Titlist value question

sharpq

sharpq

What's a "Taper Roll" ???
Silver Member
Vinniebabarooch and I were having a discussion and I decided to get some AZ'r inputs on the subject. The question was...... All things being equal, what is more valuable, a wrapless converted Titlist or one converted w/ a wrap. Keep in mind everything about the cues is the same, except a wrap installed. Let's hear some opinions! I know this is the "gallery", but thought more people would voice an opinion here since this is where you see them displayed. Thanks in advance.

Edit: Also, they would still be "true fullspliced". Points and handle same piece of wood.


Todd
 
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I would say with a wrap (leather) would be worth more. But I think more importantly is who does the conversion that makes it valuable. I would say a wrapless conversion done by David Jacoby couldn't command a price as if James white does one with a wrap. Not knocking Jacoby, it's just the way it is.
 
Brain71 said:
I would say with a wrap (leather) would be worth more. But I think more importantly is who does the conversion that makes it valuable. I would say a wrapless conversion done by David Jacoby couldn't command a price as if James white does one with a wrap. Not knocking Jacoby, it's just the way it is.
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Thanks for the input, but remember "all things being equal". So, say the conversions are done by the same maker. Does the wrap hurt the value or help. Or, is it preference?
 
Subjectiveness

Beauty.....and value are in the eye of the beholder. Just my 2cents :grin: I personally would like to see as much of that old wood as possible and would pay more for the wrapless! One day maybe.
 
I think the only difference is that you'd have a slightly wider audience in resale. You can always put a wrap on... Beyond that, I prefer linen on a playing cue - so that's what I have on my Titlists. Could always change to leather.
More important is that it's kept full splice - although you see a lot of very expensive conversions by big names that have been cut into short splice versions.
 
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= or not =

I have to insist the titlist be chopped and a handle installed and a wrap. Then you have a real cue. Especially if a great builder is involved.
Anything else is little more than a sneakie pete made with a old bar cue. And that is of little value to me.
Nick :)
 
nick serdula said:
I have to insist the titlist be chopped and a handle installed and a wrap. Then you have a real cue. Especially if a great builder is involved.
Anything else is little more than a sneakie pete made with a old bar cue. And that is of little value to me.
Nick :)
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So your saying, a cue with an end to end "A" joint, plays better than a fullspliced cue? That's for discussion on a different thread!! :) I always was under the impression that a Titlist kept "full spliced" was more valuable than cutting it.

Any more opinions on the wrap vs. wrapless pertaining towards value?
 
I think when it's still wrapless, it's more valuable .. becuase the Cue has to be flawless from the Joint down to the Buttcape and no imperfections can be hidden behind a Wrap (no matter which one)

...so i will always go with wrapless :grin-square::thumbup:

Best
Berny
 
I guess for me it doesn't really matter on the name of the person who converted it but more so about the finished product.
 
I personally like it unwrapped,so i can see the whole thing,once its cut it isn't any different than a normal cue.Which I would prefer anyway. I have never seen one that is anywhere near perfection,and I have had many of the worlds finest cue makersmake them for me knowing it was nearly impossible to get the points even or cover the flaws

i started using prather blanks because they are much better than titleist and the only way to tell them apart is the prather points are usually much better

you might be interested in knowing the opinion of Dennis Glenn ,the big collector,he has both styles,1 from eack great cuemaker and he much prefers the wrapless,but he has balabushkas with wraps

oh yes i find it to be in poor taste to mention one cuemaker vs another and give an opinion as to value,reardless of a disclaimer it is still a knock to someone who is putting his heart into making cues and trying to make a living for his family.
 
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AnthonyLewis208 said:
Beauty.....and value are in the eye of the beholder. Just my 2cents :grin: I personally would like to see as much of that old wood as possible and would pay more for the wrapless! One day maybe.
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I would have to agree. If the wrapless titlist conversion is done well and by a well known cuemaker, then it would demand a high price in my mind. Old wood and full splice, that's what makes a titlist special to me.
 
As Berny had already mentioned...it is much, much harder to find just the right Titlist that would be suitable for a wrapless full splice. Even points, vibrant veneers, and above all else...no wobble in the handle or butt. There are just not many of them out there that are suitable...which is why you see so many conversions where the splice has been cut and a handle added, and then covered with a wrap.

IMHO, it is more historically correct to, when ever possible, leave the cue wrapless, as that is what the original Titlist cues were, along with it's predecessor, the 26 1/2.

When you do have the perfect candidate for a wrapless...it seems almost a travesty to add a wrap to it.

Lisa
 
In my opinion a true full splice wrapless would be more valuable because it is a much more tougher blank to locate that would make a better end result.
 
The answer is Wrap-less. The wrap-less cue can always be changed to wrap, but the reverse is not always true or justifiable because of the cost.

I prefer wrap-less only if you can keep the points 4" or less from the bottom of the joint collar. Anything more upsets the aesthetic balance.
 
Hmmm. Interesting discussion.

I just finished my first converted Titlist, and added a leather wrap.

It is still a full splice (the only way I'll do a cue myself) and the handle could have been left 'as-is' (early construction photos show it and it looks just fine); it was plenty straight enough, even with my above average butt diameter (the CUE, not me...:rolleyes:).

But, with all things being equal, it totally comes down to personal preference. This is my first Titlist conversion, and it was a challenge for sure. From the joint to the butt it was plenty straight enough to leave 'naked'; however I prefer a wrap- we'll see if I prefer leather over linen, as this is my first leather wrapped cue.

Yes, the wood has to be 'nicer' to leave it un-wrapped; however it is is so ugly with flaws and/or out of straight, just cutting a shallow wrap groove is not going to magically correct that... It's either a good piece, or a bad piece and no wrap in the world (except maybe high-pressure carbon fiber???) is going to change that.

The age of the wood and the fact that it was air dried before construction are the keys that make the Titlist great (in my opinion) and they have little if any resemblance to a brand-new house cue which is newer wood that has been kiln dried. THAT is the key I think.

The 'flaws' add to the character of the cue too- I just finished this one and it could have been made in the early seventies based on how it looks... there is no question it came from a Titlist; rather than a 'perfect point' homage cue- both great in their own way.:thumbup:

That being said, I think it looks OK and I am happy with how it came out. Your results may vary!:wink:
 
sharpq said:
Vinniebabarooch and I were having a discussion and I decided to get some AZ'r inputs on the subject. The question was...... All things being equal, what is more valuable, a wrapless converted Titlist or one converted w/ a wrap. Keep in mind everything about the cues is the same, except a wrap installed. Let's hear some opinions! I know this is the "gallery", but thought more people would voice an opinion here since this is where you see them displayed. Thanks in advance.

Edit: Also, they would still be "true fullspliced". Points and handle same piece of wood.


Todd
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I would much rather have the wrapless cue myself - for appearance and to keep the originality of the cue. To me, the wrapless is a major advantage, so I would likely pay more for it. I also like it when they keep the decals and weight imprint.

I also really prefer the older Titlists or 26 1/2's that have the nicely finished lower points - and prefer to have them exposed.

Chris
 
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Wrapless shows off the whole Titlist.

The problem with making a wrapless Titlist is finding one that has enough diameter at the joint, most do not.

The two pictured below have such pretty wood and sharp points at the handle it would have been a shame to wrap them. To solve the problem Dave & Jim added their unique intarsia swirl butt sleeves to the bottom.

Problem solved, .840" joint diameter, longer and even points, retained full splice, no wrap.


samsara_Q2183x.jpg

samsara_Q2184x.jpg
 
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