new cuemakers association, by Bludworth

B

blud

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Greetings to one and all.

Many years ago, I founded the American Cuemakers Association.
I had several others assist me in the process. It became a huge success. At one time the ACA, had as many as 87 plus full voting members. This association became the "place" to purchase cues at shows and tournaments. It's come a long way in the past 12 years. Good for them.



I have just formed a "NEWER" club.



This is what were going to offer you, the cue collectors, pool enthusiast, buyers, and merchants..

Cuemasters, Master Cuemakers.

The offical site is,
CUEMASTERS.org

[site is blank at this time, but give me sometime to build it].

{AN GROUP OF ELITE CUEMAKERS}

I have assembled 8 cue makers, to date, [going to 12]. This club will never have over 12 members. NEVER.

One of the benifits for the cuemakers and customers alike, will be, fewer cuemakers in a small group offering high quality cues. We, the members, along with a few collectors and customers, feel that a small group, has more to offer.

Being small, it wll be harder to join with only 12 cuemakers allowed, setting us apart from the rest
That, being the case, will draw more attention to our smaller group, and being known, as "High Quality Cuemakers". All of our members, are top craftsman. A very special group of cuemakers.

We will in the future, will be involved with some promoters, in hoisting large scale tournaments and cue show, events.[ the first one's, in the works]..

We will also hold shows and tournaments on our own, when possible. .

The "ROSTER", today stands at [8] eight, and the members are,

Mr. Dan Janes, Joss Cues Ltd.
Mr. Bill Schick, Bill Schick Originals
Mr. Dave Kikle, Kikle Custom Cues
Mr. Joe Porper, Joe Porper Custom Cues
Mr. Tim Scruggs, Tim Scruggs Custom Cues
Mr. Nat Green, South East Cues
Mr. Paul Mottey, Mottey Custom Cues
and me,Leonard " BLUD" Bludworth, Bludworth Originals.....

I have been in contact with two or three other high quality cuemakers, and will announce those who join, around, Nov. 1st or 2nd.

We will offer no associate cuemaker memberships, [cuemakers waiting for one of us to kick off, and or fill a vacant spot, on the rolls]. If we have a vacant spot , the cuemaker wanting to aply, will have to be recomended by two of our members, and his name placed on a ballot. Then and only then, he's "in" if he receives 100% of the vote.

Other types of memberships are being discussed at this time.
[ players, buyers, collectors, and merchants].

Please stay tuned to AZ, and I'll post more info, when it's offical.

My personal e-mail address is,

bludworth@direcway.com

Cuemasters.Org
PO- Box 447
Leakey, Texas 78873

thanks
blud









.
 
Congratulations my dear friend! When you come up with that "other" type of membership count me in! Glad to see you got this up and going and hope to see all of you at the next Midwest Expo! Call me if there is ANYTHING I can do to help you promote this!

Eydie
 
Hey, Hey, i just spoke with my good friend, Chris Nitti, from "NITTI CUES" , Olando, Fl. . He's "in". Congrads, Chris, 9 down and 3 to go. You should see this guys work. WOW....
blud
 
Looks like a fantastic group of artists you've got selected, Chris Nitti's work is awesome! Keep us posted Blud!

Zim
 
Quote Blud,


QUOTE]One of the benifits for the cuemakers and customers alike, will be, fewer cuemakers in a small group offering high quality cues. We, the members, along with a few collectors and customers, feel that a small group, has more to offer. [/QUOTE]


Being small, it wll be harder to join with only 12 cuemakers allowed, setting us apart from the rest
Click to expand...


Blud, why a new cuemakers club?
Whats wrong with the present one?
How does less choice and less competition help the customer? Are the cues going to be cheaper?

I wouldnt knock your cue making abilities or your product but dont you think that limiting membership is the right thing to do?You are artifitially making a distinction between your super 12 and the rest.

If I was also to start a cuemakers club, would my club be more elite than yours?
Would my members products be less than yours?
What if I only allowed 3 members and I called it 'The super-elite Cuemakers Guild'.

The market decides what are the best cues. Pool players make that decission. not cuemakers.

good luck.

Gabber
 
Right on Gabber,

Just what the cuemaking world needs, another sewing circle that nobody pays any attention to. I'm curious about what the first one ever did for anybody except take their money every year.
I know at least a dozen cuemakers personally that have never belonged to any "club"and aren't having any trouble selling their cues. Aren't there enough want-to-be organizations in pool already? This will only serve to futher confuse the public about our sport and profession. Give it a rest already!
 
zylrcue said:
Right on Gabber,

Just what the cuemaking world needs, another sewing circle that nobody pays any attention to. I'm curious about what the first one ever did for anybody except take their money every year.
I know at least a dozen cuemakers personally that have never belonged to any "club"and aren't having any trouble selling their cues. Aren't there enough want-to-be organizations in pool already? This will only serve to futher confuse the public about our sport and profession. Give it a rest already!
Click to expand...

Bravo, Zylr and Gabber. I view it as a 2nd protectionism fence that's being put up. But hey, the consumers always makes the final decision so it doesn't really matter. It's just another important sounding name but good luck anyway, if that's what floats their boat.
 
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I just like to play but in my opinion I tend to agree that consumers ultimately decide who the best cuemakers are. To me it sounds like it'll be more political than skillful at this point. It just seems to be kind of a conflict of interest having cuemakers vote for other cuemakers, if I was a cuemaker and someone made superior cues to me what would be my motivation to vote them into my organization besides ethics? What if a guy made absolutely superior cues but was a total asshole and had personal issues with every other member of the organization?

I like the idea in concept, that there is a group of skilled cuemakers from whom I can purchase quality products, however I think some additional thought should go into how these cuemakers are selected, judged, and ultimately retained. The judging criteria is whats going to sell me as a consumer and give crdibility to the organization in my eyes. A daunting task that currently I have no ideas on how to accomplish, however I commend you for undertaking.
 
From what I know regarding the cuemakers "clubs" they form together as a group to stand by each others products. There is a certain criteria that you must meet before you can be accepted. Certain standards must be made regarding how you work with the public and you must be in good business standings.

They go to events as a group and do multi advertising together. They have general meetings, (I don't know how often) and discuss an array of subjects. The ACA (American Cuemakers Assoc.) have cues that are generally more high end that are truly works of art. If you have never gone to their section and really looked at these cues, you will understand what I mean.

Now Blud is the founder of the ACA and is now forming another Cuemakers Assoc. and no matter what you may think of Blud, he is a master craftsman with years of knowledge under his belt. His new assocation will be one to take note of and he will rule it in the best interest of everyone. You can tell by his list of members so far, he a has a good backing behind him.

As far as what cue you buy, that is completely up to your financial situation and taste.

I am sure that others can elaborate more than I on this subject, but this is just my knowledge of this situation.

Eydie
 
OK Guys,

I, like you folks, have the right to start a new club.

HISTORY!

I founded the ACA, but am no longer a member of that association.."MY CHOICE".

Many years ago, in forming the American cuemakers association, it was an up-hill battle. I was told it couldn't be done. [I had much support from several cuemakers helping me, form the ACA].

Well guys, it's been almost 12 years, and it's still going. Good for them.

Back then, there were only a few cuemakers who were close to being a house-hold name. I worked a little over a, 1-1/2 years putting it all together. When the smoke cleared, we had 105 members. We had a few "wanta-be's", who droped out for differant reasons, very soon.

I resigned, durning my second term as President. At that time, we had a membership roster, that was in the high 80's.........Today, they have around 40, full voting members.

Forming this new club, is not political, as some may think.

To answer ZYLRCUE,
the first association brought the un-known cuemakers to light. It also made the public aware that we had many, many fine cuemakers that were working out of small shops, and were for the most part, not known by anyone but locals, and had much to offer the cue buying public.

The next thing it did, was raise the price of cues for cuemakers so they could suport there family's.

The ACA, from the begining, has been a very strong part of the billiard world. It's known around the world for it's fine craftsman, and offerings of cues.

BTW, zylrcue, we have no "DUES".
Those who gripe about dues, go ahead, those who pay dues, go ahead, our club has, NO DUES..... Being small affords us not to have dues, ZYLRCUE.
Being a small group, draws more attention, than having many craftsman in a larger group.

A club that is limited to it's membership, is one that will stand apart from others. Hard to become a member, shows strength.

It does show strength within, craftsmanship, and will set us apart from others. Nothing wrong with that either.I, have been, very selective on who will be a member and who will not.

We will produce shows, and tournaments, thru out the states.

This is not a political move as some have stated.

Cuemakers voting on another cuemaker. What's wrong with that? The answer is "nothing"... The other club, votes on an applicants workmanship, and business ethics, before he or she can be a full voting member.

The differance is this, we all know what each of us [the new members], is capable of producing.. None are second rate.

I have hand selected some of the best of the best for this club.It up to this point has been by invatation only.
Please remember, there are many other fine cuemakers out there.

It's my choice at this point and time. After all, we got to start some place, and that my friend's is MY CHOICE.....It's my money I am spending on this.

CONFILCT, NO!

In forming this association, it was not and is not my intentions to discredit the ACA, it's members or any cuemaker.

Take a look at the BCA, VENA, and the APA, 3 differant large, pool-player associations. Each has differant rules than the others.

Our goals are simular to the other clubs. "Promote" our sport and advance cuemaking to a "higher level" and incourage cue collecting, as an art form. Present cues as fine playable "art."

There is not conflict of interest here. There is no competition. It's still up to the consume to purchase cues from whom ever..

We perfer to be a small group. Nothing wrong with that.

Grabber, we just wanted a smaller club of fine craftsman. There are some cuemakers, who's workmanship is not up to "our" standards, as the same goes with the ACA.


Chockinater, your statement, "more political than skillful". Not the point here, sir.

We put our craftsmanship and skill first. All of the members are highly skilled. This is why we have a small group. This shows strenght...


None, of our members are second rate cuemakers. All have many years of experiance behind them.

I wish all cuemakers, well.
god bless one and all
blud
 
I'm always hearing people gripe about how much billiards/pool is not a high paying sport as in other sports and how much we need to join together and promote and expand our awesome sport of cueing. However, every time someone initiates something to aid in just that, they get slammed, the idea gets negative ratings, and yet it (the ideas) don't even get a chance. For those of you who are promoting, actively participating (Bob and Eydie Romano, Tom Coleman, Leonard Bludworth, just to name a few) in our fine sport, KUDOS to all of you! For those of you who find nothing but negativity in our current status in the world as a paying sport, step up to the plate and do something about it, but don't criticize those who have already done something. (unless they have failed miserably, then tear them a new *sshole, haha)

Zim
 
zylrcue said:
Right on Gabber,

Just what the cuemaking world needs, another sewing circle that nobody pays any attention to. I'm curious about what the first one ever did for anybody except take their money every year.
Click to expand...
Hello,
You are too funny! I did not realize that the ACA was a "sewing circle that no one pays any attention to." Geez, if I would have known that before I paid my $300-, I probably would have saved myself the money and not joined...NOT! Trouble is, there are way too many cuemakers out there that have a poolplayer mentality. They just want to know what's in it for them. The thing is, you have to pay the fee, and then find out what the benefits are. However, I will try and give you a good idea of the main benefits. The public gets to know that cues from members are up to a certain standard. Because the ACA has some 40 voting members, and 50-80% of them will exhibit at almost every show we choose to be a part of, the ACA can guarantee a certain amount of booth rentals to promoters, and therefor can get certain considerations that other vendors cannot get. The ACA membership also gets discounts with some suppliers. Not to mention that being a member gets you in pretty good company. I mean, if you were gonna sit around at dinner and talk about cuemaking, would you wanna do it with people that have done things every way possible, or with people that want to sit around and talk about how to do things that never dropped an ounce of sweat over it. If you think you know everything there is to know, then the ACA is not for you. The ACA has most certainly raised the level of cuemaking since it's inception. There are many benefits to being in the ACA. You can believe it or not.
 
Quote Blud,
" A club that is limited to it's membership, is one that will stand apart from others. Hard to become a member, shows strength. "
According to you its impossible to join untill somebody dies


The ACA ensures the customer that its members cues are up to a certain standard. It helps the cuemakers control the prices, you said it yourself. I have no problem with that either, everybody has to make a living.

Quote Blud,
"It does show strength within, craftsmanship, and will set us apart from others. Nothing wrong with that either.I, have been, very selective on who will be a member and who will not. "



This is the whole point Blud, YOU are now deciding who is the best. Not only that, by limiting your membership you are falsely creating an 'elite' group. Membership shoud depend on quality of workmanship, not whether or not there is a spot available.
 
Zims Rack said:
I'm always hearing people gripe about how much billiards/pool is not a high paying sport as in other sports and how much we need to join together and promote and expand our awesome sport of cueing. However, every time someone initiates something to aid in just that, they get slammed, the idea gets negative ratings, and yet it (the ideas) don't even get a chance. For those of you who are promoting, actively participating (Bob and Eydie Romano, Tom Coleman, Leonard Bludworth, just to name a few) in our fine sport, KUDOS to all of you! For those of you who find nothing but negativity in our current status in the world as a paying sport, step up to the plate and do something about it, but don't criticize those who have already done something. (unless they have failed miserably, then tear them a new *sshole, haha)

Zim
Click to expand...


Zim, I never said it was a bad idea. I just think Blud is going the wrong way about it.
For example, who makes the best quality cues?
To find out, you take a random sample from all the ACA members, either from their shop or at expos etc. All the cues can be tested by all the members, played with and eventually taken apart and inspected.
At the end of the day, everyone votes for his favourite 12 cues and in this way you get the 12 top cuemakers. And then you do the same next year and so on.

The fact is, this club [ Blud,s Higher Quality Cues,limited membership, with the right to veto club] is in direct competition with the ACA.
Blud says its not political but .......

Gabber
 
Actually I don't really think it's about the quality of the cues so much as promoting the cuemakers and pool at the same time, that's mainly what I meant by politics. Don't get me wrong as I am sure the cuemakers involved are of the highest calibre, and I agree that you have a right to make a living and if a small group helps you guys sell some cues and promote the sport of pool at the same time then more power to you. I don't necessarily agree that a smaller group is going to be more effective but that's a personal opinion and I can't argue with your credentials or the fact that the organization is funding itself. The stuff I mentioned is just initial impressions of a casual player, I'm not trying to slam anyone. My big contribution to pool is simply playing and I'm quite happy doing just that, so my opinion doesn't really matter.
 
Gabber,

I have picked those who have both good reputations for workmanship, and good business relations within the billiard world. It's a club of good craftsman and good people.

It's the same as you having some sort of function, some folks are invited, some are not.

I do have the right to pick and choose. Just as customers do when purchasing cues.

Our group consist of some very fine cuemakers.

This was not intended to damage someones ego, or hurt anyones feelings either.

I personally know of 3 or 4 who would be welcome in our club, but they don't like club's and do there own thing.

It's just a club of nice guys, doing business, and promoting our sport.
thank you
blud
 
Cue makers associations

Hey, look on the bright side. Another organization is good competition. When there is more than one, everyone tends to want their organization to be better so that they will not be left in the dust.

Also, over the last year, as I heard about all of the custom cues, it was daunting, not knowing which were good. But I kept hearing scruggs, harris, scruggs, harris, then blud blud when I got on az.

I heard some other good ones too but some of those are new makers.I had one of these and it was a good cue, just not right for my needs in terms of specs.

It just seemed that going with someone who had been in the business for a long time and their name kept popping up made the better choice. I decided it was better to spend more money and go with a name I could trust.

When I was getting ready to order a cue, Blud made some recommendations and as a person who knows nothing about the cuemaking business, this helped emmensely to narrow things down for me.

Laura
 
Hey Choke, you are wrong! Your opinion does count! Your contribution to pool is very important. The cue makers (and the game) can not survive without you and me and all the other players out there.

My perception is that there are basically three levels of quality.
Entry, mainstream and custom:

Most of the new players today buy entry level imported two piece house cues with pretty decals and wonder why I wasted my money. Then those decals start peeling and they roll the cue on a table and find the joint pin is off. It will cost much more than the price of the cue to have the problem repaired.

The mainstream manufacturers like McDermott, Meucci, Viking et al occupy the middle ground. What are they doing to educate the cue buying public about price/performance? Obviously, not enough. I have seen the pattern in my previous livelyhood. Pretty and cheap is better than plain and quality. Perception is reality! Each of them has sacrificed some quality to be competative at the lower level price points.

At the other end of the spectrum are the ACA members. I stopped by one booth and looked at a partially completed butt. I'd never seen a splice before (or a butterfly). I had no idea how a cue was made after playing for over forty years. That cue maker spent an hour showing me the finer points of his business (art?). My mind was boggled. Am I now an "educated" consumer? Perhaps. If the opportunity presents itself to purchase a new custom cue, my level of confidence was much higher.

I return home and doubt has now crept in. Which custom cue maker do I buy from? Is Blud's new group a comment on other cue makers? Why is another organization necessary? What are its goals? Doubt, doubt, doubt.
 
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