Custom Cue Question

WingsFan

Mmmm.... gin.
Silver Member
This is for cue makers as well as those who have a custom cue. I'm not actually in the market, but I'm really curious about something. Ignore looks for this post. I realize that looks are almost infinitely customizable. What else is customizable? I'm assuming.....

length
joint type
weight
tip diameter
taper (which I suppose factors into tip diameter)
wrap (this has to do with looks, I know, but it also affects feel)
ferrule?
balance point? (I'm taking a guess here.)

What did I leave out? Also, just how in the heck do you confidently choose all of these factors when you know you're spending a boatload of money on what you hope is your cue to end all cues? I mean, I've played with several different cues before and have certain things that I like as far as weight, joint type and wrap, but if I were starting from scratch, I'd be worried that I'd just design certain specs because that's what everyone does, not because it's the best for me.
 
WingsFan said:
This is for cue makers as well as those who have a custom cue. I'm not actually in the market, but I'm really curious about something. Ignore looks for this post. I realize that looks are almost infinitely customizable. What else is customizable? I'm assuming.....

length
joint type
weight
tip diameter
taper (which I suppose factors into tip diameter)
wrap (this has to do with looks, I know, but it also affects feel)
ferrule?
balance point? (I'm taking a guess here.)

What did I leave out? Also, just how in the heck do you confidently choose all of these factors when you know you're spending a boatload of money on what you hope is your cue to end all cues? I mean, I've played with several different cues before and have certain things that I like as far as weight, joint type and wrap, but if I were starting from scratch, I'd be worried that I'd just design certain specs because that's what everyone does, not because it's the best for me.

One factor you didn't mention that I know a lot of people look for is weight distribution. Balance point defines where the center of gravity is, but is most of the weight close to that point, or more spread out away from that point?

Also grip diameter is important for how the cue feels in your grip hand.

Shaft construction beyond taper (what kind of wood, growth rings, laminated or solid, end-mass reduction tricks like predator uses, etc.) is also something to maybe think about.

If you don't know exactly what you want in every category, then don't spend money for your "cue to end all cues", since you don't really know what that is. To help find out exactly what you want, ask to try out people's cue that have certain properties, or call/visit a cuemaker's shop, as a prospective customer, and ask if they have examples of cues they've made that you can hit with.

-Andrew
 
WingsFan said:
This is for cue makers as well as those who have a custom cue. I'm not actually in the market, but I'm really curious about something. Ignore looks for this post. I realize that looks are almost infinitely customizable. What else is customizable? I'm assuming.....

length 57"-58"
joint type Non Metal
weight 18.5-18.75 OZ
tip diameter 13mm
taper (which I suppose factors into tip diameter) STIFF
wrap (this has to do with looks, I know, but it also affects feel) Linen or Leather
ferrule? Ivory, or FAUX Ivory
balance point? (I'm taking a guess here.) 18" from the BUMPER


See above.........;)
 
Butt diameter

Butt diameter is also important. Some production cues, and a few
custom type cues have what I consider fat butts, which I do not care for.
You can get a regular butt or slimline butt on a custom cue. If you get a
regular, make sure it is not actually bigger that what most players consider normal, unless you like big butts.
 
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