The story of how you found your cue...

the timing of this thread couldn't be better . . .

it was Christmas , 1983 . I was home on leave , and there was a long , flat box under the tree. My sister had wanted to do something special for me , and , WOW , did she succeed ! She'd made a few phone calls , worked her insistent , whining magic , and come up with a gorgeous John Robinson custom . More cue than I deserved at the time ~ even today , I strain to play up to the potential of this cue .
I own other cues , but none mean as much to me as the one I unwrapped on that snowy winter morning . . . . . .:)



Kim , thanks again !!:lovies:
 
Lol!

Tramp Steamer said:
Many years ago I was walking along the railroad tracks (something I used to enjoy doing, until I wound up in Amarillo one day, and had to wire home for bus fare) when lo and behold I came upon a dead body. It was a man, maybe fifty years old, nicely dressed (except for the blood stains) and clutching a long, narrow, leather case.
Curiosity got the better of me and I began to pry the case from his cold and riggored fingers. I think I might have broken a couple of them getting it lose.
I inspected the case and noticed there was a cap that snugly fit at one end, secured by nothing more than friction. When I pulled it off it made sort of a "sucking" sound.
What I saw next surprised me. There appeared to be a pool cue nestled inside with two separate shafts. I knew what a pool cue was, of course, but had never seen one in pieces until now. Quite remarkable, I thought.
I removed the larger of the three pieces from the case and examined it closely. It appeared to be made of maple wood, for the most part (I recognized the wood from a pie safe my Mother used to have), with a black thread wrapped around the middle. Actually, it was more like a heavy test fishing line than a thread.
In between the bottom of the black line, and a round piece of rubber screwed into the very end, was a section of dark wood (almost ebony like) in which was afixed, what appeared to be, real mother-of-pearl diamonds. Quite lovely.
Above the black line were four elongated pyramids outlined in various colors, and made of the same dark wood as on the bottom. Mother-of-pearl diamonds were set into these shapes, as well.
Where the shafts joined to the cue bottom a short cylinder of shiney steel was attached along with a protruding screw. I surmised that this was how the shaft and cue bottom attached themselves to each other. A modern marvel if ever I saw one.
Looking a bit closer between two of the four dark triangular pieces I noticed a name had been inked on to the much lighter maple. It read, simply "Balabushka #1". Could this be the (lately deceased) owners name, or had it been inscribed by the person who so skillfully crafted what looked to be an almost new pool cue. I wondered about that for quite some time.
I also found myself somewhat confused as to what I should do with the case and the cue. Should I leave it with the body, the only posession the poor man had apparently had, or should I take it with me, believing that he would have wanted it put to some use. I chose the latter.
Heading back toward town I was struck by the thought that should anyone know anything about pool cues it would logically be someone who was in that particular business. I headed straight for the local poolhall, case and cue in tow.
The poolroom manager, Gus, I think his name was, looked over my newfound prize and declared that in his opinion the cue was of little value and inquired as to what I planned on doing with it. I remarked that I was thirsty from my morning walk along the railroad tracks and if he was agreeable I would swap it for one of his ice cold grape Nehi's. He said that he was.
I couldn't help but smile as I walked out of the poolhall. Ain't nothin' better than an ice cold grape Nehi, I thought.
Click to expand...

I thought for sure you were going to end the story with, "the bar owner called the cops and I spent 15 years in prison for murder, but I'll never forget that nehi..."
 
I picked up my C-3 McDermott at a bar called The Rig in Woodward, Oklahoma somewhere around '86. This kid paid way too much for himself in the calcutta and needed cash. I gave forty bucks for it with two shafts.

I found my 6-point Verl Horn in a pawn shop's $25 discount bucket'o'cues. A year or two later I bought an early Paul Huebler in that same bucket.
 
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Sappy story: Right when I got into pool early in college, I had my eyes on the cheapest Joss available. Soon after I had to undergo open-heart surgery. When I got home from the hospital my brother had got me an expensive high-end Joss cue that has been my main player since then. He gave me the cue in a very cheap case. When I first saw the case I remember thinking he doesn't know anything about pool and might have gotten a cuetec, and instead there being this beautiful stick inside!!
 
