Paul_#_ said:

The point goes something like this.

Previous posts argue that the number of custom cue makers in the U.S. is in decline because i) pool is in decline here; ii) production cues now have as good or better quality and performance as do custom cues; and iii) production cue companies now sponsor professional pool players to use their cues.

On the other hand, Benelli and Rackaday post about a custom cuemaker that is like Mezz — its' and Mezz’s website post many cues but all have been sold. How can there be such demand for some custom cues when custom cues generally are in decline?

The answer is in photos in my post #113. Some custom cues are unique and beautiful unlike production cues. Custom cues will always attract some.

Click to expand...

I get it now, you have no clue what you're talking about, let's break it down.

You make some stunning leaps in logic because you don't know what you're talking about. The first massive one is when you compare Eddie's business model to Mezz, which could not be further apart. You made this assumption based not on dealing directly with Eddie or with any custom cue maker that I can tell.

You did this... by... wait for it.

Looking at his fucking website...

Wow, just wow.. So, because Eddie shows lots of cues that are currently sold out, your lizard brain said BAM just like Mezz. But what you don't realize is that those pictures represent about five years' worth of cues and are all one-offs's not production models. Several of the cues on his site, I would say well over half of those photos are custom commissions that he has posted the pics just for people to see his range of design and build quality. But you can't buy one, and there NEVER GOING TO BE IN STOCK again...

So nothing like Mezz at all. Mezz are NOT CUSTOM CUE's anymore than Joss, Schon, or McDermott are custom cues.

Eddie's true custom cue's will cost you between 4K and 6K, the ones he post on the website for sale, roughly five to six a YEAR cost between 2k and 4K. So yes, there is an audience for Eddie's cues, he has generated it himself via his content, but that audience numbers under 100 people that would actually buy one of his cues, not the TENS OF THOUSANDS that are trying to purchase a Mezz production cue that numbers in the high hundreds to low thousands made...

Your entire wish-washy supposition that custom cues will always attract some has nothing to do with the original point of this post, which was that the custom cue market is not doing well and custom cues as a whole do not really hold their value, much less appreciating. This is happening because the number of buyers that are looking for, much less choosing a custom cue over a production cue, is rapidly diminishing.

Yes some custom cues, Gina's, BB, Szam's are doing well but are still well off their highs of a few years ago. But unless there is a large injection of moneyed, young, collectors actively acquiring these and other makers' cues at a high enough clip to drive buying pressure and increase price via buying competition. The prices of used cues will continue to fall, while the number of new cues being created will decrease, as the number of people commissioning them also declines due to... death.

All of this is underpinned by the fact that many of the high-tech production cues like Mezz and Predator are of high enough quality in both hit and feel that there is no reason to chase a custom cue any longer.

I don't know I agree with this statement, but as a C-level marketer, I can tell you that these companies spend millions of dollars a year to convince entry-level players of this and are very, very successful at it.

Which is why I can take a 15K Balabushka to APA league night and NO ONE GIVES A SHIT, but if it were the latest Shane Van Gorst, Mosconi Cup Choke on the Nine Limited Edition, everyone would be falling over themselves to fondle it, hit a ball with it and then line up on eBay to pay $300 TO $600 over MSRP to have one...

Yes, custom-made cues are in trouble...

You still have the i-3 shaft? Whats the price for both?

HawaiianEye said:

Your cue should fit your wingspan for stroking the cue with your normal bridge and gripping hand where it feels most comfortable for you.

Click to expand...

If I'm adjusting to shooting on a different sized table my main adjustment is to the cueball's weight and how different do the rails/pockets play. If I have 2 or 3 different cue lengths/weights that's another added adjustment and not only that but you have to adjust back when you aren't using an extension! There's a HUGE difference between SVB or Fedor instantaneously adjusting to an extension and then back to their normal cue than any mere mortal!

Bump.

Just want to say… I love my Large Bore… having a lot of “successful” fun with it.

Damn looks like I got there first so. A big thumb up no yeah that. Good job.
I noticed the profile of the tip. That's interesting.

Island Drive said:

Jay....
Just not here/yep.....
Helfert....
You hit the nail on the head with those words.

I've felt that way for quite some time, cost of living/traveling/eating for an American pro is about triple since 70's, they are in the same boat.
just not here yet.
MR gives me this feeling, they just wanted the US Open 9 Ball event/name. Hope I'm wrong.
I say that because how many other Major events in the US have they produced here since the buyout?

Best thing I've seen from MR is Mentioning TX as an event location.... better set the dates for 2027 why?
2026 9 ball is already planned out in other parts of Earth.

Is MR going to accommodate all the top players by scheduling the TX event properly?
Are the 2026 US Open dates already set?

Click to expand...

there is the florida open too, which is likely to stay.

Oh he even gave us (my wife and I) Dart lessons as a Bonus. A signed copy of his book as well. Pretty sure we tipped well. He gave us some rock solid tips as well.

Patrick Johnson said:

View attachment 868360

Click to expand...

That's one creepy left hand.

Matt_24 said:

Nobody got through the cue ball quite as good (or as pretty) as Steve Mizerak.

Click to expand...

Er uh , okay. I played him in a local $5 8⃣ ball tournament an, well I didn't See That at All!!!!

The first party line...

The.demonstration of Sportsman Ship at the free ball dispute is a Classic in and of itself.
The Spirit of the Law vs the Letter of the Law. (was a common plea for Me. Well Your Honor, this is what happened my lead in. Then plead case and get half price for a good story. "15 dollars next!" Is a favorite)
So anyway the Commentary proofed what a Rare Occurrence this was. Changing Times and Leadership comes to mind. Just color me hopeful.

sent pm

Yep....WHERE???????????
Open is thee Major/like Augusta masters golf.
Only way you can top it is with cash, and cash is cash, its not history.
Yeah JJ.... where the heck is their long term schedule?

Big Fish said:

Greg,
Thank you so much.
Watching the eye patterns of the snooker players is one thing that I’m interested in.

I enjoy and learn a lot from listening to pool commentary especially about technique and form.

Again,
Thank you very much !

Click to expand...

Oh wow, I overlooked this post, till this morning. I must have been enjoying the show. Nope wait, we went to a small local tournament.
Another topic....well the commentary is Huge. Even the lack thereof.
A fine work of Art. That's up and oh so worth a rent.
Wst.tv is the source for incredible lessons.
The tip Oh the day.....make it hard. Well ? "That's what she said " comes to my little Johnny.
Practice with the phenolic tip. Not exclusively but.......it can be fun.

Bump