Hi guys and gals , I'm thinking of getting a schuler cue and wanted some opinions on the feel(soft hard ) hit. where you rate it in a deflection against other cues ? And with the unique joint can it take a predator or OB shaft. thanks
schuler cue questions
- Thread starter oldschool2791
- Start date
I recommend you find one to play with before you buy.
They are often at shows and events and you could hit some balls with one.
JMO.
I have never been a fan of them, but never hit a ball with one. I have looked them over, but they just weren't my cup of tea.
The joint always looked hokey to me. But again, coming from a guy that never hit a ball with one, that isn't a fair response.
I would think you could have someone make a shaft to match the joint. It may not be produced by them, but some cuemaker would make it from a blank.
Best of rolls,
Ken
I have owned a schuler for several years and love it. Because of the joint I doubt o.b. makes a shaft to fit however schuler/jacoby makes several different shafts including low deflection. As far as the hit, it's a good solid hit, I think softness and hardness of hit is more of a tip issue. As far as deflection, it is about the same as any standard shaft cue.
I'd advise against here. Here is why;
Older Schulers (pre 2002) Most were not even built by Ray but one of his many cue makers, and though he had a few good ones, he had a couple very bad ones. Plus, Ray was not a stickler in "humidity controlled" workshop, nor aging wood properly, or even keeping the place clean. If you can find one made by Ray or even by Mr. Lee, I'd say jump on it, but there is no way to document who made what, and when. Sorry Schuler fans, just a few facts, I know some folks won't like to hear this.
And yeah, I got stuck with a couple of clunkers, and they will warp, just a matter of time.
After his death in 2002, with the SLC cues, the shop was now fully run by the new owners who had a stake in the place before his death, and two folks who had no reason to be in the cue making operation, not only based on lack of design, but lack of knowledge in general of woodworking, no business saavy and worse yet, quality control. Just terrible to be blunt.
Then, as "they" slowly and methodically ran down the remaining vestiges of Ray's credibilty , they had to close their "new" custom 3,000 sf shop, (they dreamed big, I'll give them that) and hand off the cue making operations over to Jacoby Cues to produce their SLC line of cues.
So, in essence, schuler cues only exist in name only, they do NOT make cues. Of course, since Jacoby makes a fine prodcuct, at least you know you are getting a quality product. But probably be better off just buying a Jacoby imho that has a "normal" joint that is easy to get a new shaft and/or LD shaft to fit. Plus, that Schuler joint really locks up like a bastard when the temparature changes
Older Schulers (pre 2002) Most were not even built by Ray but one of his many cue makers, and though he had a few good ones, he had a couple very bad ones. Plus, Ray was not a stickler in "humidity controlled" workshop, nor aging wood properly, or even keeping the place clean. If you can find one made by Ray or even by Mr. Lee, I'd say jump on it, but there is no way to document who made what, and when. Sorry Schuler fans, just a few facts, I know some folks won't like to hear this.
And yeah, I got stuck with a couple of clunkers, and they will warp, just a matter of time.
After his death in 2002, with the SLC cues, the shop was now fully run by the new owners who had a stake in the place before his death, and two folks who had no reason to be in the cue making operation, not only based on lack of design, but lack of knowledge in general of woodworking, no business saavy and worse yet, quality control. Just terrible to be blunt.
Then, as "they" slowly and methodically ran down the remaining vestiges of Ray's credibilty , they had to close their "new" custom 3,000 sf shop, (they dreamed big, I'll give them that) and hand off the cue making operations over to Jacoby Cues to produce their SLC line of cues.
So, in essence, schuler cues only exist in name only, they do NOT make cues. Of course, since Jacoby makes a fine prodcuct, at least you know you are getting a quality product. But probably be better off just buying a Jacoby imho that has a "normal" joint that is easy to get a new shaft and/or LD shaft to fit. Plus, that Schuler joint really locks up like a bastard when the temparature changes
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I've had horrible experiences with the SLC line. The finish on all of them were just awful.I'd advise against here. Here is why;
Older Schulers (pre 2002) Most were not even built by Ray but one of his many cue makers, and though he had a few good ones, he had a couple very bad ones. Plus, Ray was not a stickler in "humidity controlled" workshop, nor aging wood properly, or even keeping the place clean. If you can find one made by Ray or even by Mr. Lee, I'd say jump on it, but there is no way to document who made what, and when. Sorry Schuler fans, just a few facts, I know some folks won't like to hear this.
