I know John has a GIANT chip on his shoulder/obsessions/man-crush on TW but that aside, he's probably right. Either TW or Bill Stroud.
Most Arrogant Cuemaker???
- Thread starter FAST_N_LOOSE
- Start date
I know John has a GIANT chip on his shoulder/obsessions/man-crush on TW but that aside, he's probably right. Either TW or Bill Stroud.
Lots of interesting posts on this thread.................I've spoken with 9 cue-makers in my pool lifetime (45 years) but I've only communicated with 2 of those cue-makers as a custom cue customer.
My first experience was with Bob Runde back in '85 and I've written about my experience before so I won't impose upon your patience with another rendition. But suffice to say, I behaved like a complete jerk as a customer and he was nothing but gracious and accommodating......what a great person and cue-maker.
My second experience is underway right now and interestingly, Deanoc comes into play with this encounter. I've searched long for another cue for over 18 months without success. Along the way, I bought and sold a couple of Joss West cues, as well as the Schon's 1st Bushka Tribute cue. But I never found the cue I was looking for in terms of cue weight, joint, shaft sizes etc. So Dean finally convinced me to design my own cue and he helped me select the cue-maker. I think our final list eventually came down to 3 or 4 cue-makers and Dean left the final selection to me.
I'm only in the preliminary stage of having my cue built at this moment but so far the cue-maker has been just great to work with. I don't talk with him frequently but every time we spoken (2-3 times), he's been available, very polite, and interested in my cue design. I've seen his workmanship so I'm not concerned about how the cue will turn out, other than if it's not handsome, then it's entirely my fault. What is important to me is my cue-maker's availability & interest in building the cue the way I'd like it to be made.
So far I'm batting a 1000.......the 7 cue-makers that I was not a customer of were all great people to speak with and were accommodating, especially Richard Black. The 2 cue-makers where I was actually was one of their customers, well, Bob Runde was the most generous and understanding of anyone. My current cue-maker, I think he's cut from the same cloth as Runde and is one heck of nice guy to work with.
p.s. Thank You Dean.
My first experience was with Bob Runde back in '85 and I've written about my experience before so I won't impose upon your patience with another rendition. But suffice to say, I behaved like a complete jerk as a customer and he was nothing but gracious and accommodating......what a great person and cue-maker.
My second experience is underway right now and interestingly, Deanoc comes into play with this encounter. I've searched long for another cue for over 18 months without success. Along the way, I bought and sold a couple of Joss West cues, as well as the Schon's 1st Bushka Tribute cue. But I never found the cue I was looking for in terms of cue weight, joint, shaft sizes etc. So Dean finally convinced me to design my own cue and he helped me select the cue-maker. I think our final list eventually came down to 3 or 4 cue-makers and Dean left the final selection to me.
I'm only in the preliminary stage of having my cue built at this moment but so far the cue-maker has been just great to work with. I don't talk with him frequently but every time we spoken (2-3 times), he's been available, very polite, and interested in my cue design. I've seen his workmanship so I'm not concerned about how the cue will turn out, other than if it's not handsome, then it's entirely my fault. What is important to me is my cue-maker's availability & interest in building the cue the way I'd like it to be made.
So far I'm batting a 1000.......the 7 cue-makers that I was not a customer of were all great people to speak with and were accommodating, especially Richard Black. The 2 cue-makers where I was actually was one of their customers, well, Bob Runde was the most generous and understanding of anyone. My current cue-maker, I think he's cut from the same cloth as Runde and is one heck of nice guy to work with.
p.s. Thank You Dean.
Last edited:
cratedigger
Cratedigger
Carolina Custom Cues.
I called to request the cue to be built to spec. Nothing special 60in with 12.9 taper I told Trevor I wanted to make sure I had selected the right tip, weight, ect. And would email confirmation of what I wanted. I paid the 100.00 for the deposit and called him back Monday to confirm he got the email. While I was being talked over and told that i had confused him...swithing things up were the words I think. This is because he had not read my email saying I wanted to add small ivory diamond inlay at the inner section of the points. I quickly told him we were getting off to a bad start and needed my deposit back. I agree cust service is not fun but is a must. That's why we call these custom cues - do you want us to just buy production cues or is it more of you not wanting to reset your lathe. Trevor has a tuff time ans the phone and must be occupied trying to unload the old quickfire cues they made to Billiard Warehouse in NC. Oh well. Thats my story. To wrap it up I encourage every one to contact Pat Diveney. Its a shame I couldn't buy a cue and support my local cue makers. We miss you Danny Stout!!!
I called to request the cue to be built to spec. Nothing special 60in with 12.9 taper I told Trevor I wanted to make sure I had selected the right tip, weight, ect. And would email confirmation of what I wanted. I paid the 100.00 for the deposit and called him back Monday to confirm he got the email. While I was being talked over and told that i had confused him...swithing things up were the words I think. This is because he had not read my email saying I wanted to add small ivory diamond inlay at the inner section of the points. I quickly told him we were getting off to a bad start and needed my deposit back. I agree cust service is not fun but is a must. That's why we call these custom cues - do you want us to just buy production cues or is it more of you not wanting to reset your lathe. Trevor has a tuff time ans the phone and must be occupied trying to unload the old quickfire cues they made to Billiard Warehouse in NC. Oh well. Thats my story. To wrap it up I encourage every one to contact Pat Diveney. Its a shame I couldn't buy a cue and support my local cue makers. We miss you Danny Stout!!!
