I have an 84 Richard Black that I plan on sending to Proficient Billiards to get refurbished. I mentioned to them that all 3 shafts have a bit of wobble and they suggested that they use the joint rings and make new shafts rather than straighten the existing shafts (@ $195 ea, seems reasonable). Has anyone here ever had Proficient build shafts for them? I don't see anything on their site regarding new shafts and I wanted to know if anyone here had experience with that?
Proficient Billiards - shaft building for a Richard Black cue
- Thread starter rostym
- Start date
Interesting situation. I'd say start with 1 and see how you like it...but you would have to send the butt back again. Scott is a cue builder... he stands behind his work. What is involved in straightening out the originals. How much. How straight is straight after the wobble comes out if it can come out. If you get 3 new shafts maybe have some fun... One at 29.5" A different diameter, etc.
Or RB's turn around. Proficient is fast...very timely He does not play around or hold anyone cues.
Proficient is suggesting two new shafts as the joint on one of mine looks like it is missing some of the inlay. They mention on their work order sheet $12.50 to Reface shaft to straighten roll. They have only seen pictures of my shafts but the wobble is fairly significant so they may be correct that the shafts need to be replaced. Attached are
some pictures that I sent them.
Zerksies
Well-known member
When i had him take care of my cue. I was told to send it out at this time a few weeks later. So it would be available for the refinish. He was doing finish work in this timeframe.
How long ago was this? My understanding is that Scott Gilmore handles things like refinishes, repairs, and shafts for Richard. His website says as much, fwiw: https://blackcues.com/black_cues_repair_work.shtml
Also - @rostym, depending on where you are located, I'd also consider getting in touch with John Bender from New Jersey, who goes way back with Richard. I had John make me a new shaft for a 1990 Bushka model and I have nothing but high praise for John.
Zerksies
Well-known member
Are you playing with these shafts?
At this point I'd be more worried about value. I would only have Richard touch it. And we know he's not doing that, so I would go to one of his approved places. Scott Gilmore. Other then that i wouldn't have anyone touch the cue
I did have Richard touch up my cue. Although I don't think i was his best work. I did have him take care of it and i have documentation for it all. So it's Still 100% Richard
Zerksies
Well-known member
2016 was the year.
Geez i had the cue Sitting from 2016 till about May of this year till i actually took it out to play.
I have been playing with a carbon shaft. Do you think having Proficient do the work rather than Scot Gilmore it would reduce the value of the cue? Has anyone here had Scott Gilmore do work on their cue?
BTW, I am located in the Greater New Orleans area. I couldn't even find anyone in this area to redo the linnen wrap.
BTW, I am located in the Greater New Orleans area. I couldn't even find anyone in this area to redo the linnen wrap.
Are you keeping it forever or concerned about resale. My Doc Frye came with 2 shafts...14m and 13m. I had both worked on... reduced dimensions. Was never concerned about resale. Give it some thought. Maybe get one shaft straightened out. It'll be an original.
I've had Scott and his crew do a few jobs for me in the past 5 years and the work is top notch. I'm sure they will build you a nice shaft. JMHO.
I don't think Richard will touch your cue as he only has this guy do repairs. I wonder if he builds some of Richards lower end cues models? Anyone know for sure?
Good luck.
I don't think Richard will touch your cue as he only has this guy do repairs. I wonder if he builds some of Richards lower end cues models? Anyone know for sure?
Good luck.
Funny you should comment. The only cue I ever owned that I preferred playing with to the Richard Black was a Doc Frye I bought in college back 69 or 70. It was stolen from the Tulane pool room (along with all the other cues stored there, no locking lockers at the time for storage, we thought it was safe) never to be seen again. At that time, maybe 1973, the guy (New Orleans version of Fred the Beard) who I purchased my cues from no longer handled Doc Frye cues so I purchased a Ginacue (which I sold to someone here sometime back). Loved the look of the Ginacue, but never was crazy about the way it played. I was discussing a possible trade (of the Richard Black) for a Doc Frye recently and decided that its value would be greatly diminished because of its current condition so I decided to get it reworked. Now after the thought of having it back to excellent condition, I'm thinking I will keep it rather than trade for a Doc that may or may not play like the one I had way back. Not to mention that often memories are better than the reality of history and maybe that Doc didn't really play better. I didn't get the RB until I had been w/o the Doc for 15 years.
Zerksies
Well-known member
I'm retiring My RB. I've had it for over twenty years. I've damaged it once and I'm not looking to do it again. I bought all new "Production" cues with money made with my RB. They are replaceable the Black isn't. I'm never selling it my son can deal with it.