Jerry Rauenzahn Cue in Progress...

[West Point 1987]

Well, I finally got around to getting Jerry -R- to build me my next player...After years of playing with half-splice old school cues, I tried out a full splice player a couple of months ago and realized I had been barking up the wrong tree. I've always admired -R- cues and their old school, classic look and traditional construction, so I contacted Jerry and put the wheels in motion to build a bullet proof full splice. From the first email and the 25 that followed, I've never been more impressed. He makes you feel like you're the only customer in the world and he's skipping breakfast to jump on your project.

I've ordered an old school bumperless Brunswick 26 1/2 Trophy Cue, 60" (30-30 split), 20 oz, full splice Brazilian into straight grain maple with a 5/16 x 14 SS joint. The wedge will be in abalone, as will the diamonds/dots in the points (like the Mosconi Bushka). The veneers will be classic pre War Brunswick Black, Orange, Green and Natural. Burgundy elephant ear wrap. As promised, exactly 10 days after I confirmed the order, he sent me pictures of my cue, now resting for the next 30 days before any more cuts. Excited is an understatement...:smile:

 

[Bigb'scues]

I don't understand why his work doesn't. Command
A higher price. The craftsmanship in all his cues I have seen
Is top level. His full splice blanks IMO are way more consistent
Than john Davis or anyone for that matter. The playability factor of them is also
On a superior level. Just don't get the cue market sometimes.

Looks like it will be a nice one GL with it.

 

[West Point 1987]

The market is a strange place...if he had a wait list like others, then you'd get folks ordering his cues just to flip, driving up the value and lengthening the wait time, which also drives up the secondary market prices. It's a cycle that hasn't hit -R- cues, probably because he is focused on getting the customer what he wants in a reasonable time period, has only really had regional exposure and never got backed up. His demand is met as it comes in.

Players order Jerry's cues to play with (there are a few that just keep ordering -R- cues to collect, pushing him to try more complex old school projects like Brunswick 360, which is a good thing), but not a lot of players sell them in the secondary market. Unlike some builders, Jerry appears to focus his skills on perfecting the best, time proven construction techniques of the cue, instead of figuring out how many inlays and unique artistic twists he can put in a piece of wood. I'd love to have a Hercek or a Barry Szam, but since I'm not a collector looking to flip/trade it, I don't want to wait 10 years for a cue...who knows if I'll still be alive or playing pool by then? Plus, if I spend real money on a custom, I want it made FOR ME, to my specs...not something I find on the secondary market at double the original price. Something tells me that after he's left us, collectors will be chasing these cues like crazy. As for me, this one will likely go in the casket with me...never selling.

 

[sopranopa]

I personally own over a dozen cues that Jerry has built, dating back to the 1980's when he was first starting out. He has always provided top notch work and customer service to match. He always makes what the customer wants. He has created some crazy inlays for me in the past. I just love his full splice cues. I would not give up my -R- 368 for anything!!

 

[deanoc]

i have something ordered from jerry
i kept hearing how great they were so
i just ordered a special 360

the satisfied customers convinced me to buy the one cue i really wanted,perfect

back to the point,this cue of yours is really my kind of cue too

Hoppe?

 

[West Point 1987]

i have something ordered from jerry
i kept hearing how great they were so
i just ordered a special 360

the satisfied customers convinced me to buy the one cue i really wanted,perfect

back to the point,this cue of yours is really my king of cue too

Hoppe?

It will have an ivory Hoppe ring, yes, but it's a wedge cue (with the cut-away). :smile:

 

[Big-Tattoo]

you can't go wrong with jerry, his customer service is over the top and I have dealt in the past with many Cuemakers, so believe me.
You will get what you want in a short period , expect the 360 style as it is more complicated/complex but not really to long to wait.
So we will see soon many new Jerry Rauenzahn Cues.
can't wait he build my new 4+4 with 5v...
Cheers,
Ralf

 

[jkmarshall_cues]

Maybe the Hoppe ivory ring with the wedgy will look similar to one of these -R- cues. TASTY CHOICE!!!! Who else does them as nice as these??? They are killer. The flat cut angle fits just right in your hand, AND, you always have a way to hold your cue with your thumb on the flat area so you don't have any excuses for miss-hitting the cue ball.

John

 

[West Point 1987]

Mr. Marshall,

Indeed...I spent about 4 days poring over photos of your collection for inspiration. The bottom cue in your pics is very close to what I'm ordering, except in Brazilian and the entire splice will be above the wrap (points 3/8" below the joint ring and return points 3/8" above the wrap). I believe your -R- 1908 Brunswick 26 1/2 (the Rambow with striped ebony and the guy's name etched in the trophy wedge) had a similar forearm configuration, simply stunning. I'm not a fan of wrapless cues (I have a personal preference for natural wraps on my players), but I want the World to see the whole full splice--it's too good to hide under a wrap. I also chose abalone for the wedge and point inlays, it should really pop out. Should look like something right out of Greenleaf's or Hoppe's heyday! :grin-square:

 

[AK-Stick]

I have had Jerry build 2 full splice cues for me and I could find no fault with them and they played. The best thing about Jerry is you will have the cue when he says you will.

 

[Wedge]

Prices

I think one of the reasons that Jerry's prices are low is that when the latest edition of the blue book of cues came out they never updated the value of his cues. Just my opinion! His work is comparable to any of the high end cue makers!

Wedge

 

[Simple]

Congrats from another fullsplice lover.

As already mentioned, prices not necessarily have to do with the work. Most are impressed from CNC built cues, but for me this is exactly the opposite, I'm excited much more of traditionally built cues, new fullsplice and butterfly techniques. There are only dozen of cuemakers who build they own fullsplice blanks und they deserve more creadit imo.

 

[West Point 1987]

Latest turns...

And the cue has it's next turns...almost down to final size/specs. I'll get some more updates and pics in a couple of weeks.

 

[Busboy]

Great looking cues :thumbup:

 

[West Point 1987]

And here is the abalone wedge...:thumbup:

 

[ugotactionTX]

wow! that is going to be REALLY nice... just my kind of cue too.

 

[West Point 1987]

Pure Magic!!!!

Well, this thing is definitely moving along! I can't wait to get it...it's a monster. It will have a burgundy or brown elephant ear wrap, two shafts with extended pro taper.

 

[jkmarshall_cues]

THIS CUE IS STUNNING!!!!

NICE CHOICES... WOW!!! ME LIKE.... ME LIKE A LOT!!!!!:grin:

John

 

[Badbeat13]

Well, this thing is definitely moving along! I can't wait to get it...it's a monster. It will have a burgundy or brown elephant ear wrap, two shafts with extended pro taper.

Lookin' really good.

 

[pooldawg8]

WOW
Hey Bill the -R- is coming along quite nicely. Gonna be one heck of a player.