Never heard of JD before, but there's a hell of a lot of work in that cue for not much money at all. Dollars to elbow grease, and this cue is a deal all day!!!
I have several cues that Joel made for me over the years..His work is very technical and attention to detail is superb..For what it's worth I own several high-end cues and I play with a cue that Joel made me on a regular basis..They play that good..IMO