Quote:
Originally Posted by Skeebs
Leon,
This is my first post on AZ, so please understand if I give you some background and ask a few questions. First, I should tell you my BCA level is strong A who sometimes plays like a master. But I'm not loaded like one of my longtime BCA partners (who is a strong A) who orders a new custom cue every 4-6 months, at an average of maybe $800 or more apiece. He must have maybe 12-15 cues valued at well over $10K. He can afford to have such a hobby. I tend to look at the lower range, and because I like sneakys (my hand slips on linen), it's a good fit because they're generally cheaper, unless they're really fancy. Years ago, I bought a gorgeous Diveney cocabola butterflied sneaky on Ebay that I got for $575, but at 19.4 oz, I had to return it (I prefer high 17's to mid-18's). Because of its weight, I didn't want to buy it and risk having to return it, but the smooth-talking seller (sheister was more like it) convinced me that the cue's great balance would offset the extra weight. He was wrong. Because I bought it before Diveney became big and his cues exploded in price, I wish I had held onto it just to flip it later. But flipping isn't my bag. Finding a beautiful sneaky is. And yours appears to be such a cue.
So I have a few questions, the first of which is based on my experience from years of shopping for nice custom sneakys made of either my favorite wood (coca) or perhaps my 2nd fav (bocote). But a problem I soon encountered was that because those two woods (like ebony) are dense, most sneakys made of those woods (seemingly 95%) are too heavy for my liking (usually at least low 19's, but usually heavier). So my question is, assuming that your cue has a standard length bore in the butt, is the weight shown in your ad (18.5 oz I think) pretty accurate? And if it is, did you have to bore an additional length to make it down to that weight? I guess my second question is - which is probably the most common question in cue transactions, and which I hope won't offend an accomplished cue maker like you - is whether the cue is dead straight. My partner (referenced above) has, on rare occasions, dropped big money on cues purchased from reputable sites, only to have them show up not straight. In one case, a cue that came with two shafts was crooked with both shafts attached, and in short order, the tips fell off both. I guess what I'm saying is because even big cities like Portland, Oregon (where I live) seem to suck as far as having many places that sell cues (especially ones that are custom made), it limits most cue purchases to on-line deals, which means the buyer has no chance to hold the cue and take some shots with it to see if he likes the feel. Finally, about the beautiful tiger eyes on your cue. Are they on one side only? Or is the opposite side equally wild (is "heavily figured" the term?).
Please understand that it's not that I'm trying to be too picky. Instead, because I can't feel it and hit a few shots before buying an on-line cue, I ask questions and do the best so I can to avoid a possible return scenario.
Sorry for the long message. I guess being a first-time poster on AZ I just wanted to give you a little background and my rationale for asking some questions.
Thanks,
Skeebs
Was not sold out from underneath you,,,sorry you didnt know how things work on here,,but if cuemaker or seller gets a pm stateing someone wants the cue or item, they sell,,not go check the post again...That useually happends after you take care of pm"s and emails... Some go by first come first serve. Some will sell to who ever they want,,And im sure after your last post you dont have to worry about getting a cue from Sly. Unless you buy one from someone else.. And also someone reads what you posted in the other thread im sure the wont even deal with you as they will think your trouble waiting to happen .... sorry thats the way I see it and many others
