Custom Cues

RTaylor692

RTaylor692

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Alright everyone, I have been around this game a long time. I have always used store bought cues(i.e. Meucci and Joss). What is the difference between these and custom cues? Do the customs hit that much better? I understand the workmanship might be a lot better, but I tend to lean more toward the more plain cues, so that isn't as much of a determining factor. I am looking at getting a new cue and want to spend my money in the best way possible. Any insight you can give me would be greatly appreciated.

What custom maker do you prefer for a lower end custom? I am looking for a curly maple and or birdseye maple wrapless. I am willing to consider a nice white with black irish linen. I don't know about the points as I know they add a lot to the price. I don't need fancy inlays, but something would be nice break up the wood a little. I have an ob-1 shaft set up for my joss, so that would be the preferred joint. It is a black joint. If you custom builders would like to send me some quotes or more information, that would be good too.

Thanks in advance for any help and information.
 
Last edited:
There are lots of cue makers out there. I would 'get to know' someone and use your gut to determine who you'll go with. Look at some of the past cues or go to their website and see if what they are making appeals to you. Cue makers greatly depend on reputation to survive. As long as you are clear and up front about it, you will get what you want.

If you hook up with a cue maker and develop a relationship, you can learn a great deal through the cue buying process itself. Just going through that one experience will satisfy a great deal of curiosity you have, and it would only cost you between $3-500.

There are many things to consider from tip to bumper. If you want, I will be willing to sit down and explain some of these things to you over the phone. Just PM me your phone number.

Bob Dzuricky has a great website and is very informational dzcues.com not to mention, he is a superb cue maker. Leon Sly, Steve Klein, and Bryan Mordt are a couple others who come highly recommended.
 
RTaylor692 said:
Alright everyone, I have been around this game a long time. I have always used store bought cues(i.e. Meucci and Joss). What is the difference between these and custom cues? Do the customs hit that much better? I understand the workmanship might be a lot better, but I tend to lean more toward the more plain cues, so that isn't as much of a determining factor. I am looking at getting a new cue and want to spend my money in the best way possible. Any insight you can give me would be greatly appreciated.

What custom maker do you prefer for a lower end custom? I am looking for a curly maple and or birdseye maple wrapless. I am willing to consider a nice white with black irish linen. I don't know about the points as I know they add a lot to the price. I don't need fancy inlays, but something would be nice break up the wood a little. I have an ob-1 shaft set up for my joss, so that would be the preferred joint. It is a black joint. If you custom builders would like to send me some quotes or more information, that would be good too.

Thanks in advance for any help and information.
Click to expand...

It's not so much that customs are better...it is that you can have a cue built for you to your specs....weight, balance point, length, shaft taper.

I will say this...part why people buy customs is also because of a maker's rep for playability. A big factor in this is the shaft, and the taper they use that fits best with the way they construct their butts. If all you're gonna do is put an aftermarket shaft on it that you already own, you're likely better off just sticking with what you're already playing with. I feel you do a custom maker a disservice when you don't play with their 'whole' cue. JMHO.

Lisa
 
Custom all the way!

I was in your spot a copple of years ago, did a az deep dive and asked around ended buyeing a Pete Ohman (Omen) cue. I di get a flatface but i here he makes a killer ss jointed cue. I will never regret that deal and the cue plays lightsout, i still have some limited Helmstetters i used to playwith but i allways end upp playing with my Omen cue.

Regards
Benjamin
 
ridewiththewind said:
If all you're gonna do is put an aftermarket shaft on it that you already own, you're likely better off just sticking with what you're already playing with. I feel you do a custom maker a disservice when you don't play with their 'whole' cue.

Lisa
Click to expand...

I respectfully disagree with this statement, I had a custom made for me and from the very beginning the cuemaker knew that I would be putting an OB1 on his cue. We came up with what we thought was the best construction and design elements to match the OB. I wanted a custom that had a certain look to it, which we achieved beyond my expectations. After 1 minor adjustment to weight the cue plays exactly to my intentions. I do not feel that i dishonored the cuemaker in any way since he knew my plan from the start.

BTW, my cue is a plain wrapless, rosewood front and back with curly maple grip.

Mike
 
mm4pool said:
I respectfully disagree with this statement, I had a custom made for me and from the very beginning the cuemaker knew that I would be putting an OB1 on his cue. We came up with what we thought was the best construction and design elements to match the OB. I wanted a custom that had a certain look to it, which we achieved beyond my expectations. After 1 minor adjustment to weight the cue plays exactly to my intentions. I do not feel that i dishonored the cuemaker in any way since he knew my plan from the start.

BTW, my cue is a plain wrapless, rosewood front and back with curly maple grip.

Mike
Click to expand...

That's cool...we can agree to disagree. Just because the maker knew your plan from the start does not mean that if he had had his druthers, he'd have rather put one his shafts on instead of yours...the guy has got to eat just like the rest of us.
 
ridewiththewind said:
That's cool...we can agree to disagree. Just because the maker knew your plan from the start does not mean that if he had had his druthers, he'd have rather put one his shafts on instead of yours...the guy has got to eat just like the rest of us.
Click to expand...

Sorry, I wasnt clear in my other post. The maker did supply one of his shafts which is a very nice shaft, very tight grained and excellent craftsmanship. I simply made sure that what I got would work well with my aftermarket equipment. The maker did get his full asking price so he was able to eat that week. ;);)

Mike
 
Cue makers shafts

Having custom cue built right now. Have shot with Predators but never owned one. Played with OB 1 more than a year and still felt I miscued too much. Huge learning curve to boot. Went back to my plain shaft(Shurtz). Never looked back. Many say the OB1 is too whippy. So getting two shafts with new cue and figured why not two different shafts. One regular and one with graphite insert. Cue maker said great idea. One for more aggressive shooting and one for maybe one pocket.which I am trying to play. I think many cue makers are starting to make a so called LD shaft to give the customers an option to Predators and OB's. My thinking would be stiff shaft for 9ball and less stiff for one pocket. Hope I'm right. Anyones input on stiffer shafts for certain games would be much appreciated.
 
Lisa git it right on the money.
In asking who is the best cue maker for you, you are opening up a beeg can of worms. Everyone has their favorite.
There is much reading material here and I suggest you take your time and
do a bit of research in order to find the right maker for you.

What type of hit do you like? You can research different wood combinations and choose which two might be proper for you. The type of joint you prefer to achieve what you like in a cue, etc.

For myself, its a maple, cocobolo or rosewood combo.

I have small hands so I can ask a cue maker to taper the butt a tad smaller for myself. Thats one of the great things about using a custom maker.

And after that as Lisa mentioned you have a myriad of personal options open for yourself such as balance point etc.

And you can work with a cue maker in the shaft taper department too.

Take your time and when you find what you're looking for it will hit you and you will know it.

One of the best parts of AZ is the Ask the Cue Maker forum.
Many competent cue makers hang out there and they will be more than happy to answer any questions you can pose.
 
I agree with Lisa. I would definatly do a custom. Get a plain jane or a sneaky. But think of the things you want before starting.

I suggest making 3 lists. One is a list of what you must have, cannot do without. One list of things you will not accept. And a list of things you would like. Work on the lists adding and subtracting untill you have a workable list of what you want the cue to do. Then E-mail or call up the maker of you're choice and discuss it with him (or her).

I would put in a few more names into the hat. Lee Peppers, Pete Ohman, Arnot Wadsworth, and Kieth Josie. I know Kieth will make you a wonderful player. Sherry is the best to deal with. One phone call will be all it takes!

Good luck with what eer cue you end up with
 
RTaylor692 said:
Alright everyone, I have been around this game a long time. I have always used store bought cues(i.e. Meucci and Joss). What is the difference between these and custom cues? Do the customs hit that much better? I understand the workmanship might be a lot better, but I tend to lean more toward the more plain cues, so that isn't as much of a determining factor. I am looking at getting a new cue and want to spend my money in the best way possible. Any insight you can give me would be greatly appreciated.

What custom maker do you prefer for a lower end custom? I am looking for a curly maple and or birdseye maple wrapless. I am willing to consider a nice white with black irish linen. I don't know about the points as I know they add a lot to the price. I don't need fancy inlays, but something would be nice break up the wood a little. I have an ob-1 shaft set up for my joss, so that would be the preferred joint. It is a black joint. If you custom builders would like to send me some quotes or more information, that would be good too.

Thanks in advance for any help and information.
Click to expand...
i'm presuming the joss is a 5/16x14 joint.
so if you want a good custom cue at the lower end of the scale then i'd recommend a jacoby.
you can even go on their website and build the cue on the design section they have.
http://www.jacobycustomcues.com/cuebuilder/index.php
 
Send me an email, russellcues@gmail.com and I would be happy to make a cue to your specs. Obviously MM4Pool was very happy with his. :)

Glad to hear the cue is still to your liking and you are happy with it Mike.

I dont charge an arm & a leg for my cues, and I dont care if you decide to put another shaft on my cue later either. :D
 
Russell Cues said:
Send me an email, russellcues@gmail.com and I would be happy to make a cue to your specs. Obviously MM4Pool was very happy with his. :)

Glad to hear the cue is still to your liking and you are happy with it Mike.

I dont charge an arm & a leg for my cues, and I dont care if you decide to put another shaft on my cue later either. :D
Click to expand...

I wasn't trying to pick on Mike...his initial post made it appear that he had had the cue built around his aftermarket shaft. He did clear things up for me...I just had not been back on to respond in a timely manner. Glad you hooked him up and glad he is happy with his cue...it means he's playing with it, which is always a good thing. :thumbup:

The only point I was trying to make was that most folks seek out a maker because of their cues' rep for playability. I know that there are a lot of folks that love aftermarket shafts. I know that there are many makers that now offer the option of purchasing an aftermarket shaft when ordering their cue...which is cool, as it allows the maker to build that playability into that shaft. I just do not get those who have cues built specifically around an aftermarket shaft they already own...seems to me like some of the playability that the maker is known for gets lost in the translation.

Lisa
 
ridewiththewind said:
I wasn't trying to pick on Mike...his initial post made it appear that he had had the cue built around his aftermarket shaft. He did clear things up for me...I just had not been back on to respond in a timely manner. Glad you hooked him up and glad he is happy with his cue...it means he's playing with it, which is always a good thing. :thumbup:

The only point I was trying to make was that most folks seek out a maker because of their cues' rep for playability. I know that there are a lot of folks that love aftermarket shafts. I know that there are many makers that now offer the option of purchasing an aftermarket shaft when ordering their cue...which is cool, as it allows the maker to build that playability into that shaft. I just do not get those who have cues built specifically around an aftermarket shaft they already own...seems to me like some of the playability that the maker is known for gets lost in the translation.

Lisa
Click to expand...

Honestly, he did play with the original shaft, my shaft, and he mentioned it took some getting used to as the hit was more solid, stiff ect. But, he wanted the joint to match the OB shaft he had if he wanted to use that shaft. I make a solid, stiff hitting cue, not overly so but it will feel solid in the hand, and if I could get back the money I blew up while fine tuning my shaft taper !!

I build cues for players, being I'm also a player too. :thumbup:
Not knocking anyone just putting in my 2 cents.
 
Lisa,

I understand and completely agree with your comments. A little about me, I am 51 and just started playing seriously about 2 years ago. As such when I got toa point where I could move the cue ball around where i needed, it was like I had to learn all over again how to aim. Call it squirt, deflection, voodoo or whatever I was lost. I was stuck playing center ball and play for angles which was ok for mid level league play. I won an OB2 in a raffle and after an adjustment period my game took a noticable leap forward. When I got to the point of wanting a custom built cue I knew what I wanted and was graced to find Tony with Russell Cues. He did a terrific job, was very helpful and insightful, built me a shaft which does play great, but I was back to being unsure of where i was sending the cueball. My cue has received untold compliments from people I play with and if I ever get tired of it or just want something different I will call Tony once again and we will spec a cue that does include the use of an aftermarket shaft.

to the original poster, if you want a custom cue at a terrific price delivered on time with zero hassle, I would recommend Tony with Russell Cues.

Lisa thanks for the lively discussion.

Mike
 
mm4pool said:
Lisa,

I understand and completely agree with your comments. A little about me, I am 51 and just started playing seriously about 2 years ago. As such when I got toa point where I could move the cue ball around where i needed, it was like I had to learn all over again how to aim. Call it squirt, deflection, voodoo or whatever I was lost. I was stuck playing center ball and play for angles which was ok for mid level league play. I won an OB2 in a raffle and after an adjustment period my game took a noticable leap forward. When I got to the point of wanting a custom built cue I knew what I wanted and was graced to find Tony with Russell Cues. He did a terrific job, was very helpful and insightful, built me a shaft which does play great, but I was back to being unsure of where i was sending the cueball. My cue has received untold compliments from people I play with and if I ever get tired of it or just want something different I will call Tony once again and we will spec a cue that does include the use of an aftermarket shaft.

to the original poster, if you want a custom cue at a terrific price delivered on time with zero hassle, I would recommend Tony with Russell Cues.

Lisa thanks for the lively discussion.

Mike
Click to expand...

I totally get moving from one type of shaft to another...it's like trying to learn all over again....LoL! I like playing with a stiff cue...I also have found that I really like the taper that is on my shafts...it works well for me. I am 52 and my game is the best it's ever been....yeah!! This is my 2nd cue from Keith Josey. I have been very fortunate to have had some damn fine players over the years...but came back to Keith's cues because they just have everything that I like in a player. I completely understand what it is like to find a maker that 'gets it right' for you...not always an easy task.

Lisa
 
Russell Cues said:
Honestly, he did play with the original shaft, my shaft, and he mentioned it took some getting used to as the hit was more solid, stiff ect. But, he wanted the joint to match the OB shaft he had if he wanted to use that shaft. I make a solid, stiff hitting cue, not overly so but it will feel solid in the hand, and if I could get back the money I blew up while fine tuning my shaft taper !!

I build cues for players, being I'm also a player too. :thumbup:
Not knocking anyone just putting in my 2 cents.
Click to expand...

I get that...I believe cues are meant to be played with, not dropped into a case and stored away as an investment. If I am too uncomfortable or worried about playing with it...I got no use for it.

I like stiff hitting cues with big pins. :yeah:
 
I am by no means an expert on how to buy a custom cue. That said, I would figure out what you want first. The issues in most production cues are caused by how the are made. They are made as a production, semi-fit cue, in most cases. So, they occasionally have weird buzzes, strange hit vibrations. . .but most importantly, it was not made for you. Yes, for you. A cue made for you will have as many or as few specs made the way you want. Length, weight, design, balance point, pine type, joint diameter, etc.

So, will it play better than a production cue? If your production cue is a Schon or Keith Andy, probably not, or maybe a little, or maybe completely different. The difference being that those cues weren't made for you to your request.

So, yes, considering custom plain janes run from $250 - $1000, I think in this category, you can do quite well going with a custom cue. Better than a Schon. . .well, a Schon is a $450 plain jane, so not a whole lot better. Still, if you want to define your size, weight, balance point, wood, etc, get a custom. If you want a nice hitting cue, but don't really know what your want, get a Schon.

As for the shaft, joint diameter, etc. Sure a custom cue can have a LD production shaft put on it. IMO, this should be done with caution. A custom cue maker usually makes an exceptional shaft, that he has built his name on. Putting on an aftermarket shaft is like putting a custom exhaust on your new RX-7. Yes, it makes 2 more hp, but at the expense of being low range response, comfortable commuting, listening to the radio and generally being happy in the car.

So, yes, I think you could get a lot going to a custom. I would look through this sight, see what you like and ask a few questions of any that you think you are interested in. There are quite a few good makers, in OH whom would probably let you hit their cues, if you called and asked. To me, that would makes a good scooter trip traveling around OH meeting local cuemakers and hitting their cues trying to pick one to buy!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top