And yeah, I got stuck with a couple of clunkers, and they will warp, just a matter of time.
After his death in 2002, with the SLC cues, the shop was now fully run by the new owners who had a stake in the place before his death, and two folks who had no reason to be in the cue making operation, not only based on lack of design, but lack of knowledge in general of woodworking, no business saavy and worse yet, quality control. Just terrible to be blunt.
Then, as "they" slowly and methodically ran down the remaining vestiges of Ray's credibilty , they had to close their "new" custom 3,000 sf shop, (they dreamed big, I'll give them that) and hand off the cue making operations over to Jacoby Cues to produce their SLC line of cues.
So, in essence, schuler cues only exist in name only, they do NOT make cues. Of course, since Jacoby makes a fine prodcuct, at least you know you are getting a quality product. But probably be better off just buying a Jacoby imho that has a "normal" joint that is easy to get a new shaft and/or LD shaft to fit. Plus, that Schuler joint really locks up like a bastard when the temparature changes
Thanks for the opinions. I appreciate it 
Yeah, it was really bad right before they turned it over to Jacoby. At that point, I think they just gave up ???
I have four original Schulers.My first Schuler, I played with for nearly 20 years before I finally bought a prettier Schuler. All of mine are straight. I've played in all humidity conditions, from Massachusetts to Chicago to Tennessee and never had a cue lock up. Predator does make a Schuler compatible shaft. They hit a bit on the firm side.
Ray Schuler cues are fairly popular in Denver , mainly because Shakespeare's had several nice 3C tables and Jerry was a Schuler dealer.
I've had several originals and never had an issue.
The two originals I have for sale have been sitting in a case for 15-years, they still play good, both straight and rock solid
I know nothing about the SLC version, Jacoby seems to have it together, the ordering process is laid out nicely on their website (according to a friend who is ordering one)
but he said they are kind of expensive.
I've had several originals and never had an issue.
The two originals I have for sale have been sitting in a case for 15-years, they still play good, both straight and rock solid
I know nothing about the SLC version, Jacoby seems to have it together, the ordering process is laid out nicely on their website (according to a friend who is ordering one)
but he said they are kind of expensive.
I've have 2 now and my son has 1. I like them just fine. I got my first when Ray was in Wheeling. Then a couple more including my 1 of 1 shown on my signature when they were in Palatine. Never had any problems with the joint. That was one of the selling points. As far as shafts, he had numerous tapers to fit your preference and they all were interchangeable. I don't know if Jacoby makes all the different tapers, you could check with them on that.
I also, when they closed down the Crystal Lake shop, bought a few when they had their going out of business auction. Sold a couple, gave a couple away. A friend of mine got 6 from the auction.
Best thing you can do is find somebody with one and hit some balls and determine if you like the cue and shaft or the butt feels good but you'd like a different tapered shaft. Another thing it's pretty easy to change the weight on most of them.
That's my thought's on it.
Noel Mendoza who worked there makes his own cues and he uses the Schuler joint. To the best of my knowledge he has the authorization to use the joint from Ray's wife. He can confirm whether that is accurate or not. I think he's in River Forrest, Illinois.
I also, when they closed down the Crystal Lake shop, bought a few when they had their going out of business auction. Sold a couple, gave a couple away. A friend of mine got 6 from the auction.
Best thing you can do is find somebody with one and hit some balls and determine if you like the cue and shaft or the butt feels good but you'd like a different tapered shaft. Another thing it's pretty easy to change the weight on most of them.
That's my thought's on it.
Noel Mendoza who worked there makes his own cues and he uses the Schuler joint. To the best of my knowledge he has the authorization to use the joint from Ray's wife. He can confirm whether that is accurate or not. I think he's in River Forrest, Illinois.
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