AZ Buildoff Cues

Sorry I couldn't take part in the festivities. I will be in Italy next week. I kept forgetting to give a heads up about it....plus I wanted to see where they were at what time just in case I would've still had time to take part. I did send you a PM a good while back, but I guess you missed it.
 
gunzby said:
Sorry I couldn't take part in the festivities. I will be in Italy next week. I kept forgetting to give a heads up about it....plus I wanted to see where they were at what time just in case I would've still had time to take part. I did send you a PM a good while back, but I guess you missed it.
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Got ya covered now......thanks! and enjoy your trip
 
RD3P said:
so what cues are the best...whats going on with this?
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The cues and case is here with me. I sent cue #2 to have the cuemaker make another shaft for the cue. Once the cue get back to me, I will send them on to Fast Lenny. Here is the lest of people that will recieve the cues.


Fast Lenny - Phoenix AZ

HollyWood - Minnesota Have DL copy

Brandoncook26 - Kentucky

shakes - Mississippi

Klink - NW Florida

John Biddle - Clearwater FL

Brozif - Virginia

Bamacues - Maryland

hellfish - Syracuse, NY

a9ballbr8k - Rochester NY

Then back to ftgokie in Oklahoma for the cues and case to be raffled off.
 
TWOFORPOOL said:
Cue 1:

Craftsmanship: 10
Feel & Playability: 8.75
Overall: 9.375
RANKING: 3rd Place

Excellent leather wrap and craftsmanship. Hard noisy hit but played very well.

Cue 2:
Craftsmanship: 7
Feel & Playability: 7
Overall: 7
RANKING: 5TH Place

Shaft warped, nice finish/wrap, hard hit but ok.

Cue 3:
Craftsmanship: 6
Feel & Playability: 6
Overall: 6
RANKING: 6th Place

Poor finish that is flaking and too soft. Small ding UNDER finish, hit was just ok.

Cue 4:
Craftsmanship: 8
Feel & Playability: 8
Overall: 8
RANKING: 4TH Place

You can feel changes in materials (plastic to wood). Hit was just ok.

Cue 5:
Craftsmanship: 10
Feel & Playability: 9
Overall: 9.50
RANKING: 2ND Place

Excellent finish and craftsmanship. Very well balanced and great hit. I really liked this cue and it was a tough decision between this cue and cue 6. I liked the shaft taper on this cue better than 6.

Cue 6:
Craftsmanship: 10
Feel & Playability: 9.5
Overall: 9.75
RANKING: 1ST Place

Excellent finish and craftsmanship. Very well balanced and great hit. I really liked this cue also. Although the shaft taper was stiffer it seemed to be a little more efficient and a hair more solid than cue 5. Again it was a tough decision between this cue and cue 5 as to which cue was best.

SUMMARY: Cues 5 and 6 are very similar with the shaft taper and butt size being the biggest difference. I would buy both of these cues. They are both excellent players and the balance and craftsmanship is outstanding. I wouldn’t be surprised if they knew each other or have worked together. Cue 1 is a very well made cue but I didn’t like the hard hit (personal preference) and balance as well but still a very good playing cue. The other 3 cues are just regular cues that need improvement.
Click to expand...

My short form review of these cues as laid out on the table by
TWOFORPOOL when he had them:

Appearance:

All of them
look like a high school kid made them
in wood shop for extra credit.

Playability:

Cue #5 is a well tuned instrument. I will buy raffle spots when
this one goes on raffle

Cue #6 has too much junk in the trunk. Now TWOFORPOOL likes
that sort of thng, however it's not for me.

The rest of them may as well been McDermott pre-production
test cases.

The truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
 
asiasdad said:
My short form review of these cues as laid out on the table by
TWOFORPOOL when he had them:

Appearance:

All of them
look like a high school kid made them
in wood shop for extra credit.

Playability:

Cue #5 is a well tuned instrument. I will buy raffle spots when
this one goes on raffle

Cue #6 has too much junk in the trunk. Now TWOFORPOOL likes
that sort of thng, however it's not for me.

The rest of them may as well been McDermott pre-production
test cases.

The truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
Click to expand...

Wow, That was a quite a review. I didn't know that children were on the list of people reviewing the cues, but all feedback should be and is welcome. Your comments were obviously well thought out and I'm sure all the people involved in this will take your comments to heart later.

When you go back to school, I would like for you to ask your teachers to explain the word "tact" to you. A good example of using "tact" would be my first paragraph. The reason I recommend this? When you get to be a big boy, and you're disrespectful to people, It could result in getting your ass whipped.

