Anyone else not like Ebony cues?

[axejunkie]

My take is much of the appeal of ebony is the mystique that it's the stiffest or most solid hitting wood available (however true that may be). This intrigues many players. I have a one piece ebony cue and it certainly hits well, but I like several of my other non-ebony cues better.

Suppose the cuemakers could tell us how it hits relative to their other woods, holding all other factors constant. I have found almost without fail that the stiffest cues are simply the thickest in diameter whether maple or rosewood or whatever.

I did once own a bocote/ebony full splice cue and sold it quickly. It was the hardest hitting cue I've owned, like going from a wooden baseball bat to aluminum bat.

 

[DaveM]

I like Ebony cues. Here's one that I had built, sorry for the quality of the pic.

 

[GoldRush cues]

Gaboon ebony is considered by most players and cue builders to have the best hit. Its all about tone,In my opinion, which probably doesn't count for much, lol. I want to feel the resonation in my shoulder. Ebony is the easiest matierial to mate with maple to achieve that " tone" that most players are looking for. With that said, an accomplished builder knows how to match certain woods to achieve that that " tone " that ebony produces. For me the astetics of the cue , and I hope I spelled that right, are second to the hit of a cue. Just my 2 cents worth!

 

[jalapus logan]

I'm loving my new cue, an arounceville fullsplice blank finished by Kelly Peterson (MVP Cues). Figured purple heart splices into a black ebony nose (Kelly cored the nose with rosewood). The purple heart points are subtle and intoxicating mixed in with the ebony. I love this cue!

 

[GoldCrown]

Should I assume this also is eligible for the ebony wood fire?

Is that a Balabushka Plain Jane?

THAT is my favorite Doc Frye and favorite all time cue. To see that cue when it was new was a beautiful site. Still looks good.

 

[GoldCrown]

Ebony is a pretty word.

 

[peppersauce]

……………………..

 

[johnnysd]

An acquaintance of mine just got his paws on this last week...I love it. I just wish it had more points. I love 8 pointers.

Josh makes fantastic cues. I have a gorgeous coco 4 pointer of his and he is building a custom that will largely be the opposite of that cue.

 

[qbilder]

Suppose the cuemakers could tell us how it hits relative to their other woods, holding all other factors constant.

Depends on the maker. For me, it doesn't matter much what the wood is. I'll make the cue hit the way I want it to regardless. That said, it used to be that the hit of my cues was dependent on woods used. I have learned a lot along the way, and while I would never say I know the best way to make a cue, I do know a bunch of ways to not make a cue

For me ebony is all about beauty and versatility. It has it all. There's a simple, understated elegance you get only with ebony. And it's super stable, works well, and is easy to use in cues. I don't have to stabilize it and I don't have to worry about it warping. Any wood that is easy to use, can be trusted to stay straight, and looks good, is a winner in my book.

 

[axejunkie]

Depends on the maker. For me, it doesn't matter much what the wood is. I'll make the cue hit the way I want it to regardless. That said, it used to be that the hit of my cues was dependent on woods used. I have learned a lot along the way, and while I would never say I know the best way to make a cue, I do know a bunch of ways to not make a cue

For me ebony is all about beauty and versatility. It has it all. There's a simple, understated elegance you get only with ebony. And it's super stable, works well, and is easy to use in cues. I don't have to stabilize it and I don't have to worry about it warping. Any wood that is easy to use, can be trusted to stay straight, and looks good, is a winner in my book.

Thanks for your input. I have a shaft you made and would like to try one of your cues sometime.

 

[JoeyInCali]

Lost of cue makers hate working with ebony.
Finishing them isn't nearly as easy as finishing maple.
Never mind the nasty dust.

But, they sure are pretty.

 

[GoldCrown]

Lost of cue makers hate working with ebony.
Finishing them isn't nearly as easy as finishing maple.
Never mind the nasty dust.

But, they sure are pretty.

I think the dust is deadly...especially Ebony.

 

[WildWing]

Maybe it's just me, but I am astonished anew that anyone insterested in billiard cues would have a problem with ebony, and secondarily, that his next aggravation would be a corresponding white in the mixture. Could be this is attempted plebian sagacity that makes us stop and wonder, and of course, it could be AZ as usual.

