How big is your shaft???

lenoxmjs

lenoxmjs

Brazilian Rosewood Fan
Silver Member
In the past couple of months have bought several cues from various sources. Shaft sizes usually quoted by the seller as 12.8-13 mm ect.

If the cue arrived and had 1 shaft that was 12.99 but the second only measured 12.31 what would you say to the seller and how much does it hurt the value? This cue was a fairly fancy Bluegrass and the seller was not an AZer.

The second cue was a Richard Hsu and the second shaft measured only 11.91!!!!!

Do you think most people intentionally misrepresent their shaft size or do you think most are guessing and not really measuring.

I would like everyone who replies to state how much a small shaft hurts the value of a cue and if it is dependant on the level of cue in question and weather they think most people measure or guess.

I thank everyone in advance for their opinions on this.
 
lenoxmjs said:
In the past couple of months have bought several cues from various sources. Shaft sizes usually quoted by the seller as 12.8-13 mm ect.

If the cue arrived and had 1 shaft that was 12.99 but the second only measured 12.31 what would you say to the seller and how much does it hurt the value? This cue was a fairly fancy Bluegrass and the seller was not an AZer.

The second cue was a Richard Hsu and the second shaft measured only 11.91!!!!!

Do you think most people intentionally misrepresent their shaft size or do you think most are guessing and not really measuring.

I would like everyone who replies to state how much a small shaft hurts the value of a cue and if it is dependant on the level of cue in question and weather they think most people measure or guess.

I thank everyone in advance for their opinions on this.
Click to expand...

I feel that an "original" shaft is 13mm give or take .2mm. Anything less is no longer an "original" shaft but has been used, turned down, or doctored in some way. Blue book values differ for original shafts. Average is about 150 added to the value of a cue for every extra original shaft. There is a high end cue on ebay with 3 shafts but none of which are more then 12.5, I dont consider any of these shaft to be "original."
If a seller lists both shafts as original, then I feel they shold be preatty close to 13mm. If they are listed that way and one shows up much smaller, I would contact the seller for a partial refund around the blue book for additional shafts. (These are only my opinions and should be taken with salt for added flavor)
 
Bad thoughts

Man the question on this thread could be easily mis interpreted. LOL


Most are 13mm, but I prefer about a 12mm, just what I prefer.

I don't know how smaller would hurt resale, cause some people want that. I think if you ordered it as a certain size, and got another then you should be entitled to a replacement.

As far as resale I don't see it hurting that cue at all.
 
In the past couple of months have bought several cues from various sources. Shaft sizes usually quoted by the seller as 12.8-13 mm ect.

If the cue arrived and had 1 shaft that was 12.99 but the second only measured 12.31 what would you say to the seller and how much does it hurt the value? This cue was a fairly fancy Bluegrass and the seller was not an AZer.

I'd say I want to return the cue. It's like only having 1 shaft for the cue. Well, unless you take up snooker! In the end it only hurts resale value. I'd value it as a cue with one shaft

The second cue was a Richard Hsu and the second shaft measured only 11.91!!!!!

Same as above

Do you think most people intentionally misrepresent their shaft size or do you think most are guessing and not really measuring.

I think some may, most don't have a pair of dial indicator calipers and if they did, they may not measure correct anyway.

I would like everyone who replies to state how much a small shaft hurts the value of a cue and if it is dependant on the level of cue in question and weather they think most people measure or guess.

Like I said it's worth the value with one shaft. I think some guess or they don't know just how much wood is missing from sanding their shaft. Another point is some have their shafts re-tapered or cut down smaller. I'm not sure what their thinking, (more spin) LOL other than making it fit them. I've passed on several cues because of skinny shafts. You just have to ask before the sale. If the answer isn't satisfactory then I pass. I'd think it mandatory if I was selling or dealing in cues.

I thank everyone in advance for their opinions on this.


That's my opinion and I'm sticking to it. Plus several other questions before I buy a cue. Good topic BTW. Perhaps it should have been over in the for sale section. I've thought about doing that to possibly set some kind of standard.

Rod
 
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Depends.....

Having a thinner than normal shaft for your cue doesn't necessarily destroy the value of the cue, but it certainly limits the market. Anyone can buy the cue with the 13mm shaft and have it turned down, but once a shaft has been turned down, you have virtually eliminated all those customers who would have preferred a 13mm shaft. As far as collectible cues are concerned, any shaft that is below the thickness of the original will have some amount of detrimental impact on the value of the cue.
 
My feelings on the matter were about the same as Shang Fu's. I believe that it hurts the value somewhere between 100-150 dollars.
 
As someone who has bought and sold a few cues in my day, I can honestly say it MUCH harder to move a cue with a shaft less than 12.5mm.

Thank you
 
13mmm or else

I noticed at Derby City Classic this year that the dealers and cue buyers are demanding 13mm or they werent interested.

Southwests with pencil shafts were EVERYWHERE and alot disappointed sellers.

Guys - for anyone getting a orginal shaft less than 13mm new, is in a word, less than bright if they think that shaft isnt worthless, and if the shaft is worthless, guess the value of cue.

Along the same lines, cues with only one shaft, almost impossible to sell.

Ken
 
lenoxmjs said:
In the past couple of months have bought several cues from various sources. Shaft sizes usually quoted by the seller as 12.8-13 mm ect.

If the cue arrived and had 1 shaft that was 12.99 but the second only measured 12.31 what would you say to the seller and how much does it hurt the value? This cue was a fairly fancy Bluegrass and the seller was not an AZer.

The second cue was a Richard Hsu and the second shaft measured only 11.91!!!!!

Do you think most people intentionally misrepresent their shaft size or do you think most are guessing and not really measuring.

