I wonder how many master cue makers are out there.

I'm going with the ACA Hall of Fame builders. Copied directly from http://www.cuemakers.org/hall-of-fame.php

George Balabushka - February, 1993

Herman Rambow - October, 1993

Burton Spain - October, 1993

Ernie Gutierrez - July, 1994

Harvey Martin - March, 1995

Gus Szamboti - March, 1997

Frank Paradise - June, 1998

Eugene and Ilona Balner - July, 1999



Ernie Gutierrez - 1994-07-01
Dan Janes - 2003-07-01
Jerry Franklin - 2005-03-01
Bill Schick - 2007-03-01
Richard Black - 2009-03-01
Hall of Fame Inductee - 2009-12-01
Tad Kohara - 2011-05-04
Tad Kohara - 2011-07-14
 
Traditionally in the past and maybe even today in modern times, in certain fields of art someone would join a guild as an apprentice and would learn their craft working under a master. And the apprentice would do so for maybe 20 years before he would be at a point in their development where they would be able to go out into the world as a master of their given craft. But they would still be expected to continue to advance their skills and craft even as they go out on their own.

In today's world so many organizations define standards and levels of expertise. But that does not happen yet in the craft of cue making. So one has to look at what constitutes a master. For myself I look at the quality of final construction, I look at the issue of artistry, the issue of originality, the ability to advance to the craft by introducing new ideas of design and construction. Those factors combined help me as a consumer to determine if a given cue maker that I am looking at is a master of his craft. And in my book that limits to a very select number of cue makers.

Among modern living cue makers, for myself I would consider Ginacue, Thomas Wayne, Bill Schick, Richard Black as modern masters. Among those cue makers who have passed on I would consider Tad Kohara, Gus, and Bert Schrager as masters.

Now there are a lot of very good to great modern cue makers separate from the names I list for myself. And I would very much love to have cues from all of them. But the issue of originality of artistry and design, and developing new ideas of construction, for me tends not to be as evident to me for the other cue makers out there in the market place. And those issues to me are among the very hallmarks of what makes a cue maker a master cue maker.
 
?..

In today's world so many organizations define standards and levels of expertise. But that does not happen yet in the craft of cue making. So one has to look at what constitutes a master. For myself I look at the quality of final construction, I look at the issue of artistry, the issue of originality, the ability to advance to the craft by introducing new ideas of design and construction. Those factors combined help me as a consumer to determine if a given cue maker that I am looking at is a master of his craft. And in my book that limits to a very select number of cue makers.

Among modern living cue makers, for myself I would consider Ginacue, Thomas Wayne, Bill Schick, Richard Black as modern masters. Among those cue makers who have passed on I would consider Tad Kohara, Gus, and Bert Schrager as masters.

...

Requirements for hall of fame members. http://www.cuemakers.org/images/userfiles/hofinq.pdf

HALL OF FAME AWARD

The American Cuemaker's Association Hall of Fame Award is the most prestigious award in the cuemaking industry.

HALL OF FAME INDUCTION REQUIREMENTS
1. The nominee does NOT have to be a member of the ACA.
2. The nominee may be living or deceased.
3. The nominee has been involved in cuemaking for a minimum of 20 years. 4. The nominee is known for quality and innovative work.
5.The nominee has made considerable contributions to the cuemaking industry by developing or inventing new techniques materials, machinery or tools used in the manufacturing or design process.
6. The nominee has contributed significantly to the cuemaking industry other than by just making cues. This can be through any means that increases the market for American made Cues.
7.The nominee has made significant contributions towards the advancement of cuemaker's careers.
8. The nominee has made significant contributions towards the increase of the cue buying customer base.
9. There is a public perception of the cuemaker as an important member of the cuemaking industry. (i.e.: cuemaker's workmanship/ collectibility status).
10. There is a player's perception of the cuemaker's work as a fine example of function and workmanship.)

NOTE:
It should also be noted throughout history, very artistic and talented people have unfortunately had an inability to manage their businesses well. Cue makers are no exception. Just because a cue maker misses deadlines or doesn’t keep his customers appraised of progress oftheir orders shouldn’t disqualify a talented individual from HOF status. This should, be considered, however. This individual must then be even more “special” in the items listed above.

NON-CUEMAKER REQUIREMENTS
This area cannot be well defined at this time since we have not identified many potential candidates. The non-cue maker option is being documented in case someone surfaces in the future that should be considered. Non-cue makers being nominated might have made extraordinary contributions to the cue making industry by developing new materials such as plastics, adhesives, and tips. He might have opened up significant new markets for our product. He might have made a major breakthrough in the acceptance by the general public of cues as an art form or collectable. Before a non-cue maker can be seriously considered, his contributions should be truly extraordinary.

