Done with Bricks - NEXT?

[1pRoscoe]

There's one in Oklahoma I know of that is really going to kick things up a notch next year. You might want to put in orders with him now.

Really? Who??? Any pictures of what this person may currently be working on???



Oh, and I like Jensen and Petree.... Not in a "man-love" kind of way, but they make great cues...

 

[8-ball Rat]

Just thought of another cuemaker that has returned to the scene, and you won't find any out there with better provenance and structural integrity.

JOHN DAVIS

He worked in the shop with Burton Spain, who many consider to have revolutionized the spliced cue market when he was in his prime. John has recently started to make cues of his own again and already they are commanding pretty good money. Also, if you are really lucky, you may be able to find one of his cues from the time he worked with Burton. Those would be extremely desirable, and all would be nice and traditional I don't think you would have an argument with anyone on this board about him.

No arguement here.....and he's a really great guy to talk to. I should have my Davis cue by January-ish timeframe.

The nice conversations with him and his wife ALONE is worth the wait....and the wait is getting longer by the week, from what I hear.

 

[zcat27]

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

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! <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??

-von

Paul Dayton, Capone and or Skip Weston. Can't go wrong!

 

[skins]

i am really surprised that no one has mentioned Keith Josey! he really does imo make one of the best playing cues in the world. his attention to detail and execution are phenomenal not to mention his prices on fancier cues are low compared to others and his cues are among the are most unique . he's another "dark horse" i would throw into the pot.

 

[PunchOut]

Dale Perry. They're hard to come by and every cue he makes is unique which is why they are all signed 1/1. He's also highly sought after in the Asian market.

negative sir.

 

[JimBo]

John Showman
Jim White
Mike Bender
Ron Haley

Did you guys miss his post, he wanted a guy a bit more under the radar, by that I assume he meant more bang for his buck, and a bit easier to acquire. Showman has a nice 5 year wait list at present, Jim White is around 2 I'd guess, Mike Bender would be the same and his prices are quite a bit higher then the choices he gave. As for Ron his work is great but limited as a part timer. Out of the choices given I'd say Andy Gilbert is a great guy and his work has been fantastic over the past year and a half, also Nitti has made great leaps in the past 6-8 months with the new techniques he's starting to use, also a nice guy. I say meet them both at VF this March and decide for yourself, it's all about the journey after all and you need to really like the guy and like working with him if you plan to do several cues.

Jim<-----Likes Andy and Chris

 

[VonRhett]

Hi Adam,
Thanks for the info. I know Duane Tuula; I'll give him a call.

The other one (NFS) is actually the one i was referring to. Last time I was at JOBs Alex pulled it out from under the cabinet and said, "Look at This!" I said, "yeah, you showed me that 2 years ago. How much is it now?" His reply, of course, was that it was NFS!! So quit effen showing it to me!

LOL - a P314 on a Brick cue. That's like taking your SOLID GOLD BABY SHOES and having them Bronzed!!

-von

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)

Von,

ALEX made two cues that were similiar, but not identical.

One ended up in the ROCKFORD, IL. area----maybe TUULA(sp?) I owned this cue for a minute and when sold one of the shafts (matching ringwork) was a modified PRED 314 similiar to what VARNEY is now doing. The other two shafts were "standard" BRICK shafts.

The other one is, as of now, NFS.

Some other makers you might consider:

Early spliced McDaniels (affordable and real sporty)

Bill (spider) WEBB ( unique cues from a unique guy--talk to him )

DIVENEY (getting better and better--good, accessable guy that stands behind his work)

As alway GOOD LUCK ,

Adam

 

[Rodney]

Somewhat under the radar, and I'm pretty sure very low production, Murray Tucker.

 

[ScottR]

.....
Of all the suggestions, a few really appeal to me. JOHN SHOWMAN. RICHARD HARRIS. MIKE BENDER. MIKE WHEELER.

......
So it's probably down to the 2 Mikes, Bender and Wheeler. Or Showman. Or S Weston. or R Haley.

-von

With a 5 year waiting list, I can't see where John Showman is in the "under the radar" realm.

Don't get me wrong. You would do well to collect his cues, but then I would have to hate you a whole lot.

(edit: Oops. Jimbo beat me to it by about 1-1/2 hours)

 

[ScottR]

Just to throw a curveball in, here is what I would do if I weren't into my other stuff .

