LibraryFool77
Active member
Can anyone give a in-depth review of the new cues quality, craftsmanship and playability compared to Evans or Johns cues? Not looking to compare to Bob, his are the best, period.
Schon Cue Review since Terry Jr Took over?
- Thread starter LibraryFool77
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JasonATX
Well-known member
I've had 2 Clarkes, a cue made about 2012, and one made last year. I don't see much of a difference. Complete disclosure, I put a Revo on everything I shoot with. My favorite Clarke (LTD 240) I traded for a Cuelees and I'm not sure I'd make that trade again.
My opinion would basically be this: If the balance and weight meet whatever standard you like and you shoot with a custom/carbon shaft, it doesn't really matter that much. (Ignore me liking shooting with that 240 and a Richard Black shaft with an ivory ferrule). These days, I almost always shoot with a 12.9 Revo and it doesn't really matter what butt I shoot with.
My opinion would basically be this: If the balance and weight meet whatever standard you like and you shoot with a custom/carbon shaft, it doesn't really matter that much. (Ignore me liking shooting with that 240 and a Richard Black shaft with an ivory ferrule). These days, I almost always shoot with a 12.9 Revo and it doesn't really matter what butt I shoot with.
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I had one of the first Schon's, from late 82, I think. Incredible cue, one of a kind. I walked into their shop, they had about 6-8 cues laying on a table, and I picked out features I liked from a few to have my own creation made. I now have bought 4 different Schon's in the last 5 or 6 yrs, 2 LTD's, 1 Elite, and 1 SP. I don't buy all this crap about current Schon's don't hit as good as early ones. I also use different shafts now, Jacoby Ultra wood, Jacoby Kielwood, and Rhino regular and Rhino Must. I don't see anything in a Schon butt, past or present, that would make them play different.
Sadly I sold my Schon original cue to a collector about 7 yrs ago when I was getting back into pool after not shooting for over 30 yrs. Butt and 2 shafts still straight as new. I would give most anything to have that cue back.
Sadly I sold my Schon original cue to a collector about 7 yrs ago when I was getting back into pool after not shooting for over 30 yrs. Butt and 2 shafts still straight as new. I would give most anything to have that cue back.
LibraryFool77
Active member
I’ve always believed the butt is significantly less of a factor to play as the shaft. Do you think you could adjust to any reasonably well made butt, regardless of weight distribution or is that a prerequisite in order to complement the shaft of your choice, here being a 12.9 Revo.
LibraryFool77
Active member
In 82, did you get to meet Bob Runde? Any memories of what he was like?
I like the stiff feel of a Schon cue, I've been using the same Predator 314-2 shaft on all my 5/16x14 butts for many years, and there is a noticeable difference in the hit, same goes when using the same Revo shaft.
Although I have fancier cues, the Shcon STL3 was my main player for a long time, until I got a Carmeli player second hand... That is the only cue that to me feels better than a Schon from my own experience, lately I do tend to prefer the Schon more though. I'm glad that I was able finally to get an extension for them.
I have two Clarke era Schon cues - a gray STL3 and LTD1405, both hit and feel great
They use to say that the feel of the Schon comes from the handle part (under the wrap) that was made from laminating various hard woods. Do they still make them like that? I'm not sure it's the case with several wrapless cues that I've seen.
Although I have fancier cues, the Shcon STL3 was my main player for a long time, until I got a Carmeli player second hand... That is the only cue that to me feels better than a Schon from my own experience, lately I do tend to prefer the Schon more though. I'm glad that I was able finally to get an extension for them.
I have two Clarke era Schon cues - a gray STL3 and LTD1405, both hit and feel great
They use to say that the feel of the Schon comes from the handle part (under the wrap) that was made from laminating various hard woods. Do they still make them like that? I'm not sure it's the case with several wrapless cues that I've seen.
LibraryFool77
Active member
I honestly don’t recall Schon at any time laminating cores. I don’t think Bob cored any, but I obviously don’t know.
jed1894 said:
The handle section under the wrap is constructed of many flat laminated woods instead of the traditional single piece of wood.
Here some pictures that I found on another forum posted by someone that I believe is also a member here (cpilegis)
I also remember that it is mentioned in the blue book of pool cues. I’ll check it later when I get home
LibraryFool77
Active member
Does anybody else recall a laminated core at Schon. When we were an authorized dealer, primarily when John ran the production after Evan, dealt w him as well, left to create Segen, I don’t believe they were.
LibraryFool77
Active member
I guess my question is! Are the five builders that Evan had on staff, the guys there now. I refuse to take anything from the current builders being adequate. But are they the same that John, Evan, or Bob would approve. I was told as Evan trained he did not touch a cue built by Bob, no employee at Schon touched Bobs work. That’s why is the hand of god, (hence, Clapton) riot in the east.
From the Blue Book of Pool cues
If they don't build them like that anymore then they aren't Schon anymore...
Every Schon I had that I changed the linen to leather had a laminated handle (3)
You're correct that a well made cue's butt is less of a factor in how a cue plays than the shaft. But it absolutely does make a difference in the overall feel and hit of cue.
I took in a nice Auerback wrapless cocobolo and birdseye cue as a part of a trade package years ago. It's very nice looking and well made. But it had/has a pretty substantial weight bolt in the butt. With the bolt, it plays and hits ok. But without the bolt, the balance feels perfectly neutral and it has a noticeably more crisp hit and feel. Could I get used to it with the bolt? Sure. Would I enjoy playing with it as much as my cues without a weight bolt throwing towards the butt, no way.
They were somewhat local to me, about 25 miles away. I was playing league in Racine and wanted my own cue and some friends said there was these guys in Milwaukee making cues and I should go take a look. Couldn't tell you who I saw as it was over 40 yrs ago and at the time to me they were just a couple guys making pretty cues. There was two guys there, it was a small place at the time.
They showed me some cues on a table and I picked bits and pieces from 3 or 4 of them. Cue was made in a couple months, and perfectly straight when I sold it 7 or 8 yrs ago. I did go back to their shop once to have my shaft cleaned up, and had a spare made at the same time. I had lent the cue to a friend one night and he got pretty drunk and took a piece of rough sandpaper I had in the case to scuff the tip, and used it on the shaft.
That cue cost me $340 and the spare shaft $35, a lot of money at that time for me, about two weeks pay.
JasonATX
Well-known member
It's not a prerequisite. I generally play as well as I'm going to within a few racks with whatever equipment I chose that day.
In this recent video at the Schon factory in Milwaukee, many of the handles do not look laminated.
shame
LibraryFool77
Active member
Shame? I knew John and Evan when I was a reseller. I have not tried a cue built on Terry Jr or his sisters watch but am curious. I had a great relationship w Evan and John, but have never heard a word from Terry Jr, never met Sr, wish I could have. The driving force and success of Schon was Bob Runde, who I believe, is one f the best ever. Correct me if I’m wrong but I heard Szam told Bob, how can you build a cue that great for what you sell it for in the early days. My 79 Runde cue after Bob left McDermott is my pride and joy. I’m getting older and considering letting it go if anyone who wants a piece of history is interested.
Yes, shame!
if the construction and techniques are not up to par with what made the cues hit special and famous for, then there is nothing there anymore...
If I'm a serious player looking for a cue, why should I be looking at a Schon?
- They don't offer extensions
- They don't offer low deflection shafts
- The construction is not what it used to be
- The rounded points.... I could let it slide if everything was great, but in today's cue world? and what you can get for the same money or less? Schon is not an option anymore. There is a reason why all the top players that used to play with Schon don't anymore.
LibraryFool77
Active member
I appreciate your response and it confirms my expectations. I revered Bob and really like Evan and John. I’m sad my dream cue is not what if was when I was 16.