I'll get the review out of the way. I've already said a few things about the cue here:
http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=371032
The cue:
The cue is amazing. The fit and finish are as one would expect from a master of his craft. I've had hundreds of cues pass through my hands over the years and this cue ranks with the best of them.
This cue was designed to be an every day player. I had a stiff, unforgiving hit in mind when I was thinking of the specs. I prefer to do the work rather than have the cue do the work for me.
It plays exactly as I had hoped. Solid, stiff, and with incredible feedback. I attribute that to the solid ivory joint, the 1/2" paper micarta ferrules, the taper, and the way Paul constructed the cue.
The details of the cue are found in the link above.
I'd like to tell people what it's like to have a specific vision in mind and trying to have someone else bring that vision to life. This may help some people that are considering ordering a truly unique, custom cue.
I'm going to tell you the process I went through with Paul and hope it sheds some light on the good and bad a person may encounter while having a cue made.
I want to be clear that this isn't gospel and it may not apply to all custom order situations. I'm hoping it'll serve as a general guideline on what to expect.
First, Paul and I had to discuss my idea. This particular project had a strong emotional attachment for me, so that was something we had to include on our talks. At this point, it's important that both parties be open to suggestions from the other and genuinely listen to one another.
I had some ideas set in stone. Paul did his best to make sure all of them made it into the cue. He did, a number of times, offer me ideas and advice. That was important. We got everything out in the open on what the finished product would be.
Note: Try to get everything settled at the beginning! Making changes during the building process is not something you want to do. It will frustrate you, the cue maker, and delay the build.
Next, we discussed time frame. This is where problems sometimes occur. We never nailed down a due date and it caused us to butt heads a few times during the build.
Here's my take on this: If you get a cuemaker to commit to a due date, don't bet the farm that it'll be done when that day comes. Of course, there are some cuemakers that deliver right on time, but when you're dealing with a true custom, expect delays. When you demand a number of specifics and the cuemaker knows this cue is special to you, expect things to delay the process. Expect life to delay the process.
I had so much emotion wrapped up in this cue that every time it was pushed back, I had a hard time dealing with it.
Cuemakers have lives away from making cues. They also have other customers. They have people that walk in off the street and want work done with cash in hand. Things can go wrong during the build. Things happen.
I'm going to be jumping around here, so bear with me.
One issue Paul and I had was that I wanted certain things done to the cue that weren't going to 'fit' the cue. I wanted 4 ivory diamonds inlayed somewhere. We went back and forth and ultimately decided not to put them in. At first, I was a bit soured, but now that the cue is in my hands, I realize it was the right decision to leave them out.
Be a little flexible on creative control. Now, don't let a cuemaker talk you out of your vision! But, be open to suggestions. You can hold true to your ideas about the cue, but allow a little room for the cue maker to give their professional opinion on certain design aspects.
Also, don't expect to get a 5,000.00 cue for 1,000.00! It's our nature to want to get as much as we can for our money. Cuemakers have time and materials that go into each cue. Most will give you a little more for your money, but don't get carried away.
In my first conversation with Paul, I overshot my budget by a few thousand dollars. He did end up giving me a ton of cue for the money, but if I had my way, I'd have a Smithsonian Cue sitting in my case right now
Now I'll be very blunt about my experience with Paul. I'll be honest.
Everything started out rosey. We talked, we agreed on design, we agreed on price, and I sent a deposit.
The cue was never promised on a certain date, but it was implied and soon became an issue.
There were a few times during the build where I felt Paul wasn't taking this cue, which was so important to me, seriously. Looking back, I realize that it was a lot to ask of anyone...to be as emotionally invested as I was in this cue. I set myself up for a fall.
We had a few heated discussions because of this and we got through them and he proceeded to move forward.
I asked that the cue be done on a certain date because I had 3 pool tournaments coming up. Paul said he would try, but wouldn't make any promises. This didn't sit well with me, but looking back, I'm okay with it.
Soon, we were a month past my 3 tournaments and no cue.
We went back and forth a few times and I was trying to push him without pushing, if that makes sense.
I told him I need this cue before August 1 as I'm leaving for the 9 ball nationals soon after. I wanted some play time before I left.
The cue arrived yesterday.
I wondered for months leading up to this moment if I would be able to find the emotional attachment in the cue that was so important to me. I wanted it to be made by someone I'd be proud to tell my son about.
Once I opened the package and had the cue in my hands, I realized that Paul understood. Everything is perfect. The rings, which are the focal point of the cue, are flawless.
I hit with the cue. Perfect.
So....
If you're thinking about ordering a special, custom cue, be prepared.
1. Know what you want.
2. Be very clear with the cuemaker and make sure they take notes.
3. Make sure everything is addressed.
4. Be open to suggestions as long as they don't compromise the overall idea of the cue.
5. Be patient.
6. Communicate.
7. Don't make changes during the build.
8. Don't push too hard. Push a bit :thumbup:
9. Realize that cuemakers are human, too.
I'll add a note here to cuemakers, but I'll make it short. This is generally speaking, so I know it doesn't apply to every cuemaker.
Try not to make promises you can't, or have no intention, of keeping. Focus more on customer service. Be open to criticism and grow from it. Keep experimenting with new designs!
In conclusion, if I had to deal with Paul again, I would. 100%. There were times where I was about to throw in the towel, but it all worked out in the end. He proved to me he's a master of his craft and a genuinely good person. Both are very important to me.
I'd recommend Paul to anyone that's thinking of having something special made. I will tell you, right now, to be patient and very clear on the things you MUST have in the cue. In the end, you'll be happy.
Thank you, Paul Drexler.
