I recently acquired a cue from Joe Baker (joebakercustomcues.com) and have been very happy with it thus far. It's a simpler 4 point cue, nothing overly extravagant like a lot of the high end cues displayed here on the board, but very nice all the same. The birds-eye maple, tulipwood re-cut points with ebony veneer, and tulipwood butt sleeve all look top notch. All very beautiful pieces of wood with a great finish and the points are long and sharp. The black leather croc embossed wrap really pulls everything together on the cue as it matches perfectly the ebony surrounding the brass rings at the a,b,c,d, and e positions. The construction appears to be flawless-the 3/8/10 pin and the thin walled ss joint-solid. Everything is tight, straight, and the cue rolls true both together and apart.
The best thing about the cue however, has to be the way it plays. The balance seems perfect, not too far forward or back, if anything maybe just a skosh forward. The butt seems to be smaller than I'm used to, thinner, and I've really come to like the feel as I've been adjusting to it. Not as cumbersome, or bulky, like a lot of pool cue butts. The shafts seem like they could be smoother, as I've really had to slick them up, but I play a lot also. I'll have to ask him what he recommends as the best way to keep these clean and slick. Or if anyone would care to share, I'd like to hear what you do, best products, etc. The shafts hit great though. One has a triangle tip, the other, a Hercules (H), as I insisted one of the shafts come w/ a tip I never tried before. The cue hits nice and stiff with the Triangle, hits consistently as well each time as I hit it. It hit like a sledgehammer w/ the Herc tip however. I mean that thing feels rock hard, maybe too hard. It seems that might be a good break-tip for those of us that don't like phenolic ones. But I only used it for one rack before I went back to the Triangle, as it seemed perfect. Later on down the road I'll see if I can break the Herc tip in a bit and see if I like it better or develop a better feel for it.
All things considered, I'd certainly recommend one of his cues, especially if you're looking for unbeatable value along with great play ability. Joe is really a first class person to deal with as well, knowledgeable, and really goes out of his way to get the cue right and make sure the customer is happy. The shipping is prompt, well packaged, insured w/ tracking, etc. No complaints to speak of. Really a tremendous value because I think I could have paid more for it, or much more for others like it, but I don't think I could have done any better for the money.
Overall, just very pleased with this great looking, and playing, new custom shooter. I'll have it for a while as I'll need a lot of time and practice to shoot as good as this ones capable of shooting. :thumbup:
The best thing about the cue however, has to be the way it plays. The balance seems perfect, not too far forward or back, if anything maybe just a skosh forward. The butt seems to be smaller than I'm used to, thinner, and I've really come to like the feel as I've been adjusting to it. Not as cumbersome, or bulky, like a lot of pool cue butts. The shafts seem like they could be smoother, as I've really had to slick them up, but I play a lot also. I'll have to ask him what he recommends as the best way to keep these clean and slick. Or if anyone would care to share, I'd like to hear what you do, best products, etc. The shafts hit great though. One has a triangle tip, the other, a Hercules (H), as I insisted one of the shafts come w/ a tip I never tried before. The cue hits nice and stiff with the Triangle, hits consistently as well each time as I hit it. It hit like a sledgehammer w/ the Herc tip however. I mean that thing feels rock hard, maybe too hard. It seems that might be a good break-tip for those of us that don't like phenolic ones. But I only used it for one rack before I went back to the Triangle, as it seemed perfect. Later on down the road I'll see if I can break the Herc tip in a bit and see if I like it better or develop a better feel for it.
All things considered, I'd certainly recommend one of his cues, especially if you're looking for unbeatable value along with great play ability. Joe is really a first class person to deal with as well, knowledgeable, and really goes out of his way to get the cue right and make sure the customer is happy. The shipping is prompt, well packaged, insured w/ tracking, etc. No complaints to speak of. Really a tremendous value because I think I could have paid more for it, or much more for others like it, but I don't think I could have done any better for the money.
Overall, just very pleased with this great looking, and playing, new custom shooter. I'll have it for a while as I'll need a lot of time and practice to shoot as good as this ones capable of shooting. :thumbup:
