The time has come - Hercek.

poohkiller

poohkiller

Still life.
Silver Member
Good day everyone,

Finally, a very-very old dream has come true - on Tuesday I received my first ever Hercek cue! I have been longing for possessing one of Burton's late or Joel's work ever since I have seen a picture of a Burton Spain cue on one of the sites. It has had everything I liked and later on, after lots of reading and research and fantastic help from this community I got to know that there was a whole lot more going on beyond that I found that cue really impressing.

Years ago I was given a very vital gift / package that contained the two booklets of Burton and a picture of some of his fantastic 4-point cues in a set up on a pool table.

Years went by and I took that picture out time and time again and was mesmerized by looking at it - mostly at school's more boring classes...

So finally I had the opportunity to acquire a Hercek and although it looks rather simple, it is the only cue as of now that has five veneers and a cork wrap. I am aware that this might not remain the only one like so of the future but I am sure there won't be many more with 5 veneers and it just feels great how such a simple cue can sport some special specs.
It was Joel's 23rd cue ever also and if I am not mistaken that superb straight grain maple forearm belonged to Burton... Yet, with this being such an early cue I believe all wood could very well be from Burton's batch.

I also have a letter pending on this from Joel as there are no visible markings on the cue and so the pedigree of this cue will be complete as well - embroidered Hercek letter, business card, printed interview, some very nice photographs and his letter...

Plus it also has 3 Full, original, 13mm shafts :)

Thank you and please enjoy and let me know what you think about it.

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Please take a look at the grains and how even they are in the forearm! I really like that.
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P.S.: I was really-really scared about how the cork will feel, I had absolutely no clue what it is going to be like. I like it just as much as I like linen in terms of looks and feel respectively. It's just great!


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Update: I have added some pictures for those who asked for it.

Here is a picture of the joint rings.
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Look at the dark shaft wood and the difference in between the two in terms of colors, I am playing with the lighter coloured one as of now as that hits fantastic as well. I took a picture of the wood's structure as well. We see Herceks occasionally but hardly ever in such detail and I think it is nice to see a master craftsman's work up close.
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Finally, some ivory for those who - just as I do - like ivory. These make an incredible sound - I use the one that's closer. Plus you may see the pads well here.
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I have never felt pride of ownership such an understatement before, it is so nice. I have one more shaft but did not take it out from its storage case for now.

I hope you enjoy.
 
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Very nice... If I ever own a Hercek, something like this would sure be at the top of my list!
 
Congrats!!

It's a great looking cue and it will be a player. The fact that you waited and wanted a Hercek and finally got one will make this cue even more special. Enjoy and don't forget to play with it!!

TommyT
 
Hi-Jim Pierce just built a very nice cue, and put a cork grip on it. At first sight it looked odd, however, when I gripped the handle, it was amazing! It had a soft smooth feeling that cannot be matched by linen or leather. If the opportunity should ever arise, try a cork grip, it's awesome.
 
Dave,

congarts on your new..enjoy it for a very long time..im sure it hits great...simple and elegant that's what i want for a cue....
 
hey

David, That is Joels FIRST 5 veneer cue....and it will always be First. I am so happy for you my friend...great cue
 
First of all, thank you everyone for your replies!

Mamono, Berny, thank you both, I am really happy that you like the cue. Berny, I hope all is well, I never had a doubt that we have a very similar taste buddy :)

TommyT: definitely, the waiting has sort of seasoned me and the entire process and it's just great that it is finally here. I have already played with the cue and it is my #1 player - which is understandable as I do not have and I do not need another cue :) It plays really very fantastic, it is so different (in a good way) than anything I have come across.

Dave: the Mottey is gone, I thought you have seen the F/S thread?? I hope all is well!

Pocono: thanks!

TAP: you really cannot tell in advance what it is going to be like and if you asked me before I only could have wished that it's going to feel like it does. It also looks great and I recommend it to everyone.

Jun: hello my friend! I wish I had attended SBE, it would have been so nice to meet up - I hope next year I'll make it there though. Thank you for your kind words!

