Adam Franks Cues

Adam Franks - 2007 3-point Ebony, Bird's-eye, walrus tusk & ivory inlays (AF3)

New Mexico native Adam Franks was a road player through most of his 20's, until he met his wife and settled in Albuquerque 16 years ago. He grew up in nearby Corrales, a community of artists, woodworkers, and guitar makers. Franks made his first cue in 1985 or '86. The self-taught cuemaker explained his inspiration as, “I learned things from the sculptors and the jewelers and the instrument makers especially.” The combination of influences as a player and an artist make for handsome cues that play beautifully.

His one-of-a-kind playing instruments have been hand made under the “Adam Franks Cues” name in recent years; he also used OJO Cues for a time. Adam prefers to use natural materials rather than synthetics or plastics in his cues; anything black is ebony, and anything white is ivory. Inlays often feature natural stones, such as turquoise and lapis lazuli, or Mammoth ivory or walrus tusk. He prefers to make his own wooden bumpers, which he finds to be a more attractive way to protect a cue butt. Adam makes fewer than 25 cues annually.

Three long Gabon ebony short-spliced points are set in a bird's-eye maple forearm. The bird's-eye butt sleeve features six walrus tusk box inlays veneered in ebony. Bands of ebony, each inlayed with six large ivory dashes, frame the butt sleeve. A more delicate matching A-ring also has six ivory dash inlays. The flat-faced, wood-to-wood joint has a stainless steel 5/16-14 pin and black linen collar. The cue is finished with an ebony butt cap and a maple bumper. The wrap is white with brown speck Irish linen. The cue has had light play and is in immaculate “like new” condition.

Two old growth sugar maple shafts with melamine ferrules; both are immaculate.

Shaft #1: 12.75 mm, 4.5 oz., 29.5 inches;

Shaft #2: 12.62 mm, 4.3 oz., 29.5 inches.

Butt weight: 15.3 oz.; 28.5 inches.

Length: 58 inches; cue weight is 19.6 - 19.8 oz., depending on shaft used.

The balance point is 18.5 inches from the end of the butt sleeve.

PRICE: $1,050. BUY / Contact Us No trade offers, please

For more information on Adam Franks Custom Cues, see the January 2009 “Wand Workshop” feature in BILLIARDS DIGEST.