Hey All-First Post and a Question...

Joker

Joker

Registered
Stumbled upon this forum while surfing and after lurking around for a bit I decided it was time to belly up and join in. Glad I found you. Thanks for having me.

My first post is a question about a cue that I forgot I owned and now that I've rediscovered it I can't find any info about it. Nada. Ziltch.

It's a Balicini cue made by McDermott. I've had it for about 15 years and it wasn't new when I got it. It's a deep, midnight blue color and made from fiberglass. It has no collar or rings or any other ornaments but it is linen wrapped.

You can actually see the fiberglass weave under a thick layer of resin and it gives it a really cool depth, kinda three dimensional. I seem to remember that they came in red and purple and black and maybe a few other colors too.

It's hard and stiff and was my break cue back in the day when I had a life that allowed for playing games and other such childishness.:o

Anyway, I've attached a pic and would appreciate any insight or info as to it's origins/demise or anything else!

Thanks.

Judd-12.jpg
 
Welcome to the forums. I can't help you with the cue though. I am sure someone here can. Have fun :)

BVal
 
Balicini was a graphite cue McDermott sold as a break cue. It'd be similar to todays Sledgehammer. I'm not 100% sure but I believe it was in the $100 range (back in the early 90's). I also believe it was a cue that was retired sometime around 1990. What exactly are you trying to figure out? I can find out for you if I don't already know.
 
RakEm said:
Well, that makes two of us! And thanks!
Click to expand...
Well that makes 3 of us.
Welcome to the forum.:ok:
I would like to point out that we already have a Rackem problem.:grin:
It has lead to confusion in the past about which Rackem is who.
I have had people confuse me for both joerackem and rackemsucker.
I think adding RakEm is going to be real confusing.:sorry:
You might want to contemplate choosing a not so similar moniker. :cool:
 
The Balicini line of McDs were made of carbon fiber, they had an enormous machine that looked like it was turning down truck axles. The cost to produce them was more than they would bring in the market place, and they were discontinued. They came in 4 or 5 different colors and were not made as break cues primarily, but as playing cues.

They were super stiff, and had a finish on the shaft, making a glove a neccessity. It was learned later to just hit the shaft with some 400 grit and they would slide nicely through the fingers like a cuetec.

They were truly a warp proof cue, and if the cost of the carbon fiber was not so prohibitve at the time, they had a lot of promise for future development.
 
Rockin' Robin said:
The Balicini line of McDs were made of carbon fiber, they had an enormous machine that looked like it was turning down truck axles. The cost to produce them was more than they would bring in the market place, and they were discontinued. They came in 4 or 5 different colors and were not made as break cues primarily, but as playing cues.

They were super stiff, and had a finish on the shaft, making a glove a neccessity. It was learned later to just hit the shaft with some 400 grit and they would slide nicely through the fingers like a cuetec.

They were truly a warp proof cue, and if the cost of the carbon fiber was not so prohibitve at the time, they had a lot of promise for future development.
Click to expand...

If you want to know anything about the McDermott line of cues (Company), this is the man. Well done partner....SPF=randyg
 
rackem said:
Well that makes 3 of us.
Welcome to the forum.:ok:
I would like to point out that we already have a Rackem problem.:grin:
It has lead to confusion in the past about which Rackem is who.
I have had people confuse me for both joerackem and rackemsucker.
I think adding RakEm is going to be real confusing.:sorry:
You might want to contemplate choosing a not so similar moniker. :cool:
Click to expand...

Damn...I shoulda known. I went through the members list and actually found another guy named "Rack'Em" with the same avatar as mine.

Well, alright. I'll go remake myself since I'm guessing I can't simply change my user name.

Thank you all, BTW, for the warm welcome and the insightful answers to my question. There will be more, I'm sure. Glad to know Robin's here for all things McDermott. Carbon fiber. That's it!

And to answer MilwShooter's query, I've got a cue package that I'm considering posting in the Az classified section. The Balicini would be part of it and, like I stated originally, I completely went foggy on the details of my own cue stick. :embarrassed2:

Now, into a nearby phone booth and out jumps....(I'll let you know).:wink:
 
per McDermott;

This is our BAL-01 Balicini model. We made these in the late 90’s and were made of a graphite/carbon fiber composite. They sold for $295 and retain that value today.

Jayme Cernicka
Customer Service Manager
McDermott Cue
1-800-666-2283 x 121


I kinda doubt the part about retaining it's value though. I found a couple that sold in the 100-150 range.
 
Yes, the 'buy' price is in the 100-150 range for people looking to resell or collect. The price I would put on the cues in my shop would be any where from 250-350 depending on the condition of the cue.
 
Welcome! ... and I believe you can change your name. Contact azhousepro , that's the owner, Mike Howerton. He's ok. (meaning he's a good guy that will treat you right)
 
JimS said:
Welcome! ... and I believe you can change your name. Contact azhousepro , that's the owner, Mike Howerton. He's ok. (meaning he's a good guy that will treat you right)
Click to expand...

Thanks, Jim. I PM'd Mike and hope to have a rebirthing party soon!:wink:

Until then, I'm still just another RakEm!
 
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