refinish
A well deserved bump from a satisfied customer.
A well deserved bump from a satisfied customer.
cue reinishing special
- Thread starter nucues
- Start date
Act of Faith
The rates you quoted are very competitive, and in fact, probably better than what I've been quoted. I have a very rare, one of a kind Schon that I had Bob Runde make for me back in 1984. It's a combination of 4 different R series cue inlay designs rolled into one and so maybe my cue should be called the 1st R-17 by Bob Runde. After making my cue....twice....Bob said it was a pain in the ass to make the cue and probably wouldn't do it again because too many hours became involved just making one cue like this.
I've been debating about sending the cue to Evan Clarke but frankly, he's been unresponsive to my e-mails and I know he's very sensitive about the term "Runde Schon" because he's a cue maker and claims to have done most of the manufacturing at Schon. Well, I know first hand that Bob made my Schon because of the drawings he sent me to approve and the discussions I had with him over the many months while he was producing it. He told me about the painstaking work he had to do and the difficulty in trying to get all of the larger version ivory spears I wanted to match. Well, as you might imagine, Evan is understandably sensitive about the fact that cues made by Bob are overwhelming considered to be superior to Schon cues Evan made...kinda a slap in the face but I didn't start that quarrel. I have a Schon Ltd made by Evan and it's just not in the same league as what Runde made for me in '83/4 while Schon was just a relatively new, unknown name.
My point is when you see a posting and the person lives thousands of miles from you, the thought of sending anyone....even another cue manufacturer like Ariel Carmeli, a highly valued cue becomes scary....shipping risks, quality of workmanship, and even theft all become issues to consider. So how does someone reconcile risking a cue worth several thousands by sending it to someone completely unknown to them.
What if the cue isn't returned or comes back or there's problems with the work and the other party claims it was that way when the cue arrived. Taking photos of the cues before and after is a waste of time to prove a point and just becomes an exercise in futility.
So for someone that just wants to have the Irish linen replaced, or have a new ferrule installed, it's a lot to risk when dealing with someone you don't know. In fact, the circumstances become so worrisome that you procrastinate and wind up doing nothing. Have you encountered that type of concern before and how have others who wanted cue work performed addressed this if it was even a concern to them. Speaking personally, if I'm not hand delivering my cue to the person that will do the actual refinish or repair, and also retrieving my cue the very same way, I'm hesitant to surrender it via the mail, especially if the other party is not a prominent, well known cue manufacturer. Have you encountered others that share my concerns? Comment from the forum would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Matt
The rates you quoted are very competitive, and in fact, probably better than what I've been quoted. I have a very rare, one of a kind Schon that I had Bob Runde make for me back in 1984. It's a combination of 4 different R series cue inlay designs rolled into one and so maybe my cue should be called the 1st R-17 by Bob Runde. After making my cue....twice....Bob said it was a pain in the ass to make the cue and probably wouldn't do it again because too many hours became involved just making one cue like this.
I've been debating about sending the cue to Evan Clarke but frankly, he's been unresponsive to my e-mails and I know he's very sensitive about the term "Runde Schon" because he's a cue maker and claims to have done most of the manufacturing at Schon. Well, I know first hand that Bob made my Schon because of the drawings he sent me to approve and the discussions I had with him over the many months while he was producing it. He told me about the painstaking work he had to do and the difficulty in trying to get all of the larger version ivory spears I wanted to match. Well, as you might imagine, Evan is understandably sensitive about the fact that cues made by Bob are overwhelming considered to be superior to Schon cues Evan made...kinda a slap in the face but I didn't start that quarrel. I have a Schon Ltd made by Evan and it's just not in the same league as what Runde made for me in '83/4 while Schon was just a relatively new, unknown name.
My point is when you see a posting and the person lives thousands of miles from you, the thought of sending anyone....even another cue manufacturer like Ariel Carmeli, a highly valued cue becomes scary....shipping risks, quality of workmanship, and even theft all become issues to consider. So how does someone reconcile risking a cue worth several thousands by sending it to someone completely unknown to them.
