My Day With Bob Meucci, One of the World's "Good Guys"

[poolguy4u]

I have Joss, Schon, Predator, OB, Tiger, Helmstetter, Mali, Viking, Dale Perry, and other production cues...and I've tried them all and always go back to my Meucci cues.

And I need to thank Bob Meucci also. While I was in Edison N.J., I let him know that I've been waiting over 2 years for my cue to come back from Meucci Repair and Darren always told me it would be out next week when I called. Well after 2 1/2 years, I finally got my cue back. No, they did not lose it and it is the same cue.

Thank you Bob for speeding things up.:thumbup:

On bar tables I've been playing with an Omega JB with a no-dot Meucci shaft. And I put a break shaft on my Meucci butt. But on big tables, I use a Meucci.:smile:

 

[Palmetto cue]

Cool story! Thanks for doing what you did for that kid!

 

[CJ Wiley]

the advancements made in the last few years

Don't forget Bob perfected the wico blanks (synthetic veneers) on a challenge from Burton Spain who could not get it done. If you have never seen a wico blank they are about perfect.

To the guy that asked if Bob really made a good playing cue, Yes he did but I can only state this about his Origonal's 1975-1988 Great playing cues.

CJ, I must add Bob is for sure a good man and a icon in the cue industry.

The cue I was given has some interesting features, and the ferrule material is something that Meucci's just come out with. Bob explained how he's designed the ferrule, and I nodded my head, but didn't really understand all the "cue lingo". I may be able to play with a cue and I can definitely tell if it deflects, and if the "hit" gets accurate results - besides that I know very little about the different joints, ferrules and material designs.

One thing I know for sure is this cue he gave me is one of the best ones I've ever played with. It still has to go up against the best players in the world to prove it's true value.

It's funny about the game of pool, sometimes just the slightest adjustments will make a world of difference. Certainly the difference between winning a losing can depend on a "hair" of variance.

I've never been in to the equipment side of pool very much, but after seeing the Meucci factory and talking to Bob about the advancements made in the last few years it's important to bring myself up to speed.

 

[Mitchxout]

Not to my knowledge. Meucci had explored it and samples were made, samples that were better than the originals, but they could not come together on price so the deal never came off.

Also the slave labor comment is way out of line. Why do you need to say that? No one who works for the cue factory is a slave in any sense of the word. Real slavery still exists in the world and casually using this to put down China when Chinese people are NOT slaves cheapens the term and makes it harder to combat REAL slavery.

American companies didn't move to China for better quality. We have the best people in the world right here. They moved for cheaper labor, in this country it would be called slave labor. None of those pesky gov't regulations either, like having clean air to breathe.

 

[CJ Wiley]

I appreciate the "best" from Germany

THX a lot CJ Wiley - good posts

best from Germany

love all my six Meucci cues , three originals and three newer ones )

That's a nice Collection. I appreciate the "best" from Germany, one of these days I'll need to make a trip there. When my game gets sharper I will start traveling abroad, there's several spots I want to visit asap.

Aloha

 

[JB Cases]

American companies didn't move to China for better quality. We have the best people in the world right here. They moved for cheaper labor, in this country it would be called slave labor. None of those pesky gov't regulations either, like having clean air to breathe.

No slave labor is when the person doing the work is restricted from leaving and not paid for their work.

Like for example when an illegal immigrant is brought to America to pick tomatoes and he is not paid and beaten if he tries to escape.

That is slave labor.

When the immigrant is paid far less than minimum wage for the backbreaking work they do then it is cheap labor.

Actual slavery still exists. And educated people do not confuse cheap labor with slavery. You would not dare come here and tell any Chinese person who works for me or who works for the cue factory down the road that they are slaves.

They would be offended first and correct you secondly.

Ah well nothing I can do really about the ignorance and willful maligning done by people here.

In ten minutes you could make friends with actual Chinese people and find out more about real life here but that would be too much work. Far easier to make racist comments that are not true.

 

[ribdoner]

Is it true that Meucci cues used to actually be good?

iirc, yes...

 

[ribdoner]

Bob not only knows a lot about cue making but he can also play. He knows for example a method of calculating masse shots that is pretty damn accurate.

He so very rarely gets the accolades he deserves for pioneering the era of the "art" cue. To this day no one has done much that tops the Taj Mahal in my opinion as far as cue art goes.

define "can play"

 

[CJ Wiley]

the whole staff was outside trying to run her down.... They couldn't catch her

Great. Let them come on here and tell their own tales of misery.

In the meantime, I can say that I have had hundreds of employees under my command over the years. I'm sure many of them have little good to say about me, but I can't think of a single one who was a good and honest worker that ever felt mistreated or abused by me in any way. Most of the shit talkers were shown the door because of bad attitude and piss poor performance records.

I'm not saying this is the case with your friends, but why not show some respect for an industry pioneer and let them come on here and speak for themselves?

Anyway, nice story, CJ.:smile:

Agreed, it's next to impossible to please some of the people all the time, especially if they work for you. Through my life I've hired thousands of people and naturally had to let some of them go...this is never a pleasant thing, and it's just the nature of business and human nature combined.

I admit I never went out of my way in the early 90s to get to know Bob. Of course he had about 15 Pros working for him and some of them would growl if you got to close.

Unfortunately, when someone becomes well known or successful there's always going to be a certain animosity, that's just human nature. I will say the Meucci Factory is very impressive and the staff were very good natured and courteous.

My dog escaped from the building when we went to lunch and the whole staff was outside trying to run her down. They couldn't catch her, so I had to run about 2 miles through fields, over fences through yards, around tractors and finally caught her about 3 farms away. She's a Shiba Inu and loves to run and try to find adventure.

 

[Mikjary]

Thanks for the tales, CJ. Didn't take long for this thread to go South.

The old Meuccis were great cues. For a couple hundred bucks you could play with a cue that would do anything you needed it to do. You could jump balls, break with it, or shoot a masse shot. I just wish I'd hung on to a few I used to have.

The only cues that come close to the same hit nowadays are the higher dollar McDermotts. Although some players turn their nose up to them because they're a production cue. :smile:

Best,
Mike

 

[fathomblue]

The stuffed animal got loose???

 

[Kim Bye]

No slave labor is when the person doing the work is restricted from leaving and not paid for their work.

Like for example when an illegal immigrant is brought to America to pick tomatoes and he is not paid and beaten if he tries to escape.

That is slave labor.

When the immigrant is paid far less than minimum wage for the backbreaking work they do then it is cheap labor.

Actual slavery still exists. And educated people do not confuse cheap labor with slavery. You would not dare come here and tell any Chinese person who works for me or who works for the cue factory down the road that they are slaves.

They would be offended first and correct you secondly.

Ah well nothing I can do really about the ignorance and willful maligning done by people here.

In ten minutes you could make friends with actual Chinese people and find out more about real life here but that would be too much work. Far easier to make racist comments that are not true.

Let's agree to call them sweatshops!
The conditions in many factories in China are pretty close to slavery. Foxcon wich produces ipads for Apple has installed nets at their buildings, because workers (yes, plural!) have jumped to their death in despair.
This reminds me of the old Nike story when the concept of sweatshops became a media subject.
A guy approached Nike with an order for 100.000 t-shirts with custom print, Nike was ofcourse more than happy to take his order, until they asked about the text, the guy wanted the word sweatshop on the t-shirts...

 

[ROB.M]

Cue

It's a rainy day in Dallas, and it couldn't be more perfect. We just got back from a weekend trip to see Bob Meucci just outside Memphis (in Mississippi) to design Mary Avina's new line of Meucci Custom Cues. I drove us there because Mary was so excited to design her own line and I hadn't seen Bob since the 90s when he was sponsoring many of my friends on Tour.

Bob understands things about the Game, and certainly pool cues that amazed me. We had an in depth conversation about the 'Touch of Inside' and he brought to my attention some information that will add an effective tool to my "pool box". Through some of my greatest gambling days I used a Meucci, and in my early 20s I actually wore one of the wraps out I played so many hours gambling all over the United States, and rarely booked a loser.

