New cue-production or custom?

You really need to figure out what you like in a cue...what feels good in your hand..butt diameter, grip type, wrapless, irish linen, leather etc. Shaft taper,thicker..thinner, longer vs shorter, tip diameter, ferrule material, then tip choices. Joint types, wood to wood, SS,ivory. and then balance point. So until you have experimented with several different cues you wont know this. A custom cue maker can build to your specs. So IMO dont waste your money on a custom cue right now.. until you know how relate to the cue maker what you like. In the mean time a nice Schon bought on secondary market would probably make a great choice.
 
Schon and Samsara both make great cues u can't go wrong with either hope u find a cue ur looking for :grin:
 
Lumocolor said:
I see 2 big differences between a custom and production.

1) With a custom if you have specific preferences you can get exactly what you want, from weight to veneer colors to overall design.

2) A custom will likely hold it's value a lot better than a production cue unless said production cue is some kind of special limited edition thing. Production cues are more like cars; Once you drive off the lot you just lost 50% of your value.
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I have only custom ordered 2 cues. Neither cue was delivered as requested. There was no communication during production of either cue and both required longer than promised to deliver. Both cues play OK and neither was expensive, so I kept them. I'll probably lose 50% on each when it comes time to sell.
 
try different cues first - custom and production. if you have friends who play, they could probably let you try theirs. check first which cue gives you the most comfortable hit. try doing english, draw, stun, force follow, open bridge, closed bridge, etc. good luck.:smile:
 
Sealegs50 said:
I have only custom ordered 2 cues. Neither cue was delivered as requested. There was no communication during production of either cue and both required longer than promised to deliver. Both cues play OK and neither was expensive, so I kept them. I'll probably lose 50% on each when it comes time to sell.
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This is a important point!

Custom does not have to mean, made to order. Most consumers have no idea what they want or would like! Again, most don't have the knowledge or experience. That is why a good custom cue maker can "Assist" in the cue selection/purchasing process. This "Assistance" is how they "earn" their money!!!

Far too often consumers go to a custom builder and "Presume" they know more then the "Builder"!!! If that is the case, then why did you go there??? I have relied on the "knowledge and expertise" of many great cue makers that are equally great players.

The custom makers that I have known, all want to produce the "Holy Grail" every time they are at the lathe! Most take more pride and joy in the great "Players" then the great "lookers". For this reason, many custom makers frown upon building cues and using certain wood combination they "Know" will not yield the best playing cue!!!

God forbid they be "Judged" based on a cue that is going to play or perform in a less then favorable manner! All to accommodate a unusual customer "request" and keep the lights on!!!

These guys would have to "hate" having customers come in the door over and over again, disrespecting "their knowledge and expertise!" Every consumer "thinks" they know more then the "cue maker." I would suggest every consumer go to the builder and ask to hit a few balls with the "Builders" personal player! It will give the consumer a good idea of what the builder "thinks" is a great hitting cue. If your "Taste" in cues are similar then it is safe to say that this builder would build a cue to your liking! Like many here have said, you really need to "test" before you buy!

With so many good cues on the "Used" market and with substantial cost savings, why not buy a used custom over a new production? If you do decide to custom "Order" then "Trust" the advice of the "expert" you have hired! If he says a all "balsa wood" cue will be too light and play poorly then "trust it"

KD
 
Kid Dynomite said:
This is a important point!

Custom does not have to mean, made to order. Most consumers have no idea what they want or would like! Again, most don't have the knowledge or experience. That is why a good custom cue maker can "Assist" in the cue selection/purchasing process. This "Assistance" is how they "earn" their money!!!

Far too often consumers go to a custom builder and "Presume" they know more then the "Builder"!!! If that is the case, then why did you go there??? I have relied on the "knowledge and expertise" of many great cue makers that are equally great players.

The custom makers that I have known, all want to produce the "Holy Grail" every time they are at the lathe! Most take more pride and joy in the great "Players" then the great "lookers". For this reason, many custom makers frown upon building cues and using certain wood combination they "Know" will not yield the best playing cue!!!

God forbid they be "Judged" based on a cue that is going to play or perform in a less then favorable manner! All to accommodate a unusual customer "request" and keep the lights on!!!

These guys would have to "hate" having customers come in the door over and over again, disrespecting "their knowledge and expertise!" Every consumer "thinks" they know more then the "cue maker." I would suggest every consumer go to the builder and ask to hit a few balls with the "Builders" personal player! It will give the consumer a good idea of what the builder "thinks" is a great hitting cue. If your "Taste" in cues are similar then it is safe to say that this builder would build a cue to your liking! Like many here have said, you really need to "test" before you buy!

With so many good cues on the "Used" market and with substantial cost savings, why not buy a used custom over a new production? If you do decide to custom "Order" then "Trust" the advice of the "expert" you have hired! If he says a all "balsa wood" cue will be too light and play poorly then "trust it"

KD
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We have some people that go in Beast Mode, and you sir, end up in Quote Mode... :D
 
Sealegs50 said:
I have only custom ordered 2 cues. Neither cue was delivered as requested. There was no communication during production of either cue and both required longer than promised to deliver. Both cues play OK and neither was expensive, so I kept them. I'll probably lose 50% on each when it comes time to sell.
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Sorry you've had bad experiences.

I only have 1 custom and the hall of fame maker took good care of me and his prices have doubled since i had mine made.
 
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