Tim Scruggs Four Pointers

[fjk]

I have an early Tad I’d like to get refinished but I can’t stand the thought of losing the wrap.

I sent my Cortland wrapped cue to Proficient with a request to save the wrap. They told me they could but there would be tiny lines of unfinished cue on both side of the wrap. When they were done I couldn't see the lines they warned me about.

 

[Mensabum]

So I had the exact situation many years ago.

I bought a Tad brand new and played with it everyday for about 4 years. The wrap was 12/10 good. The finish was worn through and I didn’t want the wood to get stained up from chalk/dirt.

Dropped the cue off with Jerry Franklin and asked if he would do refinish and “save the wrap”. . Please save the wrap Jerry. He said he wasn’t sure if he could but he’d do his best. Of course that was good enough for me.


When I was leaving the shop away he said again “I’m not 100% certain I can save the wrap”. Jerry was a very good friend so I replied “ok great! Save it anyways” winked and left. (I wasn’t being a dick as it was said in way you can poke at a friend a bit”.

Couple weeks later I get the call from Jerry that my cue was done. Yay

I made my way over to his shop and he proudly handed me the cue. With Tads wrap still on it. I was so happy. I told Jerry the truth “there was never a doubt”. Jerry was such a great person/friend.

I went back to playing full time with that Tad and a couple months later Jerry passed away.

There wasn’t a nick, dent or ding on it when Jerry passed. It was a mint butt with dirty shafts from years of play.

I still have that cue. I will always have that cue and while I did retire it when Jerry passed as a memory of Jerry I never intended on norm playing with it. So it’s been used some since then, it’s in a case I got in 1985 and is one of my most cherished cues.

So yes the wrap can be saved, if who’s doing the work cares enough.

I don’t have a pic of it sorry.

Best
Fatboy

Excellent tale my man.

 

[Fatboy]

I sent my Cortland wrapped cue to Proficient with a request to save the wrap. They told me they could but there would be tiny lines of unfinished cues on both side of the wrap. When they were done I couldn't see the lines they warned me about.

The wrap is worth saving if there’s a little flaw around it, as long as that flaw doesn’t cause the finish to peel or something weird.

there is plenty more refinishings but no more cortland that’s broke in, which imo is better than fresh cortland

 

[WildWing]

Exactly. Of course the big fancy cues are cool too, these are playing cues and they are as good as it gets for what they are intended for which makes them super cool.

Nothing like 4pt 4 veneer cortland wrap cues. I’d guess that 35-40% of my collection of cues falls into this category. Well not all cortland wraps but “working” cues. Not art or 6-8pt cues.

I don’t have a TS cue . He was fine cue builder. Lots of his work made it out West back in the 80’s, when the world wasn’t very connected as it is now.

Agree. I think it was Gus Szamboti who said he could make plain cues better playing than the fancier cues with a lot of inlays. He was probably right. I have fancy cues too, but these are very nice. Hard to believe one has Cortland wrap, and one doesn't. The one that doesn't has the good Blue Mountain light green spec wrap that was a dead ringer for Cortland, both look and feel. Unfortunately, the Blue Mountain factory in North Carolina, I believe, burned down, and wasn't rebuilt. But both linens are great, as is Penn linen, Gus's choice once Cortland was too hard to get.

All the best,
WW

 

[Fatboy]

Agree. I think it was Gus Szamboti who said he could make plain cues better playing than the fancier cues with a lot of inlays. He was probably right. I have fancy cues too, but these are very nice. Hard to believe one has Cortland wrap, and one doesn't. The one that doesn't has the good Blue Mountain light green spec wrap that was a dead ringer for Cortland, both look and feel. Unfortunately, the Blue Mountain factory in North Carolina, I believe, burned down, and wasn't rebuilt. But both linens are great, as is Penn linen, Gus's choice once Cortland was too hard to get.

All the best,
WW

Penn is good too. For sure, even Blue Mountain will work in a pinch. All 3 I think are light years ahead of anything else(unless I’m forgetting something)

 

[WildWing]

Penn is good too. For sure, even Blue Mountain will work in a pinch. All 3 I think are light years ahead of anything else(unless I’m forgetting something)

You're not forgetting anything. The linen today comes from China, and it's more plastic than linen. I've heard rumors of better linen underway elsewhere, but nothing coming yet. If you have a cue with the old stuff, keep it in good shape.

