In need of a new cue

[EAlcock]

Hi guys,

I have been playing snooker for the past year or so, my dad's old Burwatt Champion cue from when he was younger. Unfortunately, this did not survive my last trip to France due to experiencing strangely high temperatures for a couple of days and the cue warping far past a point of recovery.

So, as the title suggests I am in need of a new cue. I'm a student so I don't have much money (I could probably stretch to £200), and with me being vertically challenged, the longest usable length for a cue for me is 56 inches at a push. Any ideas of who to look at or where to go?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.


Elliott

[nrage]

It may be possible to repair the old cue, there have been a number of posts on these forums about how to remove a bend in a cue (have a search). Plus, what have you got to lose at this stage I reckon .

But, if you want a new cue anyway there are plenty on here who sell cues, and even some cue makers too. For example, Mike Wooldridge sells a "Shark" cue in plain ebony for £175 (ash or maple), see:
http://www.handmadecues.com
(you need to register to see the shop - Mike doesn't want any time wasters )

I've heard good reviews of this cue from people on here and Mike seems a top bloke who stands behind his work, so in the rare event there are problems with the cue he'll sort you out.

I bought my own cue from a fellow member, Terry Davidson, got myself a bargain as I didn't have to pay postage on it and got to meet him and have some coaching to boot.

As for length, most cues come in a 57" length but if you talk to the cue maker they can probably sort you out with a 56" cue. How tall are you exactly, because 57" will suit most people - allowing for up to 2-4 inches hanging out the back of the grip hand (not a problem assuming the cue is well balanced, or balanced slightly further forward to compensate)

[jonnylovessn8ker]

i am in full support of sending it to mike wooldridge (see his contact from the link provided by nrage) to inspect it first.

[EAlcock]

In terms of repairing the cue, my dad has been an engineer for over 30 years and has had a look at it and thought some things through but he thinks it is too far gone. But he may well give it a go, like you say, there's nothing to lose!

I'll have a look at the Shark cues, I've seen a lot of good things said and mentioned about Mike when reading through posts on the forum.

I'm not actually that short (5'7") but something I've inherited from my dad's side of the family is shorter arms and legs than usual, so my hips are quite far down my body and I don't have a long reach. (I know, I'm really strange. But that's why my dad's old cue was good for me).

[jaffa.johnson]

If you are comfortable with a certain length then stick to it. All cues which are 57 inch can easily be made 56 or shorter.

I dont know what engineer your dad has been and I am sure with that experience he is good at what he does but consulting a professional cuemaker would not be a bad idea and you wouldnt lose anything. I know Mike Feanley has used craftsmans cues for a lot of repairs and they have yet to fail with straightening. Plenty of other cue makers should be able to advise / help as well.

Me and my mate once repaired a cue which had its warp starting just a few inches above the splices. Took some time but we managed to hang it straight using heat, water, garden rocks(weight), string etc etc.

As for a new cue, I have some 56 inches cues but will cost you nearer £300.

[EAlcock]

I wouldn't be putting attempting to repair it out of the question, I'm just saying that if it were to be repairable, it will take a lot of effort. I'll try and explain it to you:

If the cue were straight, it would be 55" long, now, the butt and tip are in a line, albeit shorter, with everything in the middle looking like it has been bent with a half ovoid radius with at the worst, a 2" radius from the straight line.

To answer you, my dad has been a mechanical engineer, working on everything from manufacturing water fountain spouts to decorative woodwork, just nothing to do with snooker cues!

[ste bed]

have a look at craftsman cues phoenix cues the machine splices ones are very nice and all around £100. they are very well made and have quality ash shafts on them they are probably abit longer than you are after but they can easily cue of 1in.

[billabong]

Hi guys,

I have been playing snooker for the past year or so, my dad's old Burwatt Champion cue from when he was younger. Unfortunately, this did not survive my last trip to France due to experiencing strangely high temperatures for a couple of days and the cue warping far past a point of recovery.

So, as the title suggests I am in need of a new cue. I'm a student so I don't have much money (I could probably stretch to £200), and with me being vertically challenged, the longest usable length for a cue for me is 56 inches at a push. Any ideas of who to look at or where to go?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.


Elliott

If you're not sentimentally attached to it, you could also sell the cue to add to your new cue pot.