Custom Pool cue makers from China?

[Quesports]

I

Yep. A lot of people only know Mezz as a co. starting in around '96 but Miki was making cues way before that. On his own and as a major part of the ADAM-Japan operation.

I read their bio and am fairly certain he was building for other production cue companies in the late 50’s and in the 60’s. Eventually going on his own at some point I can’t remember that timeframe off the top of my
head. Mezz has a very long pedigree that’s for sure!

 

[MitchAlsup]

If you really believe 'D' then why even post?? You haven't shopped for a cue in a LONG time i take it.

No, I have not--my Ferrari is 30 years old this year, while my V12 S-class Mercedes is only 10 years old.

 

[vintagecollectibles831]

Speaking of Japan. I’m surprised no one mentioned Mezz. One of the oldest cue makers in the world.
There Exceed line of cues may be the most in demand cues anywhere.
An intricate one is quite likely to run five figures.

The only dealer in America is J&J Cues. The plain Jane’s are even rare going over four grand. Just about the only place to get one is on the secondary market.

If you want one from J&J good luck. They have a list of buyers that will take every one they can buy.

Hotter than any US Cuemaker even Southwest. IMO. There are more Southwest for sale than Exceed across all markets..

Also, Adam's custom shop, line of Musashi cues. Made in Japan, in a separate custom shop, run by Master cue makers, from what I read. Musashi cues look very nice, but they are far less expensive then Mezz Exceed cues. Still retailing in the 2-3k price range though, I believe, so they are not cheap either.

Exceed cues are insanely expensive, but probably worth every penny. Can't find them for a bargain price either, like you can, at times, with Musashi.

Musashi cues are made with a really unique Core. The Core is shaped in a square, from what I have seen. I think it looks so cool. I think there may be another coring method that they use too.

 

[billiards_watch]

No, I have not--my Ferrari is 30 years old this year, while my V12 S-class Mercedes is only 10 years old.

...and you can't even spend more than $400 for a cue? You are actually depriving yourself of so many great cues. Also, its a bad look to be driving those vehicles and shoot with a sporting goods cue. LOL To each its own I guess.

 

[vintagecollectibles831]

...and you can't even spend more than $400 for a cue? You are actually depriving yourself of so many great cues. Also, its a bad look to be driving those vehicles and shoot with a sporting goods cue. LOL To each its own I guess.

Can't go wrong with a $350 Joss sneaky pete though, lol. Probably the best cue on the market, in that price range.

 

[MitchAlsup]

...and you can't even spend more than $400 for a cue?

I can spend up to $4,000,000 for a cue if I wanted one. But I don't.

You are actually depriving yourself of so many great cues. Also, its a bad look to be driving those vehicles and shoot with a sporting goods cue. LOL To each its own I guess.

I have 2 SP8RW cues that were about $400 when I bought them in 2007 and 08.
I also have a Lucasi Jump cue ($60) and my break cue from the set that arrived with my pool table (est ~$80)
My bag all these are kept in cost my $29 from J&J.

I do not wear jewelry, watches, or carry a cell phone under normal situations.

 

[Chopdoc]

According to Adam, they have branches in Korea, China, Vietnam, Indonesia and other countries.

The OP asked if anybody has experience with a Chinese custom cue. I know they exist, but no I have not.

Somehow we end up talking about cues from Japan anyway. LOL!

 

[Chopdoc]

Musashi cues are made with a really unique Core. The Core is shaped in a square, from what I have seen. I think it looks so cool. I think there may be another coring method that they use too.

I have not seen that. Very interesting. Do you have a picture?

How do they assemble it on a square core? I am very interested to know. I am interested in cue construction in general.

Joss uses a threaded and stepped core, all the parts are sleeved over that and held between the butt cap and joint collar in compression.

 

[vintagecollectibles831]

I have not seen that. Very interesting. Do you have a picture?

How do they assemble it on a square core? I am very interested to know. I am interested in cue construction in general.

Joss uses a threaded and stepped core, all the parts are sleeved over that and heled between the butt cap and joint collar in compression.

View attachment 811070

Hello, This is the only picture that I could find, so far. I have seen a much nicer looking Square core on them, many times in the past though. This website also notes about the Square Core too.

Musashi Pool Cue #1

Musashi pool cue with one shaft. Comes with joint protectors. Material: Curly maple, ebony, padouk, white inlay. Model #: HM-6P-GNM Joint: 3/8-10 Butt: Square core Shaft: ACSS M Tip: Kamui Black M …

adam-ny.com

I will do more digging to try to find a much nicer pic, from one of their high end cues. This is just from a Jump / Break cue. The Square Core is mentioned on many descriptions, but not shown.

 

[vintagecollectibles831]

According to Adam, they have branches in Korea, China, Vietnam, Indonesia and other countries.

The OP asked if anybody has experience with a Chinese custom cue. I know they exist, but no I have not.

Somehow we end up talking about cues from Japan anyway. LOL!

There is a custom cue maker who I think might be from Taiwan, who brands their cues Piston. The name sounds silly to me, but they do look like nice cues. The cues come with a 3/8x11 SW Style joint, from what I have seen. I seen a used one that had a ZEN shaft attached to it.

 

[Flakeandrun]

There are only a handful and they are pretty good. They learned the trade through the manufacturer side. They are still very far away from American cue builders.

I've seen Zen cues and don't know the hype on them.

The hype for Zen in the mainland is enormous... There are a lot of other handmade cues, and also many production line cues that have really upped there quality in recent years. Perhaps I could compile a list.

 

[Flakeandrun]

There is a custom cue maker who I think might be from Taiwan, who brands their cues Piston. The name sounds silly to me, but they do look like nice cues. The cues come with a 3/8x11 SW Style joint, from what I have seen. I seen a used one that had a ZEN shaft attached to it.

They aren't custom, they are production line, and you can find some SW styled for like 2000rmb on Taobao. The best value/quality combination of cues sourced from Taiwan were 'Zeus' - which later become Zen after some back and forth between SW and Azen (this is what I heard from people who regularly work with him. I have only met him once or twice)

FuGan (Lucky cue) are one to watch here in China. Quite like what they do. LiSi (CueLee's/Omin). Blue Cardamon. Many other brands... I mean, there are tons. There are also many competent cue builders.

 

[Chopdoc]

Hello, This is the only picture that I could find, so far. I have seen a much nicer looking Square core on them, many times in the past though.

I find that remarkable.

Honestly, I know nothing about those cues except that they exist.

 

[JusticeNJ]

North Demon Cues. I have one of his cues I designed with him and the work is amazing.

He really specializes in ornate metal work, but there's almost nothing you can think of that he can't tackle. His shop is out of this world too.

He's a member here, but I worked with him through Facebook.

For me currently, this cue is the most difficult piece of this type.~WINTER RHYME~

~WINTER RHYME~ This is a work that is long overdue. But I never published it. Because I think that for this type of club, its craftsmanship is as difficult as a rocket in the sky. But due to a mistake, I sent it away without taking a clear...

forums.azbilliards.com

 

[Flakeandrun]

North Demon Cues. I have one of his cues I designed with him and the work is amazing.

He really specializes in ornate metal work, but there's almost nothing you can think of that he can't tackle. His shop is out of this world too.

He's a member here, but I worked with him through Facebook.

For me currently, this cue is the most difficult piece of this type.~WINTER RHYME~

~WINTER RHYME~ This is a work that is long overdue. But I never published it. Because I think that for this type of club, its craftsmanship is as difficult as a rocket in the sky. But due to a mistake, I sent it away without taking a clear...

forums.azbilliards.com

Are they Wooldridge or Omin tips on the shaft? ND is good, agree. Far East Cues are also nice. I'll make a list when I have time.

 

[vintagecollectibles831]

They aren't custom, they are production line, and you can find some SW styled for like 2000rmb on Taobao. The best value/quality combination of cues sourced from Taiwan were 'Zeus' - which later become Zen after some back and forth between SW and Azen (this is what I heard from people who regularly work with him. I have only met him once or twice)

FuGan (Lucky cue) are one to watch here in China. Quite like what they do. LiSi (CueLee's/Omin). Blue Cardamon. Many other brands... I mean, there are tons. There are also many competent cue builders.

Hi, do you have an opinion on the quality of the higher end Peri cues, with P20K shafts, for example? Curious what Price range the Piston cues retail for. They look really nice to me. So, the Zeus cues are very high quality? In that case, I will keep my eye out for one of those, on the used market, if ever in an affordable price range for me. Thanks a lot.

 

[vintagecollectibles831]

The hype for Zen in the mainland is enormous... There are a lot of other handmade cues, and also many production line cues that have really upped there quality in recent years. Perhaps I could compile a list.

I would love to see a list from you, of Customs from China and Taiwan, that you feel are high quality. This is very interesting to me. Thanks a lot.

 

[iusedtoberich]

I can spend up to $4,000,000 for a cue if I wanted one. But I don't.

...snip....

Can I hold a hundred!?!?

 

[vintagecollectibles831]

I find that remarkable.

Honestly, I know nothing about those cues except that they exist.

I finally came upon a picture of the square core of one of the Musashi cues.

 

[Flakeandrun]

I would love to see a list from you, of Customs from China and Taiwan, that you feel are high quality. This is very interesting to me. Thanks a lot.

If I get the time I’ll make one next week. I’ll ask a couple of friends too, they will know the niche areas. Little better than me.

Hi, do you have an opinion on the quality of the higher end Peri cues, with P20K shafts, for example? Curious what Price range the Piston cues retail for. They look really nice to me. So, the Zeus cues are very high quality? In that case, I will keep my eye out for one of those, on the used market, if ever in an affordable price range for me. Thanks a lot.

Peri cues are nice production cues, I personally don’t like most of their designs. I have similar feelings about Jflowers (bit gutted they removed their plain jump and break cues and went with the garish fonts). I’ve not had a hit with a Peri, but lots of people like them. Piston cues are on the cheap side price wise. My friend who works at my local hall has one. looks and hits nice enough, but the shaft is so so. Zeus cues are nice. There was another member here who shared some images of one he had picked up and it looked lovely. I am tempted to grab one from second hand apps here if I come across one. They run around 5000rmb (500$) or so.