Who is really the best?

Monstermash

Monstermash

Lock Ness Monster
Silver Member
Ok gang, this should be an interesting topic and I can't wait to hear the responses.

The question is this: Who do you think is the best current cuemaker in the market today? I'll leave it open to makers who have recently stopped making cues because unfortunatley we have lost a few very good makers in the past few years and I think they should be included in the conversation.

Here is the criteria to base your opinions on:

Design-How does it look? Does the overall look of the cue produce a nice balanced look?

Execution-How is the fit and finish and how well does the maker infuse the design into the final product?

Playability-Does the maker consistantly produce cues that play lights out?

Value-How much cue do you get for the money when considering the above criteria? This one is going to be tricky I think because there are a lot of cues in the market today that have received so much hype that they are selling for 2-10 times what they are really worth. I'm not going to mention anyone in particular but there are some PJ's and sneaky pete's that have been selling for $1000+ and this is not value. I don't care who you are (unless they are a deceased legend) a sneaky pete or plain jane with no points or inlays is not worth $1500. Period.

So feel free to post up with your opinion of who the best is. Please try to remember that everyone has their own opinion so lets try and keep this civil and have some fun with this!
 
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I would have to vote for Bebot Bautista as being the most talented cue maker period. Instead of a 'CNC', he's got 'HCC'. (Hand Controlled Chisel) He is most definitely a Master of his craft.
 
I really do not know. But I'm going to sit back and watch this thread.
It should be very interesting.
 
Steve Klein

Just got one from him and its the best bar none I have ever hit (and I have most of the "greats". As far as value goes he is tough to beat.
 
Monstermash said:
I don't care who you are (unless they are a deceased legend) a sneaky pete or plain jane with no points or inlays is not worth $1500. Period.
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Well, I guess that lets out Tony Scianella, Dennis Searing, Barrie Szamboti, Tad Kohara, Bill Schick, and many, many others.
:p
 
rayjay said:
Well, I guess that lets out Tony Scianella, Dennis Searing, Barrie Szamboti, Tad Kohara, Bill Schick, and many, many others.
:p
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Thats why I added value as part of the criteria.

With a few of those you named, there is no real value for what you get with them. They are unquestionably excellent makers but the value for the money is just not there. In fact, I think Black Boar is the worst offender in any industry. I'm not really speaking of BB's higher end cues because there is definately an "art" factor that has to be applied. I'm referring to the plain janes with some ringwork and a spider he was getting $6K for. Unfortunatley there are some who blindly accept the crap Tony feeds them.
 
Monstermash said:
Thats why I added value as part of the criteria.

With a few of those you named, there is no real value for what you get with them. They are unquestionably excellent makers but the value for the money is just not there. In fact, I think Black Boar is the worst offender in any industry. I'm not really speaking of BB's higher end cues because there is definately an "art" factor that has to be applied. I'm referring to the plain janes with some ringwork and a spider he was getting $6K for. Unfortunatley there are some who blindly accept the crap Tony feeds them.
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I see a fire storm coming.Head for the bunkers it's going to get hot here. :outtahere:
 
Mike Lambros makes both a sneaky and plain jane for under $1500 and his cues are by far the best hit!!!!for me and many others!!! The look is to die for and with points, well you dont get any longer sooo....... most times you see a Lambros for sale(witch isnt often) its for more then they payed for it.... funny how that works!!!
 
You have no grasp of supply and demand. You obviously also have no grasp of what "true precision cuemakers" are capable of.

<-- just sayin'
 
Monstermash said:
Thats why I added value as part of the criteria.
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Perhaps you will share with the rest of the class what you mean by value. It seems to me that if I spend $1.5 - $2K on an entry level player from one of the short list of top tier makers I would be getting the best value for my money. In addition to having one of the finest playing instruments, it will likely always be worth what I paid for it, and very possibly could appreciate. Since a loss, if any, would probably be minimal, essentially I'm using the cue for as long as I like for free. To me that is value.

Oh yeah, I'd buy a Gina.:grin-square:
 
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DogsPlayingPool said:
Perhaps you will share with the rest of the class what you mean by value. It seems to me that if I spend $1.5 - $2K on an entry level player from one of the short list of top tier makers I would be getting the best value for my money. In addition to having one of the finest playing instruments, it will likely always be worth what I paid for it, and very possibly could appreciate. Since a loss, if any, would probably be minimal, essentially I'm using the cue for as long as I like for free. To me that is value.

Oh yeah, I'd buy a Gina.:grin-square:
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By value I mean exactly what it means. What you get for the moeny. And I'm not referring to resale value. I'm referring to what you initially get for the money you spend when you order a custom cue. And who's to say you're not going to lose money when you go to sell it? Yes, there are a few makers who you know are going to sell for what you paid for them or maybe a little more. Southwest comes to mind here becasue they have been doing it for so long it's become commonplace.

Anyone that thinks spending $1.5-$2K on a plain jane is wrong in my opinion if you think the value is in the way it going to play. I'm a big PFD supporter so I'll use Paul's cues as an example. You can get a very nice PFD with points & a few inlays that will play as good as anything out there for that kind of money. So how does spending $1500 for a plain jane make sense? Are you going to try and tell me that that $1500 PJ is going to play better than the PFD?
When it comes to spending crazy cash on a sneaky or PJ it's all about the hype and buying the name. Are they good quality? Probably, but they are not any better or at least not enough to justify the extra money you have to spend. I'll also use Tim Scruggs' sneaky pete's as an example. Everyone seems to agree that they play very good. And thats fine but you are paying for the name considering Tim didn't really make them? Of course but with the price they typically sell for they are a good value.
 
Lambros

Great finish and looks, still does MW´s, sneakys even if he "could" stop doing it. Great high ends.
The playability Is amazing - Lambros "hit"!


Chrippa
 
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