Custom and High End Cues on the Decline?

So it occurred to me that another reason for the younger generations shying away from customs is they’ve become accustomed to not waiting for anything they want anymore. Even I have become so used to quick delivery from amazon that if it says more then 3 days I’m looking for another seller. Waiting 6 months or even years (18 years right now if you want a south west 🤣) for cues may seem crazy for a society that expects to get everything quickly.
 
So it occurred to me that another reason for the younger generations shying away from customs is they’ve become accustomed to not waiting for anything they want anymore. Even I have become so used to quick delivery from amazon that if it says more then 3 days I’m looking for another seller. Waiting 6 months or even years (18 years right now if you want a south west 🤣) for cues may seem crazy for a society that expects to get everything quickly.
Honestly, all the players I know under 38 have zero disposable income. Don't get me wrong there not broke ass, they all have great paying white and blue-collar jobs. It's just that they spend every dime they make on and are all living paycheck to paycheck.

They could afford a nice cue, but in the grand scheme of things, they would just rather spend the money in other places that are more important to them while banging balls around with their $800 Predator.

My hope is that when they hit their late 40s, they get the bug and come back around to the customs
 
Last time I checked with him he was not on AZB.

Eddie has a following he built with his content and is able to build a mix of custom ordered/spec cues for folks and is doing one off cues that he cuts a video for and sells on his website.

Like I said, he's a mad genius, and to his own detriment, willing to try anything a customer request no matter how impossible the ask.
He certainly enjoys the challenge.
 
Honestly, all the players I know under 38 have zero disposable income. Don't get me wrong there not broke ass, they all have great paying white and blue-collar jobs. It's just that they spend every dime they make on and are all living paycheck to paycheck.

They could afford a nice cue, but in the grand scheme of things, they would just rather spend the money in other places that are more important to them while banging balls around with their $800 Predator.

My hope is that when they hit their late 40s, they get the bug and come back around to the customs
I know plenty that have disposable income they just spend it on other stuff then complain they are broke.
 
I know plenty that have disposable income they just spend it on other stuff then complain they are broke.
That was sort of my point

They could buy custom cues they just don't feel a need nor do they have an appreciation for the art form.

They look at their predator and it looks pretty enough and shoots as good as they need.

So they could buy a Black Boar or for the same amount of money, they can go to Prague for a week.
 
Those guys are a step or multiple steps above everybody else
Searing
Showman
Mobley
Szamboti
Southwest( even though I don't agree)
Black Boar
I used a Barenbrugge last night, and it was without a doubt the nicest hitting, and sweetest balanced cue I have ever used.

I have been lucky enough to hit several SW, Searing, TAD, Tascarella, BB, Banhart etc living here. Hit with just about every production cue brand, local and overseas customs, factory customs etc Yes, there was some variance, and some better than others. But I can honestly say, I was gobsmacked by just how nice that cue felt to play with.

Sadly, I don't have the 6万rmb (8,000$+) to spare on a cue - and that was the 'friend price' which was 20% cheaper than he's listed it on platforms here.
 
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I used a Barenbrugge last night, and it was without a doubt the nicest hitting, and sweetest balanced cue I have ever used.

I have been lucky enough to hit several SW, Searing, TAD, Tascarella, BB, Banhart etc living here. Hit with just about every production cue brand, local and overseas customs, factory customs etc Yes, there was some variance, and some better than others. But I can honestly say, I was gobsmacked by just how nice that cue felt to play with.

Sadly, I don't have the 60万rmb (8,000$+) to spare on a cue - and that was the 'friend price' which was 20% cheaper than he's listed it on platforms here.
I had a similar experience with a kenny murrell cue, just played amazing. Though yours is hell of a price tag,
I dont quite get, these comments about modern production cues, play better than a customs.
I've played with a meucci BMC series 3, it hit very nice. but i would still, choose a custom.
One thing i have noticed is the prices are through the roof, for what is a factory made cue.
I would say the prices, are now inline for the most part, with many customs around now, but like many have said, the younger generation doesn't want to wait.
There will always be a place for custom cues, even if it is, just for the lucky few, still interested!!
 
I had a similar experience with a kenny murrell cue, just played amazing. Though yours is hell of a price tag,
China equates $$$$$$ = good - cash is king here
I've had the fortune to play a rack or two with cues that are the same price as a years salary, some even the price of a house (really makes you question what money is, or how some people must live, or what the point in being alive is haha)
I dont quite get, these comments about modern production cues, play better than a customs.
I've played with a meucci BMC series 3, it hit very nice. but i would still, choose a custom.
I agree with you. Mezz, Cuetec and others can get the job done (and bloody well too). Do they look or truly feel as nice as a cue made well to your spec? no. Can they perform just as well? yes.
One thing i have noticed is the prices are through the roof, for what is a factory made cue.
Yes, and they will keep rising, and more fake tech jargon words will be created to justify the price tags. Also, you will see 'custom' becoming more like choosing which parts you want from a huge warehouse and being assembled (as is becoming the case with Zen and others) rather than one dude/small team slogging his/their guts out to make something to spec.
I would say the prices, are now inline for the most part, with many customs around now, but like many have said, the younger generation doesn't want to wait.
There will always be a place for custom cues, even if it is, just for the lucky few, still interested!!
I hope so, and hopefully the price rises in line with inflation, as in 50 years, if my prospective grandkids aren't playing, I'll sell the cue and spend the money on hookers and blow.
 
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