It's Not A Stradivarius It's A Stick
- Thread starter Johnnyt
- Start date
Paul:
I'd be careful with the bigoted stereotypes, because this one is just wrong. I'm a bass guitarist, and my main axe -- an Ibanez SDG-800 6-string bass guitar -- was purchased while Ibanez was still making them out of a small factory in Japan. I happened to catch it right, during that very short window when Ibanez was making the SDG-800 out of that Japanese factory. Almost immediately after, Ibanez moved the manufacturing to Korea, and all the instruments subsequently made there "lost something" in their sound.
I originally purchased my SDG-800 for about $1K. When I show this bass to other musicians "in the know" and they realize this bass is the rare original Japanese one, their eyes get as big as dinner plates -- that "oh my gosh!" look -- and the offers come flooding in. I've been offered upwards of $5,000 for this bass. No sale. This is a bass guitar that -- even for me with small hands, playing a 6-string with a huge fretboard -- disappears in my hands. It becomes part of me. And, very few basses have that sound.
Don't get me wrong, I take pride in my collection of U.S.-made Rickenbackers (I have a couple 4-string and a rare sunburst 5-string), and we musicians all know that inimitable "Rickenbacker" sound -- especially if played with a plectrum. And all my amps, speaker cabinets, sound effect processors, MIDI pedals, etc. are made in the U.S. I made sure of that, because I believe in products made here.
But concerning woodworking and musical instruments, there are countries that have just as talented luthiers and craftsman as we do. And one of the most respected in the woodworking and music arts are the Japanese.
Just wanted to correct and clarify on that broadbrush comment.
-Sean
P.S.: I would have to say the same for any Japanese-made cues, as well. I'm dying to try out a Mezz...
I think 9 Ball Paul's post wouldn't have been so WRONG if he had referenced China instead of Japan. China is known for making substandard products at an affordable price. (aka cheap junk)
Japanese made products are actually superior to most others...You don't see any other countries churning out Xboxes, Tvs, Playstations, etc.
I'll second that. You can add Honda and Toyota to that list of superior products as well.
I was playing in a local small tournament. Whoever wins the match takes first place. I’m down 4-2 in a race to 5.
My opponent says – ‘ Haha, you got a thousand dollar cue and I’m beating you with a house cue’.
I came back and won 5-4.
Afterwards, he wants to play for money and quickly looses 2 matches after which he calls me a hustler.
He spends 30 minutes talking about God and how I took advantage of him.
His final words were –‘ I can’t belive you would hustle me like that, I DIDN’T EVEN HAVE MY CUE WITH ME’. True story.
My opponent says – ‘ Haha, you got a thousand dollar cue and I’m beating you with a house cue’.
I came back and won 5-4.
Afterwards, he wants to play for money and quickly looses 2 matches after which he calls me a hustler.
He spends 30 minutes talking about God and how I took advantage of him.
His final words were –‘ I can’t belive you would hustle me like that, I DIDN’T EVEN HAVE MY CUE WITH ME’. True story.
I could afford 'em, I wanted 'em, so I bought a Justis case and a Josey cue.
Yep, I'm a terrible pool player, I confess that.
But not everybody who buys a Porsche can drive like Hurley Haywood. (winner of the Daytona 24 hour race a bunch of times)
And not everybody who buys a big bucks Cuetec can play like Shane Van Boening.
Yep, I'm a terrible pool player, I confess that.
But not everybody who buys a Porsche can drive like Hurley Haywood. (winner of the Daytona 24 hour race a bunch of times)
And not everybody who buys a big bucks Cuetec can play like Shane Van Boening.
Just for clarities sake in the argument....
Virtually all TV's are made in China these days. I just checked the one Sony I have onhand currently and interestingly enough, that one came from Mexico. But everything else is from China.
X-Boxes, too.
I looked all over the Playstation 3 box and can't for the life of me find out where it was manufactured. The box evidently was made in China, as there is a paper company referenced on the box. Couldn't find anything else.
Oh yeah... iPods? China.
Almost all electronics today come from China. For better or for worse.
I have......
I have a 59 Gibson GB-1, I've never heard an acoustic with so full a sound.
Jaden
I have a 59 Gibson GB-1, I've never heard an acoustic with so full a sound.
Jaden
Just to confound the matter further, China is a country that suppresses the freedom of it's people and a country in which governmental corruption runs more rampant, dare I say it, than our own...
ahhh eff it,..
I'll throw my 2 pennies into the hat too. I've read all posts and it's gone kinda off topic. Going from the price of a cue to made in China is cheap is all aspects. Japan makes some great cues, yes. The likes of Keith Andy, Musahi, Mezz... etc. But China cranks out your Predators, Poisons and a whole bunch more. So for entry to semi-expenxive production cues; what's in your case?
Now back on topic. Yes, it's just a stick. I like house cues. I think the straight grain maple SPLICED into the handle works great. IMHO it's probably the best construction for a cue. Since going to a 2 pc cue for the purpose of transport, cuemakers strive to recreate that hit. But as time has passed and trials and errors have been more or less been sorted out and modern 'standards' for cue construction have arrived, it all comes down to customization. From weight, balance point, tapers, wood choices and of course appearance. The specs are what makes the cue disappear in the hands as some made reference to in earlier posts. But players new and/or unaware enough will not notice the little things that contribute to the final product.