What if the cue isn't returned or comes back or there's problems with the work and the other party claims it was that way when the cue arrived. Taking photos of the cues before and after is a waste of time to prove a point and just becomes an exercise in futility.
So for someone that just wants to have the Irish linen replaced, or have a new ferrule installed, it's a lot to risk when dealing with someone you don't know. In fact, the circumstances become so worrisome that you procrastinate and wind up doing nothing. Have you encountered that type of concern before and how have others who wanted cue work performed addressed this if it was even a concern to them. Speaking personally, if I'm not hand delivering my cue to the person that will do the actual refinish or repair, and also retrieving my cue the very same way, I'm hesitant to surrender it via the mail, especially if the other party is not a prominent, well known cue manufacturer. Have you encountered others that share my concerns? Comment from the forum would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Matt
Matt;
You can look back a couple of pages and you will see a rather long post from me including pictures of a TS cue that Steve Klapp refinished for me. If you read that post, you will have a very good sense of who Steve is and how he does business.
Send him your one of a kind Schon, insure it as you feel appropriate (and send Steve the few extra bucks so he can place the same insurance for the return trip to you) then sit back and let the man do his thing.
In a few weeks you will receive back you cue in a condition I am confident that will put you straight over the moon.
His work is impeccable and so is his customer service. :thumbup:
Good luck and please let us know whatever you decide.
Best,
Brian kc
You can look back a couple of pages and you will see a rather long post from me including pictures of a TS cue that Steve Klapp refinished for me. If you read that post, you will have a very good sense of who Steve is and how he does business.
Send him your one of a kind Schon, insure it as you feel appropriate (and send Steve the few extra bucks so he can place the same insurance for the return trip to you) then sit back and let the man do his thing.
In a few weeks you will receive back you cue in a condition I am confident that will put you straight over the moon.
His work is impeccable and so is his customer service. :thumbup:
Good luck and please let us know whatever you decide.
Best,
Brian kc
bump on over to chicago
Terrific Job!!
When I get a chance, I will try to post some pics. I had some high expectations before sending my cue over to Steve and have to say, the posts and feedback you see here is exactly what you get! Top notch work and I am pleased to have Steve finish any of my personal cues. Thanks again and I look forward to sending you more work! :grin:
When I get a chance, I will try to post some pics. I had some high expectations before sending my cue over to Steve and have to say, the posts and feedback you see here is exactly what you get! Top notch work and I am pleased to have Steve finish any of my personal cues. Thanks again and I look forward to sending you more work! :grin:
awesome cue repair/refinsh pics'
I just got my cue back from steve yesterday, as soon as I seen it I said OMG steve is a magic man, I didn't think my cue could ever look so good... When I give my cue to steve it needed a new wrap and there was nasty nics and deep dings in the forearm and butt of the cue, I won't say the original maker of the cue but I will say it looks better than new' no more dings and craters in the cue anywhere, completely smooth and clean...when I give steve the cue I didn't specify witch color of wrap I wanted installed..he called n asked what I was wanting and I told him what ever you think looks good, he put just the right wrap on the cue. He has a hell of a eye for how a cue should blend together smoothly.
I'm pleased as punch' I'm still shocked on how well it looks!
Very professional
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The pictures I have is a cell phone picture but when I find my digital camera that my brother in law has seem to misplace I will post a better picture.
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Rob.M
I just got my cue back from steve yesterday, as soon as I seen it I said OMG steve is a magic man, I didn't think my cue could ever look so good... When I give my cue to steve it needed a new wrap and there was nasty nics and deep dings in the forearm and butt of the cue, I won't say the original maker of the cue but I will say it looks better than new' no more dings and craters in the cue anywhere, completely smooth and clean...when I give steve the cue I didn't specify witch color of wrap I wanted installed..he called n asked what I was wanting and I told him what ever you think looks good, he put just the right wrap on the cue. He has a hell of a eye for how a cue should blend together smoothly.
I'm pleased as punch' I'm still shocked on how well it looks!
