Info on Adam cue model AA-4 - age, value

kowalski383

kowalski383

New member
Hey Folks, recent member/first-time poster, probably posting the wrong forum (sorry) looking for info. I've got an old Adam (I believe) cue, model AA-4 (according to decal), and I'd sure appreciate any info on this thing. I'm somewhat familiar with the very early Adam cues (father and uncle owned/operated a small pool room during the early '70s into the mid-'80s and sold some of the early cues), but that's about the extent of my familiarity. I'm in the process of selling a fair pile of cues from my uncle's estate and I'd hate to know that I 'gave something away' way too cheap. The cue in question looks to have been used (one of two shafts chalked and wrap is a bit dingy). Lotta Googlin' hasn't turned up anything. Thanks for any help ~ Clint

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20260517_113245_(re-size).jpg
 
Cool cue.

This is far from an early Adam cue. More like later China/Taiwan manufacture. There were a lot of Asian Southwest clones made like 10 to 20 years ago, very popular, this was one of them.

Value is what someone will pay. You have already seen there isn't much in the way of comparables.

3andstop

Thread 'Southwest knock off cues'

Hi all. A while back, maybe 8 or so months, I bought a few southwest knock off cues that were sold on Ebay. They were nothing really special, sold with 2 shafts by two vendors who actually were the same seller. The names were MR-Cue and wengzhende2009.

I ended up liking these things and use one all the time. I'd like to find another one of the Curly Maple and Snakewood just to have a second one.

If anyone purchased one of these and didn't like it or has it sitting in a corner somewhere let me know. The one I'm speaking of is the third one down from the top. It most likely would...

www.facebook.com

SoCal Pool Players | Custom Southwest Style cue with real inlays | Facebook

Custom Southwest Style cue with real inlays. Handmade in Taiwan. 3.8x11 joint. 250 usd.
www.facebook.com www.facebook.com

Many were Kaiser branded.

E

Thread 'kaiser cue for sale'

Used cue, 19 oz two shafts, morri tips, good condition 100 shipped


If you are liquidating a collection, we would love to see it. How are you planning to liquidate?

Typically, auctions determine the value.

FYI- The main forum is best for cue ID.
 
Thanks for the info, 'doc'. Didn't mean to imply that it was an 'early' cue. That model # just seems unusual to me (idk). I'll prolly just list it on eBay as an auction (low starting bid) and let it go...

Yeah, my uncle had a pile of J&J and Kaiser cues (think he bought them in the early 2000s or so), been clearing them out for the past few months (Facebook MarketPlace and eBay). He was a wealth of information on the history of pool and cue-making, wish I'd paid a bit more attention back in the day :confused:. Later in his life he was sort of an amateur cue-smith...

I'll try to post some pics of the remaining cues when I get ready to get rid of them (prolly within the next few months). Been saving the early Adams and a few others for last, I realize I need to pay more attention to them vs the J&Js and Kaisers. The Adams are the ones with the 'automobile' names (Gran Prix, LeMans, Riviera (sp?), a few Rambows), still in their boxes. I do recall (I was very young at the time) that several of these cues that my dad/uncle sold back in the early/mid-'70s separated at the joint under the wrap (usually during a break). I had one (still got it) that did this. My uncle repaired them (unwrapped, re-glued, re-wrapped)... If memory serves there are a couple of old Brunswick Willie Hoppe 'autograph' cues (also still in boxes), curious as to what they might be worth...

Thanks for the help/info :)
 
kowalski383 said:
Thanks for the info, 'doc'. Didn't mean to imply that it was an 'early' cue. That model # just seems unusual to me (idk). I'll prolly just list it on eBay as an auction (low starting bid) and let it go...

Yeah, my uncle had a pile of J&J and Kaiser cues (think he bought them in the early 2000s or so), been clearing them out for the past few months (Facebook MarketPlace and eBay). He was a wealth of information on the history of pool and cue-making, wish I'd paid a bit more attention back in the day :confused:. Later in his life he was sort of an amateur cue-smith...

