Gilbert vs. Varney

response

To Manwon, correct me if I'm wrong sir but this post is for people who wants to learn about cues and the game of pool correct. Not everyone here is a cuemaker. I'm not sure if you even are a cuemaker. I think you are kinda rude to imply that I don't know anything about cues. That's the reason for discussion boards, is to learn more.

But my original post states which is a better jump break cue not the cue maker.

Thanks to MattRDavis for standing up for me.
 
If someone's a complete jackass I don't tell them: "Not to be rude but, you're a complete jackass, and please don't take offense."

It's all about what's in between the commas. Whether it's actually offensive or not is up to the target... and they're usually justified in being offended whether it's reality or not.

Airing dirty laundry is under the same umbrella. You either retain your opinions in a self-respecting way or you act like an audience member on the Jerry Springer show.

And to stay on topic: I have been playing for 18 years (since I was 4!) and in all that time I have never used a more effective or comfortable feeling break cue than my Varney. I also have horrible jumping form due to lack of jumping practice but can still manage to jump balls with it when I try. I have one horrid looking dart-stroke...
 
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Well, for what it's worth, I play/break/jump with my Gilbert at bar tournaments. I'll just keep the 'fancy' cue in the case, I don't need it. In many ways, it plays better than my -bells n' whistles- cue.

With all cue comparisons, there's no substitute for finding one and hitting with it. Everyone's got an opinion, but it's yours that counts. For me, it's pretty much gotta be natural materials and solid workmanship (which means no phenolic tip for me!).

-s
 
Okay, i'm convinced. I want a Varney. Where can I see some of his cues, how do I order, what's the lead time?

Thanks in advance.
 
ghost ball said:
Okay, i'm convinced. I want a Varney. Where can I see some of his cues, how do I order, what's the lead time?

Thanks in advance.
Send me a pm and we can go over options, details, pics, price, shipping,etc.
Thank you.
 
Originally Posted by worriedbeef
tbh i feel no matter how much manwon stresses he means no offence in his putting down of Kevin's cues in comparison to gilbert's, what he was saying is still inherently rude and a bit irrelevant as well.

If reality is inherently rude then yes, manwon's statement is inherently rude.

You don't think saying that his cues are like comparing a flintlock to a machine gun to someone who's spent many years perfecting his trade, is passionate about it and it's his means of income, and who posts here regularly and is going to read it, you don't think making that statement is a bit rude at all? terrible sentence btw i know.

Quote:
but if as some people are saying that it's in the area of fancy inlays and bells and whistles that varney can't compete, then why is it even relevant?


No one said this. Varney does very well for himself, in his niche. And what's this "bells and whistle" crap? Properly executed points and veneers and finish are not extraneous aspects of cuebuilding.

the point being made and implied by some is that the area in which mr varney loses out to gilbert is in the, and yes i stand by my statement, bells and whistles. ie fancy inlays, expensive decorative aspects of a cue. my point was even if this is the case, surely this is irrelevant to the original question? the man wants to know which cue breaks and jumps better!

Quote:
i do think some of the "kevin is a great cuemaker, but even he would agree he's not in the same boat as such and such" comments are a little patronising and uncalled for.


Once again, I don't see how reality can be patronizing. Say we substitute Gilbert with Herceck, or Mottey, or Tascarella. Would it be patronizing to say, "Kevin is a great cuemaker, but even he would agree he's not in the same boat as Herceck, or Mottey, or Tascarella"?

Yes i do believe that. whether something is true or not doesn't define whether it's patronising or not - they are seperate issues. in this case i think it was patronising to say it because we all know he's a regular forumer and is going to read it. you don't agree it's patronising and a bit rude to read a post saying "varney makes good cues don't get me wrong, but we all know they're inferior to such and such however" which was the general gist of the point. besides, what if he doesn't agree with it? maybe he thinks he can make cues as good as herceck and mottey? the patronising part was just taking it as fact that he's not as good, and also just assuming naturally he'll agree himself. why should he?


Quote:
one thing that did amuse me is that whenever Kevin is involved in any debate, argument or disagreement, buddha emerges from the woodwork to try and stir things up.

