First of all my camera is down so I'm unable to take some pics of the cue so I'll include a link to what Chuck originally posted in the Wanted/FS Section for this cue when it was for sale on Ebay and you can take a look at it that way.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=ADME:L:LCA:US:11&item=200126338249
I'm sure by now most of you are familiar with the fact that Chuck uses the unique, meaty wood pin in his cues. He's gotten very good feedback from people that have purchased from him so I wanted to try one for myself. So here are my thoughts.
The transaction: was very easy and I can't imagine a cuemaker being any easier to deal with than Chuck. I would also say with time and materials and what he charges it truly has to be a labor of love. I can't imagine he really makes any money off of his cues. When I sent him the payment he must have shipped it immediately because I had it (well packed) in a couple of days.
The construction: is great, beautiful wood and real ivory. The Koa is really a pretty piece with a lot going on. The handle is a little meatier than what I'm used to but my current cue is of a smaller diameter in the butt area. I had read some that have said it's a workout screwing the shaft to the butt but that isn't case with mine. I'd say it goes together with an effort similar to putting together a McDermott. Mine has a Moori tip, which is a nice touch.
The hit: is going to be hard to describe and I'm not sure how you do that but I'll give it a go. With the thick wood pin the comparisons to a one piece are inevitable and have been said before but yes it does feel more like that then a cue with a piloted joint for instance. The ivory joint and ferrule give it kind of crisp feeling hit with pleasing sound (resonance?) and feedback. I'm getting lots of action on the cueball we'll say. I had played with an ivory jointed Joss back in the 80's and remember thinking it was unique so I'm thinking that might have a lot to do with hit/feel of this cue but I don't know. It is a very nice player though.
I've had the opportunity to hit a couple of hundred balls off with it and haven't screwed one of my other cues together since I got it. I would have to give Chuck high marks for a lot of cue for the money. It's different having the big wooden pin and I'm sure it will draw a lot of comments from people, but part of the fun of having a custom cue is getting feedback and interest from others I think.
I've got a wrapless Wayne Robinson coming today or tomorrow and now I'll have to figure out which one will be my every day player. I'll review that here too after it arrives.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=ADME:L:LCA:US:11&item=200126338249
I'm sure by now most of you are familiar with the fact that Chuck uses the unique, meaty wood pin in his cues. He's gotten very good feedback from people that have purchased from him so I wanted to try one for myself. So here are my thoughts.
The transaction: was very easy and I can't imagine a cuemaker being any easier to deal with than Chuck. I would also say with time and materials and what he charges it truly has to be a labor of love. I can't imagine he really makes any money off of his cues. When I sent him the payment he must have shipped it immediately because I had it (well packed) in a couple of days.
The construction: is great, beautiful wood and real ivory. The Koa is really a pretty piece with a lot going on. The handle is a little meatier than what I'm used to but my current cue is of a smaller diameter in the butt area. I had read some that have said it's a workout screwing the shaft to the butt but that isn't case with mine. I'd say it goes together with an effort similar to putting together a McDermott. Mine has a Moori tip, which is a nice touch.
The hit: is going to be hard to describe and I'm not sure how you do that but I'll give it a go. With the thick wood pin the comparisons to a one piece are inevitable and have been said before but yes it does feel more like that then a cue with a piloted joint for instance. The ivory joint and ferrule give it kind of crisp feeling hit with pleasing sound (resonance?) and feedback. I'm getting lots of action on the cueball we'll say. I had played with an ivory jointed Joss back in the 80's and remember thinking it was unique so I'm thinking that might have a lot to do with hit/feel of this cue but I don't know. It is a very nice player though.
I've had the opportunity to hit a couple of hundred balls off with it and haven't screwed one of my other cues together since I got it. I would have to give Chuck high marks for a lot of cue for the money. It's different having the big wooden pin and I'm sure it will draw a lot of comments from people, but part of the fun of having a custom cue is getting feedback and interest from others I think.
I've got a wrapless Wayne Robinson coming today or tomorrow and now I'll have to figure out which one will be my every day player. I'll review that here too after it arrives.
