Playing Cue from Top Builders

[louieatienza]

Hello everyone. Just got back into playing after about a 7 year layoff. Was good enough to win a few local scratch and handicap tournaments, in 80ball and 9-ball, back in my day. Not much of a pool scene now (aside from a coin-op bar table league) but play mostly for enjoyment.

As such, having a quality, handmade cue has always been a factor for me. I had a couple "factory" cues - a couple McDermotts, a Meucci, a Viking - and had been fortunate enough to had played and owned three Tim Scruggs cues - one merry widow, a 4-point cocobolo on maple, and an amazing 4-pointer with 6 veneers and Hoppe ring below. Which I no longer own unfortunately, sold 7 years ago, about the time I stopped playing. I kept the plain Jane Viking, but it had developed a bit of a roll in storage in a soft case.

Anyway, I've been doing research (which led me here) and have a few builders in mind. Hoping I can get some feedback. As mentioned, I play mostly 8-ball and 9-ball. I do have a unique stroke in that I tend to generate a lot of power and spin with little effort (can do the Massey two-table length draw with a level cue and smooth stroke) but prefer medium to hard tips (I abhor the feel of soft tips) though it does mean I have to scuff the tip occasionally to get it to hold chalk. Any suggestions from anyone here who might have a similar stroke as to their preferences would be great!

Thanks... Louie

 

[Cezar Morales]

Keith Josey
Bob Frey
Rick Howard
Ariel Carmeli
Jeff Olney ( i got 1 for sale lol )
Bob Runde

 

[alstl]

What is your budget? You mentioned Scruggs. Is there a reason why you wouldn't want another Scruggs?

 

[buckets]

There is a cue for sale on OBM right now that looks exactly like that one. Different wrap maybe. IIRC it has black/white instead of white/black.

 

[slide13]

If you like your Scruggs and can find another you like then I'd say go with that again.

If you want to spend less look at Bob Runde, makes a great cue for a super fair price. Honestly wouldn't sell mine for twice what I paid.

If you can't find a Scruggs you like and have the budget, order a Tascarella.


Other builders I'd look at would be Chris Nitti (if you don't need a SS joint), Andy Gilbert, and Blackcreek.

 

[louieatienza]

I bought my first Scruggs in the early 90s, when his sneaky Pete's could be had for $145! I had one, and a 4-point cocobolo over birdseye maple with checked rings. I sold it in the 90s, and actually saw an ad for a similar one maybe a year ago with a warped shaft. I stumbled upon Tim's cues by accident (owned McDermotts and Meucci) and even had a custom McDermott made once.

I played a cue from someone at the pool hall (not sure of the maker) that had a phenolic joint and liked the feel.

As a cabinetmaker, woodworker, and guitar builder, I appreciate the craftsmanship of these cues and what goes into making them. Tim's stuff was picking up steam when I got my first two. I suppose now that phase has passed, I look toward the builders of today and what they have to offer...

In other words.. I'm a supporter of the art, but I want something that actually shoots well, in the same way I enjoyed Scruggs' cues...

 

[Cornerman]

Anyway, I've been doing research (which led me here) and have a few builders in mind. Hoping I can get some feedback.

Thanks... Louie

Where do you live?

What's your budget?

Per your research, what builders do you have in mind?


Freddie <~~~ ready for a hundred suggestions

 

[louieatienza]

Where do you live?

What's your budget?

Per your research, what builders do you have in mind?


Freddie <~~~ ready for a hundred suggestions

Live near NYC in the 'burbs... Budget? Maybe in the $1000-2500 range depending on if it is visually appealing to me. Something that keeps good future value is important, while I'm not a collector, I do appreciate fine craftsmanship. At the same time, I don't want it to be too fancy or gaudy.

Cues today that pique my interest? Cory Barnhart, Mike Lambros, Rick Howard are a few... I love the shell ring work of Ed Prewitt, though I would presume that's out of my price range. As a guy who does some machine work, Lambros' joint appeals to me. I don't have much preference for wrap, though if linen I'd prefer darker as to not show staining. My two McDermott cues had leather wrap which I liked a lot. I am not opposed to a plain Jane if it had other appointments I really liked such as cool ring work or nicely grained wood.

 

[Cornerman]

Live near NYC in the 'burbs... Budget? Maybe in the $1000-2500 range depending on if it is visually appealing to me. Something that keeps good future value is important, while I'm not a collector, I do appreciate fine craftsmanship. At the same time, I don't want it to be too fancy or gaudy.

Cues today that pique my interest? Cory Barnhart, Mike Lambros, Rick Howard are a few... I love the shell ring work of Ed Prewitt, though I would presume that's out of my price range. As a guy who does some machine work, Lambros' joint appeals to me. I don't have much preference for wrap, though if linen I'd prefer darker as to not show staining. My two McDermott cues had leather wrap which I liked a lot. I am not opposed to a plain Jane if it had other appointments I really liked such as cool ring work or nicely grained wood.

Perfect. Go with the Lambros. You won't regret it.

Or go with the Barnhart. You won't regret it.

Or... go with the Rick Howard. You won't regret it!!!


Freddie <~~~ it's No Regret Tuesday

 

[Johnny Rosato]

Perfect. Go with the Lambros. You won't regret it.

Or go with the Barnhart. You won't regret it.

Or... go with the Rick Howard. You won't regret it!!!


Freddie <~~~ it's No Regret Tuesday

There's pics of a cue which suggests you're a liar. I love being wrong.............
Johnny Rosato, B'ham, Al.

 

[louieatienza]

Perfect. Go with the Lambros. You won't regret it.

Or go with the Barnhart. You won't regret it.

Or... go with the Rick Howard. You won't regret it!!!


Freddie <~~~ it's No Regret Tuesday

Great! Because I HATE regrets!

 

[louieatienza]

There's pics of a cue which suggests you're a liar. I love being wrong.............
Johnny Rosato, B'ham, Al.

?!?!?!?!?!?!

 

[Cornerman]

There's pics of a cue which suggests you're a liar. I love being wrong.............
Johnny Rosato, B'ham, Al.

I love being wrong, too. Now suggesting I'm a liar, that's not good during Chanuka. What exactly are you saying???

Freddie <~~~ no need to lie on this

 

[SC02GTP]

Nice Workmanship in this Cue

Check this JW out. IT is right at the top of your price range but look what you get for the money..................

 

[louieatienza]

Thanks guys... have some thinkin' to do....

 

[pwd72s]

Live near NYC in the 'burbs... Budget? Maybe in the $1000-2500 range depending on if it is visually appealing to me. Something that keeps good future value is important, while I'm not a collector, I do appreciate fine craftsmanship. At the same time, I don't want it to be too fancy or gaudy.

Cues today that pique my interest? Cory Barnhart, Mike Lambros, Rick Howard are a few... I love the shell ring work of Ed Prewitt, though I would presume that's out of my price range. As a guy who does some machine work, Lambros' joint appeals to me. I don't have much preference for wrap, though if linen I'd prefer darker as to not show staining. My two McDermott cues had leather wrap which I liked a lot. I am not opposed to a plain Jane if it had other appointments I really liked such as cool ring work or nicely grained wood.

You might give Keith Josey a ring. He should update his website to show that he can indeed build cues in a classic style. Mine has 4 even and needle sharp points with veneers. In style, it looks much like your opening Scruggs pic. Stiff hit with good feedback. I've never played with a Scruggs, so can't really give you a comparison.

Sorry I'm so bad with a camera...the flaws you see in the butt are the result of my own careless play