Eric Crisp of Sugar Tree cues has been one of our biggest supporters from the beginning. I'm lucky to call him a friend and have spent many evenings talking cues with him. I respect him as as a craftsman and like how he is straight forward in all things. So it's very cool for me to be able to tell you about a project I am really excited about that he made possible.
Eric came up with the idea to do a short run of TAR cues. We kicked the idea around off and on for well over a year. One idea was to partner with one of our sponsors at the time like OB Cues or Mezz and have Eric build the butt and use production shafts as a tie in. I was always of the mind that Eric’s cues truly stand on their own and while an interesting idea it didn’t really get me personally excited about it.
Fast forward awhile, Eric was in Las Vegas and we were playing pool one night. As always the conversation turned to cues and I asked Eric “You know you see Gus and George style cues all over the place. Why don’t you ever see any Martin style cues? TAD has done some some Martin style cues but not any with the ivory and brown joint that I have seen. I have always wondered why you don’t see more of them, they are great looking cues.” Eric said “I can do that.”
At that point we knew we were on to something. It turns out Eric is not only a fan of Martins work but is very knowledgeable about the man and his cues. Eric went to work and created the cue you see above. Number one of a limited series. We still haven’t decided on the total number in the series. We seem to going back and forth between three and five. I am guessing with Eric’s workload it will end up being closer to the former than the latter.
Each cue will be signed by Eric in his normal manner and marked in pencil on the butt trim ring “TAR #1” etc. The project is as much for fun and to create something interesting as anything. In a cue world that is seeing ever more and more intricately inlayed and adorned cues we feel there is still a place for straight forward players cues that focus on the beauty of the materials instead of a hundred inlays all over the place. All cues have a place and we feel these will make a few lucky owners very happy.
The cue above will be at Super Billiards Expo 2011 next week. If you would like to see it or are interested in purchasing it just let me know and I’ll get it for you to check out. Price on this cue is $1750 and will be for sale at Valley Forge. The cue above features a dyed cork wrap and ivory joint with two of the famous Sugar Tree shafts.
I can’t thank Eric enough for all of his support of TAR and for allowing me to be a part of this very fun and exciting project. I havent actually seen the cue in person yet and feel kind of like a kid on Christmas waiting to see it Thursday at Valley Forge.
