Custom and High End Cues on the Decline?

[Rusty in Montana]

But who's to say that everyone likes carbon fiber shafts or complete cues for that matter , my long time friend Frank McGowan played with one cue on either a 9' table or a 7' bar box yes it was a Balabushka cue , yes he had two of them but he played with one way more than he would with the other cue .
When you walked into the Broadwater Corner Pocket you never knew who,would be in there playing or even drinking for that matter with a variety of production cues and even a few custom cues .

Myself I would play with a old Adams Jim Rempe cue , or a Meucci but my favorite back then was a C 18 McDermott cue .
Now all of them are retired from regular play so to speak and I now use a Mike Gulyassy cue .

 

[loggerhead12]

Just because young people without a great deal of accumulated wealth can't afford ultra luxuries doesn't mean they need to be paid more in their relatively entry level jobs...

And they all seem to be walking around with $2k in iPhones, Airpods, and Apple watches. If you want something, you'll find the money.

 

[skip100]

And they all seem to be walking around with $2k in iPhones, Airpods, and Apple watches. If you want something, you'll find the money.

It’s true, most people would prefer a new iPhone, AirPods, and an Apple Watch over a 10-20% share in a hunk of inlaid wood. Shocking.

 

[muskyed]

No players under the age of, say, 45ish give a shit about the 'mystique' of a custom cue. A cue is a tool nothing more. I started back when the belief was that to play good you had to go custom. Those days are gone forever. Good playing cues can be had from 100bux on up.

Not sure I actually buy that. I have many cues and the list keeps growing. My opinion and mine only is those over 45 are buying customs just because, because it looks nice, because they like the maker because they want to possibly flip it later, because what ever, it doesn't matter actually, they are buying it just because they can as those over 45 are the ones who actually have more disposable income to play with, and not because they think that custom plays better.
I have a very desirable custom amongst my many cues, does it play better than my Schon's or Jacoby's, can't say that, does it play worse, heck no. Personally I feel it's just more available income in the older crowd.

 

[Flakeandrun]

My observations here in China, would be that mass produced (in a new colour every season), and what I would call "Factory custom" are heavily outweighing true handmade, custom built cues. There is aggressive marketing from influencers and 'experts'

There used to be a steady and observable market for handmade customs, especially from US makers. But the amount available on buying platforms, and the value of these, seems to be decreasing in general. With some select names being elevated to even more ludicrous prices (Tascarella, Searing, SW). I assume it's these same 'experts' pushing factory built custom who are wanting to make every last bit of profit from their old stock.

 

[loggerhead12]

. . . those over 45 are buying customs just because, because it looks nice, because they like the maker because they want to possibly flip it later, because what ever, it doesn't matter actually, they are buying it just because they can as those over 45 are the ones who actually have more disposable income to play with, and not because they think that custom plays better.
I have a very desirable custom amongst my many cues, does it play better than my Schon's or Jacoby's, can't say that, does it play worse, heck no. Personally I feel it's just more available income in the older crowd.

True. Do I need more hand-made mugs made from exotic woods? No, I do not. Will I buy more? Yes, I will, because I like them. A Solo cup would do the job just as well.

 

[mikemosconi]

Custom mugs, custom handguns, shotguns, custom made knives ( I recently sold a FOUND Chris Reeve 3 inch pocket knife for over $500!). custom golf clubs, Tiffany, Rolex-- the names go on and on- markets will always exist- in fact, the rich are getting richer and demanding even more high end items- the question in this post is- will the game of pool itself grow enough to support the high end cue purchases into the next generations - we don't know----- pool has funny way of coming back in America when you least expect it- see 1961 and 1986.

 

[Bavafongoul]

EDC pocket knives can be very expensive. My last few knife purchases this year
averaged over $300 and each knife was a new blade design as a pre-order too.
When all is said and done, a knife has but one purpose and it need not cost a lot.

