Need 70’s era cue ID.

[Albo-Gator]

Hi guys, bought this cue many years ago and I always wondered who might be the maker? Here are some of the highlights.

Ferrule is 1” long and has a red dot inlay.

The cue is 58” long. From butt cap to tip of ferrule.

1” Stainless steel Joint with 5/16-14 pin, shaft with brass insert.

Yellowed Maple forearm- 4 Brazilian Rosewood points MOP inlay with two veneers each.

Excellent leather wrap that’s 12” long.

Brazilian Rosewood butt with MOP inlay. White 1 1/16”length Delrin butt cap. Philips drive 3/8-16 weight bolt, tapped in center 8-32 for bumper screw.

Now this might be a type of FrankenCue. I assume the leather wrap is not original. The ferrule could have been changed? Even the butt cap could have been could have been changed.

So what say you…Any tell tale signs that gives this cue maker away?

 

[Cuebuddy]

Well its not a Cutec, it is a nice cue!

 

[maha]

not high quality. something along the viking range.

 

[Albo-Gator]

For a Forty plus year old cue. It still plays very solid. I’m thinking that the weight bolt is the clue to solve this mystery. “Plus”back in day not a lot of cue makers used 5/16-14 joint pins. The Red dot on the ferrule is another clue that should jog someone’s memory.

 

[PDX]

I believe the red dot was done by a previous owner. I’ve known a few old timers that wanted as much consistency in their game as possible.

The joint rings will help as they are larger than normal and the nickel is centered.

it would appear in the pic that the weight bolt screws onto aluminum in the buttcap, but I may be seeing something that is not there.

the cue does not scream 70’s to me, more like early 80’s.

the butt sleeve appears to be finished in a hand rub. The yellowing of the forearm is interesting as it doesn’t seem to affect the color of the inlays.

I’m trying to think about the gap between the points and two veneers. My feeling is that it is an earlier cue for someone. Maybe from the lower central part of the country. That might be a weird gut feeling, but ask Prather if they ever sold two veneer forearms back in the day.

 

[Albo-Gator]

I believe the red dot was done by a previous owner. I’ve known a few old timers that wanted as much consistency in their game as possible.

The joint rings will help as they are larger than normal and the nickel is centered.

it would appear in the pic that the weight bolt screws onto aluminum in the buttcap, but I may be seeing something that is not there.

the cue does not scream 70’s to me, more like early 80’s.

the butt sleeve appears to be finished in a hand rub. The yellowing of the forearm is interesting as it doesn’t seem to affect the color of the inlays.

I’m trying to think about the gap between the points and two veneers. My feeling is that it is an earlier cue for someone. Maybe from the lower central part of the country. That might be a weird gut feeling, but ask Prather if they ever sold two veneer forearms back in the day.

Here is a single pic of the butt cap. You may see the detail your looking for. Thanks for sharing your insight!!

 

[Bishop]

Very cool older cue

 

[Fatboy]

Early 80’s

red dot looks like the owners idea after the cue was built.

I have a cue that’s about that is about that quality & looks similar. I can’t recall the maker, he passed in the 90’s I’ll find out. I have a friend who knows. Didn’t make many cues, I’ll see if he remembers.

Any-case it’s a nice pole if you like how it hits

 

[cue fix]

Maybe it is an early Jerry Rauenzhan?

 

[Fatboy]

Maybe it is an early Jerry Rauenzhan?

That’s not it, I’m certain if that

 

[cue fix]

That’s not it, I’m certain if that

I mentioned Him because the cue appears to have a brown bumper which I believe Jerry used.

 

[Fatboy]

The brown bumpers were 70’s mostly. I’m curious too who made this cue

 

[WildWing]

Nothing about this is Rauenzahn. He only used brown bumpers when it made sense for an earlier style. And he didn't do joint collars that wide, and these are not Jerry's points.

It's hard to tell, but it looks more like an Adam of a certain vintage, given those joint collars. Or, a cheap Asian import. That goes without saying around here.

 

[PhilosopherKing]

Maybe very early Jensen or Odom.

 

[Albo-Gator]

I mentioned Him because the cue appears to have a brown bumper which I believe Jerry used.

I didn’t include a bumper picture because I changed it when I first got the cue. Yes I installed the KU style bumper because I felt it fit the cue better. The color of the original bumper was black. I hate to add to the confusion, but it might help? This l believe is the original bumper

 

[mikemosconi]

Maybe very early Jensen or Odom.

I just bought an 04 Jim Odom cue- it has a slotted aluminum butt cap screw, not Phillips head- but that may be bc the cue is a Herman Rambow /Hoppe style cue- WOW ODOM made some nicely constructed cues- my first one of his and the workmanship and the woods ,esp. the shaft wood is outstanding! Mine has a solid ivory joint/ big Radial pin/ ivory Hoppe ring, ivory ferrules-- the hit on this cue rings and pings - reminds me of the Scruggs cues that I once owned in terms of the hit. Maybe even better actually!

 

[Albo-Gator]

I can see the similarities from some of his (Jim Odom) cues. Such as thicker silver in the joint rings and mop inlays. I see he did use different joint pins including 5/16-14.

We may have answer here. I would like to hear the opinion of others who have owned his cues. I did hear he was in the Dallas/Ft Worth area.

Thanks Mr Mosconi for keeping my old post in mind. It’s very much appreciated.

 

[book collector]

I just bought an 04 Jim Odom cue- it has a slotted aluminum butt cap screw, not Phillips head- but that may be bc the cue is a Herman Rambow /Hoppe style cue- WOW ODOM made some nicely constructed cues- my first one of his and the workmanship and the woods ,esp. the shaft wood is outstanding! Mine has a solid ivory joint/ big Radial pin/ ivory Hoppe ring, ivory ferrules-- the hit on this cue rings and pings - reminds me of the Scruggs cues that I once owned in terms of the hit. Maybe even better actually!

if i could get a scruggs hit for 350 dollars sign me up, it can look like a broom for all i care

 

[mikemosconi]

if i could get a scruggs hit for 350 dollars sign me up, it can look like a broom for all i care

Well when I saw the ivory joint and big radial pin on this cue in the photos and with the ivory ferrules and Jim’s legendary shaft work I had a feeling this cue was too good a deal to pass up - and thankfully it proved to be true.
Some people want a much softer hit - but sometimes you just want a cue to ping away at you like a Scruggs- this is the nuts here!