Custom and High End Cues on the Decline?

[Hail Mary Shot]

At the end of the day, its what your comfortable with. (Playing and paying)
We all know its complete rubbish, it doesn't take much, to play very well with any cue. You spend enough time with it. I have spent thousands,and then only 300 or so. Your 600 is more than enough.if it works for you, thats all that matters

funny thing is that I just recently bought a shaft that costs more than your average production pool cue. I love it, but is it the best shaft ever? I don't care as long as I'm shooting lights out with it.

 

[SSP]

funny thing is that I just recently bought a shaft that costs more than your average production pool cue. I love it, but is it the best shaft ever? I don't care as long as I'm shooting lights out with it.

Let's say you paid $1000 for your shaft, in 1 year that is less than $100 a month, in 10 years it's less than $10, if it's a CF shaft it's not unreasonable to expect it to last 10 years, it's not what it COST you but the value you receive for what you paid, if you love the shaft and it helps you play your best pool I say it's worth it

 

[Hail Mary Shot]

I don't think it's the same, an original Van Gogh painting is valuable because of who painted it, you could think the painting is horrible but it would still be worth a lot of money, there was a day when some production cues were poorly made and some still are but now there are a lot of production cues makers that are producing great cues, modern tools and technology make it easier to produce quality great playing cues, do they hold the value of a custom cue? Probably not, but if your goal is to own a great hitting cue that doesn't cost big money and have a long wait time to get then there are far more options today than in the past.

I asked this question is how much a well-known custom cue command a price at a highend auction? is there a priceless piece like any other art piece? and which buyers are there aside from the typical custom cue collectors? I'm really surprised with most of the production cues nowadays than it was when I stopped playing more than 10 years ago. typical production back then were poor to average and with poorly made graphics or decals. nowadays, I even see way cheaper cues that are better than your $200 production cues from way back. not sure if it has to do with the pool market now having more people playing pool for that. quality has really improved a lot since I came back to playing and I appreciate the game even more now.

 

[boogieman]

Pros don't parade their cues like some people here and act like they know the best.

If I were given cues as part of a sponsorship deal I would sing their praises to the high heavens... as long as the cues weren't complete garbage.

Most mid tier and up production brand cues will do anything and everything you could ever ask from them. That said it's nice to have a custom that plays as good as it looks. Over the years I've bought two Diveneys. One for my wife and one for me. He's about an hour away, so pretty local. Pat is a great guy and there's something really cool about going to the cuemaker's shop and taking in the atmosphere and ogling at their equipment, stock and in process cues. You can't get that from a production outfit unless you lived nearby and could do a tour... of course then they are your local cuemaker even if they ship out to the world.

 

[Hail Mary Shot]

closest one I have is I have to take an hour boat ride. the other one is an 8 hour drive and one more from overseas. I'm already in talks with 2 of them. one of which I'm waiting after I gave what materials I want for the cue. from those 3, I could buy a few right now from their inventory but wanted to try something unique as per my specifications. nothing too flashy but the wood selection are bit on the denser side.

 

[Rackaday]

I love the varied responses in this thread. Some strong feelings out there. The real history is here in the forum. I really hope those that have joined (and even returned to playing after decades) later on don’t feel like you missed anything. You haven’t. You can love playing pool or any other hobby and not spend unreasonable amounts of money or invest excessive amounts of time playing/reading about what other people are doing, unless that is what YOU want to do. As for me, I am already over buying a custom built from anyone, the experience has been disappointing and I found that there are plenty of items that can be picked up and with a little touch up play well enough for my needs. For the calcified players and forum contributors keep making posts, to all others still on their way to living on a fixed income or not having to significantly cut down your table time due to age/health reason keep on breaking and running them tables even if just at home

 

[Rackaday]

Most mid tier and up production brand cues will do anything and everything you could ever ask from them. That said it's nice to have a custom that plays as good as it looks. Over the years I've bought two Diveneys. One for my wife and one for me. He's about an hour away, so pretty local. Pat is a great guy and there's something really cool about going to the cuemaker's shop and taking in the atmosphere and ogling at their equipment, stock and in process cues. You can't get that from a production outfit unless you lived nearby and could do a tour... of course then they are your local cuemaker even if they ship out to the world.

The cue maker should be capable of wearing many hats and should understand many see him as a sort of wizard. If creative enough, an artist. I admire those that tried and failed at something until they produced something that they could be proud of. That said, as I stated in my other post, I gave the custom cue path a go and the experience was lacking. I have a project cue and a couple of solid players, so I am good for now. Once my next kielwood shaft is finished, I am just going to get back to a rack or 12 a day.

 

[MIROPHAN]

Custom or built from a custom shop CAN not be more expensive than a production cue. Price out a Cuetec or Predator with 2 shafts, with their premium models, it is easy to get to $1500-2k. I did this and ended up with a Merry Widow from SugarTree for less with 2 shafts.