Custom for me...
The main difference between Custom Cues and Production Cues are workmanship. As another posted, Production Cues are factory made with nothing more than overall inspection to determine if they are OK to sell. Meucci, for instance, has closed the factory and is now only manufacturing custom cues. Not made by many different workers.
Quality is another big issue. If you have a machine cutting pieces out, it is only as accurate as the machine. A Custom maker, for instance can keep going over something to ensure it is perfect. As I posted on another thread, the joint stands out most as the noticible difference. When I joint my Tascarella together, I need only tighten it with my fingertips. The joint is perfectly flush. Production cues that are often put together by machine, won't go over and over the joint to make sure it is absolutely perfect.
The workmanship is key in the materals used to make the cue, the time it takes, etc. Birds Eye Maple is not Birds Eye Maple. There are different qualitied of the wood and is noticable in most Custom jobs. Production Cue makers will buy large quantities and check things like density of the wood, hardness, etc., but not examine the wood to see where the most elaborate cut would be. Also, I have yet to find a Production Cue that will come with Ivory Joint, ferrel, inlays either. There are many other materials you will find in Custom Cues that will not be able to be found in a Production Cue.
Production sticks are normally turned out quickly. Some Custom Cue makers also follow this practice, but you will find that they are cheaper than someone that takes several years to finish one. Drying and curing of the shafts to ensure they probably won't naturally warp over time is additional time and effort. While undergoing this process, the shafts that start to bow are discarded. This helps ensure you will be happy with your investment for years to come.
I do agree that Custom Cues, on average, have a better hit and feel than Production Cues. It will not make you a better player, but it really can help you along. If you are an inexperienced player and have to force the cueball to draw, follow, transfer english, etc., you are working harder than you need to and are unable to concentrate and develop the general mechanics for the game. If you are shooting with a stick that makes the work seem effortless, you are more able to focus on the more important aspects of the game, like control. So realisticly, a better cue can help you to make yourself a better player, not make you a better player.
As for the players who can bet anyone woth any piece of wood, they would agree that they would rather shoot with something that feels good, but where's the money in that. There is also the factor of natural tallent. Some people can work all their lives to develop a good game, but with a natural tallent for the game, it comes along much easier.
Regardless, what it all comes down to is to shoot with what makes you happy. You probably can beat me with the back end of the cue, but you won't enjoy how it looks or feels.
DrCue'sProtege said:
was wondering how everyone thought about the age old issue of custom cues vs. production cues?
i have a buddy who claims that most production cues should be used for roasting hotdogs. he claims a custom cue will make you a much, much better player. for example, he said his buddy went from a '2' to a '6' in two weeks after he got his Nova Custom cue.
is that possible?
and what does everybody else think of this topic?
and i apologize if this topic has been discusses earlier, i am new to this forum.
thanks,
mike
