Nearly got a new cue..

[Gramayr]

As posted a while ago - I got my old cue nicked from the local WMC

So I've been trawling fleabay for a while now and the ads on here (such a load of rubbish out there - umpteen odd piece cues etc.) Thanks to ADR147 for some advice on ones I've seen before and was tempted by, I decided to keep an eye on this one (ebay#170117805608) which also includes a case.

Anyways, I won the auction - it was way over my budget of £60 by a huge amount of £5.70 so now I'm arranging when I can pick it up (rather do this so I can see if it is damaged etc. before handing over cash)

After advice for my budget range I just looked for Craftsman Cues and O'Min, I would have gone to the Craftsman shop for a mooch around but I'm working a lot so don't really have time during the day hence fleabay.

Details:
About a year old, £180 new plus price of case, 19.5 Oz (I like a heavier cue), 57" long (butt length 12") and balance point around 17"

I did think the butt length would be a bit longer than 12" though - I'll just have to wait and see when I pick it up and then go and try it out (have an excuse now to make the effort )

[Gramayr]

Just picked it up.. What do you think?

Well, I've finally got my cue - picked it up tonight

I've attached some pics I've just taken.

The butt doesn't line up with the splices as pointed out before it's slightly off - it is tightened up fully (probably been overtightened at some point). Can't say it's quick release as it takes 5 turns to tighten.

Any idea on model etc? The butt seams to have a rosewood splice if that helps?

Cue length is actually 56 1/2" (advertised as 57") the tip is about 9mm maybe just over and the weight is marked as 18 1/2oz, the badge isn't on straight (see pic) and the cue has a bit of wear and tear probably just needs a good clean. Will have to do a search on cleaning/sanding/oiling etc. have some beeswax if that will work?

After I've cleaned it I'll be looking forward to trying it out

[trevs1]

The butt doesn't align correctly due to the wear the joint has suffered over the years. What happens is the flanges of the joint (the flat faces) wear slightly, allowing the joint to become tightened more than it would when new.
This causes the joint to run out of alignment, but, this is no problem and is VERY common in some cues.

Its' also an older Craftsman cue, as the joint is the type that Dave used many years ago, with an old imperial thread. His new joints are a quick release type with what appears to be a square, American type thread.

The badge might not be straight but I'd leave it alone, as I've seen many people try to remove them, wrecking the butt of their cue in the process.
It's fine as it is.

Well done on your purchase, hopefully it'll work just fine for you.

[cueman]

I don't want to concern you but I'm not certain that its a genuine Craftsman cue. The joint as Trev mentioned is an old style joint agreed but the badge is from their classic range and not a typical Craftsman badge which for a long time was always white with silver logo and writing.

As the badge is poorly fitted its making me think that the cue may well be some other brand with a craftsman badge fitted. This is the trouble with Ebay, unless you are dealing with the company in person you just cannot guarantee what you are buying.

All said and done at the end of the day the most important thing is that you like the cue though, if you do it matters not who made it.

[Watford]

I've never seen a craftsman with the badge that way and I've seen hundreds!
You could always e-mail Simon with the pictures and see what he says!
I say Simon because he normally answers the shop e-mails not Dave.

[Gramayr]

The guy I bought it from (coincidently lives in Leeds) says he bought it from Craftsman over a year ago and was more than happy to recommend taking it there if any work needed doing on it (I did mention in an email to him about the misaligned splices/badge).

I'll certainly email Craftsman for there opinion, I'll post up what they say.

Thanks all for the advice.

edit: have emailed Craftsman with a link to this thread.

[trevs1]

The thing is, it's not unheard of for a cue badge to come out, especially when a player gives the cue a good slam on the floor in frustration, it happens.

I'd say the cue is original, the badge has come out, and, has been replaced by someone with either no idea what they're doing or no concern for what they were doing.

It doesn't matter anyway, unless of course it matters to you personally.

[Gramayr]

Thanks Trevs1, that's probably the case.
Personally I'm not too bothered as long as it's original.
I've just had a look and the badge has been superglued back in at some point and came back out with no problem at all. The glue was brittle, the tip of a scalpel was enough carefully pop it out.

I'm going to find some decent glue now and stick it back in the right way round.

[craftsman cues]

Hi Rhys,
Glad to help with your queries.

The cue is a genuine Craftsman but a very early one before quick lock joints were about. We think the cue is from the late 80's or possibly earlier. The badge on the picture is not one of our new classic badges. The first ever enamel badges were made like this many, many years ago with just the words Craftsman Cues. The new Classic badges actually say Craftsman Classic Cues. It still has the black rubber patch on the end that we fitted + our old screw joint so all the right signs are there.

If the cue was bought here only a year ago it will have been an old cue which we have taken in part exchange and re-furbished. Originally in the 80's the cue may have cost around £80. Years later the cue is now worth more than originally and a new version of this cue making today would set you back about £135 with quick lock joint. We would sell a refurbished model today at around £100 to £120.

About the splices not lining up, some times when we taylor make cues, some people hold the cue with the chamfer in a certain way and look down a certain grain pattern on the ash. So we do from time to time get asked to lined the chamfer up with a certain part of the ash grain. (Odd but true). Another possibility is that over the years, the joint has worn and just turned past the splices. This can be rectified with a new joint.

I can safely say my Father and I are 99% confident hat it is an original Craftsman Cue.

Hope this helps.
Regards
Simon & Dave

[Gramayr]

Many thanks for your reply - it's certainly older than I was led to believe but doesn't look it at all

I've put the badge on the right way round as well, looks 100% better.



and as it was before..

[ADR147]

I've put the badge on the right way round as well, looks 100% better.



the old way round made it somehow more special!!!