 

[Twocylndr]

the question in this post is- will the game of pool itself grow enough to support the high end cue purchases into the next generations - we don't know----- pool has funny way of coming back in America when you least expect it- see 1961 and 1986.

Kinda hit on it...
Everyone is lamenting the decline in popularity of pool in the USA. Pool halls closing everywhere. It only stands to reason the less players you have the less equipment is purchased. The pool (sic) of players are down, the billiard industry is taking a hit at ALL levels, not just high end sticks.
The decline in popularity of pool is the reason high cue sales is declining.

 

[Benelli]

Kinda hit on it...
Everyone is lamenting the decline in popularity of pool in the USA. Pool halls closing everywhere. It only stands to reason the less players you have the less equipment is purchased. The pool (sic) of players are down, the billiard industry is taking a hit at ALL levels, not just high end sticks.
The decline in popularity of pool is the reason high cue sales is declining.

I'm down, hope it continues for at least three more years so I can continue to snatch up killer cues at basement prices!!

Fools be dumping those Rambows and Martins at fiberglass Cuetec prices Yo!

 

[Rackaday]

What’s that guy’s deal? I hear good things

I am far outside the circle of cue makers (small or large scale), but I have watched a handful of his videos. It gives a glimpse into the tools he is using and the execution of some of his creative ideas. He has a site EO cues, but it showing 3 pages of cues (all sold out). Maybe he is on here, but is quiet.

 

[Benelli]

I am far outside the circle of cue makers (small or large scale), but I have watched a handful of his videos. It gives a glimpse into the tools he is using and the execution of some of his creative ideas. He has a site EO cues, but it showing 3 pages of cues (all sold out). Maybe he is on here, but is quiet.

Last time I checked with him he was not on AZB.

Eddie has a following he built with his content and is able to build a mix of custom ordered/spec cues for folks and is doing one off cues that he cuts a video for and sells on his website.

Like I said, he's a mad genius, and to his own detriment, willing to try anything a customer request no matter how impossible the ask.

 

[Paul_#_]

It gives a glimpse into the tools he is using and the execution of some of his creative ideas. He has a site EO cues, but it showing 3 pages of cues (all sold out)

Eddie has a following he built with his content and is able to build a mix of custom ordered/spec cues for folks and is doing one off cues that he cuts a video for and sells on his website.

Custom cues will always attract some.

eo cues

Pool cues by eo cues / studiotronics

eocues.com

 

[Benelli]

Custom cues will always attract some.

eo cues

Pool cues by eo cues / studiotronics

eocues.com

View attachment 868148

View attachment 868149

I don't get your point.

 

[Rackaday]

In the 90s the top Players were playing with Cues Made and in many cases given to them by top Cue Makers. Today all the top Players are signed by the bigger Production Cue manufactuers. When the under 40 crowd see this , this is what they want. So you are correct .

Again to my earlier point of marketing and brand recognition. Pool the game and pool as a lifestyle will likely never return to the “old days”. We keep just pointing out that people’s preferences, motivations and even achievements all vary wildly. At some point even this forum will barely have anyone interacting and may only be kept alive as an archive. “That’s just the way it is baby” -The Rembrandts

 

[Rackaday]

But who's to say that everyone likes carbon fiber shafts or complete cues for that matter , my long time friend Frank McGowan played with one cue on either a 9' table or a 7' bar box yes it was a Balabushka cue , yes he had two of them but he played with one way more than he would with the other cue .
When you walked into the Broadwater Corner Pocket you never knew who,would be in there playing or even drinking for that matter with a variety of production cues and even a few custom cues .

Myself I would play with a old Adams Jim Rempe cue , or a Meucci but my favorite back then was a C 18 McDermott cue .
Now all of them are retired from regular play so to speak and I now use a Mike Gulyassy cue .

