James White's contact information

Retail1LO

Retail1LO

Pass the sugar!!!
Silver Member
I'm purchasing some full spliced butts with prongs from Prather and I wanted to get them finished by James White. Has anyone here done business with James directly that could PM me this gentleman's contact information so I can see if he'd be willing to take on the job? I sincerely appreciate the help guys.

-Hayden
 
James White

Alls you have to do is go to Paul Motteys website and call that number. Paul and James work in the same shop. James has been a student of Paul's for many years.

Mottey Custom Cues
1628 Saw Mill Run Blvd
Pittsburgh, PA 15210
Phone: (412)881-9211
Fax: (412)531-7390
E-Mail: motteycues@aol.com
Website: www.motteycues.com
 
Outcome

When you talk to these guys, please let me know what they say about doing a job like this. I currently have a White but looking to get another cue done by him.

You can send me a PM
 
FLOG378 said:
When you talk to these guys, please let me know what they say about doing a job like this. I currently have a White but looking to get another cue done by him.

You can send me a PM
Click to expand...


This is the email I wrote to Mr. White/Mr. Mottey:

Good afternoon. I was on the AZ Billiards forum and was looking at a picture of a cue a gentleman had posted on the site. When I inquired about the cue, he mentioned that he’d bought the butt/prong at Prather, and had the cue finished by Mr. James White. When I asked him how to get in touch with Mr. White, he mentioned that he shares a shop with Mr. Paul Mottey, and gave me this email address as a point of contact. If this is way off base, and I’m barking up the wrong tree, my sincerest apologies. I’m just looking for an able individual to put the finishing touches on a few cues for me (butt caps, joints, wraps, shafts with ivory ferules etc).



If this is a joint mailbox for both Mr. Mottey and Mr. White, and either would be interested in helping me out…I would sincerely appreciate a quote and approximate turn around time so I can have an idea of what I need to do on my end in regards to getting things completed by Prather and shipped your way.



Thank you very much for your time and consideration regarding all of this.



Hayden McCall



To which I received the following reply:


James White and I are partners in the cue business. This is the email address to reach both of us. The cue you refer to was done as a personal favor for someone who buys a number of cues from us on a continuing basis. We make our cues from scratch, start to finish. Other than converting titleists into cues, it is not our policy to finish blanks made by Prather or anyone else into cues.

Sorry, that we can not help you. I do not know anyone to recommend for this work.

Paul



So...am I better off in general simply approaching someone directly to build me a cue? I'd hate to think this is the kind of response I'd generally get in reference to asking if someone would finish a blank built by someone else...but I can't say I don't understand nor appreciate where they're coming from. There was another AZ'er in here that had a cue done by James White (Ian, xianmacx) in this fashion, which is why I approached them. I guess Ian's bought a number of cues off them in the past however...so it was more of a favor.
 
Retail1LO said:
This is the email I wrote to Mr. White/Mr. Mottey:

Good afternoon. I was on the AZ Billiards forum and was looking at a picture of a cue a gentleman had posted on the site. When I inquired about the cue, he mentioned that he’d bought the butt/prong at Prather, and had the cue finished by Mr. James White. When I asked him how to get in touch with Mr. White, he mentioned that he shares a shop with Mr. Paul Mottey, and gave me this email address as a point of contact. If this is way off base, and I’m barking up the wrong tree, my sincerest apologies. I’m just looking for an able individual to put the finishing touches on a few cues for me (butt caps, joints, wraps, shafts with ivory ferules etc).



If this is a joint mailbox for both Mr. Mottey and Mr. White, and either would be interested in helping me out…I would sincerely appreciate a quote and approximate turn around time so I can have an idea of what I need to do on my end in regards to getting things completed by Prather and shipped your way.



Thank you very much for your time and consideration regarding all of this.



Hayden McCall



To which I received the following reply:


James White and I are partners in the cue business. This is the email address to reach both of us. The cue you refer to was done as a personal favor for someone who buys a number of cues from us on a continuing basis. We make our cues from scratch, start to finish. Other than converting titleists into cues, it is not our policy to finish blanks made by Prather or anyone else into cues.

Sorry, that we can not help you. I do not know anyone to recommend for this work.

Paul



So...am I better off in general simply approaching someone directly to build me a cue? I'd hate to think this is the kind of response I'd generally get in reference to asking if someone would finish a blank built by someone else...but I can't say I don't understand nor appreciate where they're coming from. There was another AZ'er in here that had a cue done by James White (Ian, xianmacx) in this fashion, which is why I approached them. I guess Ian's bought a number of cues off them in the past however...so it was more of a favor.
Click to expand...

MOST ELITE CUEMAKERS WON'T DO THE WORK YOU ARE ASKING ABOUT. IT IS TOUGH FOR THEM TO STAND BEHIND A CUE WHEN THEY DIDN'T MAKE THE BLANK. IF THE CUE DEVELOPS A BUZZ DOWN THE ROAD IT WILL MAKE THEM LOOK BAD. I'M SURE THERE ARE GUYS OUT THERE THAT WOULD DO WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR.

I WOULD CONTACT JERRY RAUENZAHN ABOUT DOING THIS WORK. HE MAKES A GREAT PLAYER CUE, WITH A TOP NOTCH FINISH, AND WON'T KILL YOU ON PRICE TO DO IT.
 
FAST_N_LOOSE said:
MOST ELITE CUEMAKERS WON'T DO THE WORK YOU ARE ASKING ABOUT. IT IS TOUGH FOR THEM TO STAND BEHIND A CUE WHEN THEY DIDN'T MAKE THE BLANK. IF THE CUE DEVELOPS A BUZZ DOWN THE ROAD IT WILL MAKE THEM LOOK BAD. I'M SURE THERE ARE GUYS OUT THERE THAT WOULD DO WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR.

I WOULD CONTACT JERRY RAUENZAHN ABOUT DOING THIS WORK. HE MAKES A GREAT PLAYER CUE, WITH A TOP NOTCH FINISH, AND WON'T KILL YOU ON PRICE TO DO IT.
Click to expand...

I dont' suppose anyone would kill me on the price to do what I'm looking for. I'm more or less looking for a veneered, full splice sneaky pete, with ivory butt and joint...couple of shafts. Nothing that's rocket science, you know?

The fact is...I would like the cue made by one of the top flight makers. I'm going with a simple design so I can keep my cost down. LOL I'm aware that there are plenty of outstanding cuemakers out there that can probably get this done for less...but I'd like the opportunity to own a cue from one of the HOF'ers out there...without losing my shirt. LOL I'm just trying to keep things simple. No inlays...no wrap. Four points and veneers. You know?
 
Retail1LO said:
I dont' suppose anyone would kill me on the price to do what I'm looking for. I'm more or less looking for a veneered, full splice sneaky pete, with ivory butt and joint...couple of shafts. Nothing that's rocket science, you know?

The fact is...I would like the cue made by one of the top flight makers. I'm going with a simple design so I can keep my cost down. LOL I'm aware that there are plenty of outstanding cuemakers out there that can probably get this done for less...but I'd like the opportunity to own a cue from one of the HOF'ers out there...without losing my shirt. LOL I'm just trying to keep things simple. No inlays...no wrap. Four points and veneers. You know?
Click to expand...

I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU ARE SAYING. BUT SOME OF THE TOP FLIGHT GUYS WOULD STILL BE WELL OVER 2K TO DO WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR, AND MOST OF THE TOP GUYS WON'T TOUCH THAT KIND OF WORK. GOOD LUCK ON YOUR SEARCH, JUST DON'T BE DISAPPOINTED WHEN THESE GUYS TELL YOU THAT THEY WON'T TOUCH IT.
 
I'll learn something either way. I'll find someone that will do it...and I'll find people who'll think what I'm asking is beneathe them. I'm not asking for anything that most cue makers didn't start out making in the first place. Hopefully some will remember their roots. I don't mind paying 2K for something that I ask for. I understand most of these guys are busy building ornaments these days...cues that most will never shoot with...and making a fortune doing it. I'm sure there are many people that would rather spend their time on the higer margin cue than what I'm asking for. I'm just going to have to dig around a bit and see what I find. I suppose if everyone slams their door in my face, I'll have to reconsider my approach and figure out what's more important to me...getting the cue I want vs. getting it from the person I want. At any rate...it's no great catastrophe either way. *shrug* It certainly won't make me think any less of them as people or cuemakers. :-) I respect all of these guys because they do something I cannot. Once in a while someone comes through for you in stellar fashion...and it makes for a special moment. I'll find my guy. :-)
 
Retail1LO said:
I'll learn something either way. I'll find someone that will do it...and I'll find people who'll think what I'm asking is beneathe them. I'm not asking for anything that most cue makers didn't start out making in the first place. Hopefully some will remember their roots. I don't mind paying 2K for something that I ask for. I understand most of these guys are busy building ornaments these days...cues that most will never shoot with...and making a fortune doing it. I'm sure there are many people that would rather spend their time on the higer margin cue than what I'm asking for. I'm just going to have to dig around a bit and see what I find. I suppose if everyone slams their door in my face, I'll have to reconsider my approach and figure out what's more important to me...getting the cue I want vs. getting it from the person I want. At any rate...it's no great catastrophe either way. *shrug* It certainly won't make me think any less of them as people or cuemakers. :-) I respect all of these guys because they do something I cannot. Once in a while someone comes through for you in stellar fashion...and it makes for a special moment. I'll find my guy. :-)
Click to expand...

Bro you need to chill. These guys are incredibly busy and in high demand. Why would they want to do laymen work for a cheap price when their cues have 9 month plus wait lists... It is not that it is necessarily "beneath" them, but they spent a lot of time apprenticing and honig their craft to get where they are...

Just to do a favor to any schmo that feels he is entitled to have a top notch cuemaker assemble bits and pieces of a cue pulled together from who knows where which may not meet their high standards of quality and put their name on it cuz you want a nice budget cue????

Is that what you are asking? Or do I misunderstand the question?

Not only that it would be unfair to the people who are on the wait list for them to drop everything and do your "pro bono" work.

That being said... Hey Big Jim, could ya speed up the process on my next cue... lol
 
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Addicted2CuesRU said:
Bro you need to chill. These guys are incredibly busy and in high demand. Why would they want to do laymen work for a cheap price when their cues have 9 month plus wait lists... It is not that it is necessarily "beneath" them, but they spent a lot of time apprenticing and honig their craft to get where they are...

Just to do a favor to any schmo that feels he is entitled to have a top notch cuemaker assemble bits and pieces of a cue pulled together from who knows where which may not meet their high standards of quality and put their name on it cuz you want a nice budget cue????

Is that what you are asking? Or do I misunderstand the question?

Not only that it would be unfair to the people who are on the wait list for them to drop everything and do your "pro bono" work.

That being said... Hey Big Jim, could ya speed up the process on my next cue... lol
Click to expand...


I'm reading my prior posts...and I was probably out of line. No...you guys are correct in your thought process...definitely . I was just...flying off the handle. Had me an irrational moment. I don't mind the wait list...and I really am not at all opposed to the prices I've been quoted at all. I had my bonehead moment for the day. Moving on now...... LOL
 
Addicted2CuesRU said:
Bro you need to chill. These guys are incredibly busy and in high demand. Why would they want to do laymen work for a cheap price when their cues have 9 month plus wait lists... It is not that it is necessarily "beneath" them, but they spent a lot of time apprenticing and honig their craft to get where they are...

Just to do a favor to any schmo that feels he is entitled to have a top notch cuemaker assemble bits and pieces of a cue pulled together from who knows where which may not meet their high standards of quality and put their name on it cuz you want a nice budget cue????
Is that what you are asking? Or do I misunderstand the question?

Not only that it would be unfair to the people who are on the wait list for them to drop everything and do your "pro bono" work.

That being said... Hey Big Jim, could ya speed up the process on my next cue... lol
Click to expand...



I think you jumped the gun here....I would have had no problem getting the whole cue built by Jim for whatever price he asked. Problem is, he and about 99 percent of cuemakers dont make full splice cues with sharp points at bottom. The few that do, have 5+ year waiting lists. I also disclaimed with jim upon requesting the work that if the cue burst into flames due to the blank being low quality, he has no liability.

