Playability of Macassar Ebony vs Gaboon ebony for playing cues.

C

Cezar Morales

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Hi, got a couple questions hopefully you cuemakers or players can help me out with.

First of all, i'm a sucker for ebony, don't know if it would make me sound like a novice or wannabe but i just wouldnt play with any cue that does not have ebony forearm n buttsleeve simply because i love and is used the power that ebony delivers , could be due to the fact that it is a denser n heavier wood than most.
(F.y.i My 2nd favourite wood is reddish mexican cocobolo due to it looks but feel it lacks power and a certain distinct hit i get with ebony )

My understanding is Gaboon ebony will be " more jet black " than macassar ebony and the more popular choice but more prone to cracking and macassar or madagascar ebony is not entirely jet black, contains brown or white streaks, hence a less popular choice.
Please correct me if im wrong ??

So my question is if you cuemakers or customers looking to make or custom a cue have a choice of 2 wrapless cue.
Both with same birdseye maple handle but one choice with gaboon ebony forearm n buttsleeve and the other with macassar ebony forearm n buttsleeve.

Based on the sole criteria for playability, which would ya choose and why ?

Thanks :)
 
I have not owned a gaboon ebony cue so am technically not qualified to answer this. I do own a macassar cue and it hits just fine. Reason I'm chiming in is I think you will be hard pressed to find a definitive answer to this question. I think you are overthinking this as many of us AZers do.

IMO, for this dilemma, go for the cue that suits your specs and visual taste preference.
 
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axejunkie said:
I have not owned a gaboon ebony cue so am technically not qualified to answer this. I do own a macassar cue and it hits just fine. Reason I'm chiming in is I think you will be hard pressed to find a definitive answer to this question. I think you are overthinking this as many of us AZers do.

IMO, for this dilemma, go for the cue that suits your specs and visual taste preference.
Click to expand...


I did and my choices disappointed what i was looking for.

So i'm trying to play detective and research deeper into knowing what i like n what i don't.
My 1st cue is a cheap ebony cue ( dont know if its core or not, if anyone can share how to find out, i will give it a try ? )

Since then, i picked up 2 more expensive custom cue, both with fiery red mexicam cocobolo , really gorgeous , good workmanship but after i got it , didnt like the hit one bit.

And i happen to chance upon another cheap ebony cue and once again fell in love just like a fairy tale lol
And experimented with a any of my friends that own a ebony cue and i liked it.

So it can't be just chance that i happen to like every ebony cue right ?
 
Change the tips, you would be surprised how much the 'hit' changes.

The only macassar ebony cue I had was a 1997 Southwest, that i played with for about 5 years. There was nothing wrong with that cue, playability wise.
 
Cezar Morales said:
Hi, got a couple questions hopefully you cuemakers or players can help me out with.

First of all, i'm a sucker for ebony, don't know if it would make me sound like a novice or wannabe but i just wouldnt play with any cue that does not have ebony forearm n buttsleeve simply because i love and is used the power that ebony delivers , could be due to the fact that it is a denser n heavier wood than most.
(F.y.i My 2nd favourite wood is reddish mexican cocobolo due to it looks but feel it lacks power and a certain distinct hit i get with ebony )

My understanding is Gaboon ebony will be " more jet black " than macassar ebony and the more popular choice but more prone to cracking and macassar or madagascar ebony is not entirely jet black, contains brown or white streaks, hence a less popular choice.
Please correct me if im wrong ??

So my question is if you cuemakers or customers looking to make or custom a cue have a choice of 2 wrapless cue.
Both with same birdseye maple handle but one choice with gaboon ebony forearm n buttsleeve and the other with macassar ebony forearm n buttsleeve.

Based on the sole criteria for playability, which would ya choose and why ?

Thanks :)
Click to expand...