HALL OF FAME COMMITTEE MEMBERS
The Hall of Fame Committee selects the candidates for the ACA Hall of Fame.
Currently, the HOF Committee consists of Cuemakers, Collectors, Representatives of the Media, and current Hall of Fame members. Current Committee members are:
Cuemaker - Jim Buss (Chairman)
Cue Collectors - Rick Goulden, Will Prout.
Media - Conrad Burkman (retired owner of The National Billiard News). Tom Shaw (Pool and Billiard Magazine)
ACA Hall of Fame Members. Richard Black, Ernie Gutierrez, Dan Janes, Bill Schick

HALL OF FAME SELECTION PROCESS
1. The HOF award is presented in March at the Allen Hopkins Super Billiards Expo.
2. Approximately 4 months prior to the Award Presentation, the HOF committee begins a series of teleconferences.
A.previous selection process is reviewed and suggestions for improvement are considered.
B. Possible candidates are discussed.
C. The committee ultimately selects three candidates (nominees).
D. The nominees are presented to the Voting Members of the ACA.
E. The ballots are emailed to members of the HOF Committee. F. The ballots are validated by the committee.
G. An announcement of the newest member of the HOF is announced.
 
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There are more than most Azers might otherwise imagine........the problem is that cue-making does not have any meaningful accreditation system
or certification methodology to distinguish the really good ones. It is entirely all word of mouth and building a great reputation but no official credentials.

Matt B.

That pretty much sums it up.

There is a respected cue maker whose name shows up consistently and yet having hit with 7 of his cues I would not purchase one his cues. Playability is more important to me than aesthetics. Yet I also know that my favorite playing cue is not appreciated by all. I have also seen x-rays of widely respected cue makers cues that have errors covered up in an almost criminal manner. Here we are back to the dreaded word--"Subjective.'
 
They're all masters, so the top master should be the guy with the highest gross sales.

By that standard, Bob Meucci is going to be hard to beat


I like you blues and value your opinion but does that make Earl Schieb the best car painter ever?
 
Searing, Showman, Manzino, Haley, Ernie, Barry, BB. Haven't seen much TW work but Ithe sounds like he should be in there too.
Tonkin is doing some great work.
RB does great work and bad work, his great work gets him there easily, his bad work makes me scratch my head.
Love Tasc , classic old school but the gaps around some of the inlays are not "master" quality. It's the one cue I've wanted forever, guess I'll get one eventually.
 
Searing, Showman, Manzino, Haley, Ernie, Barry, BB. Haven't seen much TW work but Ithe sounds like he should be in there too.
Tonkin is doing some great work.
RB does great work and bad work, his great work gets him there easily, his bad work makes me scratch my head.
Love Tasc , classic old school but the gaps around some of the inlays are not "master" quality. It's the one cue I've wanted forever, guess I'll get one eventually.

Anyone who doesn't include Pete Tascarella as a "master" maker in any discussion about cue building has knowledge that is limited as far as building cues IMO.... Gus knew it back in the 80's. As far as the "gaps around some of the inlays", that comment is grossly overstated and misleading...

Skins----------------- knows Pete T. IS a master cue maker
 
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So true. :thumbup:

What I find most interesting is that not one of the cuemakers that I would consider a "master' at the craft, has ever, to the best of my knowledge, referred to themselves as a "master" - not publicly, not privately and not in print . . . but I have seen several considerably less tenured (and accomplished - my words) makers freely use that term on THEIR websites.

Besides the real masters know who they are and don't need the title . . . IMO

Paul
 
Anyone who doesn't include Pete Tascarella as a "master" maker in any discussion about cue building has knowledge that is limited as far as building cues IMO.... Gus knew it back in the 80's. As far as the "gaps around some of the inlays", that comment is grossly overstated and misleading...

Skins----------------- knows Pete T. IS a master cue maker

Never said he didn't make a great cue, but if you can't see the gaps maybe it's cause of the rose colored glasses you're wearing. Same as Richard B
 
Never said he didn't make a great cue, but if you can't see the gaps maybe it's cause of the rose colored glasses you're wearing. Same as Richard B

For you to come out and make such a broad "claim" about Tascarella cues proves you haven't seen very much of it...
 
Master cuemaker... we talking the cue work itself ... or are we including the person? Delivery, communication, integrity, sticks to his lists, etc...

'Cause you know, the latter just took your bible book size lists and turned it into a Cracker Jack sized book of tattoo's...

JV
 
I like you blues and value your opinion but does that make Earl Schieb the best car painter ever?


That is exactly why we need to categorize the masters.
For instance some masters were masters before the internet, and some masters became masters because of the internet.
The internet has caused a lot of confusion as to who the masters really are.