The use of "tact" will allow you to critique someones work without being disrespectful, and although the persons may not like your evaluation, they are less likely to be offended and you are less likely to get your ass whipped.
 
Hmm..well, I honestly wasnt wanting such harsh criticism on these cues. But everyone is different in what type of cue they like. So everyone needs to not just go off 1 review. What you might like, I may not.

I do feel that some of the cues do look like they had more care taken in making the cue, but, I dont think any of them are junk. I do have a best and a worst on my list out of the cues, but that is not saying I would not buy the worst one, it just doesnt fit in my hand, and feel perfect. If I played with the cue a few times, I would be able to adjust to it.

Everyone is entitled to his opinion though so I am not discouraging anyone from commenting on these cues. I do feel all cuemakers want an honest opinion on each cue. It is thier choice to see if they want to maybe change something on future cues or not, after all, it is thier cue, with thier name on it.

I still feel this buildoff is a good thing and I want to again thank each and every cuemaker involved in the buildoff and also John Barton for making a donating us an awesome cue case! Thanks EVERYONE involved!

Shawn
 
ftgokie said:
Hmm..well, I honestly wasnt wanting such harsh criticism on these cues.

Everyone is entitled to his opinion though so I am not discouraging anyone from commenting on these cues. I do feel all cuemakers want an honest opinion on each cue. It is thier choice to see if they want to maybe change something on future cues or not, after all, it is thier cue, with thier name on it.


Shawn
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Shawn,



It is due to the fact that no one put their names on the cues that
blatant, honest feedback can be given. Had the cuemakers put their
names on the cues, you would have received more nut hugging
evaluations than you already have on this thread.

Personally, had the cuemakers names been disclosed, I would have
made no comment at all, as that is the definition of tact in this case as
a named cuemaker has a right to make a living.

When you requested honest evaluations for this build off, you
received from me what was requested. The old saying of be careful
of what you ask for, you might get it applies.

The ass whipping poster from Kentucky may do well to heed
those words as anyone can be an internet commando.

I do look forward to the raffle on #5. It is extremely well balanced,
and had excellent feedback. It played as well as a TAD, better than
a SW, and nearly as well as a Lambros. It would make a great chunk
of wood to pull out of a case as it does not draw attention to itself
in the fact that it looks like just another cheap import cue. That is
part of its' appeal to me.

Danny
 
asiasdad said:
Shawn,



It is due to the fact that no one put their names on the cues that
blatant, honest feedback can be given. Had the cuemakers put their
names on the cues, you would have received more nut hugging
evaluations than you already have on this thread.

Personally, had the cuemakers names been disclosed, I would have
made no comment at all, as that is the definition of tact in this case as
a named cuemaker has a right to make a living.

When you requested honest evaluations for this build off, you
received from me what was requested. The old saying of be careful
of what you ask for, you might get it applies.

The ass whipping poster from Kentucky may do well to heed
those words as anyone can be an internet commando.

I do look forward to the raffle on #5. It is extremely well balanced,
and had excellent feedback. It played as well as a TAD, better than
a SW, and nearly as well as a Lambros. It would make a great chunk
of wood to pull out of a case as it does not draw attention to itself
in the fact that it looks like just another cheap import cue. That is
part of its' appeal to me.

Danny
Click to expand...

Brother, Nobody has threatened to whip your ass. My point was you could critique these cues without insulting someones livlihood. I think a couple of these guys do this full time and your post was insulting to all involved. An honest opinion can be given without insults. Good Luck
 
asiasdad said:
Shawn,



It is due to the fact that no one put their names on the cues that
blatant, honest feedback can be given. Had the cuemakers put their
names on the cues, you would have received more nut hugging
evaluations than you already have on this thread.

Personally, had the cuemakers names been disclosed, I would have
made no comment at all, as that is the definition of tact in this case as
a named cuemaker has a right to make a living.

When you requested honest evaluations for this build off, you
received from me what was requested. The old saying of be careful
of what you ask for, you might get it applies.

The ass whipping poster from Kentucky may do well to heed
those words as anyone can be an internet commando.

I do look forward to the raffle on #5. It is extremely well balanced,
and had excellent feedback. It played as well as a TAD, better than
a SW, and nearly as well as a Lambros. It would make a great chunk
of wood to pull out of a case as it does not draw attention to itself
in the fact that it looks like just another cheap import cue. That is
part of its' appeal to me.

Danny
Click to expand...

