Yes, no, maybe so? If so, what say you?
Does it say something about a cuemaker if his point work or veneers don't line up?
- Thread starter Impact Blue
- Start date
Yes, it says he messed up a part of the cue construction that is very visible. Something that is relatively easy to do if you know what you are doing. It begs to ask what else doesn't he know how to do that can't be seen.
Yes, it does, because thats the essence of cuemaking
Could it also mean that he/she is a new maker and starting out?
Just throwing it out there. Since a question like that could be be open ended. Now if its a TS or a SW then there is a issue, but those never make mistakes like that.
Could be a up and comer, and not quite there yet but it may still play exceptional, could have been a one off mess up. To many unknowns to really answer that I would think.
But overall yes it says something, what exactly would depend on the maker/situation etc...
just my 0.0002 (damn economy)
Just throwing it out there. Since a question like that could be be open ended. Now if its a TS or a SW then there is a issue, but those never make mistakes like that.
Could be a up and comer, and not quite there yet but it may still play exceptional, could have been a one off mess up. To many unknowns to really answer that I would think.
But overall yes it says something, what exactly would depend on the maker/situation etc...
just my 0.0002 (damn economy)
You people are to funny. You seem to believe that a slight cosmetic defect, which has no affect what so ever on the playability of a cue determines if a cue maker is a great builder or a hack. Many things can cause the points to be a little different lengths. I've refinished hundreds of cues, many of which from top cue makers and you would be shocked at how many have uneven points once the pencil marks are removed.
Dick
Dick
I think in the beginning it is essential you do the best work you can and something obviously not right can't be sold. I was at Burt Schrager shop and he told me a story when he first started. He made up a batch of cues for a tournament. He said he was proud of his work and anxious and excited to show them off. When he got there other cue makers were set up and he browsed their displays. He said he never got his cues out of the car. Not that there was anything really wrong with his cues but side by side they didn't measure up. He promised himself though when he did show his cues, he would have something he would be proud of. I am not saying you can't sell a cue unless it is perfect, just cues with problems reflect bad on someone trying to build a reputation. Most all cue sales are word of mouth. Talk about building the better mouse trap and them beating a path to your door. A cue maker can be made almost overnight if he really has the goods.
In terms of assessing a cues value though, it is not a plus. All things being equal the more perfect the cue the higher it's value and the more desirable, just like anything else. I think that is all that is being said.
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It could say he does not care about the little details. On the other hand it could say he refuses to move a center hole over to align the points like most everyone else does. He might feel that it would affect the center balance of the cue to do so. I don't think it would affect it at all myself, but some have asked if I thought it would. A very popular cuemaker once answered the criticism over their points that were over 1/8" uneven like this: They said, "We concentrate on what our reputation is built upon and that is making great playing cues." They have a several year waiting list for one of their cues that might come in with points that are 1/8" or more off. So you tell me what that says?
There was not a problem with uneven points until CNC stuff started to show its face. Then in order for the CNC guys (at that time 20 years ago there were very few of them) to sell their cues they told everyone that because their points were even, their cues were made with more attention to detail than other cues, even though to make even points with a CNC is a no brainer/no efforter.
If one makes his cues to actually play a game of pool the length of the points makes no difference in playability or durability.
If one makes his cues to go to the collection or the museum then it only makes a difference aesthetically.
I personally like even points but there was a time that I did not know how to achieve that. My cues still sold and very few people ever complained. Times have changed.
Alot of players not collectors love it when the point's are not even, off 1/4" looks hand made and not cnc or a factory run cue. some like them closer other farther apart as long as it full of gaps, blow outs, voids and rolls straight they like them. Would they pay top dollars; never. Pick it up cheap in a heart beat they would there pool players\ bangers.
Look at how many cues had clover's or a cluster of 1-3 dots at the point or 1 down at the full splice end were the handle is. Some was for decoration some to hide imperfections.
I prefer even but i'm not picky if its what I want an dit hits great.
collecting that's different.
Craig
Look at how many cues had clover's or a cluster of 1-3 dots at the point or 1 down at the full splice end were the handle is. Some was for decoration some to hide imperfections.
I prefer even but i'm not picky if its what I want an dit hits great.
collecting that's different.
