Recmoment a custom cue maker

J

johnnysd

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Would be interested in hearing recommendations on custom cue makers to look into for cus to cue. Here is what I am looking for:

Most important: hit. What I am looking for in hit:

1. Forward balance. I like cue that feels light in my hand.
2. Crisp hit, but not especially hard. Want it to feel precise and not vague but more medium between super hard and soft.
3. Shaft stiffness, again more medium. Do not like overly stiff inflexible feel but not looking for su per whippet either
4. Overall sold hit with good feedback, want the cue yo feel alive and easy to transfer energy withoit feeling out of control. Want consistency of hit between center ball and English shots.
5. Low deflection not preferred, not a fan of the LD shafts I have tried.
6. Joint is flexible, I have experienced a balanced but crisp medium hit "feel" with stainless joint on a Balabuska, (had as loaner for 6 months), ivory joint on Paul Mottey (sold for double what I had paid, will regret forever, and flat faced wood to wood joint on Fuller Judd (recently stolen).
7.whatever matches rest of cue for hit I am looking for.
8. Wood wrap fir appearance, but also lIke linen a lot for comfortable feel. Not much experience with leather.

Weight Light-17 to 18.5 ounces.

Second most important: Price. $2500 max budget.

Close third: Appearance. What I like:

1. Elegant, simpler designs.
2. Rings really love great ring work at A, B, C, D and E but don't love segmented wood wraps
3. Not excessive inlays
4. No ivory
5. Love exotic woods especially cocobolo and highly figured woods such as burls, pyinma, waterfall bubinga, don't love ebony
6. Overall design appearance from fancy merry widow to elegant 4 or 6 point traditional.
7.not too dark.

Would be really interested in suggestions. Thanks
 
That's a pretty big budget and a nice specific list of what you like. You have a lot of really good options out there I think as a lot of cue makers are building cues of that style. Names that come to mind:

Bob Runde
Andy Gilbert
Chris Nitti
Blackcreek (Travis Niklich)
Jerry Rauenzahn
Cohen
Corey Barnhart

I'm sure there are more but those are the names that I personally like and would be looking at if I was looking for a new cue like that with that budget.

I settled on Runde for myself and I couldn't be happier with my cue and how it plays. His cues are on the affordable side but the quality is really high. I like a nice simple cue and mine was significantly less than what you're talking about spending, but if I were looking for something fancier I'd order another bigger Runde without hesitation. He also likes to use old micarta ferrules which are really nice and have a great feel that sounds right up your alley.
 
$2500, call Keith Josey or Joe Gold (Cognoscenti)... Price to performance, hard to beat either...
 
I would recommend a cue made by Mike Bender, because I own one myself. I'm new here so I don't have much credit on the forums. SO take it as you will. I've lived up there for a bit and my pops has for the last 20 years and knows him well. He does good work.

Having one myself it plays very well. Awesome feel and look. Certainly one of the best I have even owned. Knowing his history and the level of effort he puts into his work and backs it 100% providing the cue wasn't neglected or smacked over a table on a bad outcome.

I say it with confidence, he does great work...

http://www.bendercues.com/

Derek
 
While maybe not the answer you are looking for, but IMO, buying a new one from a lesser known cuemaker would be a mistake.

I recommend spending it on a super nice older cue from a HOF maker. The price of cues have really tumbled, and cues you can pick up for the $2-3K now were $5K cues a few years ago. (Examples would be Schick, JW, Tad,) While not a HOF maker yet, I have played with Pete Tascarella cues and they really are special.

If you insist on buying a new cue, I would recommend Rick Howard cues. I have never heard anything but how great they play and incredible low prices.

I really like Rick Howards veneer work as well.

Ken
 
Great feedback lots of good ideas. Was hoping there was a universal consensus :) Look forward to more replies
 
Cue

For the hit you described, my suggestion is a cognoscenti. Martin at superior cues will have some in stock now if you don't want to wait. They hit great...
 
Do Yourself a Favor........Bob Owen

Go with Bob Owen.......if you like rings, then you'll love his workmanship.
I asked for my custom to be around 18.5 and it came in at 18.4 and 18.55
and Bob made my cue without using any weight bolt. The balance is superb.

You will not be disappointed with Bob's service, cue-making or prices. He is
very accommodating, a master at his craft, completes his cues on schedule
and keeps you informed along the way providing progress photos & updates.

Bob will exceed your expectations based upon the two customs that he's made
for me & here's the one he recently completed this past Memorial Day..I tried my
best to find a flaw thinking "It can't be perfect.". Well, apparently I was mistaken.

I recognize my design is likely fancier than what you described and uses ivory but
his execution is meticulous and the wood selection is very laudable as well.....Bob
really does knock it out of the park when it comes to well balanced, pleasing cues.


Matt B.
 

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I have a cue for sale now meeting all your expectations, wish you were looking for something used but closet kept.
 
bob recently put up on facebook i believe....maybe it was here....that a particular cue was going to be the last he did with ivory.
 
  • Dan Janes of Joss (the original Joss, MD)
  • Paul Drexler (of PFD Studios, CT)
  • Richard Black, TX
  • Cory Barnhart


    if you'll consider a pre-loved cue, Tim Scruggs, all day long!
 
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I'd probably buy used, but I really think that Bob Dzuricky makes a great cue, never hear anything bad about his work, communication, pricing, or delivery time.
 
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