Custom Cue sales?

[Shooter08]

Does it seem like custom cues are just not selling the last few months? Is it price, lack of spending cash, wrong inventory available? It seems like nothing is moving. Are we to the point where a carbon fiber shaft and a misc butt has killed the radio star? I mean cue builder! Any anti carbon guys left? If you are thirty and younger and don’t use a LD or carbon shaft, please respond. You are the last hope! Padawans. How is Pete Jr going to retire if we all die? I’ve been told for years Bob Runde is retiring, not according to him, maybe just his wonderful wife. lol. If you don’t own a cue built by Bob, you are missing an experience. Runde, McDermott MR, Runde, Schon, Runde, get one. I guarantee you will not be dissatisfied and I will buy it if you have an invoice that is legit and I have the cash. You won’t sell, as Charles Barkley says “GUARANTEED”. NBA Fans!!

 

[Jedco]

I sometimes play with a carbon fiber shaft on my custom or antique cues. It's as if millions of old time shooters cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced.

 

[Shooter08]

lol, I thought you put a carbon fiber shaft on a Vigus for a moment there. Blastphemy, wait is it a Palmer, are you trying to burn down hell?

 

[Jedco]

lol, I thought you put a carbon fiber shaft on a Vigus for a moment there. Blastphemy, wait is it a Palmer, are you trying to burn down hell?

Give in to your anger. You don't know the power of the dark side!

 

[ideologist]

Does it seem like custom cues are just not selling the last few months? Is it price, lack of spending cash, wrong inventory available? It seems like nothing is moving. Are we to the point where a carbon fiber shaft and a misc butt has killed the radio star? I mean cue builder! Any anti carbon guys left? If you are thirty and younger and don’t use a LD or carbon shaft, please respond. You are the last hope! Padawans. How is Pete Jr going to retire if we all die? I’ve been told for years Bob Runde is retiring, not according to him, maybe just his wonderful wife. lol. If you don’t own a cue built by Bob, you are missing an experience. Runde, McDermott MR, Runde, Schon, Runde, get one. I guarantee you will not be dissatisfied and I will buy it if you have an invoice that is legit and I have the cash. You won’t sell, as Charles Barkley says “GUARANTEED”. NBA Fans!!

People are broke, and sellers are on drugs

Vintage cues are the only things that sell

 

[Shooter08]

People are broke, and sellers are on drugs

Vintage cues are the only things that sell

there is a Szam for sale that is the cue on this site. The seller is offering at a steal, I’m about to start donating plasma if it Doesn’t sell or look for a sugar mama. Ah, I’m not that good of a prize, unless she likes pool, lol.

 

[ideologist]

there is a Szam for sale that is the cue on this site. The seller is offering at a steal, I’m about to start donating plasma if it Doesn’t sell or look for a sugar mama. Ah, I’m not that good of a prize, unless she likes pool, lol.

The other problem is the guys who really want Szams already own them, and the rest died off or got too old to play

 

[Jedco]

The other problem is the guys who really want Szams already own them, and the rest died off or got too old to play

Mostly true, but I'd buy that one in a second if there weren't other cues a bit higher on my wish list!

 

[Shooter08]

I

The other problem is the guys who really want Szams already own them, and the rest died off or got too old to pl

Im 47, no idea why i fell in love w classic cues? Does anyone less than 50?

 

[Shooter08]

Mostly true, but I'd buy that one in a second if there weren't other cues a bit higher on my wish list!

What could possibly be higher? I guess I should say in this site. Facebook is garbage and frauds, imho.

 

[CLAUD]

I lnow a few people that tried carbon for awhile, then went back to wood. All is not lost.

 

[Zerksies]

Are you talking sales or ordering? I'm seeing long wait times to order stuff and most are not reliable. If you are talking on hand the markets have been soft.

 

[ChicagoJoe]

I

Im 47, no idea why i fell in love w classic cues? Does anyone less than 50?

I'm 40. I've been wanting a titleist conversion forever, just never pulled the trigger.

 

[slide13]

I think there has definitely been a shift towards modern production cues for a lot of players, myself included.

