Am I dreaming or can this be done?

G

Gio Sr.

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I want someone to copy my D10 exactly as far as weight, balance, diameter, but I want it made with some crazy fancy cocobolo and just some rings. No points . I just want a butt as I'm happy with the shafts I am shooting.

The reason is, I have had the D10 for about a year and maybe I'm super sensitive but nothing I pick up feels right, everything feels just a little off. Also I am lusting over some of the cues I see in cocobolo. I saw one at the SBE in Edison NJ that I really wanted but timing was not right.

Thanks
 
Based on first hand experience, it is important to keep an open mind and realize that even though it may be duplicated by specifications, the "feel" may still be different. I think this is why some cue makers will shy away from this type of request. Even if they do everything perfect the characteristics of the materials will differ.
 
EightballJunkie said:
All the things you mentioned can be replicated, and I think there are several cue makers here that could do it and do it well. How willing they'd be, that might be a different story.

Many established makers build cues to their own custom specs, it's part of what makes them unique, a point of difference. I'm not sure many would like to copy another's work anymore than they'd like having their work copied. That's not to say it doesn't happen, because it does ...Laurie over at Southwest probably knows this as well as anyone. What you're asking for falls into a grey area I think.

Anyway, this may sound silly but have you contacted McDermott to ask if they could custom build the cue for you?
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HereWeGo said:
Based on first hand experience, it is important to keep an open mind and realize that even though it may be duplicated by specifications, the "feel" may still be different. I think this is why some cue makers will shy away from this type of request. Even if they do everything perfect the characteristics of the materials will differ.
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Thanks I really appreciate the heads up. I did not think it through, I surely did not want to offend anyone.

I will have to figure out how to get my cocobolo fantasy that will feel right. I would rather work it out with a custom maker than going with McDermott.

Thanks
 
Gio Sr. said:
Thanks I really appreciate the heads up. I did not think it through, I surely did not want to offend anyone.

I will have to figure out how to get my cocobolo fantasy that will feel right. I would rather work it out with a custom maker than going with McDermott.

Thanks
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I would think you'd have a better chance to get what you want look and feel wise from McD. Cornerstone has had many a "custom" McDermott made. I've got a Bill000 that's based on the D24 that is just fantastic. You also avoid the whole copying original work resistance that many makers are going to be resisntant about.

:cool:
 
I want to clear this up. I do Not want the cue to resemble the D10 in appearance at all.[/B] I just want it to have the same dimensions. Weight and balance and close to the feel as possible .

Thanks

Lou
 
Building exactly the cue you want with all items copied perfectly isn't going to make you a cue that will feel the same or that you will like. Using wood from the same boards and building exactly the same cues will produce two cues that will still feel a little different. Especially since you are super sensitive

If you want to find the cue you like best, get back to the SBE and try different cues till you find one that you like.
 
EightballJunkie said:
I think you were clear enough in the first post. It was never implied you were looking for an exact copy, but I felt what you're asking for falls in to a grey area.

I'll try to put things in perspective and use a Schon cue as an example.

Lets say one entity copies from pictures every visual element of STL18. They build a cue that looks like a STL18, but the construction and specs are off and it feels & plays more like an inexpensive department store cue.

Now lets say another entity actually gets their hands on a STL18 and specs the entire cue. They take note of the materials used, and perhaps even tear it down to get specifics on the construction. They build a cue to exact spec, it feels & plays exactly like Schon but bares no resemblance.

Who's the bigger offender here?

In comparison to what you've asked for, the second example is extreme. There are similarities, but at what point is the line is crossed? This is what makes it a grey area because different people will have different opinions on that.
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I am sensitive to what you are saying, mainly because I worked as a freelance photographer and I also tried to play guitar and mandolin. I am well aware of copy wright laws. In music people are very sensitive, but there are lots of "cover bands."

I just asked an innocent question. This is the second time I posted a newbie question and the second time people took offense. The last time I was even accused of lying about being a newbie. So I guess I better not post here. I guess I don't have enough knowledge to ask a question that will get an answer. What confuses me is where do I go to get knowledge if not here.

I think y'all need to lighten up.
 
