My New Custom Cue

mm4pool

mm4pool

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Hello All,

i would like to relate the story of how i came to own my very first custom cue. some of you may remember back in May a young man posting asking for help, his wife had taken a bad fall, out of work, A/C not working and he was trying to sell his personal player. akatrigger stepped up and sent him some cash which got the ball rolling and more AZB'ers stepped up, which i was one. from here one thing led to another and i started a dialoge with Tony from Russell Cues, we talked back and forth about cues in general and more specifically what I would like in a cue.

I ended up placing an order with Tony early to mid June, he gave me a tentative delivery of end of August. During the ensuing month and a half any question I had or design decision Tony answered promptly and courteously and was very patient with me. as promised i received my new cue this past wednesday, the only reason i didnt get it sooner was that UPS decided to let it sit in a warehouse over the labor day weekend.

when i got home wednesday and opened the box i was beyond happy. the cue is beautiful, just what i was looking for. a very simple clean design that lets the beauty of the wood grain be the focal point. i know that some prefer points and inlays and such but this what i like. i have only gotten to play a few racks so far so i cant give an informed opinion of playability yet but the early vote is good. quality - the cue is straight, together and apart. all joints are tight and even, the finish is first rate.

all in all I am EXTREMELY happy with the entire experience and product i received from Tony Russell and will do business with him in the future. sorry for the length of this.

Mike

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i'm looking forward to hearing how it plays. where's the balance point, from the butt, with the shaft attached? how thick is the butt?
 
Well, i finally got to spend some time playing with my new cue. first the requested specs - balance point is 19.25" from butt. diameter at butt is 1.25" joint pin is 3/8x11. the cue cue feels good in my hand, hit is different from what i am used to (been playing a Pechauer/OB2 for the past year) stiffer and solid. the hit might be more solid but we went with a medium tip. i like the feedback of the wrapless grip, it tells me if i dont do my part. overall i am very pleased and i will probably really like it once my new OB1 arrives. BTW i did decide to switch from OB2 to an OB1 to get a little firmer feel.

Mike
 
Awesome! Glad to hear you like the hit and feel. I strive to have a solid, stiff hitting cue with a slight forward balance.
 
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mm4pool said:
Well, i finally got to spend some time playing with my new cue. first the requested specs - balance point is 19.25" from butt. diameter at butt is 1.25" joint pin is 3/8x11. the cue cue feels good in my hand, hit is different from what i am used to (been playing a Pechauer/OB2 for the past year) stiffer and solid. the hit might be more solid but we went with a medium tip. i like the feedback of the wrapless grip, it tells me if i dont do my part. overall i am very pleased and i will probably really like it once my new OB1 arrives. BTW i did decide to switch from OB2 to an OB1 to get a little firmer feel.

Mike
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Hi Mike!

This is great news about your first custom cue! I'll never forget my first, either - there is nothing like the sense of pride that comes from designing your first cue. Congrats!!

I, too, shoot with a wrapless cue now. I will never got back to even a leather wrap.

I still prefer the OB2 shaft over the OB1, though. :)

Congrats again! And thanks also to Tony!
 
Thanks Melinda, i am now finally getting back to where i can make 4 or 5 in a row with the new cue, it is definately different. it took me a while to relearn how firm to stroke the cueball to get the desired result. my position play has been terrible but is coming back, i am only missing my leaves by about 6 inches now. lol. thanks again to Tony for a great first experience in buying a custom cue.

Mike
 
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mm4pool said:
Thanks Melinda, i am now finally getting back to where i can make 4 or 5 in a row with the new cue, it is definitely different. it took me a while to relearn how firm to stroke the cueball to get the desired result. my position play has been terrible but is coming back, i am only missing my leaves by about 6 inches now. lol. thanks again to Tony for a great first experience in buying a custom cue.

Mike
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This is why I set out to build custom cues, obviously I enjoy making them, but to hear that someone is happy with one of my cues is golden.

I'm glad the cue you ordered from me is working for you and if you need anything from me just ask. I could never truly repay all the kindness that you, melinda and all the others showed me when my back was against the wall. All that I need now is a place to send a cue to melinda as she wont accept a cue from me even though she in effect payed for one :o
 
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