Done with Bricks - NEXT?

VonRhett

VonRhett

Friends Call Me "von"
Silver Member
For those who don't know me, about 2 years ago I decided I wanted to corner the market on ALEX BRICK cues. As this journey progressed, I fine-tuned this quest to include only the best/most elaborate Bricks ever made.

With the exception of one EBONY/SILVER masterpiece that looks kinda like the famous P Weston cue - I'M DONE! (RIBDONER - any idea where that one is?? I still want to acquire it someday)

Collectively, my Brick cues have more IVORY then a dozen Tanzanian Kuba Tribes, and more Sterling Silver than the Hunt Brothers :p

With a few rare exceptions, I didn't purchase any other cue during this period. I'm a single-threader! Oh, I bought a few cues here & there, usually just to try out another maker, check out the work of an "up & comer", etc. But nothing serious or over 2K, other than Bricks.

IIRC, this is called the "Post-Peak Blues". I'm done. I'm bored. Now what?
"Still, I don't feel satisfied" (in my best Teddy KGB voice)

So, why not start another journey! :p <Whipppeeee. Woohoooo. Wheeeee!>

Now I need to decide on another CM. Something somewhat uncommon, that sits juuust below the mainstream, but very hi quality, with a unique flare. I'd rather buy 10 Capones then 2 Thomas Waynes. Also, the CMs back story is important to me. Alex Brick had a few years of personal hardship that I won't go into here, but it was one life-changing-event after another. Still, like any true Artist, Alex put his heart&soul in his work and you can feel it in each cue.

Scruggs - too many. DPK - not enuf. Searing - over capped. SW - too many buyers. Arthur - who??. Coq - eh, no Joe. Gina - wrong design. Black - nah. D Dishaw - nah. T Wayne - too rich for me. Barringer - well, backstory doesn't mean that body part.

Possibilities: (these are all over the map) CAPONE. NITTI. RUNDE. PETREE. PREWITT. R HARRIS. A GILBERT. S WESTON.

I need to identify a CM who's mission I buy into. I'm leaning towards C NITTI, A GILBERT and M CAPONE. I need to meet these guys.

Suggestions? Thoughts? Think I've had too much coffee 2nite?? :p

-von
 
for very low money, and ULTRA high craftsmanship and playability (and i think his cues are going to skyrocket in the future) i would look at jeff olney.


chris G
 
Hmm... I've owned Capones...and they are great cues. Mike chooses exquisite wood...and does beautiful point/inlay work.

As far as a new collecting focus, some of the makers I would consider collecting: Mike Lambros, Ted Harris, Bob Dzuricky, Mark Bear, Eric Crisp, Brian Mordt, Ron Haley, Travis Niklich ... also if you go to the http://www.new2youqs.com/ site, take a look at Corey Barnhardt...beauties! To focus on only one? ouch! Of course I'll always drool for Mike Bender...who might be a good one to focus on, too.
 
bogey54311 said:
for very low money, and ULTRA high craftsmanship and playability (and i think his cues are going to skyrocket in the future) i would look at jeff olney.


chris G
Click to expand...

i was thinking the exact same thing! :D
 
I'm biased since I have a couple of his cues and met him and his family, but I through out Wes Hunter. He makes a fantastic cue that seems to be very underated and supports a Women's Tour. Plus no two cues will every be built exactly the same, each cue is a one of a kind.

Just another suggestion from a biased fan of his cues:D .

Jim
 
For gorgeous cues that play incredibly well, I'd say: Go with BlueGrass.

If you want more of a challenge...both in the hunt, and on the wallet...try Black Boar.
 
Ron Haley...would fit the bill for you, quite nicely.

I own a lot of cues by different makers, but if I were to start a collection of only one cuemaker that didn't have a terribly long waiting list and was somewhat affordable right now, I'd go with Haley. The quality of his cues and their playability is second to none. I personally believe that in due time, Ron Haley will be ranked right up there with Searing, Tascarella, Hercek, Showman, and any other of the elite makers. He's that good, right now!
 
Von,

The two that come to my mind are:

Joel Hercek
Skip Weston

Both make on heck of a nice playing cue.

Joel is more well known, and has the waiting list to deal with. The quality of his cues are great though, and he’s a nice guy to boot! These are not easy to get, but well worth the effort of getting.

Skip is more under the radar, but makes an absolutely phenomenal cue, in both quality and playability. I would put the quality of his points and construction at the top of the list of ANY cuemaker out there. Plus, he is in the process of re-doing his shop and design to, as he put it, “Raise the bar in cue making.” I would get in on this soon. He’s also rumored to be making a show stopper of a cue for Ginky.

Oh, and I have a pretty unique one on the way from him, too!!!


I don’t think you’d go wrong with either of these guys.
 
CM recommendations

Johnfan said:
How about Mottey and James White? Great work on their cues.
Click to expand...
I'd recommend Paul Mottey or James White if you are only going with one cue maker. You can't go wrong with either one and I've owned a number of their cues and they play great and the workmanship is top notch. James White is a partner in Paul's shop and he's building some phenominal cues.
 
If I were trying to decide on one cuemaker, I would consider as much potential marketability as output annually. Playability is a no brainer and is a must. That being said, I would rule out Gilbert from your list. Mottey and White put out some of the best stuff out there, but again quantity is up there. If I were going to try to put together a collection, I might consider doing something like the guy who collects the tuxedo cues. Not necessarily pick one cuemaker, but rather one style of cue. My personal favorites are burl or snakewood points in an ebony forearm with veneers and ivory joints.

As far as Jensens mentioned previously, Mike Johnson is one of the best cuemakers on the planet, just ask him!:p :p :p His cues play great but have no secondary market.

I also like Skip Weston's work.

One pretty unknown maker who works with one of the best is Mike Wheeler (Schick shop). He turns out very few high end cues, but they are great players, look nice, hit like a Schick, and are very sought after if you happen to have one. And he is reasonably priced to boot.

I also like Nitti's work, and Capones are nice but the quantity thing would get me. Bender would be a good bet if you want to get into the high end stuff that is atypical. He spits out quite a few similar cues, but his one of a kind stuff is really nice.
 
VR,

You need someone unique to replace Brick! Of course there's always the blue chip guys that have been mentioned (Barry, Dennis, Joel, Pete, John, etc.). These are a given as far as future value and consistent workmanship.

You've always marched to a different drummer with Alex's cues, though, so why jump on the "road well travelled"? Try some up and comers like maybe Mike Wheeler, Michael Morgan, or Rich Benson. I just picked up a Bushka model that Steve Klein made that would shock anyone that thinks that Steve only makes plain Janes and sneaky Petes to death! I recently had one of Benson's cues that had the nicest looking abalone inlays that I've ever seen on a cue (and at a great price).

You could always collect "theme cues" like Jimbo's Skull Collection, too. Or maybe some obscure cues like Libras or Dale Pattens, that already have a good inherent value and are no longer made.

Plan on keeping the current Bricks you have? Let me know whatever you plan on doing and I'll keep a lookout for you!

Regards,

Steve
 
That's funny! I posted a recommendation for Mike Wheeler before I read Cuenut's post. Might tell you something...;)
 
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