Cue identification - Helmstetter?

[joob35]

I took a chance with purchasing this cue today, and told its an "older Helmstetter." Joint, points, and buttcap looks like it, but does not have a maker stamped or signed, and always have seen "Helmstetter" between the point inlay of cues.

Ive owned a Helmstetter production cue, and almost feels like hitting with one, even though I have not played that much the last few years. The darker portions of the cue are Cocabola, its the best I can explain.

Any identification/guesses are welcome. Thank you.

 

[Chopdoc]

Looks like a Chinese import to me, not Adam/Helmstetter. Does not look "older" to me either, whatever that means, and I am not basing that on condition but rather design.



But I could be wrong.

 

[Piratejethro]

I do not believe that is a Helmstetter. I own one, a Helmstetter VIP, and the hit is very close to a Schon or an older Joss: i.e. a very firm or stiff hit. Not impossible to duplicate, and not even uncommon. I bought a K-Mart cue for my cousin for Xmas maybe 20 years ago, a Steve Mizerak autograph model, for $35, same joint pin as my Helmstetter. I shot with it a little, and found that with the shaft that came with it, it hit amazingly like my much more expensive Helmstetter, and if I put MY Helmstetter shaft on it, it shot identical. Knowing what little I know now about cue building, I believe that nearly the only difference in the hit between the two was probably the ivory ferrule. Looking at that cue, I would find it hard to believe that Helmstetter (Adam Cues) would let a shaft out the door with the ringwork on the shaft looking like that. Look at the shaft ringwork, the white parts look like they have uneven chips cut out of them. Just my guess, but I would say a cheaper knockoff.

 

[Chopdoc]

I do not believe that is a Helmstetter. I own one, a Helmstetter VIP, and the hit is very close to a Schon or an older Joss: i.e. a very firm or stiff hit. Not impossible to duplicate, and not even uncommon. I bought a K-Mart cue for my cousin for Xmas maybe 20 years ago, a Steve Mizerak autograph model, for $35, same joint pin as my Helmstetter. I shot with it a little, and found that with the shaft that came with it, it hit amazingly like my much more expensive Helmstetter, and if I put MY Helmstetter shaft on it, it shot identical. Knowing what little I know now about cue building, I believe that nearly the only difference in the hit between the two was probably the ivory ferrule. Looking at that cue, I would find it hard to believe that Helmstetter (Adam Cues) would let a shaft out the door with the ringwork on the shaft looking like that. Look at the shaft ringwork, the white parts look like they have uneven chips cut out of them. Just my guess, but I would say a cheaper knockoff.

I have several of those old Mizerak and Cobra cues. Some of them in fact do play quite well. It's hit or miss on the shaft wood, mostly miss. Many of them are actually full splice cues, most often with uneven points and glue marks, but occasionally you find a good one. They can be fun to toy with...and they are cheap.


.

 

[joob35]

Looking at that cue, I would find it hard to believe that Helmstetter (Adam Cues) would let a shaft out the door with the ringwork on the shaft looking like that. Look at the shaft ringwork, the white parts look like they have uneven chips cut out of them. Just my guess, but I would say a cheaper knockoff.

I guess I should have looked at those little white boxes that you pointed out a little better. They all do seem like that, and most of them are not sharp square shapes at all (rounded corners, ect.) Im not on a table so wont take any bad pictures.

Also the silver rings do not have any sort of finish on them, I can basically pick at the rings with my fingernail. Lesson learned I suppose. However overall if feels pretty nice hitting with it, regardless being out of stroke. Ill just see what happens.

 

[poolguy4u]

Not a Hemsteter. I can look it up but a guy named Ed in California was selling these cues around 4 years ago on Ebay for around $75 each.

Then, someone in Maryland was selling the exact cue with Palmer on the bottom.


I still have a couple of them.

 

[joob35]

Not a Hemsteter. I can look it up but a guy named Ed in California was selling these cues around 4 years ago on Ebay for around $75 each.

Then, someone in Maryland was selling the exact cue with Palmer on the bottom.


I still have a couple of them.

That would be great if you did, or a point in the right direction for a Helmstetter list of cues or an old catalog. Have not been able to find one.

 

[poolguy4u]

That would be great if you did, or a point in the right direction for a Helmstetter list of cues or an old catalog. Have not been able to find one.

Your cue will not be in any catalog. It was made in China or Tawain for Ed at West Coast Billiard Supply back in 2005-2006.