Scruggs.....or not so Scruggs?

crawdaddio

crawdaddio

Used and registered
Silver Member
I recently heard that Tim Scruggs barely even touches the cues that come out of his shop and bear his name. Supposedly, he has helpers(apprentices?) doing damn near all of the work. Please say it 'aint so. I truly hope that this is just a horrible rumor......anyone got any info?
Thanks,
David
 
my question is ....does it matter if the apprentice builds it or the actual cuemaker.....if the cuemaker makes sure all of his techniques and methods are followed to the letter,you dont know.......look at mottey and southwest......jerry passed away some years back but the cues are still made to his standards and using his techniques.......does this make them any less a southwest,i dont think so.......mottey has james white and now look at james cues they are just as desreable as pauls and the only real difference is the signature on the cue........juston coleman
 
Bob Frey was his apprentice for years. They are still good friends. If you want a sneaky pete from Tim, he refers you to Bob. He also sends refinish and repair work to Bob on a regular basis. I understand that he does this so he can spend more time building his cues. If you really are concerned, give him a call, I am sure he will tell you. He is one of the nicest guys out there building cues today. He will also call you back. Phone # : 410-247-1231
FAX # : 410-247-7459
E-Mail cueman@webtv.net
Why Guess?

Don P. :cool:
 
Donald A. Purdy said:
Bob Frey was his apprentice for years. They are still good friends. If you want a sneaky pete from Tim, he refers you to Bob. He also sends refinish and repair work to Bob on a regular basis. I understand that he does this so he can spend more time building his cues. If you really are concerned, give him a call, I am sure he will tell you. He is one of the nicest guys out there building cues today. He will also call you back. Phone # : 410-247-1231
FAX # : 410-247-7459
E-Mail cueman@webtv.net
Why Guess?

Don P. :cool:
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I heard Frey's sneaky petes are actually reworked house cues. $400+ for that, umm no.
 
crawdaddio said:
I recently heard that Tim Scruggs barely even touches the cues that come out of his shop and bear his name. Supposedly, he has helpers(apprentices?) doing damn near all of the work. Please say it 'aint so. I truly hope that this is just a horrible rumor......anyone got any info?
Thanks,
David
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My understanding is that Tim has an arthritic condition that makes it painfull at times to work with his machines. At one time Mike Cochran was doing most (if not all) of the intricate inlay work. Obviously, quality control issues can and do surface as more people become involved.
 
tgscordv6 said:
I heard Frey's sneaky petes are actually reworked house cues. $400+ for that, umm no.
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I just picked up a Frey ebony cue with Ivory joint, white w/black speck irish linen wrap for $450.
I guess it's who you know sometimes. Plays just like a Scruggs.
Don P. :cool:
 
crawdaddio said:
I recently heard that Tim Scruggs barely even touches the cues that come out of his shop and bear his name. Supposedly, he has helpers(apprentices?) doing damn near all of the work. Please say it 'aint so. I truly hope that this is just a horrible rumor......anyone got any info?
Thanks,
David
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When we went to see Tim, he shot very well so if he has an arthritis condition that permits him from playing at the level he once could, that does not mean that he is not an excellent cue maker. We all get older and father time shows no mercy.

Laura
 
It doesn't matter. Enzo Ferrari doesn't build cars. Fernidand Porsche doesn't build cars. Jerry Franklin obviously left a legacy that is continuing to produce jam up cues. If Tim just signs the cues then you can be sure that they are every bit as good or better than when Tim was doing all or some of the work.

Perhaps IF Tim in fact has some physical reason that he is not able to do the work then a potential Tim Scruggs customer might not want him to be working on the cue.

Stradivarius had a shop where the apprentices did most of the work. In fact most of the great craftsmen and artisans historically have had apprentices that have done a lot of the so-called grunt work.

Every Tim Scruggs I have handled, owned or shot with has been a fantastic ball pocketing work of art. And I have had A LOT of experience with his cues, as many as 20 at a time and there aren't a whole lot of people who can claim that.

John
 
instroke said:
It doesn't matter. Enzo Ferrari doesn't build cars. Fernidand Porsche doesn't build cars. Jerry Franklin obviously left a legacy that is continuing to produce jam up cues. If Tim just signs the cues then you can be sure that they are every bit as good or better than when Tim was doing all or some of the work.

Perhaps IF Tim in fact has some physical reason that he is not able to do the work then a potential Tim Scruggs customer might not want him to be working on the cue.

Stradivarius had a shop where the apprentices did most of the work. In fact most of the great craftsmen and artisans historically have had apprentices that have done a lot of the so-called grunt work.

Every Tim Scruggs I have handled, owned or shot with has been a fantastic ball pocketing work of art. And I have had A LOT of experience with his cues, as many as 20 at a time and there aren't a whole lot of people who can claim that.

John
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I'm glad that you have had a good experience with these cues. However, I have owned several of these cues myself and even though the overall playablity was still quite good, the last cue I ordered had serious flaws in the inlay work.
 
tgscordv6 said:
I heard Frey's sneaky petes are actually reworked house cues. $400+ for that, umm no.
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Excuse me, Bob's regular sneaky petes start at $200. I just got off the phone with him. I also found out that he builds to order only. No stock. The Ebony cue with Ivory joint and radial pin sells for $800.
Don :cool:
It's my business to know.
 
oceanweb said:
I'm glad that you have had a good experience with these cues. However, I have owned several of these cues myself and even though the overall playablity was still quite good, the last cue I ordered had serious flaws in the inlay work.
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Doubt it. Send it back then. Scruggs will be glad to take it back.
I know one guy who received a Scruggs. He whined about one shaft being .2 of an oz. lighter. Timmy told him to send it back and he'll give him his money back.
 
Bluewolf said:
When we went to see Tim, he shot very well so if he has an arthritis condition that permits him from playing at the level he once could, that does not mean that he is not an excellent cue maker. We all get older and father time shows no mercy.

Laura
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Yup, old age ain't all it's cracked up to be :D
 
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