Buying a Cue, I need specific advice - Please help
- Thread starter robkat
- Start date
I had one Scruggs, a Runde, two Runde Schons, a mid 70’s Joss and a high end Falcon among many others. I’ve found my present cue plays and feed like the Scruggs, but only with one of my five shafts. It is a dense old yellow shaft from the early 90’s, which happens to be a Falcon shaft. Those old Falcons had great shaftwood, IMHO. This is why I sold the Scruggs as I felt no difference in hit or playability.
I would look for an older, 70’s/80’s cue that has quality shafts. The magic is in matching the right shaft to the butt.
The older Schons are not cored and neither was my Scruggs or my present cue. I feel a non cored 4 point cue, old wood with a S.S. joint and quality shaft wood will get you where you want.
An old Joss will get you close, but not with one of their shafts.
I’d suggest looking for a cue that meets you visual aesthetic but with the darkest shaft material you can find.
My .02
I would look for an older, 70’s/80’s cue that has quality shafts. The magic is in matching the right shaft to the butt.
The older Schons are not cored and neither was my Scruggs or my present cue. I feel a non cored 4 point cue, old wood with a S.S. joint and quality shaft wood will get you where you want.
An old Joss will get you close, but not with one of their shafts.
I’d suggest looking for a cue that meets you visual aesthetic but with the darkest shaft material you can find.
My .02
That almost sounds like you dont think Keith builds traditional 4 point cues? If thats what you're implying you're wrong. He does and has always built tradtional cues..when asked. He builds a great spliced veneered cue.
If you meant that one wont fit in his budget well that may hold water but if anyone wants to know for sure just give him a call.
Josey can make traditional 4 point. I have one. 4 needle sharp points with veneers.
Apologies for my terrible camera work with a point & shoot..
Attachments
Exceed Cues.
It’s the new hotness plus traditional cue making.
It’s the new hotness plus traditional cue making.
Keith Josey or Andy Gilbert. Tips to try, Le Pro, Triangle, Milkdud, & for soft Elkmaster!
try a few schons when you see them
older ones
you might like them just as well
or look for another scruggs,but expect to pay more and possibly not ever see another one
bob frey made most of the sneaky petes for scruggs so if he will make you a cue
you can get exactly what you want for close to your budget
or order one and save a few hundred per month to put with your $1000 and he can make you happy with exactly what you want
i used to buy several scruggs pr month at one time, from tim and mike
now i don't remember seeing one in a couple of years
you might try the wanted section on here at az,i expect a cue like you describe might run
$2000
older ones
you might like them just as well
or look for another scruggs,but expect to pay more and possibly not ever see another one
bob frey made most of the sneaky petes for scruggs so if he will make you a cue
you can get exactly what you want for close to your budget
or order one and save a few hundred per month to put with your $1000 and he can make you happy with exactly what you want
i used to buy several scruggs pr month at one time, from tim and mike
now i don't remember seeing one in a couple of years
you might try the wanted section on here at az,i expect a cue like you describe might run
$2000
I was able to find a used Scruggs for $1800. Although out of my price range, it does have some of the qualities (I think) such as the 4 points, linen wrap, white butt, *vory and so on, but it has a Mikarta joint?
I've seen these on here, but have no idea if a Westinghouse Micarta joint is a good or bad thing for me? I know its personal preference, but is it better or worse overall (or more valuable I should say)
I've seen these on here, but have no idea if a Westinghouse Micarta joint is a good or bad thing for me? I know its personal preference, but is it better or worse overall (or more valuable I should say)
I agree and was thinking the same thing. Mike's cues have that old school Scruggs hit and feel. I have owned a few o each over the years.
-don
I would recommend you hold our for a steel jointed cue as the hit of a flat face non-steel jointed cue will definitely produce a different hit. Not sure where you live but you might consider going to a but tournament and hitting a few different cues before pulling the trigger on the purchase.
-don
I agree, I need to play with some, but no where around here has anything decent. I'm in The Villages, Florida, below Ocala. Without driving an hour or more, there is barely any pool halls around as it is, apparently its a dying place (sadly).
My fear is absolutely buying something I won't like, but I do feel that a Scruggs could be a wise choice, I suppose I could find a buyer on here if needed to sell it for what I paid.
My fear is absolutely buying something I won't like, but I do feel that a Scruggs could be a wise choice, I suppose I could find a buyer on here if needed to sell it for what I paid.
You are not going to find a nice Scruggs cue that you want for $1200 with points & veneers and ivory ferrules.
Search high and low if you will but that is a fools errand, unless the cue in question was warped or damaged.
Tim's cues are just in demand by knowledgebale cue buyers and that keeps the market prices higher for TS cues.
Find another cue-maker and you have lots of choices. Bob Frey was recommended and he's really a excellent cue-maker.
Another person to consider is Bob Owen and if you expand your budget a bit, he could build a great cue as would others.
I own a Scruggs cue and a couple of Owen cues. Bob's cues actually do play just as nice as TS cues as I've found out.
Search high and low if you will but that is a fools errand, unless the cue in question was warped or damaged.
Tim's cues are just in demand by knowledgebale cue buyers and that keeps the market prices higher for TS cues.
Find another cue-maker and you have lots of choices. Bob Frey was recommended and he's really a excellent cue-maker.
Another person to consider is Bob Owen and if you expand your budget a bit, he could build a great cue as would others.
I own a Scruggs cue and a couple of Owen cues. Bob's cues actually do play just as nice as TS cues as I've found out.
I think I have come to the realization that I cannot find a Scruggs cue for under $1,500 in good shape and certainly not less than $2,000 for one I want. So again, the choice is to wait and save or buy something really nice for $1,000 and then trade up.
I have found 2 Scruggs cues that are superb in condition, has some of the style I want and both under $2,000. Perhaps i'm just being picky that when I buy one, the one I really want will be found.
I'd pay more for the right cue, just haven't found it yet I guess.
I have found 2 Scruggs cues that are superb in condition, has some of the style I want and both under $2,000. Perhaps i'm just being picky that when I buy one, the one I really want will be found.
I'd pay more for the right cue, just haven't found it yet I guess.
Josey can make traditional 4 point. I have one. 4 needle sharp points with veneers.
Apologies for my terrible camera work with a point & shoot..
I stand corrected, my apologies. Never seen points from Keith, pretty sweet.
Rob if you are in Florida, you definitely need to get in touch with Bill Lister. Not sure where exactly in Florida he is but has tons of cues for sale. Believe his website to view his stuff and contact him is www.billiardbills.com
Billiardbills.com has one in great shape for $1299...but it’s a Merry Widow. So what do you want more? the hit/feel, the look, or the name of the maker?
The Helmstetter on there is actually a really nice looking cue... I don't know the comparison, but i'm guessing Helmstetter is not nearly the quality of a Scruggs?
I know the name, meaning they have been around longer, but rarely do I see "collectible" or highly valuable ones like Tim's.
I know the name, meaning they have been around longer, but rarely do I see "collectible" or highly valuable ones like Tim's.
James White
Deanoc has a cue for sale that sounds exactly what you want, probably better, he guarantees everything he sells and I think he even will work out a payment plan for you, check with him, he's 100%.
Deanoc has a cue for sale that sounds exactly what you want, probably better, he guarantees everything he sells and I think he even will work out a payment plan for you, check with him, he's 100%.
I would caution against buying less than what you want and assuming you'll recover that expense when you "trade up". The cue market is not what it was 20 years ago. You said that you own a cue that you love to play with. My free advice (worth what you paid for it) would be to wait and get what you really want.