Custom Equipment Cue Poll for Players of all Skill Levels

[JamesV]

I am a beginner and am proud to omit that. I have played for a few years, mostly at a friends house or the local bars just banging. Just this year I decided to pick up my first cue, I found this site last year, so I decided what better place then here to look for a used cue. I found someone local selling a KJ cue for a lot less then I was thinking about spending, so I picked it up.

I am a beginner with a custom KJ cue.

James

 

[TATE]

I've seen a few polls on here that incorporate items that require the individual vote on what they think their own skill level is. It's no surprise there's a disproportionate number of "advanced" players. LOL.

In the real world, it's more of a bell curve. With advanced players being a small percentage of the pool playing world.

Thank God for these self-proclaimed advanced players, otherwise there wouldn't be any easy money.

There are a lot of good players on AZ. "Advanced" players don't have to be world beaters or pros. I've played a number of posters here and I can tell you there is some talent out there.

I kept the poll anonymous to eliminate attacks and back biting. It's hard to know how people play without actually playing them. There has been more than one poster on the boards here "called out" by skeptics only to be embarassed in a match.

Chris

 

[twal]

I would say I am an advacned player, using a ld shaft on my McDermott. Currently in the great debate of going toward a custom cue.
But are they really worth it?
Who is say I don't spill out $1K on a custom that I like no better that a players cue or Lucassi. Then what?
No cue feels the same. I am sure there will be a break in period for feel.
For thos custom cue owners, who would I have betters odd with? Any names to drop?

 

[TATE]

I would say I am an advacned player, using a ld shaft on my McDermott. Currently in the great debate of going toward a custom cue.
But are they really worth it?
Who is say I don't spill out $1K on a custom that I like no better that a players cue or Lucassi. Then what?
No cue feels the same. I am sure there will be a break in period for feel.
For thos custom cue owners, who would I have betters odd with? Any names to drop?

Sad to say, there's no way of knowing for sure until you take delivery, but you can sure try different cue makers cues and see if you like them. There are some customs that are really suited to me, and there are some I wouldn't play for a nickel with.

The nice thing is, since you have an LD shaft you like, you can always have one mated to your custom. That's better than the hit and miss modification game. I have a friend who literally tapered his original custom shaft so many times and so badly, now it's ruined. I gave him an LD shaft to try and it took him about 1 minute to realize he had wasted his time.

Chris

 

[pooladdiction]

I am a beginner, apa sl/3. After playing with house cues for a couple of months I got a mcdermott genesis pearl in January for my birthday. Everything stock. I really like it but I guess I don't have much to compare it against

 

[astandrich]

skewed?

I was thinking this poll might be a bit skewed... frankly, very few true beginners (your average bar shooter) would have an interest in pool enough to be on these forums... The vast majority of pool players use production cues in my humble opinion, because they're typically cheaper and more readily available.

These forums represent a much smaller subset of pool players... those that might still rate themselves a beginner, but have an above average desire to be better, to study the game and learn what how we can improve ourselves and our tools... and we are likely to spend more money in that pursuit. We can't forget that in addition to playability, collectability can also influence us ;-)

With that in mind, it's not surprising that these results are leaning more in favor of custom cues. I had been on the fence for a while myself about high end production cues (particularly those with LD shafts)... but I'll admit, my few months on these forums have helped steer me to custom instead. I've got a Josey on order, and I CAN'T WAIT!!

My 0.02 cents
Anthony

 

[TATE]

I was thinking this poll might be a bit skewed... frankly, very few true beginners (your average bar shooter) would have an interest in pool enough to be on these forums... The vast majority of pool players use production cues in my humble opinion, because they're typically cheaper and more readily available.

These forums represent a much smaller subset of pool players... those that might still rate themselves a beginner, but have an above average desire to be better, to study the game and learn what how we can improve ourselves and our tools... and we are likely to spend more money in that pursuit. We can't forget that in addition to playability, collectability can also influence us ;-)

With that in mind, it's not surprising that these results are leaning more in favor of custom cues. I had been on the fence for a while myself about high end production cues (particularly those with LD shafts)... but I'll admit, my few months on these forums have helped steer me to custom instead. I've got a Josey on order, and I CAN'T WAIT!!

