Cuemaker build off

ftgokie said:
Im not sure......can you build a High Dollar particle board cue with cardboard tip and ferrule? :thumbup:
Click to expand...

Don't underestimate me ;)

I think the "no high figure" birdseye is so that nobody is showing off pretty wood. The emphasis is playability & quality of work, not aesthetics. The purpleheart handle is perfect because it's nice enough to use wrapless but also is a favorite wood to wrap over. It's structurally strong, stable, perfect weight & is cheap. It's a wood no builder would feel uncomfortable using, whether it's wrapped or not. I also feel the tip should be a high grade layered tip so all cues have a consistent tip, which leaves a clear platform to critique the cue, not the tip. I'd say a Moori medium would be perfect.
 
ftgokie said:
So this is the initial specs on a cue....subject to change

1. The cue will be Birds Eye Maple forearm and butt (no highly figured BEM)
2. Handle will be purpleheart, wrapped or wrapless (up to cue builder)
3. No ringwork, inlays or points
4. cue builders personal taper on shaft
5. Cue builder to use tip of their choice, 13mm
6. Builder's choice of joint type/material, buttcap, ferrule, pin
7. Weight will be 19oz +/- 2oz



Let me know of any changes you think there needs to be...or additions to the list for these particular cues for this build off
Click to expand...

Should be 0.2oz. Hehehe...
 
Hate to be a party pooper, but I got some Jack Madden fullsplice Cocobola-Maple Sneakys, wood to wood, 3-8 ten pin(s) armed with 314 shafts & Everest or pressed Elk Master tip(s) that play (hit) as sweet as smack on a bare a**. Oh baby hit it again.........
 
qbilder said:
Don't underestimate me ;)

I think the "no high figure" birdseye is so that nobody is showing off pretty wood. The emphasis is playability & quality of work, not aesthetics. The purpleheart handle is perfect because it's nice enough to use wrapless but also is a favorite wood to wrap over. It's structurally strong, stable, perfect weight & is cheap. It's a wood no builder would feel uncomfortable using, whether it's wrapped or not. I also feel the tip should be a high grade layered tip so all cues have a consistent tip, which leaves a clear platform to critique the cue, not the tip. I'd say a Moori medium would be perfect.
Click to expand...


Exactly why I thnk we should use BEM and purpleheart as well....inexpensive, and a pretty consistent hit.....and yes, no high figured BEM because were not going after pretty....Although, I can bet the cues will look nice regardless...

1. The cue will have a lightly figured BEM forearm and butt

2. Handle will be Maple or Purpleheart, wrapped or wrapless (up to cue builder) if you specifially build all your cues with PH then use PH.

3. Cue builder to decide to core or not to core

4. cue builders personal taper on shaft

5. Cue builder to use Molavia Medium tips provided by Duc Lam

6. Builder's to use black phenolic collars, buttcap

7. Cuemakers choice on ferrule, pin

8. Weight will be 19oz +/- 0.2oz

9. No ringwork, inlays, points, signatures or trademarks

10. have integrity & build the cue as if somebody had ordered it, the same way you'd build all of your cues.0.2oz "blowfish...mr Funnyman;)

Again, were trying to see the subtle, or major differences in each cuemakers cue. That way when someone asks, we can give them group feedback on our likes and dislikes of a particular cue....And I REALLY hate to say dislike on this. Each person has a personal taste....and not every cuebuilders cue will satisfy everyone....Like I may love a ftgokie ball bustah cue...and you may not...so I truely want this to be fun, informative, provide constructive critisism to the cuemaker (if any) that way we can help this forum out and put some of the cue builders on here n the spotlight (if they want it).

SO pretty much guys, if your a cuebuilder and cant take constructive critisism.....this may not be for you. But if you want to get the word out on how Jam up your cue will play....come on down...
 
Last edited:
This sounds like fun. I think no names on the cue. Maybe a number is given to each builder so nobody knows who built it. Nobody knows the numbers except the builder and one trusting AZ member who hands out the numbers. The builders only know their number or should it be a secret to them also.
 
Last edited:
I can assign numbers. I'll not be a player tester anyway, so none of the testers will know who built what. And I don't really care who builds what. I will say there should be a central location all of the cues should ship from in the beginning, though. Otherwise people will know who built what by where the cue came from.
 
qbilder said:
I can assign numbers. I'll not be a player tester anyway, so none of the testers will know who built what. And I don't really care who builds what. I will say there should be a central location all of the cues should ship from in the beginning, though. Otherwise people will know who built what by where the cue came from.
Click to expand...

What I would do is evaluate and give my comments on each cue..then I could go to Tulsa and let deadgearplyr, and Duane Remick take a shot at them if they wanted.....maybe even see if Buddy Hall would throw his 2 cents in...then I would ship them on to the next person....go till we get to the end...and like 1 cuemaker wants....he wants to raffle his cue off in the end and all the money go to AZB....good idea I might ad!
 
??? should the cue be cored or should it be solid just a thought
 
Last edited:
Even if we know who the cuemakers participating in this are, we will most likely NOT know who's cue is who's. :thumbup:

One other VERY IMPORTANT THOUGHT....bumpers used could also be a dead giveaway. Maybe every cuemaker participating in the builds should use the same kind of bumper so we can't tell. :cool:

I think I deserve some rep for this oversight. ;)
 
Last edited:
leon sly said:
??? should the cue be cored or should it be solid just a thought
Click to expand...

