High $$ cues

TAP

TAP

"Banks are Always Open!"
Silver Member
Without belittling ANYONE'S work, aside from collectors who apparently have all the money anyone would need, why do people pay $4k, $5k, $10k for cues, when there are comparable playing (and looking) cues on the market for 100's and, yes, THOUSANDS of dollars less. The quality is much the same, some actually have MORE ivory, and beautiful inlays and clearcoat finishes.

Without mentioning any names, and not to disparage the fact that this cue is beautiful, I happen to own a custom 1 of 1 cue that is much the same design, actually "fancier" with ebony, amboyna, and TONS of ivory. The cue being advertised is listed with a $5k price tag. I paid much less than $1k for mine, and would NOT sell it for $5K!

So, my question is: What makes the price of a cue? Is a cuemaker's signature worth an extra $3-$5K?? WHY??

All responses will be greatly welcomed.
 
TAP said:
Without mentioning any names, and not to disparage the fact that this cue is beautiful, I happen to own a custom 1 of 1 cue that is much the same design, actually "fancier" with ebony, amboyna, and TONS of ivory. The cue being advertised is listed with a $5k price tag. I paid much less than $1k for mine, and would NOT sell it for $5K!
Click to expand...

Knock off designs are usually worth about 10% of the original designers work. Paying less than a tenth of the price of a cue that looks like a high end cue tells us all we need to know about the quality and workmanship. I agree, you will never sell a cheap copy for $5 K.

If you are happy, that's all that matters.
 
High $$$ Cues

Rarity, craftsmanship, beauty, and yes, condition... are the things a Collector looks for in anything collectible! The price is negotiable depending on supply and demand and/or buyer/seller motivation. Obviously, to be any kind of Collector, that person has to have some extra $$$ to invest (and risk if purchased for investment purposes). A high end collector cue is functional art~!



TAP said:
Without belittling ANYONE'S work, aside from collectors who apparently have all the money anyone would need, why do people pay $4k, $5k, $10k for cues, when there are comparable playing (and looking) cues on the market for 100's and, yes, THOUSANDS of dollars less. The quality is much the same, some actually have MORE ivory, and beautiful inlays and clearcoat finishes.

Without mentioning any names, and not to disparage the fact that this cue is beautiful, I happen to own a custom 1 of 1 cue that is much the same design, actually "fancier" with ebony, amboyna, and TONS of ivory. The cue being advertised is listed with a $5k price tag. I paid much less than $1k for mine, and would NOT sell it for $5K!

So, my question is: What makes the price of a cue? Is a cuemaker's signature worth an extra $3-$5K?? WHY??

All responses will be greatly welcomed.
Click to expand...
 
TAP said:
Without belittling ANYONE'S work, aside from collectors who apparently have all the money anyone would need, why do people pay $4k, $5k, $10k for cues, when there are comparable playing (and looking) cues on the market for 100's and, yes, THOUSANDS of dollars less. The quality is much the same, some actually have MORE ivory, and beautiful inlays and clearcoat finishes.

Without mentioning any names, and not to disparage the fact that this cue is beautiful, I happen to own a custom 1 of 1 cue that is much the same design, actually "fancier" with ebony, amboyna, and TONS of ivory. The cue being advertised is listed with a $5k price tag. I paid much less than $1k for mine, and would NOT sell it for $5K!

So, my question is: What makes the price of a cue? Is a cuemaker's signature worth an extra $3-$5K?? WHY??

All responses will be greatly welcomed.
Click to expand...

Take some hits with a high dollar cue, then see if you still need to ask the question.
 
If people believe one makers cues are better than anothers they will pay a premium for that, it's a simple case of Capitalism at work.

I personally would not pay the sort of money some people pay for a cue, all I want is a cue that's well built and feels 'right' to me. If I want something to hang on the wall, all I need is for it to fit in and look how I want it to look. It makes no difference to me if it's $50 or $1,000 if I can afford it and it's right I will buy it. It's the same philosophy I will have when I win the lottery :rolleyes: I will not buy a Ferrari, I will buy an up to date Family car or Mid Size SUV and a Caterham 7, probably a CSR, they are much more fun than a Ferrari anyway!

For those who don't what a Caterham 7 is, go take a look at their website it's a real Sports Car.

http://www.uscaterham.com/
 
Georgia Boy said:
If people believe one makers cues are better than anothers they will pay a premium for that, it's a simple case of Capitalism at work.

I personally would not pay the sort of money some people pay for a cue, all I want is a cue that's well built and feels 'right' to me. If I want something to hang on the wall, all I need is for it to fit in and look how I want it to look. It makes no difference to me if it's $50 or $1,000 if I can afford it and it's right I will buy it. It's the same philosophy I will have when I win the lottery :rolleyes: I will not buy a Ferrari, I will buy an up to date Family car or Mid Size SUV and a Caterham 7, probably a CSR, they are much more fun than a Ferrari anyway!