Paul Dayton said:
Building exactly the cue you want with all items copied perfectly isn't going to make you a cue that will feel the same or that you will like. Using wood from the same boards and building exactly the same cues will produce two cues that will still feel a little different. Especially since you are super sensitive

If you want to find the cue you like best, get back to the SBE and try different cues till you find one that you like.
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Thanks for your help :)
 
EightballJunkie said:
My posts weren't intended to be critical, and my apologies if they came across that way. I was simply trying to be informative, and explain the sentiments some may have toward using another maker's specs.

As far as your cue, I imagine there's someone out there willing to give it shot and I wish you the best of luck with that. Since you'll be using the shafts you already have, perhaps someone will have better odds of getting it right.
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OK Dan . Peace :wave2:
 
The spectrum of opinion on this is pretty broad.

A few years ago I built 2 cues for a guy who liked very slim, light cues. A while later he found another cuemaker, very well known, who's work he liked also, and he wanted a cue made by this other guy, This cuemaker made only fat, heavy cues, which he didn't care for, so could I make him one similar to his but to my specs. I told him to see if the other cuemaker would make one to his (my) specs. The cuemaker said "sure", so he (my friend) had me measure one of the cues I had made and he gave these specs to the other cuemaker to use on a new cue.

The cuemaker had no problem with this because the specs (the weight and physical dimensions) were kind of "normal" and not really far from what he already was making, just a bit slimmer and a bit lighter.

Well, he made the cue and my friend liked it so much he ordered another one! They were very nice cues, and nicely reflected that cuemaker's style. No one would ever confuse them for anyone else's work.

A while later I had occasion to speak to this same cuemaker and after a bit of conversation I mentioned I had sent him a customer. He said enthusiastically "Oh yeah, that guy! Nice guy, but he sure does like his cues wimpy"! (that's the exact word he used, meaning slim and light)
So I told him he had built it to the specs I used for the guy's other cues which I had made..

Well, the guy absolutely threw a fit and swore he would NEVER make a cue to anyone's specs but his own. He was really pretty angry, as if he had been "tricked" somehow.

Now, this whole thing blew my mind because I absolutely could not see what the problem was since everyone loved the cues and thought they were some of that cuemaker's best work. "Wow! nice and slim. And light! Cool! Great hit!". On and on.

So this is just some more food for thought concerning how some artists (cuemakers) view their own work. I don't subscribe to that point of view, in fact, I don't get it at all, but it's out there. Fasten your seatbelt.

Go figure.

Robin Snyder
 
One thing I've always noticed about the D-10 cues, they've always felt a bit different to me and hit slightly different than any of the other D series. I think due to the solid rosewood construction (I think that's the D-10...it's late!)

Anyway, the D-10 is my favorite of the D series for that very reason. Had one stolen in 1992 and I still get mad thinking about it!
 
EightballJunkie said:
I think you were clear enough in the first post. It was never implied you were looking for an exact copy, but I felt what you're asking for falls in to a grey area.

I'll try to put things in perspective and use a Schon cue as an example.

Lets say one entity copies from pictures every visual element of STL18. They build a cue that looks like a STL18, but the construction and specs are off and it feels & plays more like an inexpensive department store cue.

Now lets say another entity actually gets their hands on a STL18 and specs the entire cue. They take note of the materials used, and perhaps even tear it down to get specifics on the construction. They build a cue to exact spec, it feels & plays exactly like Schon but bares no resemblance.

Who's the bigger offender here?

In comparison to what you've asked for, the second example is extreme. There are similarities, but at what point is the line is crossed? This is what makes it a grey area because different people will have different opinions on that.
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The offender is the company that copies the look. Even though pool cue desigb s don't have copyright protection (they should) it is still offensive.

The company that copies the construction is not an offender at all. The law is very clear that you may reverse engineer anything and build your version based on that. Only in cases where a patent is involved is there gray area.
 
EightballJunkie said:
I don't know John, I think either scenario crosses the line. It really all boils down to personal ethics, kind of an honor among thieves thing.
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:D AHhaaaaa!!!!! honor among thieves :D:yes: The truth comes out :D:winknudge:

I couldn't pass it up:grin-devilish:
 
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