I think there are too many present day cue makers with too much product. The only cues worth holding onto are the ultra fancy art cues, or a handful of superstars that are already too expensive. The superstars with limited product are Szamboti, Schick, Searing, Tascarella, Hercek. But remember, just as the art cues of today make those made 15 years ago look bad, the ones 15 years from now will probably make todays cues look simplistic and cartoonish.

Here's what I would focus on from a collectible and investment standpoint:

1) 1973 and earlier Gina - these cues are still undervalued in my opinion. Pre-CNC, tons of chararacter, and nobody did it better.

2) Pre 1978 Tad cues. The older, the fancier, the better, especially the ones with the long butt caps. The inlays were cut by hand - who else could do it like Tad?

3) Frank Paradise, especially the fancy ones. It's not the cue, it's who used them. Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, many celebrities and politicians, and even a couple of pool players.

4) JW - particularly fancy older cues, 1980 and earlier. These are cheap at the moment. Bill is one of the greats and his cues remain undervalued in my opinion.

Anyway, I guarantee you there will be nobody flooding the market with these cues in the near future. They are worth seeking, worth buying, and worth keeping.

Chris

I have to second the nomination for Mr. Stroud. "Under the radar" as far as what his early ones are currently going for here in the states.

Hmmmm. Maybe I have a new idea, too.......

 

[1pRoscoe]

With a 5 year waiting list, I can't see where John Showman is in the "under the radar" realm.

Don't get me wrong. You would do well to collect his cues, but then I would have to hate you a whole lot.

I thought the same with Haley....

 

[buddha162]

I would say Skip Weston

I have seen some of the most beautiful cues made by him, plus they are great players too. He is renown for his attention to detail.

There is a Balabushka tribute cue done by Skip on ebay right now that is just gorgeous.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Skip-Weston-brand-new-59-in_W0QQitemZ140058213603QQihZ004QQ

I designed and owned that cue...great cue, but the guy is doing funny shit to that auction. The prices keep changing, and that's the third time they're up on ebay.

-Roger (huge skip fan, not sure if he should be brought into someone's collection...)

 

[Charlie Edwards]

Just thought of another cuemaker that has returned to the scene, and you won't find any out there with better provenance and structural integrity.

JOHN DAVIS

He worked in the shop with Burton Spain, who many consider to have revolutionized the spliced cue market when he was in his prime. John has recently started to make cues of his own again and already they are commanding pretty good money. Also, if you are really lucky, you may be able to find one of his cues from the time he worked with Burton. Those would be extremely desirable, and all would be nice and traditional I don't think you would have an argument with anyone on this board about him.

deleted.........

 

[JoeyInCali]

I'd get in line for a Barenbrugge.

 

[buddha162]

Paul Fanelli...that is, if he's willing to go for something like this. His new forearm prongs will simply blow you away.

-Roger

 

[manwon]

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

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! <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??

-von

Hello, I would check out the cues offered by Billy Webb / Spider Webb/ Cobb Webb. This guy makes some great cue's and he is located here on AZ.

Billy is not well known yet, but that is changing fast.

Manwon

 

[Voodoo Daddy]

Dale Perry. They're hard to come by

Guess you NEVER go on EBAY,

 

[jazznpool]

Prewitt cues are not for the budget minded and I don't know if he's under or barely on the radar screen. I do know that his materials and precise quality of build are as good as it gets. He is working on producing a new model, a 4 veneer full-splice cue using exotic and highly figured woods. I am looking way forward to getting one of these myself. I think they will be very popular. I should have 6 to bring to Valley Forge in March. PM me if you'd like more info.

Martin

 

[tom haney]

I've heard Travis Trotter has a beautiful collection of
Cuetecs.

 

[wincue]

Cue Maker Selections

You're right on with your assessment of Alex Brick. If you're interested, I have a set of Alex's cues that are all of the same design with the exception that they all have three piece handles with one of the handles covered with lizard, one has a three piece ebony handle and one has a three piece ivory handle. If you would send me your email address, I would be happy to send you a picture. One thing though. They are certainly not for sale.

As for the three CMs that you're leaning towards, you're leaning in the right direction. I have cues from all three and all have very good execution in the work that they do. As for meeting them, I suggest you think about attending the Alan Hopkins Show in Valley Forge, Pa, in March. I'm certain that all Chris Nitti, Mike Capone and Andy Gilbert will be there with a number of their cues.

Hope this helps.

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

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! <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??

-von