like input on choosing one of the two set.

1)https://www.houseofchess.com/ringy-rosewood-boxwood-chess-set-pieces-yugo-zagreb-staunton-3-75-inch-95-mm-2-extra-queens-double-weighted.html

2)https://www.chessbazaar.com/offers-zone/clearance-sale/old-1959-russian-zagreb-staunton-chess-pieces-in-rosewood-natural-boxwood-3-8-king.html

I am leaning toward the CB set because of the HOS stamped on top of the light coloured rook (unless I can order them without) on the HOS set. However, the opposite finial colour is only on the Bishop instead of of on Queen, King and Bishop like the CB set (is it confusing to have so many pieces with different finial colour during play?),  also the CB set is slightly bigger (King base 42 mm vs 38 mm). I will be using on a 50mm (2") board. Has anyone experience with both sets. Any input so that I can make one choice . Thanks

For a 2” square size, I would get The House of Chess set.  This set design has the pieces sit larger than the base would predict.  

I have bought from both places and they both offer good quality for the price.

I also like some of the wood choices from The House of Chess.

Thanks for the information. Does your set has the logo "House of Chess" on top of rook as the picture shows?

No, my set does not have that engraving.

Here are photos of the CB set on an old folding Drueke non-wood 2” board from the early 70s. One major difference between the two sets is the knights. Note the CB knight is much thicker in profile. Also look at the difference in the bases of the pieces. 

Thanks . Does the different colour of the finials on the pieces a distraction during games?

No.

That looks like a very nice set. In terms of "bulgy bases and more massive knights," it is much closer to the one from CB (see my photos above) than the particular set from House of Chess that the OP was considering. The king is larger than either of the two the OP was considering (4") but the base(1.6") seems suitable for a 2" board.

Does not bother me either.

I do agree with sound67 on the “Yugo” Zagreb set being the best.

I bought one and that is much nicer than my HoS Zagreb that the other two are based on.

Thanks for your help, on a side note what do you all think of the wood version of Magnus Carlsen Plastic set as offered by Chess Empire and Chess bazzaar (under "championship").

https://www.thechessempire.com/magnus-carlsen.html

Well, they are not for me. But tastes change over time. The Zagreb grew on me. At first I was attracted to the set because of the very thing you have doubts about - the contrasting finials - but I thought the knights were not that desirable. The knight design really grew on me but I was attracted more to the "thin" knights, such as shown on the House of Chess set you link. Those, by the way, have very narrow faces, too narrow for me. Then I began to like better the wider faced knights with bulkier bases, like the CB set you link, and I eventually bought, or the set Sound67 has (which House of Chess sells for more - with a box - than the set you linked to). Now I have developed a genuine fondness for the knights and have been tempted to buy a second set. 

Opposite colored finials have been a popular design feature for Eastern European and Russian chess sets. The Zagreb 59 is a blend of the Dubrovnik with Soviet era set design. It's not a fact but rather my opinion about this set. Love the design just not the fake historical marketing gimmick used to sell this set originally. It seems to be growing in popularity. There is a blitz chess channel on YouTube in Spanish. That uses the Zagreb set a lot in their games. Not a stable design for blitz play but non the less a nice looking set.

  ajedrez callejero (mate inevitable) - YouTube

What do you think about the wood version of Carlsen Plastic chess pieces

Personally, I don’t like it.  The pieces are too bulky.

@phungbest Me personally I don't really like the plastic or wooden versions of the Carlsen set. It's just a design that doesn't float my boat. I will play games with them but I have no desire to own them myself. 

Thank You,  Eyechess, sound67, RichardHG, KnightsForkCafe for your helpful advices. Since I will use a 50 mm board (2") I will order soon the smaller set from the House of Chess/Pleasant Times.

https://www.houseofchess.com/ringy-rosewood-boxwood-chess-set-pieces-yugo-zagreb-staunton-3-75-inch-95-mm-2-extra-queens-double-weighted.html

The CB set the HOC 4" would be slightly too big for my board.

I will make sure that they don't stamp the HOC logo on top of the rook as shown on their picture, I would find it quite a distraction. Maybe also make the finials opposite colour on the queen and king also like its larger 4" version.

I have notice that Chess Bazaar is much stronger marketing wise than House of Chess. My set will cost $89.95 (10% off 99.95$) while the Chess Bazaar which is on Clearance at 54% off is still $90. The larger HOC 4" is $149.95 (19% off 184.95$) but includes a nice wooden box. I think the price is fair (not at 54% or 213.99$ as advertised). Thanks again

@phungbest You are welcome. Yeah that set should work for a board with 2"-50mm squares. Here is my Modern Series set on a board with the same square size. Wholesale chess is currently out of stock at the moment but with a starting price of $69 is an attractive price.

House of Staunton - The Modern Chess Pieces - 3.75" King | Wholesale Chess

Thanks, It looks very nice. I went ahead with your suggestion and order the smaller set from House of Chess/Pleasant Times. They reassure me that they will not stamp their logo on the rooks and they will make the finials opposite color on the Queen and the King like their bigger 4" set. They are very prompt and quick with answering emails. Let see the set when I will get it. 

I just received the set that I order from the House of Chess. It is spectacular. The order was fullfilled so quickly and every little request was done. So I got myself a nice little semi-custom set that is not on their catalogue. The set looks actually better in real life than their pictures. The best feature is probably the wood selection for the dark pieces. I don't know the exact wood ("ringy rosewood") but the grain is very and subtle and gorgeous. I will post pictures soon.