First Custom Cue

juvieco36

juvieco36

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I have been playing pool on and off for around 20 years. When i was younger i had a custom ordered Joss that i sold 10 or so years ago. I now play with Joss and Schone cues and like the firm hit. I want to order new or buy used a custom cue. From reading many posts and checking the web sites of many cue builders i think an Onley cue or a Dayton would be a good first buy for me. I know Onley has about a 4 year waiting list going so i may need to go the used road on that one. What do you think? Any feed back would be great. I don't want to say price doesn't matter but i know you get what you pay for with these guys.

Thanks, Ken
 
"You get what you pay for".
That all depends on what you want. You do not need to pay a lot to get a good hitting custom cue if the cue is not fancy. Remember that most of the cost in a custom cue is the decoration. If you want a pretty cue that plays well, your statement may be true. If you want a cue where your money goes in to the playability of the cue, it does not have to be real expensive. It is just a piece of wood that hits the ball. There is not that much you can do to make it hit the ball better. There is a lot you can do to make it look nicer! my .02
 
try as many cues as possible and figure out what you like, and the specs, buy a used cue right then get on a list for exactly what you want new, if you buy right you should get out of the first cue even or close to it, but try everything, forget names of makers hit balls with everything then when you find the cue that feels best then ask who made it-my point is let the feel of the cue determine your decision not the name of the builder. Try our some Szams and Bushkas too, i'm serious get a feel for everything, I didnt get a szam for years-I couldnt afford it but I had it in my mind, the more cues you try the happier you'll be with your decision-I promis you that.
 
True

That's kind of what i was thinking when i said you get what you pay for. When you start adding in the rings, points, veneers, ivory inlays and a 2nd shaft the price will rise. I expect to pay more for those things is kind of what i was trying to say in a nut shell.
 
juvieco36 said:
I have been playing pool on and off for around 20 years. When i was younger i had a custom ordered Joss that i sold 10 or so years ago. I now play with Joss and Schone cues and like the firm hit. I want to order new or buy used a custom cue. From reading many posts and checking the web sites of many cue builders i think an Onley cue or a Dayton would be a good first buy for me. I know Onley has about a 4 year waiting list going so i may need to go the used road on that one. What do you think? Any feed back would be great. I don't want to say price doesn't matter but i know you get what you pay for with these guys.

Thanks, Ken
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If you like the firm hit of your Joss and Schon, why not stick with them? Is it the "snob" appeal of a custom cue? Schon is custom grade. So is Joss. Unless you're going to buy a collectible cue, you're not really going to get a much better cue, in terms of quality, than what you already own. It's the Indian, not the arrow. I've owned plenty of arrows in my time - I now play with a production cue. I don't seem to be as bothered when the guy behind me whacks the butt of my cue with his when I'm playing with my McDermott instead of my $2000 Josey.
 
The Joss and Schon are great cues and i will keep them. I am looking to build a collection as well as play with them. I know where your coming from Theo. I know that it's the man not the cue.
 
I too have hit with many different cues over the years and after learning how a cue can affect my game, I picked up a used Joss cue 10 years ago and never laid it down since. It's a mid 80's custom model and plays great-for me. I too wanted a custom cue though and picked up a beautiful It's George cue loaded with all the trimming, but I always turn to the Joss. I agree with the others though, play with as many cues as you can before buying. Especially if you are going to use the cue for serious play. I can't stress that enough. It's all about the feel in your hands and mind. Not so much the name or beauty. If it's just a trophy to hit balls around with, look for a cuemaker that will sit down and work thru all the details. Getting a copy of the Blue Book of Cues may help with your research regarding cue makers.

ez
 
Hi Ken,

I would suggest one of two cues for your first custom. If you like the hit of your Schon and want to bump it up a notch, try a Nova cue. The maker, Nubs Wagner, worked for Schon in their infancy, and his cues have the same basic weight forward feel. Nubs used a dymondwood insert on his shafts, though, that really makes for a nice feel. His finishes are absolutely indestructable, too. He's stopped making cues and I feel that one day, they will be collectible. I use a Nova for my everyday player and I have several cues to choose from...

The next choice would be a BCM cue. Bryan is an upcoming new maker with enough years behind him to be a great maker, but yet with a realistic price and timeframe for completion. I think Bryan has some of the best shafts in the business. His attention to detail is great and he is a genuinely nice person to deal with.

Like Fatboy said, try a bunch of cues, maybe pick up a used model or two, and then decide exactly what you want. I also agree about trying out a Boti, Bushka, or a similiar high end cue. There is a reason that people pay the kind of money that these cues command. It gives you something to aspire to...

Good luck!

Steve
 
if you like the Schons and want to build a collection Collect great hitting and classic looking R series Schons. You'll get custom quaility and the thrill of hunting and finding .

Andy
 
On the hunt

That's what i'm doing now. I am asking everyone i meet at the pool hall what kind of stick they use and if i haven't hit one before i ask them to hit a few balls with it. I am new to Florida but am meeting a lot of new people this way.
 
juvieco36 said:
That's what i'm doing now. I am asking everyone i meet at the pool hall what kind of stick they use and if i haven't hit one before i ask them to hit a few balls with it. I am new to Florida but am meeting a lot of new people this way.
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if you're looking for playability, fit, finish and getting what you want, another choice is Josey Custom Cues. my bias aside ( i work with Kieth ) many great players think Keith makes one of the best playing cues out there as well as most consistent. some say they're not half bad to look at either ;). Keith's a good guy to deal with and wants to make sure his customers are pleased. if you want more info pm me here and i'll help you anyway i can. good luck finding "your" cue.
 
My first cue was a Schon R5. Played with it for about 20 years. If you like the feel of a older Schon buy a Jensen. There are a lot of good deals on the resale market.
 
Why not try SUGARTREE? They're known for great playing cues at affordable prices

Choosing the materials to be used on your custom cue like rare hardwoods, intricate inlays, etc., will add costs to the cue. Keeping it simple will improve the "feel" of the cue :)
 
skins said:
if you're looking for playability, fit, finish and getting what you want, another choice is Josey Custom Cues. my bias aside ( i work with Kieth ) many great players think Keith makes one of the best playing cues out there as well as most consistent. some say they're not half bad to look at either ;). Keith's a good guy to deal with and wants to make sure his customers are pleased. if you want more info pm me here and i'll help you anyway i can. good luck finding "your" cue.
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I hate to show my bias towards Keith as well, but I had three of his cues - a sneaky pete ($300), a plain jane maple ($700) and a fancy schmancy Blade 2 (won't tell you the price) from Keith. All the cues played the exact same way. Tight, solid, awesome power, and the most consistent cues I owned. Ended up getting rid of them due to "cuephoria" - you know, the belief that a newer custom cue will make you play better than your old custom cue. Wish I never got rid of any of the Joseys - I played my best pool with them.

Skins, say hi to Keith for me. I used to talk with him a bunch. You won't find a nicer guy. And, I love the fact that the guy's word is literally a verbal handshake - he never ran late on any timelines he gave me.
 
I will also chime in to say that Keith makes one helluva playing cue! :) He gives the same attention to detail, fit, and finish to all his cues...high end or low...and it is superb!!

Super stiff playing cues, with a lot of feedback. Keith and Sherri are great to deal with...must be that southern hospitality. :D

Lisa
 
i concur with hunter. i believe nova's to have one of the better hits under 3K and can be yours for very short $. i have tried just about every maker out there to back that statement up.
 
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