I told BOB what I thought was ideal about a pool cue's design, and he said "hold on for a moment".....he then went back to a pool cue locker and took out a cue and brought it to me. It was exactly what I had described (steel with a "wood to wood" joint), and I took it to the nearest table....immediately I knew this cue had "supernatural" sound and feel.

Mr. Meucci said "This is my personal cue, the one that I play with, and if you like it you can have it, I'll even make you two new spare shafts"......I froze for a moment, taken back, thinking to myself "I'm getting offered the personal playing cue of one of history's greatest cue makers....I wonder if he would pick out the "best" Meucci cue for himself?.....LoL

WOW, what a generous man, and truly one of the most brilliant men in the industry. Bob has given cues to some of the all time greats like Larry Hubert, Mike Sigel, St. Louie Louie, Buddy Hall, Earl Stickland, Mike Massey, Reid Pierce, Jimmy Rempe, David Howard....on and on. I feel honored to be in this quality of company and for him to give me his own, personal cue makes it even more special.

After driving 9 straight hours home this morning I couldn't wait to get to the table and try out the new shafts. BINGO, it wasn't a dream, this cue is incredible and it's stirred up a feelings I haven't experienced in a while, like I kid with a new toy....now I remember my first Meucci I received when I was 15 years old, it had the "royal flush" design and playing with it made me "feel like a Pro" - I practiced with that cue relentlessly. I suppose "the rest is history".

Life and the Game of pool has taken me a long way, from the small town of Green City, as a 15 year old waiting anxiously for a new pool cue, all the way to the factory that sent that cue....and the man that was responsible for making it giving me with his own personal cue. It really makes me grateful to have followed this path and I look forward to seeing where it leads. Whatever happens I'll always remember my "day with Bob Meucci".

Thank You, BOB, you are one of the world's "good guys" - I'll always remember and appreciate your unexpected generosity - though the years you've done so much for this game and the people that love it. We're very grateful indeed. 'The Game{and Bob}is the Teacher' AMEN

-
That's awesome! Can we see the cue...pictures would be great.
I have hit balls with a few of bobs cues with aftermarket shafts and tips. Good results.
The originals play pretty good and be had at a decent price..
I was offered a personal player cue from a custom cue maker as a return of a favor and denied the offer on a beauty and requested a lesser cue, kicking myself years later:sorry:

Thanks for sharing
Rob.M

 

[Diamond Jack]

I've been using Meucci Cues for a long time.

Nice Picture with a Special Oldie one?

The DH 3 is one of my alltime fav cue designs.

ty my friend with the following picture for sharing.

 

[mortuarymike-nv]

black dot meucci hater

It's a rainy day in Dallas, and it couldn't be more perfect. We just got back from a weekend trip to see Bob Meucci just outside Memphis (in Mississippi) to design Mary Avina's new line of Meucci Custom Cues. I drove us there because Mary was so excited to design her own line and I hadn't seen Bob since the 90s when he was sponsoring many of my friends on Tour.

Bob understands things about the Game, and certainly pool cues that amazed me. We had an in depth conversation about the 'Touch of Inside' and he brought to my attention some information that will add an effective tool to my "pool box". Through some of my greatest gambling days I used a Meucci, and in my early 20s I actually wore one of the wraps out I played so many hours gambling all over the United States, and rarely booked a loser.

I told BOB what I thought was ideal about a pool cue's design, and he said "hold on for a moment".....he then went back to a pool cue locker and took out a cue and brought it to me. It was exactly what I had described (steel with a "wood to wood" joint), and I took it to the nearest table....immediately I knew this cue had "supernatural" sound and feel.

Mr. Meucci said "This is my personal cue, the one that I play with, and if you like it you can have it, I'll even make you two new spare shafts"......I froze for a moment, taken back, thinking to myself "I'm getting offered the personal playing cue of one of history's greatest cue makers....I wonder if he would pick out the "best" Meucci cue for himself?.....LoL

WOW, what a generous man, and truly one of the most brilliant men in the industry. Bob has given cues to some of the all time greats like Larry Hubert, Mike Sigel, St. Louie Louie, Buddy Hall, Earl Stickland, Mike Massey, Reid Pierce, Jimmy Rempe, David Howard....on and on. I feel honored to be in this quality of company and for him to give me his own, personal cue makes it even more special.

