WTB cuemaker wanted

deanoc

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
who can make someting like the old antique marquetry cues pictured in the blue book

i have loved them since i saw them
if someone has pictures they can post please post them here

thank you

dean
 
Hi Dean,

The only people I know that are currently using marquetry techniques for cues (on a regular basis) is Longoni. There used to be a guy on this chatline named Solarte, though, and I believe he was altering or re-making old marquetry cues. That might not have been the case, but he had some very reasonable prices and the cues were just a little off from your typical pieces, but very subtly, like the borders and some of the inlays could be missing or look like they might have been from another marquetry cue, but you didn't catch this unless you really looked hard. Here is a thread from him. Scroll down about two thirds of the way and you'll see one of his cues. You might also check some of his other threads, as I know he had a few for sale:

http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=118059&highlight=marquetry

I've only owned one marquetry cue (attached pic). When I got it, I had seen several in books, but never one in person. A friend had said he wanted one and would make me a great deal, if I could find him one. I had a great trade arranged and when the cue arrived, I just about died. It was really short and everything from the butt up turned into a 3/8" dowel without a tip. Not your typical cue! Fortunately, it was exactly what my buddy wanted, but it was a shocker to think these actually played pool at one time. I think mine was like a shuffleboard cue that you actually pushed the balls with the butt end, or something.

The process of making these is pretty cool. I guess they take a blank stick and then they cut these wafer thin wood veneers into decorations or inlays. Then they steam them so they'll go around the radius of the sticks outside dimension and glue them to the blank. When the adhesive sets, they go all over the butt with an ebonizing compound until everything on the surface is covered, then wipe the compound down until the inlays show through and the surface is level, which is kind of backwards from new cue inlays.

Good luck in your search!

Steve
 

Attachments

  • 2003_0823Rick0018.JPG
    2003_0823Rick0018.JPG
    60.3 KB · Views: 357
Samsara may be up to the job. They use similar techniques on a lot of their cues.
 
Matched pair

I have been in discussions with a cuemaker about making a marquetry cue and one of my benwood racks with matching marquetry, and as you know I already have close-up photos of the firehouse tables whose design you like.
 
Back
Top