Increase in custom cue prices

[billiards_watch]

I would never ever buy a GB plain titilist conversion cue as a true GB collectible - it would have to be a Spain or Gus blank or else not shelling out thousands - so I am consistent in my feelings about “conversion” pricing from 60s cues to modern day conversions.

Its refreshing to hear your thoughts about these cues because most people will buy it for crazy prices when in reality these conversions are pretty basic.

I think people will be shocked to know conversions have huge profit margins. I'm sure cue makers would love to pump these out all day.

There are so many people pumping out really nice blanks and what people do is buy them and send them to XYZ cue maker to finish it. Got to be careful. Some disclose it and some don't. XYZ cue maker will put their name on it too.

 

[misterpoole]

I am going to guess the Gina, because it is probably more Rare then the Prewitt. I am assuming that that would be like comparing a Prewitt to a Black Boar for example. The Black Boar might be more valuable. Or, maybe comparing a Prewitt to a Schick. I do not know. I bet this collector I know named Alka would know though, and have a very good answer.

I was thinking the opposite. The Gina is a 17-A with a change to the base of the points. Another ring and crown points. Snakewood was an upgrade
The Prewitt was his first Braz on Braz and all the inlays were my input.
Also Ernie has made a lot of cues.

 

[vintagecollectibles831]

I was thinking the opposite. The Gina is a 17-A with a change to the base of the points. Another ring and crown points. Snakewood was an upgrade
The Prewitt was his first Braz on Braz and all the inlays were my input.
Also Ernie has made a lot of cues.

Wow, here is a what looks to be a fairly simple Ed Prewitt 4 point cue, that sold for $4550, about a year ago on ebay. It is the only Prewitt cue that was sold in the last 3 years, on ebay.

 

[SSDiver2112]

Its refreshing to hear your thoughts about these cues because most people will buy it for crazy prices when in reality these conversions are pretty basic.

I think people will be shocked to know conversions have huge profit margins. I'm sure cue makers would love to pump these out all day.

There are so many people pumping out really nice blanks and what people do is buy them and send them to XYZ cue maker to finish it. Got to be careful. Some disclose it and some don't. XYZ cue maker will put their name on it too.

Yes, many conversions can be very basic. I did one conversion in about an hour. Cut it in half, install a pin and an insert. My first conversions were very basic and not worth a lot. Others have whole new butt sleeves and needed a new shaft made. Go buy a new shaft and get your cue refinished. That is a few hundred right there. Still, these are "relatively" basic conversions. I have also done conversions that have been cored and/or require repeated cutting to achieve complicated rings, butterflies etc. Is this just a house cue with a pin installed? or is it worth a little more?

Consider all things the same. A cue maker that builds a cue from scratch and normally sells it for x-$$. Makes the same cue but uses a blank for the forearm and/or handle instead of a block of wood. Should that devalue the cue? Other than knocking the corners of the block all the work is the same. The blank alone can be hundreds of dollars before you do anything, so the costs will be higher going that route. Using old cues that have some beautiful and seasoned woods are a good way to lower the cost.

I agree using someone else's blank should be disclosed to the buyer even prior to building it. I do not currently have the equipment to make a full or half spliced blank, so for now I have to use one made by another builder if I want a cue with points.

 

[Bavafongoul]

Thanks. You are an expert since you have one too.

Owning a Prewitt cue hardly makes me an expert as opposed to being a big fan of Ed’s approach to cue making.
A lot of folks would submit I paid too much for my EP cue, or for that matter, any of my cues……Obladi Oblada.

Ernie is also a cue maker I admire. I regret not buying his serpent cue I could have gotten instead from Bill Grassley.
No regrets either way……I’d rather have that serpent cue now over my EP but I’m still delighted with my Prewitt cue.

 

[billiards_watch]

Owning a Prewitt cue hardly makes me an expert as opposed to being a big fan of Ed’s approach to cue making.
A lot of folks would submit I paid too much for my EP cue, or for that matter, any of my cues……Obladi Oblada.

Ernie is also a cue maker I admire. I regret not buying his serpent cue I could have gotten instead from Bill Grassley.
No regrets either way……I’d rather have that serpent cue now over my EP but I’m still delighted with my Prewitt cue.

Wow even more fancier than the first.

So whatever you think yours is worth than the OP should be a bit lower.

 

[Bavafongoul]

Wow even more fancier than the first.

So whatever you think yours is worth than the OP should be a bit lower.

As I earlier acknowledged, in hindsight, Ernie’s serpent cue was the choice I should have made. However, here’s why I
didn’t buy it. When it comes to cue designs, I favor old school designs re-enacted by contemporaneous cue makers.

Flame veneers have been popular for a very long time and this may come as a surprise to some but I do not like flame veneers. Before I spotted this Prewitt version, I never viewed a flame veneer cue design by any cue maker I’d ever want to have. Flame veneers just looked too Crayola like and the yellow looked off or the orange did or the forearm needed more color, etc. In simpler therms, I never liked any flame veneer cues…..until I spotted this one on Cornerstone Cues.

I was trading in a gorgeous Szamboti design ivory joint Mottey cue so I had a pretty big credit to work with and just had
to pony up the additional cash to get a cue. Ernie’s serpent cue was $1100 more than the Prewitt cue but it didn’t have the sizzle that Ed’s did. Maybe it was because I actually liked his flame veneers and the forearm but that butt sleeve is
just the cat’s meow….Hubba Hubba Hubba…Ed nailed it and his ring work is in a class by itself. This why I bought Ed.

I’ll let the readers decide…..was I right or wrong with my choice? Anyone have any prettier flame veneers than mine?
IMO, think Ed nailed it with this design. The cue plays like a Stradivarius and I didn’t buy it as an investment. Anyway,
the Gina serpent cue has increased in value by almost $6000 in asking price since then and my Prewitt cue sure hasn’t.

I still think of the 2006 cues picks re: increase in value, defers to Ed because his skills today are heralded and equal to
Ernie but nearly 20 years, Ed was just a babe in the woods compared to the esteemed reputation of Ernie Guitterez.

 

[white1]

Used production cue asking prices are also hitting the ridiculous stratosphere. - we are seeing sellers asking $1000 and sometimes more for used 80s and90s era Meucci, McDermott, and now a Dufferin or two with some cue maker’s name attached to the maple leaf banger for close to a G note - not ME!

So true. Meucci and McDermott cues from the 70’s and 80’s are absolutely NUTS. I bought a classic no dot shaft and use a cheap dufferin butt. I’m just to a place in life where I’m not paying it. Just 10 years ago, they were 300ish often…..now 625 and way up. Not paying it.

 

[white1]

Should be the Gina but who knows.

 

[white1]

As I earlier acknowledged, in hindsight, Ernie’s serpent cue was the choice I should have made. However, here’s why I
didn’t buy it. When it comes to cue designs, I favor old school designs re-enacted by contemporaneous cue makers.

Flame veneers have been popular for a very long time and this may come as a surprise to some but I do not like flame veneers. Before I spotted this Prewitt version, I never viewed a flame veneer cue design by any cue maker I’d ever want to have. Flame veneers just looked too Crayola like and the yellow looked off or the orange did or the forearm needed more color, etc. In simpler therms, I never liked any flame veneer cues…..until I spotted this one on Cornerstone Cues.

I was trading in a gorgeous Szamboti design ivory joint Mottey cue so I had a pretty big credit to work with and just had
to pony up the additional cash to get a cue. Ernie’s serpent cue was $1100 more than the Prewitt cue but it didn’t have the sizzle that Ed’s did. Maybe it was because I actually liked his flame veneers and the forearm but that butt sleeve is
just the cat’s meow….Hubba Hubba Hubba…Ed nailed it and his ring work is in a class by itself. This why I bought Ed.

I’ll let the readers decide…..was I right or wrong with my choice? Anyone have any prettier flame veneers than mine?
IMO, think Ed nailed it with this design. The cue plays like a Stradivarius and I didn’t buy it as an investment. Anyway,
the Gina serpent cue has increased in value by almost $6000 in asking price since then and my Prewitt cue sure hasn’t.

I still think of the 2006 cues picks re: increase in value, defers to Ed because his skills today are heralded and equal to
Ernie but nearly 20 years, Ed was just a babe in the woods compared to the esteemed reputation of Ernie Guitterez.

Try and describe the hit that makes it play that good if you can and will. I have never hit a ball with any cue that cost over 500 bucks. What does a 3000 dollar cue feel like.

 

[sbrownn]

This discussion can be closely related to the popularity of vinyl records and inflation. The average vinyl record was about $8 in 1980 (I know, I bought some). The average price today is around $30. Everyone says that is so expensive, yet if you look at any reliable inflation calculator (I used: https://www.usinflationcalculator.com/), that is about a 75% increase in the cost of purchasing the same average record. What is crazy, is most of the early records are much better pressings given the equipment and demand. Now, finding quality pressing equipment is a challenge if you can find it at all in a usable state. The "custom" high quality pressings (MoFi and others today) can go for much more than the $30 average in 2025. Given the 1980 => 2025 75% increase calculation, I think it pretty much works out similarly for production cues, given a nice C7 McDermott 1980's $100 cue would be around $750 now, similar to a G431 and the G series doesn't even have sharp points. And with custom cues from say 1980 or 2010 vs today, most fall in to the same inflation calculator trends...

 

[billiards_watch]

Try and describe the hit that makes it play that good if you can and will. I have never hit a ball with any cue that cost over 500 bucks. What does a 3000 dollar cue feel like.

You mean 6k.

 

[9ballrob]

Used production cue asking prices are also hitting the ridiculous stratosphere. - we are seeing sellers asking $1000 and sometimes more for used 80s and90s era Meucci, McDermott, and now a Dufferin or two with some cue maker’s name attached to the maple leaf banger for close to a G note - not ME!

Many “realized“ prices on 1980s mass produced Meucci Originals have went over $1000….so it’s not just the ask on them.

 

[billiards_watch]

Many “realized“ prices on 1980s mass produced Meucci Originals have went over $1000….so it’s not just the ask on them.

I was looking for the road agent cue and it was floating $300-$500 a few years ago. If Meucci's are over $1k then that is crazy.

What these sellers fail to realize is if they set a high price then people won't bother to make an offer. You want to get me in the door and negotiate. You don't want me to laugh at the price and move on.

 

[The Old Jaybird]

I got a "Phoonman" cue I bought last year for $5, its worth at least $15 a year later, 3 times as much. So this has to be the value leader.
Am I right here??

 

[misterpoole]

As I earlier acknowledged, in hindsight, Ernie’s serpent cue was the choice I should have made. However, here’s why I
didn’t buy it. When it comes to cue designs, I favor old school designs re-enacted by contemporaneous cue makers.

Flame veneers have been popular for a very long time and this may come as a surprise to some but I do not like flame veneers. Before I spotted this Prewitt version, I never viewed a flame veneer cue design by any cue maker I’d ever want to have. Flame veneers just looked too Crayola like and the yellow looked off or the orange did or the forearm needed more color, etc. In simpler therms, I never liked any flame veneer cues…..until I spotted this one on Cornerstone Cues.

I was trading in a gorgeous Szamboti design ivory joint Mottey cue so I had a pretty big credit to work with and just had
to pony up the additional cash to get a cue. Ernie’s serpent cue was $1100 more than the Prewitt cue but it didn’t have the sizzle that Ed’s did. Maybe it was because I actually liked his flame veneers and the forearm but that butt sleeve is
just the cat’s meow….Hubba Hubba Hubba…Ed nailed it and his ring work is in a class by itself. This why I bought Ed.

I’ll let the readers decide…..was I right or wrong with my choice? Anyone have any prettier flame veneers than mine?
IMO, think Ed nailed it with this design. The cue plays like a Stradivarius and I didn’t buy it as an investment. Anyway,
the Gina serpent cue has increased in value by almost $6000 in asking price since then and my Prewitt cue sure hasn’t.

I still think of the 2006 cues picks re: increase in value, defers to Ed because his skills today are heralded and equal to
Ernie but nearly 20 years, Ed was just a babe in the woods compared to the esteemed reputation of Ernie Guitterez.

I would describe those flame veneers as subdued. I also don't care for the loud flame veneers so good choice on this one.
I can't find any pics of a Gina serpent cue...does it have snakewood?

 

[Bavafongoul]

Try and describe the hit that makes it play that good if you can and will. I have never hit a ball with any cue that cost over 500 bucks. What does a 3000 dollar cue feel like.

I don’t know as most of my cues cost a little more except for my Scruggs I bought in the secondary market for $2600
almost 20 years ago. The price of a cue depends on its design. My EP cue weighs 18.8 ozs. (14.6 ozs. & 4.2 ozs.).

The shafts meet my requirements & so it plays similar to my other cues I had built with the same ratios for consistency.
The cue has a forward balance w/your stroke & when you relax your hand, it goes straight where you aim it on the CB.

It has a firm hit which I like because you can measure your stroke speed. The ivory ferrules impart a distinct acoustical
sound that changes with how hard you stroke the cue ball. The cue’s balance is extraordinarily great, like a violin bow.

Your arm movement requires very little force to move the cue ball around the table. It seems like you can hit 4 rails with just a medium stroke and 7 rails on a 9’ table with a hard strike. It is like you move the cue ball effortlessly and delivery is straight.

 

[mikemosconi]

Many “realized“ prices on 1980s mass produced Meucci Originals have went over $1000….so it’s not just the ask on them.

I doubt that “many” of the 80 s / 90s Meucci cues etc are actually selling near $1,000 - a few - yes - and I still think those are ridiculous prices to pay - guys are now looking for a grand on The Meucci Oldie series cues and the 95-17 and 95-19 as well as some D series McDs. Folks paying those prices - well- they are 30 years late to the party when we were buying them for less than $100 - sometimes half that at yard sales and pawn shops back then I left that party almost 30 years ago and still have some of those “Oldie” cues in mint condition - costing me never more than $75!

 

[T411]

Pool cue prices fluctuate just like vintage car prices for some of the same reasons. Old schoolers might feel more nostalgic about a particular cue maker for one reason or another than someone that’s new to the game. Some of it could be regional to a part of the country where the maker is from. Personally I’m not wealthy but the asking price of a cue or better yet the market value is not something that I’m going to complain about even though some are definitely out of my league. At least the prices of cues are not artificial like diamonds totally were at one time. If you want to get into the buying, trading, & selling game of “used or vintage” no mater what the product is (cars, cues, antiques, etc.) one, you better understand the history. Two, to an extent you also better have the ability to get something professionally restored or repaired by someone or better yet by yourself so your asking price doesn’t put you upside down of the market value. It‘s like flipping houses… if you are a novice you are probably going to get burned.

The price of housing… That’s something to fuss about.

 

[billiards_watch]

The problem isn't custom cues as they are production cues. My goodness my 5k cue is going to look like a bargain by the time its done. We have 2k production cues now. Some even hitting 3k.

Support a cue maker, design something you like and play it forever.