otb tournament chess set selection

Is there an established, yet informal procedure for chess set and board selection between two players in any given round when both players have their own tournament-suitable pieces and boards, and the tournament organization does not provide the boards and/or pieces? Does White have the choice to use his/her board and pieces, or Black. I realize that it is a trivial subject, as chess is the same game with all chess sets. I'd just like to know if indeed one player has the choice as opposed to his/her opponent. Not looking for arguments, nor wish to start one.

If I remember correctly, it is the choice of the player with the black (or white I don’t remember) pieces to use their clock and board or not. However, if one player doesn’t have equipment they just use the other players equipment. It’s really low pressure, at least it was at the Corn Husker State Games. 

in USCF the standard is for black to be able to choose the set and clock. It is only a courtesy though. The chess set and chess clock must be standard tournament equipment specs. You cant use a non Staunton set, for instance, you cant use a tiny analysis set either. I have seen people in USCF tournaments use non standard sets though- it was children, and they both thought it was fine. In a tournament, if someone presents non standard equipment, it is up to you to object- first to the other player, then if needed, go to the TD. Players can, by agreement choose to use the white players set as well, just ask. If the black player is late, the TD is moments from kicking off the round, go ahead and set up your board and clock.

Thanks. There's been so much talk of the Lardy sets and leather boards that I thought I' take my set and board to a tournament this weekend.

You can choose any set you like but just remember that your opponent has the right to reject to play with your board or pieces for any reason. During a tournament I had a bunch of kids object to playing with my Dubrovnik pieces because the king did not have a cross on top so they got confused between the king and queen. Some of their parents even intervened to make sure their kids could use their own sets (I imagine to make them feel more familiar and comfortable).

I think I'll let the chess set I want to bring along do its own talking. If anyone wants to use it playing against me, I'll certainly go with it. It might even create an interest in collecting.

According to CCA which runs a lot of the big tournaments in the US sets can be rejected by white player but there has to be a reason and it can be appealed and decided on by a TD. Lets say a standard ebony and Boxwood 1849 or plastic black and white Ultimate Chess Set was rejected by white player and black appealed to a TD. Black will almost definitely win and be allowed to use either set. However, if the set was a Dubrovnik or any set in which pieces have finials are differently colored than the rest of the body then the set has grounds for rejection. (This is their personal rule not USCF).

I personally have rejected very beat up and dirty sets. I have also rejected set/board combinations with bad contrast i.e. black and white pieces with black and white vinyl board.   

Emphasis mine. Unless you just mean something like "maybe my opponent hasn't seen a Zagreb set before, and it might spark their curiosity," this kinda sounds like you're dropping hints about a cool set, possibly one you make yourself. Please, do go on...

The set I was speaking of is a boxed Lardy set I bought back in the 90's. Along with it I purchased a large roll-up leather board with marked ranks and files. Playing on it has a nice feel, but I'm sure that, for those who are serious about tournament play, will not appreciate too much deviation from the norm. I'll take the set to the next tournament I play in and give any of my opponents the opportunity to play with the set. Even if no one does, I'd still like to show it off. Guess I've been away for too long.

Well, there's nothing wrong with a Lardy design. Is there anything else about the set/board that would turn people off?

Not necessarily be a turn off. One of the interesting things about the set is when I first received it, one of the crosses on the White King was broken, and one of the eyes on one of the Black Knights did not have pupils. I notified the company I purchased the set from and they graciously replaced both pieces, and, after inquiry, insisted that I retain the damaged pieces. My only idea of a downside is that the set didn't come with the "extra-Queen" for promotions for either color. I guess they thought a broken King and and one-eyed Knight would do the trick. LOL! Other than playing on a leather board which gives a completely different "feel" to the game and might lead to distraction and/or error, there's nothing "wrong" with the set.

I don't think anyone would have reason to object to your set, unless the board is some nonstandard, goofy color. I don't think the lack of a second queen should be an issue.

To add, I'm married to a wonderful woman and have been for almost 25 years and she's a very understanding woman whom I adore. But a one-eyes Knight and a broken King doesn't sound to her like an appropriate "promotion". Of course, two Queens is also out of the question. So, I guess my set is truly a novelty...

Well if you want to play it safe. You can always get an affordable basic set that shouldn't get any complaints. House of Chess offers a good range of affordable wooden sets under $100. Here's a set that I might get for Christmas gift to myself.

https://www.houseofchess.com/grand-master-staunton-tournament-chess-set-pieces-king-size-3-3-4-broad-base-2-extra-queens-blood-rosewood-boxwood.html

Sadly there will always be complaints. I have had people say they didn't want to use my 3.75" SC 1849 in Ebony and Natural Boxwood.  They preferred the generic unweighted plastic set. 

I would say tough noogies on that

Yeah, that's what I was thinking. I'd push back on someone wanting to use an unweighted set, haha. I've used unweighted sets a few times. It's doable, but not fun.

Unfortunately my chess clubs default sets were the unweighted super cheap plastic sets. In the club if a member doesn't agree to use your set then the clubs set becomes the default. Luckily enough my club bought about 75 appliance white Ultimate Chess Sets and boards. So now the default itself is very pleasant to play with. 

Do you think the other player maybe thought it was an unfair advantage — no matter how slim — to be playing with your personal set? Using the default unweighted plastic club set may be painful, but it's equally painful for both sides  

That's exactly what I'm thinking. Like they wanted to not be distracted by newness even if it's better.