Mezz / Schon owners, NEED your advises!!

L

Landplayer

Registered
I like Mezz and Schon cues for their quality and playability. Now, I am thinking to order a custom cue. The reason that I want to get a custom cue is simple: I want to have a BETTER playing cue. I don't mean that Schon and Mezz are not good; instead, they could be two of the best production cues today if you are the owner you probably would agree with that. But for a serious pool player, I want more on my equipment – it’s time to having a custom playing cue. I won't (and can't) spend much money on my first custom cue. The playability and quality are the most important things that I concern, so the fancy inlays and complex design which don’t affect the hit are not my priority.

I would like to ask any Mezz and Schon cue owners here (since I have also used them) for giving me some solid advises:
Which custom cue(s) that you ever used/tried is better than Schon / Mezz AND it is still at a reasonable (affordable) price??

I very appreciate any of your help!
 
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A guy that plays in my home room,just bought the mezz cue that mika used in the usopen this year,he was showing it off ,i picked it up and he asked me what i thought it weighed,if fealt like a 16 to me,he said it is a 19,then he told me it feels so light because its balance so good,and what a beautiful cue!i dont know much about cues,i been useing a meucci org for 25 years,but i did feel the difference from a top end cue.
 
As a guy who's been playing with the same Schon for over 20 years, the best advice I could give you is you really need to try out different makers to decide what to get. Hit/feedback is totally subjective; you can narrow the field by deciding which type joint (flat faced, piloted, stainless steel or other) and the taper of the shaft (pro, parabolic, etc.). That, together with the center of balance of the butt, type of wrap all combine to give you the feel you would prefer. But even after that, you'll find different makers' cues can be radically different. When I moved from McDermott to Joss and then from Joss to Schon, I tried them out for months before making a decision to jump. If I were looking for a particular custom maker, I'd hunt one or more of the cues down and try and knock a few balls around before I made a decision...and with a custom maker, I'd then talk to him to tell him exactly what I wanted in terms of hit, balance, weight, etc, so he could advise me on what materials/construction he offers that best gets you there.

Advice on these forums are just opinions!! Before I'd spend big bucks on a custom cue, I'd want to try at least one of his models out first. If I had a nickel for everytime someone told me that this production cue or that custom cue "hit like a freight train" or was "the most awesome player ever seen", I'd probably be able to buy a Tascarella (ha!)!
 
Landplayer said:
I like Mezz and Schon cues for their quality and playability. Now, I am thinking to order a custom cue. The reason that I want to get a custom cue is simple: I want to have a BETTER playing cue. I don't mean that Schon and Mezz are not good; instead, they could be two of the best production cues today if you are the owner you probably would agree with that. But for a serious pool player, I want more on my equipment – it’s time to having a custom playing cue. I won't (and can't) spend much money on my first custom cue. The playability and quality are the most important things that I concern, so the fancy inlays and complex design which don’t affect the hit are not my prior demand.

I would like to ask any Mezz and Schon cue owners here (since I have also used them) for giving me some solid advises:
Which custom cue(s) that you ever used/tried is better than Schon / Mezz AND it is still at a reasonable (affordable) price??

I very appreciate any of your help!
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What makes you think a "custom" cue will hit or play better than a production Schon? Like West Point, I've been playing with my six windows Schon for nearly twenty years. Last year, I purchased an Ariel Carmeli to keep in Vegas so I don't have to fly my cues. Both cues weigh the same. Same length. Same balance point to the tenth of an inch. Same shaft diameter. Slightly different shaft taper. Different pin threads. Different ferrule material. Different tip. Different joint material with a flat face. In the end, my comment to Ariel at the SBE this year was "Best cue I ever played with. Plays exactly like my Schon!".

Frankly, if you can stand to see five other players with a near identical cue in your room, buy a Schon. If you just have to have a "custom" made cue, spend the money and be extremely happy with what you get. Just don't expect a miracle to happen. In the end, it's all in your head anyway!

