Prather Full Splice Blank - Louro Preto/Curly Maple

ridewiththewind

ridewiththewind

♥ Hippie Hustler ♥
Silver Member
As some of you know, I received a Prather full splice blank for Christmas...lucky me! I finally got around to breaking out the tripod and camera, and gave the ol' close-up thing my best try.

My reason for the pics is two-fold. One reason being that I wanted to showcase this amazing wood from Brazil called Louro Preto, which is often called Brazilian Bocote. I have tried to do the figure in this wood justice...definitely some of the craziest figuring I have seen in a piece of Bocote...this stuff is just full of birds eyes all over the place! I was told that this piece is denser than that of the more common Mexican Bocote. It looks like it will finish and polish up extremely well....I like it!

The second reason I wanted to post some better, close-up pics is because there has been some speculation as to just how nice these blanks from Prather are, and if the quality justifies the pricing. IMHO, I think they are worth every penny, if they are anything like mine. It's a big beefy blank measuring 32" long. I was quite surprised by the quality of the Curly Maple used in the nose...nice evenly spaced horizontal curls. While I tend to be a BEM fan, the Curly actually compliments the Louro Preto quite nicely. The points are nice and even and clean...and the veneer work is very very good. It's difficult to remember that this is just a blank and not a completed cue...LoL.

I just wanted to show just how nice these blanks coming out of the Prather shop really are, in case any one has had any reservations, or were just curious as to the quality.

Now all I need to do is figure out what I want to do with it...LoL!!! :thud:

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Lisa
 
Prather

Wow Lisa.. that is gorgeous!! That's one of those great Christmas gifts that make you feel like a giddy kid again. Congrats!
 
cyrex said:
Wow Lisa.. that is gorgeous!! That's one of those great Christmas gifts that make you feel like a giddy kid again. Congrats!
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Thanks!! I am pretty excited about it....it's gonna make a neat looking cue. Of course, making a decision as to design is alluding me currently. I do not want to do much to take away from the figure of the woods...but still want to showcase it in some way.

To Hoppe or not to Hoppe, that is the question! LoL!!

Lisa
 
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Lisa
That sure is a beautiful start. The colors make this blank really pop out at you. I say Hoppe for sure. Congrats on your very nice X-mas present.
Thanks for the great pics & please keep us all informed through the cues building process. Jeff
 
Great looking Blank Lisa.

Did you pick the woods and veneers? The combination looks great.

My thoughts, A hoppe ring, thin black buttcap (to roscoes specs) and a steel joint. Very classic.

Ian
 
Thats going to be a very nice, full spice. The Brazilian wood very alive, as much or more than Bocote . Really like the points, colors and evenness look supurb. Going to be great, will it replace the Tucker tho. Jim
 
xianmacx said:
Great looking Blank Lisa.

Did you pick the woods and veneers? The combination looks great.

My thoughts, A hoppe ring, thin black buttcap (to roscoes specs) and a steel joint. Very classic.

Ian
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I am kinda thinking that way...but then other days I am thinking some nice ringwork and phenolic joint. The blank has so much potential, either way...LoL.

Actually, Jeff happened to have this particular blank ready in stock, along a few others. He was kind enough to email me pics of the available blanks. When I saw this one, I just knew.

He can put together just about anything for you. He can either supply the wood, or you can....just depends on what you're looking for. The entire Prather staff are a delight to deal with.

Lisa
 
Jim Baxter said:
Thats going to be a very nice, full spice. The Brazilian wood very alive, as much or more than Bocote . Really like the points, colors and evenness look supurb. Going to be great, will it replace the Tucker tho. Jim
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Thanks for the kind words, Jim. I wanted this blank so that I could add to my fledgling full splice collection. It is not meant to replace the Tucker, but to keep it company. :grin:

Lisa
 
pooldawg8 said:
Lisa
That sure is a beautiful start. The colors make this blank really pop out at you. I say Hoppe for sure. Congrats on your very nice X-mas present.
Thanks for the great pics & please keep us all informed through the cues building process. Jeff
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Thank you, Jeff....and I will keep an update going...as soon as I figure out what I am doing with it...LoL.

Lisa
 
ivory joint. hoppe ring. radial pin. and bushka rings at the joint

just my .02 but either way you got a great starting point. that thing is gorgeous.
 
ivory hoppe, natural phenolic short butt cap, no bumper of course. short ivory joint, natural phenolic and stitch rings of some sort at the joint.

I think that would look awesome, but who knows! Great looking blank!
 
Thanks guys....I really did my best to try and capture the figuring in this blank.

The consensus so far seems to be leaning toward the bumperless Hoppe....some days I lean that way too...LoL.

Lisa
 
ridewiththewind said:
Thanks guys....I really did my best to try and capture the figuring in this blank.

The consensus so far seems to be leaning toward the bumperless Hoppe....some days I lean that way too...LoL.

Lisa
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Perfect Idea...:thumbup:
 
johnf_34 said:
ivory hoppe, natural phenolic short butt cap, no bumper of course. short ivory joint, natural phenolic and stitch rings of some sort at the joint.

I think that would look awesome, but who knows! Great looking blank!
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I second the above, thats exactly what I would do.

Ken
 
Hi Simple Ivory 1/2 joint with 1/4 " black linin rings around the joint . Not so fancy it detracts from the beautiful wood. Radial or 3/8 something . As for Hoppie ring you will have to check with Ross to see if this cue qualifies. Love your selection. Jim
 
Here is a twist. See if you can get a piece of the BB from Jeff big enough to do a Hoppe Butt cap. Ivory flat faced joint (big Pin), Szamboti Maple dashes with blue veneer in between at D and E, thin Ivory Hoppe ring, and a polished Stainless Steel bolt with no bumper. Instant classic!
 
Well

Well Lisa,

You have had all of us "experts" tell ya what to do, whatcha going to do?

My other suggestion and the older I get the more I think its the way to go. IF you have great wood, let the wood tell the story. In other words, with great wood, I would recommend against any or much inlays.

If you have plainer wood, a some inlays help. But never both.

Your friend in pool little sister,

Ken
 
I am still waffling on the design, but I do not have plans for inlays. If I did use inlays, they would be in the butt 'sleeve' in lieu of a Hoppe ring...but no where else.

After being limited to work and home after our series or snowstorms, I definitely had a bit of the cabin fever going, and finally got out last night for a tournament. I was pretty happy with my 5th place finish, as I played very strong last night and finally knocked out some competitors that I have never been able to get. Now add some copious amounts of JD to that equation...and well, that blank was the farthest thing from my mind...LoL!!!

I'll let you know what I decide when I get it figured out....but wanted to thank you all for some very good ideas...I like them. :thumbup:

Lisa
 
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