Mike Johnson (Jensen Custom Cues) is a respected American custom pool cue maker based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He has built cues for decades (activity noted since around 1969) under the Jensen name.
He runs a one-man shop using traditional methods inspired by Gus Szamboti (including techniques such as a “buzz ring”). His cues are praised for solid, stiff hits with a distinctive “ding,” good balance, forward punch, and strong playability (including low deflection on draw shots). He favors denser woods and heavier shafts, stainless-steel piloted joints (commonly 5/16-14), high-quality woods (Canadian rock maple, Brazilian rosewood, curly maple, bocote, ebony, tulipwood, etc.), detailed ring work, veneers, inlays, and wraps (Irish linen, leather, etc.). Signatures typically read “Jensen” with a year; full “Mike Johnson” signatures are rarer.
Cues range from solid players to elaborate customs. Collectors and players (including past associations with Buddy Hall, Jimmy Reid, David Matlock, and C.J. Wiley) value the consistency and craftsmanship. Recent examples from the 2010s–2020s have sold in the roughly $1,500–$2,300+ range depending on condition and features.
Johnson is described as friendly and collaborative. He is married to June. In March 2016 he suffered a serious motorcycle accident (hit by a vehicle), resulting in the loss of his left lower leg and other injuries; he recovered enough to continue making cues. As of the early 2020s he was still actively taking orders from his Louisiana shop. Contact is typically made through collector networks.
Current offering: A rare example (noted as unusual for him) featuring fleur-de-lis motifs is available for $1900. Specs are in the pictures
He runs a one-man shop using traditional methods inspired by Gus Szamboti (including techniques such as a “buzz ring”). His cues are praised for solid, stiff hits with a distinctive “ding,” good balance, forward punch, and strong playability (including low deflection on draw shots). He favors denser woods and heavier shafts, stainless-steel piloted joints (commonly 5/16-14), high-quality woods (Canadian rock maple, Brazilian rosewood, curly maple, bocote, ebony, tulipwood, etc.), detailed ring work, veneers, inlays, and wraps (Irish linen, leather, etc.). Signatures typically read “Jensen” with a year; full “Mike Johnson” signatures are rarer.
Cues range from solid players to elaborate customs. Collectors and players (including past associations with Buddy Hall, Jimmy Reid, David Matlock, and C.J. Wiley) value the consistency and craftsmanship. Recent examples from the 2010s–2020s have sold in the roughly $1,500–$2,300+ range depending on condition and features.
Johnson is described as friendly and collaborative. He is married to June. In March 2016 he suffered a serious motorcycle accident (hit by a vehicle), resulting in the loss of his left lower leg and other injuries; he recovered enough to continue making cues. As of the early 2020s he was still actively taking orders from his Louisiana shop. Contact is typically made through collector networks.
Current offering: A rare example (noted as unusual for him) featuring fleur-de-lis motifs is available for $1900. Specs are in the pictures
