Is a custom cue really worth the hassle these days?
- Thread starter Sweatin'
- Start date
i have not read all the reviews
BUT I have cues from chris nitti/paul dayton/bobby hunter/and andy gilbert
that i had custom built and
NEVER HAD A PROBLEM FROM ANY OF THEM REGARDING THE BUILD OUT
:thumbup::thumbup:
so you CAN get a custom cue without "hassles"
that being said why pay more ??
because its your personal design
ie its YOURS
that is whats worth the extra price
the quality of materials is probably better
but i dont think it will make a difference on how many balls can you run on a regular basis
although after many years i expect the custom cue to be less likely to warp
jmho
icbw
Your right bbb if you chose a cue marker with a good reputation 99.9 percent of the time you'll never have a problem.
Also you'll almost always be able to get your money back out of a custom or at least close where on a production u wont. And yes more than likely it'll stay straight for as long as u own it. As long as u take care of it.
Custom cue makers usally have better seasoned wood.
Also you'll almost always be able to get your money back out of a custom or at least close where on a production u wont. And yes more than likely it'll stay straight for as long as u own it. As long as u take care of it.
Custom cue makers usally have better seasoned wood.
Your post asked a question, but apparently you had a point to make. I thought the posts from Matt B. and Slim Limpy (#13 & #14) gave great explanations why having a custom cue built was good for them. Are you trying to convince them that they are wrong? The pride they have in their cues cannot be measured with a price tag.
If you are happy with your cues, good for you. I agree that production cue quality is as good as ever. I prefer the feel of cues from a few custom cuemakers. Most of my cues were custom built for someone else. Why the original owners ever sold them, I have no idea because they are magic in my hands. Each of has our own way of obtaining cues that we take pride in owning.
Sent some green your way! Great response!
If we eliminate playing pool also, you don't even need the McDermott! Why buy a $100 watch when a $10 will tell time? You can take this arguement to anything sold, Toyota vs Lexus, Lexus vs Mercedes, Mercedes vs Bently, BIC vs Cross, Cross vs Mont Blanc, $50 Nike vs $500 Nike.
I probably would not pay $400 for a McDermott since I can get a lot of used custom cues for about that. I think the last new cue I got was for my son, which funny enough was a McDermott second but new, for about $200 off normal price. He has since gotten a custom cue from a local maker (although pretty well known), to replace it. If you want another McDermott, it's for sale
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Well you obviously have to pick a cue maker you can trust. Not so easy. I understand. I received my first custom about 4 months ago. It came out better than I expected and the more I play with it and look at it the better I like it.
I'm a pretty matter of fact guy when it comes to equipment. Mater chalk is fine with me and I think you may have a screw loose if you buy a $500 shaft or a $500 break cue. Just my opinion. It's your money so have a ball.
I took over forty years off from the game and when I got back into it equipment has changed so much since the days when everyone played with a Hoppe. I bought an entry level Joss and I love it. I don't need any other stick. The only reason I had one built was for the aesthetics. The last Expo I sat down with Dan Janes at Joss cue sticks and laid out my ideas of what I wanted. I told him the wood I wanted, weight, length, diameter of the shafts, length of taper, what tip, colors in the points, and cut diamonds and dots. I left him room for creativity as he knew I wanted an old school look. He told me 6 months and I gave him half up front. It was done in 4 1/2 months and I drove the couple hours to Towson MD. to pick it up. The stick was signed and dated.
This is more a testimonial to Dan Janes than anything else. There are gentleman making cue sticks that under promise and over deliver. Dan is one of them.
I'm a pretty matter of fact guy when it comes to equipment. Mater chalk is fine with me and I think you may have a screw loose if you buy a $500 shaft or a $500 break cue. Just my opinion. It's your money so have a ball.
I took over forty years off from the game and when I got back into it equipment has changed so much since the days when everyone played with a Hoppe. I bought an entry level Joss and I love it. I don't need any other stick. The only reason I had one built was for the aesthetics. The last Expo I sat down with Dan Janes at Joss cue sticks and laid out my ideas of what I wanted. I told him the wood I wanted, weight, length, diameter of the shafts, length of taper, what tip, colors in the points, and cut diamonds and dots. I left him room for creativity as he knew I wanted an old school look. He told me 6 months and I gave him half up front. It was done in 4 1/2 months and I drove the couple hours to Towson MD. to pick it up. The stick was signed and dated.
This is more a testimonial to Dan Janes than anything else. There are gentleman making cue sticks that under promise and over deliver. Dan is one of them.
I too thought that posts #13 and #14 explained their points very well, and I'm sure those posters are rightfully proud of their cues.
Given that my post you quote was in direct response to post #12 (which I quoted) 'm not sure how you thought I was trying to convince Matt B. and Slim Limpy that they were wrong in posts after mine.
When the cue is finished, I don't have a problem posting about the cue.
Pay on delivery and have the right to cancel if no delivery within 3 weeks of due date.
Otherwise go to cue shows and there are plenty of nice customs available right then and there. Getting a cue without evey single one of your requirements is better than never getting the perfect one or being so aggravated by the time you get it, you wanna break it!