I'll try to post some pics of the remaining cues when I get ready to get rid of them (prolly within the next few months). Been saving the early Adams and a few others for last, I realize I need to pay more attention to them vs the J&Js and Kaisers. The Adams are the ones with the 'automobile' names (Gran Prix, LeMans, Riviera (sp?), a few Rambows), still in their boxes. I do recall (I was very young at the time) that several of these cues that my dad/uncle sold back in the early/mid-'70s separated at the joint under the wrap (usually during a break). I had one (still got it) that did this. My uncle repaired them (unwrapped, re-glued, re-wrapped)... If memory serves there are a couple of old Brunswick Willie Hoppe 'autograph' cues (also still in boxes), curious as to what they might be worth...

Thanks for the help/info :)
Click to expand...
Rambow still in box?
 
epoxypop said:
I can tell you who sells those stickers Hey guys this guy is brand new be careful.
Click to expand...
Stickers are easy. Print your own at home or order custom stickers from a variety of sources. Durt cheap. Waterslides too. Some will sell you a waterslide worth pennies for $20 if you think it's "special" because it's an old logo or nane.

The forearm has the logo, probably under the finish. So, I think it's actually an Adam. But Adam made everything from the cheapest Ramin wood cues to the numbered Helmstetters we all know.

At any rate, the cue is what it is. We've seen plenty of them. At a glance it looks like a nice one.

Lots of Adam cues on Ebay out of Japan that we don't see in known catalogs. They made millions.

The logo gets it some attention in a sale. It will probably do OK.
 
kowalski383 said:
Thanks for the info, 'doc'. Didn't mean to imply that it was an 'early' cue. That model # just seems unusual to me (idk). I'll prolly just list it on eBay as an auction (low starting bid) and let it go...

Yeah, my uncle had a pile of J&J and Kaiser cues (think he bought them in the early 2000s or so), been clearing them out for the past few months (Facebook MarketPlace and eBay). He was a wealth of information on the history of pool and cue-making, wish I'd paid a bit more attention back in the day :confused:. Later in his life he was sort of an amateur cue-smith...

I'll try to post some pics of the remaining cues when I get ready to get rid of them (prolly within the next few months). Been saving the early Adams and a few others for last, I realize I need to pay more attention to them vs the J&Js and Kaisers. The Adams are the ones with the 'automobile' names (Gran Prix, LeMans, Riviera (sp?), a few Rambows), still in their boxes. I do recall (I was very young at the time) that several of these cues that my dad/uncle sold back in the early/mid-'70s separated at the joint under the wrap (usually during a break). I had one (still got it) that did this. My uncle repaired them (unwrapped, re-glued, re-wrapped)... If memory serves there are a couple of old Brunswick Willie Hoppe 'autograph' cues (also still in boxes), curious as to what they might be worth...

Thanks for the help/info :)
Click to expand...
If you decide to place the cue on eBay, let us know.
👍
 
Chopdoc said:
Cool cue.

This is far from an early Adam cue. More like later China/Taiwan manufacture. There were a lot of Asian Southwest clones made like 10 to 20 years ago, very popular, this was one of them.

Value is what someone will pay. You have already seen there isn't much in the way of comparables.

3andstop

Thread 'Southwest knock off cues'

Hi all. A while back, maybe 8 or so months, I bought a few southwest knock off cues that were sold on Ebay. They were nothing really special, sold with 2 shafts by two vendors who actually were the same seller. The names were MR-Cue and wengzhende2009.

I ended up liking these things and use one all the time. I'd like to find another one of the Curly Maple and Snakewood just to have a second one.

If anyone purchased one of these and didn't like it or has it sitting in a corner somewhere let me know. The one I'm speaking of is the third one down from the top. It most likely would...

www.facebook.com

SoCal Pool Players | Custom Southwest Style cue with real inlays | Facebook

Custom Southwest Style cue with real inlays. Handmade in Taiwan. 3.8x11 joint. 250 usd.
www.facebook.com www.facebook.com

Many were Kaiser branded.

E

Thread 'kaiser cue for sale'

Used cue, 19 oz two shafts, morri tips, good condition 100 shipped


If you are liquidating a collection, we would love to see it. How are you planning to liquidate?

Typically, auctions determine the value.

