Cue Makers Still taking Orders

WMHarkins

Member
Looking to create an up-to-date list of custom cure makers that are still taking orders as of July 31, 2023.
Ideally need Name and contact info as well as typical length of time to make a mid-to-high end cue.
 

mikemosconi

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Well- what do you plan to do with the list? I don't think just publishing a list makes any sense at all. people would need to know something about each cue maker in terms of: do they honor commitments, do they ask for money up front, what do very experienced cue collectors and players think of the cue maker's cue building skills, are the cue maker's prices matching up to their known quality of work ( as evidenced by very experienced and knowledgeable cue aficionados), how have the cue makers cues held up on the secondary market, etc. etc.

I know some great cue makers out there today and I know of some that are being way over- hyped by a few "dealers" who are just looking to make a quick buck and stick the cue buying public with something that will probably lose half it's value the day you receive it.

I am not lending any information until I know the full disclosure as to how this list would be presented to the public and I think that is fair- I don't want anyone to get stuck with a sub- par cue, a worthless cue, or worse no cue and money out of their pocket.

If you plan to just publish a current cue makers list- then a full disclosure of everything that I mentioned, and more - concerning what a person should be vetting about a maker prior to handing over their money must accompany the list. I just don't want to see anyone get burnt bc they are assuming that a list has been vetted correctly if that is not the case.

What detailed research will you do on each cue makers reputation prior to publishing such a list?
 
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KAP1976

AzB Gold Member
Gold Member
Silver Member
Might be more beneficial to make a list of cuemakers not taking orders so people in the market to place an order are aware. Instead of a "do not deal" its more like a "do not bother calling."
 

David in FL

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Might be more beneficial to make a list of cuemakers not taking orders so people in the market to place an order are aware. Instead of a "do not deal" its more like a "do not bother calling."
Honestly, I'm not a fan of that either.

Some makers temporary stop taking orders in order to work through a backlog. In a few months, if they're caught up they may begin taking orders again…

A list like this tends to stick around awhile and could cost someone some real opportunities. Not to mention being a disservice to makers themselves if the list is inaccurate/not current.

Just my .02...
 

BarenbruggeCues

Unregistered User
Silver Member
Honestly, I'm not a fan of that either.

Some makers temporary stop taking orders in order to work through a backlog. In a few months, if they're caught up they may begin taking orders again…

A list like this tends to stick around awhile and could cost someone some real opportunities. Not to mention being a disservice to makers themselves if the list is inaccurate/not current.

Just my .02...
THIS.......^^^^^^^^^^^^
Very accurate assessment.
 

WMHarkins

Member
All very valid points. Perhaps it is just a list of cue makers and contact information, and the person can contact the cue maker and make their own choice. I guess I was really just trying to get one location to get enough information to make a choice of what cue maker you want to have quote your design and some idea of how long it would take. Right now, it is a real chore just to find contact information.
I guess I agree with mikemosconi and David in FL at this point.

How you feel if we just had a list that just had Name / Email / Phone / Link to web site if they have one.
 

lord_shar

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
EDIT: Some of that info might be out of date. I know Andy Gilbert moved recently from Missouri to Florida.
 
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KAP1976

AzB Gold Member
Gold Member
Silver Member
I could make the argument that this a list that should be compiled by the American Cuemakers Association or ICA, which has rosters of members on its websites already. It would be beneficial for the customers and cue makers to have contact information there and also denote who is and isn't taking new orders.
 

Coos Cues

Coos Cues
The trouble with the ACA as I see it reading through the requirements for membership is the leadership there likes a certain kind of cue and you have to build their kind of cue to be in their club. The cue must have a linen or leather wrap. Must have veneer points, inlays within inlays etc. In short they must look exactly like the cues I didn't want to build when I got started in this.

Not one word about structural considerations. It's all about how it looks. Some of the worst built cues I have ever seen may be right up their alley as long as they have bling and a good finish on them.

The ACA is your father's Oldsmobile in a modern world of Teslas. I wouldn't apply to that club if they were paying me the $1,000

JMO
 

NevadaP

Well-known member
The trouble with the ACA as I see it reading through the requirements for membership is the leadership there likes a certain kind of cue and you have to build their kind of cue to be in their club. The cue must have a linen or leather wrap. Must have veneer points, inlays within inlays etc. In short they must look exactly like the cues I didn't want to build when I got started in this.

Not one word about structural considerations. It's all about how it looks. Some of the worst built cues I have ever seen may be right up their alley as long as they have bling and a good finish on them.

The ACA is your father's Oldsmobile in a modern world of Teslas. I wouldn't apply to that club if they were paying me the $1,000

JMO
Glad to see you back!
 

lord_shar

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
When did Andy live in Montana...? He lived a couple Hrs away from me forever
He was based out of Clever, MO in 2006 when I commissioned him to make the cue in my avatar and signature. I only discovered that he was now in Panama City, Florida while browsing recollectioncues.com.
 
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Bavafongoul

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Publishing a list has limited significance since a cue maker with a 12 mths. wait before starting a new cue order
could turn into a 2-3 yr. wait within 12 mths. Talented cue makers get recognized; it happens fast with a popular
talented cue maker. Next is the design requested comes into play. A simple player design could get worked into
the production schedule sooner than an elaborate design with intricate inlays requiring a dedicated focus for very
detailed workmanship. Wait lists are not fixed in time so the list’s accuracy will be outdated & thus, not as reliable.
 

Cue Alchemist

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Except for the blue book, which isn't really current. That is the only way you can get reliable info on cue makers. I think an online version of this would be good. That talks directly with the cuemakers. As for wait times, and knowing when you could get a cue built. I doudt meny would give you, that kind of info.as said in the post above. It can be very unpredictable. Alot of it is, who you know. Or taking a chance on an unknown cue builder,just starting out.
 
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