For those who don't what a Caterham 7 is, go take a look at their website it's a real Sports Car.

http://www.uscaterham.com/
Click to expand...

Screw the Caterham, go for the Bugatti.
 
Ever watch Antiques Roadshow? Same thing applies to lots of things, not just cues. Why would cues be excluded? They are functional art, and some are worth a lot more than others.
:p
 
One Day you will know.

I remember when I was 8 or 9 years old I asked my Dad why he would spend almost $5.00 for 1 little half pint bottle of Whiskey when he could by a quart of Grape NEHI pop for .35 cents well now I know.:smile:
 
TimKrazyMon said:
Screw the Caterham, go for the Bugatti.
Click to expand...


That's my point I wouldn't pay the money for the Bugatti you may well do, each to their own, guess I'm just too tight! Plus in Atlanta where and when would I be able to use that devastating Bugatti straight line speed, other than at 2.00am in the morning.
 
Why?

1) My cue is unique. Actually, there's a close copy out there without all of the ivory, but none like mine exist.

2) I've played with $2000 cues and $20 cues that don't have anything close to the hit mine does.

3) The cue maker is my friend, so I support him and his family.

4) I can afford it.
 
you guys would not BELIEVE the quality work I can print with a poster sized dye sublimation printer. Amazing colors, depth, and superior substrate material.

It puts the mona lisa to shame.

<insert tongue in cheek>
 
Aside from the differences between production and custom, I'd say a lot of it boils down to reputation...and the years spent getting there...
Sure, a new cue maker can use the same materials from the same supplier...and build a very similar cue...but the cue maker that has years more experience is going to be able to charge more than his counterpart...just the way it is IMHO...

I've owned over the years...Muecci(first cue), Joss, and Schon cues...took a 15yr hiatus from pool...and when I got back into it...was/am much older and more financially stable...which allows greater spending on my hobbies. I have nothing against any cue or cue maker, but I'm more selective in what I buy now. ..Is it name?...NO...it's reputation, and blood sweat and tears...
:smile:
 
I think the OP is talking about the phenomen where you can buy a nice 4pt player from a respected cuemaker for $600, $1000, $2000 or $5000? I could name names, but that is pointless.

In my opinion, the first two prices are usually split by experience. Everything higher is more rep, fame, etc based. Still as others have said, you are really shopping art at some point. Those high end cues have value which is hard to understand, but is related to how the maker can see inside the materials and know how the cue will finish out. There is a real skill in creating visual balance and timeless style. That combined with perfect execution keeps prices. Add to that, a cuemakers death or retirement and prices go crazy!

The key in my opinion is finding the maker who is still under my limit, but whose eye and execution are second to none. Your cue will increase in value!
 
nksmfamjp said:
I think the OP is talking about the phenomen where you can buy a nice 4pt player from a respected cuemaker for $600, $1000, $2000 or $5000? I could name names, but that is pointless.

In my opinion, the first two prices are usually split by experience. Everything higher is more rep, fame, etc based. Still as others have said, you are really shopping art at some point. Those high end cues have value which is hard to understand, but is related to how the maker can see inside the materials and know how the cue will finish out. There is a real skill in creating visual balance and timeless style. That combined with perfect execution keeps prices. Add to that, a cuemakers death or retirement and prices go crazy!

The key in my opinion is finding the maker who is still under my limit, but whose eye and execution are second to none. Your cue will increase in value!
Click to expand...


great points.......remember its not a golf club set thats thousands of dollars.....a high end cue last longer than a lifetime.

Its exceptional art and a tool in one......very very unique combination that you don't see combined that often.
 
I would never buy a collector cue that I couldn't actually play with but besides that anything goes as far as I'm concerned. Not that I even have a collection, I'm just getting started, but I just couldn't see buying what is basically a "tool" that can't be used.

Other than that, spending even 10s of thousands of dollars on a really sweet, great hitting, big name cue with lots of extras isn't entirely out of the realm of understanding for me. If you have the money, enjoy it by buying what you like, you can't take it with you!

It's just like the car analogy that has been mentioned. Sure, a Yugo will get you there (most times, heh), a Toyota Camry will get you there and be very efficient about it and do the job in a no frills way, but a Corvette or even a Rolls Royce will get you there in style with a big smile on your face if you are an enthusiast with the money to spend. I just draw the line as far as my own opinions are concerned about spending $4 million on a rusted out half a frame of the original Model A that Ford worked on as his prototype ... to me that's the same as a non playable collectible only cue.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top