The "name brand' ones have used prices around 80% of new. So that's around $400 for a Predator. That's my rough math based on this site and facebook groups.
I agree with trying Rhino. I have one and can't complain about it.
Have a wood collar cues of his (piloted 5/16 thread), spoke to Mr. Scruggs around 2013 and he recalled making a few cues with wood joint collars in the late 1990s. That's all I can offer here...
US men's soccer players realized in the last 10-15 years that going to Europe as an 18 year old prospect was better than going to college or straight to an MLS team. Some of them have made it into the top clubs, which are leagues better than MLS teams.
If a 16-18 year American player were...
Agree with you on this. In my league, I'm middle age and can't recall any player younger than 30 show interest in my custom cues. I'd estimate 80% of them play with carbon shafts.
It looks like Lee Vann Corteza still uses a standard shaft, going off ferrule length. But that can be deceiving, I know Mezz makes some shafts with ferrules around 5/8 or 3/4 inch which still have fairly low deflection.
The low deflection designation is not always a binary yes/no thing.
Not trying to pile it on, but numbers will certainly help. It's a rare wood and you'll probably be pressed to find a whole cue under $1k.
Some sellers here like to know a budget so as to not waste theirs or the buyers' time.
I respect your demands on specs but also have to wonder if you're letting the numbers get in your head.
All my playing cues have been + 19 oz., but I recetly picked up a 18.75 oz. cue and it is playable for me. I would have guessed it was 19.25 to 19.5 oz. had I not known.
Ultimately, only...
My interest level would be based on what you are playing, how well you play and how entertaining you are. I think the entertainment part is big. I could watch Earl Strickland all day but get bored of a slower, more deliberate player within a couple minutes, no matter how well he/she plays.