CUE REVIEW - Cuemakers Comments Welcome
**NOTE**
THE IMPERFECTIONS I MENTION DO NOT AFFECT PLAYABILITY, rather only the aesthetics of the cue. Take what you will from this post, and leave information you feel is relevant.
Keep in mind that this is a microscopic review of a process that may take many months to complete.
The end result is MORE than what is presented here. As a buyer, you must decide what is important in your cue buying experience. The opinions presented here are my own, but hopefully, with the input of other cue makers, this post will shed some light on purchasing custom cues!
As a side note, the cue maker offered to correct all of the defects at no charge - a sign of a true professional!
I am impressed with the cue overall. I feel like I have gotten a very good value for my money. The colors are awesome, and the build feels very solid. This post is intended to show that there are areas where custom cues can have imperfections, and some places too look. BUT REMEMBER! Custom is just that, and imperfections will ALWAYS be present because of the human element! Besides, early work of custom cue makers can be very collectible because of the imperfections.
Cue makers spend their entire lives perfecting their trade, and many, many hours making YOUR cue! The beauty of owning cues is that they are all different!
I purchased this cue for around 40% of retail on Ebay directly from the original cue maker. After an evaluation that many think is extreme, I took around 200 pictures and posted the relevant ones here.
First things first:
Look at the workmanship in this photo (from the cuemakers website). This picture shows the cue as you would normally see it (not under a "microscope"):
Nice eh!
Pic 1 - Cue makers use different methods to create veneers, but in any event, when made properly, the difference is only noticeable up close. This picture shows that "layered veneers" are used in this cue. Notice how the angle formed by the point/veneer is not bisected - rather it "runs" up one side. As shown here, when properly constructed, the "veneer line" is almost imperceptible.
Here is an example of a different method of construction. Notice how the lines run "straight" up from point to point, not touching the "side" of the veneer. Again, the "line" is almost invisible. Too much of a "gap" would cause a visible dark line.
Both types shown here result in a barely noticeable line.
{http://www.azbilliards.com/vbulletin/upload/showthread.php?s=&postid=2105#post2105}
On to the review:
Two particular areas that I noticed are imperfect layered points/veneers (part 2 below) and a noticeable blemish on the forearm.
Pics 2-4 show the small blemish (I'm not sure what it is, but it is somewhat dark. It measures 2mm X 4mm - for your own reference, get a ruler and draw a 2mm X 4mm spot on a piece of paper, and place it about 5 feet away). Also in these pictures, you can see the straightness, and beautiful contrast of the veneers with the Birdseye and Cocobola. Excellent wood choices.
Pic 2:
Pic 3:
Pic 4:
[MORE BELOW]
**NOTE**
THE IMPERFECTIONS I MENTION DO NOT AFFECT PLAYABILITY, rather only the aesthetics of the cue. Take what you will from this post, and leave information you feel is relevant.
Keep in mind that this is a microscopic review of a process that may take many months to complete.
The end result is MORE than what is presented here. As a buyer, you must decide what is important in your cue buying experience. The opinions presented here are my own, but hopefully, with the input of other cue makers, this post will shed some light on purchasing custom cues!
As a side note, the cue maker offered to correct all of the defects at no charge - a sign of a true professional!
I am impressed with the cue overall. I feel like I have gotten a very good value for my money. The colors are awesome, and the build feels very solid. This post is intended to show that there are areas where custom cues can have imperfections, and some places too look. BUT REMEMBER! Custom is just that, and imperfections will ALWAYS be present because of the human element! Besides, early work of custom cue makers can be very collectible because of the imperfections.
Cue makers spend their entire lives perfecting their trade, and many, many hours making YOUR cue! The beauty of owning cues is that they are all different!
I purchased this cue for around 40% of retail on Ebay directly from the original cue maker. After an evaluation that many think is extreme, I took around 200 pictures and posted the relevant ones here.
First things first:
Look at the workmanship in this photo (from the cuemakers website). This picture shows the cue as you would normally see it (not under a "microscope"):
Nice eh!
Pic 1 - Cue makers use different methods to create veneers, but in any event, when made properly, the difference is only noticeable up close. This picture shows that "layered veneers" are used in this cue. Notice how the angle formed by the point/veneer is not bisected - rather it "runs" up one side. As shown here, when properly constructed, the "veneer line" is almost imperceptible.
Here is an example of a different method of construction. Notice how the lines run "straight" up from point to point, not touching the "side" of the veneer. Again, the "line" is almost invisible. Too much of a "gap" would cause a visible dark line.
Both types shown here result in a barely noticeable line.
{http://www.azbilliards.com/vbulletin/upload/showthread.php?s=&postid=2105#post2105}
On to the review:
Two particular areas that I noticed are imperfect layered points/veneers (part 2 below) and a noticeable blemish on the forearm.
Pics 2-4 show the small blemish (I'm not sure what it is, but it is somewhat dark. It measures 2mm X 4mm - for your own reference, get a ruler and draw a 2mm X 4mm spot on a piece of paper, and place it about 5 feet away). Also in these pictures, you can see the straightness, and beautiful contrast of the veneers with the Birdseye and Cocobola. Excellent wood choices.
Pic 2:
Pic 3:
Pic 4:
[MORE BELOW]
Last edited:
