Is a custom cue really worth the hassle these days?

Coop1701 said:
I know the bad stories outweigh the good ones. Just because people that have had a bad experience are far more vocal. I know a lot of people want one of a kind cues. But there are other ways to get them.

I have had 2 OB prototypes. Both were unique and won't be a production cue. I still have one for sale too. I also like knowing I have something unique. I just don't see the bad stigma a lot of people place on Production Cues. A lot of them are well made and hand built.
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Some people want to design their cues, hence a custom build. I agree that all production cues are not the same. Some cue lines are better than others and are very nice but you cannot get your own unique design, aesthetics, materials, or shaft taper from a production cue. I, for one, will not spend $1200 to $2000 for a production cue which is mostly machine made.
 
Johnny Rosato said:
This will do everything a custom will except swell your head and attract a lot of over-emphasized WOW's. Well I guess it might swell your head if the right person swung it! LOL

https://www.pooldawg.com/schmelke-sneaky-pete-pool-cue-stick
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All pool cues will hit a cue ball into an object ball so why spend more than a hundred bucks for a stick right? I get your point. I know a guy that has both REVO shafts. That's about a thousand bucks right there.

Some people spend 100k on a car and others 15k. If some guys spend 10k on a cue stick that is their business.

Why spend a hundred bucks on a cue stick. House cues are no charge.
 
To paraphrase a recent statement made by Cornerman/Fred Agnir, Everyone buys a cue because they like how it looks.
 
A friend of mine got a Mezz plain spliced cue with 2 WD700 shafts for about$700. Shortly after that I got a SW style Olney with 2 shafts for $575.

Both cues play great and will do what you need them to do. My Olney is WAY better looking in terms of wood quality and finish - plus less expensive.

There are many fine production cue companies out there that make very good cues where you can't hardly go wrong and you won't get "screwed".

Having said that, I will NEVER but anything other than a custome cue from now on. (if I ever even buy another cue)

I had a B Stroud early 70s cue with ivory joint years ago-best playing cue I ever hit a ball with. Another friend has a Murray Tucker cue - prob second best cue I've ever hit with. My current Olney is the third best cue i'ver ever hit with. All custom cues.

The only production scenario I would consider today is a Schon or Mezz butt re-fitted for a REVO shaft. But for that kind of money I could get a nice Lambros or something - so I would go with the Lambros (or other custom) every time.
 
I have used numerous customs and high-end "factory cues," and as far as playability and hit goes, good factory cues are probably more consistent from cue to cue. Most custom cues, made by the same builder, will display very different characteristics. On the other hand, any Predator 314 shaft will hit pretty much like any other.

The reason to get a custom is the individuality and to make you happy. I prefer beautiful wood with no inlays or wrap. No inlay was ever as beautiful as a good piece of walnut or amboyna burl. When I look at my cue, it is me and makes me happy. Were I a touring pro, I would use a high-end factory cue with a laminate, ultra-low deflection shaft. If something happens to that shaft, you screw on another and the difference will be minimal and you can quickly adjust. A solid maple shaft will have more idiosyncrasies and you have to index the cue to get the same consistency.
 
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Type79 said:
To paraphrase a recent statement made by Cornerman/Fred Agnir, Everyone buys a cue because they like how it looks.
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Not true for me. I buy cues for how they feel when I am playing with them. Looks come into play when selecting which cues to test. But I am more drawn by the reputation and my experience with the cue maker. For example, I really don't like inlays in my cues, but my favorite cue has inlays. I was not in the market for a cue at the time. But I made the mistake of playing with the the cue and could not put it down. There are a lot of great looking cues that I chose not to buy.
 
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