Sneaky Blanks

[buddha162]

Among the older house cue blanks (not the "fancy" figured stuff that is actually pretty to look at), what brands/wood combinations do you find to consistently make the best playing cues? Obviously this is subjective.

I recently received a very classy sneaky from a NJ cuemaker that plays great; it's some kind of rosewood, with that old, yellowish maple front: really classy cue. The blank was a Tru Balance from the 60's or 70's, and the cue does play a lot harder ("pingier?") than another sneaky I have made from a Valley house cue, circa 1980 that is purpleheart into maple. Same joint configuration (piloted steel), and using the same shaft (predator). The purpleheart Valley plays more muted, doesn't really ping but is quiet and predictable. I was wondering if the considerable difference in "hit" can be attributed to the different prong woods. If so, I can look for a more repeatable build the next time I order a sneaky...which seems to be once a year.

Any input greatly appreciated.

 

[BLACKHEARTCUES]

Stand a razor blade edge accross the top of the joint. It may be slightly mounded in the center. That would account for the PING sound. It may not be making contact all of the way accross the joint...JER

 

[treed]

joint face

Stand a razor blade edge accross the top of the joint. It may be slightly mounded in the center. That would account for the PING sound. It may not be making contact all of the way accross the joint...JER

this is an interesting point,some cue makers will slightly countersink, my guess is to allow for swelling in the end grain, which can create an off alignment of the shaft and butt.sealing the end grain with something such as a thin c.a.,and facing off is what i do to prevent the end grain from absorbing moisture.

 

[buddha162]

Thank you Jerry. The cue has a piloted steel joint, and I don't think there are any facing issues. The "ping" I refer to is actually quite pleasant, it is *almost* a Timmy Scruggs ping, but perhaps less lively.

treed, I assume you and Jerry are talking about flat faced joints, in which case I have witnessed the wood rising above the phenolic collar.

 

[JoeyInCali]

Purpleheart, granadillo and bloodwood are probably the pingiest handle prong used on old house cues. Not counting BR's of course.
The thing about those old house cues is, a lot of them had huge gaps where the prong meets the handle.
So, the tightest constructed one might be the best hitting of the lot you tried.
Any gaps then were filled with the popular glue then. That gap deadens the hit imo.

 

[buddha162]

Purpleheart, granadillo and bloodwood are probably the pingiest handle prong used on old house cues. Not counting BR's of course.
The thing about those old house cues is, a lot of them had huge gaps where the prong meets the handle.
So, the tightest constructed one might be the best hitting of the lot you tried.
Any gaps then were filled with the popular glue then. That gap deadens the hit imo.

I suspected the gluing to be a potential problem for 40, 50+ yo house cues. Is there any way to determine if your blank is solidly glued?