cues from overseas???

Reallybad_ip

Reallybad_ip

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I was on ebay looking for all kinds of stuff I noticed some cues from the Philippines don't know much about them. I also saw a few sellers listing cues from the Philippines anyone ever buy one or know someone who has they look really nice and most have good feed back. just a question let me know what you think
 
Why bother? There's plenty of cuemakers right here in the US. Cheap labor and cheap ivory don't equal a quality product.
 
beware phillipine cues

Reallybad_ip said:
I was on ebay looking for all kinds of stuff I noticed some cues from the Philippines don't know much about them. I also saw a few sellers listing cues from the Philippines anyone ever buy one or know someone who has they look really nice and most have good feed back. just a question let me know what you think
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Those makers in the philipines use very thin inlays. In the event you'd, bump, or dent the cue, and have to have the cue refinished, all the inlays will fall out. In additon to that, on most of the phillipine cues you can actually feel all of the inlays.

People buying those cues for resale, are buying them very cheap, because the old saying goes, you get what you pay for.

Most of the time, they are getting these cue you see, for less than $50 each

The craftsmanship is just not there.

There was cuemaker here at
az that experienced something interesting with a phillipine cue. Someone i know, here locally, purchased one and wanted the shaft retapered. When the cuemaker went to taper the cue, the wood turned dark brown and wasn't worh keeping as a shaft.

Some other food for thought, If you buy something form over there
( anywhere but here in the USA) you're taking a chance that there is something wrong with it, you're stuck like Chuck. lol
 
The exception to the rule is Edwin Reyes . You won't find him selling on e-bay
 
There are cheap cuebuilder but than there are Miranda, Vhante, (Maybe Ron Jones), etc that make the best cues for the money!!! Real Ivory Inlay (4mm deep), Excellent Finish (Dupont), etc..only problem is that the shafts are not the greatest quality, some are playable..but it doesn't give you the playability of a southwest shaft. If you replace the shafts.....these cues will plays solid.

It's used to be that the butt would warp but now that every cue they make are cored with laminated wood..they chance of warp has be reduced.
Some of the cues these guys make are real work of art...wish I could built cue like that...all hand inlay. Give them a few more years and maybe people will WAKE UP and start to see that these guys are the next Arthur Cue!!!
 
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I bought maybe about a dozen cues from some Phillipine makers a couple years ago for resale in my pool room. I got them dirt cheap for what they looked like. Very cool looking cues. I was pretty happy when I finally sold the last of them last month. I actually sold one of them to a good friend of mine on my league team for what it cost me. Ended up warping a very short time later. They seem to me that the wood is lower quality and the inlay work is cheap. I actually had one that the pin was set in at a slight angle. The shaft and butt both rolled perfect separately, but together the tip wobbled about a half inch!!!! Wow! EBay seller would not do anything about this cue by the way. Was not worth the shipping to take it back. Wouldn't refund or discount or anything. I was stuck. Gave it to a friend of mine for free just to get it out of my display case. He's got a fairly good playing boomerang now. LOL

I agree that there are some great Phillipine makers out there...Audrick, Miranda and Reyes, but outside of those guys, I'd say use caution and don't expect much...even for the low price.
 
???????????

Buy from American cue makers. They need the money an put out a better product.
Pinocchio
 
I recommend you to check this forum out: http://www.seyberts.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=5442, this is a link to a topic related to Filipino cues - if you don't have much time just roll down to the middle (approx.), there you'll see some interesting pics.

Hope I could help you a bit.

In my opinion, however, I'd go for a branded cue from a reliable cuebuilder... just my 0.2
 
i had a cue perfect cue and it stayed straight. hit like a shovel but it was straight. 126 ivory inlays and over 250 inlays overall. all razor sharp. ivory joint and buttcap very pretty.
 
A friend of mine got a Dolled out Miranda cue off e-bay I think it was around $400.00 The cue was in great shape when it got here .
2 weeks later the butt started warpping 6 Months later (Now) it has 1/8" lift in the nose. But, it's a pretty thing to look at !!
Bill
 
my 2 cents - Things to consider

I have owned about 7 overseas cues from not so known cuemakers, and I do not have any of them anymore. The shafts are usually suspect, so I had predators for them. The butt work is beautiful, but warping is always a consideration due to their materials. And remember that there is always that $50 shipping charge, and if they have ivory, there is always customs to grab it. Nice looking cues, but found that they just don't hit like the custom cuemakers that we have right here in the USA. They might get there, but aren't quite there yet.
And buying one all depends on what you want to do with the cue? Are you playing with it, and do not look to resell it, then try one. The LOOK of the cues are usually something you could not buy from an American cuemaker for that price. But if you are looking to sell it after buying it, I suggest you stick to supporting a local cuemaker, and you can usually get your investment back. Or if you are looking for something to play very well and consistent and you are not an average player, stick with the local guys. Would I buy one over a production cue like a Meucci or McDermott? Well, that is a tough call, but once again it has to do what PURPOSE you are buying a cue for, and what kind of player you are. Great looking cues for the APA 3 to show off, if you are using the bar cue or a imitation cuetec.

Just my $0.02 cents.

Michael
 
thanks for all the info I just saw cheap cues that looked really nice maybe I pick up one for like a few hundred just to see how they are. I was not putting down any of the American cue makers I shoot with a Josey and use a pete omen jump/break and both play great. well I'll buy one and let everyone know how I make out.
 
Good Idea!

Yeah, not trying to stop you from doing it. It is a nice experiment to see some really good looking and different designs. But just do not spend an arm and a leg to get one. If I had the money I spent on those 7 cues at the time, I would own either a Scruggs and White fancy cue, with cash to spare. So at least you are getting knowledge before the purchase. Wish I had known about AZB at the time, I was about 6 months too late, and my wallet has been angry ever since.
So I say, know what you are getting, and if you expect the middle, you might be pleasantly surprised.

Michael
 
You might want to get in touch with Al Bautista if you are looking at quality and yet relatively affordable Philippine-made cues (www.albautistacues.com). He posted recently in the Cue Gallery section and I was quite impressed by the close-up of the shaft - straight and tight-grained, which prompted me to get one as playability seemed to the top priority.

And I must say that I am impressed with the workmanship, quality and the great customer service they gave, down to sending detailed pics of the cue for inspection and ensuring that all my requested specs are met. Hits very well and on the stiff side with a lot of feel.
 
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