My 0.02 cents
Anthony

Josey cues are really cool and he has a pretty good following - and he's a good guy. I think it was a good move.

I wanted to include all players - but we are missing beginners here because they don't stay beginners for long either.

To tell you the truth, I am surprised how many players in the "advanced" category play with a standard production cue. I expected 90% to be playing with some kind of modified cue, aftermarket shaft, etc. Also, I expected players who consider themselves "intermediate" to be more likely to use a production cue - and most of them own customs - and I bet really nice ones at that.

In my book - it just shows how strong of a desire all players have to own a custom or personalized cue.

Wait until the Valley Forge crowd comes back to town!

Chris

 

[63Kcode]

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

Here you go. The top one has been my player for the last 6 months. I just sold it to a fourm member and don't know if I should be happy or scared as hell to see what he has to say about it. The bottom one I just finished today and got third in a local tournament. Playing with it.

Larry

 

[TATE]

Here you go. The top one has been my player for the last 6 months. I just sold it to a fourm member and don't know if I should be happy or scared as hell to see what he has to say about it. The bottom one I just finished today and got third in a local tournament. Playing with it.


Larry

I admire anyone who has the patience and talent to make their own cue. Maybe I'll try someday.

I can tell the top one is birdseye - the bottom one is curly something - is it curly maple or possibly curly Koa?

Do you have your own lathe, etc. What kind of shop do you have? Have you tried the radial joint yet? They're really good.

Chris

 

[63Kcode]

I admire anyone who has the patience and talent to make their own cue. Maybe I'll try someday.

I can tell the top one is birdseye - the bottom one is curly something - is it curly maple or possibly curly Koa?

Do you have your own lathe, etc. What kind of shop do you have? Have you tried the radial joint yet? They're really good.

Chris

I recomend everybody make thier own cue. Nothing is more rewarding than making balls with a cue of your own creation.

The bottom one is made out of maple. The wood came with some BE maple I bought, but it is unlike any other maple I have seen. Trying to count the growth rings in it would make a sane person go blinded. I am guessing about 45 rings per inch in it. Kinda ugly till it was stained, but plays great, at least I think so.

I couldn't aford a cue lathe so this is what I bought instead. It's 78" between centers and weighs around 6,000lbs. Haven't tryed a radial joint. Guess I am just to old school for these new fangle things.

Larry

 

[tom]

That's what I use too - these polls are pretty limited.

By the way, if you tell your custom cue guy you put an LD shaft on his cue, it's like telling a French chef you replaced his wine reduction sauce with Knorr gravy mix. :smile:

Nice one lol! The guy who made my cue was my roommate at VF, we bought the wood together, I gave him weight, balance and he just made a nice butt for my 314-2 . He is also an advanced player as I am and plays with the same equipment.

 

[TATE]

I couldn't aford a cue lathe so this is what I bought instead. It's 78" between centers and weighs around 6,000lbs. [
Larry

You could make some wicked one-piece cues with that - awesome.

My brother and I have a 70' Mach 1 428 SCJ we plan on restoring one day. I bought it in 1984 from the original owner.

Chris

 

[63Kcode]

You could make some wicked one-piece cues with that - awesome.

My brother and I have a 70' Mach 1 428 SCJ we plan on restoring one day. I bought it in 1984 from the original owner.

Chris

You must have xray vision. That is a 69 SCJ coupe under the cover.

Larry

 

[TATE]

You must have xray vision. That is a 69 SCJ coupe under the cover.

Larry

A lucky guess! No, I saw the muscle car pics on the wall and figured you were into mujscle cars - plus the 289 Hi Po handle gave it away.

I'm more of an R code kind of guy except when it comes time to change the plugs and pay for the gas.

Chris

 

[ridewiththewind]

A lucky guess! No, I saw the muscle car pics on the wall and figured you were into mujscle cars - plus the 289 Hi Po handle gave it away.

I'm more of an R code kind of guy except when it comes time to change the plugs and pay for the gas.

Chris

Freakin' car guys!! You lost me until you wrote 289 Hi Po. :grin: I actually know what that is because I had to sell my beloved 67 'Stang back in late '87, and that is when I found out that the darn thing had a 289 Hi Po in it!! I had no idea, and was just sick when I found out that the engine alone was worth at least 3x what I sold the car for.

Lisa

 

[Mikjary]

I would say I am an advacned player, using a ld shaft on my McDermott. Currently in the great debate of going toward a custom cue.
But are they really worth it?
Who is say I don't spill out $1K on a custom that I like no better that a players cue or Lucassi. Then what?
No cue feels the same. I am sure there will be a break in period for feel.
For thos custom cue owners, who would I have betters odd with? Any names to drop?

I'm in the same position. After not playing for 20 years I picked up a $3-400 McDermott and put an OB1 shaft on it.The stock shaft was too inconsistent. Forget using reverse spin with any speed.
Years ago I owned quite a few customs and shot with all the others. I remember selling my Schuler the next day after waiting a year for it to be made. And the answer is, "No, I don't have any brains. I'm a pool player!"
I've owned a Szamboti, Huebler, Palmer, Helmstetter, Schon, Adams, Rich, Schuler, Joss, Viking, Meucci, McDermott, etc.
I've also shot with Burton Spain, Kersenbrock(?), Black, etc. With all this behind me I am at a loss with all the new cue makers out there. Which one do you go with? So, I bought a production cue and upgraded to a better shaft.
I've been back playing a few months now so I don't have a skill level.
It's more of a frustration level than anything, I guess. All I know is after years of being in action I found the cheaper Meucci originals to hit with the most consistency(although the Schon, Szamboti, and Heubler hit pretty sporty). The Meuccis didn't cost alot and I played quite a few 'notable' players that used the cheaper cues. They didn't worry about scaring their opponent with a high dollar weapon. Either did I.
I'd like to hit a few of the new cue makers out there. First I have to get my stroke back to be a fair judge.

 

[SK Custom Cues]

Darrin Hill, Dick Neighbors, Tony Zinzola, Michael Webb, Leon Sly are some good names to start out with. Anything you would get from those guys would suit you just fine. There are more, lots more, but that's just a few names to start you off.

If you wanted to go high end, I would contact Ernie Gutierrez, Dennis Searing, Eddie Prewitt, Ron Haley..... Mike Lambros is another one not to be overlooked... Good Luck.

With the other guy, you just have to get a cue you think you'd like and go ahead and buy it and try it. There is no way you can know without trying it unless you know someone at your local pool hall who has something you can try.

 

[bumbay3]

I've seen a few polls on here that incorporate items that require the individual vote on what they think their own skill level is. It's no surprise there's a disproportionate number of "advanced" players. LOL.

In the real world, it's more of a bell curve. With advanced players being a small percentage of the pool playing world.

Thank God for these self-proclaimed advanced players, otherwise there wouldn't be any easy money.

I need to come clean. I'm a beginner who plays with custom cues. My first custom was a Judd Fuller Sneaky around 1994, then I purchased a Josswest Custom around 2005. My latest everyday player is a Southwest Custom from 2009.

I got Searings, Fanellis and Tascarellas on order. I hope one day to find a deal on a unique Tad. And if I'm really lucky a Balabuska, someday.


The best way to improve is practice, play better competition that don't mind answering a few questions.

ITS THE INDIAN NOT THE ARROW!

 

[TATE]

Bumping this to get some more responses from the SBE crowd.

In a few days, I'll work on the summary and give a report.

The poll is somewhat supporting my assumption, but not exactly in the manner I envisioned.

Chris

 

[310Shooter]

When I first started playing 4+ years ago I bought a $60 Winner's Choice cue which then later on in Vegas I saw the same thing for $40... lol. It was a totaly POS, but was a good stepping stone for learning. After about a year and a half, I upgraded to a Joss production cue and later added a Jacoby shaft. Last year during the BCAPL in Vegas I ended up getting a Jacoby+Tiger X shaft which I used for a mere 6 months. during the APA (I was only there to hang out) in Vegas this past summer I won a Mezz cue raffle. I had a Tiger Stack wrap put on it and has been my main playing cue since.

In terms of break cues, I started with a Players B/J, then upgraded to the Tiger Icebreaker around the time of the BCAPL last year, and around October moved to using the OB Break cue which I am a firm believer of.

One day I'll have my custom cue built for me.. but for now I think the Mezz plays absolutely great. It really has a clean and tight joint with a solid hit. Maybe when I make more money I'll look into a custom cue.