My beloved Roland Becker chess themed cue...

I have many great cues in my arsenal but the one that carries a lot of meaning for me is my Becker cue. I've played pool for well over 17 years to date and never really gave much thought to a custom made cue until I needed one made to my exact specifications...well a good friend of mine showed me the third edition blue book for the first time back in 06. While skimming through the first pages that showed pictures of cues, I came across this set of cues that were all chess themed and done by a cue maker by the name of Roland Becker. The cue that caught my eye was the only one out of the bunch that had ALL chess pieces inlaid into it and it had a white with black spec Irish linen wrap. This cue became the reason for me getting into custom cues. This cue was seriously my DREAM cue ( I love playing chess ). So years later only about 6 months ago...I am on ebay and there it is....THE cue on auction for 750.00...Needless to say I bid and I win...no one bids against me...AWESOME. Cue is in excellent condition but no original shaft.....It's ok..sent the butt and an ob-classic blank to KJ and with the help of his excellent work, I now have in my possession.......MY EXCALIBUR lol.
 
Derby City

I spent almost 2 days trying various playing cues varying in weight, wrap/no wrap, taper, ...$200-$10,000. The latter was just for the experience of trying it.

I had no interest in aesthetics-only function.

There were many free tables during the day.

I wanted a sneaky pete so that it would not attract the attention of thieves & drunks wanting to "try it."

I finally settled upon a 21oz Jacoby Hustler (sneaky pete)

Stan Shuffett suggested a Kamui Super soft tip.

Now I wll spend the rest of my days attempting to bring my skill level to reach the potential of the cue.


This year I will return to Derby City & try to find a break cue. I don't want to abuse the Jacoby playing cue.

I'm tired of picking up cues at the bar & pool hall with no tips, too light...

I'm intrigued by the description of the Jacoby Heavy Hitter, but I will try many break cues with an open mind.
 
a very pool "is- what- it- is" cue story

I'm sitting outside at the smoking area of Hard Times during a big Jamboree, when a 3c billiard player I hadn't seen in decades comes up from the parking lot. He's got a goncalo alves (sp?) and tulipwood Coker that he says belongs to B, another old 3c guy whom I hadn't seen in forever. Here's the story:

B was driving late one night and gets pulled over by the police. For whatever unsaid reason, the police knock him down and his head hits the edge of the concrete curb. They don't even arrest him. He goes to the hospital for the bang on his head, and the doctors find that he has a completely unrelated but very far gone cancerous brain tumor- they give him 6 months to live. He needs to sell everything he has fast to pay medical bills, final living expenses, etc.

So I got this Coker very cheap, and poor B died within three months- less than half of his expected time.
 
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Must be nice to have all these selections of names to choose from but here in the Great White North, I had one option: Dufferin. One place to buy them too: the Dufferin Game Room Store.

I suppose technically, we had our one-piece house cues at home that I first started playing with, and there were a few I won or inherited from friends. But the first cue I bought is still sitting in my office to this day.

I should say it was "nothing special" but it did have a unique wrap on it. A Dufferin Classic by way of name and I think it cost me $80 which, at the time, was expensive enough. Man I can't even remember how many games I played with that thing. I used it so much the piloted aluminum joint seized together on me and it had to get sent back to Toronto to get fixed. I tell you, those were the longest 7 days of my life. I had 2 shafts made so I could play either snooker or pool. Elkmaster and LePro, respectively and I thought I had the meanest stick on earth.

When the DGRS ordered me in a Huebler I was in Heaven. But I didn't feel like I was good enough to use it and I played better with my Classic at any rate. I gave it to a friend I had been teaching and as far as I know, she plays with it to this day.

I bought a few more Dufferins and had them customized for me as I went. Now I play with the cue in my avatar which was made to honor some events in my life and keep me grounded in how quickly tides can turn. It's a story few know the extent of but those who do understand its' worth is more than the money I paid for it.

