Scmelke quality

[Hail Mary Shot]

Interesting thought.

I guess it depends on what finishes they are set up to do. I haven't noticed makers offering finish options but it sure can't hurt to ask.

The type of finish will have a lot to do with the immediate results but also durability and simple age related changes like oxidation. We all know how glassy old McDermott finishes were, we also know that if damaged that finish peeled because it did not adhere.

Different finished require different prep and can require a lot more than simply different materials. If we want a better finish we certainly should be prepared for an upcharge.

Good thought. Thank you.

You should be able to ask, what coating, how many coats, the process? I was able to ask these things and even make some request for my cues.

 

[Chopdoc]

You should be able to ask, what coating, how many coats, the process? I was able to ask these things and even make some request for my cues.

Excellent. I literally never thought of it.

 

[NevadaP]

Top and bottom cues are Jackpots.

Both are ebony Merry Widows with 3/8-10 joints. Top cue has a camphor burl handle, cored with purple heart by Larry Vigus. Bottom cue has a maple handle.

Middle cue is a Merry Widow by John Chaplin, Coos Cues, and it is cocobolo cored with purple heart and it has a sindora burl handle.
View attachment 939044

Very nice. I have a couple of John Chaplin's (Coos Cues) cues. Every time I pick one up, I'm amazed at the quality of workmanship vs price. He really does have some beautiful wood selections.

 

[mikemosconi]

Better yet, start with a Dufferin house cue.

Those work well too- I've done a few - you can often find an old Duff that stayed straight enough to cut in half and add your own shaft with the matching joint pin installed straight by a qualified cue person-- I've done this with both the ebony and the Pau Ferro Duff cue butts-- however, after more recently doing the simple SP conversion with an old Valley cue butt- I became sold on the Valley conversion.

IDK why- maybe just luck, but this was my first straight Valley conversion; outside of maybe my first Scruggs SP was also created from a Valley cue butt , man this Valley plays like a charm!