Last edited:
my first exsperirence at buying a custom cue only 18 yr old at the time...
well back in 1986 I called Tim Scruggs custom cue's I did not talk to him but one of the guys in the shop pissed me off.. I asked about a cue I saw in a mag that was a Scruggs cue he told me it was 4350 and then went on to act like I couldn't afford it.. well I got mad got ahold of my grandmother and we bought that cue for spite but I sure glad I bought it it one of my most priced cue in my collection of cues. I have 12 of them now love Scruggs cues
well back in 1986 I called Tim Scruggs custom cue's I did not talk to him but one of the guys in the shop pissed me off.. I asked about a cue I saw in a mag that was a Scruggs cue he told me it was 4350 and then went on to act like I couldn't afford it.. well I got mad got ahold of my grandmother and we bought that cue for spite but I sure glad I bought it it one of my most priced cue in my collection of cues. I have 12 of them now love Scruggs cues
I always wondered if there was a thread like this, dont know how I missed this one. It seems like there is a difference between someone who is arrogant and someone whos an a$$hole. Some of the stories about Siegel would lean toward the latter part of the equation it seems like. Did he really start building cues on his own or was that some scheme by a higher power since he was a super player to play off the name recognition? Whatever the case, he should probably be more than appreciative when someone wanted to buy one of his cues.
Heres a quick story about a cuemaker not mentioned. I had a plain jane cue I took to the DCC a few years ago, not to sell but just in case the cue maker was there. He was, and I showed it to him. A friend of mine wanted a similar cue made and when I ask what it would cost it was like I was from another planet. I guess he thought I was trying to peddle it and needed a rough idea of what to ask. Come to find out, a friend of mine who was there was also friends with this particular cue maker and had many of his cues over the years. I told him about the situation and he talked to him, next thing you know its all good. Is there a moral to that story, maybe dont jump to conclusions if your in the business....like I could have bought every cue he had with him but after that I probably wouldnt have taken them for free. I sold the cue that night just so I wouldnt have to sleep in the same room with it....:rotflmao1:
Heres a quick story about a cuemaker not mentioned. I had a plain jane cue I took to the DCC a few years ago, not to sell but just in case the cue maker was there. He was, and I showed it to him. A friend of mine wanted a similar cue made and when I ask what it would cost it was like I was from another planet. I guess he thought I was trying to peddle it and needed a rough idea of what to ask. Come to find out, a friend of mine who was there was also friends with this particular cue maker and had many of his cues over the years. I told him about the situation and he talked to him, next thing you know its all good. Is there a moral to that story, maybe dont jump to conclusions if your in the business....like I could have bought every cue he had with him but after that I probably wouldnt have taken them for free. I sold the cue that night just so I wouldnt have to sleep in the same room with it....:rotflmao1:
Arrogant to the max
You guys must have never met Bill McDaniel. He had a serious superiority complex. I thought maybe he was just a unique individual but he was just a straight up a hole . I have met so many great cue makers that were great people. Andy gilbert is awesome as you can tell by my screen name I stand by the cue he made me and he delivered it early. Pat Diveney is also a great individual. Maybe Bill didn't rub everybody the wrong way but he treated me very rudely and didn't really seem to want to sell a cue. Sad thing is his cues play as good or better than anything on earth!!!!
You guys must have never met Bill McDaniel. He had a serious superiority complex. I thought maybe he was just a unique individual but he was just a straight up a hole . I have met so many great cue makers that were great people. Andy gilbert is awesome as you can tell by my screen name I stand by the cue he made me and he delivered it early. Pat Diveney is also a great individual. Maybe Bill didn't rub everybody the wrong way but he treated me very rudely and didn't really seem to want to sell a cue. Sad thing is his cues play as good or better than anything on earth!!!!
Bill was/is a Genius, you love or hate this people, lol. you are right about the playability on his Cues :thumbup:
still hoping he came back
Out of the 4 I've dealt with over the years only one comes to mind, Mike Lambros, he made me a beautiful cue but let's say he has a very high opinion of himself. The others were great, Danny Janes, Tim Scruggs were both great guys but the best of all was Bob Frey, immensely talented but exceedingly humble and one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet.
Why am I the Colonel? Because I always get the chicken
Why am I the Colonel? Because I always get the chicken
Great question I think. Personally most of the cue makers I came across were very genuine and easy going gents. Most we're very open to talking shop and comparing notes. I think the most arrogant ones I came across were those that thought they were part of some elite good old boy network. Easily two of the nicest guys I've come across are Tony at BB and Timmy Scruggs. The arrogant ones are those who believe they have it's all figured out and their way is the greatest thing since sliced bread. Honestly, I don't see much benefit to bad mouthing a particular jerk. They know who they are.
IF I gave someone an $800 deposit...
You can bet your ass I'd be using some frequent flyer miles and knocking on their door if they didn't feel like giving it back...
Jaden
You can bet your ass I'd be using some frequent flyer miles and knocking on their door if they didn't feel like giving it back...
Jaden
Last edited: