TellsItLikeItIs said:
Actually, I thought I was pretty clear in stating my opinion. Answer this though, If those that are making cues from others blanks are not proud of the fact, why is it that they don't advertise as such?
First, I hold GB in very high regard, as well as the other cue craftsmen of
that era. Our society needs Heroes and he happens to be one of them. Therefor, I prefer not to compare his career to the definitions of today.
That said:
Many moons ago my Psych Professor challenged my use of the term
"most people", stating that I surely didn't know "most" of the people in the group I was referring to.
Unless a person happens to know most of the people that have given thought to the subject, how can one person accurately say "most" people would think that same way. I believe if an accurate survey could be taken from those that are active in the business of making cues, the results
just might surprise you. Keyword here is "accurate", meaning honest opinions were given, and no punches pulled for the heroes of our world. I fully realize this may not be a popular opinion to express in the pool industry, nevertheless, it's my opinion.
Surely you're not suggesting the actual construction of a cue (the forearm) contributes less to the hit of a cue, than does the assembly. Where does assembly begin? I say it begins with the first cut made in making the forearm. Assembly techniques make a person a cue maker? Interesting thought, but I don't buy into it.
I know you dabble some in working on cues, but obviously the trade is not as near & dear to you as it is to me.
Thanks for you opinion and your input to my thoughts. However, I have been involved directly or indirectly with this subject and business for many years.
I have been blessed to be able to play with many different types of custom cues and I also do conversions, refinishing, and most any type of repair necessary to correct problems from abuse, manufacturing, or age.
I think that I have a good working knowledge where cue construction techniques are concerned, I will say however, that I am self taught and I still learn new things every day.
Enough said, getting back to cue construction. I have owned or played with cues from many of the famous cue makers I have learned that the assembly process in most cases is a cue makers best keep secret concerning the balance and hit that a cue produces.
How a cue looks is secondary to me, when a cue maker incorporates construction and assembly techniques that make their cues consistently balanced and have that certain sweet hit, this cue maker is on the road to success.
The hit of a cue is greatly influenced by construction. The joining of the forearm and the cues butt to the under wrap is the single most important part of a cues construction. You can make the best / most perfect components possible with our current technology and put them together and have log.
The secrets to balance, transmission of hit, and a solid feel / sound are greatly due to the construction process involved in joining the forearm, under wrap and butt. Most cue makers today have their own techniques, for balance, avoiding buzz at junctions where materials are joined, for making their cues have a special type hit, these are trade secrets.
While the shaft, tip and ferrule also are important their main purpose is to transmit hit to the butt and effect the action/control imparted to the cue ball and object balls.
In closing like I would like to say, do not over look the importance of the Assembly process or the fact that many of the greatest cue makers ever known are self taught and started making conversions from purchased or on hand components. Whether some one uses their own components or purchased components the cues they produce and the cue makers reputation will ultimately be based on how their cues play.
Have a nice day!!
Manwon
