Value of a Titlist Conversion

[WuClan]

I've enjoyed the knowledge I've gained from reading the forum and I couldn't find a thread to answer my question. Does it really make a considerable difference in value (price) if you have a titlist converted by one custom cuemaker vs another? Just as an example compare two cuemakers on the opposite ends of the price spectrum, Bill Schick and Coker Cues. (Randomly chosen - both do fine finish work in my opinion) If your conversion is basic and only requires adding new shafts, an ivory joint and Hoppe ring, and maybe a wrap, what's the price difference of the conversion between cue makers? Is it as simple as the logo on the butt cap?

 

[icem3n]

WuClan, Good question.

Are all titlist cues conversion (at present date) done with a one piece blank or do they also use two piece cue (Willie with brass joint)?

Have you come across any present cue maker that has made radical design to a titlist cue?

 

[WuClan]

My experience is that the thicker one piece Hoppes make better candidates for conversion since the larger butt diameter gives the cuemaker more meat to work with. It's also easier to make the points come up higher by cutting it down. I prefer conversions without a wrap so I can see the fullsplice. There was a PFD conversion posted a while back that was pretty nice and unique.

 

[titlistsucker]

the pfd on deno site was not a fullsplice construction if u were refering to the no wrap cue. Still i must admit PFD has really nice woods. wasnt easy to match the wood at the points and the butt and he did it off brilliantly...

Bgrds
RC

 

[TATE]

I've enjoyed the knowledge I've gained from reading the forum and I couldn't find a thread to answer my question. Does it really make a considerable difference in value (price) if you have a titlist converted by one custom cuemaker vs another? Just as an example compare two cuemakers on the opposite ends of the price spectrum, Bill Schick and Coker Cues. (Randomly chosen - both do fine finish work in my opinion) If your conversion is basic and only requires adding new shafts, an ivory joint and Hoppe ring, and maybe a wrap, what's the price difference of the conversion between cue makers? Is it as simple as the logo on the butt cap?

Not to be a smartass, but is a beautiful two story house in Beverly Hills worth more than the same house in Kansas City?

In real estate, it's "location, location, location". In cues, my experience has been it's "who, who, who". There is a wide difference in the value. The Schick might be worth $3,000 or even $4,000 (with ivory) and the Coker might be worth $800.

There would not probably be a large difference in the end result, just the value.

By the way, most of the early Balabushka's were Titlist conversions and so were many of the Palmers. They both used old house cues.


Chris

 

[titlistsucker]

hi tate,

well said.

i thought i answered this b4, but seems like it was to a PM from a fellow collector. so i think i will take a shot at ur question...

A titlist conversion can be valued by 3 aspects. In Order ...

1. Cuemaker who made it
2. Scarcity
3. Type of titlist wood

Lets say all else being equal. S/S joint, 2 shafts, linen wrap, normal delrin buttcap.

1. Cuemaker

i will take Szamboti, Bushka, Palmer, Rambow, Paradise out of the equation, because they are legends. but all at one time made titlist conversions.

As tate said, James White conversion will be more expensive than a Gilbert Conversion. Why? firstly, White will charge u 1300 for the conversion, with the titlist blank supplied by u, and a 6 month wait. Gilbert will be way cheaper perhaps at half the price, and the wait time is shorter. Taken that into consideration of course a White in the aftermarket will of course be more expensive and "desirable" than a Gilbert.

2. Scarcity

We chinese has a saying that a item is more expensive when its more scarce. u get more money out of ur cue if its a 1 of 1, rather than a 1 of 1000. Some cuemakers never made a conversion. Some made a few early in their career, then stopped.
An example would be David Kersenbrock, who as far as i remember, made only one. Searing, Thomas Wayne also only made one conversion. Richard Black, would only make u a conversion, if u had 15 of his cues. Betcha never seen a Richard Black titlist b4 havent ya?
Some, like Gina and Tim Scruggs made quite a few in their career and stopped. Scrugg will reject u stonecold if u asked him for a titlist conversion now.

3. Type of wood.
Titlists and Hoppes came in so many types of hardwood. The majority are rosewood, and Ipe (a cheap brownish figured wood). some are walnut, cocobolo. Rarer still are the oak, purpleheart. Actually, there are quite a few purpleheart ard, but becos amaranth turns brown over years, they are not easy to spot out till a couple of turns over the lathe. Anyway the top of the foodchain is the Brazillian Rosewood, and the Gaboon Ebony.
Needless to say, all else being equal, a Gilbert ebony conversion would be worth quite a bit more than say a Gilbert Rosewood Conversion.

Best Regards
Raist