After driving 9 straight hours home this morning I couldn't wait to get to the table and try out the new shafts. BINGO, it wasn't a dream, this cue is incredible and it's stirred up a feelings I haven't experienced in a while, like I kid with a new toy....now I remember my first Meucci I received when I was 15 years old, it had the "royal flush" design and playing with it made me "feel like a Pro" - I practiced with that cue relentlessly. I suppose "the rest is history".

Life and the Game of pool has taken me a long way, from the small town of Green City, as a 15 year old waiting anxiously for a new pool cue, all the way to the factory that sent that cue....and the man that was responsible for making it giving me with his own personal cue. It really makes me grateful to have followed this path and I look forward to seeing where it leads. Whatever happens I'll always remember my "day with Bob Meucci".

Thank You, BOB, you are one of the world's "good guys" - I'll always remember and appreciate your unexpected generosity - though the years you've done so much for this game and the people that love it. We're very grateful indeed. 'The Game{and Bob}is the Teacher' AMEN

Hi Cj
There is no reason that you cannot post that you enjoyed your day with Mr Meucci
and not be harassed.

Glade you enjoyed your day.
I haven't had very good luck with the last meucci cues that IIbought,
Maybe things will change. hope you can understand my concerns .
MMike

 

[poolguy4u]

More Firewood....

From 1975-1989, if you didn't have a Meucci, you were at a big disadvantage in 9 ball. Straight pool I prefer a Joss or Schon.

 

[JB Cases]

Let's agree to call them sweatshops!
The conditions in many factories in China are pretty close to slavery. Foxcon wich produces ipads for Apple has installed nets at their buildings, because workers (yes, plural!) have jumped to their death in despair.
This reminds me of the old Nike story when the concept of sweatshops became a media subject.
A guy approached Nike with an order for 100.000 t-shirts with custom print, Nike was ofcourse more than happy to take his order, until they asked about the text, the guy wanted the word sweatshop on the t-shirts...

Let's not agree to call them sweatshops. The conditions are not close to slavery in the vast majority of Chinese factories and businesses. Not close AT ALL.

#1 the people who work there can walk out at any time. Any moment they can quit and leave and no one will restrain them. No one will beat them, whip them, threaten them with bodily harm or otherwise restrict their freedom to leave.

#2 people go TO work at factories voluntarily. They apply for the jobs just like everywhere else in the world and agree to a salary and go to work.

#3 in China there is heavy competition for labor and as a result labor prices have steadily increased.

As for Foxconn, they have 1.4 MILLION workers. Let me write that out for you so you can get a grasp on how many people that is. 1,400,000.

You don't think that out of that many people that there will be some people who have mental issues, who are depressed, who have relationship issues, drug issues or otherwise something wrong inside them that causes them to take extreme measures?

"The suicide rate at Foxconn during the suicide spate remained lower than that of the general Chinese population[8] as well as all 50 states in the United States."

Yes, Foxconn installed nets, so what? Of course they have to respond to things like this but overall 17 people committed suicide out of 1.4 MILLION in a period of three years. In contrast the United States as of 2009 had 12 suicides per 100,000 people, or expressed another way, 168 suicides per 1.4 million people PER YEAR. Maybe you should be turning your condemnation towards the USA and ask what in the world is causing people to kill themselves at such a high rate, that is if you are REALLY concerned about people who commit suicide and why.

If you want to have a real discussion about this where you have a person who has lived in China for 7 years and been to countless factories from grimy smelly noxious ones to ones where you can eat off the floor then we can. But don't presume to tell me what it's like here based on sound bites from the news.

This country is vast. The human scale and the production scale is not even close to anything you can imagine. Not even close. You might think you know China and understand China but the reality is that even for people who live here China is hard to understand. So what chance do you have if you rely on tidbits you get from the news. Is America only what's reported in the news? Is America ONLY what's reported on CNN? Of course it's not. Would you expect the average Chinese person to understand America based on sensationalist and propagandist news stories?