Craig
Dick I totally agree with You here, If I started naming off some of the names I've seen with uneven points, I think a few people here would be shocked to the point they May not even believe Me. As bad As I would like to mention them to prove My point, out of respect I'm not gonna do It, but believe me It's tempting when I read This Thread.
Does It effect Playability? IMHO uneven points are mostly cosmetic, and it takes more then That. I have shot with some of the cues I have in Mind, and believe me it had no effect on how well they played. In fact some played so well, that I understood why the maker had made such a big name for Their self. Of coarse You see this more often in bar conversions or SP's, but It still proves the point that playability was not effected. JMHO
Greg
I agree Dick, but isn't it funny what some one who knows how to use a permanent marker can do to fix the problem.
I have heard people say uneven points or a sugar line in the shaft down near the joint would distract them from their play. My thinking is that anyone that is looking down there while shooting can't play all that great in the first place and a cue like that is the perfect cue for them, because they would always have the cue to blame for missing.
Chris, That's another side to It and is also very true. We can't control what effects tiny imperfections can have on someone's mind. Only the player can deal with that stuff. I've been on both sides of that fence, so I can see It both ways.
I always play My best pool with a clear mind, and if I start looking for excuses, then I know My mind is getting the best of me regardless of whether there is any truth them. The visual stuff doesn't bother me like It does a lot of players, but if I can feel a place in My shaft or maybe the Mushroom stuff We were talking about, then that can get in My head and cause problems if I let them. Of coarse this doesn't always happen to me, and sometimes I deal with them fine, but when It does happen I know at least 75% of not adapting well is in the mind. I guess I would refer back to the guy with the ratty bar cue as an example of overcoming the mind. I guess Like Your thinking, for some It would be out of sight, out of mind though.
Greg
I usually dont put in my 2 cents on these topics because they can get way out there. I would really like to see some of these critics try to build a cue. So they can see exactly what goes into it and how much work there really is into building one. I agree with Chris, it dont take much to line them up. However there is 1 every now and then that doesnt like to cooperate. Just my 2 cents !
Like others have already said, it depends on what you're looking for. I strive to get my points even but haven't had any that I would consider perfect yet. Some think that it gives a cue character if the points don't line up perfectly. Others think that it's a must to have even points. I had a Schick cue and the points from one side to the other were 1/2 inch off. The cue played good and I didn't pay any attention to the points. I don't think that many people doubt Bill Schicks abilities,but not every cue is going to be perfect. Machinery plays it's part also. I've hit balls with high dollar "perfect" looking cues that hit like a big turd. They were built by some guy with a big bankroll that could afford to buy state of the art equipment where his work is always true. Give that guy some manual equipment and see how clean his work is.
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points lining up
Have you ever tried cutting deep-v points by hand?? How about inlaying complex curves by hand with knives and small chisels across complex grain hardwood. True craftsmanship can take a lifetime to learn. Remember people went through apprentice training for years doing one or two processes until they mastered them. Understanding the details of the process may make comparing the outcome of the process easier for the novice who views the work.
Respect comes when one tries to accomplish something he has seen and fails miserably. Was your first tip replacement a success? A true fine craftsman has learned how to hide his mistakes well. I would bet the greatest cue builders could show you flaws in their "perfect" cues that you would never have noticed.
$2 or 2 cents take it for what it's worth.
Tom Gedris, Triple Cross Cues
Have you ever tried cutting deep-v points by hand?? How about inlaying complex curves by hand with knives and small chisels across complex grain hardwood. True craftsmanship can take a lifetime to learn. Remember people went through apprentice training for years doing one or two processes until they mastered them. Understanding the details of the process may make comparing the outcome of the process easier for the novice who views the work.
Respect comes when one tries to accomplish something he has seen and fails miserably. Was your first tip replacement a success? A true fine craftsman has learned how to hide his mistakes well. I would bet the greatest cue builders could show you flaws in their "perfect" cues that you would never have noticed.
$2 or 2 cents take it for what it's worth.
Tom Gedris, Triple Cross Cues
I think it depends on what you are looking for. I 've seen some "big" cues, SW, TAD, HALEY, SCRUGGS- all with a flaw or two that were noticable. Does that mean they don't know what they're doing? Please...They are all built by masters of their trade. If you want a museum piece, then it's not acceptable-if you want a great cue that plays like a bat out of hell, it's easier to overlook a mistake. I'd take a flawed "big dog" cue any day. just my $222.23...