My new Baseball Bat...

[galipeau]

Oops, I meant to say Pool cue. You'll see why I confused the two, take a look at these specs!

-Tips 13.50 and 13.56 mm (the "smaller" of the two has a really sweet tone)
-Taper is not a regular pro taper, it's very gradual and plays pretty stiff.
-Joint is at .810
-Brass pin and collar (looks better that SS to me.. especially when it's all shinied up)
-3/8x11 pin
- "A" joint is 1.05
-Buttcap is 1.20

Four ebony points into birdseye. Natural/green/black veneers stacked, not mitered. The blank might be a Prather, but this unconfirmed. Green spec (Cortland??) wrap, I cleaned the whole cue and got some of the grime off the shafts, ferrules and wraps. The joint buffed out nicely as well. The Shafts have some sugar marks, and they are slightly darker than some, but they roll straight and have decent grain lines. The buttcap will need to be replaced, and will look great with a nice white delrin... The buttsleeve is a rosewood, that doesn't quite match the points. might stain that a bit darker to match... not sure yet.

Before cleaning:







After cleaning:






This cue was built by Terry Stonier (confirmed), the original proprietor of the Jointed Cue in Sacramento, and a major Tournament promoter back in the day. I picked this cue off of a local AZer, Baron, last weekend and I can say that it really does play excellent. I only write these threads when I find something that's worth writing about. I have honestly played with so many cues, and have therefore developed a taste for a certain hit, as well as a fondness for oddball cues. This qualifies in both areas.

Anyways, onto the hit. I joke about it being a Baseball Bat, but with tip sizes like that?? Man it hits really solid. Baron, I think it plays better than your Tascarella!! Well, it's louder at least, that's for sure... This is not a quiet, soft hitting, dainty cue. This is a workhorse. It doesn't give too much feedback to the rear hand, but it gives off a nice solid "TANK" sound to let you know you hit the ball right. Somewhere between a Tink and a Tonk. If that makes any sense... The larger diameter shaft gives of a lower register pitch, but I prefer the tone of the 13.5mm shaft more.

I worked at the Jointed Cue for a short time when I lived in Sacramento, so owning this cue is something of a sentimental purchase. After the Hagan cue, this is now my second "Keeper" cue. I hope you enjoyed the pics and review!

 

[Ken_4fun]

I think I would struggle with those shafts. I like mine 13mm or 12.9mm.

An interesting cue that I saw once was a JW, that had several shafts going from 11mm - 14mm going up in 0.5mm increments.

I have seen and had many JW with larger than the 13mm (closer to the 13.5mm), and JW cues seem to have more owners that were fans of sandpaper as they have "widdled".

If it was mine I would send the shafts out to be retapered down to 13mm.

Interesting cue and story.

I wish you the best of rolls.

Ken

 

[galipeau]

Thanks for the info Ken. I myself am a 12.75 mm kind of guy.

I like the 13.5 mm shaft right where it is and if I were to re-taper it, it would change the tone and hit of the cue. I might take the larger shaft down, but just a hair. It does move the ball surprisingly well for a larger tip size though. I also want to leave the cue in close to original condition in order to preserve the history. Those ferrules are really neat as well. They have a very similar grain pattern as the old yellow micarta from Westinghouse, but the color is a whitish ivory. Any ideas??

On a side note, that brass joint really stands out in a lineup. Stainless joints have never really been my thing, but I feel it adds a cool twist to an otherwise traditional, run-of-the-mill, four pointer look.

 

[WildWing]

Nice cue, I love the brass joint, have a couple of those. Those are definitely large shafts, but are you sure about the butt measurements? Those are actually on the small side. A fairly large butt would have the joint at about .845, and the buttcap at about 1.280 to 1.300, assuming you're measuring the end of the cap. But that is one nice cue, old school look.

WW

 

[galipeau]

I'm sure about the measurements. Top of each ferrule and joint collar, and bottom of the buttcap. It stood out to me as well that the joint was smaller than many cues I've measured. Funny, huh?

 

[Wes Moran]

Love it!!

I'm in love with that yellow butt cap!!