Does the person looking for the worst in Chinese factories have any incentive to showcase a broad spectrum of factories and get an average? No of course they don't. They want to find the worst conditions and play that up just like Mike Daisey did in his stories. Turns out he embellished most of it.

The Nike story is fake. They don't private label t-shirts. I am not saying sweatshops in the worst sense don't exist, of course they do. But what is your solution to provide work for the 96% of the world's population that does not live in the USA?

Reform begins with people not having to scratch out a meager existence on a daily basis. People who can work and save and send their kids to school and eventually to college are the ones who break the cycle of poverty. They are the ones who acquire skills and can barter those skills for better pay and better conditions. If you have a better way to manage 1,400,000,000 people than what the Chinese government is currently doing then by all means fly over here and get cracking. This country is a good 50-100 years behind the USA in a lot of ways and has a culture with hundreds of thousands of local customs that has been handed down for 3000 years.

3000 years and you call these people slaves?

They might not like the government they have, they don't have the same amount of freedoms as Americans do but they are certainly not slaves to ANYONE.

And a sweatshop is not a plantation and it's not a prison. It might not be a nice place to work but I can find you plenty of grimy dirty nasty backbreaking jobs in the USA that make sweatshop work easy in comparison.

So how about just once, just once you guys ease off the damn stereotypes and go make some friends in China and ask them what life is like on the ground here. You might find out that your prejudicial conceptions are wrong.

 

[CJ Wiley]

creating new ideas on his lathe....after over 50 years making pool cues

-
That's awesome! Can we see the cue...pictures would be great.
I have hit balls with a few of bobs cues with aftermarket shafts and tips. Good results.
The originals play pretty good and be had at a decent price..
I was offered a personal player cue from a custom cue maker as a return of a favor and denied the offer on a beauty and requested a lesser cue, kicking myself years later:sorry:

Thanks for sharing
Rob.M

This cue really does hit the balls "supernatural," shots I was having trouble with I can "pin" very accurately. The G-10 joint pin is maybe what does it, I was told tonight that it's made by NASA for space ships or something like that.....who knows, I just like it, and here's a picture of me with the new cue you ask about. If this cue is an example of his newest work, it's definately a step up from any Meucci I've played with and I've had several through the years.

Mary Avina watching Bob Meucci work his magic, he still really likes creating new ideas on his lathe....after over 50 years making pool cues...that's awesome. :thumbup:

Mary Avina knows, breakfast at the Meucci Ranch is unusual, most of their food they either grow or raise, with many goats, chickens, pigs, lambs, wild birds of all kinds, raccoons, and several horses. They also have well water feeding into the entire residence, which tastes better than bottled water.

 

[trob]

Meucci's are probably the most overpriced, overated cues on the planet. Plus, aren't they currently made by slave labor in China? Every inlay, collar, butt cap, and ferrule are cheap plastic. Although I do like the way Meucci's play, my cue guy told me if I bought one he wouldn't work on it.

I agree..I'm sure when he personally makes a cue with his own hands it's an amazing piece of wood. unfortunately the crap they are putting out to consumers with there plastic inlays not so much.

 

[lorider]

define "can play"

we have a local television station here that has a show called Tennessee crossroads. the show is about people , places or businesses of interest in Tennessee. a few years ago they did a show about bob meucci.

they taped him playing some pool. I wont say he is another mike massey but some shots he made were simply amazing. one in particular stands out in my mind. picture this in your mind if you can. the cue ball is hanging in the top right corner pocket. the 9 ball is about 4" dead in front of it. the 8 ball is about 6" in front of the 9 ball. bob jacks up and jumps the 9 ball pocketing the 8 ball in the bottom left corner and the cue ball draws back and pockets the 9. this was with a full cue, not a jump cue. this was done with a cue hanging on the wall on a table that is set up in his display room in the front of his shop.

I have visited his shop a couple of times. one time bob was there and was friendly as heck with me. he gave me a tour of the shop in back" did not look like any slave labor was going on back there to me". he actually treated me like a long lost friend. we talked for about 2 hours about everything under the sun almost.

I will agree that for a while his cues were not exactly up to par with what they used to make but I honestly think he has been trying to turn it around lately.