Custom vs Production

G

Greg Buban

Newoldtimer
Trying to get all the info I can about cues before seriously shopping. I'm assuming most of the cost of a custom is in the amount of intricate work and materials used. I'm guessing the participants of this forum have owned just about everything, custom and prod. And by prod. I mean Joss, Balabushka, Mcdermott, Schon, $600 - 1000 range. I've also seen the term "Titelist" what does that mean? Any and all help appreciated.

Greg
 
Bottom line is feel. Play with as many cues as you can. They are all different.

Cues I have owned... Two Meucci's, Pechauer, Schon STL1, Schon R1, Mc Dermott D1, Tim Scruggs. In that order.

I now play with a Lambros. I love my Lambros cue, but that is my opinion. The only cue I have sold that I still think about is the Schon R1.
 
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You can buy a hell a lot of cue between $600 to a $1000.
The custom cue maket is huge, many top cuemakers with have there entry level cues somewhere around those prices.

It just depends what your after.If you don't find what your looking for, I would say go and order one straight from the maker to the specs you like.

I had a capone which hit awesome.His linen wraps are done perfectly completely different to any production cue.

A titleist cue is a conversion of a house cue with wrap,joint,buttcap added. Sometimes they will just use the forearm and sometimes they use the whole cue.
 
Here is my take on your question. I would not spend more then $500 on a production cue. Above that amount and certainly at a $1000 you can get a nice custom new or a great custom used.As far as $500 or so production cues I think most on this forum will say you can't go wrong with a Mezz or a Schon.
 
Greg Buban said:
Trying to get all the info I can about cues before seriously shopping. I'm assuming most of the cost of a custom is in the amount of intricate work and materials used. I'm guessing the participants of this forum have owned just about everything, custom and prod. And by prod. I mean Joss, Balabushka, Mcdermott, Schon, $600 - 1000 range. I've also seen the term "Titelist" what does that mean? Any and all help appreciated.

Greg
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There is much more to Custom verse Production than intricate work and materials used.

When you buy a production cue you are buying a generic cue, the length will be 58 inches, the balance point will be what ever is standard for that production maker, in many cases the cue will have an adjustable weight system, in also in many cases the cue will have a butt heavy feel, but not always.

Now also in most cases depending upon which production maker you buy from the methods of construction and the materials used will not stand up to that of a custom cue, if the custom cue is purchased from an experienced builder / Cue Maker. Now to be fair some of the production makers are using good construction techniques and good materials, such as, cored forearms, laminated handles, and even auto clear for finish, but these are not the norm.

In my opinion if you what a cue built to your needs do not buy production, but if a generic cue will work for you and your not spending more than $250 to $300 go with a production cue. Either way, do a great deal of research concerning what ever you buy, and buy based upon that not the opinion of some one else. The only way to find what you need is by testing a number of cues of different weights, wrap material, shaft diameters, and last but not least different balances points.

No one can tell what you need, you have to find that out for yourself, and never forget no two cues hit exactly alike even if they look the same, so don't be deceived by trying X or Y cue and then thinking I can just buy another one of these and have the same thing. While cues by a production maker or a custom maker will be similar and all strive to build cues that hit the same it certainly doesn't always work out that way.

Good Luck
 
Llama said:
Bottom line is feel. Play with as many cues as you can. They are all different.

Cues I have owned... Two Meucci's, Pechauer, Schon STL1, Schon R1, Mc Dermott D1, Tim Scruggs. In that order.

I now play with a Lambros. I love my Lambros cue, but that is my opinion. The only cue I have sold that I still think about is the Schon R1.
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Great advice. If you can't do that, the safe thing to do would be a Schon.
 
I would also consider whether or not you plan on getting a low deflection shaft, as this will play into your decision also.
 
mantis99 said:
I would also consider whether or not you plan on getting a low deflection shaft, as this will play into your decision also.
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That is true, but today you can get one to fit almost any production cue and many Custom Cue makers keep unfinished Blanks of low deflection shafts on hand and they will match them (with their ring design) to cues they build.

JIMO
 
manwon said:
In my opinion if you what a cue built to your needs do not buy production, but if a generic cue will work for you and your not spending more than $250 to $300 go with a production cue. Either way, do a great deal of research concerning what ever you buy, and buy based upon that not the opinion of some one else. The only way to find what you need is by testing a number of cues of different weights, wrap material, shaft diameters, and last but not least different balances points.

No one can tell what you need, you have to find that out for yourself, and never forget no two cues hit exactly alike even if they look the same, so don't be deceived by trying X or Y cue and then thinking I can just buy another one of these and have the same thing. While cues by a production maker or a custom maker will be similar and all strive to build cues that hit the same it certainly doesn't always work out that way.Good Luck
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My sentiments also. I wish I would have been a member of this forum when I first started cue shopping. I would have bought about 7 or 8 less cues. As far as production goes, try to hit with a Mezz, Schon, Jacoby, and a Pechauer and see what you think. If you go the custom route, the choices are nearly overwhelming, but you can get one made to the specs you want. Problem with the customs is that hitting with someone elses custom and the one you order from the same cuemaker may not hit the same, possibly completely different. But if you figure out whether you want a stiff, medium, or soft hit out of your cue, the custom cuemaker can work with you to deliver a cue with the type of hit you prefer, not to mention the other variables mentioned in Manwon's quoted post above.

Maniac
 
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Thanks so far for all the information, it's all been helpful and pretty much what I expected with all the experience out there. Now the fun starts...hitting different cues. I've uncovered an old Burton Spain from a closet, 2 shafts in great shape. I may look no further. For awhile at least.:smile:
 
Wow...a genuine Burton Spain cue? That's a great collector's cue and possibly very valuable. Many here can appraise it through your posting lots of good photos. As far as custom vs. production, IMO the main difference is in the tolerances in building it. Custom cues are closer to being precision instruments. You can get a great custom cue for $1k. I've seen lots of posts in the "wanted/for sale" forum that say: "I have $1k to spend...show me what you have" and they get a lot of response. I personally can't see spending that kind of money on a production cue, but lots of other people do. Good luck and enjoy!
:p
 
Greg Buban said:
Thanks so far for all the information, it's all been helpful and pretty much what I expected with all the experience out there. Now the fun starts...hitting different cues. I've uncovered an old Burton Spain from a closet, 2 shafts in great shape. I may look no further. For awhile at least.:smile:
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Sounds like you found a nice production cue in that closet to start playing with, good luck and please tell us how it works out!!:)
 
I have played with some nice shootin' production cues. With that said, there really is nothing quite like the 'journey' of ordering a custom cue. The 'journey' is even more fulfilling when you know enough about what you like in a great playing cue, and can work with the maker to build that cue just for you. From the design, to wood choices, joint/pin choices,balance point, shaft taper, ferrule...through execution...to finished cue, quite likely to how you envisioned it...there really isn't anything like it.

I might add that a well-crafted custom isn't really all that more money than going with a quality production...just depends on how fancy you want it and/or who you have build it for you.

Lisa
 
I haven't heard any mention of Schuler cues. I've learned that there is a licensed Schuler maker in my area that I will visit to continue my search but just wondering. Everyone has a favorite, personal preference and I'll get here sometime.
 
which to buy

Opinion | Define Opinion at Dictionary.coma belief or judgment that rests on grounds insufficient to produce complete certainty. 2. a personal view, attitude, or appraisal. ...

my thought is 5 dollars or 5000 dollars it doesnt matter, feels good, plays good then its the cue for you.

Paul Huebler told me once the only difference between a Hustler and a Custom but the price tag.
 
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