Can't say enough about Brad. He re-converted me a hell of a player. He makes a very good cue at a very fair price. He was very accommodating, sent TONS of photos throughout the process, and honored all of my requests. His communication is top notch. An absolute pleasure to do business with and a true gentleman.
I've always loved the basic old school Balabushka and Rambow titlist conversions. Straightforward, no nonsense players. I've owned customs(my main player until I got this one is a Jim Ingram Oak Titlist Conversion), but I've never had a cue made for me. I sent Brad this lower quality conversion:
And requested he make it close to this Balabushka:
At 1:11am on Thursday, May 25, 2017, this cue was born:
I knew exactly what I wanted and Brad got it exactly right. I really like the proportions of the old cues and requested that he not taper the butt down any narrower than it was. Brad matched the original shaft from the old conversion, which has an ivory ferrule, to the butt and made one of his own low deflection shafts to go with the cue.
I love that the cue has a hit which feels and sounds a lot like my 40s Hoppe Professional. The fit and finish are very good. We couldn't decide if Brad should sign the forearm, so he surprised me with a weight bold engraved with "Hamel Customs". I couldn't be more pleased. This one is a lifer.
Butt weight-15.15oz
Original shaft- 3.90oz @ a little over 12.5mm
Hamel LD shaft- 4.90oz @ a little under 12mm. LD shaft cored with bamboo plug to 5" from tip
I've always loved the basic old school Balabushka and Rambow titlist conversions. Straightforward, no nonsense players. I've owned customs(my main player until I got this one is a Jim Ingram Oak Titlist Conversion), but I've never had a cue made for me. I sent Brad this lower quality conversion:
And requested he make it close to this Balabushka:
At 1:11am on Thursday, May 25, 2017, this cue was born:
I knew exactly what I wanted and Brad got it exactly right. I really like the proportions of the old cues and requested that he not taper the butt down any narrower than it was. Brad matched the original shaft from the old conversion, which has an ivory ferrule, to the butt and made one of his own low deflection shafts to go with the cue.
I love that the cue has a hit which feels and sounds a lot like my 40s Hoppe Professional. The fit and finish are very good. We couldn't decide if Brad should sign the forearm, so he surprised me with a weight bold engraved with "Hamel Customs". I couldn't be more pleased. This one is a lifer.
Butt weight-15.15oz
Original shaft- 3.90oz @ a little over 12.5mm
Hamel LD shaft- 4.90oz @ a little under 12mm. LD shaft cored with bamboo plug to 5" from tip
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