Danny, your evaluation, regardless of what anyone else says, is exactly what I want. You were just straight, and to the point. I appreciate that. But, as you already know, what you think is an awesome player, I might think is a wet dog turd....:grin-square: Not any 2 people are gonna have the same likes on everything about a cue. This is to give a broad view on what alot of people like or dislike about each cue. I like to think I have high standards in cues, but to me, each cue was a basic playing cue. A couple of the cues craftsmanship were better than others, but, the worst cue (for me) I still wouldnt hesitate to have as a player..it would just take me some time to get used to it.

I believe you said cue was too butt heavy...I ahree also, it was too big around for my hand...but with that being said, I still liked the cue.

So I appreciate your honest opinion that is what I was wanting..I was just not wanting such a rough. harsh feedback, but, thats ok were all adults (most everyone in here) and I am sure we can move on from here...maybe it will make the cuemakers take a step back and say...ok, 1 guy said "this" about my cue...what can I do to improve my cue to make it play better or more appealing. Or, he may say, I am just gonna leave it exactly like it is..

Thanks
Shawn
 
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I think it is critical to this process that any and all feedback should be actively encouraged. The whole purpose of this process was to get that honest and open feedback.

Using the double blind process, or as close to it as we could get, helps that goal substantially. By eliminating people's preconceived notions, or their desire to influence the outcome positively or negatively for any specific cuemaker, we get closer to the actual truth.

We all have our different ways of expressing ourselves. One guy's bluntness might not sit well with another's more refined or respectful approach. But in the end I think it's the data and the opinions that count, not the words they use to express them.

If we artificially restrict how people have to express their opinions, we might get more polite replies. But that might result in not being able to tell what people really think, or the strength of those opinions. If all positive reviews are glowing, because people want to express their thanks to the cuemakers for participating, and all negative reviews are softened to "be nice", will we really get an honest understanding of what people are thinking about these cues?

Another concern I have with "influencing" the write-ups of participants is that they may just keep their opinions to themselves. That's not at all good for what we set out to achieve here. Especially since negative opinions will be the ones most likely to be silenced, yielding skewed results.
 
John Biddle said:
I think it is critical to this process that any and all feedback should be actively encouraged. The whole purpose of this process was to get that honest and open feedback.

Using the double blind process, or as close to it as we could get, helps that goal substantially. By eliminating people's preconceived notions, or their desire to influence the outcome positively or negatively for any specific cuemaker, we get closer to the actual truth.

We all have our different ways of expressing ourselves. One guy's bluntness might not sit well with another's more refined or respectful approach. But in the end I think it's the data and the opinions that count, not the words they use to express them.

If we artificially restrict how people have to express their opinions, we might get more polite replies. But that might result in not being able to tell what people really think, or the strength of those opinions. If all positive reviews are glowing, because people want to express their thanks to the cuemakers for participating, and all negative reviews are softened to "be nice", will we really get an honest understanding of what people are thinking about these cues?

Another concern I have with "influencing" the write-ups of participants is that they may just keep their opinions to themselves. That's not at all good for what we set out to achieve here. Especially since negative opinions will be the ones most likely to be silenced, yielding skewed results.
Click to expand...


John...great post.....

It was always my intention to get honest, unbiased feedback...I appreciate any and all feedback...
 
Got the cue and new shaft back from XXX cuemaker.

We have the Sooner State Games singles tourney at my pool hall this weekend, I am gonna let some people hit with the cues, then get them shipped out to Fast Lenny March 1.

Shawn
 
Im in Alamogordo right now, cues will ship out this friday. I have pm'd Fast Lenny for an address to ship the cues to but have not heard anything. If I dont hear anything back from Lenny, they will go to the next in line.....
 
Fast Lenny...if you want the build off cues to come to you for testing....send me your mailing addy so I can send them out to you this friday.

If Fast Lenny does not respond they will go to the next in line which is HollyWood.

Brandoncook26, if you would like to recieve the cues, let me know

I will email these 3 to get shipping info

Shawn
 
Lenny has alot of things going on and cant recieve the cues unfortunately :( He is a very busy man....and great for pool I might ad! Thanks Lenny for all you do for pool with your live streams :grin:

HollyWood......Your next in line......send me your mailing addy so I can ship the cues to you.


HollyWood - Minnesota Have DL copy

Brandoncook26 - Kentucky

Klink - NW Florida

John Biddle - Clearwater FL

Bamacues - Maryland

hellfish - Syracuse, NY

a9ballbr8k - Rochester NY

Then back to ftgokie in Oklahoma.


Shawn
 
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Cues should be heading out this week to the next in line....

Thanks guys for being behind this!!
Shawn
 
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