Predator Cues w/Revos Now Selling For Thousands of $$$ - Why?

[jrctherake]

Well, great for you.

Your experience prove squadoush about the vast unwashed sea of pool players out there without all the experience with customs and productions you have.

Lou Figueroa
there's always
the outlier

I may be wrong but, I think you misunderstood me.

I agree with your sentiments about custom vs production cues to a certain point. To me, that point is:

higher-end production cues such as Mezz, Pechauer and a few (very few) more brands can hang with "any" custom cue "performance" no matter who made the custom cue or when it was made.

There are tons of custom cue owners that will argue that point till the cows come home. Some argue because of the $$$ they have invested. Some argue, lol...well, because they just do not know any better. Like you and myself, they are entitled to their opinion so, it is what it is at the end of the conversation.

As for the "average" room goer, which in reality is the target for all production cue companies whether they be high-end or lower-end cues, them owning a cf shaft will in no way help their game in the grand scheme of things, it will make zero difference. If they could not run racks before the revo or Gina (any custom) purchase, well, they will not be running racks after they purchase.

You, me, NOBODY can buy a stroke etc.....

The above leads me to:

Only after a player gets to a certain level can he/she reap the rewards of the technology the revo and a few other cues offer. IMO, "everyone" below that level of play is doing nothing more than supporting the sport we love when they buy a cue that their skill level cannot meet. Is that a bad thing? Not in my opinion. Without the masses, we few would be in trouble.

After much begging lol ..... from a couple of people, I finally sold all but one of my long-time custom cues. I will probably never sell it regardless of price or how well I play with the next magical "x" cue that comes out.

As I said, I'm on same page with you as a player and a custom cue lover but, in reality "my game" is a little more consistent with the cf cues. Not a lot as I'm sure you know. But, also as you know, when two players are extremely close in skill, a super small difference can be HUGE. It is those times that the revo has been huge for me.

Have a good one,

Rake

 

[trob]

I'm playing with a $300 Viking custom cue, 17.75 ounces and have two Z 2's. I have small hands. It's a skinny cue and light. I can draw the length of a 9ft. table and a rail or two besides. No way am I paying with a $500 or a $1,000 frigging shaft. Back to the Indian or the arrow theory. Grew up playing with a Willy Hoppy autografted custom cue. Also light and slim.

A Viking isn’t a custom cue.. It’s pumped out in a factory lol I think people have confused production and custom these days.

 

[Fenwick]

A Viking isn’t a custom cue.. It’s pumped out in a factory lol I think people have confused production and custom these days.

My mistake.

 

[lfigueroa]

I may be wrong but, I think you misunderstood me.

I agree with your sentiments about custom vs production cues to a certain point. To me, that point is:

higher-end production cues such as Mezz, Pechauer and a few (very few) more brands can hang with "any" custom cue "performance" no matter who made the custom cue or when it was made.

There are tons of custom cue owners that will argue that point till the cows come home. Some argue because of the $$$ they have invested. Some argue, lol...well, because they just do not know any better. Like you and myself, they are entitled to their opinion so, it is what it is at the end of the conversation.

As for the "average" room goer, which in reality is the target for all production cue companies whether they be high-end or lower-end cues, them owning a cf shaft will in no way help their game in the grand scheme of things, it will make zero difference. If they could not run racks before the revo or Gina (any custom) purchase, well, they will not be running racks after they purchase.

You, me, NOBODY can buy a stroke etc.....

The above leads me to:

Only after a player gets to a certain level can he/she reap the rewards of the technology the revo and a few other cues offer. IMO, "everyone" below that level of play is doing nothing more than supporting the sport we love when they buy a cue that their skill level cannot meet. Is that a bad thing? Not in my opinion. Without the masses, we few would be in trouble.

After much begging lol ..... from a couple of people, I finally sold all but one of my long-time custom cues. I will probably never sell it regardless of price or how well I play with the next magical "x" cue that comes out.

