New Production Cue

Webbs Billiards

Webbs Billiards

Billiards Dealer
Silver Member
Let's say you have the ear of major production cue makers. What would you want to see in a new cue as far as design-color-wood-stain-wrap?

This isn't about custom makers, or who makes the best cue, or why you should or shouldn't buy a production cue. This is about Production cue design, and imput from players about what they would like to see.
 
Webbs Billiards said:
Let's say you have the ear of major production cue makers. What would you want to see in a new cue as far as design-color-wood-stain-wrap?

This isn't about custom makers, or who makes the best cue, or why you should or shouldn't buy a production cue. This is about Production cue design, and imput from players about what they would like to see.
Click to expand...

If you're talking the eye candy part of design, I think many like a clean wood grain look and less the blingy shiny pearl stuff (say what Viking likes to use), at least that is the feeling I get on the AZ forums. Although I'm not in the market for a non-custom cue stick and may never be. I do often recommend cue brands to new players (especially to parents of junior players) and steer them towards large pin wood to wood joints with a simple wood design. If you ask this question of some random bar players you'd be likely to hear things like "I want a yellow light up shark holding a cueball and a girl in a bikini".
 
Webbs Billiards said:
Let's say you have the ear of major production cue makers. What would you want to see in a new cue as far as design-color-wood-stain-wrap?

This isn't about custom makers, or who makes the best cue, or why you should or shouldn't buy a production cue. This is about Production cue design, and imput from players about what they would like to see.
Click to expand...
First, the cue has to be built well or don't waste your time. I would go back to the basics. Cues designed in the style of Szamboti or Balabushka cues with 4 points, veneers and minimum of inlays. Get away from the meaningless ugly pile of inlays that you find in many of todays cues that have no basic design at all, just noise.

A basic journeyman cue built to play with and look good doing it. I would offer two joints, flat faced/radial and SS piloted 5/16x14. You can't be everything to everybody so pick your style and stick with it much like SW has done. They make their cue and nothing else. Add reasonable pricing and there will be a market.

I would stay away from really cheap end cues there are already a zillion of those on the market. You want sort of a Schon level market, they are by most measures a production cue and very sought after.
Thats my opinion anyway.
 
1. Playability - nice solid hit, well balanced.

2. Design - while I love traditional, new fresh designs. Something that hasn't been done before. Set them apart! No decals :)

3. Optional features - assortment of shafts (LD, no LD, etc..), screw in extensions, simple weight adjustment capability.
 
macguy said:
First, the cue has to be built well or don't waste your time. I would go back to the basics. Cues designed in the style of Szamboti or Balabushka cues with 4 points, veneers and minimum of inlays. Get away from the meaningless ugly pile of inlays that you find in many of todays cues that have no basic design at all, just noise.

A basic journeyman cue built to play with and look good doing it. I would offer two joints, flat faced/radial and SS piloted 5/16x14. You can't be everything to everybody so pick your style and stick with it much like SW has done. They make their cue and nothing else. Add reasonable pricing and there will be a market.

I would stay away from really cheap end cues there are already a zillion of those on the market. You want sort of a Schon level market, they are by most measures a production cue and very sought after.
Thats my opinion anyway.
Click to expand...

Mine as well...
 
Webbs Billiards said:
Let's say you have the ear of major production cue makers. What would you want to see in a new cue as far as design-color-wood-stain-wrap?

This isn't about custom makers, or who makes the best cue, or why you should or shouldn't buy a production cue. This is about Production cue design, and imput from players about what they would like to see.
Click to expand...

These are my personal specifications and what I would like to see in production cues:

1. Screw In Extension
extension2.jpg


2. Longer Length Wraps
MG_Cues_01.jpg


3. 60" Cue Length
4. Plain Jane/Merry Widow Designs (helps lower cost also)
5. Phenolic Joints (too many production cues out there with stainless joints)
6. LD or maple shaft options (Most companies have already evolved into the LD world)
 
hang-the-9 said:
If you're talking the eye candy part of design, I think many like a clean wood grain look and less the blingy shiny pearl stuff (say what Viking likes to use), at least that is the feeling I get on the AZ forums. Although I'm not in the market for a non-custom cue stick and may never be. I do often recommend cue brands to new players (especially to parents of junior players) and steer them towards large pin wood to wood joints with a simple wood design. If you ask this question of some random bar players you'd be likely to hear things like "I want a yellow light up shark holding a cueball and a girl in a bikini".
Click to expand...