All the best,
WW

 

[Fatboy]

You're not forgetting anything. The linen today comes from China, and it's more plastic than linen. I've heard rumors of better linen underway elsewhere, but nothing coming yet. If you have a cue with the old stuff, keep it in good shape.

All the best,
WW

Barry has one giant spool of a solid black linen that was used once, on Ray Martins cue-the only time Gus used it. Ray requested it. I have the cue, I’ve seen the spool. Barry told me the story.

I’d like to know what that is, Barry told me and I forgot. Time to find out.

When I find out I’ll report back

Best
Fatboy

 

[Fatboy]

You're not forgetting anything. The linen today comes from China, and it's more plastic than linen. I've heard rumors of better linen underway elsewhere, but nothing coming yet. If you have a cue with the old stuff, keep it in good shape.

All the best,
WW

I have many cues with cortland. I’ve never taken it off a cue ever. I’ve heard that’s punishable crime….It can always be restored, the older it gets the better it gets.

Years ago here on AZB a few spools came up for sale, unsealed or not used is the best description. They weren’t cheap, they were priced fair. I slept it and poof they were gone. I’m certain they were put to good use. I wished I bought them. I have a couple cues which are old and don’t have cortland which are good candidates for it.

Best
Fatboy

 

[WildWing]

Barry has one giant spool of a solid black linen that was used once, on Ray Martins cue-the only time Gus used it. Ray requested it. I have the cue, I’ve seen the spool. Barry told me the story.

I’d like to know what that is, Barry told me and I forgot. Time to find out.

When I find out I’ll report back

Best
Fatboy

As I recall, Ray preferred a triple braided nylon, rather than linen. My bet would be that's what it was.

 

[Fatboy]

As I recall, Ray preferred a triple braided nylon, rather than linen. My bet would be that's what it was.

It’s solid black and I think you are right. I’m going to contact Barry and find out. He mentioned it to me before which is how I know it’s a one off wrap. I’ll let you know here when I find out.

 

[Mensabum]

I have many cues with cortland. I’ve never taken it off a cue ever. I’ve heard that’s punishable crime….It can always be restored, the older it gets the better it gets.

Years ago here on AZB a few spools came up for sale, unsealed or not used is the best description. They weren’t cheap, they were priced fair. I slept it and poof they were gone. I’m certain they were put to good use. I wished I bought them. I have a couple cues which are old and don’t have cortland which are good candidates for it.

Best
Fatboy

We would hunt you down.

 

[Mensabum]

Agree. I think it was Gus Szamboti who said he could make plain cues better playing than the fancier cues with a lot of inlays. He was probably right. I have fancy cues too, but these are very nice. Hard to believe one has Cortland wrap, and one doesn't. The one that doesn't has the good Blue Mountain light green spec wrap that was a dead ringer for Cortland, both look and feel. Unfortunately, the Blue Mountain factory in North Carolina, I believe, burned down, and wasn't rebuilt. But both linens are great, as is Penn linen, Gus's choice once Cortland was too hard to get.

All the best,
WW

I recall Tim telling me once that inlays can affect the hit and can tighten the butt up?!?
(Ok. Lemme have it.)
I didn't understand at the time, but a cuemaker would know what he meant I'm sure.
If I had cues with a shitload of inlay, I'd be afraid to play them, let alone play my 9 ball game w one.
Hate picking splinters out of the carpet.

 

[WildWing]

I recall Tim telling me once that inlays can affect the hit and can tighten the butt up?!?
(Ok. Lemme have it.)
I didn't understand at the time, but a cuemaker would know what he meant I'm sure.
If I had cues with a shitload of inlay, I'd be afraid to play them, let alone play my 9 ball game w one.
Hate picking splinters out of the carpet.

What he really meant was that points tighten the butt up a bit. It's a bit stronger construction to put points in, assuming they're done right.

 

[Mensabum]

What he really meant was that points tighten the butt up a bit. It's a bit stronger construction to put points in, assuming they're done right.

That sounds right. Thanks for clarifying.

 

[Bavafongoul]

I think Cortland distinguishes itself from all the other linen fishing lines because of how it was made.
It’s become really hard to locate the past 7-8 years. Back in 2015, for my last 2 cues, it was available.
Since that time, the quantity available just seems to continue getting scarcer to the point it costs a lot.

Recently I bumped into an old acquaintance I haven’t seen I since the mid-80’s. We instantly recognized
one another other and I showed him the cues I’ve gathered since we last saw each other. As we discussed
my cues, he commented about what good condition the Cortland Linen wraps are on the cues in my case.

