Did that Custom ~really~ help You??

R

raemondo

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Okay, so I'm seriously considering a custom cue and my top pick is Andy Gilbert, for the playability and money.

What I really wanna know is, how many of you out there REALLY played better after switching from a production cue to a custom cue? Or from a different custom cue? I'm just trying to find a good enough reason to rationalize the spending of so much money for a cue. And when I say so much money, it's really just about $800 or so....I'm currently playing with a $270 Pechauer.

Please give opinions ONLY from the playability standpoint, I'm really not interested in arguments like, cos I will be able to make something I like, the cue will appreciate in value, the finish and the quality is better etc. etc.

Now I've been reading the forums for a while and so many people have said, "this cue is like the extension of my arm", and "this cue hits a ton" etc....so tell me I'm making the right decision!!!!

thanks,
ray
 
the custom cues ive tried all seem to have a more solid hit and better feedback, although the most expensive production cue ive tried was only a $400 retail price mcdermott. the thing i like best about them is the balance though, to me it seems that custom cues are generally more forward balanced. although i cant say they make me play better, i definitely prefer playing with them.

and actually you dont have to spend all that much for a decent custom, my friend has a plane jane prather that hits about as good as anything ive felt and it was i think 300 or 350.
 
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I'd say yes for a few reasons... one, the cue had a better hit to it, it was slightly longer, and... well, it hit better. When I bought mine my game improved quite a bit. Then, I tried a better cue, and I more or less forgot about my old cue and went back to house cues. I'm looking at getting a lucasi sneaky at the moment.

Now, can't really justiy spending $800 as the price is mostly the inlays.
 
i can't say anything cause i don't have a custom cue but i think its all about comfort, if you are tall then you might need a longer custom cue, but from playing with a warped house cue one piece then switching up to a nyce cheap viper cue does make a playing difference better then switching from that to a Mcdermott Cue i love the way it hits, just feels solid. Like they say though, the most important thing on a cue is the tip, you can shape a broom stick and put some chalk on that baby and whipped some ass, then afterwards sweep the joint out afterwards. Cole.
 
Your question asks for an extremely subjective answer, and my personal answer is "yes" but it's loaded. My game skyrocketed when I started playing with my current cue, but to be totally honest, I wouldn't say that it was because of my particular maker of cue, or the fact that it is custom. I would attribute the improvement in my game to the fact that I was lucky to have found a cue (with a couple of adjustments made later) that fits my style of play. Or I can say that on the other hand, I was able the easily make the necessary adjustments to my style of playing to fit my particular cue. Going from a production to a custom isn't going to be the last magic barrier that will finally break down sending you off on your way to world class level pool. However, I have found that with well known custom cues, that they stand up against the elements much better, have a better hit (which doesn't change your game.........just feels better), and generally have a more consistent way of playing in regards to deflection (less or more but consistent) and the ability to move the cue ball around.
You can't go wrong with a Gilbert, but it won't be a magic wand. You're still gonna have to make the adjustments. But IMHO, those adjustments are easier made when using a well made cue be it custom or production.
Good luck!
dave
 
I'd say "no", a cue will not make you play better or worse. Obviously, if we are compairing a warped house cue to a well built cue it makes a huge difference. I used to think getting a cue from this maker, or that maker will make my game soar!, not the case. Now, I do advise getting a cue that "FEELS" good in your hands, and you like the hit of. So you will have to get out there and try a bunch of cues to sort out your preference.

I went thru this same thing back when I first started playing. I bought a zillion cues trying to "buy" a stroke! Only time at the table and learning will make your game sound, not a cue. I have a nice custom cue rack filled with expensive cues. I play with a $200 production cue, that feels great when I hit a ball with it.......good luck....Gerry
 
BTW theres a few paragraphs on this same subject in the book Pleasures of small motions I'm just now reading. The author sugests the reason we feel we play better when getting a new cue is that we are more focused on the cue, and our game in general with the new stick, and some of the distracting thoughts are gone. Hope I explained it correctly.....Gerry
 
Three reasons. You will be able to make something you like, the cue will appreciate in value, and the finish and the quality will be better.
 
I was happy for 15 years with my Schon. A friend was going to do me a favor by replacing the tip. He messed up the tip, ferrule and shaft. I ended up buying a custom cue to replace it.

Buying a custom gives you the chance to choose the tip, ferrule, wrap, butt thickness, taper, balance point, joint, weight, type of wood and ect.

When you get it you will improve because it will feel so good to you that you will want to play more and just can't put it down. After a while you will start thinking about another cue and thinking about tweaking what you have.

Someone will mention a certain cuemaker and you will want to try out their cues. You are started on the adventure of searching for that magic feather that started with your first custom cue. You are thinking about how great it was compared to your other cue and now that you have one you really know what you want. Look at the wanted to buy/sell section. You can tell who is spending more time buying instead of playing. You will check out every site that sells cues and will contact and talk to cuemakers. Everytime a cuemaker is mentioned you will want to check him out. Everytime a wrap, tip, joint or etc is talked about you will want to try it out. The good thing is you will not lose much on the cues and sometimes even make a little profit.

Over the last 4 years I have purchased 12 custom cues. Damn, if that guy wouldn't have ruined my shaft I would still be playing with my Schon.
Thinking about my Schon maybe I should send it to Mike Webb and him repair the shaft, install a ivory ferrule, Moori tip, leather wrap...
 
TheConArtist said:
Like they say though, the most important thing on a cue is the tip, you can shape a broom stick and put some chalk on that baby and whipped some ass, then afterwards sweep the joint out afterwards. Cole.
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LOLOLOL i think that one came from bob byrne :D :D
 
raemondo said:
Please give opinions ONLY from the playability standpoint, I'm really not interested in arguments like, cos I will be able to make something I like, the cue will appreciate in value, the finish and the quality is better etc. etc.
thanks,
ray
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Probably not Ray.
I got bit by the custom cue bug but to completely honest, I have yet to hit with a custom that blew away either my old Schons or my old Helmstetters.
The thing with custom that I love is exactly that. I can customize it completely to what I prefer but as far as playability, being completely honest with myself, there really isn't much difference.
In saying that, I have not played with several of the high end customs so it is very possible that they play better than production cues.
I have a Skip Weston being built now and I'm also on Dennis Searing and Joel Hercek's lists. What can I say, I'm a sucker for cues :-)

Hope this helps,
Koop
 
raemondo said:
Okay, so I'm seriously considering a custom cue and my top pick is Andy Gilbert, for the playability and money.
What I really wanna know is, how many of you out there REALLY played better after switching from a production cue to a custom cue?
ray
Click to expand...

Ray, a lot of custom cues are bought just to impress friends and other players. It's true. Bragging rights so to say. And that is an OK reason to buy a cue. Many people buy luxury cars and Rolex watches for that same reason.

Even if that $1500 custom cue dont help you shoot any better it will impress other players, make you feel good about owning such a fine piece of craftsmanship, and help you look snazzy when you do miss shots.

There are a few players that buy a custom cue because they like the way it looks, like the way it plays, and have the cash available. That is OK also.

Something else to consider is that a big name custom cue retains it's resale or trade value better than a production cue. I have actualy sold some of my used custom cues for more than I paid for them. (wish I had some of them back) :D

If you really enjoy the game of pool and can aford a nice custom cue then go for it. It will make you feel good every time you take it out of the case and use it. Even when I play like a klutz, just holding one of my cues and admiring the craftsmanship puts a smile on my face and gives me a warm fuzzy inside. I have never regreted buying a custom cue :o
 
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I'll say yes, but in some ways it does depend on the person as well. I remeber going the the 2000 Super Billiards Convention in Valley Forge and it was the first time meeting everyone! One guy I met with and whose cue I will own one of these days is Mike Lambros. That joint of his is UNBELIEVABLE, and now he made it better?!?!:eek:

You have to understand one thing, I was a complete newbie to all of this and didn't even know about custom cues. I just new about Joss and McDermott. When I hit with that cue, even to this day, it is unlike ANYTHING I have hit, and I have hit a LOT of cues for someone who doesn't play regularly...yet.

The only reason why I don't own one is because of the price...$1000 dollars for a plain jane...ouch!!!! IMHO, his cues aren't as visually pleasing as other cuemakers: Tucker, Coker, Nitti, Gilbert, etc., to spend the extra cash, but the playability of his cues, IMO, is up there with anybody...period. Ok...I'm getting of my soapbox now.:p :rolleyes:
 
Gerry said:
I'd say "no", a cue will not make you play better or worse. Obviously, if we are compairing a warped house cue to a well built cue it makes a huge difference. I used to think getting a cue from this maker, or that maker will make my game soar!, not the case. Now, I do advise getting a cue that "FEELS" good in your hands, and you like the hit of. So you will have to get out there and try a bunch of cues to sort out your preference.

