Purchased as an "unknown"...

[classiccues]

Couple of things... This is why you pay people to ID cues AND write LOA's. This is a full splice Spain Brazilian rosewood cue. There is no joint under the wrap, it is a true Spain splice. The colors are the only ones we have seen with black, orange, purple and natural. It was purchased at the SBE THIS YEAR, from another "knowledgeable" dealer as a Petersen, but he said he really did not know. It came to him as an unknown from another long-time dealer. Between those two, there might be 50 years of "experience" as cue brokers. Another great restoration by the Tascarella shop. (Check out the birdseye shaft) Yes it now has a letter or two... and it has been x-rayed like a broken arm.

So Chop... what do you think?

JV

 

[skor]

Love it

 

[Chopdoc]

So Chop... what do you think?

This was the perfect first post to see with my morning coffee.

 

[David in FL]

Couple of things... This is why you pay people to ID cues AND write LOA's. This is a full splice Spain Brazilian rosewood cue. There is no joint under the wrap, it is a true Spain splice. The colors are the only ones we have seen with black, orange, purple and natural. It was purchased at the SBE THIS YEAR, from another "knowledgeable" dealer as a Petersen, but he said he really did not know. It came to him as an unknown from another long-time dealer. Between those two, there might be 50 years of "experience" as cue brokers. Another great restoration by the Tascarella shop. (Check out the birdseye shaft) Yes it now has a letter or two... and it has been x-rayed like a broken arm.

So Chop... what do you think?

JV

This was the perfect first post to see with my morning coffee.

I know absolutely nothing about the intricacies of cue identification. If it doesn't have a maker's signature on it, I got nuthin'.

As a result, I enjoy the "ID me" threads because I learn things from those of you who knowthings...

In that light, can someone explain what x-raying the cue will tell you and how that would help identify who made the cue/blank?

Mucho thanks!

 

[Chopdoc]

This is why you pay people to ID cues AND write LOA's.

Absolutely. I have a few cues worth that.

Many simply aren't worth it, but the market has changed much. I was very surprised to see a few "low value" and even Asian made (not Japan even) cues for sale on a site where I was used to seeing high value cues. When did that happen? Some time in the last five years I guess, I just noticed it since I am back. To me, they are like peanuts, too much fun to sit there shelling and eating to stop. Some of those peanuts might be the best cue some guys ever own, and that's OK. It's theirs and they can treasure it.

Nobody knows everything, but some know more than most, and each has an area where they know more and areas where they know little. Sometimes you just have to get a cue in front of the right "expert".

Some years ago I bought a cue from Dick Abbott. It was a pleasure conversing with him on that cue and other matters regarding cues, cue makers, and history. Steve Piesner surprised me and humbled me by recognizing me for my help. Both are gone.

Like the great makers, the collectors and dealers pass, and we lose great knowledge and even wisdom on this are we all appreciate so much.

The time is already here when a cue could turn up and the one person to best identify it is gone.

Most of the conversations about the identity and value of truly valuable cues are more discrete and not handled openly in a forum such as this for what I think are obvious reasons. I don't show off my best cues here, or anywhere, just as I don't show off my gun collection.

I really appreciate you showing off this fine example and sharing the story. That cue is stunning. I imagine if it could speak it would have some great stories to tell.

 

[Chopdoc]

In that light, can someone explain what x-raying the cue will tell you and how that would help identify who made the cue/blank?

The construction can be revealed. It can tell what is under the wrap without removing it. It can tell what type of hardware secures an A joint for example, if it has one at all.

Construction details can help identify a cue and value it.

With very valuable cues it becomes part of the documentation, part of the provenance, which helps support the cue's value going forward. With unknown or newly identified cues it begins a chain of documentation and provenance.

Imagine a barn find rare muscle car, and all the documentation from the original purchase, every oil change, every wiper blade change, every registration renewal, is found in the trunk. With very valuable cars, the chain of historical documentation helps support the value.

 

[classiccues]

The construction can be revealed. It can tell what is under the wrap without removing it. It can tell what type of hardware secures an A joint for example, if it has one at all.

Construction details can help identify a cue and value it.

With very valuable cues it becomes part of the documentation, part of the provenance, which helps support the cue's value going forward. With unknown or newly identified cues it begins a chain of documentation and provenance.

Imagine a barn find rare muscle car, and all the documentation from the original purchase, every oil change, every wiper blade change, every registration renewal, is found in the trunk. With very valuable cars, the chain of historical documentation helps support the value.

All true.. to be honest we didn't need the x-ray to verify the maker. The back-end assembly did that in as long as it took to get the bumper off. We were 99% before we removed the bumper just based on general experience. We did the x-rays before the restoration to see if it had an A-joint, and where it was. The fact it did not have one, told us a different story. But it is a great cue and Balabushka did some consistent things, and some things were a work in progress for him that evolved over time.
JV

 

[Zerksies]

looks like a quality maker

 

[StrokeofLuck]

I know this isn't a Meucci but the design brings me back to the HP1 I used to play with. Another one I regret parting with.

 

[Chopdoc]

I know this isn't a Meucci but the design brings me back to the HP1 I used to play with. Another one I regret parting with.

The HP1 was designed to emulate this classic style.

I liken this to the classic muscle car formula. Long hood, short deck lid, add spoiler, stripes, and hood scoop to taste. Cues like the one posted are the epitome of a design that began with the Brunswick cues, especially the ebony ones. They are the grandfathers of the design.

Many makers and manufacturers emulated this formula and it has probably been the most universally loved design. Having a full splice like this by Spain is like having a rare Hemi car. Just a tasteful spoiler, badge, or stripe. It does not need all the bells and whistles.

This is a Mali cue for example. It even has a 14 piloted joint. It will never be what that Spain spliced cue is, but it sure is nice and plays well anyway.

 

[BarenbruggeCues]

Couple of things... This is why you pay people to ID cues AND write LOA's. This is a full splice Spain Brazilian rosewood cue. There is no joint under the wrap, it is a true Spain splice. The colors are the only ones we have seen with black, orange, purple and natural. It was purchased at the SBE THIS YEAR, from another "knowledgeable" dealer as a Petersen, but he said he really did not know. It came to him as an unknown from another long-time dealer. Between those two, there might be 50 years of "experience" as cue brokers. Another great restoration by the Tascarella shop. (Check out the birdseye shaft) Yes it now has a letter or two... and it has been x-rayed like a broken arm.

So Chop... what do you think?

JV

Years ago I was approached by a gentleman in northern Mich that had been purchasing blanks from Joel for years (pre 2000) and building cues that looked very similar to this. He had said Joel was no longer selling just the blanks and asked me if I would be able to build him some similar blanks that I would sell to him.
Of course I told him no. His name escapes me at this time, however he did send me pictures of his work that is still in an envelope around somewhere.
Not sure if Joel ever did true FS or all of his had the maple V splice under wrap.
If I run across the pictures and envelope with the name I'll let you know. In a phone conversation I had with him he mentioned they were perfect replicas of (?) whoever he was attempting to emulate.

 

[classiccues]

Thanks for the replies... this is a Balabushka, with a Spain blank, incase I didn't make that clear. The original point of my post was it pays to PAY people with the knowledge to appraise and look at cues.

JV