Help with next cue purchase

[TATE]

Then again, he can buy it now and resell at a 50% profit because it's from an established cue maker. Now I understand.

It's not a $1200 cue if no one will pay that for it. IMHO.

To me, Schons are better than most of the customs I've played with and they are right in with this players budget. They have the right balance, taper, and hit. I think a Schon is a cue that most custom makers would fail in a direct comparison as far as quality, balance, overall feel, service by the maker, reputation, and longevity.

The reason why I suggested buying a used Schon is because, if after a few months he doesn't like it, this particular cue can be sold pretty easily for $600 or more.

Now, lets say he goes to a custom maker, plops down his deposit, waits four to six months and gets an $800 plain jane. If he doesn't like it he can get 50 cents on his dollar.

Would I pay $1200 for a Schon? Yes, indeed I have! And it was even made 20 years ago.

Chris

 

[ScottR]

To me, Schons are better than most of the customs I've played with and they are right in with this players budget. They have the right balance, taper, and hit. I think a Schon is a cue that most custom makers would fail in a direct comparison as far as quality, balance, overall feel, service by the maker, reputation, and longevity.
Would I pay $1200 for a Schon? Yes, indeed I have! And it was even made 20 years ago.

Chris

I'm not looking for a bad rep on these forums. I was not trashing high end production cues like the ones mentioned above.

I also have owned and played with McDermotts, Schon (1982 bought hot off the lathe at Romine's in Milwaukee), and Joss (custom and production). I haven't had the pleasure of trying a Pechaur (sp?). To me Joss are the easiest to play with and Schon for better players. I also have not played with late model McDermott (so no offense intended Steve), and I bought a B series as my first cue and I still have it.

I appears that Jersey lives near me and I've offered to let him test my cues - production and custom, established makers and newbies, and see for himself.

Over and out . . . . .

 

[drivermaker]

Then again, he can buy it now and resell at a 50% profit because it's from an established cue maker. Now I understand.

It's not a $1200 cue if no one will pay that for it. IMHO.

My understanding is that he's not in the cue buying and selling business. He just wants a good looking, good playing, good quality cue to play with.

And do you think because someone owns a lathe and has a business card with the word "custom" cue maker on it that you or anyone else is going to automatically turn a profit from every cuemaker out there. A low end startup custom cuemaker's cues take a nose dive just as well if you want to resell. There aren't very many out there that are in high demand for collectibility and profit. If you think otherwise, well....you'll learn pretty quickly.

Would you like to share some of your profit stories of cue purchases and sales? Who were the makers...what did you purchase for $$...what did you sell for $$... Me....I just like to buy them, enjoy looking at them, and shoot with them. That's all I think Jersey wants too, and if he doesn't, an $800 cue isn't where he'll be making a killing.

 

[ScottR]

My understanding is that he's not in the cue buying and selling business. He just wants a good looking, good playing, good quality cue to play with.

And do you think because someone owns a lathe and has a business card with the word "custom" cue maker on it that you or anyone else is going to automatically turn a profit from every cuemaker out there. A low end startup custom cuemaker's cues take a nose dive just as well if you want to resell. There aren't very many out there that are in high demand for collectibility and profit. If you think otherwise, well....you'll learn pretty quickly.

Would you like to share some of your profit stories of cue purchases and sales? Who were the makers...what did you purchase for $$...what did you sell for $$... Me....I just like to buy them, enjoy looking at them, and shoot with them. That's all I think Jersey wants too, and if he doesn't, an $800 cue isn't where he'll be making a killing.

Ok. Let my try again, since you've already judged me guilty and my only hope is not to be sentenced to hanging in the sentencing phase of your self-directed trial of me. Read my post above where I try to clarify my points about so-called "production" cues. That's my contrite rebuttal.

My point of view is that even in today's crowded cue market and with inflation, $800 is a lot for someone to pay for a cue - at least your average joe like me. I already rescinded my comment about avoiding "production" cues because I realize that I was condeming some really well made, quality cues by lumping them with others that don't meet those qualifications. My bad and I admitted to everyone that I stepped in my own s&*t.

