Viking Restoration
- Thread starter ProZack
- Start date
I have an old Viking that I've kicked around getting restored. I called Viking the other day and talked about getting mine done and for that $450 or so I was quoted to do it, I just can't pull the trigger on it right now. There does seem to be a logic in having the original makers bring it back to life, but with that said I did have Proficient do some work for me before and it was top notch. Whatever you decide I'd appreciate if you'd let me know with some pics via PM how it comes out. Good luck.
Proficient is top notch, for sure.
I have heard that the repair services these days at Viking are very good though. But I have no experience with them. I do have one vintage Viking waiting for restoration and have not yet decided where I am sending it. It needs a butt cap, and a new logo.
For production cues from companies still in business the issue I see is possibly with reproducing anything proprietary or trademarked, like a stamp or logo.
Cue makers can easily make a transfer logo, printed foil logo, or engraved logo.
If it is heat stamped it would cost a lot to produce the die to do just one cue though.
I would call both Viking and Proficient and see what they say.
I would say it isn't accurate to say a cue maker isn't in the business of repair though. Resellers, importers, etc I get...not repair operations. But they still do make cues at Viking, and they repair their own. Like many manufacturers they will charge a premium to work on something that is not their own.
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I have heard that the repair services these days at Viking are very good though. But I have no experience with them. I do have one vintage Viking waiting for restoration and have not yet decided where I am sending it. It needs a butt cap, and a new logo.
For production cues from companies still in business the issue I see is possibly with reproducing anything proprietary or trademarked, like a stamp or logo.
Cue makers can easily make a transfer logo, printed foil logo, or engraved logo.
If it is heat stamped it would cost a lot to produce the die to do just one cue though.
I would call both Viking and Proficient and see what they say.
I would say it isn't accurate to say a cue maker isn't in the business of repair though. Resellers, importers, etc I get...not repair operations. But they still do make cues at Viking, and they repair their own. Like many manufacturers they will charge a premium to work on something that is not their own.
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I have sent cues to Viking since the 70's for work. Always top notch and quick turnaround....less than 30 days.
Viking
I would never consider sending any of my vintage vikings anywhere but to Viking cues. I have used Scot at proficient many times in the past I thought his work was pretty good but Vikings seems to be even better. the price is reasonable and they are 100% stand up business people. They brought both of these cues these back from very worn condition. Although if they had been in decent original condition I would have left them alone.
I would never consider sending any of my vintage vikings anywhere but to Viking cues. I have used Scot at proficient many times in the past I thought his work was pretty good but Vikings seems to be even better. the price is reasonable and they are 100% stand up business people. They brought both of these cues these back from very worn condition. Although if they had been in decent original condition I would have left them alone.
Scotts work is right on...and so is the turn around. The only thing that I'm uncomfortable with is the cue gets shipped back in a thin cardboard box. The 4x4's and triangle boxes make me nervous.
I had a fairly expensive cue refinished by Proficient....also had Scott redo a Dufferin conversion that was done by a different cue maker. Both came out to my expectations. I would not hesitate sending any cue to him. As for his prices.....you get what you pay for...and with no aggravation.
However if Viking comes recommended they're the one to use.
I had a fairly expensive cue refinished by Proficient....also had Scott redo a Dufferin conversion that was done by a different cue maker. Both came out to my expectations. I would not hesitate sending any cue to him. As for his prices.....you get what you pay for...and with no aggravation.
However if Viking comes recommended they're the one to use.
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I would vote to send my cue to Viking as well however $450.00 seems a little excessive...I was thinking more in line with $200.00 + shipping.
Cue work isn't cheap. And as with many things, you usually get what you pay for.
If I am looking at a cue, and it was refinished or repaired, the first thing I ask is who did the work.
Picture a car. All receipts from a dealership maintained vehicle versus another similar car with the local 10 Minute Lube stickers in the window.
Which previous owner put more into it? Which one has more value?
IMHO if the cue maker is still in business, they are the first place to consider for any work beyond normal wear. Normal wear to me is tips, shaft cleaning/maintenance, ferrules, wraps, and bumpers.
(Shaft and ferrule work can be a different story when you get into LD "engineered" shafts.)
Never hurts to consult major well established repair men like Proficient and Rat, that's why I said so. But I think the first consideration should be the maker.
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If I am looking at a cue, and it was refinished or repaired, the first thing I ask is who did the work.
Picture a car. All receipts from a dealership maintained vehicle versus another similar car with the local 10 Minute Lube stickers in the window.
Which previous owner put more into it? Which one has more value?
IMHO if the cue maker is still in business, they are the first place to consider for any work beyond normal wear. Normal wear to me is tips, shaft cleaning/maintenance, ferrules, wraps, and bumpers.
(Shaft and ferrule work can be a different story when you get into LD "engineered" shafts.)
Never hurts to consult major well established repair men like Proficient and Rat, that's why I said so. But I think the first consideration should be the maker.
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Thats kinda what I thought. I had my McDermott D 19 refinished by McDermott. It was like $225, it came back looking like new, I was extremely happy with their work. That also included a new Irish Linen wrap. I chose McDermott to do the work because they originally built the cue plus I drive right past their shop everyday on my way to work.
Truly, $450 for a refinish from Viking? More than the cue likely cost in the first place. Shiver me timbers. For that price, I would try to get Pete Tascarella to spare some time to do it.
Hey, do what you want, but have a bit of common. Scot would not be anywhere near that much. Sometimes this forum amazes me. But sometimes, I tell myself, don't be surprised at what I see.
Hey, do what you want, but have a bit of common. Scot would not be anywhere near that much. Sometimes this forum amazes me. But sometimes, I tell myself, don't be surprised at what I see.
Glad you guys got it all figured out and I'll have to work on my "common" I guess. If you read my post I didn't say anything about a refinish, I said a restore. My cue has a wobble and the quote was to replace the handle, refinish, re-wrap, fix some chipped veneers, and I was going to get another shaft made too. Like a lot of old cues it's 57", so wanted to get one standard length shaft for it. I know what Ryan and Proficient charge for a refinish but that's "common" right? You're right, amazing AZ posters....