I started with adding a carbon Revo shaft to my Runde. But then I wanted a screw in extension. So I made the move to a full Predator setup with a K Series Classic 1, BK Rush, and Air Rush.

And damn it....it's really nice. I kinda didn't want to like it as much as I do. I was still considering ordering a custom cue of some sort that would fit a Revo and have an integrated extension but the stupid production Predator is actually a really nice feeling, playing, and even looking cue. And I love having both the 3" and 8" extensions that screw on quick and easy with their integrated bumper system.

Now I won't fully give up my custom cues, I'm going to hold onto my custom ordered Runde (thanks again for making that happen!) and my 3 micarta ferrule shafts for it. But I already sold my fancier version of that cue (featured in my avatar)....that was a tough one to let go but just couldn't justify holding onto both of them when I'm no longer playing full time with either. I'm probably going to list my South West Satin for the same reason.

Production cues never interested me until they started offering features and benefits that many custom cues just don't. I think going forward custom cue makers are going to have to make sure they offer things like easy screw in extensions and proper joint diameters to align with common aftermarket carbon shafts. Makers who do will stay relevant I think and those who don't will probably start seeing declining demand as time goes on.

There is also a benefit to knowing that I could easily replace my cue with another similar Predator model. I could have a replacement cue that likely would play very similar delivered in a day or two.

I probably won't stick with my Predator playing cue forever....I still have a strong appreciation for custom hand made cues. I know Bob Owen at least has built a good number of cues with extensions so he's at the top of my list when I decide to pull that trigger. But for now, I'm honestly really enjoying playing with my Predator setup and the convenience it offers.

 

[Jedco]

I think there has definitely been a shift towards modern production cues for a lot of players, myself included.

I started with adding a carbon Revo shaft to my Runde. But then I wanted a screw in extension. So I made the move to a full Predator setup with a K Series Classic 1, BK Rush, and Air Rush.

And damn it....it's really nice. I kinda didn't want to like it as much as I do. I was still considering ordering a custom cue of some sort that would fit a Revo and have an integrated extension but the stupid product Predator is actually a really nice feeling, playing, and even looking cue. And I love having both the 3" and 8" extensions that screw on quick and easy with their integrated bumper system.

Now I won't fully give up my custom cues, I'm going to hold onto my custom ordered Runde (thanks again for making that happen!) and my 3 micarta ferrule shafts for it. But I already sold my fancier version of that cue (featured in my avatar)....that was a tough one to let go but just couldn't justify holding onto both of them when I'm no longer playing full time with either. I'm probably going to list my South West Satin for the same reason.

Production cues never interested me until they started offering features and benefits that many custom cues just don't. I think going forward custom cue makers are going to have to make sure they offer things like easy screw in extensions and proper joint diameters to align with common aftermarket carbon shafts. Makers who do will stay relevant I think and those who don't will probably start seeing declining demand as time goes on.

There is also a benefit to knowing that I could easily replace my cue with another similar Predator model. I could have a replacement cue that likely would play very similar delivered in a day or two.

I probably won't stick with my Predator playing cue forever....I still have a strong appreciation for custom hand made cues. I know Bob Owen at least has built a good number of cues with extensions so he's at the top of my list when I decide to pull that trigger. But for now, I'm honestly really enjoying playing with my Predator setup and the convenience it offers.

This sums up my feelings exactly, except I still play with my other cues. When I'm playing to win, I use a Predator setup. When I'm playing for fun, I like to try a lot of other cues. Going back and forth may hurt my game in the long run, but I'm OK with that.

 

[sbrownn]

In the last 5 years I've done the following:

1. Sold all my production McDermott cues, including a somewhat rare P-704.
2. Bought a Preadator Roadline LE3 with Z3 and 314 shafts. Sold them all after a few months and so glad I did. Will never own another Predator product again.
3. Bought a cocobolo / ash burl points Carmeli new for a pretty good price at the time in 2019.
4. Bought a second Carmeli with curly maple and ebony points for a very good price, butt needed refinishing and shafts needed lathe re-cut to straighten. Carmeli did a great refinishing job with new leather wrap, will never find a deal like this again unless the seller does not know what they have. Cue is in still refinished mint condition in a separate case.
5. Bought a bocote with wrap Schmelke to my specs.
6. Bought a Jim Pierce thuya burl with ebony points to my specs in late 2023. He did a beautiful job on the build and took just over 5 months to build and receive.
7. Bought a cocobolo Schmelke sneaky pete to my specs and is in separate case as my lightweight traveler.

