Does Refinish/Rewrap Hurt Value???

mosconiac

mosconiac

Job+Wife+Child=No Stroke
Silver Member
So in some collecting circles, a little petina is not only allowable, it's expected & valued. I'm not talking about massive defects, but an occasional sign of use is OK & attractive to potential buyers.

When it comes to pool cues, does the same apply?

Is it dependent on the level of petina?

Is it dependent on the cuemaker?

Is it dependent on whether the original maker can do the job (leave a Gus alone, but have Ernie touch it up?

Hypothetic situation: A guy has a Gus with some signs of wear. Wrap is worn smooth from years of play (no rips or anything), the shafts are ding-free, the finish is genuinely good from a wear perspective (but has the occasional minor dimple), and the finish has lifted from a inlay or two. Would it be OK to refinish & rewrap or should it be left alone if the issues are minor?
 
In my experience, the more a cue is a "mint" cue, the higher its value in perspective to what type of cue it is.
I think that if the refinishing has been done cleanly, the value of the cue is higher than when it would show dings for example.
On the other hand, I'm talking about refinishing into the close-to-original state. Suppose you have a black wrap cue and you'd install a green linnen (or something totally different for that matter), it's my honest view that the value of the cue would decrease.
It's more or less like you buy an old Mustang. When you restore it to get it like it's stock prime, the price goes way up. If you'd on the other hand, like put a different engine block, different rims, stickers, etc.... then the value isn't promised to go up, it might even go down alot.
 
As with any collectable the value is much more if it is original AND mint. The problem with cues is that they are made to be played with. Which means up until 1988 ish.. cues weren't really purchased to be "collected" right off the bat. So getting something unplayed and all original SHOULD and normally WILL bring top dollar.

The fact is we are a people that likes "pretty" and old and worn is NOT pretty. (Same reason why 22 year olds are in more demand than 50 year olds :p) So with cues it is more common to see "restored" or "refinished" cues. Luckily there is some latitude because most collectors realize this. However that does not mean you want an unknown cuemaker doing the work. I am sorry if this offends anyone but to have Pete Tascarella work on a Bushka is preferred, and Barry to work on his dads cues.

So in the case of your Gus, it sounds like it is ok as is. But if it is a daily player and at some point you feel it might need a tune up, Barry is your guy if you wanty to retain value, if that value is unimportant to you than you have a very talented field to choose from.

JV
 
Interesting point about modifications...I hadn't pondered that yet.

I see a lot of people adding leather wraps where linen once was. I can see this "upgrade" being a benefit to some & a detraction to others.

I remember a well-known case where the addition of inlays KILLED the value of a cue as they were done by someone other than the original maker (who was still alive).
 
Just my Opinion

I think I understand both arguements being made here and I agree with both sides. However, IMHO, if you intend on using you 'Gus' as a daily or at least frequent player, I don't see the harm in replacing the wrap with something you are more comfortable with (e.g. replace linen with leather) for your own likes and desires.

However, like classiccues mentioned, if you are looking to simply restore the cue to like new condition, I'd stick with the original materials and colors AND, since you're talking 'Gus', I definitely would seek out the expertise of Barry to do the restoration work and maybe have him provide documentation of his work for future reference.

You could get the work done to make the cue fit your needs (first paragraph) while you are using it, then at a later date when you are ready to retire the Gus, get the restoration as described in paragraph 2.

I hope you can work your situation out. I'd love to see you in Davenport next year using that cue to win the ISPA.

L8R...Ken
 
Just to be clear, the "GUS" thing is entirely hypothetical. I don't own one, but I DO have a Barry...I LOVE saying that!
 
mosconiac said:
Just to be clear, the "GUS" thing is entirely hypothetical. I don't own one, but I DO have a Barry...I LOVE saying that!
Click to expand...

Oh yeah, I remember that now. But I'll stick with my post. And I bet you do like saying that :thumbup:...I know I would.

L8R...Ken
 
I don't think rewrap cue is gonna hurt the value of the cue... unless you down grade the wrap or use some your local unkwon cue repairman to wrap your high grade top cuemaker.

just imagine if you ask a very good cue repairman like let say cory barnhart to rewrap your J&J cue from Irish linen to Lizard wrap. I'm sure your J&J cue will increase on value. :thumbup:
 
mosconiac said:
Interesting point about modifications...I hadn't pondered that yet.

I see a lot of people adding leather wraps where linen once was. I can see this "upgrade" being a benefit to some & a detraction to others.

I remember a well-known case where the addition of inlays KILLED the value of a cue as they were done by someone other than the original maker (who was still alive).
Click to expand...

That last statement is scary, and I think most cuemakers would decline a request for something like this.

But back to the original question... a lot comes down to who does the work and the other factor is what is more valuable to the market...

A Gus Szamboti
An all original 60% condition cue vs. the same cue MINT RESTORED.. then WHO did the mint restoration...

This is a tough question to answer, and the BB doesn't touch this subject in depth. I would think it's importance will be up to the eventual buyer / owner more than anyone else.

JV
 
A cue is only original ONCE. I personally would prefer to own an original Bushka than a restored one even with heavy patina. For me if its a modern cue and the maker is alive and working then I think they can restore a cue and it enhances its marketability but if the cue maker is no longer alive or no longer working then I say leave it alone. The exception for me would be if the cue is unsound or badly damaged, then its probably better to repair it but I would leave the original wrap, perhaps clean and re-press linen but not replace if not damaged.
 
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