Schon R series Question
- Thread starter atthecat
- Start date
My understanding is the R series cues were made from 1982 when Schon started making cues up until 1999 when the STL series was introduced. From 1982 - 1985 they had maple stitch ring work and in subsequent years they had silver ring work. The R series cues are the most sought after by collectors. Especially those with the maple stitch ring work.
With respect to whether the R series cues are the best Schon has made, you will get arguments both ways on that. I think the quality of their cues has gotten better. However, for me personally, I feel the older R series cues with the old yellow micarta ferrules play the best. But that's just my opinion. I've heard others say the exact opposite. It's all subjective. What I do know is that every Schon I've played with over the years (both older and newer models) played as well as if not better than any other cue I've ever hit with.
With respect to whether the R series cues are the best Schon has made, you will get arguments both ways on that. I think the quality of their cues has gotten better. However, for me personally, I feel the older R series cues with the old yellow micarta ferrules play the best. But that's just my opinion. I've heard others say the exact opposite. It's all subjective. What I do know is that every Schon I've played with over the years (both older and newer models) played as well as if not better than any other cue I've ever hit with.
Generally, the R Series "Runde era" reference is to the sharp points and to the way the cues were built originally up until the late 1980's, early 1990's.
This is as opposed to later cues which were made with inlaid points (by pantograph) which show rounded edges. The original line of Schons was introduced in 1981 and made by Bob Runde, who was already an experienced custom cue maker at the time. His construction technique was basically the short splice forearm. The cues were very popular and demand continued to increase. The quality of the work is phenomenal. I think he made as nice of a basic cue as anyone.
Technically, Runde was with the the company when they converted over to inlaid points in the late 1980's, early 1990's, so those are "Runde era" cues too - but that's not what everyone is talking about.
The old Schons play exceptionally well and are pretty consistent from cue to cue. The reason why people collect the old spliced point Schons is because of the quality of execution and craftsmanship required to make points like that, plus they are a thing of the past. They really are nice cues.
The 1982 to 1986 era Schons can be identified mainly by their high quality even pointed blanks with the maple dash rings (post 1986 the maple dash ring was replaced by the nickel silver ring), unstained maple forearms (some have ebony forearms) and full spliced colored wood veneers. Great solid playing cues. The maple from this era was of a very good quality. The mills used the old style conventional method of Kiln Drying. The shafts were cut & hung & cut & hung, took at least 6 months to complete a shaft from sq stock. The maple had high ring growth. The point blank craftsmanship was of high quality. Great Cues. These old Schons were as tight & solid as the same era Gus Szamboti. Gus had actually machined & supplied parts. Its expected these older Schons will be raising in value well beyond their stated Blue Book values. Great Playing Cues, solid hit.
Thanks to the Pamer/Schon/Brunswick collector for this info.
This is as opposed to later cues which were made with inlaid points (by pantograph) which show rounded edges. The original line of Schons was introduced in 1981 and made by Bob Runde, who was already an experienced custom cue maker at the time. His construction technique was basically the short splice forearm. The cues were very popular and demand continued to increase. The quality of the work is phenomenal. I think he made as nice of a basic cue as anyone.
Technically, Runde was with the the company when they converted over to inlaid points in the late 1980's, early 1990's, so those are "Runde era" cues too - but that's not what everyone is talking about.
The old Schons play exceptionally well and are pretty consistent from cue to cue. The reason why people collect the old spliced point Schons is because of the quality of execution and craftsmanship required to make points like that, plus they are a thing of the past. They really are nice cues.
The 1982 to 1986 era Schons can be identified mainly by their high quality even pointed blanks with the maple dash rings (post 1986 the maple dash ring was replaced by the nickel silver ring), unstained maple forearms (some have ebony forearms) and full spliced colored wood veneers. Great solid playing cues. The maple from this era was of a very good quality. The mills used the old style conventional method of Kiln Drying. The shafts were cut & hung & cut & hung, took at least 6 months to complete a shaft from sq stock. The maple had high ring growth. The point blank craftsmanship was of high quality. Great Cues. These old Schons were as tight & solid as the same era Gus Szamboti. Gus had actually machined & supplied parts. Its expected these older Schons will be raising in value well beyond their stated Blue Book values. Great Playing Cues, solid hit.
Thanks to the Pamer/Schon/Brunswick collector for this info.
To add my 2 cents:
I have an R6, and started playing pool when the R-series cues were being made. I've hit with probably 20 or 30 Schon's easy, and have owned about 5 or 6 of them, and they are definitely one of the best hitting cues I've played with. A matter of fact, my R6 and a friend's 2-point, very plain Schon, as well as another friend's sneaky pete Schon, are still 3 of the best hitting, solid cues I've played with. That's part of the reason I still have my R6, just tough to part with.
I have an R6, and started playing pool when the R-series cues were being made. I've hit with probably 20 or 30 Schon's easy, and have owned about 5 or 6 of them, and they are definitely one of the best hitting cues I've played with. A matter of fact, my R6 and a friend's 2-point, very plain Schon, as well as another friend's sneaky pete Schon, are still 3 of the best hitting, solid cues I've played with. That's part of the reason I still have my R6, just tough to part with.
atthecat said:
Chris Tate, who is a respected AZ member, has a webpages on older Schons.
http://www.palmercollector.com/Schon/SchonPage.html