One of a kind (1 of 3) Huebler Custom needs help

Y

youngmister

Registered
Hello AZ'rs

Long time reader, first time poster here.

I come to you with a question about the condition of a cue of mine.

I have a one of a kind Huebler that I won 15 years ago in a regional youth championship tournament (when I was still young enough to play in youth leagues). Paul Huebler was present for the tournament, and he donated 3 custom cues to the winners of each division. Needless to say, I came out on top.

Its a fairly figured Curly Maple forearm (and butt), with a 4 point ebony, 4 layer ebony veneers, with ebony spearpoints, and matching rings in the butt. It has the usual 'Huebler Made In The USA' etching, as well as a dated etching that was for the tournament. It has played like a dream over the years and is still straight as an arrow. I've decided to start playing with it less because I would like to maintain it's condition as much as possible.

However, over the past year or so it has started to yellow and some odd cracks have appeared in the finish off the fore arm. And have slowly gotten worse along a few of the veneers (one in particular). The glue seems to be pulling out? And some of the veneers have started to crack. (see pictures)

My question is, is this a repairable problem? I showed it to the owner of my local pool room, and he said the damage doesn't seem to be anything permanent, and this kind of chipping in the finish is something you can play through without further damaging the integrity of the cue. He also mentioned, that any cue repairman worth his salt should safely be able to sand it down and refinish it. sanding it down would bring the original shape of the veneer back and the new finish would seal it.

Taking a look at the pictures, what do you guys think? I love this cue, and just want to see it in happy condition. Is this kind of damage normal with cues this age? Would a refinish fix and contain the problem? Or, is it beyond repairing at this point? :(

I did my best with the pictures. Only had my phone camera, but did my best to light the cracks.

In Addition: I've always wondered what the value of this cue might be. I've searched all the Huebler catalogs I can find to see if it is based off any production cues that Paul might have made. I've managed to find a few spear-pointed ebony cues, but all the cues I've found also have a solid ebony butt, where this cue has ebony/maple/ringed butt. I know only 3 of these cues were made for the tournament, and have wished that I had the foresight to at least have Paul sign the cue back when I had won the tourney. Any help in ID'ing this cue would be great.

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it hurts to look at, I know.

I get the feeling the cracks festered some expanding in the epoxy, and has only made the cracks look worse. The other veneers that aren't cracked look just fine.

My worry is that the damage goes deeper than the surface of the wood.

If one sands it down, are you just gonna run into more cracks? I hope not :(
 
Your first pic, of the but-sleeve, I can find no fault.
If that's all I saw I'd say put in a box and put it away.
What you have in the F/A is minor.
15 yrs ago, yellowing, hmmm, lacquer perhaps?
Lacquer is famous for yellowing and it chips easily.
Here's the skinny.... I may still suggest that you put it in a box and put it away.
YOU are going to have to do some serious considering before you accept any suggestions from anyone.

At this moment, this 15 yr old cue is totally original, am I correct?
Do you want to void the originality by having ANY work done?
That F/A could easily be refinished but the outcome could be that it both costs you money for the work
and a potential loss of some of the cue's historical value.
Are you going to play it or are you going to save it?
It will only go down in value if you play it.
It will only increase in value if you put it away.
What you decide is entirely up to you. It's your cue, it's got your name on it.

HTHs, KJ

I just looked again, it doesn't have your name on it. That may be a good thing.
 
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Thanks for the response KJ!

Ya, the butt sleeve is in great condition. The cue is original from head to toe. Original wrap, original finish. I have the original shaft as well (reduced once, but with original ferrule and tip).

I haven’t played regular pool with it for more than a couple years, and last autumn decided to get a 2nd shaft for it [z2] (thinking that it’d be nice to play it again since I love how it played back in my youth pool years). While it was away at the shop, I had a 2nd beater cue I played with regularly, and have have only found myself playing with this Huebler twice since getting the new shaft. I purchased a Huebler Sneaky AS-H1 that is now my regular playing cue, that I can also use the new z2 shaft with since it matches the joint.

I may even end up purchasing one more cue to use as a player in addition to the sneaky. But, i digress.

My sole mission with this Special Huebler is to maintain it to the maximum. I have no intention of playing it, or even taking it out of its case. The nature of the F/A cracks just have me worried, because I don’t know if it’s the kind of damage that will fester even if I put it in a case. My nightmare would be to put it away for a decade…only to come back to it later and find that somehow the crack in the finish swelled and split the whole veneer from top to bottom and the whole side of the forearm looks like some crusty scab.

I’m fully prepared to store it away, and would honestly much prefer to do so. I’m just seeking professional advice on how to maximize that option, because I’m un-certain of how this type of damage might play out.


Let me know if I’m being too paranoid :)
 
I don't know that you should be 'paranoid' but concerned would be appropriate.
I don't see the issues progressing if this cue is put up.
It will probably continue to yellow because that's what lacquer does.
That will be a strong indicator that the cue has it's orig. finish.
You have a very nice historical cue in original condition and you earned it.
That's something to be proud of.

KJ
 
Right on.

Thanks for that KJ :)
I have a hard suitcase style case that I'll be wrapping it up in. Never saw myself as a collector of something that actually had value, so this is a new thing for me.

I'm curious (with a fair amount of skepticism) to know what people might value this cue at, given it's condition.

Thanks again for your time guys. Appreciated.

-T
 
The cue market is pretty weak right now so I wouldn't base any decision on today's prices.
In the future, this cue will draw the interest of some Huebler collectors.
Until then, you have a conversation piece that's loaded with personal memories.
 
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