:smile:
 
What I find most interesting is that not one of the cuemakers that I would consider a "master' at the craft, has ever, to the best of my knowledge, referred to themselves as a "master" - not publicly, not privately and not in print . . . but I have seen several considerably less tenured (and accomplished - my words) makers freely use that term on THEIR websites.

Besides the real masters know who they are and don't need the title . . . IMO

Paul

Word!
Two " master " makers in Florida don't even make cues anymore.
Neither one was invited to any of the high profile cue shows.
 
The pictures speak for themselves.

My advise to is don't use pictures without knowledge of construction of ANY maker as your "case" to voice what I know is a flawed opinion. When you get the chance to get some more examples in your hands directly and examine them and maybe even talk to the maker, you MAY realize how beautifully meticulous the cues are made. But then again maybe you won't. Some just can't tell the difference....
 
My advise to is don't use pictures without knowledge of construction of ANY maker as your "case" to voice what I know is a flawed opinion. When you get the chance to get some more examples in your hands directly and examine them and maybe even talk to the maker, you MAY realize how beautifully meticulous the cues are made. But then again maybe you won't. Some just can't tell the difference....

My point exactly.
Btw, I have talked to both Pete's, very nice guys. If you would "listen" with your eyes open maybe you could understand what I'm saying.
If you viewed some of the inlay work without knowing who built the cue you would 100% agree. (Unless you know absolutely nothing).
I DID say I love the old school look, and I WILL buy one sooner or later (aftermarket) but most likely it will not have inlays, unless they look right

Another thing, you have no idea what my experience with cues or Cuemakers is. You are WAY off on your opinion
 
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My point exactly.
Btw, I have talked to both Pete's, very nice guys. If you would "listen" with your eyes open maybe you could understand what I'm saying.
If you viewed some of the inlay work without knowing who built the cue you would 100% agree. (Unless you know absolutely nothing).
I DID say I love the old school look, and I WILL buy one sooner or later (aftermarket) but most likely it will not have inlays, unless they look right

Another thing, you have no idea what my experience with cues or Cuemakers is. You are WAY off on your opinion

I understand what you are saying. But if you really understood the process of cue building you would know that what you speak of does not warrant criticism to the level of diminishing the quality of what comes out of the Tascarelas shop. As for you getting a Tasc in the future, avoiding one with inlay work is your preference but for your reasoning a mistake IMO...As for your cue "experience" I'll stand by my "opinion", with respect, based on the statements you've made, my knowledge of the work that comes out of the Tascarella shop, and cues in general... Enjoy your Tasc when you finally get one. It'll be one of if not the best cue you will own...
 
I understand what you are saying. But if you really understood the process of cue building you would know that what you speak of does not warrant criticism to the level of diminishing the quality of what comes out of the Tascarelas shop. As for you getting a Tasc in the future, avoiding one with inlay work is your preference but for your reasoning a mistake IMO...As for your cue "experience" I'll stand by my "opinion", with respect, based on the statements you've made, my knowledge of the work that comes out of the Tascarella shop, and cues in general... Enjoy your Tasc when you finally get one. It'll be one of if not the best cue you will own...

Current playing cues: Barry, Searing, Ted Harris. Sold my Showman and Haley at SBE. Have owned
13 Searings
3 Haleys
3 R Blacks
2 Barry's
2 T Harris
1 Gus
1 Tad
1 PFD
1 Showman
1 Scruggs
1 Southwest
1 Mcworter
4 Gus blanks
Just off the top of my head.
Been playin (at poolrooms) 27yrs all over the country, so I've seen my fair share of cues.

Once again, ive wanted to buy one for a long time and the ones I've seen had issues - compared to the top, top guys. Great cuemaker, just not that little extra to detail
 
Current playing cues: Barry, Searing, Ted Harris. Sold my Showman and Haley at SBE. Have owned
13 Searings
3 Haleys
3 R Blacks
2 Barry's
2 T Harris
1 Gus
1 Tad
1 PFD
1 Showman
1 Scruggs
1 Southwest
1 Mcworter
4 Gus blanks
Just off the top of my head.
Been playin (at poolrooms) 27yrs all over the country, so I've seen my fair share of cues.

Once again, ive wanted to buy one for a long time and the ones I've seen had issues - compared to the top, top guys. Great cuemaker, just not that little extra to detail

I'm aware, from these forums, what you have claimed to own and I don't dispute that. That's wonderful. You have tastes like myself.. Except you've been missing out ;)...For all accounts you have and do own nice cues. My point was only in reference to Pete as a master maker. Even masters don't do inlay work like Ron or Dennis.. There are a few on your list that by all accounts you can "lump" in with Tasc. as to your criteria... I truly hope you get a Tasc to your liking visually...
 
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