Cue lengthening ?

[JLo]

I inherited my fathers 100 year old maple cue. He was quite short and it is not standard length. Can anyone recommend someone who can fit a socket and short butt to bring it to standard length, please? As the cue is an antique I don't really want to trust it to anyone. Thanks.

[DeanH]

I am sure any cue-maker or cue-doctor can add a butt joint or even add some wood to the butt to increase the overall length.
If you can indicate where you live, we could point you to the nearest cue-maker with a good reputation.
Warning: this can affect the balance and weight of the cue and subsequently the way it plays.
Also, the cue could be of some value as it is and changing it could be detrimental to this value.
If you can list its specification; length (inches), ferrule diamters (mm), butt diameter at its widest (mm) and show some photos of the cue this can help others determine its value.
Untill you get 10 posts you cannot add attachments (like photos) but you can use Photobucket and copy the urls.
All the best

[culraven]

I have just bought a 1 piece with the intention of getting it lengthened, am convinced I need a longer cue as have a very long reach, is there any way you can compensate for the extra weight in the butt affecting balance, such as inserting a weight higher up the cue similar to the gravity cue technology?

[deant1982]

I inherited my fathers 100 year old maple cue. He was quite short and it is not standard length. Can anyone recommend someone who can fit a socket and short butt to bring it to standard length, please? As the cue is an antique I don't really want to trust it to anyone. Thanks.

Mike Wooldridge, Trevor White, John Parris, Dave Coutts, Robin Cook, Stamford Cues, Andy Travis, Craftsman Cues, Mastercraft... The list goes on.
These guys do this stuff day in day out, so any of them would be able to do it, but see what DeanH says below.....

I am sure any cue-maker or cue-doctor can add a butt joint or even add some wood to the butt to increase the overall length.
If you can indicate where you live, we could point you to the nearest cue-maker with a good reputation.
Warning: this can affect the balance and weight of the cue and subsequently the way it plays.

This will affect the balance/way it plays, so be sure of what you want before getting anything changed.

Also, the cue could be of some value as it is and changing it could be detrimental to this value.

Again, this will be detremental to the value. Although the cue is old, it may not be worth a lot, at which this becomes a moot point, but if it is worth something, altering/lengthening/changing it will reduce its value. Even repaining an old cue can reduce its value for some reason....

If you can list its specification; length (inches), ferrule diamters (mm), butt diameter at its widest (mm) and show some photos of the cue this can help others determine its value.
Untill you get 10 posts you cannot add attachments (like photos) but you can use Photobucket and copy the urls.
All the best

Pictures are the way forward. If not, at least give as detailed a description as you can (Make, model, and what DeanH says etc) and some the old cue experts here will be able to give you a ball park figure.

I have just bought a 1 piece with the intention of getting it lengthened, am convinced I need a longer cue as have a very long reach, is there any way you can compensate for the extra weight in the butt affecting balance, such as inserting a weight higher up the cue similar to the gravity cue technology?

Normal practice seems to be adding a joint above (or even through) the splices to keep the balance point the same. Since you have brought a one piece, I'm guessing you are not looking to get a go this route, but Mike Wooldridge can put in an "invisible joint" that (in mike's words) gives the feel of a one piece cue. I have never used one, so can't say if thats the case, but everything else he says seems to be right, so no reason to doubt this. (plus, from what I gather, he is a useful player himself, so he would know).

Good luck both of you.

[JLo]

Thanks to all for the replies.

I'm located in Devon. I am looking for recommendations re. a cue-maker.

As was pointed out the cue may be of value (though without a makers mark, I doubt it), and I'd be grateful for any comments.
I've taken pics and they are here: http://www.photobucket.com/OldCue

The only marking on the cue is a stamped 'oz 16' above the splice.
The cue measures 53 inches (135cm), with butt diameter of 1 1/8 in (29mm) and tip size is 9mm but looks like it is worn down from 10mm, as shown in the photos.

Many thanks,

[JLo]

A little more information - the cue is light at an actual weight of 14.3 oz. Balance point is at 17 ins.

I would think someone has just cut the bottom 4 inches off, losing any makers identification. I've known the cue for 45 years and it must have been done before that. I would assume that it's worthless as it is.
Question - would lenghtening bring the weight back to a more 'standard' weight and would the cue still feel balanced? I would also have a tip ferrule fitted.

[jim evans]

if i was you i would have the bottom front splices removed and have 4 more splices added all round the butt,maybe a tulip wood or bloodwood or something that then brings the ebony back to life

[Terry Davidson]

If someone has taken off the last 4" of the butt then definitely what Jim recommends above is the best way to go and it will bring the cue back to 57" or 58" and you may want to add a 3/4-butt joint as adding weight back to the end of the butt will change the balance point and perhaps make the cue a bit butt heavy but having a 3/4 joint put in will allow the cue doctor to add some weight further up the cue and keep the balance point near normal.

Not sure what all of this will cost you though

Terry

[JLo]

The cost could be an issue. Seems a lot of work, and would it be worth it? It was my Dads cue and I'd love to give it a new life, but in the end will it be any good?

[jim evans]

nly time or trial and error will tell

[Gerry Armstrong]

The cost could be an issue. Seems a lot of work, and would it be worth it? It was my Dads cue and I'd love to give it a new life, but in the end will it be any good?

It depends why you want to do the alterations. Is it so you can use the cue yourself? Or is it to sell on?

If it's for yourself then it might be worth the risk so you can use your Dad's cue yourself in years to come if that's what you want to do. If the idea is to fix it up and sell it on then forget it as you'll never get the money back you spent even if it turns out well and if it doesn't you'll be doing well to give it away for free.

[Andy Travis]

I'll do it for you. contact trav2241@googlemail.com

[JLo]

Only ever intended to use it myself - the way it's going it's going to be like my grandfathers axe, til I change the shaft!!

[Inoffthered]

Thanks to all for the replies.

I'm located in Devon. I am looking for recommendations re. a cue-maker.

As was pointed out the cue may be of value (though without a makers mark, I doubt it), and I'd be grateful for any comments.
I've taken pics and they are here: http://www.photobucket.com/OldCue

The only marking on the cue is a stamped 'oz 16' above the splice.
The cue measures 53 inches (135cm), with butt diameter of 1 1/8 in (29mm) and tip size is 9mm but looks like it is worn down from 10mm, as shown in the photos.

Many thanks,

There used to be a guy in Plymouth, called Roy Watts. Not got a number or location for him. He used to be at the Pot Black Club in Plymouth? ( I think ).