I've considered upgrading my P2 cue to a custom cue maker for more feel when playing pool. Is there really a difference in performance and playability is yet to be determined. I really like the P2 but if I can get a better product I'm all in favor of trying it. I really don't know what to hit since most local players just use an OEM. What advice would you give someone on what to buy especially if you don't have access to hit them (hate to drop a couple of thousand on a cue without trying it, especially on an auction). I have considered driving to indianapolis (about 5 hours each way) to go to Indyq. He supposedly has a large selection of custom cues in stock. I'm just going to try to see what he has, but have heard Roy expects you to buy when there. Any advice or suggestions... Thanks.
How to buy a custom cue
- Thread starter odshot68
- Start date
Try them all; Hit and playability is a matter preference. Most of them play a little different and what feels good to you may not be good for me.. As for Roy don't let him push you into anything. Old Roy should be eager to see that you get exactly what your looking for. If your willing to drive 5 hours and looking to spend a couple thousand dollars that's the least he can do..
Word of advice...From Experience.. Don't rely on the name of the cuemaker to make your decision when buying a custom cue. There are a few makers out there that make a really consistent hitting cue but most do not IMHO.. I always like to hit with a cue before buying with the exception of ordering a custom cue to my specs. Even at that, I only order from cuemakers whose work, I am familiar with.
Get to the DCC in January, most of the cue dealers will let you hit with the cue that you are considering. It is the only way to buy if you are planning to use the cue as your player.
You will get many different opinions on the Predator technology, I personally love the hit but YMMV. Good luck and if you decide to go hit some cues at INDYQ, you are in the drivers seat, the cash is in your pocket..
Peace, Joe
Get to the DCC in January, most of the cue dealers will let you hit with the cue that you are considering. It is the only way to buy if you are planning to use the cue as your player.
You will get many different opinions on the Predator technology, I personally love the hit but YMMV. Good luck and if you decide to go hit some cues at INDYQ, you are in the drivers seat, the cash is in your pocket..
Peace, Joe
Well ....
The 'feel' of a cue is something you have to judge for yourself. I consider this to be the overall balance and hit of a cue. I test this with various shots, including stun shots, power follow shots, full length draw shots (on rail and off rail), spin shots, half table draw 1-2" shots, half table follow 1-2" shots.
Balance matters a lot to me, probably more than most players, and I have to make sure the handle (of the butt) is not overly big.
I have stroked some 18 oz that felt like a 19.5 oz, and vica versa. I like a 20.2 oz, but like it to feel like a 19.5 oz, and the balance is what does it.
I like to feel the weight in the forearm above the wrap, or the middle.
If I feel the majority of the weight in the upper portion of the wrap, or bottom portion of the wrap, I do not like it. Even cues with the same balance point can feel different depending on wood used, taper of butt, etc..
You can establish your own guidelines for buying, but I would never spend more than a $1,000 for a cue that I had not tried first, and I would have to have real good information and mental feel for any cue under a $1,000 to buy sight unseen unless it was really cheap and a decided gamble on my part.
I am amazed by all the transactions that go on the buy/sell section of cues without the buyer having seen the cue except for pictures. Most of the buyers do not seem to ask detail information about the butt of cues, including butt diameter in wrap area, balance point of butt, length and type of rubber bumper, weight bolt or not?, double pressed Irish linen wrap or single pressed?, etc.. Maybe they do in PM's, but do not seem to in the subforum publicly.
I would hate to spend a bunch of money on a good cue only to find out the balance and feel just weren't right for me. I don't like to having to adjust my playing to a cue. Cues are just like women, you will know when you find the right one.
The 'feel' of a cue is something you have to judge for yourself. I consider this to be the overall balance and hit of a cue. I test this with various shots, including stun shots, power follow shots, full length draw shots (on rail and off rail), spin shots, half table draw 1-2" shots, half table follow 1-2" shots.
Balance matters a lot to me, probably more than most players, and I have to make sure the handle (of the butt) is not overly big.
I have stroked some 18 oz that felt like a 19.5 oz, and vica versa. I like a 20.2 oz, but like it to feel like a 19.5 oz, and the balance is what does it.
I like to feel the weight in the forearm above the wrap, or the middle.
If I feel the majority of the weight in the upper portion of the wrap, or bottom portion of the wrap, I do not like it. Even cues with the same balance point can feel different depending on wood used, taper of butt, etc..
You can establish your own guidelines for buying, but I would never spend more than a $1,000 for a cue that I had not tried first, and I would have to have real good information and mental feel for any cue under a $1,000 to buy sight unseen unless it was really cheap and a decided gamble on my part.
I am amazed by all the transactions that go on the buy/sell section of cues without the buyer having seen the cue except for pictures. Most of the buyers do not seem to ask detail information about the butt of cues, including butt diameter in wrap area, balance point of butt, length and type of rubber bumper, weight bolt or not?, double pressed Irish linen wrap or single pressed?, etc.. Maybe they do in PM's, but do not seem to in the subforum publicly.
I would hate to spend a bunch of money on a good cue only to find out the balance and feel just weren't right for me. I don't like to having to adjust my playing to a cue. Cues are just like women, you will know when you find the right one.
Snapshot nailed it IMO.
Any production cue will shoot em just as straight as any custom cue, and in some cases, straighter.
However, if you know the feel you like and the exact weight etc...there is no substitute for custom. I also agree that you can't go strictly with a name based on what you have heard. I did and really regretted it because I could not, for the life of me, adjust to the playability(sic) of it.
For these reasons I only order from Mike Webb because I have found his to be the most consistent and in tune with my preferences. Maybe your choice won't be Mike but I hope you find a cuemaker that suits your every need because from there, you won't have to look any further. There are plenty of good ones out there and it's just a matter of trying as many as you can get your hands on.
Hit and accuracy are everything...From there you can customize to you but if it doesn't feel right, well, there's nothing worse IMO.
Any production cue will shoot em just as straight as any custom cue, and in some cases, straighter.
However, if you know the feel you like and the exact weight etc...there is no substitute for custom. I also agree that you can't go strictly with a name based on what you have heard. I did and really regretted it because I could not, for the life of me, adjust to the playability(sic) of it.
For these reasons I only order from Mike Webb because I have found his to be the most consistent and in tune with my preferences. Maybe your choice won't be Mike but I hope you find a cuemaker that suits your every need because from there, you won't have to look any further. There are plenty of good ones out there and it's just a matter of trying as many as you can get your hands on.
Hit and accuracy are everything...From there you can customize to you but if it doesn't feel right, well, there's nothing worse IMO.