Jim was great. I spent many an hour listing to him, trying every cue in the shop. He would talk for hours. He definitely started me in the habit that I have been trying to kick, cues. I had one cue for 14 years, meet Jim then went through 30 or so in just a few short years. He had stories for days, dish out dirt on makers, all the good stuff. His blackbook of phone numbers was filled with all the greats. I recall him telling me that a new maker, Ariel Carmelli IIRC, contacted him to sell cues. He was appalled at the idea that a new maker could ask so much for his cues, because he had no real history. I think they where in the $6-800 range. He loved Bob Runde, probably why I have one too. He taught me, and probably most that entered his shop, more than we bargained for. I think he said one of his greatest sales was to a homeless guy. He lived in a box, but loved pool and bought a Meucci from Jim in the 80's or 90's. He would tell stories about $1,000 dollar fooseball games and Japanese collectors visiting him for cues. He loved the diversity in people and always wanted 32 flavors verses chocolate and vanilla. How else will you know what you like if you don't try it was something he was big on, hence 30 or so different cue makers cues under one roof.
