Here my favorite Adam Custom Cue, this is what Full Splice Means

manwon

manwon

"WARLOCK 1"
Silver Member
Here is a cue that was brought in by a custom for a refinish. The gentleman purchased this cue in 1974, with two shafts and used it since that time. This is my favorite cue of all time that Adam every made, and when you talk about a Full Splice this is an exact description of what that means, the handle
is fully Spliced into the cues forearm and the cues butt and it's wood makes the points in both. With all the work in this cue the inner and outer points are perfectly even, for an import this cue was certainly built by a craftsman.

With all that said, it is still hard to believe that these cues have never reached their true value because they were made Japan. Even though their designs and point work were beyond what was being built in America during the same time frame.

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Oh and by the way, this model is the A/H-12 Century.

Enjoy Craig
 
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I really dig the A/H-12, it's one of the cues I wish to own some day.

I agree, it is an excellent example of the genre and an excellent cue in general.

I have a couple old Adam cues but nothing of that caliber. I have one from the seventies and one from the eighties.

Great cue and really great pics. Thanks for showing that!
 
Well i guess technically it's an import, but since it was made by american craftmanship, and by americans David Fortner, and Dick Helmstetter, it's more of an american cue that was built in Japan. Hardly an import at all, and definately not what comes to mind from an "import". That being said, i've also seen some pretty decent fullsplice cues from the same time period that came from Taiwan. Seems sad to me that the veneered fullsplice has become a lost art for the most part. The best foundation for a cue, being used the least:confused: The epitomy of 2 steps forward, 3 steps back?
 
Import - shmimport!! That is one fantastic looking cue...and we all know if it had someone else's name on it, the price of it would be increased by the power of 10!

I'm betting the hit of this cue rivals many SS joint customs out there! It sure is a beauty!

Jason
 
danutz said:
Well i guess technically it's an import, but since it was made by american craftmanship, and by americans David Fortner, and Dick Helmstetter,
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From what I understand Helmstetter made improvements at the factory that Forman was importing cues from. I believe these cues to be made by Asian hands actually, in an Asian factory....in Asia. :wink:

Not to diminish Helmstetter. I dig the cues he made and I dig the cues he designed and I dig the cues the Asian factories made for him. That's why I have two and want more.....
 
Actually, the cues design was made Richard Helemstter but all Adam cues were built by Japanese craftsmen. The factory these cues were built in was in operation before Adam Cues and is still in operation today. In fact it is building the Mezz Cues from Japan, and along with a number of other brands.

So while Richard did retool the factory to start build Adam cues they have always been made by the Japanese so in the true sense of the word they are imports. Now I never said the quality sucked, in fact I think they were made as well as the Palmer cues from the 60's and 70's. In my opinion the only reason their value is so much lower is because they have always been viewed as an import.
 
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manwon said:
Actually, the cues design was made Richard Helemstter but all Adam cues were built by Japanese craftsmen. The factory these cues were built in was in operation before Adam Cues and is still in operation today. In fact it is building the Mezz Cues from Japan, and along with a number of other brands.

So while Richard did retool the factory to start build Adam cues they have always been made by the Japanese so in the true sense of the word they are imports. Now I never said the quality sucked, in fact I think they were made as well as the Palmer cues from the 60's and 70's. In my opinion the only reason their value is so much lower is because they have always been viewed as an import.
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OMG! You let the cat out of the bag! The precious Mez cues.....are Adam cues......:yikes::yikes::yikes:

I don't think people are ready for the truth manwon....... :o
 
Chopdoc said:
OMG! You let the cat out of the bag! The precious Mez cues.....are Adam cues......:yikes::yikes::yikes:

I don't think people are ready for the truth manwon....... :o
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Actually, the factory that made the Adam cues makes the Mezz all on their own, I am uncertain if they make the new Adam cues or not.

One thing is for certain they do not give Richard Helemstetter much credit for his contribution to their current success.

Here is link to their website:

http://www.miki-mezz.com/world/company/history.html

It is good reading!!!:)
 
manwon said:
Actually, the factory that made the Adam cues makes the Mezz all on their own, I am uncertain if they make the new Adam cues or not.

One thing is for certain they do not give Richard Helemstetter much credit for his contribution to their current success.

Here is link to their website:

http://www.miki-mezz.com/world/company/history.html

It is good reading!!!:)
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I was being facetious....Adam is not Mezz....but actually I think the Adam cues, as well as their Balabushka and Helmstetter lines, are made in the same factory. But I am not certain of that.

I've read that "history" on the Mezz site before. Funny how they word all that. I mean, sure they were there before Helmstetter, but I really think he was instrumental in making them what they are today.
 
Chopdoc said:
I was being facetious....Adam is not Mezz....but actually I think the Adam cues, as well as their Balabushka and Helmstetter lines, are made in the same factory. But I am not certain of that.

I've read that "history" on the Mezz site before. Funny how they word all that. I mean, sure they were there before Helmstetter, but I really think he was instrumental in making them what they are today.
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Adam cues have an americans heart, plain and simple. They would never have got off the ground without Dickie.
 
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. They would never have got off the ground without Dickie.[/QUOTE]


There is no doubt about that!!!!!
 
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Great old cue Craig! Thanks for sharing the pics....to bad wrapless wasn't that popluar back in those days. Cool Adam cue :thumbup:
 
krbsailing said:
Great old cue Craig! Thanks for sharing the pics....to bad wrapless wasn't that popluar back in those days. Cool Adam cue :thumbup:
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I talked with the owner about that, but he wanted it wrapped again. The truth is the cue is really fat and could have been made wrapless with no problem. I just think it is such a waste to cover up all that beautiful wood.
 
With it being as nice as it is I would want to preserve it too. I would want it wrapped. I am kind of geeky about keeping them original I guess.

But if I could have anything I wanted I would look for a second one, maybe nicked up, and have that one cut down and done up without a wrap....so I would have it both ways. :thumbup:
 
Chopdoc said:
With it being as nice as it is I would want to preserve it too. I would want it wrapped. I am kind of geeky about keeping them original I guess.

But if I could have anything I wanted I would look for a second one, maybe nicked up, and have that one cut down and done up without a wrap....so I would have it both ways. :thumbup:
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This one had the shit beat out of it. After I took the finish off I had to steam out some major dents, most people would sand them out but I like to try and keep a cue as original as possible.
 
If it was that beat I would consider cutting it down....but did you say he owned it a long time?

Sentimental value is hard to beat.

Great of you to put your best foot forward to do it right. :thumbup: That's a hell of a lot of work especially on one that's beat up.

I have a few older ones with dents that will need redone when I get the money and I won't be talking to anybody that just wants to sand them down. Get the dents out and make them as original as possible is what I will want. There are signatures and stuff to save as well....so it won't be easy or cheap, I know that. If I wanted a quickie sand it down and slap on some clear I would have had them done cheap already. But they are worth preserving....to me at least.

The cue looks beautiful, and you say it was beat up, so your work really is outstanding. Well done, and definitely worth it on that cue. :thumbup:

.
 
I got an old Helmstetter wrapless full splice that as soon as I can figure out how to squirrel some money away for it, will be hopefully sending/taking to Craig for a face-lift. Can't bring myself to part with the old warrior...although many have tried!
 
that is the nicest adam i've seen...and it's the only one that i've wanted...
 
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