What makes a good cue? Few snooker players know more about the key tool of the trade than former Grand Prix champion Dominic Dale.
The Welshman has been fascinated by cues since the age of 15 when his father bought a book about billiards dated 1932.
The player known as the Spaceman for his colourful personality is a keen trader of antique and specialist cues and spends hours every week on ebay searching for bargains. So Dale is perfectly placed to answer the key questions:
For someone who is starting out in snooker, what’s the best cue to buy?
You should be looking for a solid cue in ash or maple with a 10mm tip, 31mm butt and 58 inches in length. You can buy a really good cue for about £120 which will last you a lifetime. It might not allow you to play the fancy screw shots that Jimmy White used to play but it will be conducive to solid, all-round snooker.
If you have serious designs on being a good player you should get one hand made. In my opinion the best cue makers are Trevor White from Bridgend, who made Stephen Maguire’s cue, and Glover Cues in Swadlincote. In London, John Parris, who made Ronnie O’Sullivan’s new cue, is also very good, and in the north of England there’s Craftsman Cues in Kippax near Leeds.
What’s the difference between ash and maple?
If you are buying a new cue it’s probably better to get ash because it is a softer wood and gives you a better feel. The ash comes from North America and has a good, straight grain pattern. Maple is harder and is usually clear of any visible grain.
But if you are lucky enough to get hold of an old maple cue, they are very soft and have a lovely feel. Over time, air gets into the wood and softens the timber, which allows you to get great reaction and spin on the cue ball. Shaun Murphy uses an old Tom Newman cue made by Peradon, allowing him to play shots which wouldn’t come easily with a modern cue.
What are the most sought after antique cues?
Probably the French Marquetry cues which date back to around 1830. They have very intricate and attractive inlaid patterns with ivory pieces and can sell for over £1,000. I sold a pair for £1,150 each a few years ago. Also much sought after are the Burroughs & Watts cues which were made with ash taken from H M Shipyards. The timber came from ships and had been exposed to the salt air of the sea over 50 years. The ash was so well seasoned that it was ideal for making cues. They can sell for £400 to £600.
What are the most prized items in your collection?
Definitely the three billiards maces I have, which are extremely rare. They pre-date cues and were made around 1780. They are five foot long, consisting of a very thin dowel shaft with a hammer-headed end piece. They are worth between £600 and £1,500 each. My favourite one has a Gillow stamp on the back. It was made by John Thurston, who ran one of the most famous billiards and snooker companies of all time. But this was made before he set up his own company (which is still running) it was while he was working as a cabinet maker for Gillow. It really is the Rolls Royce of maces.
To find out more about cues and their histories, visit Cues n Views.
Dominic Dale
This post is an excerpt from the following:
