Custom and High End Cues on the Decline?
- Thread starter Logandgriff
- Start date
I would expect the Dzuricky to do the heavy lifting when it comes to total resale value. It's a beautiful pre-logo cue in near-mint condition and would cost over $2100 (plus whatever material premium for 12 inlays, joint collar, and one ferrule being made from ivory, along with another ferrule being made from old "yellow Micarta") if ordered today. It would also come with a 12-month wait. It's the combination of like-new condition, 1 of 1 design with options no longer available, and instant gratification for which people who appreciate premium craftsmanship are frequently willing to pay. (It's still not for sale.)
The Frey (not very) sneaky pete is a beautiful cue in its own right, but it pales next to the Dzuricky.
Exactly. Limited availability or even 1-of-1 does not imply custom. A true custom is made specifically for one person. It is bespoke. One could even credibly argue that, once it hits the secondary market, even a custom/bespoke cue becomes just a 1-of-1, since it was made specifically for the first owner.
My Cohen was bespoke to the guy who ordered it from Eddie. I got it 2nd hand. I would have ordered it just the same. Is it still bespoke? 1 of 1 is just 1 of 1 not bespoke?
ETA: looks like the AI agrees. I am just a second hand luxury item owner…
ETA: looks like the AI agrees. I am just a second hand luxury item owner…
I agree with you.. I don’t care if it was bought on the secondary market. If it’s a one of one by a cue maker it’s still a custom cue. My argument was a company like joss cues that I pick a cue out of a catalog that they mass produced . That’s not custom to me.
Well, that all depends on what a pool cue means to you. For younger, newer players, as you noted, they seem to follow the path of least resistance and gravitate towards the schlock mass produced by the industry that consist of man made materials of carbon fiber, plastic, rubber, drinking deeply of the kool aid the industry markets this crap with, I.E. low deflection, ding and warp proof, etc. etc.
Then there’s those that consider cues a collectible item, revering different custom makers and their cues for varying reasons. Some about the artistry of the cues, some for the notoriety of the maker and their mythical like reputation amongst other collectors and players, some for playability, some for their collectibility and or resale value.
Then there’s players, that value different custom cues for their playability alone. That have spent time in the game, and figured out whatever it is they like about a cue and gravitate towards custom cue makers whose cues have playability characteristics that check all the boxes that are important to them in a playing cue and order a cue, or multiple cues to be made geared towards what they like in both playability and or aesthetics.
I can see both sides of it. I asked an acquaintance why he put away the shafts from his custom and started using CF shafts. He likes the idea that he feels he can buy 3-4 of them and they’re all going to play the same, not ding or warp. Then there’s those are those like myself who love their customs and old school maple shafts. Those cues that they’ve had made, or found along the way, that were just a combination of a bunch of different factors that all aligned perfectly in the making of their custom, that feels just perfect to them and their style of play. Where it was just the right wood, the right glue, the right day in a custom makers career where he was at the peak of his craft and it all comes together to form something magical when in their hands at play in this game.
Then there’s those that consider cues a collectible item, revering different custom makers and their cues for varying reasons. Some about the artistry of the cues, some for the notoriety of the maker and their mythical like reputation amongst other collectors and players, some for playability, some for their collectibility and or resale value.
Then there’s players, that value different custom cues for their playability alone. That have spent time in the game, and figured out whatever it is they like about a cue and gravitate towards custom cue makers whose cues have playability characteristics that check all the boxes that are important to them in a playing cue and order a cue, or multiple cues to be made geared towards what they like in both playability and or aesthetics.
I can see both sides of it. I asked an acquaintance why he put away the shafts from his custom and started using CF shafts. He likes the idea that he feels he can buy 3-4 of them and they’re all going to play the same, not ding or warp. Then there’s those are those like myself who love their customs and old school maple shafts. Those cues that they’ve had made, or found along the way, that were just a combination of a bunch of different factors that all aligned perfectly in the making of their custom, that feels just perfect to them and their style of play. Where it was just the right wood, the right glue, the right day in a custom makers career where he was at the peak of his craft and it all comes together to form something magical when in their hands at play in this game.
I really thought I wanted to contact a maker and have them make me a cue. Then I started looking at all that's out there and decided against ordering one. I am just not that creative. Or maybe it's that I am not picky enough. I see tons of cues I would like to own in the $1k to $3k range. Maybe I will have an idea at some point that would make me want to have one made but for now I have a good time looking at other peoples ideas and looking for one I can't live without.