I don't think it should matter, as it's a structural construction technique. If it's the way you build cues then it's unfair to say you can't. I think personal integrity comes in to play here. You wouldn't want to use a 3/4" purpleheart core in the forearm when it's supposed to be a birdseye maple cue. The only exception would be if you core ALL of your birdseye maple cues with purpleheart. The idea is to give everybody a sense of what your cues are, so you wouldn't want to give false impressions. I think a maple core in a birdseye front is more than acceptable.
 
qbilder said:
I don't think it should matter, as it's a structural construction technique. If it's the way you build cues then it's unfair to say you can't. I think personal integrity comes in to play here. You wouldn't want to use a 3/4" purpleheart core in the forearm when it's supposed to be a birdseye maple cue. The only exception would be if you core ALL of your birdseye maple cues with purpleheart. The idea is to give everybody a sense of what your cues are, so you wouldn't want to give false impressions. I think a maple core in a birdseye front is more than acceptable.
Click to expand...

I agree....The builder would build it like he would normally build it, because remember, in the end, your name will come out and were trying to get a good idea of how your cues play.
 
Ok guys......I am really suprised at WHO has agreed to participate in building cues for this. TRUST ME.. this will KNOCK your socks off....Alot of really god cuemakers on here have agreed to do this, so this is going to be alot better than I had imagined.

Some issues on the building of the cue need to be finalized (cored/not cored) I think that is really going to be up to the cuemaker...or for the cuemakers to hash out.

I will send a message to all the cuemakers that will participate and ask about cored versus non cored..

Are there any other issues we need to finalize?

Bumpers...obviously..a cuemaker cant use a personalized bumper like Coker does..where his name is stamped in it....basically, bumpers need to not be a "Signature" bumper for you....just a basic slip in, or screw in type of bumper......any thoughts?


And did I mention...you guys are going to be really suprised as to who has agreed to do this.....I initially asked for pretty unknown makers...well, that isnt gonna work...but it will be great to see how these cues match up!
 
Can't wait to see the results. So the cues are starting off being sent to Eric for his expertise critique on the construction/finish etc, then sent to ftg to get the play testing going?

When will we know what the cue maker pool is?
 
LoGiC said:
Can't wait to see the results. So the cues are starting off being sent to Eric for his expertise critique on the construction/finish etc, then sent to ftg to get the play testing going?

When will we know what the cue maker pool is?
Click to expand...


I say that would probably be the best...That way Eric can inspect them before anyone has a chance to play with them. BUT, That is totally up to qbilder!!!

If he agrees, after his inspection, cues will be sent to me, I will play with them...let a few local respected players shoot with them and get their feedback..take them to Tulsa, if Duane Remick and deadgearplyr wants to participate....let them.. And if Buddy Hall will lend his knowledge of cues that would be great for the cuemakers as well. Then after that, they are sent to the next person in line..

After everyone has had a chance to hit with these cues, sent back to me to do what each cuemaker wants me to do with them.

One cuemaker has said after its over, his cue will be raffled off and the money sent to AZB....so its really up to each cuemaker as to what they want to do with their cue. I do know that 2 cuemakers, I will have to buy them outright and at the end when they get back to me, I reserve the right to keep the cues (since I paid for them) or raffle them off (but not for a profit). So really, whatever the cuemaker wants me to do, is totally up to them. But this will give alot of people on here some great productive feedback on the cues involved, and also some positive feedback on how their cues are made.

Only Eric (qbilder) and I will know who the cuemakers are until I get the cues back. Then I will video another segment and give an overall opinion on each cue...then reveal one by one who built each cue......
 
A few more thoughts...

1) Should the cues be built to a "not to exceed" price point?

2) Is there any way to insure the cues while they are travelling about?

3) Should a standard Ratings Form should be created and made available for the cue makers to look over prior to the start of the cuemaking process.

4) Would the winning cue maker (assuming that can be determined) be willing to make a run of say (10) identically spec'd cues? And more importantly would AZers be willing to buy these cues pre-sale, sight unseen.

I am not sure if #4 is something the winning cue maker would consider to be good or not, but if the cue makers like this idea then we could give preference to wannabe testers who commit to one of the "homologation specials".
 
fd_colorado said:
A few more thoughts...

1) Should the cues be built to a "not to exceed" price point?

2) Is there any way to insure the cues while they are travelling about?

3) Should a standard Ratings Form should be created and made available for the cue makers to look over prior to the start of the cuemaking process.

4) Would the winning cue maker (assuming that can be determined) be willing to make a run of say (10) identically spec'd cues? And more importantly would AZers be willing to buy these cues pre-sale, sight unseen.

I am not sure if #4 is something the winning cue maker would consider to be good or not, but if the cue makers like this idea then we could give preference to wannabe testers who commit to one of the "homologation specials".
Click to expand...


1. Well, I was wanting this to be done as inexpensive as possible, as simple as possible..I was thinking 2-300...but I have no idea what some of the other cuemakers will charge...

2. I will be sending them out in hard cardboard tubes, insured us postal. Should be approx 8-10.00 per tube.....I did just ship a cue to a fellow AZer and insured it to 450.00 and sent it priority....cost 20.94. SO I say send them out regular and insure them

3. Once everyhting is agreed upon..I will post the basic requirements to the cue and approx specs.....I dont think we can be 100% exact....but everything should be close

4. Say if we have 4 cuemakers....and I like 1, 2, 3 then 4 in That order...I will post that...the next person does the same thing...at the end tally up 1-4th or however many cuemakers we want to do this..So fay< i can tell you we have 7 cuemakers that said they would do this....I dont know...maybe we need to do this in 2 segments.....I would need everyone participating in the testing to voice an opinion because the more cues we have in this, the more it will cost....doesnt matter to me either way...but I say limit this to a set number of cuemakers



And the cuemakers building a batch of these....That would have to be taken up with each cuemaker....I can ask once we get everything finalized
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top