Hello Rusty . Have you ever posted any pictures of this Mike G. cue? I take it that you are very happy with it. What would you say your favorite thing is about it? Sticking with the thread, what was your thought vs just buying a cheaper butt and cf shaft? You contributed even a single heartbeat to the dying production from the custom cue maker (as proposed in this thread).

 

[sciarco]

When it comes to custom cues buy whatever cue you like and enjoy it, to some money is no object to others well you have to watch what you spend, just enjoy playing the game no matter what you use.

 

[Rusty in Montana]

Hello Rackaday , my Mike Gulyassy cue isn't fancy it has a black linen wrap that is like what he put on some of his sledgehammer cues , the tips on both shafts are G2 medium tips with a dime arc .
My cell phone camera is awful for taking close up pictures of cues , I've tried quite a few times and it just doesn't work out to my satisfaction , which if I'm not happy with them I'm sure no one else would be either .
As for carbon fiber shafts , I had a JP cue with a maple shaft and a rouge 12.4 shaft , yes it hit a ball very well I just didn't care for it !
I maybe just go old fashioned and prefer wood over carbon .

If someone else likes carbon better then good for them , to me it's a Ford , Chevy Dodge or which girl is prettiest ha ha we have to go with what is right for us and go from there .
Back to my Gulyassy cue there is a learning curve to it at times I'm a slow learner but I'm very comfortable playing with it now much to the dismay of many I play against at league games .

I've got a couple other fine pool cues one was a gift from a old friend who can no longer play it hits a ball very well however it lacks something when I play with it maybe a tip replacement would do the trick but then I like a 13 mm shaft or larger .

 

[Bavafongoul]

I finally decided these are my favorite 3 cues to play with using 3rd party Kielwood shafts I bought.
And one of these cues just plays a notch above the other two, both of which are really nice to use.

However, if I only play using the orig. maple shafts, only the Scruggs remains in both top 3 groups.
What amazed me is how KW shafts really do play better than the same weight original maple shafts.

The other 3 cues in my case (6x12) have the same threads as the cues in the photo so I can pull one
any time and play with a Kielwood shaft. Screw CF….I’ve always played wood shafts & KW is great.

p.s. I think custom cues will endure over time and at least retain orig. value rather drop like other cues.

 

[Rackaday]

Hello Rackaday , my Mike Gulyassy cue isn't fancy it has a black linen wrap that is like what he put on some of his sledgehammer cues , the tips on both shafts are G2 medium tips with a dime arc .
My cell phone camera is awful for taking close up pictures of cues , I've tried quite a few times and it just doesn't work out to my satisfaction , which if I'm not happy with them I'm sure no one else would be either .
As for carbon fiber shafts , I had a JP cue with a maple shaft and a rouge 12.4 shaft , yes it hit a ball very well I just didn't care for it !
I maybe just go old fashioned and prefer wood over carbon .

If someone else likes carbon better then good for them , to me it's a Ford , Chevy Dodge or which girl is prettiest ha ha we have to go with what is right for us and go from there .
Back to my Gulyassy cue there is a learning curve to it at times I'm a slow learner but I'm very comfortable playing with it now much to the dismay of many I play against at league games .

I've got a couple other fine pool cues one was a gift from a old friend who can no longer play it hits a ball very well however it lacks something when I play with it maybe a tip replacement would do the trick but then I like a 13 mm shaft or larger .

Hey, it’s sounds like you are human like the rest of us. You didn’t find what worked for you on the first try and there is nothing wrong with that. I currently have a Joss, Jacoby and Pechauer that I shoot with. I also have a few customs being worked on and if I am lucky, one or more of them will become cues I play with. The one I feel the most effective (the most important) will get the most table time. 2nd, I get the bonus of knowing that I contributed a little to the look/design of the cue. You reminded me that I should try something other than the 12.75mm that I have 5 different shafts in. Maybe I would like the way a 13mm or even a 12.5mm tipped shaft plays. I jumped in with both feet, but look forward to just enjoying the journey of playing the game one ball at a time.