Best,
Mike
(here's the pics of the cue)
http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=371032
The cue:
The cue is amazing. The fit and finish are as one would expect from a master of his craft. I've had hundreds of cues pass through my hands over the years and this cue ranks with the best of them.
This cue was designed to be an every day player. I had a stiff, unforgiving hit in mind when I was thinking of the specs. I prefer to do the work rather than have the cue do the work for me.
It plays exactly as I had hoped. Solid, stiff, and with incredible feedback. I attribute that to the solid ivory joint, the 1/2" paper micarta ferrules, the taper, and the way Paul constructed the cue.
The details of the cue are found in the link above.
I'd like to tell people what it's like to have a specific vision in mind and trying to have someone else bring that vision to life. This may help some people that are considering ordering a truly unique, custom cue.
I'm going to tell you the process I went through with Paul and hope it sheds some light on the good and bad a person may encounter while having a cue made.
I want to be clear that this isn't gospel and it may not apply to all custom order situations. I'm hoping it'll serve as a general guideline on what to expect.
First, Paul and I had to discuss my idea. This particular project had a strong emotional attachment for me, so that was something we had to include on our talks. At this point, it's important that both parties be open to suggestions from the other and genuinely listen to one another.
I had some ideas set in stone. Paul did his best to make sure all of them made it into the cue. He did, a number of times, offer me ideas and advice. That was important. We got everything out in the open on what the finished product would be.
Note: Try to get everything settled at the beginning! Making changes during the building process is not something you want to do. It will frustrate you, the cue maker, and delay the build.
Next, we discussed time frame. This is where problems sometimes occur. We never nailed down a due date and it caused us to butt heads a few times during the build.
Here's my take on this: If you get a cuemaker to commit to a due date, don't bet the farm that it'll be done when that day comes. Of course, there are some cuemakers that deliver right on time, but when you're dealing with a true custom, expect delays. When you demand a number of specifics and the cuemaker knows this cue is special to you, expect things to delay the process. Expect life to delay the process.
I had so much emotion wrapped up in this cue that every time it was pushed back, I had a hard time dealing with it.
Cuemakers have lives away from making cues. They also have other customers. They have people that walk in off the street and want work done with cash in hand. Things can go wrong during the build. Things happen.
I'm going to be jumping around here, so bear with me.
One issue Paul and I had was that I wanted certain things done to the cue that weren't going to 'fit' the cue. I wanted 4 ivory diamonds inlayed somewhere. We went back and forth and ultimately decided not to put them in. At first, I was a bit soured, but now that the cue is in my hands, I realize it was the right decision to leave them out.
Be a little flexible on creative control. Now, don't let a cuemaker talk you out of your vision! But, be open to suggestions. You can hold true to your ideas about the cue, but allow a little room for the cue maker to give their professional opinion on certain design aspects.
Also, don't expect to get a 5,000.00 cue for 1,000.00! It's our nature to want to get as much as we can for our money. Cuemakers have time and materials that go into each cue. Most will give you a little more for your money, but don't get carried away.
In my first conversation with Paul, I overshot my budget by a few thousand dollars. He did end up giving me a ton of cue for the money, but if I had my way, I'd have a Smithsonian Cue sitting in my case right now
Now I'll be very blunt about my experience with Paul. I'll be honest.
Everything started out rosey. We talked, we agreed on design, we agreed on price, and I sent a deposit.
The cue was never promised on a certain date, but it was implied and soon became an issue.
There were a few times during the build where I felt Paul wasn't taking this cue, which was so important to me, seriously. Looking back, I realize that it was a lot to ask of anyone...to be as emotionally invested as I was in this cue. I set myself up for a fall.
We had a few heated discussions because of this and we got through them and he proceeded to move forward.
I asked that the cue be done on a certain date because I had 3 pool tournaments coming up. Paul said he would try, but wouldn't make any promises. This didn't sit well with me, but looking back, I'm okay with it.
Soon, we were a month past my 3 tournaments and no cue.
We went back and forth a few times and I was trying to push him without pushing, if that makes sense.
I told him I need this cue before August 1 as I'm leaving for the 9 ball nationals soon after. I wanted some play time before I left.
The cue arrived yesterday.
I wondered for months leading up to this moment if I would be able to find the emotional attachment in the cue that was so important to me. I wanted it to be made by someone I'd be proud to tell my son about.
Once I opened the package and had the cue in my hands, I realized that Paul understood. Everything is perfect. The rings, which are the focal point of the cue, are flawless.
I hit with the cue. Perfect.
So....
If you're thinking about ordering a special, custom cue, be prepared.
1. Know what you want.
2. Be very clear with the cuemaker and make sure they take notes.
3. Make sure everything is addressed.
4. Be open to suggestions as long as they don't compromise the overall idea of the cue.
5. Be patient.
6. Communicate.
7. Don't make changes during the build.
8. Don't push too hard. Push a bit :thumbup:
9. Realize that cuemakers are human, too.
I'll add a note here to cuemakers, but I'll make it short. This is generally speaking, so I know it doesn't apply to every cuemaker.
Try not to make promises you can't, or have no intention, of keeping. Focus more on customer service. Be open to criticism and grow from it. Keep experimenting with new designs!
In conclusion, if I had to deal with Paul again, I would. 100%. There were times where I was about to throw in the towel, but it all worked out in the end. He proved to me he's a master of his craft and a genuinely good person. Both are very important to me.
I'd recommend Paul to anyone that's thinking of having something special made. I will tell you, right now, to be patient and very clear on the things you MUST have in the cue. In the end, you'll be happy.
Thank you, Paul Drexler.
Best,
Mike
(here's the pics of the cue)