I also bought 3 different CF shafts and tried multiple others in the last 5 years. Always went back to the non-LD maple shafts. Sold the Paul Allers CF shaft and the Rhino CF break shaft, kept the Rhino 12.5mm CF playing shaft. Would like to try a Meucci The Pro maple 12.5mm shaft and I do have one spot left in my 3x7 Instroke bag, ha. All of the above are 3/8x10 joint so I can interchange as I like. I'm over 50 and have been playing league with serious practice commitments since my early 20s.

Additionally, I've noticed, at least in my opinion, that the amount of post and replies diminishes about 10% each year on this site in about the last 10 years or so...

 

[Jedco]

Don't let the number of slots left in your bag stop you! Why have a sip when you can upend the bottle?!

 

[Bavafongoul]

The cues in my case have significance because of how they actually came into existence
and for two of my cues, I was in the right place at the right time. That’s how I got my Scruggs.

My cues’ makers aren’t going to build any of these same designs again so my cues assume a
uniqueness. 1 of 1 pool cue designs that no one else has so for me, it makes them very special.

Now that likely doesn’t amount to a hill of beans to anyone else and my cues are just another
pool cue. But not to me. I know where, how and why these cues were even made. I should too.

How come? Because they’re my cues and I’m connected to them. And I play pool with all 6 cues
in my case. Heck, that’s the fun and only reason, IMO, to have nice pool cues. Cues aren’t like art.

One thing I’ve learned is it is hard to assign a value to anything that’s highly sentimental to you. Pool
cues, guns and knives are artifacts I have great sentiment for. My children know my stuff will be theirs.

 

[Shooter08]

I'm 40. I've been wanting a titleist conversion forever, just never pulled the trigger.

In the last 5 years I've done the following:

1. Sold all my production McDermott cues, including a somewhat rare P-704.
2. Bought a Preadator Roadline LE3 with Z3 and 314 shafts. Sold them all after a few months and so glad I did. Will never own another Predator product again.
3. Bought a cocobolo / ash burl points Carmeli new for a pretty good price at the time in 2019.
4. Bought a second Carmeli with curly maple and ebony points for a very good price, butt needed refinishing and shafts needed lathe re-cut to straighten. Carmeli did a great refinishing job with new leather wrap, will never find a deal like this again unless the seller does not know what they have. Cue is in still refinished mint condition in a separate case.
5. Bought a bocote with wrap Schmelke to my specs.
6. Bought a Jim Pierce thuya burl with ebony points to my specs in late 2023. He did a beautiful job on the build and took just over 5 months to build and receive.
7. Bought a cocobolo Schmelke sneaky pete to my specs and is in separate case as my lightweight traveler.

I also bought 3 different CF shafts and tried multiple others in the last 5 years. Always went back to the non-LD maple shafts. Sold the Paul Allers CF shaft and the Rhino CF break shaft, kept the Rhino 12.5mm CF playing shaft. Would like to try a Meucci The Pro maple 12.5mm shaft and I do have one spot left in my 3x7 Instroke bag, ha. All of the above are 3/8x10 joint so I can interchange as I like. I'm over 50 and have been playing league with serious practice commitments since my early 20s.

Additionally, I've noticed, at least in my opinion, that the amount of post and replies diminishes about 10% each year on this site in about the last 10 years or so...

#2? Interesting that you mention you sold your McDermott cues and gave no reason, but Predator products you will never own again. I’m curious, why the disdain? BTW never owned anything made by or for Predator on a personal level, just not interested personally.

 

[Shooter08]

I'm 40. I've been wanting a titleist conversion forever, just never pulled the trigger.

I have a Hoppe cue I’d love to see someone else convert. Talked to Pete Sr recently and based on his measurements it should work, but he said to send it in for a free look for his approval that it can be a good candidate.