Custom Cue sales?

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.
The Petes are good people and build great cues. I`m sure if you get them to do it, you will be happy with the results.
 
Pete Sr. was wonderful with his explanation and time. Even told me about a story about a guy bringing two one piece cues to this other guy to have them cut in half, and as Paul Harvey says…

I think for the money, I’d go w a full splice new build. Day by day I have no idea if I want another cue, new build, or to sell everything and have one cue. I just know in the end I’ll always have my Runde and my pre Schon Runde, everything else has a price, maybe not the Searing Shaft, but the Runde’s have a special place in my heart.
 
I'm 40. I've been wanting a titleist conversion forever, just never pulled the trigger.
Age 48 here, started collecting iny early 40s. I bought what appeared to be a 1940s first run of the willie hoppe pros, when Herman made them. it was pretty beat up. Ariel converted it for me during covid. It was mostly reuseable, but required a 3 or 4 inch section of maple inder the wrap to bring it to size. The ring/damage you see on the forearm is where the original wrap ended, so you damaged under the finish. I think it adds character. The original wrap channel was cut too deep to turn all the way down so it had to be filled.

Rosewood/maple came put looking great. Veneers are not very bright, but what can you expect from a 80+ year old cue. It was a fun project. Pictures of the original and finished product. It is really cool to breath new life into something like that and play with it. Kept the conversion simple.
 

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I collect customs or order from cuecmakers because i enjoy the work they do. I have a cf shaft for breaking on a lomax butt. My players are all solid maple shafts, but i just picked up a cue with some keil wood shafts that i will be trying this weekend since i heard such good things about Pat Diveney cues.

But all the young guys prefer cf and production cues. Even most older folks. Not many have the disposable income to buy expensive hobbie equipement. I count myself lucky i can afford it. I am not rich by any means, but i save and buy a cue or two a year to mess around with. I also choose simple cues, but from good builders so i am not breaking the bank.
 
#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.
After trying other cues while owning my McDermotts (I played many years with them), I decided the McDs were too butt heavy and I wanted to go the newer / slimer butt diameter, so they were gone. Predators were getting lots of representation in the leagues with their shafts, so I tried one. The Roadline LE3 was ok butt-wise, but I could not get adjusted to their LD shafts. Also, after seeing some threads posted here showing the quality and build approaches of Predator, especially painted on points or stickers with clear over plus how they do their sport grips and are impossible to replace without a ton of work or sending them back, I just don't want to deal with their products that are usually 2 times too high of a retail price to value ratio.
 
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Pete Sr. was wonderful with his explanation and time. Even told me about a story about a guy bringing two one piece cues to this other guy to have them cut in half, and as Paul Harvey says…

I think for the money, I’d go w a full splice new build. Day by day I have no idea if I want another cue, new build, or to sell everything and have one cue. I just know in the end I’ll always have my Runde and my pre Schon Runde, everything else has a price, maybe not the Searing Shaft, but the Runde’s have a special place in my heart.
I have a full-splice Tascarella coming in soon, I hope!

-dj
 
I been playing with my Tiger sneaky ultra x shaft with leather wrap installed for 13 yrs, i tried CB shafts not for me .
 
Ok, here’s some feedback. I’m a new +40 year old player. Reddit is a normal stop for me but I have found this place more authentic. I have purchased cues and various shafts to develop more of an understanding of “that Runde solid hit” and the various other nebulous type of references.

To do that I bought various shafts - predator 314-3, Runde kielwood, Runde Double roasted kielwood, revo 12.4, cynergy 11.8,12.5, joss hp, joss hp kielwood, Mezz ignite, Mezz ex pro, Mezz sigma, tsunami 2.0 and various others.

I love changing shafts and playing them against each other.

I found the cue referenced earlier for sale. I guess it’s a great deal at +$7k+ but I’ve never heard of the builder outside of occasional references on this site. I had no idea it was in the category of a Balabuska in terms of collectibility. I would be getting fomo if I felt it was a good investment or I would learn something new with the shaft / butt. I don’t think that’s the case. It’s also why I don’t feel compelled to buy a southwest or bushka.

I love cues as much as I love shooting. My biggest investments in pool cues going forward will most likely be 1 of 1 cues that I can personally customize. Kevin Noel of Ross Cues has been a favorite builder of mine. I found him on Facebook and I really like the “new cue builders” page there.

So, in summary, I’m willing to pay for new feel or feedback at a reasonable price. I’d love to hit one of those old cuemakers but I don’t think I’m missing out. (Correct me if I’m wrong)

I’m willing to pay an unreasonable price for something sentimental to me. I.e. personalized themed custom cues.

I have come close several times to buying a satin southwest pacifier but talked myself out of it. I had heard of Balabushka (color of money) and Southwest is referenced all over this site and also in "Pool Hall Junkies." That's not enough for me to pay a premium without a personal connection and coming in new I'm not going to have that with these old builders.
 
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Ok, here’s some feedback. I’m a new +40 year old player. Reddit is a normal stop for me but I have found this place more authentic. I have purchased cues and various shafts to develop more of an understanding of “that Runde solid hit” and the various other nebulous type of references.

To do that I bought various shafts - predator 314-3, Runde kielwood, Runde Double roasted kielwood, revo 12.4, cynergy 11.8,12.5, joss hp, joss hp kielwood, Mezz ignite, Mezz ex pro, Mezz sigma, tsunami 2.0 and various others.

I love changing shafts and playing them against each other.

I found the cue referenced earlier for sale. I guess it’s a great deal at +$7k+ but I’ve never heard of the builder outside of occasional references on this site. I had no idea it was in the category of a Balabuska in terms of collectibility. I would be getting fomo if I felt it was a good investment or I would learn something new with the shaft / butt. I don’t think that’s the case. It’s also why I don’t feel compelled to buy a southwest or bushka.

I love cues as much as I love shooting. My biggest investments in pool cues going forward will most likely be 1 of 1 cues that I can personally customize. Kevin Noel of Ross Cues has been a favorite builder of mine. I found him on Facebook and I really like the “new cue builders” page there.

So, in summary, I’m willing to pay for new feel or feedback at a reasonable price. I’d love to hit one of those old cuemakers but I don’t think I’m missing out. (Correct me if I’m wrong)

I’m willing to pay an unreasonable price for something sentimental to me. I.e. personalized themed custom cues.

I have come close several times to buying a satin southwest pacifier but talked myself out of it. I had heard of Balabushka (color of money) and Southwest is referenced all over this site and also in "Pool Hall Junkies." That's not enough for me to pay a premium without a personal connection and coming in new I'm not going to have that with these old builders.
If you are going to buy a pacifier, one name you need to know, I’d bet my life on him. Slide13, you will not regret it

The man wipes his prints before the cue goes away!! In not fuckkng kidding
 
If you are going to buy a pacifier, one name you need to know, I’d bet my life on him. Slide13, you will not regret it

The man wipes his prints before the cue goes away!! In not fuckkng kidding
Hmmm, the last one that almost got me was the Scarface version. I had actually broken down and was about to buy it but then it sold. But, I read many of your posts. Am I missing out on something with Southwest? Am I to believe they had some unique construction technique that creates a unique hit? I like playful shafts. My favorite shaft is the double roasted Runde Kielwood with a 1" ferrule. I am sure that's full of placebo. I equally like the Joss HP Kielwood and the Mezz Sigma shafts. I find the cynergy 11.8.really fun and find myself trending to that from time to time.

So.....tell me about a pacifier. lol.
 
Hmmm, the last one that almost got me was the Scarface version. I had actually broken down and was about to buy it but then it sold. But, I read many of your posts. Am I missing out on something with Southwest? Am I to believe they had some unique construction technique that creates a unique hit? I like playful shafts. My favorite shaft is the double roasted Runde Kielwood with a 1" ferrule. I am sure that's full of placebo. I equally like the Joss HP Kielwood and the Mezz Sigma shafts. I find the cynergy 11.8.really fun and find myself trending to that from time to time.

So.....tell me about a pacifier. lol.
Wow, You are brighter than me. I honestly ca say Slide13 is the only southwest owner I know, no clue what’s it’s like. But if he reviews is you can take it as gospel! Slide13 rep is impenetrable

Bet my life in it and Bob, if you w as by me dead, you can’t lose
 
So, going back to your original question. I'm not anti carbon but I still prefer a wood shaft. The Ignite is highly regarded but I don't really prefer playing with it. It is the one I'd depart with first. I have unexpectedly miscued with it compared to others and I don't prefer the taper.

I love the cynergy 11.8 taper but it took me a while to get used to the small tip. Once I did, its one of the most fun shafts to play with. But...I like the feedback of wood.

There is a certain overall sound, feedback and feel with the runde kielwood. I would describe it as having a bit of ziiiiing. Looking at the picture it is an outlier. So, yes, new player here found himself with a Runde double roasted Kielwood 1" ferrule playing cue. It is the one in the center. It looks black but has the dark roasted color.

I've heard he will no longer make these shafts.

IMG_9230.jpg
 
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