issycue said:
so, does af. blackwood make a fine cue? I hear it's prized among musical instrument makers... but it seems to be rather heavy.
And, btw, Dave that is a very handsome cue! and, just curious... are you from Hawaii by any chance? because, you mentioned Koa, which I love... would probably go well with af. blackwood... and I noticed a picture on your website of someone wearing a UH football tee...
Here is a copy from a previous thread I wrote on this subject.
African Blackwood.........
This is one of those woods you have to look *into* instead of at to really appreciate its beauty. Like most other woods there are good pieces and not so good pieces. I have aquired some that is so black I had to mark it so I don't confuse it with my ebony. And like others have mentioned, some pieces that are very brown and gold. These are the pieces that I especially look for as they have an untold *depth* to some of them.
The weight isn't a problem if used with TI or G10 pin. I leave the AF BL forearms solid on all of my cues and can have them come in at 18.9 to 19.5. The weight of the wood is actually a blessing as not to have to add anything during assembly.
It also matches up with a number of diff woods just like ebony. I just finished one with Pink ivory, purpleheart and Koa to go along with the BL wood. Was very pleased with the out come.
Don't let me talk anybody into using it though if you don't like...........more for me too look at and rat hole!!!
Not from Hawaii myself........but love to visit there when I get the time.
Koa is an excellent accent wood for matching with some of the darkers.
Myself......I don't think I would ever use it for a mother wood although it may work OK. The HU tee shirt guy........that's me! I keep this well sculpted body of mine ready just in case coach decides to put me in!
Thanks for the comps on the cue.........It weighed in at 19.1 with a solid BL wood fore and a G-10 pin. (we won't get into how it plays or hits or feels.......for obvious reasons I let the beholder determine all that....besides....Jimbo might be reading!)