Dan and I are trading services - he is building a custom cue for me and I am building a website for him. After talking to him on the phone a few weeks ago he offered to send me a "test" cue that I could play with and give him feedback on what I would want in my custom cue.
I opened the box as soon as I got it to my car from the postal service and the cue absolutely came alive when the sun hit it - WOW the ironwood looks great in the sunshine. The butt has a very active grain and seems to dance out in the sun. The finish is also superb, almost like glass. After putting the butt down I got the shaft out - he wasn't kidding when he said it was a rare piece, the shaft was slightly darker than a normal shaft and had a much higher grain count than my other shafts. It was topped off with an ivory ferrule and a Kamui soft tip.
Once I got the cue home I screwed it together and the joint fit very snug. The cue isn't the easiest thing to screw together, but it wasn't overly difficult either. The fit was tight, with no play whatsoever in the threads. The last few turns the shaft 'sang', not really sure how else to describe it, but my dog did not appreciate it
After screwing it together I decided to compare it to some of my other cues, so I hit several balls from one end of the table to the other, with extreme left just to see how all the cues reacted. The DiCola cue put noticeably more spin on the cue ball, this was evident both by the angle at which the measles where spinning and by how the cue ball came off the rail.
I then decided to throw all the balls on the table and just hit around with the cue. The very first thing I noticed was that the cue was very solid, but the tip was a little soft to my liking. It was also heavier than I was used to, although I only noticed this when I was carrying the cue from shot to shot. During my stroke the cue did not feel as heavy - not sure why. The cue is also more forward balanced than my others (the shaft weighs 4.3oz without a bushing). The handle was slightly thinner than my others. After the first try I liked the cue, but thought it needed a thicker handle and a harder tip. I decided at that point though, that to really give this cue the chance it deserves I had to play exclusively with it, and not pick up any of my others. The hit was just different, and I knew if I kept hitting with my other cues I wouldn't be able to get used to it.
I played with the cue exclusively for a week. Some of the things I noticed during the week are below:
- The shaft is incredible. SUPER smooth, and the taper is great. During force follow/aggressive english shots the shaft does not do any sort of "wet noodle" dance whatsoever. It is solid every shot, no matter how you are addressing the cue ball.
- The cue ball comes off this cue with more energy than it does on my others. Maybe this is due to the weight? Maybe it is the very solid woods used? Not sure, but it's inspires confidence - especially on light touch shots.
- I can put more spin on the cue ball and cause a greater 'throw' effect on the object balls. I have made several balls over the last week with this cue I would have thought were impossible to make using throw. It seems like I can hit the cue ball softer, and still impart more english on the ball.
- Due to the increased spin/throw, you have to be more accurate on long straight in shots. I have a problem where I don't always hit dead center on the cue ball on these shots, and a lot of times that inaccuracy causes the OB to be thrown off line. I used to notice this, even if I pocketed the ball. My other cues seem to be somewhat forgiving of this issue. This cue requires that I hit the cue ball correctly. If I'm off the OB isn't going in. This took some getting used to, but, I think it is for the best. It is forcing me to come to grips with an issue I've had since I started playing and have always avoided addressing. Last night I made 15 table-length straight shots in a row, so I know I'm starting to correct the issue.
While I only "liked" the cue after the first game I have to say that I have come to really enjoy this cue. It is an absolute pleasure to play with. The only thing I would want to change is the linen wrap, I would rather have leather, but that's just a personal opinion. I would also like to try a harder tip.
I emailed Dan and told him my thoughts, and said that I want my cue to hit exactly like this one. He said to not worry, his construction is very repeatable and that he promises that any cue he makes for me will hit the way I want or he will keep trying until it is right. "That's what it's all about, making players happy with what they receive - period". How's that for customer service??
I have to send the cue back this week. But I tell you what, if I didn't know I was getting another one sometime soon I would be very tempted to just ask how much he wants for it and keep this one. This is one very special piece!
If you are interested in contacting Dan please go to:
http://www.dicolascustomcues.com
His contact information is listed there.
Sorry so long!
Zach
I opened the box as soon as I got it to my car from the postal service and the cue absolutely came alive when the sun hit it - WOW the ironwood looks great in the sunshine. The butt has a very active grain and seems to dance out in the sun. The finish is also superb, almost like glass. After putting the butt down I got the shaft out - he wasn't kidding when he said it was a rare piece, the shaft was slightly darker than a normal shaft and had a much higher grain count than my other shafts. It was topped off with an ivory ferrule and a Kamui soft tip.
Once I got the cue home I screwed it together and the joint fit very snug. The cue isn't the easiest thing to screw together, but it wasn't overly difficult either. The fit was tight, with no play whatsoever in the threads. The last few turns the shaft 'sang', not really sure how else to describe it, but my dog did not appreciate it
After screwing it together I decided to compare it to some of my other cues, so I hit several balls from one end of the table to the other, with extreme left just to see how all the cues reacted. The DiCola cue put noticeably more spin on the cue ball, this was evident both by the angle at which the measles where spinning and by how the cue ball came off the rail.
I then decided to throw all the balls on the table and just hit around with the cue. The very first thing I noticed was that the cue was very solid, but the tip was a little soft to my liking. It was also heavier than I was used to, although I only noticed this when I was carrying the cue from shot to shot. During my stroke the cue did not feel as heavy - not sure why. The cue is also more forward balanced than my others (the shaft weighs 4.3oz without a bushing). The handle was slightly thinner than my others. After the first try I liked the cue, but thought it needed a thicker handle and a harder tip. I decided at that point though, that to really give this cue the chance it deserves I had to play exclusively with it, and not pick up any of my others. The hit was just different, and I knew if I kept hitting with my other cues I wouldn't be able to get used to it.
I played with the cue exclusively for a week. Some of the things I noticed during the week are below:
- The shaft is incredible. SUPER smooth, and the taper is great. During force follow/aggressive english shots the shaft does not do any sort of "wet noodle" dance whatsoever. It is solid every shot, no matter how you are addressing the cue ball.
- The cue ball comes off this cue with more energy than it does on my others. Maybe this is due to the weight? Maybe it is the very solid woods used? Not sure, but it's inspires confidence - especially on light touch shots.
- I can put more spin on the cue ball and cause a greater 'throw' effect on the object balls. I have made several balls over the last week with this cue I would have thought were impossible to make using throw. It seems like I can hit the cue ball softer, and still impart more english on the ball.
- Due to the increased spin/throw, you have to be more accurate on long straight in shots. I have a problem where I don't always hit dead center on the cue ball on these shots, and a lot of times that inaccuracy causes the OB to be thrown off line. I used to notice this, even if I pocketed the ball. My other cues seem to be somewhat forgiving of this issue. This cue requires that I hit the cue ball correctly. If I'm off the OB isn't going in. This took some getting used to, but, I think it is for the best. It is forcing me to come to grips with an issue I've had since I started playing and have always avoided addressing. Last night I made 15 table-length straight shots in a row, so I know I'm starting to correct the issue.
While I only "liked" the cue after the first game I have to say that I have come to really enjoy this cue. It is an absolute pleasure to play with. The only thing I would want to change is the linen wrap, I would rather have leather, but that's just a personal opinion. I would also like to try a harder tip.
I emailed Dan and told him my thoughts, and said that I want my cue to hit exactly like this one. He said to not worry, his construction is very repeatable and that he promises that any cue he makes for me will hit the way I want or he will keep trying until it is right. "That's what it's all about, making players happy with what they receive - period". How's that for customer service??
I have to send the cue back this week. But I tell you what, if I didn't know I was getting another one sometime soon I would be very tempted to just ask how much he wants for it and keep this one. This is one very special piece!
If you are interested in contacting Dan please go to:
http://www.dicolascustomcues.com
His contact information is listed there.
Sorry so long!
Zach
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