Currently have a porsche 911 and a range rover. Having the Rover makes it very clear that most cars are pieces of shit, but they still don't compare shit wise to the Rover lol. Think I've spent more in repairs than payments(used):angry:
So what is considered a high end cue ?
- Thread starter mortuarymike-nv
- Start date
Currently have a porsche 911 and a range rover. Having the Rover makes it very clear that most cars are pieces of shit, but they still don't compare shit wise to the Rover lol. Think I've spent more in repairs than payments(used):angry:
Still, high end has much more to do with the maker, his methods, and his desirability than JUST playability as YOU think. Any maker that either gets a premium for or who's cues sell for a premium aftermarket are considered "high end". Those makers also know how to build cues that play well or they never would have received the recognition of either scenario.
IMHO.....
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That begs the question....
Is it possible that a cue from an unknown maker, and that remains unidentified, could be called "high end?
What is the most expensive unknown you have seen? I mean actual selling price?
Was it "high end" or not?
Just discussing. I have no argument.
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Cues can be big $ just from the time and materials regardless of maker so NO "unknown" makers cues are not "High End" but more high dollar...To me, to be considered high end, the cue must be desirable to the point that the work from the maker either commands a higher price or sells for more than that higher price on the secondary market compared to other cues similar.
There a some makers who's resale is not above what the cue cost to make, even significantly lower, that are of extreme quality. I think what determines whether those makers make it to High End status is the direction they take with their cue making and the result in desirability the arises from that....
Great question!
Lets take highrun526 Scott for example. He built his first cue in Searing shop under the direction of Dennis. Without a doubt one of the most beautiful cues ever made. 100's of extremely precise inlays.
He has also built a few other cues in other "masters" shops. I would say without question he has the greatest body of work of any cuemaker that has ever lived(with help)
If somebody can post pics(Scott) please do.
I have no idea what price to put on his cues. I wouldn't wanna even guess if Dennis made the cue himself what the pricetag would be. $30, 40, 50 thousand? Maybe more?
I think I mentioned desirability, which you captured. And, you are correct.
All the best,
H
Interesting example.
trick question... depends whether it's for sale or not.
OK.
The most expensive unknown maker cue I have seen sell went for $17,000. But it was an early 20th century antique, and quite an elaborate "conversion". It also had provenance...just no name for the person who did the work.
Indeed, high dollar for a cue. But it really was almost purely an antique I think and less a playing instrument, though it would be cool to hit a few balls with it.
High dollar. Old. Rare. High end. etc.....all different things.
A cue with all of those qualities...now that's a cue.....
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maybe we should simplify this as much as possible and ask what separates a "high end" sneaky pete (if such a thing can exist) from an ordinary custom sneaky pete: materials and design being equal and minimal, i think the answer is almost always the name and corresponding price tag.
does anyone remember the "cue maker challenge" from several years ago?
does anyone remember the "cue maker challenge" from several years ago?
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I consider Gus S., George B., early Ginacue's, Craig P., etc old, rare, high end and high $....
Now THOSE are cues... to me:smile:
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I don't think so... I'd say Searing, Manzino, Mobley, Showman, B. Szamboti, Hercek, Kersenbrock..and more are heavily "appreciated" in thought and proven in resale....
Last I checked there were no obit's posted on them...
I agree, of course.
The one thing that cue I saw was missing was a maker's name.
The cue had provenance going back to 1930. Imagine if it could be reliably attributed to Rambow for instance.
$17K unknown identified as a Rambow? That value would go through the roof.
Just fantasizing.
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what do you think those guys would think about a $3000 viking if it found its way through time and into their hands?
middle of the road viking?
predator p3 with revo?
-r- or showman?
decked-out black boar?
middle of the road viking?
predator p3 with revo?
-r- or showman?
decked-out black boar?
I agree, of course.
The one thing that cue I saw was missing was a maker's name.
The cue had provenance going back to 1930. Imagine if it could be reliably attributed to Rambow for instance.
$17K unknown identified as a Rambow? That value would go through the roof.
Just fantasizing
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I don't know of any Rambo that sold anywhere's near 17K so that would have to be one hellava Rambo... Now if it were a cue made in Rambo's shop by Ralph Greenleaf or Willie Hoppe under the tutelage of Rambo.
.. well THEN we'd have one fantastic cue!:thumbup:Could not disagree with that statement more. Cue ARE functional art. It is what makes them so fun to collect and I will actually just look at pictures of cues for appreciation just like other art.
For original question.
I think there are high end cue makers and high end cues for all cue makers.
Then within the high end cue makers there are a few elite makers that are especially high end such as Balabushka, Gus, and then a tier below to makers like Barry, Hercek, Stroud, Searing
In my view ALL cues from high end makers are high end.
But only some cues from production and lesser makers that are a high end, and then those are because of materials and inlays and the complexity of the cue.
As an example, a high end Predator cue might be the Throne 5. It is a really nice cue, and high end for a predator. It is $1500, but a merry widow from Lambros would be more than that, and a merry widow from Searing would be worth much much more than that.