Eye candy is a big part of it. I couldn't tell you who buys the super candy cues with too much flash and stickers. Most of my sales go more towards a wood finish with sharp points. My personal preference is a solid stained cue with simple yet well defined inlays and nothing busy.

I'm not looking to reinvent the wheel, it just seems cue designers are stuck in a rut and although I have plenty of my own designs, I don't have the capital to see them into reality.

I always what the opinions of my customers and friends, I always try to provide a personal touch to sales. I'm asking these questions to see where you'd like to see design trends go and to see if my design ideas are similar to yours.

I'm already seeing great suggestions and I thank you for your time.
 
DAVE_M said:
These are my personal specifications and what I would like to see in production cues:

1. Screw In Extension
2. Longer Length Wraps
3. 60" Cue Length
4. Plain Jane/Merry Widow Designs (helps lower cost also)
5. Phenolic Joints (too many production cues out there with stainless joints)
6. LD or maple shaft options (Most companies have already evolved into the LD world)
Click to expand...

I would buy this cue. I always find myself with my grip hand moving off the wrap on a cue, but I really like linen wrapped cues. Would love a 60" cue with a wrap that goes to the butt cap!
 
slide13 said:
I would buy this cue. I always find myself with my grip hand moving off the wrap on a cue, but I really like linen wrapped cues. Would love a 60" cue with a wrap that goes to the butt cap!
Click to expand...

Except for the screw in extension, I can do all of that with a Meucci merry widow. A 60" 30/30 long wrap with a black dot or red dot shaft. 60" 30/30's are no problem on most any Meucci, a little extra cost and a little extra wait.

I would imagine if you found an extension that would match the weight bolt threads of most cues, the butt cap could be designed differently.
 
No bastard pins. Stick with 3/8-10, 5/16-18 or 5/16-14 piloted. No damn Wavy joints, 'radial' thread, acme, flat-bottomed, modified. All garbage, all gimmicks.

No floating points.

No turquoise, malachite, pearly plastic.

No stains except for veneers.

Hoppe rings

Bumperless

Wrapless
 
OB is making some really nice classic production cues right now. The OB 131 and 132 models are particularly nice I think.
 
The unfortunate probability that a production cue company will actually make what the public wants is horrible. Rubber grip wraps and super duper C4 power piston carbon reinforced super spin quick release technology is what sells.

I've met so many people, since I've started in the APA, that don't even know what size pin their cue has. I've had multiple people ask why my break cue has a purple shaft (purple heart) and what the big flashlight is that I stick on the end of my cue to make it longer, not to mention why they think the short ferrule on my tiger shaft is "cute".
 
Wish list item #1:
Built in computer chip that will allow you to locate the cue remotely in case of theft.
And/or a unique-to-each-cue removable joint that you can stick in your pocket so that in case of theft, the two pieces cannot be joined, which will render the cue useless.

Wish list item #2.
Removable and/or USB linked Computer chip with accelorometer (sp?) And data recorder.
 
If you have ever seen Fury cues website there is a billion different lines of cues to choose from and it can make your head spin. Keep just a few different lines of cues keep it clean and don't complicate it.
 
Mr. Bond said:
Wish list item #1:
Built in computer chip that will allow you to locate the cue remotely in case of theft.
Click to expand...

I've thought of this before, just have to get one made that could be small enough but sturdy enough to fit inside the butt above the weight bolts and handle the impact. I seriously think this is completely possible if someone were technically able, would be profitable too I'd imagine.
 
Thepip said:
If you have ever seen Fury cues website there is a billion different lines of cues to choose from and it can make your head spin. Keep just a few different lines of cues keep it clean and don't complicate it.
Click to expand...

I sell Fury cues, my only wish is they weren't Chinese. If they had a US factory, their value would sharply increase.
 
fERrELZ said:
No bastard pins. Stick with 3/8-10, 5/16-18 or 5/16-14 piloted. No damn Wavy joints, 'radial' thread, acme, flat-bottomed, modified. All garbage, all gimmicks.

No floating points.

No turquoise, malachite, pearly plastic.

No stains except for veneers.

Hoppe rings

Bumperless

Wrapless
Click to expand...

I wholeheartedly agree with the standard pin sizes.
 
Go back to the classic look with veneers and sharp points. Not too loud but clean in look with the white butt end. Stick with a standard joint pins to keep it universal to any option you would want to do shaft wise. Give more options in veneer color usage like a made to order options while using production capabilities. Give them the option to customize the production of their cue like viking cues does with joint options and so forth. Give custom feel to a production cue using production cue methods.
 
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