Marcus: yes, it does have those multiple pads in between the ivory ferrule and the tip but it is not just red but red-black. I have never seen that before but it's so much better, the pads will last a lot longer and it looks nice too. I can take pictures of what they look like on my cue if you want me to!

Troy: thank you, I am glad to see that you like it.

Steve: thank you so much, this cue is just a perfect match for me in terms of playability, looks and has that tremendous plus that it is coming from my favourite cuemakers. I am so very proud of this.
 
poohkiller said:
Marcus: yes, it does have those multiple pads in between the ivory ferrule and the tip but it is not just red but red-black. I have never seen that before but it's so much better, the pads will last a lot longer and it looks nice too. I can take pictures of what they look like on my cue if you want me to!
Click to expand...

I HAVE PICS OF THE CUE AND THE TIP/PAD SETUP. I OWNED THIS CUE A LITTLE WHILE BACK, I GOT IT FROM THE ORIGINAL OWNER.

THE MULTIPLE PADS IS ONE OF THE COOLEST THINGS ABOUT THIS CUE. IT WAS DONE AT THE REQUEST OF THE ORIGINAL TO TEST TO SEE WHAT IMPACT THE PADS HAD ON THE HIT OF THE CUE. I WAS JUST HOPEING THAT THEY WEREN'T TAKEN OFF.

THAT CUE PLAYS VERY SOLID, ENJOY IT.

Marcus
 
Hey David,

Great pick up:thumbup: Everything so say and buy is pure class.:)

God bless you my friend.
 
can you show pics of the tip pads and also the joint rings?! thanks! excellent cue.
 
FAST_N_LOOSE said:
I HAVE PICS OF THE CUE AND THE TIP/PAD SETUP. I OWNED THIS CUE A LITTLE WHILE BACK, I GOT IT FROM THE ORIGINAL OWNER.

THE MULTIPLE PADS IS ONE OF THE COOLEST THINGS ABOUT THIS CUE. IT WAS DONE AT THE REQUEST OF THE ORIGINAL TO TEST TO SEE WHAT IMPACT THE PADS HAD ON THE HIT OF THE CUE. I WAS JUST HOPEING THAT THEY WEREN'T TAKEN OFF.

THAT CUE PLAYS VERY SOLID, ENJOY IT.

Marcus
Click to expand...

Marcus,

I was curious to see what effect the pads will have on the playability. I don't like tall tips at all, I like them at half height. The pads have not had any negative effects the playability, it's rather on the contrary, instead.
The cue plays incredibly solid, I cannot really compare it to anything else, to be honest. The other day I tried this: I held the assembled cue in my right hand and hit the shaft smoothly with my palm to see how the cue resonates. It last very long and died away really slowly - I assume due to the lack of A-joint there is no loss at that part... I can tell from personal experience now why was Burton the first living cuemaker to be inducted into the Hall of Fame - the entire setup is nothing less than ingenious.

Monto: thank you for the kind words, it really is a very elegant piece in the world of cues, "imo".

Spliced: I will take pictures tomorrow or on Monday the latest - thanks.
 
Wow, David :eek:
Congratulation to my hungarien friend, thats a great new piece for you collection.
Its fantastic that you finaly got your Hercek, I can feel with you because I will get my first one, too. :D

Your collection is getting bigger and bigger and I hope you are still happy with your Mottey, too.
And now where Joels list is closed (I heared that) its even bigger to get one of his cues. :thumbup:

Erich
 
Erich,

thank you so much for your kind words my friend. The Mottey had to go unfortunately and I had another thing going on for which I had to sell it. In the end that thing had to be put aside in time and so I got some money to invest and you know there isn't really anything better than the finest of cues. I knew that I'll get something nice but I could not have thought that my dream will come true. You know I was told that if you want something very-very much chances are that it will happen to you. Well I know I have wanted this A LOT and now it's here!
I could not be happier and it is so nice to experience how others share my joy.

As for the waiting list, I know for a fact that he has closed his book and that there will be one more 5-veneer Hercek and that's it.
The biggest fun though is the way it plays, old wood plays good goes the saying but its a lot more than good. If you come to Budapest you are free to try the cue, it would be huge fun I am sure.

Yours,
David
 
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