As I said, I'm on same page with you as a player and a custom cue lover but, in reality "my game" is a little more consistent with the cf cues. Not a lot as I'm sure you know. But, also as you know, when two players are extremely close in skill, a super small difference can be HUGE. It is those times that the revo has been huge for me.

Have a good one,

Rake

OK, I see where you're coming from and we are in much agreement.

Perhaps my only quibble would lead me to ask if paying whatever the CF or production companies are asking really is supporting the sport? IOWs is spending $500 on a shaft more supportive of the sport than spending $500 attending/playing in an event like the DCC or US Open? I'm just not sure that paying money to a company operating overseas is really supporting the sport we love... much.

Lou Figueroa

 

[ctran]

ppl buys revo because they like how it plays (even for a short time only), and others around them like how it plays.

and when you takes the shaft, believe me you want a predator butt, just for a unified feeling, then a complete set, it just go on like that.

not argue on price, but Mezz and others are making new lines of cues every year, and they are increasing their prices also.

you just cant argue Mezz or Schon or fury are better than predator, it's very very subjective even you say Mezz are made in Japan, Schon in the US.

it's just how it works now, and I must say predator is doing a great job, production quality now is very good I even question my desire for custom cues, whether I am blindly into custom cues.

Last week I bought back a custom cue I love from a good friend who changed to Revo, and I thank Predator for that.

 

[poolhustler]

OK, I see where you're coming from and we are in much agreement.

Perhaps my only quibble would lead me to ask if paying whatever the CF or production companies are asking really is supporting the sport? IOWs is spending $500 on a shaft more supportive of the sport than spending $500 attending/playing in an event like the DCC or US Open? I'm just not sure that paying money to a company operating overseas is really supporting the sport we love... much.

Lou Figueroa

Because many people like myself, besides being a C player, can't travel due to work and family so the money they spend on Predator products gets partially recycled in the promotion and advancement of the sport. I may be mistaken but my recollection is that Predator sponsor's players and tournaments. Am I mistaken?

 

[garczar]

Yep, Predator moved its factory from the USA to China for better skilled workers...


Predator sales more cues in the USA then any other country and their way of saying thanks was to move the factory to china and raise the price of their cues from 900.00 $ to 3600.00 $

REVO shafts are made in Boston,MA. Their cues are made by Hamson Int'l(Universal) in China. Same factory makes Lucasi,Players and a few other lines.

 

[pinkspider]

ppl buys revo because they like how it plays (even for a short time only), and others around them like how it plays.

and when you takes the shaft, believe me you want a predator butt, just for a unified feeling, then a complete set, it just go on like that.

not argue on price, but Mezz and others are making new lines of cues every year, and they are increasing their prices also.

you just cant argue Mezz or Schon or fury are better than predator, it's very very subjective even you say Mezz are made in Japan, Schon in the US.

it's just how it works now, and I must say predator is doing a great job, production quality now is very good I even question my desire for custom cues, whether I am blindly into custom cues.

Last week I bought back a custom cue I love from a good friend who changed to Revo, and I thank Predator for that.

Sorry friend I need to speak up. I can't speak for current Schon (the old ones were really, really good) as I have not seen any of the new ones but sorry I don't think it's a subjective thing to say that overall, Mezz is better made than predator. Hell, even the rubber bumpers are cut perfectly.

The cues are more resonant and the woods used are better. Predator cues are OK and the QC is decent but no way are they on the same level in terms of workmanship and materials. Sorry, but if one company has put so much more attention to detail and on quality than the other, it's an injustice to put them on the same level. The exceptions are when they engage partners like Pechauer, Jacoby or Mezz to build their special editions.

That being said, tech-wise, my opinion is that Predator is clearly the leader in this area, no contest.

Speaking as a primarily Predator user who's constantly going thru Mezz gear as well.

 

[garczar]

Sorry friend I need to speak up. I can't speak for current Schon (the old ones were really, really good) as I have not seen any of the new ones but sorry I don't think it's a subjective thing to say that overall, Mezz is better made than predator. Hell, even the rubber bumpers are cut perfectly.

