From what I have read, Jim Sforza from CA. is a Jeweler who learned cue making from Bert Schrager in the 90s. Jim's cues are inscribed "by Castle". Apparently Jim made some very high end elaborately inlayed cues 20-25 years ago that sold for $thousands.
I recently acquired a NEW "by Castle" cue for $300, looks like Jim is making and selling cues on e bay; and here is my take on it:
Beautiful Wood: Costa Rican Rosewood, from the same wood stock used by the Martin guitar company- some of the nicest wood I have ever seen on a cue.
Five sets of Five silver rings including shaft collar - stunning appearance!
Elephant Ear wrap ! Not done perfectly- I've seen better skin wrap work - but acceptable and ON A $300 cue! - never seen THAT before.
Elforyn joint, butt plate, overlapping shaft collar and ferrule. 3/8 10 pin
Triumph medium tip- I like how it plays and shapes
Very straight shaft- Stiffer taper starting at 13MM- like a Gilbert, or Capone
Overall very, very strong playing cue, hits like my Gilbert with an ivory joint. I replaced the aluminum weigh bolt with SS to get the cue weight up to 18.8 oz.- slight forward balance , even with the extra rear weight since the shaft weighs 4.2 oz.
Overall, I think, a very good new cue buy at $300 - I am still in awe of how well it plays!
Some photos:
I recently acquired a NEW "by Castle" cue for $300, looks like Jim is making and selling cues on e bay; and here is my take on it:
Beautiful Wood: Costa Rican Rosewood, from the same wood stock used by the Martin guitar company- some of the nicest wood I have ever seen on a cue.
Five sets of Five silver rings including shaft collar - stunning appearance!
Elephant Ear wrap ! Not done perfectly- I've seen better skin wrap work - but acceptable and ON A $300 cue! - never seen THAT before.
Elforyn joint, butt plate, overlapping shaft collar and ferrule. 3/8 10 pin
Triumph medium tip- I like how it plays and shapes
Very straight shaft- Stiffer taper starting at 13MM- like a Gilbert, or Capone
Overall very, very strong playing cue, hits like my Gilbert with an ivory joint. I replaced the aluminum weigh bolt with SS to get the cue weight up to 18.8 oz.- slight forward balance , even with the extra rear weight since the shaft weighs 4.2 oz.
Overall, I think, a very good new cue buy at $300 - I am still in awe of how well it plays!
Some photos:
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