Joel Herceck cue

Chicken_Blood

Chicken_Blood

Carpe Poultry
Silver Member
After more than seven years my time is up, Joel Hercek will start building my cue in a month or two. I wanted to get some get some advice from the AZers. I am primarily concerned with building a cue for playability although I know the cue will be beautiful no matter the makeup. There are a few things that I want (no wrap, a weight between 20 and 20 ½ ounces and a flat face joint).
Here are some of my questions:
Which do you prefer and why.
Ferrule, Joint and butt cap: ivory, phenolic or something else.
Joint screw: G10, piloted brass, etc.
Base wood and three veneers: What would you use?
Shafts: Predator, OB1, etc.
Extension: Thinking about a quick release in the butt of the cue.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
 
You mean after seven years of waiting, you are not sure what you want in YOUR custom cue?
:cool::grin-square::sorry::embarrassed2::confused:
 
Hercek Question

In My Opinion: If I waited seven years for a top cue builder and it was my turn. personally I would not be most interested in playability, Very good playing cues can be bought for a fraction of the cost. When you do get Joels cue, I am sure it will be so spectacular you will feel bad playing with it. It will be like driving a new expensive car with no insurance. I would be more interested in getting the best cue for collecting and future sales. If you could go back 25 years would you order the entry level great playing Szamboti, or pay a little more for the special version. I envy you that it is your turn and that you can afford this cue. Good Luck, Bob
 
Here is my advice so no flaming just what I would do.

I would have ivory as much as possible everywhere and spend as much as you can.

Eventually, everyone resells and Herceck is top notch in resell. Higher end the better.

I would have his shafts, his standard joint, etc. Why mess up a good thing?

JMO

Ken
 
Ken_4fun said:
Here is my advice so no flaming just what I would do.

I would have ivory as much as possible everywhere and spend as much as you can.

Eventually, everyone resells and Herceck is top notch in resell. Higher end the better.

I would have his shafts, his standard joint, etc. Why mess up a good thing?

JMO

Ken
Click to expand...

Ken

I'm with you. Get as much work as you can afford, keep it as "Hercek" as possible, and, play with it.

Were it me, I'd be trying all my pals cues to see what "feel" I enjoyed best and then rather than figuring it out what promotes that feel myself (this is where I always fail) go to Joel and ask the EXPERT how to best have that feel translated into his stick.

Thanks

Kevin
 
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Ken_4fun said:
Here is my advice so no flaming just what I would do.

I would have ivory as much as possible everywhere and spend as much as you can.

Eventually, everyone resells and Herceck is top notch in resell. Higher end the better.

I would have his shafts, his standard joint, etc. Why mess up a good thing?

JMO

Ken
Click to expand...

Agreed.

To add, I would also go with Joel's leather wrap instead of wrapless. He is one of the best in the business at leather wraps.

I have been on Joel's list for about 5 years but here is what I am looking to have him build me when the time comes...No stealing my ideas though :smile:

Butt: Ebony Hoppe style (ivory ring) butt sleeve
Wrap: Leather
Forearm: BEM
4 Ebony points
4 veneers (maple / light blue / navy blue / black)
Joint: 5/16x14 SS
Tip: Soft
Shaft(s): 12.75 mm and heavy as possible
Butt weight: 15.7 oz

Inlays - Undecided but some tasteful ivory, maybe barbells?
 
You've heard good advice so far imo. Stick with what is inherently Hercek. Stay with his piloted 5/16-14 or flat face 3/8-10 joint in SS or ivory. 4 veneers. Get 2 of his shafts w/ ivory ferrules - have him make them his favorite way. If you want to add LD shafts to play with, that's your choice. Herceks are highly desired. If you're going have a player made, make it a Hercek player.
Good for you!
 
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Man if I were in your shoes I would have figured this out at least five years ago!!! LOL

If you already have a good playing cue that you are happy with than I would have to agree with Ken. Go as fancy as your wallet will afford. You will never lose money on your new Hercek cue.

Here's another thing to think about, order three shafts with the cue. One you will always play with and the other two will stay unchalked at 13mm. I am a little biased as whatever cue I look to buy I always look to the future resell of the cue so three shafts might be something to think about. Although you may not ever plan on selling the cue in the distant future, you never know.
 
Just ask him to do what he always does/wood to gold!!

Why would you do anything diff- Joel Herceck builds cues for play- I'd say tell him how much cash,and let the legend make what he feels necessary . I agree with leather wrap and ivory ferrules and joint. I'd say 4 shafts. sometimes the cue is too fancy and you'll never feel safe in the pool hall with 10,000 on your wrist. good to be you- mark
 
Youve gotten great advice.Tell Joel to use his imaginaztion and go to town.
You wont be disapointed { sorry spelling is off today]
 
4 Ebony points, 4 veneers BEM front

Ivory Joint, Buttcap, and Ferrules.