4 of the 6 have Cortland Linen. I was floored when he told me he still has several spindles, not spools, of
Cortland Linen he set aside years ago. I would have pursued it further but my interest in collecting pool cues
became curtailed in 2016 with enactment of CA’s ivory ban. In hindsight, I probably should have & still might.

 

[Bavafongoul]

This is my TS cue. …….18.45 ozs…….radial pin………just a tremendously enjoyable cue to play with.
The addition of a Kielwood shaft made by Cory Barnhart was the piece de resistance for this great cue.

 

[j2pac]

This is my TS cue. …….18.45 ozs…….radial pin………just a tremendously enjoyable cue to play with.
The addition of a Kielwood shaft made by Cory Barnhart was the piece de resistance for this great cue.

Very nice. I've never seen a "flat top" radial pin. Was that something that Tim customized?

 

[Bavafongoul]

Very nice. I've never seen a "flat top" radial pin. Was that something that Tim customized?

Apparently……I didn’t order this cue from Tim. Another Azer was the original purchaser and I believe this cue may have been for his wife. Regardless of whom it was for, I spotted it for sale and instantly knew it was a cue I had to have. I first thought the veneers were just okay but after getting the cue and seeing it in person, I changed my mind and fell in love. I haven’t seen many Scruggs radial pin cues vs. 3/8x10, definitely not with flat faced ivory. It’s kind of a rare bird based on what I’ve seen.

 

[j2pac]

Apparently……I didn’t order this cue from Tim. Another Azer was the original purchaser and I believe this cue may have been for his wife. Regardless of whom it was for, I spotted it for sale and instantly knew it was a cue I had to have. I first thought the veneers were just okay but after getting the cue and seeing it in person, I changed my mind and fell in love. I haven’t seen many Scruggs radial pin cues vs. 3/8x10, definitely not with flat faced ivory. It kind of a rare bird based on what I’ve seen.

Thank you for the response. Even though the Ivx,ry jointed cues were never my thing, I still appreciate a good looking cue when I see it.

One of my favorite cues was a cue made by Tims cohort, Mike Cochran. It wasn't the flashiest cue I'd ever seen, but sometimes one just speaks to you.
Thank you for sharing the photos.
j2

 

[Bavafongoul]

Thank you for the response. Even though the Ivx,ry jointed cues were never my thing, I still appreciate a good looking cue when I see it.

One of my favorite cues was a cue made by Tims cohort, Mike Cochran. It wasn't the flashiest cue I'd ever seen, but sometimes one just speaks to you.
Thank you for sharing the photos.
j2

Oh boy, I love Mike Cochran’s work. I think Richard Black’s best work was in the 80’s. I am an enormous fan of Danny Tibbits, especially with the limited number of cues he’s produced. Dan Janes might have been one of the most heralded name in cue making had he stuck to only making custom cues vs. catalog cues. As an example, I ordered my first custom cue from Bob Owen in 2013. Now he was known for great cue making working for Jack Shurtz whom eventually retired and Bob purchased the business. But Bob wasn’t as noteworthy back then for his custom cue work but today he’s considered one of the best.

Dean Campbell recommended 3 cue makers I should consider for a cue design I came up with which involved lots of
inlay work. It’s what Bob referred to as The Propellor Cue referring to the many propellor inlays. Anyway, after I interviewed the 3 cue makers and told them they had a more than adequate budget of $4k, remember this was 12 years ago. I could quickly tell Bob Owen was a cue maker destined for greatness. We talked for over an hour on the phone and so I knew he was the one. Well, he indulged my every whim and built a cue exactly as the detailed illustration I gave him.

He told me he knew I was very meticulous as soon as he opened the informational packet I sent him and looked at my drawings. Bob built exactly as I specified. And I _ucked up the design with my veneers selection stacking order. But it
was my 1st attempt at designing a cue and my subsequent other custom cues turned out spectacular. Anyway, my 1st
cue from Bob I’ve nicknamed Frankenstein. I choose that name because of my design mistakes but after you play with
my cue, you realize it is a monster cue the ways it hits and plays. It eptomizes that the looks of a cue have not a thing
to do with how it plays. A Sneaky Pete vs. Level 8 design doesn’t matter because it always comes down to the builder.

p.s. It is the cue in my signature s/d 5-4-14