Try African Blackwood. It is dark dark charcoal-ish, almost black but not, and it has a unique fine detailing. Top quality stuff is used in musical instruments like oboes and such because of it's tonal qualities. I have always been of the belief that you cannot go wrong with such properties because, well, you want your cue to "sing" :)
 
i have never been able to tell the difference in the hit of the 2 cues
both are very pretty so i can identify with your desire to own one

i have found the tip,shaft taper and ferrule to be the things that determine the play
at least for me

also with the coring of the cues today,it reduces the difference

larry vigas has been coring ebony cues with purple heart for me and i
have been very happy

i even tried some ash shafts and i like the way they play
 
You cannot, or will not, be able to tell the difference between the two as far as the magical "hit' is concerned. Your selection should be based purely on ascetics.
I just read that Madagascar Ebony was illegal. If that bothers you then use Makassar, or Gaboon. Both are beautiful, but heavy, and usually require coring. :smile:
 
It`s not a playability thing, it`s a cosmetic and cost issue, jet black ebony is in high demand and harder to come by than ebony with streaks and stripes in it, so the jet black ebony costs more.
Ebony is heavy, so most of the time it`s cored, some use purpleheart, but with ebony I would think a maple core is most common, unless yoy want a really heavy cue.
Blackwood was mentioned and it`s a beautifull wood, it`s really dark, but have more life to it than ebony, it`s also a bit cheaper.
 
LAlouie said:
Top quality stuff is used in musical instruments like oboes and such because of it's tonal qualities.
Click to expand...

I have a guitar made by Gregory Byers that has African Blackwood back and sides.
Good stuff.
Almost as good as the old Brazilian Rosewood up to 1970's when its quality started going down..
 
From all the responses so far, most of you don't seem to have a favourite wood for playability.
If that's the case, do most of you when customizing a cue, choose wood solely based on asthetic factor ?

I still don't get it.
Lets put it this way,

Are y'all saying that an entire birdseye maple cue core with "x wood " will hit the same as an entire ebony cue core w similar "x wood "??

I'm sure the ebony cue will hit harder ( equals delivering more power ), wont it ?

Please correct me if u beg to differ ?

Thanks
 
Cezar Morales said:
From all the responses so far, most of you don't seem to have a favourite wood for playability.
If that's the case, do most of you when customizing a cue, choose wood solely based on asthetic factor ?

I still don't get it.
Lets put it this way,

Are y'all saying that an entire birdseye maple cue core with "x wood " will hit the same as an entire ebony cue core w similar "x wood "??

I'm sure the ebony cue will hit harder ( equals delivering more power ), wont it ?

Please correct me if u beg to differ ?

Thanks
Click to expand...

It is heavier. The hit is totally subjective.

Ebony us heavier, so the same amount of force will propel the ball a bit further if you have those 2 example cues above.
 
Cezar Morales said:
From all the responses so far, most of you don't seem to have a favourite wood for playability.
If that's the case, do most of you when customizing a cue, choose wood solely based on asthetic factor ?

I still don't get it.
Lets put it this way,

Are y'all saying that an entire birdseye maple cue core with "x wood " will hit the same as an entire ebony cue core w similar "x wood "??

I'm sure the ebony cue will hit harder ( equals delivering more power ), wont it ?

Please correct me if u beg to differ ?

Thanks
Click to expand...

The difference you are feeling is the weight.

Obviously you like weight - So how bout I give you the eight race to 12 nine ball?
 
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Agent 99 said:
The difference you are feeling is the weight.

Obviously you like weight - So how bout I give you the eight race to 12, 9 ball?
Click to expand...

Yes i do admit i like heavier cues, i play with a 21 oz.

I'm trying to get more information to learn, last time i checked, the reason why its call a forum is for people to ask questions n learn.

Why the need to be so hostile ?
You sound like a good player but your breath stinks , i can give you some listerine if u need some :))
 
Cezar Morales said:
Yes i do admit i like heavier cues, i play with a 21 oz.

I'm trying to get more information to learn, last time i checked, the reason why its call a forum is for people to ask questions n learn.

Why the need to be so hostile ?
You sound like a good player but your breath stinks , i can give you some listerine if u need some :))
Click to expand...

What? What was hostile about my post?

Really just trying to be funny ... Has no one ever asked you if you were looking for action before?

And I just brushed my teeth tool. :D
 
Agent 99 said:
What? What was hostile about my post?

Really just trying to be funny ... Has no one ever asked you if you were looking for action before?

And I just brushed my teeth tool. :D
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Okay , next time u're trying to be funny, try putting a lol at the end of ur statement lol

Thought ya were trying to start something, all's good, im not a really good player, started playing a yr ago but just trying to learn more about cues and what i like or dislike and the reason behind it :)
 
9Ballr said:
I have a guitar made by Gregory Byers that has African Blackwood back and sides.
Good stuff.
Almost as good as the old Brazilian Rosewood up to 1970's when its quality started going down..
Click to expand...

The best stuff are used in pool cues. Guitars do not need straight grain.
 
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