I have some other cues now, new cases, new toys. But I still have that Classic sitting in the corner. I have some drawings for a new cue I want made, and I've picked out the maker already. But each stick I have has a story to it and games I'll always remember.
 
1988.....I was a regular late night player $5 to play from 12am to 8am at a billiard room in Michigan, I asked my dad if he would buy me a cue for my birthday...it was a Meucci....4 pt....nothing special to a collector but was special to me...I regret selling that cue 5 years ago......I still have my onieda 2x2 luggage case thou......:thumbup:
 
I have to keep the names out of this story for obvious reasons. I was playing with a Scruggs Sneaky Pete for a few years. One of the halls I went to on occasion was
Owned by a “made” guy and it was rumored that you could hire a “hitter” through some of the people who worked there. Personally, and from what I learned, I would not be in the least bit surprised that this was true. Lots of money changing hands late at night and, all in all, a “real” pool hall as all the movies would have it. Bad guys, gamblers, several short stops, and of course, the usual pool hall crowd were in residence.

One of the younger guys who worked in the hall for table time was a semi-friend who I had helped out now and again. He approaches me and comes on with this “great,” “fantastic” Mottey cue, two shafts with ivory ferrules and a jump butt for $700.00. Well he goes on about what a great player it is and that one of the short stops is looking to sell it before the short stop, in his usual style, breaks it over his knee when he loses. The short stop, so the story goes, wants a Meucci with birds on it so he can make it fly when it doesn’t play right.

Through the grapevine I hear that while the Mottey is a good cue and is probably worth a grand or so. However, it is a heavy weight (21 oz) and was made for a mob type guy who lost some serious money. No one wants the cue because it is too expensive, too heavy, and maybe someone just might come looking for it. However, it is a real players’ cue for the big time gambler, ebony points, cocobolo, and a snake skin (or some such) leather wrap. I saw the cue, played with it, and loved it and the mystique that came with it.

My first wife had died about two weeks before and I wanted to buy myself a present to help lift the depression a little. At least that was my rationalization. I start negotiating for the cue. When it was done I gave up the Scruggs and $500.00 for the cue.

To this day I love the cue and it is my every day player. I removed the weight bolt (it weighs in at 19 oz now) and put a Predator Z shaft on it. My Mottey has a story, it is beautiful, and there is no cue I would rather use. Last time I asked, I was told the cue is probably worth $2,000.00 or more. Sometimes you just make out in life.

And of course it is also probable that only half of all this is true -- but that just adds to the mystique. :cool:

PMottey.jpg


The cue was made in 1987 and I suspect a short stop had it done because it came with a jump butt. But who knows what the short stop did outside the pool hall !
 
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In 1981, Nick Varner came to the University of Miami to do an exhibition and I was hooked. I loved watching him run balls and I knew I needed my own cue. I found Star Cue in the phone book and went to visit Abe Rich. He had a beautiful Cocobolo cue he just made and I fell in love with it. That was my first cue.

After 7 or 8 years, I decided I wanted something more elaborate. I went to visit Tim Scruggs since I moved back to Baltimore. We sat there and designed a cue one afternoon. Inlays, points, boxes, it was pretty cool. He said he would be done in 9 months. I remember getting the call that it was done. What a day! I regret still to this day selling that cue to my best friend because his custom Joss was stolen. I had a brand new Lambros so I sold him my Scruggs for a deal. Ugh.
 
I played at Cue & Cushion at the Roosevelt Mall on Cottman St in the mid 60's. They sold quality 2 piece cues. My 1st was a Rich Cue. However a gentleman named Doc Frye knew the houseman and would stop into the poolroom now and then. I saw the cues he was making for other players....I sold the Rich and bought a Cue from Doc for $125 (2 shafts). I still have it.
 