I went thru this same thing back when I first started playing. I bought a zillion cues trying to "buy" a stroke! Only time at the table and learning will make your game sound, not a cue. I have a nice custom cue rack filled with expensive cues. I play with a $200 production cue, that feels great when I hit a ball with it.......good luck....Gerry
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I would have to agree. As long as the cue feels good in a player's hands, it's a good cue. Cues don't make you play better, YOU make you play better.
Steve
 
Depends on the cue.

Ten years ago, when I got mine, I immediately noticed an improvement. I began stealing at all the established games I had. I figure the cue was worth an immediate ball and a half improvement (1pocket).

Over the years I had owned several custom cues and this kind of improvement only came from one cue, Gina.

Lou Figueroa


raemondo said:
Okay, so I'm seriously considering a custom cue and my top pick is Andy Gilbert, for the playability and money.

What I really wanna know is, how many of you out there REALLY played better after switching from a production cue to a custom cue? Or from a different custom cue? I'm just trying to find a good enough reason to rationalize the spending of so much money for a cue. And when I say so much money, it's really just about $800 or so....I'm currently playing with a $270 Pechauer.

Please give opinions ONLY from the playability standpoint, I'm really not interested in arguments like, cos I will be able to make something I like, the cue will appreciate in value, the finish and the quality is better etc. etc.

Now I've been reading the forums for a while and so many people have said, "this cue is like the extension of my arm", and "this cue hits a ton" etc....so tell me I'm making the right decision!!!!

thanks,
ray
Click to expand...
 
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I'd say "yes", as long as you get the cue that you want. One of the main purposes (IMO) of a custom cue is that it take out variables that you may question. You can get the balance point, type of wood, tip, ferrue, and shaft taper done to suit your game.

Confidence in the cue is the most important thing, and you have to feel confident that you have the best cue to suit your game.

If you are not sure which shaft taper, tip, etc. does suit your game, then you are probably not ready to reap the full benefit of a custom cue. In this case, I would say that a good production cue would suit you as well as any custom.

Mike
 
chokenstroke said:
Ray, a lot of custom cues are bought just to impress friends and other players. It's true. Bragging rights so to say. And that is an OK reason to buy a cue. Many people buy luxury cars and Rolex watches for that same reason.

Even if that $1500 custom cue dont help you shoot any better it will impress other players, make you feel good about owning such a fine piece of craftsmanship, and help you look snazzy when you do miss shots.

There are a few players that buy a custom cue because they like the way it looks, like the way it plays, and have the cash available. That is OK also.

Something else to consider is that a big name custom cue retains it's resale or trade value better than a production cue. I have actually sold some of my used custom cues for more than I paid for them. (wish I had some of them back) :D

If you really enjoy the game of pool and can afford a nice custom cue then go for it. It will make you feel good every time you take it out of the case and use it. Even when I play like a klutz, just holding one of my cues and admiring the craftsmanship puts a smile on my face and gives me a warm fuzzy inside. I have never regreted buying a custom cue :o
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Could not have said it better.

Like All Pro Lito Sheppard, who is corner back for the Philadelphia Eagles said:

"If you dress good, you feel good; If you feel good, you play good."

Inlays and splices are simply "dressing" up your cue.

Keep in mind that the reality is that a fancy inlay or splicing work never helped someone pocket a ball, or win a game. And fancy inlays are what you are paying the big bucks for.

I have my Samsara pictured, and it has a sweet hit, but sometimes I prefer, depending on where I am at, to play with my Viking that I paid $200.00. Keep in mind that it's not always a good feeling to play with a highly recognizable cue when you are shooting at seedy pool halls or clubs. It can be a lot on your mind walking out into the parking lot carrying a high end cue at the end of the night.
 
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I went through about 10 or 12 "production" cues until I got my Phillippi. Once I started playing with the Phillippi, my average rose from 1 or 2 balls pocketed consecutively to at least 4 or 5 balls. And instead of running the table once a year using the production cues, I run it about once a day shooting with the Phillippi.
 
My description ...

It is like going from a snazzy lil economy car to a
true sports car that responds to your every want.

With inexpensive cues or house sticks you try to make
the stick conform to your game, with a custom that feels
good to you, the stick flows with your game.

with lessor sticks, it is like having sex with any attractive girl,
with a custom of your choosing, it is like having sex with the
RIGHT girl.
 
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