Otherwise go to cue shows and there are plenty of nice customs available right then and there. Getting a cue without evey single one of your requirements is better than never getting the perfect one or being so aggravated by the time you get it, you wanna break it!
justinb386
Banned
There is also the option to buy some very nice looking brand new custom made cues. Espiritu for example (he has a super nice line of very nice looking custom cues, that he ships to his dealers).
http://www.budgetcues.com/espiritu-pool-cues.htm
Then you could have a brand new custom made cue shipped right to you, without the wait. Espiritu was just 1 example. There are many other custom cue makers who have cues finished, and ready to sell. The only reason someone would want a custom cue made, is if they have a unique design that they want for the cue, and unique specs made for them (that could not be easily adjusted on a new custom that was not made for them).
justinb386
Banned
Mcdermott cues are super nice, but I am not sure if they build cues that have really sharp classic looking points anymore (like in their rare D series, from the 80's). After the D series, most of their points have been rounded off (someone correct me if I am wrong)? They just do not look as nice and sharp looking as an Espiritu for example. Just my opinion.
Haven't read the whole thread yet, but my initial reaction is this.
YES*
Yes I do think custom cues are worth it... *but the market is flooded and you can buy used any day of the week. I get wanting to have something that you had design input on, but to be completely honest, how many SW/Bushka/Hoppe style cues are out there? The all end up looking the same. Since that covers most of the market, you will likely find what you want. I've only ever collected cues that had great feel and a unique design. Even then, there are plenty of good options.
There are cuemakers with good reputations. Stick with them and you should be ok. Also, there's no way I'm spending 400+ on a McDermott...
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YES*
Yes I do think custom cues are worth it... *but the market is flooded and you can buy used any day of the week. I get wanting to have something that you had design input on, but to be completely honest, how many SW/Bushka/Hoppe style cues are out there? The all end up looking the same. Since that covers most of the market, you will likely find what you want. I've only ever collected cues that had great feel and a unique design. Even then, there are plenty of good options.
There are cuemakers with good reputations. Stick with them and you should be ok. Also, there's no way I'm spending 400+ on a McDermott...
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A lot of great cue makers do not become millionaires off of their pool cue building. What you describe above sounds like a wonderful custom cue experience and I think it would benefit bot the AZB community as well as the cuemaker who it is (I have an idea) as many might elect to get a cue from him. So please share.
I will say this:
I have had quite a few custom cues made, and I would not describe the process as a hassle but it is a process and takes time and patience.
But there is nothing quite as exciting as getting a package and opening it up to see your new cue, and also knowing that there is not another cue in the whole world that looks or plays exactly like your cue. It is the closest thing to being 6 again and opening presents on Christmas morning.
It even applies somewhat to getting a new used custom from the sales section here.
I believe that custom cues are far superior in workmanship and playability than production cues, And last longer. Others disagree.
But I can say with confidence that there is no custom cue that has the workmanship, quality or hit that my Lambros or Treadway or Mottey or Judd, etc...has.
In my opinion, getting a custom is a wonderful experience.
I have had quite a few custom cues made, and I would not describe the process as a hassle but it is a process and takes time and patience.
But there is nothing quite as exciting as getting a package and opening it up to see your new cue, and also knowing that there is not another cue in the whole world that looks or plays exactly like your cue. It is the closest thing to being 6 again and opening presents on Christmas morning.
It even applies somewhat to getting a new used custom from the sales section here.
I believe that custom cues are far superior in workmanship and playability than production cues, And last longer. Others disagree.
But I can say with confidence that there is no custom cue that has the workmanship, quality or hit that my Lambros or Treadway or Mottey or Judd, etc...has.
In my opinion, getting a custom is a wonderful experience.
Is a custom cue really worth the hassle these days?
Seems to me it would be hard for you to answer this question with a "yes", as in post #24, when you haven't received the cue yet. I could be wrong though. Good luck and best of rolls anyway!
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Not really in my earlier post I stated that Nov. would be the 9 month lead time. So I have to wait patiently and I knew that going into the process, it was explained at the time we were hashing out the details. I you want something unique to you a custom build is the way to go.
This is my 3rd custom Jacoby. The first was made in 09 it was a three piece butt, jump break cue that match the joint pin of my playing cue. My son now plays with that.
2nd custom Jacoby made this year was a replica of the first but different color.
3rd is the cue I am waiting on now.
I know the bad stories outweigh the good ones. Just because people that have had a bad experience are far more vocal. I know a lot of people want one of a kind cues. But there are other ways to get them.
I have had 2 OB prototypes. Both were unique and won't be a production cue. I still have one for sale too. I also like knowing I have something unique. I just don't see the bad stigma a lot of people place on Production Cues. A lot of them are well made and hand built.
I have had 2 OB prototypes. Both were unique and won't be a production cue. I still have one for sale too. I also like knowing I have something unique. I just don't see the bad stigma a lot of people place on Production Cues. A lot of them are well made and hand built.