Effect of # of inlays and points vs none?

[Fatboy]

Appriciate the thoughts Misha. Good points.

The reason I was making a list is so that when I do call a cuemaker and he asks me what I'm looking for in a cue, I could tell him to the best of my ability. A wish list if you will. I certainly wouldn't dream of telling him how to build a cue. That's his job, not mine and that's what he gets paid the big bucks for. Knowlegde and expertise. On the other hand if I say I want a particular shaft taper or a particular type of wood used on the forearm (cocobola) and another (birdseye) on the wrapless handle I expect him to build it that way unless he tells me it's a bad idea and proceeds to explain why. I also would take any suggestions by him seriously. If he thinks he can improve upon what I think I want then I expect that from him as a craftsman and artist also. I'm not looking at some out of this world cue. Actually probably closer to the opposite and pretty much on the simple side compared to most customs I've looked at.

I'v got it basically as a cocobola forearm (no points or inlays), wrapless birdseye handle section with the buttsleeve cocobola also. I 'd also like to have the cuemaker use his artistic side and use some kind of cocobola inlays in the wrapless handle section. Ring work is his choice and probably most everything else except for my choice of shaft taper and tip. So tomorrow I get to find out (making my first calls) if I'm being unrealistic and I may be in for an eye opening experience. Looking foward to it either way.

Thanks again.

Keep the list, you'll learn from it, I been around cues and cue makers in many shops fopr about 20 years. I cant change a tip. I'm helpless-but I do know what I like in a cue. I have never stopped learning about cues. I know what pin,tip,ferrel,taper,woods(big list)i like/dislike, joint material, radial or flat face. points, etc etc etc.

Some stuff I learned in my first year, some things i'm learning now. I have went back to something I didnt like just to make sure I didnt like it, and i have sometimes found out I was wrong or I was right. Point is its not a knowlege contest, its finding what you like or dislike and the search for the ultimate cue-that search is fun, and along the way you learn to play, and as your game changes so does your cue preferance. like kids they dont play with the same toys from 2 yrs old to 12 years old, their toys change as do our cues. JA just got a new cue-he called me about it yesterday so excited about it he couldnt stop stuttering. And how many cues has he had, and how does he play. Truth be told he knows how to use a cue better than we do, yet his technical knowlege is limited.


So keep your list, have fun, play good, learn and then you'll be a well rounded pool player/cue guy.

 

[bayoublaster400]

Appreciate your thoughts on the subject. I will keep the list for the reasons you suggested and then some.

So far I've contacted 4 cue builders and spoke with them personally and am awaiting call backs from a few. It's a hell of a learning experience as I've learned that there are some that will build a cue for you and put everything under the sun into it or on it (regardless of whether they think it's play well or not), those who will put you on a list and when your turn comes up they will sell you what they want to build for you and not what you want, and finally those who understand what you want and build it for you if it doesn't effect the playability of the cue that they are well known for. Happy to say that 1 out of 4 was the latter and was extremely professional and knowlegeable. Wait time seemed unreal, not that I expected it tomorrow but I don't want to wait more that 6-8 months, so I will keep looking. I will not however compromise quality over wait time! If I keep looking and it indeed will take more than say 8 months, then so be it.

But again thanks for your help and everyone else who has contributed as it has been a tremendous learning experience for me and I'm loving every minute of it!

 

[Fatboy]

Appreciate your thoughts on the subject. I will keep the list for the reasons you suggested and then some.

So far I've contacted 4 cue builders and spoke with them personally and am awaiting call backs from a few. It's a hell of a learning experience as I've learned that there are some that will build a cue for you and put everything under the sun into it or on it (regardless of whether they think it's play well or not), those who will put you on a list and when your turn comes up they will sell you what they want to build for you and not what you want, and finally those who understand what you want and build it for you if it doesn't effect the playability of the cue that they are well known for. Happy to say that 1 out of 4 was the latter and was extremely professional and knowlegeable. Wait time seemed unreal, not that I expected it tomorrow but I don't want to wait more that 6-8 months, so I will keep looking. I will not however compromise quality over wait time! If I keep looking and it indeed will take more than say 8 months, then so be it.

But again thanks for your help and everyone else who has contributed as it has been a tremendous learning experience for me and I'm loving every minute of it!

Glad to help, it is fun.

 

[Misha]

you if it doesn't effect the playability of the cue that they are well known for. Happy to say that 1 out of 4 was the latter and was extremely professional and knowlegeable. Wait time seemed unreal, not that I expected it tomorrow but I don't want to wait more that 6-8 months, so I will keep looking. I will not however compromise quality over wait time! If I keep looking and it indeed will take more than say 8 months, then so be it.

Bay, you learned exactly what I was hoping you would. And 1 in 4 sounds about right, IMHO. Sure there are others that can build a cue, but not so many that speak my language. I only use those now..........

You find a guy like this, and he treats you fine (deposit, keeps his word, stays in touch, reasonable wait time, and no bullshit excuses) THEN YOU BOTH WIN.

 

[swami4u]

Bay, you learned exactly what I was hoping you would. And 1 in 4 sounds about right, IMHO. Sure there are others that can build a cue, but not so many that speak my language. I only use those now..........

You find a guy like this, and he treats you fine (deposit, keeps his word, stays in touch, reasonable wait time, and no bullshit excuses) THEN YOU BOTH WIN.

Hint Hint: Call Mike Bender, order something around 1900.00 and i bet you'll get it in 6-9 if you ask nice.
Anyone tells you that he doesn't make one hell of a cue, is a knuckle head!

 

[AtLarge]

whatever you do stay away from unilock joints they suck the chrome off hitch balls....stick to piloted and flat faced joints.

Uni-Loc makes more than one type of joint. I imagine you are referring to the quick-release types, which do have some detractors. But Uni-Loc also makes the radial joint pin, which seems to be well regarded by most everyone.

 

[Misha]

Uni-Loc makes more than one type of joint. I imagine you are referring to the quick-release types, which do have some detractors. But Uni-Loc also makes the radial joint pin, which seems to be well regarded by most everyone.

Absolutely correct, IMHO. Quick release is a marketing tool, and it DOES affect hit. I didn't know they are same company that makes my brand, the radial pin. No problem. I once owned a Viking radial pin (2 whole days), and I hated it so much, I dogged a match just so I could lose it to the sucker that got it with some class.

I've heard great things about Mike Bender stuff. If I was 30 years younger, I could afford the wait time, and I would, probably.................(Just a thought for you youngsters

However, there are a lot of guys making cues now. Some full time, some just getting started. I even got some calls from the latter........Sure, I might go with a new guy, (and have, many times to help them out mostly), the mediocre ones usually sell their equipment after the first year of trying to get rich.

The really great seem to all say this: "If I won a million bucks playing the lottery, I'd still make cues until it was all gone." That's heart and that's passion.....:wink:

If you got the addiction, then there is NO program that seems to work in the pool biz. :sorry:

 

[kasparovII]

Well I like a taper that runs between 11-12"! 12.8m/m shaft! I use a 3/4' ferule with a Moori Med tip on my personal playing cue! That is what really responds the best for me. I also use the radial joint pin too!

Yes my website is up and running. I have a few cues on there to give you some ideas. right now I dont have anything available other than the Curly on Curly that I have posted up on here! Give me a call sometime!

Nice cues, the ebony with burl points really looks great!

 

[chaozzzsg]

well..after looking through the post, i would have to say everyone pretty much have answered your question.

I would add that is to find cues from the maker to try the hit, since 'hit' can be contributed by not only the wood, points/inlay, but also the technique of the maker.

2 cues with identical specs and wood combination might not hit exactly the same, so its best if you could try as many cue as possible.

Some of the better hitting cue i have hit with are:

Sugartree, Mike Bender, Zylr, Josey, dennis searing, and Bluegrass (there's still so many cues out there i have not tried )

Just my humble opinion