Herman Rambow Cue Restoration ?

CPhilipRoss

CPhilipRoss

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I started playing pool & 3 cushion billiards when attending the University of Illinois in 1961. My first cue was a Brunswick "Willie Hoppe". In 1964 I met Herman Rambow in his shop on Walbash Ave. in Chicago, and he repaired one of the shafts on my Hoppe cue. In 1966 I had graduated, and finally purchased my Rambow cue. I believe he died a few years later. I played with it until ~ 1985, when I purchased my first of two Burton Spain cues (which I still use today).

Last month I had my second Spain cue refinished / refurbished by a restorer in Bridgeton, NJ. (he did a great job) This cue meant a lot to me because when I visited Burton in his home shop on Division Street in Chicago, I described the second cue I wanted him build for me. He replied that I had described his personal cue. He was also a 3-cusion player and we shared similar high run of 10. When he offered to sell me his personal cue at the time I immediately bought it (actually discounted from his list price at the time of only $675 !).

This week I took my Rambow cue back to New Jersey, I expecting have a similar restoration done on this cue. He refused because it's potential value might be diminished. It still has the original wrap, as well as my name & initials on the cue.

My questions for this forum, are - whether I should have anything done to the cue before I offer it for sale? and how should I proceed with selling it? Any comments or advice would be appreciated. I can send photo's if this would help. Thanks.
 
my home town is bridgeton ,nj. who did the refinish for you? i bet i know if its the same person hes passed. im sure u know alot of the same ppl i do

if i were you and the rambow is in decent shape i would not touch it. if it really bad scott sherbine of proficient billiards and a good friend of mine jerry rauenzahn do excellent resto work.
 
If you can, I would try to post pictures of it on this forum and then ask for opinions unless it is obviously in really bad shape. During a refinish, it is pretty likely that your name and initials will at best be partially removed, as from what I understand, most of them were done in pencil unlike most today done in ink. You will likely, as you may already have, several PMs on the side from those wanting to make an offer to buy your cue. I will tell you now that I am interested when you come up with a price. In either case, I recommend not selling it without getting a good feeling from those on this forum as to it's value.
 
I arranged the refurbishing through Jose Garcia at Q-Ball Billiard Lounge in Bridgeton. The work done on my Burton Spain was excellent.
 
You have an excellent taste for cues!
Like it was mentioned already: I wouldn't touch that Rambow for any reason unless it is in really bad shape! If it isn't then it should worth a lot.

Dave Sutton has mentioned Jerry Rauenzhan - you may find many of his restoration works in this forum - all of them were extremely well done!!

Posting some pictures would definitely help judging what the cue(s) worth - and I'm very curious about your cues too! (a bit off, sorry: I have started a thread called 'Burton Spain photos' under the Cue Gallery section so that you can see how interested I am in Burton's works. If you can, please do post pictures of your Burton cues too - in case you need help posting them just PM and I'll help you!)

Take care,
David Bredan
 
David,

This is my first day using this site. I have some photo's but don't know the protocol / procedure for posting. Any assistance would be appreciated.

Phil Ross (gici@cox.net)
 
Only one person should do that restoration

Paul Rubino.
He is the man for Ramdo restorations. If you call him you will find out why. He is also one of the only people that would be able to write a 100% verified letter of authentification accepted by any one in the world.
When he gets your cue he may refuse to touch it. That is another reason to use him.
Good luck
Nick :)
 
Refinish?

Hi, they look just fine and any work you have done to them won't
increase their value and most likely take away from it.


Orion
 
David,

No dings or scratches. The white ring near the butt has reduced in diameter and has some "shrinkage" cracks, but is still all there.The black rings on each side of the brass joint seem "larger" in diameter than the wood by a few thousand's. Thats it.

As mentioned before, I played it until I got my first Burton Spain and is certainly still playable. Phil
 
Why sell them at all?

Unless you are in dire need of funds, I would hold on to them.

ALL OF THEM.

Secondly, if I was to sell them, this forum or ebay ARE NOT the place to sell them.

I would recommend talking privately to dealers and only the right collectors.

Ken
 
I would definitely leave the Rambo in its current condition. It looks remarkable for its age, in my opinion, and refinishing it would definitely deminish its originality value. From the pictures, the signatures are already starting to fade, and a refinish would completely remove what is left. The signature could be saved, but I would not take the risk of losing it. And as Nick stated above----Rubino would be the only person I would send it to for both the letter of authentification and or repair----refinish would not even be an option.

P.S. If your feeling your generosity gene kicking in, and would like to donate it to me I would be ever so appreciative.

P.S.S. When you figure out a price PM me it plz.
 
CPhilipRoss said:
David,

No dings or scratches. The white ring near the butt has reduced in diameter and has some "shrinkage" cracks, but is still all there.The black rings on each side of the brass joint seem "larger" in diameter than the wood by a few thousand's. Thats it.

As mentioned before, I played it until I got my first Burton Spain and is certainly still playable. Phil
Click to expand...


yes. jose is a very good friend of mine.

the man that did you refinish work name is dan ballone. he is my uncle. he does as excellent work. as good as any top notch cuemaker. he made me a shaft for as very rare joss circa 1968. very odd collar but he made it 8 times so the maple matched perfectly. look like it rolled out of the shop with the cue in 1968. danny janes tim scruggs or bill stroud couldnt match it . i contacted them all.

he is a cabinet maker and does cues on the side. takes his time and does it right. uses an automotive clear coat.

ps i can give you dans number if youd like... i private messeged you.

you have some gold mines there sir. none of which are in bad condition. DO NOT touch them. no need. youll get top dollar for them depending on straightness.
 
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