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In 1987 I was stationed for a brief time at Fort Benning, GA. I'd been playing pool off and on for years, but never owned my own cue (except a cheap Asian import that I bought at the PX---someone broke it (it was easy to do) and I didn't even care, it was that bad). Some buddies and I would go to a pool room called "Clicks" in Columbus GA every evening after work and shoot a cheap ring game for a few hours. The owner had a rack of McDermott D models that he would rent out for a couple of bucks an hour. I fell in love with the D9 I rented and promptly bought it for retail (about $220) with a nice clam shell case. I instantly saw the benefit of having a decent cue, and then began the search for the next best cue I could afford. Bought two more D model McDermotts and shot with them for the next couple of years (mostly in APA (gasp!)) in Fort Polk LA. Then I bought a high end Joss J15...what a gorgeous cue. Had it for two months and then it was stolen. I was just about to move back to Fort Benning, and a soldier I used to play against in all the local tournaments bumped into me whining about money problems...his wife left him, took the kids, the money and left the dog. He wanted to sell his motorcycle to get some scratch to get out of trouble. I had always admired his custom GEM cue...I first saw that cue in the maker's hands in Lake Charles (Gary Medlin). He was showing it off as his effort to copy his own Gus Szamboti...and it was a very good effort. This kid bought it from him before I could dream of it, and man, did it turn heads everywhere he went. Well, I told him I didn't need a motorcycle, but I'd give him $700 for that GEM and the case. He said no, but I fanned out 7 $100 bills (my advance from the Army for my move) and he couldn't resist. I played my best pool with that cue for 10 years, set all my personal bests at break/runs and straight pool. Later retired it to play with a Schon I loved (and still do).

Now I've got a Carolina Custom I love, went to the shop personally to meet Trevor Donahue and designed it to my preferred specs (I took leave and traveled from overseas to do it). I just matched it up with a 30 inch Gulyassy SPTX shaft and Kamui Black Soft tip and I think I've got the best cue I've ever played with. I flipped the McDermotts back in the day to finance my jump to custom cues, but I still have all the rest--they're not for sale. I'm very picky and very patient about the cues I'm after; I look around a long time, find what I want then pull the trigger. They're all bought to play with for the long haul, not to invest in or flip...;)
 
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Derby City Classic

A number of pool supply store owners have said that they suffer insufficient liquidity to stock much cue inventory other than the usual low end Chinese options.

Once I tired of searching through the tipless, corkscrew options available in most bars & even pool halls & then purchased an antique Brunswick Madison table for $700, I found Derby City to be the most viable alternative.

I spent almost 2 days courting various weights, wraps/no wrap...options until I fell in love with a 21oz Jacoby "sneak Pete." I sought Stan Shuffett's advice regarding a tip & he suggested a Kamui black super soft.

I chose a "sneaky pete" because I do not want to attract the attention of thieves or drunks who might want to "try" my cue. It masquerades so well that bar managers often attempt to put it back on their racks with their house cues. Dave Jacoby's tiny signature quickly ends the controversy.



Since I do not want to brutalize my playing cue, it is likely that I will conduct a similar courting process to find a Break cue this year.

I am intrigued by descriptions of the Jacoby Heavy Hitter, but will "play the field" in search of a Break cue this year.

It is likely that I will be long dead before my skills reach the capacity of my playing cue. I hope that the break cue will be the same.
 
Been a little while, but resurrecting this thread. Some amazing stories.

Anyone else want to share??
 
Mine came from the late, great, John Wright.

I called him and told him I was in the market for a cue, didn't know what, but I told him what specs I liked. He picked out an Omega DPK and said he thought it would be perfect. I said to go ahead and send it. He said not to pay yet, that I shoud try it first and I could return it if I didn't like it. I tried it and loved it and put the check in the mail.

I miss that guy.
 
