Identify Signed Numbered Custom Cue
9/23/2017 11:14:13 AM
Identify Signed Numbered Custom Cue
I have been trying to figure out who made this cue.
I bought it new when I lived in Paso Robles, CA. and was playing leagues. It is signed and numbered and was hand made because I remember picking which woods to be used and how many "points" it would have. He put a piece of twisted rosewood inside a really cool clear resin on the butt. I was told at the time we were designing it that the wood all meets in little wedges to form a solid circle of material in the middle, not "inlay".
The cue maker lived in that area (maybe a little south of Paso Robles, CA) and was an above average non-pro 9 ball player.
The cue has held up great and looks like the day I bought it. Any help would be appreciated!
Identify Signed Numbered Custom Cue
Replies & Comments
billiardsforum on 9/24/2017 1:17:35 PMThat's an amazing cue. I love that spiral in the butt sleeve.
What is the name in the signature? Billy ____?
matts on 9/24/2017 2:52:23 PM
Yes, I use this cue whenever I play since it was made. It has amazing feel and a cool design. I do not know his last name. I had the actual receipt for the cue but can't find it. I was hoping someone in this community and close to billiards may know if this "Billy _" is still making cues. I was offered an extra shaft at the time but declined but would get one built now. Also just curious..:)
I should add..Billy numbered these from #1-XXX as he built them. So this was the 10th all-time he built. I guess what I'm say is this was not a production company. It would need to be someone familiar with the local mid-state CA non-pro billiards scene. Lol....assuming that's still a "thing".
- billiardsforum on 9/24/2017 10:08:03 PM
Does "Billy Auvenshine" custom cues ring a bell?
Mark Bellamy on 12/20/2017 6:55:16 PMHow much do you want for this pool cue?
I pay via PayPal or with cash.
Hey Mark,
The cue is not for sale. I still dream of getting back into billiards some day when work is less demanding. I was simply trying to find the cue builder to get a few more shafts built. He literally played on my 9-ball tournament in Paso Robles.
Best,
Matt- Mark Bellamy on 12/22/2017 4:56:43 PM
Just find your closest pool hall, go there and pull out this cool stick. I'll bet you make friends immediately.
I would recommend contacting Schmelke Cues to fix you up with a new shaft. You can send the cue to their shop and they will match it to the butt. They will customize the shaft any way you want.
I sent 3 cues to Schmelke. 2 others for restoration and 1 Schmelke cue needed a new shaft. They did a beautiful job on all 3. Restorations were perfect and the custom shaft was fantastic. I have now 3 Schmelke cues [my latest just arrived yesterday]. All 3 are top quality and I love them.
I now have 7 more cues I will be sending to them for restoration and customizing. I have 2 Robinson cues that I want Schmelke to add color rings and a wrap to. I am trying right now to purchase 2 more Robinsons That I will add to this pile.
I endorse Schmelke and tell you that they do great work. Period.
schmelkecue.com
Hey thanks. I appreciate you taking the time to spell that out. I will give it a try!
- billiardsforum on 1/6/2018 10:40:58 AM
And of course, let us know of there is any more info you find about the cue or the cue maker.
I found this obituary for a Billy Auvenshine and I am 99% sure this is the guy - as I played in leagues with him and he reminds me of those times.
Mr. Billy Auvenshine, age 84, of McKinney, Texas passed away July 17, 2010, in Bonham, Texas. He was born March 14, 1926, in Burkeburnett, Texas to Hollis Ford and Ida Mae (Roberts) Auvenshine. Mr. Auvenshine proudly served his country with service in the United States Marine Corps and the United States Army. While serving with the Marines he was a scout sniper in Saipan and Tinian during in the South Pacific Theater of World War II. At the beginning of the Cold War, he was commissioned in the U.S. Army, where he served in the Army Signal Corps as a radar maintenance repair officer. During this time, he earned an Army Occupation Medal while serving in Germany. Upon his return to the United States, he married Maudie Anne Van Trease on April 14, 1951, at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas. Mr. Auvenshine graduated from UT in Austin. He worked in the Aerospace field for many years and later became a woodworking artist and entrepreneur. He was a member of St. Peter's Episcopal Church in McKinney, Texas. Mr. Auvenshine is survived by his wife of 59 years, Maudie Anne; daughter, Kathy Limerick and husband, Curtis of Allen, Texas and Tricia Moore and husband, Bob of Los Angeles, California; grandchildren, Sam Limerick, Ruthie Limerick, Christina Moore and Matthew Moore; and numerous other loving relatives and many friends. A graveside service with military honors will be held at 10:15 a.m., Thursday, July 22, 2010, at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery.
Source: legacy.com/us/obituaries/legacyremembers/billy-auvenshine-obituary?id=23185469
I am 99% sure this is the cuemaker for the cue shown above. I played in 9 ball leagues with him and the resemblance is there, plus I remember he was involved with the Aerospace industry in some capacity.
This obituary does not mention anything about Mid-State CA in the 1990s, but I am pretty sure it is him.
He was a great guy and was as honest as the day is long.
- billiardsforum on 1/30/2025 8:14:04 PM
...and later became a woodworking artist and entrepreneur.
Yup, I'd say that's the cue maker!
Thanks for the help everyone!
Identify Signed Numbered Custom Cue
- Title: Identify Signed Numbered Custom Cue
- Author: matts (Matt Hromatka)
- Published: 9/23/2017 11:14:13 AM
- Last Updated: 9/24/2017 2:41:13 PM
- Last Updated By: billiardsforum (Billiards Forum)