Lyn
 
I own a couple of Mezz cues and have customs that have the reputation as being great "hitting" cues(Lambros, Scruggs, Josey, Carmeli) and if the ONLY reason your thinking of going custom is playability then save your money!

Mezz has a lot going for a player, Easy to get shafts, Lots of shaft options, easy to change weight and they have a great extension/bumper combo.

My reasons for a custom are to get a one of a kind cue and/or to get something that Mezz does not offer, For example I like sharp points and veneers and thats rare on a Mezz cue. I also like a softer hit then the Mezz but that does not effect the playability.

I think high level of play can be achieved with any quality cue. Concentration and practice may be the biggest factors.

Good luck!
Peace
 
@peace said:
My reasons for a custom are to get a one of a kind cue and/or to get something that Mezz does not offer, For example I like sharp points and veneers and thats rare on a Mezz cue.
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there are a few models that have sharp point (not in Mezz USA website). Mezz Exceed also has very sharp points. :grin-square:

As to the OP, Try Ginacue.
 
"custom" cues are not magical, my friend.

Landplayer said:
I like Mezz and Schon cues for their quality and playability. Now, I am thinking to order a custom cue. The reason that I want to get a custom cue is simple: I want to have a BETTER playing cue. I don't mean that Schon and Mezz are not good; instead, they could be two of the best production cues today if you are the owner you probably would agree with that. But for a serious pool player, I want more on my equipment – it’s time to having a custom playing cue. I won't (and can't) spend much money on my first custom cue. The playability and quality are the most important things that I concern, so the fancy inlays and complex design which don’t affect the hit are not my prior demand.

I would like to ask any Mezz and Schon cue owners here (since I have also used them) for giving me some solid advises:
Which custom cue(s) that you ever used/tried is better than Schon / Mezz AND it is still at a reasonable (affordable) price??

I very appreciate any of your help!
Click to expand...

This is one of my favorite fallacies. "Schon is a production cue, and custom cues hit better, so I need a better hitting cue than my Schon." As if "custom" cue makers have some magic pixie dust that they sprinkle on their cues to make them hit, or play better. What you already own is fantastic cue, and the only difference between a Schon and a so-called "custom" is that Schons are so good, so well made, such good hitting cues, and so consistent from one cue to the next that Evan and John have their hands full making cues all day long, and they make 2x or 5x or 10x or 20x as many cues as most "custom" cue makers because of the demand for their product. That is what they do for a living. They make cues in downtown Milwaukee, in their cue making shop. Not in their garage, or some huge factory- a dedicated cue making shop with multiple lathes so they can efficiently go from one step to the next and produce a superior product. They've been doing it for decades, they have the right formula, they know what they're doing, they're just the best.
 
The phrase concerning "the indian & the arrow" isn't some Walt Disney phrase. It is right on the ding.

With that said, you might find a CUSTOM CUE that hits better for you, than a specific PRODUCTION CUE, but you won't know that until the CUSTOM Cue is in your hands to play with. You might even have to change tips a time or two before the marriage happens.

This is important info for you to digest... trading Cues is expensive.
 
I agree with the previous posters. I collect buy and sell high end cues, I have played with a lot of different high end customs, many different schons, just a lot of different cues. I am a semi-pro level player. I think Schon cues play as good as any cue I have ever played with. I have also played with house cues and no name cues that played as good as any cue I have ever played with. (hint, many customs were made from old house cues) I have also played with some high end customs that didn't seem to be anything special. Just cuz u pay a bunch of money for a brand name custom doesn't mean u will even like it. In my opinion Schon makes one of the most consistent best hitting cues on the market. I have owned about 6 in the past 3 months and they all play like God. Schons are true quality. To find something that hits better, that's just a matter of opinion. If you don't have a lot of money to spend, get a low end Schon. You can find one used but like new for around $400. I just sold one for $365
 
I love my MEZZ ec7 with a WD700 shaft, I traded a custom Padgett for it
I have a custom Judd that I like but I think I am going to sell it after getting the MEZZ.

