So I'm saving up for a high end custom cue. Unfortunately there are a lot of them I am unable to try out before I buy. However there are makers I've heard a lot of good things about. Price doesn't matter too much, Black Boar is probably out of the price range. Right now I play with a Schon and it's okay, doesn't quite have the feedback I'd like.
List I'm considering:
Scruggs (Will be able to hit with one soon to test)
Southwest (Maybe can find one to try)
Bender
Tascarella
Capone
Diveney (Tried one recently and liked it a lot)
I also really like how a lot of Cohen and Bob Owen's look.
Anything else that is really good I should consider?
IMO the most important part of getting a custom cue is making sure it is customized to your actual requirements and preferences in a cue. Buying a high end cue maker's cue made for another is "cue collecting" not getting a custom high. Of course through trial and error you can find one that fits exactly but that is difficult unless your requirements are mainstream. Unfortunately it is not possible to get a custom from Scruggs any longer.
First I would start with the type of cue I wanted outside of maker. There are two main "camps" in cues.
First would be sort of the Balabushka inspired cues. These are softer hitting medium stiff cues, generally forward weighted with a crisp feel. Balabushka, Tascarella, Joss East and West, Scruggs, Szambotti, custom Schons by Runde/Clark, Mottey, LMW, etc
Second is the Kersenbrock inspired cues. These tend to be very firm hitting very very stiff cues (due to the parabolic taper) and from cue makers such as Kersenbrock, Southwest, Sugartree Howard, Olney,etc
HOWEVER there is incredible variation within even these camps because of differences in woods, joint type, joint material, shaft taper, shaft thickness, type of tip, weight and balance. They may fit into a general category but all these factors mean that no 2 Tascarellas play exactly the same, no two SW play exactly the same, but if you select the sort of "camp" you like and they add in the specific features you prefer you can dial in what you want.
Of course it should be noted that many cuemakers can make cues all across the spectrum such as Gilbert, Treadway, Searing, Phelps and many others.
If I were you I would ask myself these questions:
What weight and balance feels comfortable in my hand?
"Playing" weight is a function of these two things. Two 19.2 oz cues, one back weighted, and one forward weighted will have an effective "playing" weight very different from each other. The 19.2 back weighted will feel maybe an ounce heavier than the forward weighted cue. I like 18oz of below AND forward weighted making my cues feel very light.
What shaft size do I like?
Standard is 13mm, but thinner shafts tend to be less stiff, deflect less (in the maple world) and lighter. I had a 13mm Treadway that was very stiff, he turned it down to 12.75 and the cue came "alive" and was still stiff but noticeably less so
How thick of a butt do I like? Diviney is known for very thin butts so that might be something you want to get. My Tascarella is the thinnest one he has ever made at the butt.
What type of tip do I like? Tip can make a huge difference in the hit perception of a cue Some will say it is the only thing that matters but I disagree, It is however true that the biggest contributors to how a cue plays is TIP, shaft taper, shaft thickness and to some extent ferrule size and material.
What wrap do I prefer? Wrap can have a big influence over feel. Linen, leather and wrapless all have very different feels.
Once you have decided all these things select a cue maker from the right camp and then zero in on the characteristics above and you will be very happy.
Keep in mind you WILL wait. Likely a long time. If you want a SW either wait 14 years or find a person willing to sell their spot though Laurie frowns on it.
I went through this process first by trial and error cue collecting and then going to the right custom cue maker.
Pete Tascarella made me a cue unlike almost any he has ever made. It is SS jointed but weighs 17.8 oz. It has 12,5mm shafts with 1" Ivory ferrules and has as thin as a handle as he would make (I just asked him to make the handle as thin as he would where he would still consider a Tascarella) It is an amazing cue. Super solid, stiff but not too much, great sound, ultra consistent and lots of finesse. Have had it for 8 months and dont see me ever moving on.
FWIW, Alan Phelps made me a cue almost as good that I cherish with the same characteristics and Josh Treadway is making me one as well that will also have a joint never seen in a cue before.
Since you like Diveney, I would get one from him, or look at Tascarella, possibly Treadway as my first choices,