Ian
 
xianmacx said:
I also disclaimed with jim upon requesting the work that if the cue burst into flames due to the blank being low quality, he has no liability.

Ian
Click to expand...

IAN,
JUST MY 2 CENTS, BUT FROM THE CUEMAKERS STANDPOINT, IT'S NOT YOU HE HAS TO WORRY ABOUT HOLDING HIM ACCOUNTABLE. IF YOU SELL THE CUE AND SOMEBODY DOWN THE ROAD OWNS THE CUE, AND IT DEVELOPS A PROBLEM, THAT PERSON WOULD LOOK AT THE CUEMAKER IN A BAD LIGHT.
 
FAST_N_LOOSE said:
IAN,
JUST MY 2 CENTS, BUT FROM THE CUEMAKERS STANDPOINT, IT'S NOT YOU HE HAS TO WORRY ABOUT HOLDING HIM ACCOUNTABLE. IF YOU SELL THE CUE AND SOMEBODY DOWN THE ROAD OWNS THE CUE, AND IT DEVELOPS A PROBLEM, THAT PERSON WOULD LOOK AT THE CUEMAKER IN A BAD LIGHT.
Click to expand...


Point taken. I can't blame cuemakers for getting frustrated with certain work. If pool players werent such nits alot of this could be avoided...lol
 
xianmacx said:
I think you jumped the gun here....I would have had no problem getting the whole cue built by Jim for whatever price he asked. Problem is, he and about 99 percent of cuemakers dont make full splice cues with sharp points at bottom. The few that do, have 5+ year waiting lists. I also disclaimed with jim upon requesting the work that if the cue burst into flames due to the blank being low quality, he has no liability.

Ian
Click to expand...


I said the same thing...believe me. I got the very distinct impression that they'd just assume not work with someone else's stuff.

As it is...Pual stated he'd make me a cue just like the one Jim finished for you...making everything on his own...and turn around would be 15 months. Granted...the time frame's longer than you encountered....and the prices is about $750 more than you paid...I don't find it unreasonable. I think you said you paid $250 for the blank, and $750 to have it finished. I'm looking at about $1750. What can you do.

I mean...that sounds like a decent price for a full spliced cue from either Paul or Jim doesnt it?
 
I'm not aware of Paul or Jim making full splice cues, but I could very well be wrong. If full splice is what your are expecting, I would double check to make sure that is what you will get.

Just a thought
 
Zeek said:
I'm not aware of Paul or Jim making full splice cues, but I could very well be wrong. If full splice is what your are expecting, I would double check to make sure that is what you will get.

Just a thought
Click to expand...

THEY DO FULLSPLICE OUT OF THE MOTTEY SHOP.....I WILL ALSO ADD THAT THEY ARE VERY NICE. THEY CAN DO ANY KIND OF SPLICE YOU WANT.
 
xianmacx said:
I think you jumped the gun here....I would have had no problem getting the whole cue built by Jim for whatever price he asked. Problem is, he and about 99 percent of cuemakers dont make full splice cues with sharp points at bottom. The few that do, have 5+ year waiting lists. I also disclaimed with jim upon requesting the work that if the cue burst into flames due to the blank being low quality, he has no liability.

Ian
Click to expand...


Oh...I see what your saying. You just prefer the blank that Prather provided?
 
FAST_N_LOOSE said:
THEY DO FULLSPLICE OUT OF THE MOTTEY SHOP.....I WILL ALSO ADD THAT THEY ARE VERY NICE. THEY CAN DO ANY KIND OF SPLICE YOU WANT.
Click to expand...
Thanks Marcus, I knew someone would know for sure. I've just never seen one.
 
FAST_N_LOOSE said:
THEY DO FULLSPLICE OUT OF THE MOTTEY SHOP.....I WILL ALSO ADD THAT THEY ARE VERY NICE. THEY CAN DO ANY KIND OF SPLICE YOU WANT.
Click to expand...


I had no Idea they did full splice. Are the points sharp at the bottom also? Had I known that, I would have just ordered one from them.
 
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