Factory or Cue Maker?

[98falstaff]

I have a Viking cue that I picked up and would like it rewrapped and another shaft made. I could send it to Viking for the work, about $150. Also there is a new cue maker in the area. He's been doing this for about a year and a half. I've seen one of his new shafts the other day and it looks like he has it down, but he's charging around $200 dollars for the shaft. I'm willing to pay for quality work, but do up and coming cue makers usually charge full price until they are more established and get their name out there? He is a great guy and seems very knowledgable and is also a great player. I've never used a cuemaker and am just curious. Thanks.

 

[97Buick22]

I thought Viking has closed down. A year and a half is a relatively short time in cuemaker years of experience. I would recommend Ryan (RAT) or KJ to do the work for you. Both have tons of experience and turn out quality work.

 

[cueman]

The word I heard is someone bought the factory and is reopening Viking with the younger Hart family running it for him. That is great news for our industry.
So with that in mind I think the cue holds it value better with original Viking parts and the price is very fair.

 

[Trent]

200 for a shaft that should have just been finished since he started 1.5yrs ago is really steep i charge 90 for a shaft and 50 for a linnen wrap so 150 sounds right to me.

i second either sending it to rat or viking.

 

[GBCues]

I have a Viking cue that I picked up and would like it rewrapped and another shaft made. I could send it to Viking for the work, about $150. Also there is a new cue maker in the area. He's been doing this for about a year and a half. I've seen one of his new shafts the other day and it looks like he has it down, but he's charging around $200 dollars for the shaft. I'm willing to pay for quality work, but do up and coming cue makers usually charge full price until they are more established and get their name out there? He is a great guy and seems very knowledgable and is also a great player. I've never used a cuemaker and am just curious. Thanks.

I would agree that his price for a new custom shaft is high. Perhaps the demand for his work is higher than he can keep up with, so he intentionally quotes high to see how bad people want that shaft (or butt or cue or whatever).

But with regard to his experience, it depends on what he did before he started building cues. If, for example, he was a custom cabinet maker for 20+ years before venturing into cues, then it's not like he just started working with exotic wood a mere 1-1/2 years ago.

My 2 cents,

Gary

 

[treed]

prices of cue work

i think that some charge higher prices,due to not wanting large volumes of work,most of these people want simple,quick money (tips,ferrules),and easily understood,time has a value,most cuemakers average less mininum wage per hour,we just love what we do.

 

[sonofthunder]

I vote factory

Send it to the people who are "the most familiar" the cue. They built it.
Viking
Paul Sumrall
S&S Cues

 

[tsp&b]

I believe Viking is reopened and most of the original workers are still employed. It's just my opinion but I would recommend sending it to the factory.

 

[cueman]

$$$ for a shaft that should have just been finished since he started 1.5yrs ago is really steep i charge $$ for a shaft and $$ for a linnen wrap so $$$ sounds right to me.

i second either sending it to rat or viking.

If Arnot has not already PMed you over quoting prices you might want to edit them out before he does. :smile:

 

[Guerra Cues]

200 for a shaft that should have just been finished since he started 1.5yrs ago is really steep i charge 90 for a shaft and 50 for a linnen wrap so 150 sounds right to me.

i second either sending it to rat or viking.

Trent,
Just because you charge $90.00 does not mean other people have to do it as well.
I know a couple of cuemakers that nobody knows and they have started doing cues not for too long and the quality of their work is phenomenal. I would not mind to pay the $200.00 because it is quality work.
Nobody puts a price tag on my cues or repair work just because I started doing it.
If you do quality work and don't have to live off of it I think you have to charge a fair price in order to be true to yourself and to the quality of your work.

 

[Arnot Wadsworth]

If Arnot has not already PMed you over quoting prices you might want to edit them out before he does. :smile:

I like the way you slipped that in....... You make me out the Ogre.

I believe the forum rules apply to everyone. Trent is not an exception. Not only that.....In my opinion - No cuemaker should undermine another cuemaker by saying he is overpriced. That is pure jealousy.

Then to quote a lower price turns this forum into a bidding/sales forum which is clearly against the rules.

 

[ComptonCustomCues]

In this case I agree with arnot. Stating someone's price is to high is one thing I try not to do. And I know viking has some funny ringwork so matching the ringwork and providing a quality shaft as well as a rewrap is imo in the 200-225 range. Fair price for good work.

