Hey guys,
It seems that most of us have a different idea of what the condition is of a cue. Some feel that if a cue is older and has a few bumps and scratches it's ok and can still be considered to be in excellent condition. To me, regardless of how old the cue is, the condition is the condition.
So what exactly is considered excellent condition?
Here is my take on it and how I grade when I'm buying or selling a cue.
Perfect- The cue is new or test hit. There are no dings, dents, or scratches. Everything is straight together and apart. It doesn't need a thing including tip replacment.
Excellent- The finish is still perfect with no dings, dents, or scratches. Everything is straight together and apart. There is little or no blueing of the shafts and it may need a new tip.
Very good- The finish is still nice. There may be a very small scratch or scuff but overall it looks new. With a little work, it may be able to be buffed out. Everything is straight but may have the slightest roll (thickness of a credit card) in a shaft. There is very little blueing of the shafts that could be cleaned and/or it may need a new tip.
Good- The finish is still glossy but it may have a few bumps or scratches. There is no finish lifting at the rings. The butt is straight but the shafts may have a very slight rool to one or both. It would be nothing that would effect play but should be mentioned to a potential buyer. It may need a new wrap or tips replaced but should still be in a condition that it can be played. Bascially it's used but not abused and may need a wear item replaced.
Fair- The finish is starting to show some wear. There are multiple small dings, dents, or scratches that would take a refinish to repair. There may be some areas where you can feel the rings through the finish but they haven't lifted to the point where you can see air under it. The wrap may be in need of replacment. The butt may have a slight warp and the shafts are somewhat straight. The cue could still be a "player" if someone didn't care about the way it looked.
Poor- The finish is looking worn. There are multiple dings, dents, or scratches and there are areas where it has lifted and there is air noticable under the finish. There are multiple rings lifting and is in need of a refinish. The butt and shafts are not straight. There may be areas that need repair such as a broken buttplate or a cracked joint.
Of course this isn't meant to be the end all be all of cue grading. It's just my take on it. Additionally, there can be times that a cue could fall under two grades. It might be in "very good" condition but have a more serious issue such as a cracked joint that could be repaired. Or maybe it's in "excellent" condition but there is a problem with the finish and it is lifting at the rings. When something like this happens, I usually grade it on the overall condition while considering the issue but I always mention it. The wording may sound something like:
"The cue is in excellent overall condition other than an area where the finish is lifting at the joint collar."
"The cue is in very good condition but the buttplate is cracked and will need to be replaced."
I hope this is helpful to some of you. If anyone has anything to add, please feel free. :thumbup:
It seems that most of us have a different idea of what the condition is of a cue. Some feel that if a cue is older and has a few bumps and scratches it's ok and can still be considered to be in excellent condition. To me, regardless of how old the cue is, the condition is the condition.
So what exactly is considered excellent condition?
Here is my take on it and how I grade when I'm buying or selling a cue.
Perfect- The cue is new or test hit. There are no dings, dents, or scratches. Everything is straight together and apart. It doesn't need a thing including tip replacment.
Excellent- The finish is still perfect with no dings, dents, or scratches. Everything is straight together and apart. There is little or no blueing of the shafts and it may need a new tip.
Very good- The finish is still nice. There may be a very small scratch or scuff but overall it looks new. With a little work, it may be able to be buffed out. Everything is straight but may have the slightest roll (thickness of a credit card) in a shaft. There is very little blueing of the shafts that could be cleaned and/or it may need a new tip.
Good- The finish is still glossy but it may have a few bumps or scratches. There is no finish lifting at the rings. The butt is straight but the shafts may have a very slight rool to one or both. It would be nothing that would effect play but should be mentioned to a potential buyer. It may need a new wrap or tips replaced but should still be in a condition that it can be played. Bascially it's used but not abused and may need a wear item replaced.
Fair- The finish is starting to show some wear. There are multiple small dings, dents, or scratches that would take a refinish to repair. There may be some areas where you can feel the rings through the finish but they haven't lifted to the point where you can see air under it. The wrap may be in need of replacment. The butt may have a slight warp and the shafts are somewhat straight. The cue could still be a "player" if someone didn't care about the way it looked.
Poor- The finish is looking worn. There are multiple dings, dents, or scratches and there are areas where it has lifted and there is air noticable under the finish. There are multiple rings lifting and is in need of a refinish. The butt and shafts are not straight. There may be areas that need repair such as a broken buttplate or a cracked joint.
Of course this isn't meant to be the end all be all of cue grading. It's just my take on it. Additionally, there can be times that a cue could fall under two grades. It might be in "very good" condition but have a more serious issue such as a cracked joint that could be repaired. Or maybe it's in "excellent" condition but there is a problem with the finish and it is lifting at the rings. When something like this happens, I usually grade it on the overall condition while considering the issue but I always mention it. The wording may sound something like:
"The cue is in excellent overall condition other than an area where the finish is lifting at the joint collar."
"The cue is in very good condition but the buttplate is cracked and will need to be replaced."
I hope this is helpful to some of you. If anyone has anything to add, please feel free. :thumbup:
