Aside George Balabushka cues, which one do YOU think is the best? and Why??
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Best Custom Cue
- Thread starter Calgaryplayer
- Start date
Gus, Barry, Black Boar. Gus is #1 by a long shot, I was talking to Tony at Black Boar the otherday and he Said "Gus is my all time hero in cue making and awalys will be". thats a pretty big endorsement. Of Course Barry says the same and I do as well,
Tony is building cues that are vastly different than Gus or Barry build so its hard to compair them. With is all the new tools, technology and practice building cues whats being made by cutting edge cue makers has created many different styles of cues these days, Zinola new and making some great points with great veneers, Fanelli is building fantastic butterfly cues like Watchez cue, then the old school guys like Showman, Tascerlla. Its so hard to pick one, oh yeah! Manzino with great artisrty like Black Boar where they are setting inlays on a jewelers bench like a watch maker.
With all that going on its really hard to say, Tad had his on style, Prewitt, Bobby Hunter. Were sure living in the right time for cues, I dont recall people owning 50 cues 25 years ago when I started playing, I knew guys with 6 or 8 cues and that was considered alot of cues, perhaps It was a local thing or I just wasnt aware of big collections-perhaps it was a east coast thing to have big collections. I had 4 or 5 cues and thought that was alot. So the market is absorbing whats being built and there are more cue makers than ever. Pool might be suffering, and the cue market soft but the cue market is one heck of alot better now that 20 years ago.
So again the "Best" is Gus I believe he had the most influence, was ahead of his time and his cues most of the time are the best hitting cues in a collection-same for Barry and Black boar. Thats why those are my top 3. Boars play great but not better than a good Gus or Barry its a tie at best. But Gus was first.
Tony is building cues that are vastly different than Gus or Barry build so its hard to compair them. With is all the new tools, technology and practice building cues whats being made by cutting edge cue makers has created many different styles of cues these days, Zinola new and making some great points with great veneers, Fanelli is building fantastic butterfly cues like Watchez cue, then the old school guys like Showman, Tascerlla. Its so hard to pick one, oh yeah! Manzino with great artisrty like Black Boar where they are setting inlays on a jewelers bench like a watch maker.
With all that going on its really hard to say, Tad had his on style, Prewitt, Bobby Hunter. Were sure living in the right time for cues, I dont recall people owning 50 cues 25 years ago when I started playing, I knew guys with 6 or 8 cues and that was considered alot of cues, perhaps It was a local thing or I just wasnt aware of big collections-perhaps it was a east coast thing to have big collections. I had 4 or 5 cues and thought that was alot. So the market is absorbing whats being built and there are more cue makers than ever. Pool might be suffering, and the cue market soft but the cue market is one heck of alot better now that 20 years ago.
So again the "Best" is Gus I believe he had the most influence, was ahead of his time and his cues most of the time are the best hitting cues in a collection-same for Barry and Black boar. Thats why those are my top 3. Boars play great but not better than a good Gus or Barry its a tie at best. But Gus was first.
My Opinions on the whole list....
I commented on all of the list, to the best of my knowlege, i know more about some cue makers than I typed like SW, Gus, but I didnt feel like writing a book today.
Bill McDaniel Cues now $ cues are great cues that are well made as any cue maker there is their tollerances are tighter than most cue makers and have great wood
Black Boar Cues-mis understood cues, everyone thinks Tony keeps trying to make his cues look nicer which he is fdoing, but his true passion is to make his cues play better, the newer the BB the better they play the 8pt cues are amazing, he prides his engeneering over the art, the art(inlays etc. thats the profit margine-not what makes Tony tick.
Gina Cues Ernie has been at it for years and turns out beatiful cues for ever it seems, and they will awalys be in high demand.
Gus Szamboti Cues #1
McWorter Cues dont know much to comment on, A friend had one that played great back in the day it was pruple heart and birdseye, he sold it to a guy from Germany who was on vacation here in Vegas.
Paul Mottey Cues Great cues, owned a few of them, but dont know enough to comment
Richard Black Cues Richards older cues played a whole lot better, he is a true artist and has come up with some of the most unique cues ever made, I like one cue he named "Zimbabwe" he has had collections on display in different museumes, I have a Richard Black with rose gold, silver and 4 real diamonds in it, its not gaudy, its very tastefully done, he is a fantastic artist and a great man, i really like him.
South West cues almost 30 years of success, Jerry took the ball from kirsenbok and ran with it, they are well built stout hitting cues, I have hit balls with over 100 different ones over the years, They are very very picky with the woods they use, LAurie is amazing when Jerry unexpectedly passed away she kept on trucking, and that 10 year waiting list isnt a accident or because they are lazy, they take their time and build cues that last I havea friend in Sac who pounds the hell out of the balls, he had his SW since 85, I looked at last month and its still solid as a rock. Top quality cues and worth what they cost, they used to sell for a bit more, but with all the competition they have kept to their roots and the preium prices are gone-good news for players
Tad Kohara Cues The older ones are alot better than the neweer ones, anything before 1990 is a Jam up cue, I have about 10 of them, I love the looks, Tad has some very unique looks to his cues, I plaied with one for 3 years, justa plain no points ring at the bottom traditional Tad-one of the nicest looking and playing cues I have ever owned.
Thomas Wayne Cues he builds some amazing cues, he is very skilled and a fantastic artist who gets it right on the big cues. I did see on mishap that wasnt his fault, when I was in the pool room everyday here in Vegas and people would come to town with a Thomas Wayne cue the dry air was hell on his cues more so than other cues. Anyways after a guy I knew lived here for a month the Ebony was shrinking up bad, I had the same problem with a Tad, anyways we were playing an I saw something go flying when he shot, I said "oops there goes your tip" He looked and the tip was still there. A inlay popped out we looked at it and the wood had shrank so much that the epoxy must have cracked and it worked its way loose, it wasnt Thomas Waynes fault the dry air here in Vegas is hell on cues. The next week or 2 my friend had it fixed and it looked perfect, it was a real nice cue too.
I commented on all of the list, to the best of my knowlege, i know more about some cue makers than I typed like SW, Gus, but I didnt feel like writing a book today.
Bill McDaniel Cues now $ cues are great cues that are well made as any cue maker there is their tollerances are tighter than most cue makers and have great wood
Black Boar Cues-mis understood cues, everyone thinks Tony keeps trying to make his cues look nicer which he is fdoing, but his true passion is to make his cues play better, the newer the BB the better they play the 8pt cues are amazing, he prides his engeneering over the art, the art(inlays etc. thats the profit margine-not what makes Tony tick.
Gina Cues Ernie has been at it for years and turns out beatiful cues for ever it seems, and they will awalys be in high demand.
Gus Szamboti Cues #1
McWorter Cues dont know much to comment on, A friend had one that played great back in the day it was pruple heart and birdseye, he sold it to a guy from Germany who was on vacation here in Vegas.
Paul Mottey Cues Great cues, owned a few of them, but dont know enough to comment
Richard Black Cues Richards older cues played a whole lot better, he is a true artist and has come up with some of the most unique cues ever made, I like one cue he named "Zimbabwe" he has had collections on display in different museumes, I have a Richard Black with rose gold, silver and 4 real diamonds in it, its not gaudy, its very tastefully done, he is a fantastic artist and a great man, i really like him.
South West cues almost 30 years of success, Jerry took the ball from kirsenbok and ran with it, they are well built stout hitting cues, I have hit balls with over 100 different ones over the years, They are very very picky with the woods they use, LAurie is amazing when Jerry unexpectedly passed away she kept on trucking, and that 10 year waiting list isnt a accident or because they are lazy, they take their time and build cues that last I havea friend in Sac who pounds the hell out of the balls, he had his SW since 85, I looked at last month and its still solid as a rock. Top quality cues and worth what they cost, they used to sell for a bit more, but with all the competition they have kept to their roots and the preium prices are gone-good news for players
Tad Kohara Cues The older ones are alot better than the neweer ones, anything before 1990 is a Jam up cue, I have about 10 of them, I love the looks, Tad has some very unique looks to his cues, I plaied with one for 3 years, justa plain no points ring at the bottom traditional Tad-one of the nicest looking and playing cues I have ever owned.
Thomas Wayne Cues he builds some amazing cues, he is very skilled and a fantastic artist who gets it right on the big cues. I did see on mishap that wasnt his fault, when I was in the pool room everyday here in Vegas and people would come to town with a Thomas Wayne cue the dry air was hell on his cues more so than other cues. Anyways after a guy I knew lived here for a month the Ebony was shrinking up bad, I had the same problem with a Tad, anyways we were playing an I saw something go flying when he shot, I said "oops there goes your tip" He looked and the tip was still there. A inlay popped out we looked at it and the wood had shrank so much that the epoxy must have cracked and it worked its way loose, it wasnt Thomas Waynes fault the dry air here in Vegas is hell on cues. The next week or 2 my friend had it fixed and it looked perfect, it was a real nice cue too.
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If you're into collecting, probably black boar or southwest...
If you're into playing, then the field widens considerably. I'm repeating myself from other threads...but I love my Keith Josey cue! I'm sure others have found the same with other custom makers. Playing feel is so darned subjective...what one player loves, another may hate...
If you're into playing, then the field widens considerably. I'm repeating myself from other threads...but I love my Keith Josey cue! I'm sure others have found the same with other custom makers. Playing feel is so darned subjective...what one player loves, another may hate...
I commented on all of the list, to the best of my knowlege, i know more about some cue makers than I typed like SW, Gus, but I didnt feel like writing a book today.
Bill McDaniel Cues now $ cues are great cues that are well made as any cue maker there is their tollerances are tighter than most cue makers and have great wood
Black Boar Cues-mis understood cues, everyone thinks Tony keeps trying to make his cues look nicer which he is fdoing, but his true passion is to make his cues play better, the newer the BB the better they play the 8pt cues are amazing, he prides his engeneering over the art, the art(inlays etc. thats the profit margine-not what makes Tony tick.
Gina Cues Ernie has been at it for years and turns out beatiful cues for ever it seems, and they will awalys be in high demand.
Gus Szamboti Cues #1
McWorter Cues dont know much to comment on, A friend had one that played great back in the day it was pruple heart and birdseye, he sold it to a guy from Germany who was on vacation here in Vegas.
Paul Mottey Cues Great cues, owned a few of them, but dont know enough to comment
Richard Black Cues Richards older cues played a whole lot better, he is a true artist and has come up with some of the most unique cues ever made, I like one cue he named "Zimbabwe" he has had collections on display in different museumes, I have a Richard Black with rose gold, silver and 4 real diamonds in it, its not gaudy, its very tastefully done, he is a fantastic artist and a great man, i really like him.
South West cues almost 30 years of success, Jerry took the ball from kirsenbok and ran with it, they are well built stout hitting cues, I have hit balls with over 100 different ones over the years, They are very very picky with the woods they use, LAurie is amazing when Jerry unexpectedly passed away she kept on trucking, and that 10 year waiting list isnt a accident or because they are lazy, they take their time and build cues that last I havea friend in Sac who pounds the hell out of the balls, he had his SW since 85, I looked at last month and its still solid as a rock. Top quality cues and worth what they cost, they used to sell for a bit more, but with all the competition they have kept to their roots and the preium prices are gone-good news for players
Tad Kohara Cues The older ones are alot better than the neweer ones, anything before 1990 is a Jam up cue, I have about 10 of them, I love the looks, Tad has some very unique looks to his cues, I plaied with one for 3 years, justa plain no points ring at the bottom traditional Tad-one of the nicest looking and playing cues I have ever owned.
Thomas Wayne Cues he builds some amazing cues, he is very skilled and a fantastic artist who gets it right on the big cues. I did see on mishap that wasnt his fault, when I was in the pool room everyday here in Vegas and people would come to town with a Thomas Wayne cue the dry air was hell on his cues more so than other cues. Anyways after a guy I knew lived here for a month the Ebony was shrinking up bad, I had the same problem with a Tad, anyways we were playing an I saw something go flying when he shot, I said "oops there goes your tip" He looked and the tip was still there. A inlay popped out we looked at it and the wood had shrank so much that the epoxy must have cracked and it worked its way loose, it wasnt Thomas Waynes fault the dry air here in Vegas is hell on cues. The next week or 2 my friend had it fixed and it looked perfect, it was a real nice cue too.
good points!!
I agree...there are LOTS of cuemakers who belong on that "best" list. For one, how could any list not include Bill Schick? He's been a master cuemaker for decades! Cognoscenti is considered by some to be one of the best (personally I LOVE his cues). How about Samsara, who have won awards for their cuemaking designs (and playability) for almost 20 years now (another one of my personal favorites). Besides...what constitutes "the best"? Cues are so subjective to the individual.
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
Where's Mike?