I don't think that anyone with a lathe and access to a business card is building "collectible" cues. I DO believe that there are some damn good cue makers out there that few people have heard of. I don't know . . . . Mike Capone in 1990. Or, Mike Bender in 1987. Everyone's got to start somewhere, and overcome the negative opinions of some people.

I'm not a cue dealer. Hell, I lose money by buying them because they strike my fancy and find out they are not what I want to keep. I am also from the buy 'em, play 'em and hold 'em camp. See my post above about my McDermott B-1 that is going on 30 years old. I'd be happy to give you at least 3 other examples I own in a PM.

And, finally, I never said that Jersey would make a killing with an $800 cue from an unknown cue maker. You're the one who brought up resale. He just might have more control over the cue he gets and be happy with it. I took a chance with a guy in Humble, TX in 1979 and it worked out ok. You just never know.

 

[Ken_4fun]

Hawley's

I must put my 2 cents in. I ordered an Instroke for a buddy of mine. (He was retireing and I volenteered to get the company going away present.) They were the cheapest, I got it and it had a problem. They made it right.

My opionion is anyplace will sell a product, but the people who make it right if there is a problem are the real bargin.

My other advise, is to pick up a custom verses a production cue. I always do better on resale.

ken

 

[drivermaker]

Ok. Let my try again, since you've already judged me guilty and my only hope is not to be sentenced to hanging in the sentencing phase of your self-directed trial of me.

Relax dude...you're not on trial...I'm not on a search and destroy mission...and I'm not going to put a back-breaker or choke hold on you. I've never responded to threads like this before, but I've been seeing it for about 3 years on here and other newsgroups or forums and it blows me away sometime. Recently on here, someone was a FIRST TIME cue buyer that was wanting to spend up to $200 for his FIRST cue and was being pushed into a custom. I mean WTF for Chrissake...you can get a damn good playing and really damn good looking production cue for $200. What kind of shit looking cue are you going to get from ANY cuemaker for $200? Come on!! These kinds of threads about "what kind of cue should I buy" come up as frequently as zits on a teenagers face that's jacking off 3 times a day, and EVERY time someone comes out of the woods saying, go "CUSTOM" that's the ONLY way to go. No it isn't...there are a lot of great playing, looking, and feeling production cues out there and they'll blow the pants off of a lot of low end customs. YOU need to reread the post from Tate and the gentleman from McDermott about his staff of dedicated workers. This isn't addressed to you as much as it is the other buyers on here that are thinking of a new cue purchase at this time for a low amount of money. I'm done...if you post again I'll seriously consider the backbreaker hold.

 

[jjinfla]

By buying a cue from "an up and coming" cuemaker you may get a good deal. The new cuemaker still does not know the value of his work and may be selling quality for less than its true value.

Besides, if it feels good, and you like it, that is the most important thing.

Of course it won't be a Joss, McDermott, Schon, etc.

Jake

 

[Koop]

If I were looking for a short money production cue I would go with Helmstetter. Obviously this is personal preference but I have owned 2 of them and they hit just as nice as the 2 Schons I have owned.
Wow, I need to just find a damn cue and stick with it

My $.02
Koop

 

[TATE]

My fellow Pool Nuts,

I'm in the market for my next cue...I'm looking at Schon, Pechauer, Schuler and because of that cool link MrLucky posted...McDermott, (like that whole American Made, Lifetime Warranty thing)...any advice you guys could give would be appreciated...trying to stay below $800 bucks...

also, anybody done business with Hawley's Billiards?...heard they have a 30 return policy and they let you chalk the cue!?

Here's another great playing cue - $400. I don't know how this guy can sell these cues for that price. I'll tell you this specific model of McDermott plays a ton and this is a very good deal - plus it's brand new and fully waranteed. I had one similar to this and I played with it for awhile before ending up with my JossWest. This is comparable in quality to their Masterpiece cues but with less inlay work - but those cues went for $2,000. There's room in the price if you want their new shaft or a leather wrap. Their QR joint is terrific. It was hard to give up - everyone liked the way the cue played:

McDemott Auction


Chris

 

[Jack Flanagan]

Here's another great playing cue - $400. I don't know how this guy can sell these cues for that price.
McDemott Auction
Chris

I can understand it !,,,It's the very reason I won't sell that brand at my place.
Too many sweetheart deals to their large distributors; little guys have no chance,,,can't even buy it at that price from any distributors that I deal with.