I play with only wrapless cues. That is my spec preference. I've used all kinds of brands with different joint styles and materials. I've found what really works for me. IMO that's probably the most important part of the whole cue. That to me is the ONLY part of the 2 pcs that communicate with each other. Lying to each other that they are not separate pieces but rather still a whole. Then the rest is up to the individual. Front heavy? Thick shaft taper? Skinny butt? Diamonds, gold, silver, ivory? Whatever floats your boat.
For myself, I have several cues from the same maker. Ranges from his cheapest to a storage case queen. All have the exact same specs. But he also innovates and I am currently using one of his LD shafts. It came with a layered tip from his stash. Plays wicked awesome but in a little over 6 months I've worn the tip down enough to have to replace it. I chalk after every shot. Never reshaped the tip once. Never had to de-shrrom it. And that is how much I play. I've installed a Moori M even though I have some Kamui and others in my repair kit. Thought I'd see what it'll be like and couldn't be happier. Or maybe I'll try a Kamui on there next and see what that's like. It's all about experimenting. Just like shots, pace and juice. Experiment until you find something you like. Just like finding the right stick for you. And when you do, you tweak it for you. Just like shots. You have your own style. And so should cues.
So if a house cue is your style and it works for you, great. Or if it's a $5000 cue then great. As long as it works for you. I bring out what I'll be using based on where I'll be playing but the shaft remains the same cause all specs are the same. In my case anyway. And yes I can still whomp with a house cue but I love my cues.
xJ
I'll throw my 2 pennies into the hat too. I've read all posts and it's gone kinda off topic. Going from the price of a cue to made in China is cheap is all aspects. Japan makes some great cues, yes. The likes of Keith Andy, Musahi, Mezz... etc. But China cranks out your Predators, Poisons and a whole bunch more. So for entry to semi-expenxive production cues; what's in your case?
Now back on topic. Yes, it's just a stick. I like house cues. I think the straight grain maple SPLICED into the handle works great. IMHO it's probably the best construction for a cue. Since going to a 2 pc cue for the purpose of transport, cuemakers strive to recreate that hit. But as time has passed and trials and errors have been more or less been sorted out and modern 'standards' for cue construction have arrived, it all comes down to customization. From weight, balance point, tapers, wood choices and of course appearance. The specs are what makes the cue disappear in the hands as some made reference to in earlier posts. But players new and/or unaware enough will not notice the little things that contribute to the final product.
I play with only wrapless cues. That is my spec preference. I've used all kinds of brands with different joint styles and materials. I've found what really works for me. IMO that's probably the most important part of the whole cue. That to me is the ONLY part of the 2 pcs that communicate with each other. Lying to each other that they are not separate pieces but rather still a whole. Then the rest is up to the individual. Front heavy? Thick shaft taper? Skinny butt? Diamonds, gold, silver, ivory? Whatever floats your boat.
For myself, I have several cues from the same maker. Ranges from his cheapest to a storage case queen. All have the exact same specs. But he also innovates and I am currently using one of his LD shafts. It came with a layered tip from his stash. Plays wicked awesome but in a little over 6 months I've worn the tip down enough to have to replace it. I chalk after every shot. Never reshaped the tip once. Never had to de-shrrom it. And that is how much I play. I've installed a Moori M even though I have some Kamui and others in my repair kit. Thought I'd see what it'll be like and couldn't be happier. Or maybe I'll try a Kamui on there next and see what that's like. It's all about experimenting. Just like shots, pace and juice. Experiment until you find something you like. Just like finding the right stick for you. And when you do, you tweak it for you. Just like shots. You have your own style. And so should cues.
So if a house cue is your style and it works for you, great. Or if it's a $5000 cue then great. As long as it works for you. I bring out what I'll be using based on where I'll be playing but the shaft remains the same cause all specs are the same. In my case anyway. And yes I can still whomp with a house cue but I love my cues.
xJ
Wow, that was really well put Eric.. I was thinking along the same lines but you put it so much better than I would have..
Peace, JoeyK
Peace, JoeyK
Straddlevariously
Correctomundo! A chump with a $3000 cue is still a chump!
First but I agree with you to some extent.
Correctomundo! A chump with a $3000 cue is still a chump!
Size 12, by any chance? And where were you on the night of June 12, 1994?
Back on topic, I think most everyone who has an expensive cue knows that it's not going to make much, if any, difference in his game. But it's nice to have beautiful well-made things. They just keep on giving, especially if you use them frequently. My cue was not terribly expensive but it has sentimental value (dead cuemaker I was quite fond of) and I just love to play with it, every single time. And it will never be technologically obsolete.
Nice stuff
I took a fellow to my brothers house on 280 acres. Huge beautiful home. He calls it a monument to himself, meaning my bro. My bro is not like that, just very successful and really built it for his wife. Pissed me off and he doesn't get to fish or hunt there like my other friends. Why couldn't he just say WOW what pretty place like most people do. Some people can't stand others good fortune. He was a welder and we needed a good welder but he shot his foot off.
I took a fellow to my brothers house on 280 acres. Huge beautiful home. He calls it a monument to himself, meaning my bro. My bro is not like that, just very successful and really built it for his wife. Pissed me off and he doesn't get to fish or hunt there like my other friends. Why couldn't he just say WOW what pretty place like most people do. Some people can't stand others good fortune. He was a welder and we needed a good welder but he shot his foot off.
Absolutely one hundred percent not quit-ee.