does anyone pay the crazy prices for production cues>???

[jay helfert]

Those companies have had high end products for a while, nothing to do with Predator. I remember in the 80s and 90s seeng cues in the 1,000 range from makers like Joss and McDermott.

Can't say I would buy one but have seen them purchased and quite a few on sale used.

Most of these "high end" production cues sold for half off (50% discount) to dealers. So you could say you were a dealer and buy a cue listed at $800 for $400. If you visited the booth of one of these production cue makers at tournaments back then you could buy one of their high end cues for fifty cents on the dollar cash! Dealers who bought a quantity of cues (four or more) could get as much as 60% off retail!

That's how it was back then. The custom cue makers (Tad, Gina, Stroud, Black, Szamboti) didn't give breaks like that. You paid their price or you didn't get the cue!

 

[HawaiianEye]

Most of these "high end" production cues sold for half off (50% discount) to dealers. So you could say you were a dealer and buy a cue listed at $800 for $400. If you visited the booth of one of these production cue makers at tournaments back then you could buy one of their high end cues for fifty cents on the dollar cash! Dealers who bought a quantity of cues (four or more) could get as much as 60% off retail!

That's how it was back then. The custom cue makers (Tad, Gina, Stroud, Black, Szamboti) didn't give breaks like that. You paid their price or you didn't get the cue!

When I lived in Japan, Dick Helmstetter was living there and running the ADAM Japan Cue Company. He once tried to hand me a dozen, or so, cues for nothing so that I could show them to Americans at the bases and maybe sell them. He told me what he wanted for them and I could keep anything over that. There was a big difference in what he wanted and what they listed for in their catalogs.

I declined his offer, even though I probably could have made a few dollars. There weren't very many American pool players in Japan that I ever saw.

 

[jay helfert]

When I lived in Japan, Dick Helmstetter was living there and running the ADAM Japan Cue Company. He once tried to hand me a dozen, or so, cues for nothing so that I could show them to Americans at the bases and maybe sell them. He told me what he wanted for them and I could keep anything over that. There was a big difference in what he wanted and what they listed for in their catalogs.

I declined his offer, even though I probably could have made a few dollars. There weren't very many American pool players in Japan that I ever saw.

Ha Ha. You want to hear a good one. Early on I used to help Jerry Franklin out by buying a half dozen SW cues at a time and reselling them anywhere I went. Jerry's cues were not well known at the time and he needed exposure. I liked his cues so I would buy five or six and sell them for a $25-50 mark up. I was buying from him mostly in the $125-175 range at the time. I guess I sold a couple of dozen cues for him and his cues began to catch on and he didn't need my help any more.

As a gesture of thanks Jerry made me a beautiful and very unique cue. He said that this cue would sell for $425 but he gave it to me as a gift. Stupid me sold that cue a year later for $600. I'm sure it would be worth thousands now. And if I had just kept all those cues I sold for him I would have done very well for myself. But who knew?

One final thing. Jerry Franklin was a PRINCE of a guy, one of the nicest and kindest men I ever met in all my year's around pool. He is right at the top of my list of people I miss the most. :angel:

 

[trinacria]

My two most expensive cues are Schons in the $1000-1300 range...but the fit/finish of all 6 of my Mezz cues are the best I've ever experienced--pretty much perfect...so freakin good.

the Japanese are known for their work ethic and quality control. not surprised they came out with the best "production" cue in the market. I agree their finish is second to none, me personally tried a few, not a fan of their shafts, the one I tried was very pingy. but their break cue is the best you can buy in my opinion.

 

[Cadillac J]

the Japanese are known for their work ethic and quality control. not surprised they came out with the best "production" cue in the market. I agree their finish is second to none, me personally tried a few, not a fan of their shafts, the one I tried was very pingy. but their break cue is the best you can buy in my opinion.

I am a bit partial to certain Japanese products myself, especially started with my kitchen knives and whetstones to sharpen by hand. Have sold as many as I own today...here is a sample that include production knives and custom or mid-techs that I currently have on hand.

