Are Cues for Collecting or Playing?

S

Stickman9

Active member
This morning’s thread on buying collectable cues got me thinking: are cues for collecting or playing?

I know that some (many?) AZBers own multiple high-end cues. I have heard that some collectors own over a hundred cues, and that one collector owns around 100 Scruggs and nearly all of the cues that Mike Cochran made.

I have several cues made by well-known cuemakers (Scruggs, Rauenzahn, Nitti, Kikel, and Frey)—two of them were more than 15 years old and unchalked when I bought them. My feeling is that cues are for playing, and I play with all of them. My cues are in a wall rack next to my table—I see them all the time and can easily grab one and play.

I agree with many of the posters on this morning’s thread that pool cues are not the best investment, and mine are not part of my retirement plan. So, my questions are:
(1) Do collectors play with their cues, are they just for show, or do they sit in cases most of the time?
(2) Do people take their high-end cues to the pool hall?
(3) How do cuemakers feel about having their cues sit in a collection having never been played with? And for the ones who have passed, how do people think they would they feel?
 
Cues are like most anything; guns, watches, guitars, cars, etc. All of these things are functional, but can also be stored away as an investment or a collectible, merely to be admired, or for someone to say "I have a so and so.".

I say to each their own, but if a cue isn't going to be played by me, there's my indicator it's time to trade or sell it.
 
Lawnboy77 said:
Roger that! Cues are for playing! Just like classic cars are made for driving.
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An original Egyptian chariot was made for riding, too; a sarcophagus was made for eternal rest. But once something becomes antique, things about its uses and valuation change.

AND: Classic cars WERE meant for driving when new.
 
I think both. Playing or just to have.
I recently bought my 2nd Harvey Martin cue. This one is in really good shape, so I carry it to play pool when nobody's watching.
I was fortunate to be offered Dennis Dieckman's travel cue he signed over to Robert Byrne when he was inducted into the HOF. It's an oddity for sure. 1st of all its a Dieckman!! One shaft for pool, one for billiards, and one for snooker. I'm not afraid to play with it but why??
 
I dont think there is a definitive answer. I collect cues that i think i will enjoy playing with. Others collect cues they think are cool looking and enjoy having.

If you play with them value could go down. Most people wont even know one type of cue from another. The history and great cue makers are niche market. I highly doubt in 20 years yu will find players who know me much of the history. It isn't like baseball cards or what not were people who know nothing still know a mint bane ruth rookie is big bucks.

Even the legends like balabushka average joe player knows nothing. They might say something like "you mean color of money" ?

Cues are not a good long term investment because of that. I laugh at how many people will talk about the new predator and not even notice i am playing with a tasc or lambros or sugartree. There are a total of 3 people in my hall that even know the name Gina.

There will always be collectors in a niche market. But as time passes it gets less and less.
 
Stickman9 said:
This morning’s thread on buying collectable cues got me thinking: are cues for collecting or playing?

I know that some (many?) AZBers own multiple high-end cues. I have heard that some collectors own over a hundred cues, and that one collector owns around 100 Scruggs and nearly all of the cues that Mike Cochran made.

I have several cues made by well-known cuemakers (Scruggs, Rauenzahn, Nitti, Kikel, and Frey)—two of them were more than 15 years old and unchalked when I bought them. My feeling is that cues are for playing, and I play with all of them. My cues are in a wall rack next to my table—I see them all the time and can easily grab one and play.

I agree with many of the posters on this morning’s thread that pool cues are not the best investment, and mine are not part of my retirement plan. So, my questions are:
(1) Do collectors play with their cues, are they just for show, or do they sit in cases most of the time?
(2) Do people take their high-end cues to the pool hall?
(3) How do cuemakers feel about having their cues sit in a collection having never been played with? And for the ones who have passed, how do people think they would they feel?
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I’ve only used 4 cues over 53 years.

I more or less ignore all be hype over cues. $50 or $1000 cue…makes no difference to me.
I usually have about 30 cues and half that many cases. Why? Because quality cues are often for sale at the thrift store for $10. I give away a dozen cues and cases a year to newbies.
 
For me, barring absolute art pieces, there's no way to know if a cue is worth keeping/collecting if you haven't played with it.

Super pristine antique cues or something, I could see getting a pass, but if I had them I'd at least play a few weeks with them to see what all the hype is/was about.
 
I didnt read the replies or your post
just the title
the answer is
BOTH :eek:
depending who you ask
jmho
 
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Well I had some nice Cues that sat in closet collecting dust. Just too nice to play with because of potential damage, I only own a couple of Cues, they get played with. Really how many player does a person need.


Was watching some old DCC MATCHES, Cory Duel is playing with a Meucci, they sponsor him.😃
 
boogieman said:
For me, barring absolute art pieces, there's no way to know if a cue is worth keeping/collecting if you haven't played with it.

Super pristine antique cues or something, I could see getting a pass, but if I had them I'd at least play a few weeks with them to see what all the hype is/was about.
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Just to get technical (what good is a forum without annoying anality?)
Those Hoppes and... OMG I only know Hoppe!11!1!
Anyway they were meticulously handcarafted :rolleyes: to produce unfailing standup strokes and would be useless to a modern player. Yes, I'm certain.

Uh huh...
 
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