Why try to compete with eBay,,,I tell my customers to go ahead and buy from someone on eBay & deal with the problems that may come up "long distance"

 

[lukeinva]

I can understand it !,,,It's the very reason I won't sell that brand at my place.
Too many sweetheart deals to their large distributors; little guys have no chance,,,can't even buy it at that price from any distributors that I deal with.

Why try to compete with eBay,,,I tell my customers to go ahead and buy from someone on eBay & deal with the problems that may come up "long distance"

I do the same thing!! I always get well I can get it cheaper from ebay or so and so!! I say go ahead and deal with the problems when one comes up! I have had 2 people come to me after they have bought a cue from ebay asking for my help!

 

[ScottR]

Relax dude...you're not on trial...I'm not on a search and destroy mission...and I'm not going to put a back-breaker or choke hold on you.

I'm done...if you post again I'll seriously consider the backbreaker hold.

DM . . . . pthththtttt (raspberry) to you. lol

I see your point and I KNOW you see mine, because I ended up agreeing with TATE and Steve.

Now bring on the backbreaker hold, Stone Cold -

 

[Jersey]

Whoa!

Thanks guys...wasn't trying to open a can of worms...seems that any posts like this do that?...my fault...

I'm only trying to build a...I want to say 'collection', but I won't go that far...just trying to have a few nice cues in the closet, because I'm a pool nut like most of you!...not ready to go 'custom'...and as far as playing...I have a perfectly fine Meucci Original Gambler w/ Black Dot Shaft...hits swell...little flashey...just looking for something different...good craftsmanship, solid hit, excellent reputation...etc...maybe 6 point traditional looking old school cue...

thx to all who replied...taken with a grain of salt

 

[drivermaker]

DM . . . . pthththtttt (raspberry) to you. lol

I see your point and I KNOW you see mine, because I ended up agreeing with TATE and Steve.

Now bring on the backbreaker hold, Stone Cold -

LMAO.......

 

[drivermaker]

Thanks guys...wasn't trying to open a can of worms...seems that any posts like this do that?...my fault...

I'm only trying to build a...I want to say 'collection', but I won't go that far...just trying to have a few nice cues in the closet, because I'm a pool nut like most of you!...not ready to go 'custom'...and as far as playing...I have a perfectly fine Meucci Original Gambler w/ Black Dot Shaft...hits swell...little flashey...just looking for something different...good craftsmanship, solid hit, excellent reputation...etc...maybe 6 point traditional looking old school cue...

thx to all who replied...taken with a grain of salt

Go to www.billiardwarehouse.com Click onto production cues and then Joss, McDermott, Helmstetter, Balabushka, and Schon

Also: http://billiardpro.com/products.asp?pageID=1

http://billiardpro.com/products.asp?pageID=3

You can also go to:
http://josscues.com/cues/customcues.asp and design your own cue EXACTLY to your liking for under 800 beans. THESE ARE SHARP!

Choose any one that turns you on from the above and you'll end up with a good cue.

 

[LC3]

All the cues you mentioned will certainly get the job done. Have you checked out Viking? You can get a nice Viking for relatively little money and can even specify wrap color, joint, etc. Here's another idea: a Jacoby four-pointer for about $500, and a few hundred dollars left over for coaching or table time.

 

[buddha162]

Recently on here, someone was a FIRST TIME cue buyer that was wanting to spend up to $200 for his FIRST cue and was being pushed into a custom. I mean WTF for Chrissake...you can get a damn good playing and really damn good looking production cue for $200.

I completely agree that this is bad advice for someone on a <$300 budget. But for $800??

A plain Gilbert, Capone, a fancier BCM are all better buys than a Schon, imho. Add $50 and Skip will build you a triple-quadruple veneered beauty, with pointwork no one else can match.

Obviously this would not apply if you prefer the hit of a Schon over the above cuemakers, but in that case I would refer a low-end Schon over a inlayed-out atrocity for their pricier cues. Imo spending over $400 on a production cue is folly, for rounded/cnc inlays and questionable designs. That said I'm a big fan of how Schons hit.

-Roger