Shouldnt they put in the time and effort that the established cuemakers have done?????
Isn't that exactly what they are doing?
The only difference is that in the old days there wasn't an audience for the process simply because there was no internet. They are still doing the same thing...just with an audience.
Who is to say that Rambow, Spain, Balabushka, or Martin wouldn't have been on AZB posting pics had such a thing been possible?
Personally, I am not just interested in seeing stuff from "established" cue makers. After all, if that is all we saw, how would we have any real perspective on the work? In addition, the entire process of the evolution of the cue maker is inherently interesting to a lot of people.
I read these forums for years before I signed up. I used them for research about cues. But most of what I know about cues I learned long before I found these forums. Regardless of that I am now provided a window into the construction of the cues I love so much, even when I cannot afford them. I have set foot in only one cue makers shop, that was Paul Mottey's shop, but these forums allow me a virtual visit almost daily into the shops of many others. We get to see not only the end product but the actual process. More than that we get to express an opinion smetimes about how a cue might be completed because a maker will ask what we think.
There are both positives and negatives to the evolution of this particular forum, the gallery, and I prefer to concentrate on the positives. As much as the dealers and collectors sometimes seem to have so much "authority", the fact is that it is the cue maker that is at the center of all of this. If the cue makers see fit to open their work to this forum then I say "thank you" for the opportunity to peek.
Your own contributions here are extremely valuable. We get to see things that otherwise would be far beyond the scope of our view. But that is exactly what is afforded us when the cue makers contribute here and I feel the value is no less.
It is my great hope that you would continue to post pictures and stories of your cues. It is also my great hope that not a single cue maker would ever feel pushed aside in favor of a dealer or collector in this forum or anywhere else for that matter. I support the cue makers first, no matter their level of skill or experience because the rest of us, no matter how many cues we own, or how expensive they might be, or how great our buying power might be, are merely the audience.
Cue makers in general are not getting rich engaging in their craft. If participating in the gallery helps them get their next order and I get to see another cue here then I say "bravo" and "thank you". Why should the fact that one made or is making a cue exclude one from a gallery? In fact, if one goes to an art gallery, is not the art for sale?
Lastly, you have a lot of cues you can show off. You know we all dig it and go ape-shit over the beautiful cues you have. This particular thread contains no cue pictures, yet is posted in the gallery. How about including a pic in this thread? Just one? You know that your collection is among the most popular things among those who love cues...we always want to see more....can't get enough of it....almost need it like air....
I for one, because I put myself deeply in debt educating myself and taking care of my family, will probably never be able to afford a single cue of the caliber of any cue you have. So please, show off, show more.....:smile:
