Custom Equipment Cue Poll for Players of all Skill Levels

[TATE]

Are custom cues better than production?

I became curious about custom cue use percentages. My belief is that, as a player improves, they will seek cues that enhance their skills and prefer more customization.

Can you describe your skill level in the poll and whether you use:

1. a stock production cue

2 . a modified production cue, for example, with an after market shaft or a modified taper.

3. a custom cue.


Feel free to post below what your preferred cue is like and any modifications you've had done that were useful.

A big thank you for everybody who participates!


Chris

 

[TATE]

I play with a 60" JossWest with a smooth black stack wrap by Tiger Products fit with the new OB Classic shaft (replacing the Predator 314-2) Everest or Sniper tip (currently Everest).

The JW is permanent if I have any control. The shaft is my current preference but I'm always looking for improvements.

Chris

 

[Elephant Man]

I feel like a beginner but I think I am an intermediate level player. I have been using the 4 house cues (18-21) that came with my table for about 5 years. Also have a WallyWorld special that is the house break cue. In the beginning I liked playing with the heaviest cue possible. But it didn't take long till the 18-19 was my favorite weight. Recently I found a renewed interest in the game and bought a relatively cheap production cue just based on looks and a few reviews. It is an 18oz Lucasi. I wish I would have waited a little while longer. But I have to say, when switching back to the house cues, the Lucasi does feel a lot better. Trying to find an aftermarket shaft for it soon or maybe get a Sneakiest Pete. Trying to get my chops down before I head out to the pool hall where I hope to meet people and test drive a few cues. Would love to try a custom. My next cue will most likely be a used Joss with an aftermarket shaft. :thumbup:

Almost forget. I did have my name engraved on my new cue. So I guess it is a custom cue!

 

[gwjackal]

I shoot with a CAPONE. I have shot with a lot of cues and always come back to my half ss jointed capone! In the past I shot with predator shafts but soon got rid of them for that awful predator ping bugged me way to much. The capone tapered shafts shoot great but I think the mezz hybrid pro II shafts are soon to be tried out as well as that new voodoo from obcues.

I think custom cues come down to being able to fine tune that balance point for your bridge and stroke. Plus they just look so much better then production cues. Although those new high end fury cues with there extreme shaft are wonderful.

 

[measureman]

Advanced player. Playing with a stock Lucasi because that is all i can afford.
If there are any beginners out there with custom cues and you feel guilty i may trade my Lucasi with you so you can feel better. :grin-square:

 

[SK Custom Cues]

I have been playing for 20 years and I play my own cues. I formerly played a Petree Dufferin conversion with ivory ferrule and radial pin, and I absolutely adore that cue, but I use my own cues mainly because I am on a quest to make a better cue.

To answer Tate's question, I am an advanced player using a custom cue, and I believe that a custom cue is better than a production any day if that's what you're looking for. If you're happy with a $100 Lucasi and it truly and psychologically enhances your experience at the table, then that cue is better for you.

The bottom line is this:

Use what you like and what makes you feel comfortable (if you can afford it). If you are generally going to find that in something that fits you from top to bottom, you can't get that any other way than going custom. It's like a tailor made suit made to fit perfectly. You can get lucky and find one at JC Penney right off the rack, but come on..... really?

 

[pwd72s]

I clicked intermediate with a custom...perhaps I should click beginner? I've been playing for years, but still play like a beginner...4-5 ball runs are as good as it gets for me. (edit) I've got so many physical things going against me...eyesight #1 on the list. I probably should flick it in, but even at my low skill level, I'm having some fun..

 

[measureman]

I clicked intermediate with a custom...perhaps I should click beginner? I've been playing for years, but still play like a beginner...4-5 ball runs are as good as it gets for me. (edit) I've got so many physical things going against me...eyesight #1 on the list. I probably should flick it in, but even at my low skill level, I'm having some fun..

I play pool at a pretty high level. I play golf at a pretty low level. But when I'm out on the golf course i still enjoy it even as i stink the place up.

 

[63Kcode]

I am a beginner/intermediate who is to cheap to buy a cue like I want so I just make my own. Would that be concidered a custom?

Larry

 

[TATE]

Advanced player. Playing with a stock Lucasi because that is all i can afford.
If there are any beginners out there with custom cues and you feel guilty i may trade my Lucasi with you so you can feel better. :grin-square:

No shame in that and thank you for your honesty.

I figured some of the expert players may not have expensive cues because theydon't want to spend the money on them.

I had my Ginacue stolen in 1984 (in the trunk of my car that was stolen) so I wanted to replace it and didn't want to spend much, so I bought a new Adam cue for $100. It was a great cue and everybody who tried it loved it. I used that cue for 20 years!

What I didn't know then was those old Adam cues were full splice, real rosewood (which is now banned and rare), and truthfully play better than 90% of today's cues. That's no kidding, they were pure and different from today's cookie cutter cues.

Chris

 

[TATE]

I am a beginner/intermediate who is to cheap to buy a cue like I want so I just make my own. Would that be concidered a custom?

Larry

Absolutely.

And when you win that big tourney someday, you will get so many orders, you can apologize right here to everybody waiting for your cues.

Your wait list will be comprised of everybody you beat on the way up! :smile:

Chris

 

[TATE]

I have been playing for 20 years and I play my own cues. I formerly played a Petree Dufferin conversion with ivory ferrule and radial pin, and I absolutely adore that cue, but I use my own cues mainly because I am on a quest to make a better cue.

Can you post a pic of your own cue that you made?

Chris

 

[63Kcode]

Absolutely.

And when you win that big tourney someday, you will get so many orders, you can apologize right here to everybody waiting for your cues.

Your wait list will be comprised of everybody you beat on the way up! :smile:

Chris

Haven't won any tournaments, but I did put CJ Wilye out of one with a cue I made. I had a 3 game head start in a race to 7. So far the highlight of my pool shooting and cue making!

Larry

 

[TATE]

Haven't won any tournaments, but I did put CJ Wilye out of one with a cue I made. I had a 3 game head start in a race to 7. So far the highlight of my pool shooting and cue making!

Larry

Larry,

Would you post a pic of the cue you made? Show us the "good" side.

Just remember, Burton Spain's first full splice forearm ended up being turned down to the width of a pencil - but he was proud of it (true story, Joel Hercek has it).

Chris

 

[SK Custom Cues]

Can you post a pic of your own cue that you made?

Chris

this is one of the more recent ones.....

 

[ftgokie]

Now......I have been playing with a Sugartree cue...might make a change to an old Joss West though. Have to give it a few more test runs before i decide.

 

[rugerfan]

I play advantanced with a Thompson snakewood custom. Only production cue I own is a Mcdermott D-22, but I have a slew of Thompson's. Here's my new darlin...

 

[nick serdula]

Mr Chris

Whatever you get used to will always work best for you. It doesn't matter if it is a Gus or a Lucasi. If you are used to off the wall and pick up a Gus you will notice a unbelievable differance in the hit and playability. But you will play best with off the wall.
What ever a player gets used to will play best for them. Quality is immaterial individually.
You may not play the best you possibally can in the long run. But you will play best on a daily basis with something you have grown accustomed to. And the better you play the more true this fact is.
Red Rockett beat many great players wihth a Joss sneakie pete. Couldn't play with anything else until he forced himself to play with a Rick Howard cue. It was torture for at leatst a month but once he got used to the cue it improved his game.
Richie Rich Played with a Scruggs sneakie until he wore it out.
Earl played with everything. He is from another planet I think!
Nick

 

[cajunfats]

Full Splice Pencil

Larry,

Would you post a pic of the cue you made? Show us the "good" side.

Just remember, Burton Spain's first full splice forearm ended up being turned down to the width of a pencil - but he was proud of it (true story, Joel Hercek has it).

Chris

Haha,LMAO!! Chris,I visited with Burton years ago and he showed that Full Splice Pencil to me!I am so glad Joel has it. You know,not to digress,but I had wanted to post on the Ocho Bola thread and say that I would have let Burton answer his query about custom v. production. Burton would have taken him out in about ten sentences!!
BTW,to topic,I have a Gary Medlin "Gem Cue" that he made for me back in 92-93. Pretty standard dimensions I guess 58",Pro Taper shafts,Szamboti Style Piloted Joint,20 oz. My Baby is the 1984-85 Clay Etheridge(Showcase Billiards) Custom Hustler Cue. 58 1/4",19 1/4oz,slim taper butt, 15 inch drop professional taper 13 1/4mm shafts,1 1/8" hard fibre ferrules,originally with Lepro Tips w/wafer backing,now with Triumph no backing. Retired the Hustler this year and use a Pechauer as my new Break Cue.

 

[TATE]

this is one of the more recent ones.....

Thanks for the photo - I never get tired of the classic styles. You can just look at it and feel the craftsmanship.

Chris