Curly Maple and Birdseye are not a species, they are conditions that present themselves on a small percentage of Maple species. You usually can't tell if a log will have a curl to it or birdseyes until you mill the log.
Sherm
I totally agree with you Sherm, and I was not stating anything to the contrary of that. But, how many cue makers cut their own tree's and mill their own log's, the only person that comes to mind to me on this forum is Eric Crisp. I suspect for most of us we buy our shaft wood from Northern Sources in Canada, and many of us most likely get our wood from the same supplier.
I completely understand that Birdseye and Curly, Fiddle back, Quilted, Burl and all of it's other varieties are all variations that occur in standard Sugar maple tree populations. In fact some claim that Birdseye is a disease that is walled off by the tree, however, others who are in the know have different idea's so it is still kinda a mystery.
For myself when I place an order from Canada, normally around 500 pieces they are pre-doweled to a one inch diameter and they are a minimum of 30 inches long, some are closer to 31. I then separate the wood with any obvious figure during the turning process.
I suspect that my lack of knowledge at this time would prevent me from buying shaft wood any other way, because I am uncertain I could accurately tell in Board form if the wood I was buying was Hard Rock Sugar maple or another variety except that Hard Rock in my expereince is heavier. I just have to depend upon the location that the wood comes from and the companies reputation and experience.
Have a nice day