Cue collectors - What's your reason for collecting cues?

[Push&Pool]

This question is directed to all of you who have a collection of cues, are currently collecting, used to have a collection or are planning to start one.

What's your personal reason for having more than one cue? I understand many players prefer having a playing cue, a breaker and a jump cue. Some of you may have kept your old cue "in reserve" after buying a new, better one.

But those of you who have 10 or more cues, is it simply for esthetic purposes (you like high quality, beautifully made cues), or do you actually use more of them while playing? I mean, it should be easier for a player to stick to one cue instead of constantly switching between sticks with different characteristics, so I'm especially interested if your reason is the latter.

Please don't just vote, if you have time give us an explanation as well.

 

[Mr. Bond]

Is there only one kind of beauty?
One kind of craftsmanship?
One kind of excellence?

"Allah loves wonderous variety"
- Morgan Freeman

 

[Badbeat13]

I've loved the game for over 30 years and have
loved different cues for nearly as long. Pool cues
are works of art in some cases, but in others it
can be a simpler design and still be as attractive
to the eye. Who made the cue has a lot to do with
it, too. It's always a thrill to get a new or different
cue and then hitting balls with it to see if it lives up
to the expectations or the hype. Some do and some
don't. I've had cues from lesser makers that play
better than some high end cues from top makers.

It is fun to collect cues though. They can be quite
pleasing to the eye. I play golf, too, but I don't collect
golf clubs. You just don't see attractive golf clubs, like
you do pool cues. I don't want ivory inlays in my driver,
irons, or putter...lol. Makers of pool cues can do much
more with them than makers of things to do with other
hobbies. There are some exceptions, I'm sure, but I
don't know if they'd have the same collectability factor.

Just my 2 cents. Thanks for the thread and poll OP.

 

[MahnaMahna]

I have a variety of different cues, each with their own weight, balance, and stiffness. This helps me be highly efficient with the RAM shot.

 

[pwd72s]

Just more hassle to sell the old ones than they are worth, I guess...with one exception. Palmer model M from the 2nd catalog. Hell, I can't sell it because it has my name in foil on it.

 

[TheBook]

Many buy start because they get hooked into that magic feather. They get into thinking that the cue will make them better players because they read that it can draw the CB the length of the table, hits like a ton, won't miss a ball with it, ran many racks with it, makes the CB go where I want it to go, and etc.

 

[pwd72s]

Many buy start because they get hooked into that magic feather. They get into thinking that the cue will make them better players because they read that it can draw the CB the length of the table, hits like a ton, won't miss a ball with it, ran many racks with it, makes the CB go where I want it to go, and etc.

A lot of truth to that. This is why I'm glad I bought a Josey. My cue search is over. It's not a magic cue. I still miss, give myself bad rolls, all of it. But it's sweet stiff hit with great feedback forced me to realize there is no magic cue. You just have to put in the hours...

 

[fastone371]

I just like pool cues. The original reason for me to buy a cue is because there is something I like about it, just because I find another cue I like does not mean I do not like the older cue that I have. I use all of my cues, maybe only for a couple of practice racks but they all get used. I tend to have a soft spot for older cues. One example is an old D19 McDermott I bought a couple months ago. I had McDermott refinish the cue, it looked beautiful, but when I got it home and tried it it just hits so nice it has now become my regular player. That was not my intention when I bought it but thats what happened. Fortunately when I had the cue refinished I had them make a G-core shaft for it as that is the shaft I normally use and I did not need to acclimate myself to a new shaft.

 

[Shooter08]

I couldn't afford the cue I wanted when I was a kid, now I like to have cues that I would of wanted back than. Mostly sneaky petes and cues less than a g, still don't have the kinda cash for the high dollar collectible cues. Now I have 12 cues and sell mostly new production cues. Also addictive personality doesn't help, lol.

 

[Bavafongoul]

The Pure Nostalgia

I own more than one pool cue.......I do not want a collection of a dozen cues.....too many to play with......but I do want 1/2 dozen high end cues.

I started playing pool in 1961........and along the way, I learned a little about cue-making.......understanding how cues are made rather than actually making cues.

Pool cues are a personal decision......the style, the specifications and the actual construction. What makes one man happy may not even move the needle for another pool player. However, after you get a good understanding of the intricate workmanship and artistry of custom pool cues, the desire to own such cues really gets elevated.

And then when you marry that with cues that are no longer made because the cue-maker has either retired or has passed on, then the irreplaceability factor jumps into the fracas. And so the desire to own one of those cues becomes even stronger......rarity and scarcity......and when these cues just play better than the vast majority of pool cues and are literally works of art in wood, you can quickly be seduced in collecting more than one high end cue.

My goal is 6 top end cues..... I currently own 4 cues and the 5th arrives in March from Jerry R. and my Bushka cue really promises to be a dandy. So there's room for one more cue and the last one has got to be the crown jewel of my collection. I have my eyes on a Hercek that Bill Grassley has on Cornerstone Cues and there's one more Prewitt cue overseas I want very badly.....so it may come down to seven cues since I no longer play with my Runde Schon because of its cue joint. On 2nd thought, there's actually room for two more ivory joint cues for my collection.......and that's it........cue collecting can become a expensive addiction......take a close gander at the pool cue collections some Azers have....makes mine seem pale in comparison.

Matt B.

 

[Push&Pool]

Thank you all for your answers especially Mahna...

 

[Buzzard II]

So when does it go from having some player's to collecting? I'm just searching for that special cue that fits me. That's how it starts right?

The frustrating part is the couple of cues that I've found that I really like the feel of are plain sneaky's. Cost $200 to $300. But I have some custom and higher end production cues that look great but play (for me) boring. OK, that's it. I just tonight ordered one last cue and no more. Never again. Nope.

 

[Cornerman]

The reason I collect cues isn't up there. I like cues.

I like the story behind getting the cue. I like the cue maker. Someone had another one that I liked. The cue is unique (and not specifically aesthetically)...

And yes to my friend Will Prout, I am indeed a collector.

Freddie <~~~ thanks Will for setting me straight

 

[LuckyStroke]

Cues are cool. What's cooler than one cue? Multiple cues. Before I quit my job and went back to college full time, I had $500 set aside for cue money. I'd buy a cue, check it out and then sell it. Usually once a month. But if I didn't sell the cue (or case) I wouldn't have the money for something else. So I'm not a collector, or a flipper. I just like cues and cases.

Ben

 

[GoldCrown]

But those of you who have 10 or more cues,

Bought them for fun...just liked the look and quality. They're on the wall...sort of like art. Lets call it Cue Art. This is one of 4 racks

 

[Push&Pool]

Bought them for fun...just liked the look and quality. They're on the wall...sort of like art. Lets call it Cue Art. This is one of 4 racks

Wow, these cues truly are beautiful. I like all of them, although there's something special about the black one. It has the simplest design and yet, if I had to choose one of these, I'd probably go for that one.