FYI- The main forum is best for cue ID.
Click to expand...
I'm far from a ADAM expert i will say i've never seen one with a SW-style pin. Tend to agree with your take here.
 
garczar said:
I'm far from a ADAM expert i will say i've never seen one with a SW-style pin. Tend to agree with your take here.
Click to expand...
I am not an expert either.

These are the joints in the 2012-2012 Adam "Concept Book "Catalog.

They have used a lot more joints than just these, yes including a SW style. The copy I have is in Asian writing, I'll see if I can get it translated later and maybe include the pin descriptions in case anybody is interested.

2012-2013 Adam Pins.png
 
AI Translation:

🌟 Main Highlights
  • Triple Joint (Pat. 2679002): Combines a double and twin joint for maximum stability and a unified hit feel.
  • 3/8 10-Pin: Uses a pipe screw inside a 10-pin joint to improve durability and create a softer hit feel.
  • Radial Pin Joint: Significantly increases the contact area compared to traditional joints for ultimate power transfer.
  • Uni-Loc Joint: Genuine imported joint from Uni-Loc in the USA, known for incredibly fast detachment.
  • Balabushka Type Joint: Recreates the classic, nostalgic hit feel of early Adam custom cues.
  • Double Joint (Pat. 2679002): Uses internal and external screws for a unified feel; highly popular with 3-Cushion players.
  • Twin Joint (Pat. 2679002): Features a two-step screw design for faster assembly and a solid, deflection-reducing hit.
  • Wood Joint: Features threads cut directly into the wood material for a hit feel closest to a 1-piece cue.


📖 Detailed Joint Explanations

Triple Joint (Pat. 2679002)
  • Design: Structural merger of the "Double Joint" and "Twin Joint."
  • Status: Represents Adam's highest-tier proprietary joint connection.
  • Function: Maximizes the connection surface area using three thread structures.
  • Feel: Produces an incredibly unified feel between the shaft and the butt.

3/8 10-Pin (With Pipe Screw)
  • Design: Standard 3/8 10-pin joint reinforced with an internal pipe screw.
  • Function: Greatly enhances overall structural durability.
  • Feel: Delivers a softer hit feel, highly recommended for players who dislike stiff joints.

Radial Pin Joint
  • Design: Precision-engineered pin that maximizes the contact area between components.
  • Function: Ensures a tighter lock and minimizes kinetic energy loss.
  • Feel: Delivers phenomenal power transfer and an exceptionally consistent feel.

Uni-Loc Joint (Pat. 5518455, 5527224, 5890966)
  • Design: Genuine quick-release joint imported directly from Uni-Loc in America.
  • Function: Allows for lightning-fast detachment with very few turns.
  • Feel: Standard premium feel recognized worldwide.

Balabushka Type Joint
  • Design: Recreates the joint style made famous by legendary maker George Balabushka.
  • Function: Utilized primarily in Adam’s classic A/H and J/R series cues.
  • Feel: Retains the iconic, nostalgic hit feel of vintage custom cues.

Double Joint (Pat. 2679002)
  • Design: Double-threaded system securing both the inner and outer areas.
  • Function: Promotes extreme rigidity and a highly unified solid hit.
  • Audience: Heavily favored by elite international 3-Cushion carom players.

Twin Joint (Pat. 2679002)
  • Design: Two-stage thread system that accelerates the screwing process.
  • Function: Provides a tighter connection that reduces deflection compared to standard joints.
  • Feel: Provides a soft yet sturdy hit feel.

Wood Joint (Wood Screw)
  • Design: Male threads are cut directly into the wooden pin of the shaft/butt.
  • Types: Available in three distinct thread variations: English, European, and Fine.
  • Feel: Mimics the uninterrupted, organic hit feel of a traditional one-piece pool cue.


💡 Joint Overview & Philosophy
  • History: Over 100 years since Herman Rambow introduced the first 2-piece cue.
  • Goal: Modern cue makers constantly strive to replicate the solid hit of a 1-piece cue.
  • Innovation: Adam focuses heavily on joints like the Double, Twin, and Triple to achieve this goal.
  • Deflection: Choosing the right joint drastically reduces unwanted deflection.
  • Hit Feel: The total hit feel depends heavily on the joint choice, wood materials, and construction.


2012-2013 Adam Joints full.png
 
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