Cortland wrap

56+ Ivory inlays

4 shafts
 
Chicken_Blood said:
After more than seven years my time is up, Joel Hercek will start building my cue in a month or two. I wanted to get some get some advice from the AZers. I am primarily concerned with building a cue for playability although I know the cue will be beautiful no matter the makeup. There are a few things that I want (no wrap, a weight between 20 and 20 ½ ounces and a flat face joint).
Here are some of my questions:
Which do you prefer and why.
Ferrule, Joint and butt cap: ivory, phenolic or something else.
Joint screw: G10, piloted brass, etc.
Base wood and three veneers: What would you use?
Shafts: Predator, OB1, etc.
Extension: Thinking about a quick release in the butt of the cue.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...

I've been fortunate enough to own a few Hercek's, so here's my .02.

Ferrules: I believe the ONLY option on Joel's shafts are ivory ferrules. You can change the length slight 3/4" instead of 1". I would go with the 3/4" for lighter weight and *possibly* less deflection.

Joint Screw: I have NEVER seen a G-10 from Hercek. If you get him to make one, it will probably be his first. I'm thinking he won't, so this is probably a moot point. He'll do a 3/8-10 pin, and I had one like that. It played well, and I remember Joel even saying that he loves the feel of his flat-faced cues. ***Added Bonus*** Joel does NOT do a lot of these flat faced joints, so your cue would be even more rare.

Joint: I would do what I did on one of his cues. It was an ivory sleeve, but flat-faced. Basically it looked like a classic piloted joint, and no one would know the difference until you un-screwed it.

Shafts: Again, unless something changed recently, Joel will NOT use ANY aftermarket shaft. He won't even match one to his cues. This may have changed, but was his stand a while back. The reason is that he has no idea how good the quality is, and it did not season in his shop. I DO like the idea of at least 3 shafts, and keeping at least one (if not 2) in un-played condition.

Design: Since Joel makes a classic, why not go with a classic design? Something like a 4 point ebony with Black/Mahogony/Light Blue/Maple veneers would be great. Black/Red/Black/Maple looks awesome, too.

Wrap: I would go with Joel's leather wrap. They were great before, and he's made some improvements (different cutting method and glue) not too long ago, so his wraps are probably up there with the absolute BEST in the business.

I'm sure whatever you do, you'll be happy. Joel is a great guy, and a true artist when it comes to cues.

Best of luck, and be sure to post pictures when you get it!!
 
my experience ...

...with joel has been absolutely top-notch.

when we first spoke about the cue i let joel know that even though i had seen a lot of cues on AZ, designing one for myself was leaving me with a complete blank.

so he walked me through my ultimate purpose of the cue ... i wanted a player ( no sitting in a case and gathering dust ), it should be classic, i like notched diamonds, a little ivory would be nice, can't go wrong with maple, ebony would be a nice contrast to the ivory, cool tones for the veneer colors, etc.

slowly the ideas took shape and here is what i got:

http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=155659


i think that process might work well for you as well.

it's all good to think about "ultimate value" and "re-sale" but if you're gonna get one shot at a hercek cue, it should be about YOU.

why put so much time and energy to make a cue for someone who don't even know ...

life is too short . get YOUR cue, play YOUR game - damn, you're gonna be playing with a hercek - enjoy it !
 
kamdaswani said:
...with joel has been absolutely top-notch.

when we first spoke about the cue i let joel know that even though i had seen a lot of cues on AZ, designing one for myself was leaving me with a complete blank.

so he walked me through my ultimate purpose of the cue ... i wanted a player ( no sitting in a case and gathering dust ), it should be classic, i like notched diamonds, a little ivory would be nice, can't go wrong with maple, ebony would be a nice contrast to the ivory, cool tones for the veneer colors, etc.

slowly the ideas took shape and here is what i got:

http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=155659


i think that process might work well for you as well.

it's all good to think about "ultimate value" and "re-sale" but if you're gonna get one shot at a hercek cue, it should be about YOU.

why put so much time and energy to make a cue for someone who don't even know ...

life is too short . get YOUR cue, play YOUR game - damn, you're gonna be playing with a hercek - enjoy it !
Click to expand...
Wow, Kam - nice! When did you get on his list? I got on Joel's list January 30, 2005 and understand I have a few more years to wait...

I can't wait for notification from Joel that mine is finally ready to begin....
 
Joel Hercek Cue

Good luck with your Hercek, I on his next batch also. This is going to be my fourth cue. I like the flat face 3/8 x 10, ivory sleeved joint. When Joel calls I will tell him what joint to use and the weight of the cue, shaft size and tips, that's it. Let Joel run with the design, you will not be disappointed. He is a easy person to speak with, give him your ideas of what you want, he will do the rest. Enjoy your new cue, please post pics when you get the cue
 
bobalouiecda said:
In My Opinion: If I waited seven years for a top cue builder and it was my turn. personally I would not be most interested in playability, Very good playing cues can be bought for a fraction of the cost. When you do get Joels cue, I am sure it will be so spectacular you will feel bad playing with it. It will be like driving a new expensive car with no insurance. I would be more interested in getting the best cue for collecting and future sales. If you could go back 25 years would you order the entry level great playing Szamboti, or pay a little more for the special version. I envy you that it is your turn and that you can afford this cue. Good Luck, Bob
Click to expand...

Joel builds his cue for playability first. That is why they all are built on the same foundation of a full-splice blank.

Your cue will play great, in the full-splice, solid hit sort of way. If not, give me a call and I'll make sure you get your money back! :)

Scott
 
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