Who is the GREATEST Living Cue Maker? *Take the test*

DunnM1

DunnM1

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Reputation - Ernie G., R. Black, Jerry Rauenzahn
Playability - J. Rauenzahn, Barry Szamboti, Ernie G.
Creativity - R. Black, T. Scruggs, Barry Szamboti
Execution - Ernie G., J. Rauenzahn, T. Scruggs
Longevity - Ernie G., R. Black, t. Scruggs, J. Rauenzahn
Customer Sat - J. Rauenzahn, R. Black, T. Scruggs
Body of work - Ernie G., R. Black, J. Rauenzahn, T. Scruggs
Design - Barry Szamboti, R. Black, T. Scruggs, Ernie G.
HOF - J. Rauenzahn, Barry Szamboti, T. Scruggs
Craftsmanship - J. Rauenzahn, Barry Szamboti, Ernie G.

Jerry Rauenzahn does not get the credit he deserves, not sure why. But in my mind he is one of the best. If I get another cue, Richard Black, Barry Szamboti or two of Jerry's. I am getting Jerry's.
 
cubswin

cubswin

Just call me Joe...
Silver Member
Interesting thread...see one name I disagree with on customer satisfaction.

Not going to officially vote, but Tim Scruggs would be in every category for me. Have used his cues since the 80's, know 100's of people that have had his cues, and about that many that dealt with him. Never heard one bad thing about him. My own personal experience with him was great as well. Along with Mike Cochran, they ran one of the best cue shops of all time.
 
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TATE

TATE

AzB Gold Mensch
Silver Member
1) Reputation, Barry Szamboti, Bill Schick, Ernie G.

2) Playability, Searing,, Schick, South West

3) Creativity, Richard Black, Thomas Wayne, Bill Schick

4) Execution, Szamboti, Hercek, Ernie G.

5) Longevity, Ernie G., Schick, R. Black

6) Customer Satisfaction, Ernie G., Joel Hercek, Schick

7) Body of work to date, Thomas Wayne, Ernie G., Bill Schick

8) Design/Technique that has evolved todays cues, Bill Schick, Thomas Wayne, Joel Hercek

9) Will/IS to make Hall of fame (since all GREATEST deceased have been inducted), Ernie, Bill Schick and Richard Black are already in, I believe Barry Szamboti and Bill Stroud and Joel Hercek will be inducted.

10) Craftmanship (For the Hand made non CNC guys) Bill Schick, South West, Barry Szamboti
 
skins

skins

Likes to draw
Silver Member
Some who should be in there in a few catgories are Showman and Mobley..
 
ribdoner

ribdoner

SATISFACTION GUARANTEED
Silver Member
ribdoner said:
............
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1) Reputation

SW, Ernie

2) Playability

SW, Barry, Tasc

3) Creativity

Moochie, Black, Schick

4) Execution

Searing, Haley, Manzino

5) Longevity

Ernie, Tad

6) Customer Satisfaction

Searing (upon receipt), SW, Ernie

7) Body of work to date

Schick, Ernie, Tad

8) Design/Technique that has evolved todays cues

Moochie, SW, Searing

9) Will/IS to make Hall of fame (since all GREATEST deceased have been inducted)

Moochie, Ernie, SW

10) Craftmanship (For the Hand made non CNC guys)

Tasc, Barry, Schick


If ALEX BRICK focused on building cues he WOULD be on this list in several categories
 
TATE

TATE

AzB Gold Mensch
Silver Member
ribdoner said:
1) Reputation

SW, Ernie

2) Playability

SW, Barry, Tasc

3) Creativity

Moochie, Black, Schick

4) Execution

Searing, Haley, Manzino

5) Longevity

Ernie, Tad

6) Customer Satisfaction

Searing (upon receipt), SW, Ernie

7) Body of work to date

Schick, Ernie, Tad

8) Design/Technique that has evolved todays cues

Moochie, SW, Searing

9) Will/IS to make Hall of fame (since all GREATEST deceased have been inducted)

Moochie, Ernie, SW

10) Craftmanship (For the Hand made non CNC guys)

Tasc, Barry, Schick


If ALEX BRICK focused on building cues he WOULD be on this list in several categories
Click to expand...

I didn't mention TAD because he passed away, but I would sure put him in a lot of the categories if he were alive. Playability, craftsmanship, hall of fame, body of work, execution, customer satisfaction. On the creativity and innovation, and hall of fame, I agree Bob Meucci should be added. Not so much in the execution category...:wink:
 
O

one stroke

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
DunnM1 said:
Reputation - Ernie G., R. Black, Jerry Rauenzahn
Playability - J. Rauenzahn, Barry Szamboti, Ernie G.
Creativity - R. Black, T. Scruggs, Barry Szamboti
Execution - Ernie G., J. Rauenzahn, T. Scruggs
Longevity - Ernie G., R. Black, t. Scruggs, J. Rauenzahn
Customer Sat - J. Rauenzahn, R. Black, T. Scruggs
Body of work - Ernie G., R. Black, J. Rauenzahn, T. Scruggs
Design - Barry Szamboti, R. Black, T. Scruggs, Ernie G.
HOF - J. Rauenzahn, Barry Szamboti, T. Scruggs
Craftsmanship - J. Rauenzahn, Barry Szamboti, Ernie G.

Jerry Rauenzahn does not get the credit he deserves, not sure why. But in my mind he is one of the best. If I get another cue, Richard Black, Barry Szamboti or two of Jerry's. I am getting Jerry's.
Click to expand...

Sorry I hate to say it any list that does not have Tony on it can't be taken seriously
In several categories ,,


1
 
Balabushka_Man

Balabushka_Man

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
For Reputation, Playabity, Creativity Execution, Longevity, Customer Satisfaction, Body of Work To Date Influencing Design To Date, Hall of Fame, & Non CNC Craftsmanship.....

Pete Tascarella, Gus & Barry Szamboti, Tim Scruggs

Note: The above should be all in the Hall Of Fame-Especially Pete imho.
 
Ken_4fun

Ken_4fun

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
TATE said:
1) Reputation, Barry Szamboti, Bill Schick, Ernie G.

2) Playability, Searing,, Schick, South West

3) Creativity, Richard Black, Thomas Wayne, Bill Schick

4) Execution, Szamboti, Hercek, Ernie G.

5) Longevity, Ernie G., Schick, R. Black

6) Customer Satisfaction, Ernie G., Joel Hercek, Schick

7) Body of work to date, Thomas Wayne, Ernie G., Bill Schick

8) Design/Technique that has evolved todays cues, Bill Schick, Thomas Wayne, Joel Hercek

9) Will/IS to make Hall of fame (since all GREATEST deceased have been inducted), Ernie, Bill Schick and Richard Black are already in, I believe Barry Szamboti and Bill Stroud and Joel Hercek will be inducted.

10) Craftmanship (For the Hand made non CNC guys) Bill Schick, South West, Barry Szamboti
Click to expand...

I agree 100%.
 
Ken_4fun

Ken_4fun

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Balabushka_Man said:
For Reputation, Playabity, Creativity Execution, Longevity, Customer Satisfaction, Body of Work To Date Influencing Design To Date, Hall of Fame, & Non CNC Craftsmanship.....

Pete Tascarella, Gus & Barry Szamboti, Tim Scruggs

Note: The above should be all in the Hall Of Fame-Especially Pete imho.
Click to expand...

Sadly Gus is no longer living.

Ken
 
Sealegs50

Sealegs50

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I really liked TATE's list. I started there and provided a few edits for my tastes.

1) Reputation, Barry Szamboti, Bill Schick, Ernie G.

2) Playability, Schick, Searing, Szamboti

3) Creativity, Richard Black, Thomas Wayne, Bill Schick

4) Execution, Searing, Mobley, Szamboti

5) Longevity, Ernie G., Schick, R. Black

6) Customer Satisfaction, Ernie G., Joel Hercek, Schick

7) Body of work to date, Thomas Wayne, Ernie G., Bill Schick

8) Design/Technique that has evolved todays cues, Bill Schick, Thomas Wayne, Joel Hercek

9) Will/IS to make Hall of fame (since all GREATEST deceased have been inducted), Ernie, Bill Schick and Richard Black are already in. For Body of Work and Creativity, I would pick Thomas Wayne. For Playability and Execution, I would pick Dennis Searing.

10) Craftmanship (For the Hand made non CNC guys) Bill Schick, Barry Szamboti, Pete Tascarella Sr.

My votes for greatest cuemaker alive:
1. Bill Schick
2. Dennis Searing
3. Barry Szamboti
 
Chicagoplayer

Chicagoplayer

AzB Gold Member
Gold Member
Silver Member
Ahem-

HighEndCues said:
I've taken hundreds of calls and emails asking me at one time or another who was the greatest (LIVING) cuemaker.

This is a question that I believe will always be subject to one's own opinion.


I'm personal friends with MANY of the possible contenders, and respect all of their talents.

Am I qualified to give the answer? NO?

Being judged by your peer's always showed credibility to me.

So I've asked many of the best Cue Makers this question, and one name came up the most.


But I will give my criteria for everyone to judge for themselves.


I will give (10 ) catagories what I believe the the GREATEST cuemaker should be rated on.

Pick YOUR top 3 cuemakers for each category.

At the end, count which cue maker made the most catagories.


1) Reputation

2) Playability

3) Creativity

4) Execution

5) Longevity

6) Customer Satisfaction

7) Body of work to date

8) Design/Technique that has evolved todays cues

9) Will/IS to make Hall of fame (since all GREATEST deceased have been inducted)

10) Craftmanship (For the Hand made non CNC guys)


Let's here your answers.


Best,

Ken Kerner
Click to expand...
_____________________________________________

With all due respect:

There are far too many cue builders who merit mention here...

As I know many personally,
I respect all who are able
to build functional pieces of art using materials as varied as the stars.

I especially love those cue builders who endeavor to help others at the lathe and away-

Among those I hold in high esteem-

Joe Gold (Cognoscenti)

Joel Hercek

Andy Vander Voord (Avs Cues)

Dennis Dieckman

Richard Vonachen

Bill Schick

Dave Jacoby

The Peschauers

Dave Coles Jr

Jon Spitz

John Davis

Tim Prince

Bobby Hunter

Bob Meucci

Ed Young/DPK

Adrian Viguera

Keith Josey

Chris Byrne

Andy Gilbert

Mike Durbin

Dennis Searing

The Szamboti's

Pier Luigi and Louisella Longoni (Italy)

Mike Becker (Germany)


All have been integral to helping others!

-CP
:D
 
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cueman

cueman

AzB Gold Member
Gold Member
Silver Member
The last two who were on our Hall Of Fame ballot were Ernie Gutierrez and Bill Schick. They would have to be at or near the top of the list.

I would probably round out the top 5 with Richard Black, Bob Meucci and Thomas Wayne when considering all ten criteria.

But to be honest there are so many great cuemakers that it would be impossible to pick who are truly the top five.
 
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