 

[strmanglr scott]

It's interesting, people have no question about buying expensive customs. It's custom, the fit and finish should be unparralled and then they throw a production shaft on it.

So, the quality of the butt isn't good enough for the money but the shaft is?

 

[HNTFSH]

mcdermotts got $1600 cues, pechauer has $2000 cues
sneakys are $350, merry widows are $500

is this predators fault? They seem grossly overpriced

Guess it's been covered but $1,500 doesn't seem "crazy expensive" for an attractive-to-you production cue. I'm not and will never be a "collector" of things like cues and guns despite both hobbies largely favoring both cues and guns. I buy what works for me and stick with it, that's more satisfying and definitely cheaper.

I do however, fully appreciate the romance and artistry of custom cue makers. I think my non-collector bones stem from understanding it's a never-ending-game. Therefore less stressful. I prefer to shoot versus fuss when it comes to participating in the hobby. So my $1,500 McDermott isn't going to win or lose me any more games than a $3,500 custom. And I like it's appearance. Ironically the $125.00 (1984 priced) Robert Weir Sneaky Pete the then girlfriend/now wife bought me still plays better than any cue I've handled. More ironically, I just got it back for a refinish from the boys at Proficient because I'd done a few stupid things to the weight bolt and the shaft didn't even require refaced. Rolled straight with the butt after 36 years.

So the net for me and my message to you is: When it comes to playing, and finding the cue or two that are an extension of yourself, that you trust and feel in every stroke...define overpriced.

 

[trinacria]

Guess it's been covered but $1,500 doesn't seem "crazy expensive" for an attractive-to-you production cue. I'm not and will never be a "collector" of things like cues and guns despite both hobbies largely favoring both cues and guns. I buy what works for me and stick with it, that's more satisfying and definitely cheaper.

I do however, fully appreciate the romance and artistry of custom cue makers. I think my non-collector bones stem from understanding it's a never-ending-game. Therefore less stressful. I prefer to shoot versus fuss when it comes to participating in the hobby. So my $1,500 McDermott isn't going to win or lose me any more games than a $3,500 custom. And I like it's appearance. Ironically the $125.00 (1984 priced) Robert Weir Sneaky Pete the then girlfriend/now wife bought me still plays better than any cue I've handled. More ironically, I just got it back for a refinish from the boys at Proficient because I'd done a few stupid things to the weight bolt and the shaft didn't even require refaced. Rolled straight with the butt after 36 years.

So the net for me and my message to you is: When it comes to playing, and finding the cue or two that are an extension of yourself, that you trust and feel in every stroke...define overpriced.

I definitely didmt frame my point the right way, mostly bc im picky about certain things on a cue, and production cues come one way, same size, same length, this and that, and over the years you learn what works for you amd what dont and a cuemaker can gibe yo I that and the prices make sense.

 

[HNTFSH]

I definitely didmt frame my point the right way, mostly bc im picky about certain things on a cue, and production cues come one way, same size, same length, this and that, and over the years you learn what works for you amd what dont and a cuemaker can gibe yo I that and the prices make sense.

No offense taken. It was the "grossly overpriced" part that caught my eye. The "Production cue" was built when I ordered it. I chose the wrap, the weight, the tip. Also put a matching shaft with it, straight maple with matching rings along with the iPro shaft it came with. I do enjoy playing/feeling the difference but have to admit the straight maple feels better to me. Guess if someone wants a cue 1/2 inch shorter or longer that's their business but I hope for my sake I never think about caring. :grin:

I admire customs all the time in the sale section. None of them "new" come in anywhere close to my production cue cost. The ones I tend to like (the looks of) are not typically the players. So from an appeal or aesthetic perspective, the McDermott was 25% the cost of a custom.

