Need advice on restoring cue

J510

J510

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I have a Mcdermott D21 that I've owned since new that is currently at the Mcdermott factory getting a maintenance done. It is in great condition. It was completly refinished by Mcdermott about 10 years ago. I was thinking of getting it refinished again in either a natural or a dark gray stain on the forearm and an Italian lizard leather wrap. If my intention is to sell it, am I better of making these changes or keeping it the way it is. Any input or comments would be greatly appreciated as I have to make this decision in a few days. Thanks
 
This is how I see it, it will depend on your asking price after the refinish. The cue is only worth x amount of $ and the restoration is not cheap. The extra work will increase the value a little, but, it's biggest advantage will be to make your cue more attractive to buyers. Honestly, if it were me, and I had all that work done, I would keep it unless you get an offer that will cover your expenses + the market value of your cue.

Do some homework and do a search to determine the selling price of your cue. This will give you a good idea of what you are up against.
 
I definitely wouldn't stain it gray and I would keep the cue. Those old D series McDermott cues are great playing cues. I had a D21. If you decide to sell, you won't have too much trouble selling it. Hard to say what it would bring in this market.
 
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The stain may not sink into the wood like you would like. I may soak into the wood too much. I don't think I would stain the cue because you don't know how it will blend into the forearm.
 
J510 said:
I have a Mcdermott D21 that I've owned since new that is currently at the Mcdermott factory getting a maintenance done. It is in great condition. It was completly refinished by Mcdermott about 10 years ago. I was thinking of getting it refinished again in either a natural or a dark gray stain on the forearm and an Italian lizard leather wrap. If my intention is to sell it, am I better of making these changes or keeping it the way it is. Any input or comments would be greatly appreciated as I have to make this decision in a few days. Thanks
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In my opinion if McDermott is doing the work it should in no way decrease the cues value, if anyone else does it that would hurt the resale price.

However, I would not change the original design by adding a Lizard skin wrap, I would go with a standard McDermott Leather wrap, Linen Wrap, or a cork wrap that would have come with the cue when new.
 
Leave it alone. Let the buyer decide how they want it refinished if they

have the desire to do so.
 
you might get an extra 100 by having it refinished. problem is you will be paying out more than that to McDermott cues. Unless you were rough with the cue the past ten years, I would sell it as is which will increase your overall money to you. You can check AZ and Ebay to get a general idea of what it might sell for. Depending on present condition and straightness, I would guess 250-375.
 
First, I would strongly consider keeping it. If you keep it, do whatever you like with it as far as modifications. I strongly feel that a modified cue is not a restored cue though.

As an aside I will say that the numerous cues that I see "restored" with more modern finishes are not actually restored, they are modified.

If you are going to sell it, just clean it up. Make sure the shaft and ferrule are clean so the cue looks presentable and maybe buff the butt a little.

I think hotrod has the price range nailed but I would lean toward the higher end of his estimate for sure. A particularly nice example would bring an even stronger price than that though.

As an example I recently sold a D-3 here for $150. That cue was re-sold on Ebay for $250. It was a fairly pristine example with a particularly nicely figured bubinga forearm so I think it's value was maxed out.

The D series are great cues. I am a big fan. I have had one myself since the late eighties and will never sell it.
 
What to do?

That all depends on if your keeping it or selling it.

If your keeping it and have no intention of selling you can customize it.
I would suggest a McDermott Embossed Italian Leather wrap show here: http://www.mcdermottcue.com/g1301.php

I would not suggest staining it as the cue is old and keeping it in original condition would be justice for the cue. If you do decide to sell in the future the cue wouldn't be as valuable if you have changed the finish and collectors wouldn't be interested.

Changing the wrap on a cue is accepted as wear and tear from use is expected. Keeping it as original as possible excluding the wrap is the way to go in my opinion
 
Not trying to be a wet blanket but, technically, since nothing is for sale/trade/ or wanted to buy, I believe this type of post would be better suited for the main forum.

By doing so you would help the guys who are dealing here to not have their threads pushed further down.

GL with your restoration, though.

Best,
Brian kc
 
J510 said:
I have a Mcdermott D21 that I've owned since new that is currently at the Mcdermott factory getting a maintenance done. It is in great condition. It was completly refinished by Mcdermott about 10 years ago. I was thinking of getting it refinished again in either a natural or a dark gray stain on the forearm and an Italian lizard leather wrap. If my intention is to sell it, am I better of making these changes or keeping it the way it is. Any input or comments would be greatly appreciated as I have to make this decision in a few days. Thanks
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grey is ugly on that cue in my opinion, the natural stain they originally used is much nicer. If your selling it I don't know about the wrap, to me it would be a down fall because I dont like leather and would have to change it, nor do I think you'll gain much in value by adding leather on that cue.
 
Kickin' Chicken said:
Not trying to be a wet blanket but, technically, since nothing is for sale/trade/ or wanted to buy, I believe this type of post would be better suited for the main forum.

By doing so you would help the guys who are dealing here to not have their threads pushed further down.

GL with your restoration, though.

Best,
Brian kc
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I originally posted this in the main forum and the mods moved it to this one. If they would move it back I would appreciate it. Thank you
 
manwon said:
In my opinion if McDermott is doing the work it should in no way decrease the cues value, if anyone else does it that would hurt the resale price.

However, I would not change the original design by adding a Lizard skin wrap, I would go with a standard McDermott Leather wrap, Linen Wrap, or a cork wrap that would have come with the cue when new.
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I saw the original ad for the entire D series. It stated that cues from D-20 to D-26 could be ordered with leather. Does anyone know which leather would have come on the D-21?
 
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