Whatever, enjoy some ebony with, well, some light maple and holly that provides close to an erzatz white. And in the meantime, I do enjoy these threads that try to provide a declaration, but fail to provide any convincing perspicacity. Another day in AZ.

All the best,
WW

 

[ipoppa33]

I like ebony... and olivewood

 

[johnnysd]

Maybe it's just me, but I am astonished anew that anyone insterested in billiard cues would have a problem with ebony, and secondarily, that his next aggravation would be a corresponding white in the mixture. Could be this is attempted plebian sagacity that makes us stop and wonder, and of course, it could be AZ as usual.

Whatever, enjoy some ebony with, well, some light maple and holly that provides close to an erzatz white. And in the meantime, I do enjoy these threads that try to provide a declaration, but fail to provide any convincing perspicacity. Another day in AZ.

All the best,
WW

I find solid black and solid white fine as highlights but dreadfully boring in cues. I know I am in the minority and it is interesting to hear opinions but I find them uncompelling. It is all personal choice and if you feel that ebony is the greatest you are 100% correct for you. As mentioned i DO like ebony points and an ebony butt piece in traditional cues very much, and the ebony definitely needs veneers for them to bring out the life of a cue. But when I see plain ebony points, and especially all ebony forearms inlaid or not I just personally do not find it good looking at all. There have been a couple that agreed, but vast majority that have responded do not, maybe because they need to defend it. Like I said just seeing peoples views not trying to form an argument that people should not like ebony cues.

I guess the interesting thing is that the first custom I chose from Dan Janes was a simple ebony 4 pointer into fairly dark stained maple, with no veneers and no inlays and I loved that cue before it was stolen. Obviously my views and tastes have changed from that time.

I do know that the appearance of classical guitars has likely affected my opions to want to see lighter contrasting woods with lots of grain and figure. Outside of Dave B. I dont see many Rosette inspired rings. They could be really cool.

 

[DaveM]

Cocobolo is probably my favorite, but I do have this Omen as well. I like the way his cues look and play.

 

[pocketsplitter]

Maybe it's just me, but I am astonished anew that anyone insterested in billiard cues would have a problem with ebony, and secondarily, that his next aggravation would be a corresponding white in the mixture. Could be this is attempted plebian sagacity that makes us stop and wonder, and of course, it could be AZ as usual.



Whatever, enjoy some ebony with, well, some light maple and holly that provides close to an erzatz white. And in the meantime, I do enjoy these threads that try to provide a declaration, but fail to provide any convincing perspicacity. Another day in AZ.



All the best,

WW

A lot of people are confusing the OP's secondary point about white and black. OP meant tuxedo cues I think. What you have in the pic (gorgeous by the way!!!) is not a tuxedo cue.


Sent from my iPhone using AzBilliards Forums

 

[johnnysd]

A lot of people are confusing the OP's secondary point about white and black. OP meant tuxedo cues I think. What you have in the pic (gorgeous by the way!!!) is not a tuxedo cue.


Sent from my iPhone using AzBilliards Forums

Yes, many ebony cues have white in them. I was referring specifically to the tuxedo cue which is just black with white inlays, possible gold or silver.

I feel the same way about pianos too. Just my issue I guess....

 

[Bavafongoul]

Some of the photos use ebony as points and sleeves but aren't really ebony cues.
I adore ebony as points and all my cues use it, as does all my cues' sleeves as well.
However, not one of my cues can be considered an ebony cue because they aren't.

Personally, I have yet to see any ebony cue from any cue-maker, alive or deceased,
that I would want to own. Not a single one and some of the ebony cues I've seen have
had spectacular designs I really admired. The ebony design is just not my preference.

Even if the cue was a flat faced ivory Hercek cue mid 18 ozs, I still wouldn't want it.
When it comes to cue designs, there is no right or wrong, just what you like & don't.
Even brown woods have greater appeal than ebony which says a lot since I'm finicky.



Matt B.

 

[Nostroke]

I don't like the Magazine either!!