Tonkin Cue in the Works

Well, Pete Tonkin will be starting on my new cue soon so I figured I'd share a little bit of the design with my fellow boardmates. The main inlay will be my take on the propellor inlay spiced up with some silver and the butt sleeve will also feature my take on veneered boxes/windows. I'll wait to show the butt sleeve until closer to delivery! The materials will be amboyna, ebony, ivory (except for veneers) and silver with an elephant ear wrap.

Here's the forearm mockup:

View attachment 246678

Hi Z,

Ebony and Abonya is money in my book. My two favorite materials. Those rings and inlays with silver will be awesome. Did I mention Silver is my 3rd favorite feature on a cue.

I like it a lot, to say the least!!!!

Rick
 
Here's a mockup I did elongating the propeller a bit:

Tonkin Comparison.jpg

Thoughts?!
 
I'm really not sure. Both the original and the new, longer one look great. You do get to see more silver in your original design, so that's something to take into account. I don't think you can go wrong either way.

Chris.
 
I'm really not sure. Both the original and the new, longer one look great. You do get to see more silver in your original design, so that's something to take into account. I don't think you can go wrong either way.

Chris.

I agree that they both look good. That said, the longer inlays make the windows in the butt sleeve a bit longer and I think I like the proportions of that a bit better. I'll wait and see what Mr. Tonkin has to say about the design change!
 
Thanks for the comments guys!

My cue will have a few things going on but it pales in comparison to the cue Jamie just posted! Pete is putting out some incredible stuff and it's pretty exciting that the build on mine will be starting in the near future.
 
I posted this in the Amboyna and Ebony thread but then remembered that I started this thread so I thought I'd post it here as well. Progress pic of my Tonkin in the works:

Fore.jpg

Bridge.jpg

Butt.jpg

I wasn't going to post anything but the forearm but decided that this butt picture doesn't really give much away.
 
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Nice! I think I see what this is coming:smile:, will look great.

Bumper or bumperless?

Isn´t it fun:smile:!?

Chrippa
 
Nice! I think I see what this is coming:smile:, will look great.

Bumper or bumperless?

Isn´t it fun:smile:!?

Chrippa

Thanks for your comments Chrippa! It'll definitely have a bumper as I don't trust myself without one and I'm definitely going to be playing with the cue.

It is fun indeed. I can't tell you how excited I was when I saw the attachment icon next to Pete's e-mail yesterday and the pictures did not disappoint!!
 
Thanks for your comments Chrippa! It'll definitely have a bumper as I don't trust myself without one and I'm definitely going to be playing with the cue.

It is fun indeed. I can't tell you how excited I was when I saw the attachment icon next to Pete's e-mail yesterday and the pictures did not disappoint!!

I know the feeling, it´s great, it´s not the goal if you not enjoy the journey:). He seems to be a great guy to work with!

Ahh I wish you said bumper less, I just love them. The feel is a bit purer also imo, - no biggie and you can´t tell if you don´t have the same setup, cue-cue that is. No change in play. You can feel (mostly sound maybe) when removing the bumper on your current cue. However this can be debated but I still love the look of it:p.

Please share more when you get it:smile:

Chrippa
 
Zack,

Whoa...am I excited to see the inlays go into that! Great looking wood so far...love the bridged veneers...love your choice on the inlays...
 
I posted this in the Amboyna and Ebony thread but then remembered that I started this thread so I thought I'd post it here as well. Progress pic of my Tonkin in the works:

View attachment 268285

View attachment 268288

View attachment 268289

I wasn't going to post anything but the forearm but decided that this butt picture doesn't really give much away.

This might turn into my new alltime favorite cue. You and I have very similar tastes in cues. I truely love the bridged point veneer work along with the ringwork.

Will this cue be ready by the Expo as I would love to see it in person?

Thanks

Kevin
 
This might turn into my new alltime favorite cue. You and I have very similar tastes in cues. I truely love the bridged point veneer work along with the ringwork.

Will this cue be ready by the Expo as I would love to see it in person?

Thanks

Kevin

Unfortunately, it won't be ready by the Expo. I know what you mean about being an all-time favorite though! After this cue I don't know if my feeble mind can come up with anything better, or even as good...lol. That said, Pete took my original propeller design and proportioned it into something truly special, then, he added the silver diamonds to blow it out of the water!!

Since you mentioned the bridged veneer work, and the cue is close-ish to being done, I think it's time to show what the butt sleeve will have going on:

tonkinbutt.png
 
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