Tim Scruggs Sneaky
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Define "better"...
I like to sneak with a house cue off the rack even though I own a couple.
I'd argue that most mid tier and higher custom sneakies aren't any "better" than others of the same type. It really comes down to personal preference.
The custom cue market is pretty similar to some other markets like custom holsters, custom knives, etc. Once they artist builds a following the value isn't really even about the quality anymore. It's about the name on the product. A singular example I can tell you about is that I had a custom Samsara that I ordered straight from them back around 2000. I think it was around $1400. They promised it six months after I ordered it. It showed up at my door six months later and was perfect in every conceivable way. No joke. It played better than any cue I'd ever held and the build quality was incredible. Fast forward ten years or so and I ended up taking a loss selling just because it was a Samsara. Had I been selling a Southwest, I would have made money on it. And nobody on earth can convince me that the average Southwest plays or is built four to six times (or more) better than the average Samsara. And that's no knock on Southwest. Quite the opposite, in fact. It's that Southwest has an almost magical allure attached to their brand whereas Samsara doesn't.
The custom cue market is pretty similar to some other markets like custom holsters, custom knives, etc. Once they artist builds a following the value isn't really even about the quality anymore. It's about the name on the product. A singular example I can tell you about is that I had a custom Samsara that I ordered straight from them back around 2000. I think it was around $1400. They promised it six months after I ordered it. It showed up at my door six months later and was perfect in every conceivable way. No joke. It played better than any cue I'd ever held and the build quality was incredible. Fast forward ten years or so and I ended up taking a loss selling just because it was a Samsara. Had I been selling a Southwest, I would have made money on it. And nobody on earth can convince me that the average Southwest plays or is built four to six times (or more) better than the average Samsara. And that's no knock on Southwest. Quite the opposite, in fact. It's that Southwest has an almost magical allure attached to their brand whereas Samsara doesn't.
Here is my take, having owned and played with a Scruggs SP, presently owning a Bob Frey full splice, and having owned and played with several other cue maker's/ production SP type cues. With a Scruggs/ Frey full splice cue, the "hit" is firm, but not " dead" - meaning that, with a medium to hard tip, the cue feeds back through the handle with a very even resonance. I feel that these Scruggs/ Frey cues are revered bc they seem to be fairly consistent in delivering a cue hit feedback that helps keep the stroke tempo level right through completion.
Yes, we find some full spliced - so called SPs that play very well, and of course some similar to the Scruggs/Frey hit characteristics. For instance, I own an 04 Jim Odom full splice with a big radial pin/full ivory joint that could have the TS or Frey name on it and one could not tell the difference in hit. IMO
Concerning cues; "Better" is in the mind of the player. Price is determined by the market- demand vs. supply as well as success or failure of marketing efforts - and the third factor, of course we see this with certain branded cues- is hype supported by reputation. I would agree that the Scruggs/ Frey full splice cue certainly gains some of it's price point bc of hype- but I would also argue the the reputation is certainly well deserved if you have played with one of their cues and truly enjoy what you are experiencing.
No doubt one can find a $150 full splice SP that you truly enjoy- same with a $500 full splice from a maker other than Scruggs or Frey that one feels plays great - all of this exists out there. However, if you pay $800 to $1300 for a Scruggs/ Frey and you love how it plays, you will probably always have a strong market in the future; for a great playing cue, if you take care of it- so you get the best of both worlds - that is the way I look at premium cues; as long as you have the means and desire to invest up front.
Yes, we find some full spliced - so called SPs that play very well, and of course some similar to the Scruggs/Frey hit characteristics. For instance, I own an 04 Jim Odom full splice with a big radial pin/full ivory joint that could have the TS or Frey name on it and one could not tell the difference in hit. IMO
Concerning cues; "Better" is in the mind of the player. Price is determined by the market- demand vs. supply as well as success or failure of marketing efforts - and the third factor, of course we see this with certain branded cues- is hype supported by reputation. I would agree that the Scruggs/ Frey full splice cue certainly gains some of it's price point bc of hype- but I would also argue the the reputation is certainly well deserved if you have played with one of their cues and truly enjoy what you are experiencing.
No doubt one can find a $150 full splice SP that you truly enjoy- same with a $500 full splice from a maker other than Scruggs or Frey that one feels plays great - all of this exists out there. However, if you pay $800 to $1300 for a Scruggs/ Frey and you love how it plays, you will probably always have a strong market in the future; for a great playing cue, if you take care of it- so you get the best of both worlds - that is the way I look at premium cues; as long as you have the means and desire to invest up front.
Not answering the question in the OP, but related somewhat.
I prefer a Scruggs shaft.
So much so on a Schon of mine, the joint was changed to fit the Scruggs pilot properly. And although it wasn't absolutely necessary, the pin was swapped to a standard 5/16-14 as well.
Is it better? Of my four Schons. I only play with one.
I prefer a Scruggs shaft.
So much so on a Schon of mine, the joint was changed to fit the Scruggs pilot properly. And although it wasn't absolutely necessary, the pin was swapped to a standard 5/16-14 as well.
Is it better? Of my four Schons. I only play with one.
No. A chinese-made J&J for a 100bux will play just as well.
Did they supply blanks to Scruggs? I would expect the Scruggs to have a little better shaft and fit/finish. Enough to make a difference in play or justify the price difference......???
I recently picked up a Huebler sneaky for $50. Shameless brag.
That is a beautiful piece of wood !
I just bought a cheap andy gilbert player. Great feel so I immediately bought a jump break. Love it too. I've been using pechauer or jacoby with low deflection shafts. Either are fantastic but the andy gilbert standard maple is just as good or better. Cue ball goes where I aim. I had so so experiences with jerry powers of jerico and jerry olivier cue. Don't get me wrong, good guys but the andy gilberts are just better. I'm sticking with the jerico sneaky because I don't want a 2000 dollar disappointment with a ts
The vast majority of Scruggs sneakys were built by Bob Frey in the old days. Later, when Mike Cochran was with Tim, I believe it was a guy named John Stankowski who built the sneakys. I may have the spelling a bit wrong, but point it, Tim didn't touch too many if any. Just a bit of info.
You are correct sir.
A very good analysis!
I think certain cues,(and cue makers) get a certain REP from what happens in their respective marketplace. Some have merit; some don't.
Why do ppl like Sunoco gasoline? Is it because NASCAR uses that brand?
Why do ppl follow Jim Kramer? Funny thing is: What Kramer or Buffet say is good for Investors who have over 5M, but for the regular guy they mays well be talking Swahili.
Somewhere, sometime Scruggs made a decent "sneaky," and SOMEONE, (likely a regional hustler), was playing it. Instant popularity.
What did "Jersey Red" play? OR insert any local hustler.
An addendum:
I BELIEVE Scruggs made some Excellent cues. My father had a custom made in the 70's that I played with yrs ago. It had that solid hard-tipped "tong" that stiff cues had. Couldn't miss it. Some ppl liked that, some did not. I share the general belief that Scruggs made some fine cues.
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Arguably worse, because TS sneakies are just old Schmelke blanks.