The cues are more resonant and the woods used are better. Predator cues are OK and the QC is decent but no way are they on the same level in terms of workmanship and materials. Sorry, but if one company has put so much more attention to detail and on quality than the other, it's an injustice to put them on the same level. The exceptions are when they engage partners like Pechauer, Jacoby or Mezz to build their special editions.

That being said, tech-wise, my opinion is that Predator is clearly the leader in this area, no contest.

Speaking as a primarily Predator user who's constantly going thru Mezz gear as well.

Mezz does make very high quality products. Their QC is spot on. I recently traded for one and it plays great and is built perfectly. Best ring-work and wrap i've ever seen on a production cue. BTW, Mezz is just as tech-savvy as Predator. They've had carbon-cored shafts for some time and will have a full CF shaft out in the near future.

 

[ctran]

Sorry friend I need to speak up. I can't speak for current Schon (the old ones were really, really good) as I have not seen any of the new ones but sorry I don't think it's a subjective thing to say that overall, Mezz is better made than predator. Hell, even the rubber bumpers are cut perfectly.

The cues are more resonant and the woods used are better. Predator cues are OK and the QC is decent but no way are they on the same level in terms of workmanship and materials. Sorry, but if one company has put so much more attention to detail and on quality than the other, it's an injustice to put them on the same level. The exceptions are when they engage partners like Pechauer, Jacoby or Mezz to build their special editions.

That being said, tech-wise, my opinion is that Predator is clearly the leader in this area, no contest.

Speaking as a primarily Predator user who's constantly going thru Mezz gear as well.

I agree with you, in terms of higher built quality, QC level at Mezz.

what I mean is you can never talk THAT reasoning, your experience into those mass predator buyers.

quality, they dont keep the cues THAT long to realize it, or they just argue that they keep the cue so well nothing would happen to it.

again, it's market perception, not your perception and assuming it applies to other's

 

[pinkspider]

I agree with you, in terms of higher built quality, QC level at Mezz.

what I mean is you can never talk THAT reasoning, your experience into those mass predator buyers.

quality, they dont keep the cues THAT long to realize it, or they just argue that they keep the cue so well nothing would happen to it.

again, it's market perception, not your perception and assuming it applies to other's

Ah, I see what you meant by that line now, OK. Yes agree with you completely.

 

[pinkspider]

Mezz does make very high quality products. Their QC is spot on. I recently traded for one and it plays great and is built perfectly. Best ring-work and wrap i've ever seen on a production cue. BTW, Mezz is just as tech-savvy as Predator. They've had carbon-cored shafts for some time and will have a full CF shaft out in the near future.

No doubt their tech shafts are good and I appreciate that they have a different take on things as well, but what I meant was more of the fact that they've always have had to play catch up; kinda like smartphone feature wars.

They've rarely taken the lead in this sort of thing. With the exception of Ex-Pro which was essentially them making a premium shaft for the exceed line and the CF airdrive 2 they've more or less taken their cue from Predator. pun not intended.

In the grand scheme of things as a player it doesn't really matter much, but it's just something that I thought interesting. Maybe i'm just boring

 

[skip100]

Are Revos now out of stock/running low due to slow production by Predator? I bought mine a while back and didn't think anything of it...

 

[ctran]

I live in Vietnam and I have seen crazy growth for Revo market here... SIMPLY CRAZY

my mentor is a dealer and Revo shafts are sold out, ppls traded in previous shafts like Vantage, 314-3 etc for the Revo, adding a considerable amount... they even paid deposits for future orders

ppls who had custom cues, ordered Revo with modified pins to fit, and loved them so much they sold the custom shafts for cheap

predator old hi-end butts, Blak first gen or so, supposedly sold cheap, got their prices increased because of the Revo shafts, ppl crave them to match the hi-tech shafts.

the Revo shaft, and the marketing campaign that supports it, is truly a revolution, they started to sponsor many more pros to play the shaft, and offer much better packages.

my friend, who was a pro and played exceed, and customs, just admitted:
- it plays easier
- it feels stiff but LD
- it looks cool
- ppls around him are playing with it.

I myself would never play with anything other than an old solid maple shaft, and I dont bother try others.

