Refinish or not?

Cdryden

Cdryden

Pool Addict
Silver Member
I bought a McDermott D-19 yesterday and I'm trying to decide if I want to refinish it or not. The wrap is dirty and the finish has chips and dents. The cue itself is in good condition, just cosmetic damage. What do you guys think? Will it ruin or improve collector value if refinished?

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[/url]D19 by cjdryden, on Flickr[/IMG]
 
Cdryden said:
I bought a McDermott D-19 yesterday and I'm trying to decide if I want to refinish it or not. The wrap is dirty and the finish has chips and dents. The cue itself is in good condition, just cosmetic damage. What do you guys think? Will it ruin or improve collector value if refinished?

50112811587_94343ee250_b.jpg
[/url]D19 by cjdryden, on Flickr[/IMG]
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Maybe I’m mistaken in the case of this particular model, but I don’t think of any McDermott’s as being collectible cues, so if you’re looking to play with it, I would get it refinished.
 
I believe McD offers a refinish and a new shaft for older cues at right around $300, with linen or leather.
 
ChrisinNC said:
Maybe I’m mistaken in the case of this particular model, but I don’t think of any McDermott’s as being collectible cues, so if you’re looking to play with it, I would get it refinished.
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Definitely not collectable as a bushka or similar cue but this is one of the more sought after McDermotts I have came across. It blue books at $975 in excellent condition. But it's not in that condition! I think I'm going to go ahead and have it refinished as use it as a daily player.
 
I am close to acquiring a D19 myself from an original owner. They are one of the most sought after McDermotts - both for playability and the fact that it is a six ebony point cue with veneers!

I would refinish it if it were mine. You could send it to McDermott for the work- however, consider Muellers Recreational products cue repair- Troy Downey does their work and he is a top tier cue maker- the prices at Muellers are the best in the country, in my opinion, especially as the work is done by a true master cue maker- not someone in a factory setting. Muellers is $185 WITH a new linen wrap- done by a custom cue maker! Save yourself over $100!
 
Cdryden said:
Definitely not collectable as a bushka or similar cue but this is one of the more sought after McDermotts I have came across. It blue books at $975 in excellent condition. But it's not in that condition! I think I'm going to go ahead and have it refinished as use it as a daily player.
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It's always nice to have a beautiful, shiny cue. You won't be sorry.
 
The D19 is a great cue. I'm finishing up a 17 year old McDermott but a different model. Thier existing finish is no joke. It's .020 to .025 thick. It's work.
 
The Blue Book is hardly reliable by any stretch of one’s imagination when determining a cue’s value.
 
Someone like Mike Webb would be a great choice too for the work- I just don't know about sending it to a factory setting- I doubt that the craftsmen McDermott had there 40 years ago are still around.

Anything that I want done for a classic cue - even a prized production like a D-19, would only go to a custom cue maker. That's just my feelings- nothing against McDermott folks.
 
Bavafongoul said:
The Blue Book is hardly reliable by any stretch of one’s imagination when determining a cue’s value.
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Well, the last edition is very old, right- so it, is, in fact sort of useless as a current value determinator. The third edition does have some value as a cue identifier, and as a means to obtain short descriptions of various cue models. All of the production cue lines- Meucci, McDermott, Adam, etc. have some models that have proven to be more desirable or sought after for various reasons, You can't get that info from the 3rd edition - you just have to be "in the know" as to what has remained sought after from their various lines over the years; or what personal favorites one might desire. The D-19 does stand out for me too from the McDermott line. As for Meucci- the "OLDIES" or models 95-17 (Bushka) and the model 95-19 (Airplane cue) are my favorites- I have one of each.

I sold some of my production favorites that I once owned from the Huebler and Adam and Palmer makers- my Huebler was the AS-H3 - most beautiful Mexican Rosewood I have ever seen. Adam was the Century cue AH12 I believe- and the Palmer 3rd catalog Model 14 DELuxe ( at least I still have the model 12 Limited) I miss them all now!
 
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Whether you refinish or not that is a players cue, as are all those D series, and C series I've heard.
If mine, I would let McD do it and get a new matching shaft, preferrably old wood tapered to the same specs and Ivory Ferrule w/ Le Pro or Triangle tip then play the hell out of it. Great cue there. GL
 
mikemosconi said:
Someone like Mike Webb would be a great choice too for the work- I just don't know about sending it to a factory setting- I doubt that the craftsmen McDermott had there 40 years ago are still around.

Anything that I want done for a classic cue - even a prized production like a D-19, would only go to a custom cue maker. That's just my feelings- nothing against McDermott folks.
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Thank you. But McDermott gets my vote knowing what I know on thier finish thickness. I do them for people local to me but that's more obligation than desire to do it.
 
Today I dropped it off to get refinished. I chose a guy that's local and does amazing work, Josh Treadway. I have no doubt he will do it justice. In a month or so when I get it I'll post some pics so you can see his work.
 
I really like the D19- one of favorite production cues of all time- nothing like a cue maker who does a great linen wrap- Mike Capone, Troy Downey are a few that I swear by their linen wraps - sounds like your guy is also in that category- love your D19!
 
Know one guy who use to post here, who used Proficiency Billiards in PA to refinish several Cue. They were fast, reasonable, and work was good. FYI
 
mikemosconi said:
Someone like Mike Webb would be a great choice too for the work- I just don't know about sending it to a factory setting- I doubt that the craftsmen McDermott had there 40 years ago are still around.

Anything that I want done for a classic cue - even a prized production like a D-19, would only go to a custom cue maker. That's just my feelings- nothing against McDermott folks.
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I had my C-14 refinished by them and it came out just like it was new, when I got it in 1985. Got a new shaft with matched ring work, too.

Just got my cue back from McDermott :)

Got my favorite shooter back from refurbishment and it looks like new from when I first bought it from them in 1985. It is a C-14 from the 1980-1984 catalog. The darker shaft is the original and I had them cut it down from a 14mm to a 13mm and I got a new 13mm shaft made too. Can't wait to...
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