First custom cue

V

VinnieJones

Registered
Hi,

Hopefully this isn't to close to any existing threads that are out there. I searched as best as I could but couldn't find anything exactly matching what I was looking for. I am hoping to order my first custom cue after my search for comparisons on pred vs ob1 shafts let me here and to the decision to buy a custom instead of a higher end mass production cue.

What I'm hoping is that folks here will be able to make a few recommendations on custom cues, as well as including contact information and or websites for the makes. I've noticed that some of the names mention here are rather hard to track down through google.

I can spend anywhere from $500 - $2000, would probably lean towards exotic woods or a more classic point cue, and I would prefer if the manufacturer doesn't have a two year wait as I read sugartree is running right now. Oh, and I'm also willing to switch to a laminated shaft such as the 314 or OB1, but I don't really know if that is a good idea for matching with a custom cue. I'll toss some information down below to help narrow things down.

- Play at an intermediate - advanced level I guess. Div 2 in Triple-e in Edmonton, have played Walmac -bartable format - as well. Currently I'm playing exclusively 8-ball

- Have been playing competitively for 6 years, but essentially I've been playing since I was old enough to hold a cue and see the table properly.

- Current playing cue is a Viking G56 with custom inlays but stock shaft. I also own a McDermott Bocote woods of the world, and a Players Vintage. Have also played with Meucci's and Dufferines.

- Prefer the feel of a wood to wood joint, SS joints have always felt a bit artificial to me. I like the feedback I get from a flat joint, but would consider making the switch to a metal joint if I need to. Then again people tell me my Viking sounds like it's cracked, so I may not be a good judge on this one.

- Will play with anything from a sneaky to a full on work of art, but I guess my preference would be a more classic point design or an exotic wood build.

- Didn't really like the Black Dot Meucci shaft, had more success with the red dot, but probably just didn't give it enough play time to make the transition.


I hope this is enough information, but if you need any more I'll toss it up. Thank you very much for your help



Edit: Forgot to add I'm okay with everything but a non-laminated wrap. The linen wrap on my Players self-destructed after about a year which was fairly disappointing.
 
VinnieJones said:
Hi,

Hopefully this isn't to close to any existing threads that are out there. I searched as best as I could but couldn't find anything exactly matching what I was looking for. I am hoping to order my first custom cue after my search for comparisons on pred vs ob1 shafts let me here and to the decision to buy a custom instead of a higher end mass production cue.

What I'm hoping is that folks here will be able to make a few recommendations on custom cues, as well as including contact information and or websites for the makes. I've noticed that some of the names mention here are rather hard to track down through google.

I can spend anywhere from $500 - $2000, would probably lean towards exotic woods or a more classic point cue, and I would prefer if the manufacturer doesn't have a two year wait as I read sugartree is running right now. Oh, and I'm also willing to switch to a laminated shaft such as the 314 or OB1, but I don't really know if that is a good idea for matching with a custom cue. I'll toss some information down below to help narrow things down.

- Play at an intermediate - advanced level I guess. Div 2 in Triple-e in Edmonton, have played Walmac -bartable format - as well. Currently I'm playing exclusively 8-ball

- Have been playing competitively for 6 years, but essentially I've been playing since I was old enough to hold a cue and see the table properly.

- Current playing cue is a Viking G56 with custom inlays but stock shaft. I also own a McDermott Bocote woods of the world, and a Players Vintage. Have also played with Meucci's and Dufferines.

- Prefer the feel of a wood to wood joint, SS joints have always felt a bit artificial to me. I like the feedback I get from a flat joint, but would consider making the switch to a metal joint if I need to. Then again people tell me my Viking sounds like it's cracked, so I may not be a good judge on this one.

- Will play with anything from a sneaky to a full on work of art, but I guess my preference would be a more classic point design or an exotic wood build.

- Didn't really like the Black Dot Meucci shaft, had more success with the red dot, but probably just didn't give it enough play time to make the transition.


I hope this is enough information, but if you need any more I'll toss it up. Thank you very much for your help



Edit: Forgot to add I'm okay with everything but a non-laminated wrap. The linen wrap on my Players self-destructed after about a year which was fairly disappointing.
Click to expand...

Hello I am a dealer for Billy Webb Custom Cues and I currently have a number on hand, they used a 3/8-10 Pin they come with two shafts and they have a wood to wood joint.

Here is a link to Bills Website:

http://www.billwebbcues.com/

PM me if you have any interest, and have a great night.
 
Some recommendations, after considering your budget, joint preference and wait time, in no particular order:

Keith Josey: kjosey@joseycues.com, www.joseycues.com
Kenneth Murrell: ktmurrell@msn.com
James White: MotteyCues@aol.com
Bryan Mordt: you can pm him here

I have had great experiences ordering cues from them, and wont hesitate to recommend them to anyone. I think all 4 above have a wait time of less than 1.5years and each of their cues have their own characteristics, it shouldnt be hard seaching for examples of their cues on the forum or their websites.

