Identify This Meucci Jimmy Rempe Pool Cue

3/31/2017 6:57:24 PM

Identify This Meucci Jimmy Rempe Pool Cue

I bought this Meucci Jim Rempe cue from a guy who said he won it in a Nationals Championship in 1980. I'm having trouble finding anything about the cue. He put a fairly high value on it stating that's it's a very collectible stick.

I'm now questioning the story, as I'm getting buyers remorse. Its pretty well used.

I've included images of the damaged and worn areas. I'm wondering about it's ID, valuation, and whether it's worth having restored.

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks,
Mig

Mig

Identify This Meucci Jimmy Rempe Pool Cue

Replies & Comments

billiardsforum on 3/31/2017 7:26:32 PM
You have a Meucci Jim Rempe JR-3 cue from the Meucci Jim Rempe Series 2 (circa 1990s I believe). Meucci made an earlier line in the 1980s I think (or earlier?) but yours, with the flat black rubber butt-cap, is from the 2nd Jim Rempe Series from Meucci. 100% sure on that. He said he won it in 1980. That's doubtful. Maybe he said "eighties"? As in 1989. Even that seems early for this series.

The 2nd Series Meucci Jim Rempe JR3 is sometimes also known as the Meucci Jim Rempe Chain Link cue. The "chain link" design was later used in a non-Jim Rempe version from the "Meucci Series" cues. It was the "Meucci M-11 cue" or "Meucci Series M-11 Chain Link cue".

Value varies widely, based usually on condition, but there are lots of them out there, and they aren't hard to get. Ranging from $150 for badly damaged, to $1500 (which they wouldn't get). A few pristine ones somewhere in between.

If you send it to the Meucci Factory, they do beautiful restorations. Google Meucci cue restorations and you'll see some amazing before and after.

Here is a sample of a few I've seen over the past 10 years, and their asking prices. Keep in mind some of these prices are from auctions which were between 5 and 8 years ago, and some more recent.

Hopefully these help, and at least you have information to continue a more in-depth price analysis.

$300:

$1500 (on eBay right now, and they'll never get that price).

$250

$500

$150 (damaged)

$350

$375

Mig on 4/1/2017 2:57:28 PM
Wow, thanks for the info. I have taken the butt-cap off and it seems this was replaced at some point. First it looks too new to be original, and there is a piece of rubber around the butt insert to keep in. The cap is definitely not original, the hole is way bigger than the cap plug. I also went back to a text the guy sent, he specifically said he won it in 1980. and that he played with it throughout the 80's. With this new information, is it possible its from the earlier era? If so what does that do to the value? The guy claims he traveled with Scotty Townsend in the 80's, mostly in Texas. It was an intriguing story and that's what made me buy it more than anything, given it's condition.

What is the butt made of?

Thanks again for your knowledge and help. Mig

billiardsforum on 4/1/2017 10:26:05 PM
Regarding the Meucci bumper sizes... this is the only info I can give you (which you may have already found):
- Early - mid 70s Meucci bumper as shown removed from an original Meucci Hubbart (first image on the left)
- 1980s bumpers are about 3/4" .750 (right side pic, top portion)
- The newer Meucci cues use .675 (right side pic, middle portion)
The bottom portion of the right side pic shows the 1980s and 1990s Meucci Bumpers combined.

Also, under the bumper, is there a flat-head weight-bolt or is it an allen-key weight-bolt?
- Meucci with the flat-head weight bolts are older than those with allen-key bolts.
- For the flat-head ones, the oldest versions will unscrew right out. Newer flat-heads were glued/epoxy and don't come out easily. (caution - some of the older ones actually hold the cue together...)
It's an interesting story. It's detailed and does sound legit, but who knows. If you do find out any more info please do share it. As you can see I am a bit of a fanatic with this stuff.

By the way here is the older Meucci JR-3 with the round bumper:

Mig on 4/2/2017 10:59:12 PM
Billiards Forum, Yep the weight does have a flat head screw. I tried unscrewing the weight, it's pretty tight so I didn't want to put too much force on it. I measured the butt opening and it's 3/4 of an inch. I'd like to find the correct bumper, any suggestions on where I can find it? Any billiard store I imagine? I'm thinking I have the older version based on the flat head screw and the 3/4 butt opening.

Thanks again for the info. If I find anything else out I'll let you know. Mig

user1642363080 on 1/16/2022 11:58:01 AM
I found this article interesting.

I also have a JR Meucci cue that I won in a draw at a tournament in Las Vegas in 1982. My remembered details are accurate. It was my first ever time on a plane, to Vegas from Chicago. My partner and I lost two matches and were out. A drawing was held, which included a grand prize trip to Hawaii, a more elaborate cue for $1,200 and a number of others; I hoped to win the trip, or the $1,200 cue, but was happy to win this Meucci Jim Rempe cue.

A couple of years later, around 1984, I ordered another from Meucci since I really like the cue.

I've played with a lot of cues through the years, including a Barry Zamboti cue that I was lucky to buy, but I kept coming back to these Meucci Rempe cues.

user1646835936 on 3/9/2022 6:25:37 AM
Interesting info about the JR series Meucci cues, but I disagree with your estimate of production year. I have a JR-5 Series 2 that I bought in 1982, so they were produced in the 80's.

I just had it restored by Proficient Billiards in Ephrata, PA. If anyone is looking to have a special cue restored, you should check them out. Truly amazing work they do.

billiardsforum on 3/9/2022 2:15:17 PM
Yes, I agree. I didn't mean to say in my earlier answer that they weren't from the 1980s. I simply indicated that the newer-style rubber bumper indicated it may be from the later 1980s. But yes, they were certainly in production earlier than that.