Well since the other shaft thread I had typed on measuring went over well, let me start a new one about replacement shafts.
I own a Gus Szamboti, inherited when my uncle passed away. Unfortunately I like a fuller shaft, these shafts were a tad over 12.5. So I have been looking to obtain either Gus Szamboti replacement shafts, or maybe lucky enough to score some by Mottey, or another cuemaker with matching collars. I came close not that long ago, but we know how that worked out.
Anyways, I was chatting with Skip Weston and he had some time and I asked him to check on some shafts he had hanging. I told him what I liked and he knew of my desire to make my late uncles cue my playing cue. So he found two shafts that have been hanging in cutting stages since 2001. I liked the grain alot, and they were solid. So he made a cut to 13mm and I checked them out. Once I saw them sans ferrule and tips I had to have them. So I took them with the ivory ferrules and I supplied the Mooris. Less than 6 days later I had my new shafts.
Perfect. 13mm, straight and 4.1 oz matching. You cannot ask for much more than that. Playability.. not even a question. I had given the game up for a few years to establish my business but within a few hours it was like I never stopped playing.
So this leads me to the fact there are always thin shafted cues for sale. I know as a player and most collectors will shy away from thin shafts. But if you can negotiate the proper price, you should not hesitate to purchase a thin shafted cue.
Now.. who should make your shafts? Good question. If the cuemaker is deceased, then you need to decide whats important. If you are keeping the cue, like in my case, you need to go with someone you are very comfortable with. If resale is the objective, then you need to go with someone with a reputation. If you had a Balabushka, Tascarella is probably the next best thing. But any of the name cuemakers are a solid investment, as well as lending any credibility to your sale. If you have a South West, it's not even a question. Send it to them. They have 2 tapers, but originality is the key. Not that anyone couldn't make the shafts, but why would you want to send it to someone else? Wait the time and get the proper shaft.
Always keep the original shafts. Never let the replacement cuemaker use the collars for parts. Your cue will always have added value with the original shafts, even if they are 12.5.
Negotiate the best price you can. But remember if a shaft costs 250.00, and there is a wait, then you should try and get money for the down time of the cue. Thats my opinion, anyways. If I am laying out cash and I won't be able to benefit from ownership for a few months, it will be adjusted in my negotiation. But everyone's situation is different, so do what you think is right, and be happy with your purchase. But don't be fearful of a thin shafted cue, it could turn out to be a really sweet deal when all is said and done.
JV
I own a Gus Szamboti, inherited when my uncle passed away. Unfortunately I like a fuller shaft, these shafts were a tad over 12.5. So I have been looking to obtain either Gus Szamboti replacement shafts, or maybe lucky enough to score some by Mottey, or another cuemaker with matching collars. I came close not that long ago, but we know how that worked out.
Anyways, I was chatting with Skip Weston and he had some time and I asked him to check on some shafts he had hanging. I told him what I liked and he knew of my desire to make my late uncles cue my playing cue. So he found two shafts that have been hanging in cutting stages since 2001. I liked the grain alot, and they were solid. So he made a cut to 13mm and I checked them out. Once I saw them sans ferrule and tips I had to have them. So I took them with the ivory ferrules and I supplied the Mooris. Less than 6 days later I had my new shafts.
Perfect. 13mm, straight and 4.1 oz matching. You cannot ask for much more than that. Playability.. not even a question. I had given the game up for a few years to establish my business but within a few hours it was like I never stopped playing.
So this leads me to the fact there are always thin shafted cues for sale. I know as a player and most collectors will shy away from thin shafts. But if you can negotiate the proper price, you should not hesitate to purchase a thin shafted cue.
Now.. who should make your shafts? Good question. If the cuemaker is deceased, then you need to decide whats important. If you are keeping the cue, like in my case, you need to go with someone you are very comfortable with. If resale is the objective, then you need to go with someone with a reputation. If you had a Balabushka, Tascarella is probably the next best thing. But any of the name cuemakers are a solid investment, as well as lending any credibility to your sale. If you have a South West, it's not even a question. Send it to them. They have 2 tapers, but originality is the key. Not that anyone couldn't make the shafts, but why would you want to send it to someone else? Wait the time and get the proper shaft.
Always keep the original shafts. Never let the replacement cuemaker use the collars for parts. Your cue will always have added value with the original shafts, even if they are 12.5.
Negotiate the best price you can. But remember if a shaft costs 250.00, and there is a wait, then you should try and get money for the down time of the cue. Thats my opinion, anyways. If I am laying out cash and I won't be able to benefit from ownership for a few months, it will be adjusted in my negotiation. But everyone's situation is different, so do what you think is right, and be happy with your purchase. But don't be fearful of a thin shafted cue, it could turn out to be a really sweet deal when all is said and done.
JV