 

[RDeca]

I think high end "production" cues...in limited runs or just a cue makers fanciest model. Hold value better than "custom" cues. Plus with custom cues...you never know what your getting into and they honestly do not hold value the same. Market for resale is more limited with "custom" . You'll never lose money on fancy old Schon Viking Joss mcdermott or meucci cues those were the main players for years and still very desired in this day and age. They have a style totally different then today's production" cues.

 

[trinacria]

I think high end "production" cues...in limited runs or just a cue makers fanciest model. Hold value better than "custom" cues. Plus with custom cues...you never know what your getting into and they honestly do not hold value the same. Market for resale is more limited with "custom" . You'll never lose money on fancy old Schon Viking Joss mcdermott or meucci cues those were the main players for years and still very desired in this day and age. They have a style totally different then today's production" cues.

ive come to the conclusion that im a production cue guy after thinking about it for a long while. ultimately the price point doesn't matter if someone is willing to pay for it, im still not a fan of the prices, especially for shafts, $550 is absurd, but most cue makers will disappoint, most aren't that resellable, and the cue makers I want are few. Ide have to say a simple four point tascarella or Scruggs will always be in my wanted list. the rest I could do without or their prices and wait lists are too long. my only real request for a custom cue would be a 12mm maple shaft, I got one made by schmelke and im liking it more and more. $209 shipped for a custom cue.

 

[Brookeland Bill]

mcdermotts got $1600 cues, pechauer has $2000 cues
sneakys are $350, merry widows are $500

is this predators fault? They seem grossly overpriced

Mezz makes very good cues under $1000.

 

[Celophanewrap]

Well, something is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it.
I wonder if many people would really be able to tell the difference?

 

[MitchAlsup]

Never paid more than $400 for any cue.

 

[Maniac]

Our niece plays on our two league teams with the wife and I. She's a SL3 and will probably never go any higher.

She has been using an older, cheap Viper cue that I paid about $50 for years ago (for my home wall rack). She told me she likes the cue but would like to have one of her very own, so I started doing some research for her.

My wife said that our niece likes the color purple, so this is the cue I'm going to recommend that she buy: https://www.ozonebilliards.com/product/players-cue-jet-black-and-purple-maple I think this is a nice-looking cue (for purple anyways) and should serve her well.

What do you want to bet she can play just as good with it as she could with a much more expensive production cue or even a custom cue?

Point is, the huge amount a person spends on a high-end production cue or a custom cue totally makes no sense if the person can't make four balls in a row to begin with. A high dollar cue would be nothing but a waste of money for my niece.

FWIW, the highest-costing production cue I own retailed at $1,000 about ten years ago, but I received it as a gift. It is a Jacoby D-11. It's a beautiful cue, but I haven't used it much since I have gone the route of the 60" cue.

Maniac

 

[trinacria]

Our niece plays on our two league teams with the wife and I. She's a SL3 and will probably never go any higher.

She has been using an older, cheap Viper cue that I paid about $50 for years ago (for my home wall rack). She told me she likes the cue but would like to have one of her very own, so I started doing some research for her.

My wife said that our niece likes the color purple, so this is the cue I'm going to recommend that she buy: https://www.ozonebilliards.com/product/players-cue-jet-black-and-purple-maple I think this is a nice-looking cue (for purple anyways) and should serve her well.

What do you want to bet she can play just as good with it as she could with a much more expensive production cue or even a custom cue?

Point is, the huge amount a person spends on a high-end production cue or a custom cue totally makes no sense if the person can't make four balls in a row to begin with. A high dollar cue would be nothing but a waste of money for my niece.

FWIW, the highest-costing production cue I own retailed at $1,000 about ten years ago, but I received it as a gift. It is a Jacoby D-11. It's a beautiful cue, but I haven't used it much since I have gone the route of the 60" cue.

Maniac

Schmelke has one called the grape. Its a break cue but you cam option for a playing shaft. Pur p le from tip to ass.

 

[straightline]

Schmelke has one called the grape. Its a break cue but you cam option for a playing shaft. Pur p le from tip to ass.

They sell those in all the Schmelke finishes. I could go for that as a playing cue; needs joint collars I think.