I'm glad my involvement amuses you.

lol
-Roger

__________
 
Please consider this a sincere question.

Why is it that always seems to a heated discussion that involves Varney and his cues?

There seems to be many that think his cues are great and those that don't. It just seems to get nearly out of control when discussing Varney.

May be this also happens with other cue makers that I just haven't seen.

Just curious and looking for an answer.

Steve
 
sde said:
Please consider this a sincere question.

Why is it that always seems to a heated discussion that involves Varney and his cues?

There seems to be many that think his cues are great and those that don't. It just seems to get nearly out of control when discussing Varney.

May be this also happens with other cue makers that I just haven't seen.

Just curious and looking for an answer.

Steve
Ive never seen anyone say they DONT like his cues...... It comes down to some people like to start crap for entertainment purposes. And if they see someone whose skin they can get under..... it escalates. For whatever reason, some people have chosen to follow him around and start crap. Its been old and getting older for quite some time. Its like elementary school all over again.
Chuck
 
worriedbeef said:
whether something is true or not doesn't define whether it's patronising or not - they are seperate issues.

It could be taken that way by someone who is either delusional, overly sensitive and defensive, or both.

besides, what if he doesn't agree with it? maybe he thinks he can make cues as good as herceck and mottey?

See, therein lies the problem with Mr. Varney. I think he really does consider himself on par with a Mottey, or a Herceck...and that is delusional. Wouldn't you agree?

Let me put it this way. Would Cuttino Mobley find it patronizing if someone compared him as a lesser shooting guard to Michael Jordan?

the patronising part was just taking it as fact that he's not as good, and also just assuming naturally he'll agree himself. why should he?

Maybe because it's true?

-Roger
 
sde said:
Please consider this a sincere question.

Why is it that always seems to a heated discussion that involves Varney and his cues?

Well, there is forum history at play here. If you really want to know why this happens, get yourself a comfortable chair and read about 200 archived threads, lol.

May be this also happens with other cue makers that I just haven't seen.

No, it really doesn't.

-Roger
 
buddha162 said:
Well, there is forum history at play here. If you really want to know why this happens, get yourself a comfortable chair and read about 200 archived threads, lol.

-Roger

Thanks for the tip. Post the links for me and I'll get started asap:D

Steve
 
Who says that Kevin Varney has not "paid his dues". What are those dues and how does one pay then and to whom?

There are many excellent cuemakers in the United States and around the world who are unknown to the pool world at large but who are making fantastic cues in both hit, fit and finish.

Mr. Varney may be a bit brash in his self-promotion but he does do one thing well and that is to make a good hitting cue. Of late his cues have been getting quite favorable reviews and that is one thing that stands out beyond his own self promotion.

A plain jane Gilbert and a plain jane Varney probably have very little difference between them in terms of hit, fit and finish. Hit, being subjective, will probably differ for most people. Having shot with both and owned both I can say that for me they are very close.

If I were to say that there are small cuemakers in Taiwan who are making cues that are the equal of anything made in the USA I am sure that a very large portion of the audience would find that statement laughable. My response would be to ask if they have experienced all the cues made in Taiwan. The answer would be no, they haven't.

Making good cues is not a technological or financial hurdle. It is a mental hurdle however to choose to develop your understanding of all the components and your touch and feel so that you can build solid pieces which feel good to good players.

Some people have "it" and others don't. A lot of people have all the tools and their cues look great but they don't have "it". People like Andy Gilbert, Ted Harris, Dennis Searing, Kevin Varney, Judd Fuller, Tim Scruggs, and others like them have the "it" in hit that resonates with good players.

And then some of these cuemakers don't have it when it comes to business. Late deliveries - Searing, Cues held hostage - Harris, Endless Self Promotion - Varney (although this has toned down lately).

But in the end the cues are the final proof.
 
lsabado said:
To Manwon, correct me if I'm wrong sir but this post is for people who wants to learn about cues and the game of pool correct. Not everyone here is a cuemaker. I'm not sure if you even are a cuemaker. I think you are kinda rude to imply that I don't know anything about cues. That's the reason for discussion boards, is to learn more.

But my original post states which is a better jump break cue not the cue maker.

Thanks to MattRDavis for standing up for me.

Bubba, you are right in everything you said. I think that I should take a little more time to full read threads more closely in the future. I apologize to you and Kevin, I never had any intention of causing this much drama, however, I did and I am truly sorry for high jacking this post.
I completely agree that this forum is designed for people to learn more about subjects that they enjoy, and that also includes me.

Again I am sorry, and have a nice night!!!!!!
 
manwon said:
Bubba, you are right in everything you said. I think that I should take a little more time to full read threads more closely in the future. I apologize to you and Kevin, I never had any intention of causing this much drama, however, I did and I am truly sorry for high jacking this post.
I completely agree that this forum is designed for people to learn more about subjects that they enjoy, and that also includes me.

Again I am sorry, and have a nice night!!!!!!
Your a Hell of a guy Manwon.enjoy those Cascades ...:)
 
This is an extremely interesting thread, and since it has seemed to move past just J/B cues, I will say this...Mr. Varney, you have certainly peaked my interest with your passion. As an avid cue nut for the past 16 years, I’m always on the lookout for great playing cues, but they have to appeal to my eye also. I love inlays in my cues. So to me, you are appealing to a limited audience with your statements below:

Rest assured you won't see any Varney full of inlays in the future either. It’s my choice to make clean, understated, player style cues. That’s what I like...that’s what I build. I just last night turned down an order for a cue because he wanted lots of silver inlays. I just will not deviate from my style.

To me, these comments say; I am either not talented enough, do not have the right equipment, am not willing to learn, or am too stubborn to do this…

DSC00315.JPG


because all I want to do is this…

07Bem_FrontView_apart.jpg


This what I read into your comments. I know that is not your intent, but that is the first thing that comes to my mind.

In my opinion, you have to be able to execute a cue to this level…

gilbert-matt-17-fh.jpg


before you can expect to garner the level of respect Andy Gilbert has received for his work.

We all know Andy also makes, and has made many players style cues. I'm sure your players cues are very solid, and from what I've read, play very well. But what I believe people are saying in this thread is, there is a huge difference between a cuemaker who produces a players cue, and a cuemaker who makes great playing works of art.
 
There seems to be a lot of thin skin when it comes to cuemakers. I've noticed this in the case of threads involving cuemakers in general, and it seems particularly common in threads involving Varney. Seriously, someone can opine that cuemaker A is better than cuemaker B, or even less offensively state, I prefer cuemaker A to cuemaker B without it being an insult to cuemaker B.

At least, we can do it all the time here when it comes to pool players. Watch, I'll do it right now: Efren can give Scott Frost and Cliff Joyner at least 9-8. I'll do it again: Duel can give Chohan the 8 ball.

Did I just call Frost, Joyner, and Chohan hacks? No, I just said there are others who are better. The current population of the earth is 6,574,515,320, so for 6,574,515,319 of us, there's always someone better.

Cory
 
manwon said:
I apologize to you and Kevin
No harm, no foul sir. This forum is a learning experience for us all...myself included. May the future hold the very best for you.
KV
 
Cory in DC said:
At least, we can do it all the time here when it comes to pool players.



Cory

The difference is very clear & quite simple. Pool players want to look bad...to improve the spot & action. Cuemakers don't as their rep is a large part of their livelihood. Poolplayers are not selling anything...their sole concern is matching up, tournaments & personal performance.
 
To stick to the original discussion, i have owned both a Gilbert J/B and Varney J/B..for breaking i prefer the Varney J/B..i have a lousy break but the Varney break serves to amplify the damage done to the rack.. i dont jump with the Varney since i use a darting stroke, the Gilbert does jump reasonably well by darting though. Playwise Gilbert is better.

If you are just concerned about the effectiveness for breaking, you wont go wrong with either. Both are monster breakers(i prefer them over xbreaker and bk) but i will recommend going for a Varney break.
 
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