Predator Willie Hoppe

Whoa, I got a stiffy for that case!! Gives me some Ideas for a future case.
Anyone Plan on buying one, Let me know Because I'd Like To Buy The Case.
-Vincent
 
coopdeville said:
should be white w/ green spec irish linen though.
maybe white w/ blue would be nicer.

Curious how you came to this conclusion.
They have 'tributed' the Hoppe, right down to the label.
Hoppes never had Linen wraps, only smooth black leather.

Dale
 
I'm on a white linen kick, stop looking at me like that.

pdcue said:
Curious how you came to this conclusion.
They have 'tributed' the Hoppe, right down to the label.
Hoppes never had Linen wraps, only smooth black leather.

Dale

I didn't mean that it would be more accurate.
I didn't read the specs, I thought it was black linen.


-cOOp, learned something about hoppes, thanks.
 
The case is a replica of the old Brunswick case. Nice solid case. I have often thought of making them again. Now I have some more incentive.

Without seeing one I have no idea how true to the original construction this one is. I suspect that it only "looks" like the original as the original was done with old school joining techniques that factories don't use anymore. You can still often see this type of joinery on cases made by individual leather workers.
 
I gotta hand it to Predator in the marketing department. They really have their stuff together. The website kicks ass. Nice move with the Hoppe Tribute. I wonder what other designs are public domain now.

:-)
 
Looks Good!

Thanks for posting the link. Sharp looking cue. Hats off to Predator...nice limited edition!
 
???????????????

Who is making an where are these cues being made? If Its the right answer I will be a buyer. They sure do look pretty juicey.
Pinocchio
 
geocheren said:

Nice Cue, however, I hate copies, but what do you expect!!!! More Asian made cues from Predator with a price tag that almost reaches a custom cue.

I really do not know what is worst, people who will pay these prices for imports, or people who are uneducated that will buy these items for collect-ability purposes only to find out they are not collectible.

Sorry for the negative attitude, I am just tired of Predator deception.
 
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X me off the list if they are made in asia. Good marketing idea but no asian junk for me.
Pinocchio
 
manwon said:
Nice Cue, however, I hate copies, but what do you expect!!!! More Asian made cues from Predator with a price tag that almost reaches a custom cue.

Is this true? The original are before my time, but the cue does loof old as ass / even a yellowish tent to the finish, I thought for a moment that they might have purchased a shitload of old ones and refinished them, then stuck that shaft on it.
 
PROG8R said:
Is this true? The original are before my time, but the cue does loof old as ass / even a yellowish tent to the finish, I thought for a moment that they might have purchased a shitload of old ones and refinished them, then stuck that shaft on it.

Somebody <Adam/Helmstetter(?)> has been making a Hoppe tribute
3C cue, 4 modles IIRC, for some time now.
Maybe they are making the blanks.

FWIW Hoppes never had bumpers either.
 
John Barton said:
The case is a replica of the old Brunswick case. Nice solid case. I have often thought of making them again. Now I have some more incentive.

Without seeing one I have no idea how true to the original construction this one is. I suspect that it only "looks" like the original as the original was done with old school joining techniques that factories don't use anymore. You can still often see this type of joinery on cases made by individual leather workers.

John B,

I have two original Brunswick cases, IIRC they were marketed as the
'Lord Brunswick' case. I always thought this would be the 'correct'
case for all those collector's Hoppes - Rambows - Palmers, etc.

I even went so far as to talk to a 3C playing shoe repair friend
about making replicas.

They seem to be made from 2 layers of the same leather used
on the Hoppe wrap, with a thin stiffener material in between.
Folded into a box shape, with an external stiched seam up the back
that must be 3/8 in thick. Lined(sp?) with green cloth that
suggests Billiard cloth of the period.

If you are serious about whacking out a few of these classics,
I would be glad to supply as much info as my limited abilities
will permit

Dale Pierce<indulging in nostalgia induced euphoria>
 
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Pinocchio said:
X me off the list if they are made in asia. Good marketing idea but no asian junk for me.
Pinocchio

Aren't all Predator products now made in china? I've owned 5, some USA, some Chinese.

Just a thought... If a Predator shaft retails for $200 in the USA what do you think actual production cost is in China?

+Materials $10
+Chinese labor to build it $5
+Packaging & Bulk shipping to USA $2
= Total production costs = $17 per unit!
 
Matt_24 said:
Why is it "junk" if its Asian made?

In my post I never called the cues junk, however, while we are on the subject, most of them are Junk. The adhesives are substandard, the materials used where Phenolic should be used, is plastic, the woods used in many cases are not properly cured, so they will expand or contract, and the finishes in many cases are applied improperly or they are not thick enough, and I could go on and on!!!

Now back to these Brunswick Predator cues, picture this IT REALLY SUCKS WHEN A COPY WILL SELL FOR AS MUCH OR MORE AS AN ORIGINAL!!!!! And they are not ever collectable!!!
How do you think collectors will feel when dealing with an exact copy that is selling for more than their original. Next, why would a company produce a copy down to the original sticker, with the major difference being the colors of the Veneer's and the shaft / pin.

Matt, I do repairs on the import cues all the time. I have a very good grasp on proper construction of cues, and while a small number of the imports are built to a very high standard, these cues are the exception not the norm. Why do you think these items are being produced off shore in the first place, do you think it is because it will improve the quality? No, it is because the item can be produced cheaper, not only because of the cost of labor, but also as I stated above there are many more factors. It fact, to date I can say this I have never seen an item that was moved to overseas production that did not suffer in the area of quality of materials, and over all construction. For example, look at the quality difference of the Instroke Cases since they were moved from Germany to China, enough said!!!!!

No disrespect intended Matt, please have a nice day!!!!
 
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