I would like everyone who replies to state how much a small shaft hurts the value of a cue and if it is dependant on the level of cue in question and weather they think most people measure or guess.

I thank everyone in advance for their opinions on this.
Click to expand...

My opinion is if you are going to sell a cue and wish to maintain a good reputation, then one should purchase or borrow the correct tools to measure and weigh the items properly. I own an Avenger Digital caliper and Tanita digital scale so that all my cue specs are accurate. If someone advertises "full 13mm tips" then they should be 13mm, not 12.75. There is a big playing difference in those two sizes.
 
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Ken_4fun said:
I noticed at Derby City Classic this year that the dealers and cue buyers are demanding 13mm or they werent interested.

Southwests with pencil shafts were EVERYWHERE and alot disappointed sellers.

Guys - for anyone getting a orginal shaft less than 13mm new, is in a word, less than bright if they think that shaft isnt worthless, and if the shaft is worthless, guess the value of cue.

Along the same lines, cues with only one shaft, almost impossible to sell.

Ken
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Ken, that's pretty much the truth. Anything less than 12.8 and you're looking at a hard mover these days. Most buyers now are very, very picky about the shafts and if you have anything less than 12.5....forget about it, it's an automatic $200-$250 less per shaft on a $1500+ cue.

Back to the real question here. Anyone that says sells a cue and quotes a shaft > 0.5mm difference and doesn't notice it is flat out telling you a lie...plain and simply. There is no question. Even without a caliper, unless the seller is a total flake, they have to know.

***This is a very interesting topic of discussion, though. One that many 'cue enthusiasts' fail to realize when they try to trade in a cue for something brand new and pristine.

Sean
 
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My sentiments exactly when I received my Coker with 2 shafts and one shaft was 1/2" shorter and did not line up with the butt and was 3/4 oz heavier...You just expect them to be close to the same. Not exact, but some what close....
 
I read somewhere recently that many of the pros are going to 12.5 mm vs the old standard of 13mm. For myself, I wouldn't buy anything over 13mm or under 12.5mm, at this time. I did years ago. 12.5mm is what I prefer to play with myself. But I've bought and sold a lot of cues and never had a problem selling some that were less than 12.5mm.
 
My shaft is euro tapered, a tad under 12mm, and has a very short ferrule -- 8mm.

-- peer
 
I have always seen it as 13mm is best for collecting or selling, 12.5 is 1/2 gone, and under 12 is dead.
 
cueaddicts said:
Ken, that's pretty much the truth. Anything less than 12.8 and you're looking at a hard mover these days. Most buyers now are very, very picky about the shafts and if you have anything less than 12.5....forget about it, it's an automatic $200-$250 less per shaft on a $1500+ cue.

***This is a very interesting topic of discussion, though. One that many 'cue enthusiasts' fail to realize when they try to trade in a cue for something brand new and pristine.

Sean
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Of the cues I own, several have three shafts, and they all are 12.5 , 12.75, and 13. Of the 2 shaft cues they are 12.75 - 12.8 and 13. I personally like them between 12.5 and 12.8 depending on the swelling/lack of swelling of my hands (I'm diabetic). I always keep a 13 mm shaft in reserve in the event I need to sell the cue.
 
lenoxmjs said:
If the cue arrived and had 1 shaft that was 12.99 but the second only measured 12.31 what would you say to the seller and how much does it hurt the value?
Click to expand...

I'd say to the seller, "I will never buy from you again, or recommend you to anyone."

Do you think most people intentionally misrepresent their shaft size or do you think most are guessing and not really measuring.
Click to expand...

If you buy from a frequent seller, it's misrepresented. If it's Joe Blow unloading his 20 year-old Meucci, it's just guessing.

I would like everyone who replies to state how much a small shaft hurts the value of a cue and if it is dependant on the level of cue in question ...
Click to expand...

It depends upon the market to which you plan to resell the cue. Collectors will want 13mm because that's "perfect". A certain segment of players will want a small shaft; to them, a cue that comes with a small shaft is worth more, up to the cost and trouble of having a 13mm shaft turned down to the preferred size. Ergo, a $2,000+ cue that's likely to sit in a display case will suffer more from a small shaft than a $500 player.
 
cueaddicts said:
Ken, that's pretty much the truth. Anything less than 12.8 and you're looking at a hard mover these days. Most buyers now are very, very picky about the shafts and if you have anything less than 12.5....forget about it, it's an automatic $200-$250 less per shaft on a $1500+ cue.

Back to the real question here. Anyone that says sells a cue and quotes a shaft > 0.5mm difference and doesn't notice it is flat out telling you a lie...plain and simply. There is no question. Even without a caliper, unless the seller is a total flake, they have to know.

***This is a very interesting topic of discussion, though. One that many 'cue enthusiasts' fail to realize when they try to trade in a cue for something brand new and pristine.

Sean
Click to expand...
Thanks for giving us the Dealers perspective. Hopefully a few more will chime in on how they feel size affects value
 
shag_fu said:
I feel that an "original" shaft is 13mm give or take .2mm. Anything less is no longer an "original" shaft but has been used, turned down, or doctored in some way. Blue book values differ for original shafts. Average is about 150 added to the value of a cue for every extra original shaft. There is a high end cue on ebay with 3 shafts but none of which are more then 12.5, I dont consider any of these shaft to be "original."
If a seller lists both shafts as original, then I feel they shold be preatty close to 13mm. If they are listed that way and one shows up much smaller, I would contact the seller for a partial refund around the blue book for additional shafts. (These are only my opinions and should be taken with salt for added flavor)
Click to expand...

By original they are referring to the shafts the came with the cue when new...
________
 
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