It looks and hits like a custom cue, if it didn't say Mezz on it you would never know.
 
Landplayer said:
I like Mezz and Schon cues for their quality and playability. Now, I am thinking to order a custom cue. The reason that I want to get a custom cue is simple: I want to have a BETTER playing cue. I don't mean that Schon and Mezz are not good; instead, they could be two of the best production cues today if you are the owner you probably would agree with that. But for a serious pool player, I want more on my equipment – it’s time to having a custom playing cue. I won't (and can't) spend much money on my first custom cue. The playability and quality are the most important things that I concern, so the fancy inlays and complex design which don’t affect the hit are not my prior demand.

I would like to ask any Mezz and Schon cue owners here (since I have also used them) for giving me some solid advises:
Which custom cue(s) that you ever used/tried is better than Schon / Mezz AND it is still at a reasonable (affordable) price??

I very appreciate any of your help!
Click to expand...

Bryan Mordt of BCM cues can hook you up. andy gilbert also makes a great cue at a reasonable price! an up and comer that most people out side of the 209 don't know about is Jim Pierce
 
I have owned many a Schon cue and one Mezz cue, if you are gonna stick with the production cue i say Schon.

If you are gonna dabble into the custom cue market i say go with a Bill McDaniel Cue with a SS 5/16 - 14 pin...it is an incredible custom, IMHO closest match to a Schon as far as hit and delivery !

Good Luck, and i hope this helps !

-Steve
 
The Mezz Cues Line have become quite popular. They have a great hit and look good to boot. Schon has been around a long time and we sell a lot of both. Search engine reports however show a signicant increase of trffic related to the Mezz. Ironically, on a different twist, do you know McDermott is the most search production cue, followed by Meucci. Then again, there are many more recreational / league type players than fine cue owners.
 
@peace said:
I own a couple of Mezz cues and have customs that have the reputation as being great "hitting" cues(Lambros, Scruggs, Josey, Carmeli) and if the ONLY reason your thinking of going custom is playability then save your money!

Mezz has a lot going for a player, Easy to get shafts, Lots of shaft options, easy to change weight and they have a great extension/bumper combo.

My reasons for a custom are to get a one of a kind cue and/or to get something that Mezz does not offer, For example I like sharp points and veneers and thats rare on a Mezz cue. I also like a softer hit then the Mezz but that does not effect the playability.

I think high level of play can be achieved with any quality cue. Concentration and practice may be the biggest factors.

Good luck!
Peace
Click to expand...

tap, tap, tap, well said!... the Mezz shaft options are really good, I don't think allot of customs will offer the same... I agree with "Peace" save your $$$.
Get a Mezz...
 
My advice would be to play with the cue before you buy it. I own a Schon and have had several shafts for it. It plays better with a certain shaft on it than others.

I would not buy a custom on name alone without trying it out first. If you do get one get a recognizable name so you can sell it without losing money if you don't like the way it plays.
 
As mentioned in several responses, buying a custom cue won't make you play any better. It would be far more productive to invest in some lessons with a good instructor. I have a Schon and a Dale Perry. I like to play with both. I use a McDermott I-3 with the Dale Perry giving me a cue with excellent balance and feel. Your Schon is probably one of the best cues out there. Buying a custom cue might make you feel a little better for a few sessions but won't improve your game any. But this is just my opinion and I could be wrong. Good luck with your quest.
 
Ive been playing with my schon for about 10 years and wouldnt trade it for anything. I've played with custom cues and i honestly dont see a difference. I respect custom cue makers for putting in the time they do and making a quality cue, but you're basically paying for a name and not a super cue. I use a schon with a predator shaft and i know there isnt a cue out there thats gonna make me play any better than i do now. Ive seen some beautiful custom cues, but in the end its all just wood.
 
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