Very professional
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The pictures I have is a cell phone picture but when I find my digital camera that my brother in law has seem to misplace I will post a better picture.
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Rob.M
Attachments
Once again, pics don't do Steve's work any justice. I saw Rob's cue this weekend & it looks brand new...perfectly brand new! I couldn't tell you how old it is (maybe 25-30?), but I can tell you it had seen better days. It was a workhorse cue & it showed years & years of battle scars. Now it has a *depth* that it probably never had from the factory.
I also got a chance to check out some of Steve's latest work & it's impeccible. I've seen a lot of cues over my lifetime & Steve's have that extra something special....it's the finish!
I also got a chance to check out some of Steve's latest work & it's impeccible. I've seen a lot of cues over my lifetime & Steve's have that extra something special....it's the finish!
cue finish
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Yeep' mark you know how to age date a cue because I would have to say ur rite on the money....Big T bought that cue way back when..I believe it was one of pattys first cues...that's too funny because it so happens that today patty shoots with a steve klapp custom cue....the more I look around the more people I see shooting with steves cues, case and point- bobby has been out of town for a year or two. Bobby moves back to town and starts coming around the poolroom again and we all know how bobby is picky with cues n always shooting with something different.. and he is rough on cues to, I pop open his case and see what he is shooting with and guess what? Its a steve klapp cue he's been shooting with for several years I guess..steve just happen to be there at the poolroom sitting across the room and said what is that you got over there' what you shooting with these days bobby? Bobby replies- its one of you cues buddy' steve comes over and looks at the cue and says wow I can't believe it' this is one of my first cues I sold many years ago to dave wilson and how did you get it' bobby says yeep your rite on the money steve I got it from dave..steve says I can't believe it bobby! your taking good care of a cue, bobbys says how he really like the hit of the cue but continues to tell steve how rough he is on cues and forgets the cue in the trunk of the car sometimes over winter and summer....steve looks the cue over real well and says I don't notice any signs of swelling but if you do just let me know and I will take care of it'....
If all cue makers took notes from steve we would all have cues that lasted life times.
Keep up the great work steve' I can't wait to see what your gonna create next!!!
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Rob.M
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Yeep' mark you know how to age date a cue because I would have to say ur rite on the money....Big T bought that cue way back when..I believe it was one of pattys first cues...that's too funny because it so happens that today patty shoots with a steve klapp custom cue....the more I look around the more people I see shooting with steves cues, case and point- bobby has been out of town for a year or two. Bobby moves back to town and starts coming around the poolroom again and we all know how bobby is picky with cues n always shooting with something different.. and he is rough on cues to, I pop open his case and see what he is shooting with and guess what? Its a steve klapp cue he's been shooting with for several years I guess..steve just happen to be there at the poolroom sitting across the room and said what is that you got over there' what you shooting with these days bobby? Bobby replies- its one of you cues buddy' steve comes over and looks at the cue and says wow I can't believe it' this is one of my first cues I sold many years ago to dave wilson and how did you get it' bobby says yeep your rite on the money steve I got it from dave..steve says I can't believe it bobby! your taking good care of a cue, bobbys says how he really like the hit of the cue but continues to tell steve how rough he is on cues and forgets the cue in the trunk of the car sometimes over winter and summer....steve looks the cue over real well and says I don't notice any signs of swelling but if you do just let me know and I will take care of it'....
If all cue makers took notes from steve we would all have cues that lasted life times.
Keep up the great work steve' I can't wait to see what your gonna create next!!!
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Rob.M
Ok, so here it is... a superb job by Steve. I tried to get more lighting on the cue so that you can see just how smooth the finish is with no "waves". This cue started as an older Predator blank and just embellished with some colored rings. Steve also installed a black leather wrap for me (since he was refinishing it anyway to get the best and flush result). The customer who ordered this cue wanted a Gucci themed design and as my luck would have it, it's wasn't gaudy enough for him :scratchhead:. Anyway, great job Steve and I look forward to sending more work soon! Thanks!!:thumbup:
