This is my story about deciding between a basic cue package with the table I ordered or getting some production cues that were considered “better” and finally deciding to just get some custom made. I enjoyed the journey and especially the outcome. I can’t recommend Scott Gilmore highly enough.
Bought a Table, Now I’m Going to Need a Few House Cues
When COVID hit in 2020, I was getting close to retiring (or semi-retiring), so I decided a pool table was in order. I spent a lot of time on AZB reading people’s experiences, and finally decided to order from Heath Manning of Manning Cues (excellent experience and service). I ordered a 9’ Diamond Paragon, matching light, dual ball polisher, cue racks, etc. Heath had a basic cue package that came with the table, or you could just get a credit for that, which is what I decided to do. The Diamond factory was closed until May 4, 2020, and Heath put in the order that morning.
Still Need House Cues, but Need to Refinish My Richard Black Cues First
While I’m reading AZB about production cues, I get my 2 Richard Black cues out of storage. It had been 25 years since I played competitively, and those and a couple others were in storage. After looking them over, it was obvious they needed a bit of refinishing and sprucing up. I looked on Richard’s website and found a letter saying Scott Gilmore was authorized for repairs on any of Richard’s cues. So, I looked him up.
He was just moving to a much larger shop and had a backlog of work for Richard. (Discovered he’d worked with Richard for the past 10 years building cues.) But, the refinish on my Bushka would not be difficult, so we agreed on a price. I picked it up, and it was once again perfect.
I saw a couple cues over by the pool table in Scott’s shop and asked about them. He said those two were the first cues he ever made, and his wife would not let him throw them away. I asked if I could hit a few balls. Dang. I had my Bushka out that Richard Black had made in 1989, and then hit some with Scott’s two cues. The hit and feel were remarkably very similar among the three cues.
I left the Custom Led Zeppelin tribute cue Richard had also made for me in 1989 for a refinish. That would take longer to restore with all the ivory and my desire to attempt to save the leather wrap that Richard’s wife, Ardis, had originally installed on the cue.
Heck, Wonder if I Can Cut a Deal with Scott Gilmore for a few Custom Made Cues for the Home Room
I kept thinking about how well Scott’s cues hit. I had an idea of the price range of better production cues, so I sort of figured out a budget and decided to discuss with Scott when I went to pick up the Led Zep tribute cue.
I asked Scott about the possibility of making 4 cues for me to use as House Cues. I told him my budget and that I was looking for basic cues but really liked the hit of his cues. I’d prefer to get them from him rather that just order some production cues.
Scott asked what I’d want for each cue to determine if the budget was reasonable. He also said it’d be a while before he could even start, due to still moving and setting up the shop as well as catching up on the already accepted repairs on some of Richard Black’s cues. So, I gave the following vague description:
Home Run on the House Cues
I picked them up last Saturday. Scott knocked it out of the park from my perspective! I’m posting pictures of the 4 cues in individual posts following this one, with my “initial impression of a name” for each of the cues. I’ll enjoy playing with them as much as my friends and family will, I’m sure.
But wait! There are 5, not 4, cues! My wife, Julie, went with me on all the visits to the shop. Scott is such a great guy and my wife was from the general area, so they related well from the start. As a surprise, Scott thought she should have her own cue. So, he made her one, an inch shorter with a smaller diameter butt (Julie is 5’3”). He thought it would fit her better and it came out to be 18.25 oz. It’s the last of the 5 pictures.
Scott Gilmore is Highly Recommended!
I think I’ve made it clear that I like the man and his work. If you’re in the market, it’s definitely worth a phone call to Scott to discuss your wants/needs. He’s got the shop fully running now with a brand-new dust collection system, and I believe his turn-around time is getting less and less every month. Here is his card if you’re interested, followed by pictures of the cues.
Bought a Table, Now I’m Going to Need a Few House Cues
When COVID hit in 2020, I was getting close to retiring (or semi-retiring), so I decided a pool table was in order. I spent a lot of time on AZB reading people’s experiences, and finally decided to order from Heath Manning of Manning Cues (excellent experience and service). I ordered a 9’ Diamond Paragon, matching light, dual ball polisher, cue racks, etc. Heath had a basic cue package that came with the table, or you could just get a credit for that, which is what I decided to do. The Diamond factory was closed until May 4, 2020, and Heath put in the order that morning.
Still Need House Cues, but Need to Refinish My Richard Black Cues First
While I’m reading AZB about production cues, I get my 2 Richard Black cues out of storage. It had been 25 years since I played competitively, and those and a couple others were in storage. After looking them over, it was obvious they needed a bit of refinishing and sprucing up. I looked on Richard’s website and found a letter saying Scott Gilmore was authorized for repairs on any of Richard’s cues. So, I looked him up.
He was just moving to a much larger shop and had a backlog of work for Richard. (Discovered he’d worked with Richard for the past 10 years building cues.) But, the refinish on my Bushka would not be difficult, so we agreed on a price. I picked it up, and it was once again perfect.
I saw a couple cues over by the pool table in Scott’s shop and asked about them. He said those two were the first cues he ever made, and his wife would not let him throw them away. I asked if I could hit a few balls. Dang. I had my Bushka out that Richard Black had made in 1989, and then hit some with Scott’s two cues. The hit and feel were remarkably very similar among the three cues.
I left the Custom Led Zeppelin tribute cue Richard had also made for me in 1989 for a refinish. That would take longer to restore with all the ivory and my desire to attempt to save the leather wrap that Richard’s wife, Ardis, had originally installed on the cue.
Heck, Wonder if I Can Cut a Deal with Scott Gilmore for a few Custom Made Cues for the Home Room
I kept thinking about how well Scott’s cues hit. I had an idea of the price range of better production cues, so I sort of figured out a budget and decided to discuss with Scott when I went to pick up the Led Zep tribute cue.
I asked Scott about the possibility of making 4 cues for me to use as House Cues. I told him my budget and that I was looking for basic cues but really liked the hit of his cues. I’d prefer to get them from him rather that just order some production cues.
Scott asked what I’d want for each cue to determine if the budget was reasonable. He also said it’d be a while before he could even start, due to still moving and setting up the shop as well as catching up on the already accepted repairs on some of Richard Black’s cues. So, I gave the following vague description:
- I’d like 4 cues
- I have linen and leather wrap cues, so if I could get one wrapless, that would be nice
- I know the budget is limited, but If I could get one 4-point cue, that would be ideal
- I like more traditional looking cues
- I’d like them to come in the 19-21 oz range
Home Run on the House Cues
I picked them up last Saturday. Scott knocked it out of the park from my perspective! I’m posting pictures of the 4 cues in individual posts following this one, with my “initial impression of a name” for each of the cues. I’ll enjoy playing with them as much as my friends and family will, I’m sure.
But wait! There are 5, not 4, cues! My wife, Julie, went with me on all the visits to the shop. Scott is such a great guy and my wife was from the general area, so they related well from the start. As a surprise, Scott thought she should have her own cue. So, he made her one, an inch shorter with a smaller diameter butt (Julie is 5’3”). He thought it would fit her better and it came out to be 18.25 oz. It’s the last of the 5 pictures.
Scott Gilmore is Highly Recommended!
I think I’ve made it clear that I like the man and his work. If you’re in the market, it’s definitely worth a phone call to Scott to discuss your wants/needs. He’s got the shop fully running now with a brand-new dust collection system, and I believe his turn-around time is getting less and less every month. Here is his card if you’re interested, followed by pictures of the cues.