While you can always go with the cuemakers standard specs for butt handle, shaft taper, balance point etc. I will advise that you do more research, besides the joint and wrap, find out what specifications you like for your cue, eg. balance point, length, weight (of butt and shaft), ferrule material, tip, diameter of butt handle, shaft taper. I also think forearm woods have different characteristics (uncored), eg. ebony vs. bocote.

314 or ob1 with customised ringwork etc. should not be a problem for all cuemakers, so you might like to ask the cuemakers to make 1 or 2 of those shafts, in addition to their normal shafts, just to try them out. might be good to let them know what game u play most.

Also, if possible, dont rule out the 2nd hand market, the "wanted/for sale" forum here is great to get good deals for cues that you might have to wait for a couple of years (and maybe cost more expensive) if you ordered directly.
 
I know how you feel I just recently made the jump into custom cues myself. I went to the Derby City Classic and tried several different types of cues. I tried a Tascarella and fell in love. If you want a cue with a steel joint this is the way to go. I also really like James White and Paul Mottey cues. If you are going with a flat faced wood to wood, I would recommend a Richard Harris (Bluegrass), Mike Bender, Mike Capone, or Jeff Olney, or Ariel Carmelli. I would also recommend buying a cue here on the AZ. It is the best place on the net to find what you want. The cues I have purchased here have been extremely well taken care of and are almost like new. You will get what you want much cheaper and you will get it within a week.
 
manwon said:
Hello I am a dealer for Billy Webb Custom Cues and I currently have a number on hand, they used a 3/8-10 Pin they come with two shafts and they have a wood to wood joint.

Here is a link to Bills Website:

http://www.billwebbcues.com/

PM me if you have any interest, and have a great night.
Click to expand...

I know nothing about Billy Webb cues but i did visit his site and if they play as good as they look they are winners. Just great designs and the butterfly cues are just plain sick.
 
measureman said:
I know nothing about Billy Webb cues but i did visit his site and if they play as good as they look they are winners. Just great designs and the butterfly cues are just plain sick.
Click to expand...

These cues are built on the design that was made famous by Paul Kersenbrock. They are all a standard 58 inches long, and they use a Parabolic Taper, as for there hit, they are very similar to South West, Omega DPK, or Bender cues.

In my opinion they certainly do play as good as they look.

Take care
 
manwon said:
These cues are built on the design that was made famous by Paul Kersenbrock. They are all a standard 58 inches long, and they use a Parabolic Taper, as for there hit, they are very similar to South West, Omega DPK, or Bender cues.

In my opinion they certainly do play as good as they look.

Take care
Click to expand...
I don't want to change the thread but what is a Parabolic taper?
 
measureman said:
I don't want to change the thread but what is a Parabolic taper?
Click to expand...

It is a double taper of the cues forearm, that allows the cue to transmit more energy when the cue ball is hit. The design was built using the principles of a Parabolic Curve, the easiest way to see if a cue has a parabolic taper is to roll the cues butt on a table. If the cue has a parabolic taper the first few inches will not be touching the table, but will still roll true if made correctly.

Hope this helps,
 
Reply

Darren Hill in McHenry, IL makes beautiful cues and they play phenominal. He can do pretty much whatever you want and his pin is his own design and is the solidest joint I have ever felt, thought my mezz united was till I tried his and it blew it away. His website is hillscues.com if you'd like to see work he's done as well as his contact info and a bit about him.

Hope this helps
 
Hi everyone, thanks for all of the replies. I took two pieces of advice actually and splurged a bit. I ended up buying a used sugartree off of the buy/sell forums, and I've also been talking to Bryan Mordt about having him make me a cue. I'm very excited about both of them though. Thanks a ton!
 
VinnieJones said:
Hi everyone, thanks for all of the replies. I took two pieces of advice actually and splurged a bit. I ended up buying a used sugartree off of the buy/sell forums, and I've also been talking to Bryan Mordt about having him make me a cue. I'm very excited about both of them though. Thanks a ton!
Click to expand...

Vinnie -

This might come a little late, but I recommend trying several cues before having one built.

Find what you like and go to that builder.

Ken
 
Ken_4fun said:
Vinnie -

This might come a little late, but I recommend trying several cues before having one built.

Find what you like and go to that builder.

Ken
Click to expand...

I would love to, but to be honest I'm not sure if there is a single person around with a custom here. I'm fairly sure the old guy playing 9-ball the last time I was out practicing was using a Josey, but there isn't a single person I know with a custom never mind knowing me enough to let me try it.
 
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