Pictured here are some before and after photos of cue refinishing performed here at Proficient Billiards on a Mike Sigel cue.
Mike Sigel cues refer to several distinct eras of pool sticks associated with the Hall of Fame legend nicknamed “Captain Hook”. Depending on the specific era, a Mike Sigel cue can range from a highly coveted custom collectible worth thousands of dollars to a mass-produced import pool stick.
1. The Joss Cues Era (His Primary Playing Cues)
During his absolute dominance in the 1980s, Sigel famously played with Joss Cues manufactured by Dan Janes.
- The Style: These featured revolutionary floating-point inlay designs, often built on high-end woods like ebony with ivory detailing and white-with-brown speck linen wraps.
- Legacy: These are some of the most sought-after vintage cues by collectors. Joss even builds a replica tribute line known as the 8912 Legacy based on the exact 1989–90 cue line Sigel used in competition.
2. Mike Sigel Custom Cues (Handcrafted Originals)
For a brief period, Sigel tried his hand at being a custom cue maker himself.
- Value: These are exceptionally rare, individually signed by Mike Sigel.
3. Production & Import Lines (The Stamped Series)
To tap into the broader commercial market, Sigel licensed his name for mass production.
- Meucci “Captain Hook” Series: In the late 1980s, Meucci produced a popular “Captain Hook” series cue featuring signature hook inlays in the butt sleeve.
- Overseas Imports: Later on, a line of affordable production cues stamped with “Mike Sigel” was manufactured overseas (primarily in Taiwan). These are two-piece cues typically weighting 18 to 21 oz with Sigel’s autographed decal on the butt. They are common on resale sites like eBay and are valued as beginner-to-intermediate player sticks rather than collector’s pieces.