New cue, M Bender or M Capone

cbi1000

cbi1000

It is what it is...
Silver Member
Hello everyone, i'm interested in a new cue. One with 16 points or more with veeners. I'm down to two cue makers; Capone and Bender. The only down side i have is i haven't hit with either one! I have owned southwest, coker, schon, McDaniel, and Gilbert. I like the hit of my Gilbert and Southwest the best so i'm after that feel again. Please if you have owned a Bender or Capone and could give me some idea of how they compare to some of the cues i've listed please post. Let me no about balance points, hit (feel), and craftmanship of cue.

Also, if you have any other cue maker suggestions please feel free to drop some names.

Thanks,
 
I own a Mike Capone and have played with a Bender. I personally like the Capone better.The Capone in my opinion gives more feel and feedback.It is more of a medium type hit.Bender usually plays a little stiffer.I love the balance of my cue.It is very evenly balanced through out the entire cue.The craftmansip is excelent.My cue is a 4 pointer with ivory inlays in the points and butt.Very sharp points. If you like the hit of a Southwest i would go with the Bender, as his hit is similar. Once you get used to a hit it is hard to switch. Whichever one you end up with, im sure you wont be disappointed.Let us know which one you chose
 
cbi,

My very first custom cue was a Capone and it was a very nice playing cue. The only reason why I sold it was because it was a little heavy for me. Construction wise, Capone does a very nice job and I was very pleased with it. I currently own a Mike Bender and Omega/DPK and LOVE them both. I think Bender's and Omega/DPK' s play awesome and if you like your Southwest, I think you'll like the Bender.

My Bender is an ebony forearm, so its a little forward weighted because of the density characteristics of ebony. Hits are subjective, but both the Bender and Omega/DPK hit very nicely, a very good stiff hit. Bender's points are one of the sharpest and most even in the business. I highly recommend going with the Bender, I think his current wait list is up to 2 years, but well worth the wait.

Another cue maker to consider is Skip Weston. Excellent construction with super sharp and even point work. I recommend his piloted joints, they hit "better" than his flat-faced joint in my opinion. His wait is about 6-8 months.
 
i've hit(toyed) with four capones............two good, one average, one bad.

at THAT time, two years ago +, when mika was capone's spokesman, i was not sold on them. i don't know about today.

clearly,,,if you intend to buy a 16 pointer, then you need a craftsman who knows his s**t. bender has a big reputation as one of the best of his peers. better resale, i'll bet too.

if i were buying between the two, and i had nothing to go one except other people's opinions,,,i'd stay with my gut and bender's experience at omega dpk. those cues were hot.
 
Bender or Capone or .....?

Certainly a Bender or Capone assures a much higher resale value. However consider spending less money and purchasing a cue from a builder that does not have the high dollar name of those guys but is well on their way to achieving that same reputation.

Rick Howard
Ned Morris
Jack Madden
& Others

I guarantee that if you play with any of the cues from the 3 guys noted above - you'll be a very happy camper and have a little more money to bet with !!
 
I have a capone and like it. It is a newer one. Nice balance, nice feel, excellent sharp points. Can't compare to a bender tho, and I have only hit with one southwest.
 
TheBook said:
Ironchef

Does your Bender have any points or is it solid?

Thanks
Click to expand...

Here are pics of my Bender. 5 BEM points into an ebony forearm. Veneers from inside out are black, brown, purple, white. I love the look of the cue.

orig.jpg

orig.jpg
 
Ive played with both Capone and Bender and I love the way a Bender plays. If you like the SouthWest hit/feel then Bender is the way to go as he was taught how to make cues by David Kersenbrock who also taught Jerry Franklin, founder of SouthWest cues. All of them will hit similar to each other. You can also add Ed Young, David's latest apprentice, to that list. His cues are similar to SW & Benders. Mike Bender's point and inlay work in second to none. I believe his current wait list is 18-24 months but if you cant wait I have a few that I can part with. :D
 
dooziexx said:
I,,,,,,,,,,,,,You can also add Ed Young, David's latest apprentice, to that list. His cues are similar to SW & Benders. ,,,,,,,,,,,
Click to expand...

i'm not QUITE sure, but i'd have to say ed is more aligned with kershenbrock than bender, since kershenbrock set up his shop, they both use the same equipment/shop, and work together daily. thus their cues measure the same and rely on the original template for kershenbrock cues, FROM which i believe SW and bender have deviated slightly....
 
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bender

i and several of my friends own bender cues.i have never had a more balanced cue and solid hit.i went from an ivory joint to the bender. i am very very happy. and i have never heard a bad comment about mr. benders cues. well woth the money and the investment.ive lost money on about all of the cues ive used and invested in. ive had 3 benders and made money on 1 broke evan on the other 1 and will continue to use the bender i have now,till the game passes me by. for the money its bender all the way.
good luck and enjoy your new cue.
big
:cool:
 
As far as I know, Mike Bender doesn't have a website. Not even sure if he has email, but I do know you can call himn in Alaska and he's pretty friendly and helpful.
 
Harder hit?

Thanks for the replys. When you guys talk about harder hit are you speaking stiffer shafts? The southwest i owned played a little too hard for me, the shafts were too stiff. Now i play with Predator 314 shafts so i'm guessing if the hardness example to southwest cues may be shaft related?
Thanks,
 
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