 

[LGSM3]

so you know he does quality work, and quotes a price equivalent to some of the high end guys who do quality work....right? So are you just hoping to possibly capitalize on the fact that hes a new cuemaker?

 

[ComptonCustomCues]

?? Are you talking to me? I do not know how the quality is....who it is or who the object poster is. And quality work has very little to do with the time as a cue maker. It has to do with desire to do good work and not let it out of the shop unless it is. It has to do with the standards one holds himself or herself too. Its not just in cue making but in all walks of life.

 

[LGSM3]

?? Are you talking to me? I do not know how the quality is....who it is or who the object poster is. And quality work has very little to do with the time as a cue maker. It has to do with desire to do good work and not let it out of the shop unless it is. It has to do with the standards one holds himself or herself too. Its not just in cue making but in all walks of life.

no...........

 

[cueman]

I like the way you slipped that in....... You make me out the Ogre.

I believe the forum rules apply to everyone. Trent is not an exception. Not only that.....In my opinion - No cuemaker should undermine another cuemaker by saying he is overpriced. That is pure jealousy.

Then to quote a lower price turns this forum into a bidding/sales forum which is clearly against the rules.

I agree with you. I am one that has received PM's from you reminding me about that rule and others have posted that you PMed them reminders also. So I was trying in a gentle humorus way to remind him about the rule, and give him a chance to take care of it before he gets reported to Mr Wilson. Many of us are not in as high of a dollar area as you are and can charge less. Others are in a higher dollar area than you and probably need to charge more. So I do understand the rule. That rule was not part of the original Cuemaker forum rules, but was added later. After hearing your reasons for wanting that rule in place I think I agree with you and the rule in most cases.

 

[avscue]

I have a Viking cue that I picked up and would like it rewrapped and another shaft made. I could send it to Viking for the work, about $150. Also there is a new cue maker in the area. He's been doing this for about a year and a half. I've seen one of his new shafts the other day and it looks like he has it down, but he's charging around $200 dollars for the shaft. I'm willing to pay for quality work, but do up and coming cue makers usually charge full price until they are more established and get their name out there? He is a great guy and seems very knowledgable and is also a great player. I've never used a cuemaker and am just curious. Thanks.

kinda vague question. first-Viking has reopened, it was purchased by a long time friend of the Harts. the employees have returned. as far as the work you are inquiring, a large company as viking has the means to produce (or reproduce) parts at a lower price than a local cuemaker. at times this can be an issue as the more parts-the more things go wrong so a local cuemaker may be a better option. shafts do vary and so does the price. is it maple or spliced,ring work or none, insert or none, special taper, ageus,ivorine, juma, and other materials for ferrules, what kind of tip? these are all mechanical things that can change the price of a shaft and i haven't even got to procedures to do make it. if it were my cue, i would ponder this:

do i want the factory parts (so as to keep the continuity of the cue complete) or would i like to vary a couple things to customize for me.

get that answered and you'll know the direction you'll want to take.

happy shooting....andy

 

[stlerdave]

Dont think Trent was wanting his business. He suggested Rat or Viking. Just trying to steer the guy in a good direction.:thumbup:

 

[cueman]

Dont think Trent was wanting his business. He suggested Rat or Viking. Just trying to steer the guy in a good direction.:thumbup:

Nobody is saying he was trying to get the business. The point has been made before that people quoting prices on here causes grief for some cuemakers. It can almost turn into a auction where the lowest bidder gets the work. It does not bother me much, but some it does bother and giving the prices is against the rules.

 

[manwon]

I have a Viking cue that I picked up and would like it rewrapped and another shaft made. I could send it to Viking for the work, about $150. Also there is a new cue maker in the area. He's been doing this for about a year and a half. I've seen one of his new shafts the other day and it looks like he has it down, but he's charging around $200 dollars for the shaft. I'm willing to pay for quality work, but do up and coming cue makers usually charge full price until they are more established and get their name out there? He is a great guy and seems very knowledgable and is also a great player. I've never used a cuemaker and am just curious. Thanks.

The mans work is worth what he can get out of it, there is much more to the subject than how long he has been doing the work. What type of shaft is it, how good are the materials used to make it, what type of tip and ferrule material are used on his shafts, how good is the Maple used to make the shaft?

I think if Viking will re-wrap your cue and make you another shaft for $150 I would look no farther, that is mighty cheap when all is considered and I also doubt you will find anyone cheaper, if the best price is what you are looking for.

JIMO