 

[jrctherake]

OK, I see where you're coming from and we are in much agreement.

Perhaps my only quibble would lead me to ask if paying whatever the CF or production companies are asking really is supporting the sport? IOWs is spending $500 on a shaft more supportive of the sport than spending $500 attending/playing in an event like the DCC or US Open? I'm just not sure that paying money to a company operating overseas is really supporting the sport we love... much.

Lou Figueroa

I'm not sure how to answer that other than I "hope" some of that money is used to sponsor predator's players.

Seeing how I like the revo, I may still buy it if they didn't. On the other hand, I'm not sure. It seems to me that it would benefit predator to "invest" in their own horses to showcase their products even further.

I had rather spend my money here but, until someone can supply me a equal cue I have not much Choice unless I decide to swap back which would be a nightmare since there sold..... lol..

Just the thought of starting over is bittersweet. So much fun but OMG.... what a pain and don't even mention the WAIT...

rake

 

[Maniac]

I'm not sure how to answer that other than I "hope" some of that money is used to sponsor predator's players.
rake

Ahh, FINALLY someone hit on this.

Today, many, many players are sponsored by Predator. They may very well be the biggest sponsor in professional pool. The pros receive more than just playing equipment from the sponsors.....

That said, if professional baseball players were making thousands instead of millions, do you think it would cost us an average price of around $100 to watch a game?

Figure it out for yourselves.

Maniac

 

[lfigueroa]

Because many people like myself, besides being a C player, can't travel due to work and family so the money they spend on Predator products gets partially recycled in the promotion and advancement of the sport. I may be mistaken but my recollection is that Predator sponsor's players and tournaments. Am I mistaken?

I don't know. Players, probably.

Lou Figueroa

 

[lfigueroa]

I'm not sure how to answer that other than I "hope" some of that money is used to sponsor predator's players.

Seeing how I like the revo, I may still buy it if they didn't. On the other hand, I'm not sure. It seems to me that it would benefit predator to "invest" in their own horses to showcase their products even further.

I had rather spend my money here but, until someone can supply me a equal cue I have not much Choice unless I decide to swap back which would be a nightmare since there sold..... lol..

Just the thought of starting over is bittersweet. So much fun but OMG.... what a pain and don't even mention the WAIT...

rake

So then let me ask you: how does the pool world at large benefit from Player X or Player Z being sponsored?

Sure, it sells more product to undiscerning enthusiasts. But would it really curtail the player's participation? Not to put too fine a point on it but: wouldn't they still be out there trying to make dough at the only thing they're good at?

Lou Figueroa

 

[jrctherake]

So then let me ask you: how does the pool world at large benefit from Player X or Player Z being sponsored?

Sure, it sells more product to undiscerning enthusiasts. But would it really curtail the player's participation? Not to put too fine a point on it but: wouldn't they still be out there trying to make dough at the only thing they're good at?

Lou Figueroa

In general, it's hard to say what would happen if all sponsors pulled the plug. We can only guess and hope we never have to find out.

No doubt the "hustler" from years past would come back to life if that did happen.

Now that I think about it I realize I know even less about yet another chapter of pool.

Now my head hurts,

Rake

 

[trob]

Hmmm I’ve been thinking of picking up a mezz sneaky. They make a good looking cue and I’m interested to see how they hit.

Sorry friend I need to speak up. I can't speak for current Schon (the old ones were really, really good) as I have not seen any of the new ones but sorry I don't think it's a subjective thing to say that overall, Mezz is better made than predator. Hell, even the rubber bumpers are cut perfectly.

The cues are more resonant and the woods used are better. Predator cues are OK and the QC is decent but no way are they on the same level in terms of workmanship and materials. Sorry, but if one company has put so much more attention to detail and on quality than the other, it's an injustice to put them on the same level. The exceptions are when they engage partners like Pechauer, Jacoby or Mezz to build their special editions.

That being said, tech-wise, my opinion is that Predator is clearly the leader in this area, no contest.

Speaking as a primarily Predator user who's constantly going thru Mezz gear as well.