Mr. Mike Bender, Mr. P.D.K., Mr.Balner, Mr Paradise or how about that Nitti Chris guy and Dennis Searing, or Mr. Mike Capone..they don't get on the LIST for a vote...Yes you have a lot of the other ones I would include on my list, but so would these guys and their wives....I think I have a lot of the Hall of famer's on mine...Just me being me in late at nite.
Mr. Mike Bender, Mr. P.D.K., Mr.Balner, Mr Paradise or how about that Nitti Chris guy and Dennis Searing, or Mr. Mike Capone..they don't get on the LIST for a vote...Yes you have a lot of the other ones I would include on my list, but so would these guys and their wives....I think I have a lot of the Hall of famer's on mine...Just me being me in late at nite.
That list is too short. there're a lot of cue makers that aren't as big named but still make a cue that hits as good if not better
i vote for dennis searing......o crap he isnt on the list.....there are about 10 top tier cue makers that arent on the list......plus like others have said it is all subjective.....but let me tell you this....scott gracio,tony zinzola,kenny murrell and joe callulaca are putting out some outstanding cues that are still kinda under the radar....a few flying lower than others but they can still be had a what i think is a good price....i have never hit a szamboti before but alot of people say they are the best.....i have played with a searing before and i felt like SVB 
when i was playing with it the pockets looked 2in wider:thumbup:....might just be the mystiqe of his cues but damn it was nice.....ps scott,tony,kenny and joe are also awesome guys:smile:....i realize that everyone has there on thoughs on this but really it us up to the one person playing with whatever cue they fill comfortable with....mickey carroll
when i was playing with it the pockets looked 2in wider:thumbup:....might just be the mystiqe of his cues but damn it was nice.....ps scott,tony,kenny and joe are also awesome guys:smile:....i realize that everyone has there on thoughs on this but really it us up to the one person playing with whatever cue they fill comfortable with....mickey carroll
i know they're not up there with szamboti or guys like him but i'd vote for andy gilbert or bryan mordt. i'm real impressed with both of their work
I can give a shout out for Tony Zinzola. I got to hit some with one of his cues while he was over here. I liked the hit a lot. The taper of the shaft wasn't my type, it was fairly fat, but the overall feel of the cue was nice and his point work was top notch.
MULLY
MULLY
Voodoo Daddy
One Pocket 101
Imcomplete list without;
Searing
Manzino
Showman
A cast of others missing as well...just sayin'
Searing
Manzino
Showman
A cast of others missing as well...just sayin'
Thats what makes each maker so unique...you mention Schick....I don't like the hit of his cues at all but his designs are wonderful....everyone feels diff on the subject....
I guarantee that at least one of the people on the planet wouldn't like the hit of a GUS...hard to believe but its true.
IMOP the reason we put some makers much higher than others such as GUS/BARRY/TONY etc is b/c their cues play so consistent from cue to cue.
Mia
Tascarella, Hercek, Searing, Showman belong on the very short list of the best.
Scruggs, White, Kikel & Prewitt deserve some consideration.
Playability - everybody loves a Jensen....
Best,
Brian kc
Tascarella, Hercek, Searing, Showman belong on the very short list of the best.
Scruggs, White, Kikel & Prewitt deserve some consideration.
Playability - everybody loves a Jensen....
Best,
Brian kc
What is Tim Scruggs? Chopped liver?
Steve.<-- Can't believe Scruggs isn't in that list.
Steve.<-- Can't believe Scruggs isn't in that list.
Me neither.
Like I said in my first post in this thread, were alive to see so many great cue makers it's wonderful, and the differences between their cuss are vast. I remember when Mali, McDermott, TS, Schon cues all kinda looked the same. They'd have a broschour of 15-20 cues that all looked the same the basic cue hadlittle work in it the 4 th or 5thbcue had keyhole looking inlays in the butt-it wasn't until the top 5 cues that there would be much difference between the cues.
Now there are a zillion designs he'll I have seen some decal cues that were cool, sucks the were decal cues.
On another note Andy Gilbert has turned up the creativity in the past couple years, artistically, i saw a rack of his new cues pop up at the Derby thus year that gave his work from 5 years ago the 5!
Gus is still #1 no matter what happens in the future
Now there are a zillion designs he'll I have seen some decal cues that were cool, sucks the were decal cues.
On another note Andy Gilbert has turned up the creativity in the past couple years, artistically, i saw a rack of his new cues pop up at the Derby thus year that gave his work from 5 years ago the 5!
Gus is still #1 no matter what happens in the future
How about Lomax