Full Splice Cues ???

jdelcue

jdelcue

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Saw the Klein that buck15 is selling (again, after I almost bought it the first time around but thought the points were too small and don't really like smooth leather too much), which got me to thinking...

Hercek and Tascarella, of course...but aside from the big boys:

Who do you think makes the best full spilce cue otherwise? I'm not looking for comparisons to the greats...just wondering who else makes 'em...and makes 'em good!


Some pics would be appropriate, if you have any, as well as info...
 
www.bearcues.com

mark bear in fredericksburg, va:)
Mark is very difficult to get a hold of, he will be at the sbe 2007 in valley forge, if you can catch up to him bring a good bottle of fine whiskey. :)
 
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Jeeves said:
Mark is very difficult to get a hold of, he will be at the sbe 2007 in valley forge.
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I had no troubles contacting Mr. Bear thru e-mail. He responded within a day, very polite.

gr. Dave
 
John Davis, in the Chicago area, makes full spiced cues (and blanks). TATE has some info about him on his website (palmercollector.com).

I have a Davis cue coming soon.....full splice ebony into maple with 4 veneers. My understanding is that Mr. Davis worked with Burton Spain WAY back in the day.....and made/makes one hell of a nice cue.

There have been disucssions here on the boards about his cues/blanks....and his splices.

Since I don't have mine yet, I can't give testimony to how nice they play.....but I have a feeling!!! :) :) :)

FWIW - The Klein that buck15 has is a nice looking cue. I almost picked it up, too....but wound up going another way. I know Mr. Klein makes a great cue...and I have one on order with him, too!

Rat
 
I think mind are black, green, orange and blue...not real sure...lol. Tulip into ebony, solid black linen wrap, with rings below the wrap. I'm expecting a great hit...sure, lets compare notes. You'll get yours first, though. :p
 
...Andy Gilbert does full splice cues these days.

I haven't played one so no opinions on if they're good.

-s
 
There are lots of full splice cues, bar cues for example, but what you are looking for is full splice cues with colored veneers and long, even inner and outer points. This narrows down the list to just a couple of makers, and most of those are not easily attainable.

I am among the group that think a full splice cue is the ultimate in cue craftsmanship. It is much, much harder to build a cue this way and to get everything right (using traditional, non-automated techniques).

I still think the best thing to do is buy a blank from John Davis or Mark Bear, then have a custom made with it to your specs by your favorite cue maker with your favorite shaft. I don't know that much about Mark's (they look terrific) , but I know you can get the colors and woods you want from John for sure, and you're getting a blank that is at least as good as the ones he supplied George Balabuska, but made better and stronger with a greater variety of color choices and woods.

John Davis took over Burton Spain's business originally and made blanks for George Balabushka for several years, before Gus Szamboti did. So buying a blank like this, in my book, is like buying a piece of cue making history. If you look in the Blue Book under Balabushka you will see John's name briefly in the history section and in the value section as well.

Chris
 
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Nick B said:
I can't say enough good things about the quality, performance and value.
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Thanks for the link.

You know, I really like that hexagonal butt. Sometimes "different" doesn't go over too well with cues, but that works.

Ken
 
TATE said:
There are lots of full splice cues, bar cues for example, but what you are looking for is full splice cues with colored veneers and long, even inner and outer points. This narrows down the list to just a couple of makers, and most of those are not easily attainable.

I am among the group that think a full splice cue is the ultimate in cue craftsmanship. It is much, much harder to build a cue this way and to get everything right (using traditional, non-automated techniques).

I still think the best thing to do is buy a blank from John Davis or Mark Bear, then have a custom made with it to your specs by your favorite cue maker with your favorite shaft. I don't know that much about Mark's (they look terrific) , but I know you can get the colors and woods you want from John for sure, and you're getting a blank that is at least as good as the ones he supplied George Balabuska, but made better and stronger with a greater variety of color choices and woods.

John Davis took over Burton Spain's business originally and made blanks for George Balabushka for several years, before Gus Szamboti did. So buying a blank like this, in my book, is like buying a piece of cue making history. If you look in the Blue Book under Balabushka you will see John's name briefly in the history section and in the value section as well.

Chris
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Hi Chris...just curious...is there some reason you're not suggesting that John Davis make the whole cue? I have one ordered from him but don't know anyone who has one of his cues. I considered having another cuemaker build the cue with one of John's blanks, but feel that the entire cue from John would be a more "authentic" piece of history. I'd appreciate your input. Thanks...:)
 
rayjay said:
Hi Chris...just curious...is there some reason you're not suggesting that John Davis make the whole cue? I have one ordered from him but don't know anyone who has one of his cues. I considered having another cuemaker build the cue with one of John's blanks, but feel that the entire cue from John would be a more "authentic" piece of history. I'd appreciate your input. Thanks...:)
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I haven't seen a complete cue either.

Mainly because John works full time, I'm not sure how long it would take for him to build a cue. I know he's not doing inlays, etc, so it should be fine as long as someone wants something basic. In a year or two, when he can focus on cue building exclusively, that's when I think it would be a good time to order a cue from John. But I guess by then he might be booked up too.

Chris
 
Just got back from ACUI so couldn't check anything till just now...
Thanks for all the info, guys! =)
 
TATE said:
I haven't seen a complete cue either.

Mainly because John works full time, I'm not sure how long it would take for him to build a cue. I know he's not doing inlays, etc, so it should be fine as long as someone wants something basic. In a year or two, when he can focus on cue building exclusively, that's when I think it would be a good time to order a cue from John. But I guess by then he might be booked up too.

Chris
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I picked up one blank from John and Sailor is making me a cue with it. Another one I ordered from John should be done within the next week and Ed Young is going to take a look at it and see if he can make me a cue. A friend of mine talked with John who quoted him a 16 week turnaround to have a cue made.
 
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