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Tramp Steamer said:
Many years ago I was walking along the railroad tracks (something I used to enjoy doing, until I wound up in Amarillo one day, and had to wire home for bus fare) when lo and behold I came upon a dead body. It was a man, maybe fifty years old, nicely dressed (except for the blood stains) and clutching a long, narrow, leather case.
Curiosity got the better of me and I began to pry the case from his cold and riggored fingers. I think I might have broken a couple of them getting it lose.
I inspected the case and noticed there was a cap that snugly fit at one end, secured by nothing more than friction. When I pulled it off it made sort of a "sucking" sound.
What I saw next surprised me. There appeared to be a pool cue nestled inside with two separate shafts. I knew what a pool cue was, of course, but had never seen one in pieces until now. Quite remarkable, I thought.
I removed the larger of the three pieces from the case and examined it closely. It appeared to be made of maple wood, for the most part (I recognized the wood from a pie safe my Mother used to have), with a black thread wrapped around the middle. Actually, it was more like a heavy test fishing line than a thread.
In between the bottom of the black line, and a round piece of rubber screwed into the very end, was a section of dark wood (almost ebony like) in which was afixed, what appeared to be, real mother-of-pearl diamonds. Quite lovely.
Above the black line were four elongated pyramids outlined in various colors, and made of the same dark wood as on the bottom. Mother-of-pearl diamonds were set into these shapes, as well.
Where the shafts joined to the cue bottom a short cylinder of shiney steel was attached along with a protruding screw. I surmised that this was how the shaft and cue bottom attached themselves to each other. A modern marvel if ever I saw one.
Looking a bit closer between two of the four dark triangular pieces I noticed a name had been inked on to the much lighter maple. It read, simply "Balabushka #1". Could this be the (lately deceased) owners name, or had it been inscribed by the person who so skillfully crafted what looked to be an almost new pool cue. I wondered about that for quite some time.
I also found myself somewhat confused as to what I should do with the case and the cue. Should I leave it with the body, the only posession the poor man had apparently had, or should I take it with me, believing that he would have wanted it put to some use. I chose the latter.
Heading back toward town I was struck by the thought that should anyone know anything about pool cues it would logically be someone who was in that particular business. I headed straight for the local poolhall, case and cue in tow.
The poolroom manager, Gus, I think his name was, looked over my newfound prize and declared that in his opinion the cue was of little value and inquired as to what I planned on doing with it. I remarked that I was thirsty from my morning walk along the railroad tracks and if he was agreeable I would swap it for one of his ice cold grape Nehi's. He said that he was.
I couldn't help but smile as I walked out of the poolhall. Ain't nothin' better than an ice cold grape Nehi, I thought.
Click to expand...

I wonder if the case holding the Adams cue you found was worth anything?
 
I've told this elswhere but here it is again. I was 16, 1963. The local bowling alley had had pool tables for about 3 years, I'd been hooked for at least two of them.
There was an old guy, retired FBI, that had played in the midwest. His name was "Doc" Sibley. Always wore a dark shirt, bolo tie, sport coat and snap brim hat. He took a liking to some of us kids who were trying to learn the game and taught us to play right. for table time and $1:grin:
He started us on call shot, lineup, he played 10 ball no count, we got all we made. He showed us how to play safe, but he never did, showing us the dead combos in the mess, blast 'em and run a bunch. Taught us how to stand, how to hold the cue, the stroke . . .everything I know to this day is based on those table time and $1 "lessons."

fast forward a couple years, he has an old , I mean really old willie Hoppe, offers it to me for $20. I say "I'll take it!!!" but I don't have the cash, he says, that's ok, pay me next time I see ya. The cue is kept in the back room, I give the $20 to the houseman to hold for Doc and start using it. doc doesn't come around for a few months and I'm using the cue like it is mine.
He finally comes in and sees me, asks do I want to buy the cue. I say yes, will you take $15. He just looks at me, then says ok. I go get the $20, break it and give him the $15.

He says, "Wanna play some 9 ball?"

Cue ended up costing me every nickel I had on me, about $50 including the $15:grin: and it didn't take long either.
Still got it, wish I'd have taken better care of it:rolleyes:
 
CueJunkiee said:
some green to you for making me Reminisce on a sunday workday....

I got his butterfly Fanelli in my Avitar, my CK still with me and my Southwest is still the best player i own and i play with it all the time....... those cues i will never part with.......... even as a CueJunkiee....


now back to work... only 4 more hours til i get to play pool...
LOL
Click to expand...

Your Chester Krick and your Fanelli Butterfly cues are truly special cues!
 
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