There has been a lot of recent discussion here on AzB regarding dissapointment over custom ordered cues. Both to do with quality issues as well as unpleasant communications.
Hopefully, offsetting some of that negativity, I am delighted to share my very recent experience in having a custom cue made.
Approximately two months ago I posted here that I was hoping to find what I considered would be "The Holy Grail" sneaky pete. I was very specific in what I was looking for. An old Brunswick house cue conversion, 59" long, a thin butt, right around 18 oz., micarta ferrule w/Triangle tip, and most important was that it would have a hit with a sharp note, one that sounds more like a ping, rather than a thwap when striking whitey. Like what I hear when I hit with my TS cues.
After posting this a couple of guys suggested that I contact Craig Rittel (Manwon) from Full Splice Billiards, as old Brunswick cues are his specialty. And so I called him.
We discussed what I was hoping for and he said he thought he could help me out, though he was extremely busy. A few days later Craig pm'ed me that he had looked around his shop and found a cue he thought would work fine. The trick was finding one with proper dimensions that would be a candidate for my 59" requirement.
We agreed on what I felt was a very fair price and he instructed me not to send any money, that I should wait until he's finished. About ten days ago, I got another pm from Craig that he was just about finished and he asked for my shipping address. He went on to explain that he didn't want any money until after I receive the cue, inspected it, hit some balls and, then, only if I was completely satisfied with every aspect of the cue, I could paypal him the money. Incredible!
The cue arrived, professionally packed, safe and sound. I felt like a kid at Christmas (Hannukah for me, actually). :smile:
I opened the box and there she was, gleaming and gorgeous. I love old school cues! This cue is an unusual color and I'm hoping a fellow AzB'er might be able to help id the wood. It's orangey with a slight pinkish hue. Real nice! Complimenting this wood perfectly, Craig installed one of the vintage brown Brunswick Ku bumpers. Okay, now if she will only hit as good as she looks.
I went to the rec room and what's that I hear. Yep, it pinged! I ran a 2 pack of 9 ball, then chased the 4 ball three times on rack three (not the sticks fault), but then ran another two pack. Whooohooo. It's a winner!
Dealing with Craig has been really terrific and I will say to anyone who is considering doing biz with him, they should not hesitate, even for a second.
I am a picky son of a gun and I knew exactly what I wanted and Craig came through with flying colors. He calls it the "Sneaky Chicken". He joked with me about putting that under the clearcoat. lol! BTW, in the pictures below you will see Craig signed the cue between the points. It looks big in the picture because I was in macro setting. Let me tell you, it's so small that in order to read it you have to just about put your nose on the cue. It's signed, but remains sneaky. Also worth noting is that he uses a tapped phenolic insert in the joint. I've never run across this before but it seems like that won't be wearing out. Oh, and FYI, this cue is from approx the 1920's.
Thank you Craig for making my Holy Grail Sneaky Chicken. It was a total pleasure to do business with you. :thumbup:
Best,
Brian kc
P.S. Again, anyone with an idea of what this wood is, please let me know. Craig nor I are sure about what it is. TIA
Hopefully, offsetting some of that negativity, I am delighted to share my very recent experience in having a custom cue made.
Approximately two months ago I posted here that I was hoping to find what I considered would be "The Holy Grail" sneaky pete. I was very specific in what I was looking for. An old Brunswick house cue conversion, 59" long, a thin butt, right around 18 oz., micarta ferrule w/Triangle tip, and most important was that it would have a hit with a sharp note, one that sounds more like a ping, rather than a thwap when striking whitey. Like what I hear when I hit with my TS cues.
After posting this a couple of guys suggested that I contact Craig Rittel (Manwon) from Full Splice Billiards, as old Brunswick cues are his specialty. And so I called him.
We discussed what I was hoping for and he said he thought he could help me out, though he was extremely busy. A few days later Craig pm'ed me that he had looked around his shop and found a cue he thought would work fine. The trick was finding one with proper dimensions that would be a candidate for my 59" requirement.
We agreed on what I felt was a very fair price and he instructed me not to send any money, that I should wait until he's finished. About ten days ago, I got another pm from Craig that he was just about finished and he asked for my shipping address. He went on to explain that he didn't want any money until after I receive the cue, inspected it, hit some balls and, then, only if I was completely satisfied with every aspect of the cue, I could paypal him the money. Incredible!
The cue arrived, professionally packed, safe and sound. I felt like a kid at Christmas (Hannukah for me, actually). :smile:
I opened the box and there she was, gleaming and gorgeous. I love old school cues! This cue is an unusual color and I'm hoping a fellow AzB'er might be able to help id the wood. It's orangey with a slight pinkish hue. Real nice! Complimenting this wood perfectly, Craig installed one of the vintage brown Brunswick Ku bumpers. Okay, now if she will only hit as good as she looks.
I went to the rec room and what's that I hear. Yep, it pinged! I ran a 2 pack of 9 ball, then chased the 4 ball three times on rack three (not the sticks fault), but then ran another two pack. Whooohooo. It's a winner!
Dealing with Craig has been really terrific and I will say to anyone who is considering doing biz with him, they should not hesitate, even for a second.
I am a picky son of a gun and I knew exactly what I wanted and Craig came through with flying colors. He calls it the "Sneaky Chicken". He joked with me about putting that under the clearcoat. lol! BTW, in the pictures below you will see Craig signed the cue between the points. It looks big in the picture because I was in macro setting. Let me tell you, it's so small that in order to read it you have to just about put your nose on the cue. It's signed, but remains sneaky. Also worth noting is that he uses a tapped phenolic insert in the joint. I've never run across this before but it seems like that won't be wearing out. Oh, and FYI, this cue is from approx the 1920's.
Thank you Craig for making my Holy Grail Sneaky Chicken. It was a total pleasure to do business with you. :thumbup:
Best,
Brian kc
P.S. Again, anyone with an idea of what this wood is, please let me know. Craig nor I are sure about what it is. TIA
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