Ethical to modify a cue made by a Master?

[MasterClass]

Hello everyone.

Is it acceptable to modify a cue made by a reputable cuemaker? Especially one who no longer makes any more cue.

I have been playing with a titlist conversion made by a hall of fame cue maker. But it has many nicks and dings and cracks in the finish from my abuses. I am not a cue collector and i am also not the most careful of players around. I am planning to have it re-finished. However, everything white on the cue is ivory except for the stich rings at the join collar which is maple. I was thinking of changing them to ivory as well.

Is it possible to do so? Is it ethical to do so? or should i sell the cue and get another one made.

 

[Arnot Wadsworth]

Hello everyone.

Is it acceptable to modify a cue made by a reputable cuemaker? Especially one who no longer makes any more cue.

I have been playing with a titlist conversion made by a hall of fame cue maker. But it has many nicks and dings and cracks in the finish from my abuses. I am not a cue collector and i am also not the most careful of players around. I am planning to have it re-finished. However, everything white on the cue is ivory except for the stich rings at the join collar which is maple. I was thinking of changing them to ivory as well.

Is it possible to do so? Is it ethical to do so? or should i sell the cue and get another one made.

It is your cue to do as you please

 

[classiccues]

Hello everyone.

Is it acceptable to modify a cue made by a reputable cuemaker? Especially one who no longer makes any more cue.

I have been playing with a titlist conversion made by a hall of fame cue maker. But it has many nicks and dings and cracks in the finish from my abuses. I am not a cue collector and i am also not the most careful of players around. I am planning to have it re-finished. However, everything white on the cue is ivory except for the stich rings at the join collar which is maple. I was thinking of changing them to ivory as well.

Is it possible to do so? Is it ethical to do so? or should i sell the cue and get another one made.

Well, the refinish part, I think is something you could do, especially if you play with the cue. As far as changing the rings, I would leave them. That is a major change, and would negatively impact the cue's value in the long run.

Joe

 

[Chris' Cues]

There shouldn't be a problem refinishing the cue. But since it is your playing cue I would be afraid of chinging the feel of the hit by rebuilding the joint just to have differant rings. Might be better off getting a new one made the way you want it.
Chris

 

[Barbara]

Hello everyone.

Is it acceptable to modify a cue made by a reputable cuemaker? Especially one who no longer makes any more cue.

I have been playing with a titlist conversion made by a hall of fame cue maker. But it has many nicks and dings and cracks in the finish from my abuses. I am not a cue collector and i am also not the most careful of players around. I am planning to have it re-finished. However, everything white on the cue is ivory except for the stich rings at the join collar which is maple. I was thinking of changing them to ivory as well.

Is it possible to do so? Is it ethical to do so? or should i sell the cue and get another one made.

Having the cue refinished/repaired is not a problem. Changing out or inserting new inlays is considered taboo among the top cuemakers today.

But it's your cue. You do whatever you want. However, your biggest problem may be finding a cuemaker to do what you want to do. JMO

Barbara

 

[cuenut]

All of the above advise is just wrong!!! Just send the cue to me and I'll send you one with ivory ringwork and we'll call it even.


Seriously,
I would have the cue refinished so no further damage takes place where the finish and dings are present, but not modify the cue. I would possibly have an extra shaft made so that you can preserve the original. In my opinion, I don't know of any cuemaker who would want to see a less than perfect example of his skill and craftsmanship out there for others to see, and as long as you don't alter the workmanship, I don't think there is going to be a negative impact on the value, unless it is a signed cue like a Rambow, etc. and the signature might be removed during the refinishing. If it is unmarked, you might also want to get a cuemaker who can provide provenance to the authenticity of the cue for the future.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[Craig Fales]

You have to ask yourself if it's truly worth it just to have ivory stitching when it wouldn't look that much different than ivory...
________

 

[Dak21st]

Hello everyone.

Is it acceptable to modify a cue made by a reputable cuemaker? Especially one who no longer makes any more cue.

I have been playing with a titlist conversion made by a hall of fame cue maker. But it has many nicks and dings and cracks in the finish from my abuses. I am not a cue collector and i am also not the most careful of players around. I am planning to have it re-finished. However, everything white on the cue is ivory except for the stich rings at the join collar which is maple. I was thinking of changing them to ivory as well.

Is it possible to do so? Is it ethical to do so? or should i sell the cue and get another one made.

IMHO I feel if it works for you do not change it.If you are not a collector, why bother.If you want to try something different so be it.Make it to the specs you like.Cues are made to be played.I know I am as guilty as any for putting cues away.The cuemakers I collect I also have one of theirs I and many friends play with daily.IMHO what helps the cuemaker is the feedback he or she may recieve.Cues need to be played.After all you do not spend $5000 on golf clubs and not use them.Just like anything else there is a market for artistic craftmanship.Does 100 inlays make you play better,probally not.Will that 100 inlay cue gain in value,probally so.The jist of it all is play with what you feel helps your game.If you collect then pursue what you feel is artistic and of value to you and if you are a dealer then you already know how to accomidate both factions.

 

[MasterClass]

Thanks for all the advice.

I play with a predator shaft so the custom shaft has never been used. I cannot play with anything other than a predator of my game will mess up when I play with english. The shaft is not even maple wood! Think it is lemon wood if i remembered correctly.

I thought that changing the maple stich rings was a simple job of just removing the maple inlay and replacing it with ivory ones. Did not know that it requires rebuilding the joint which is ivory so i do not think it will survive the ordeal.

Once again thanks everyone for the advice.

 

[ShaneS]

Is it possible to do so? Is it ethical to do so? or should i sell the cue and get another one made.

Good question. What would you say to someone making changes to the Mona Lisa? Or, perhaps to Michelangelo's 'creation of Adam' in the Sistine Chapel? Some believe that these, and many others, are worth more than life itself; and others don't give any regard to them.

I think it soley depends on what you believe morality is. Is it subjective-- basically, based on your own opinion? Is it relative-- based on what society thinks? Or, is there some truth, or standard, aside from what you, as an individual, think? If so, then what is the answer??? Just a small glimpse into a small portion of thousands of years of philosophical thought.

I would say NO on having it rebuilt. However, is there a possibility in having redone by the original maker?

Good luck with your thinking-- I believe this issue is very deep, and very much worth some thought.

-ShaneS