Playing wood.

[Olive]

No idea is a good idea until it is executed.

That is a great quote

As to the fruit, nothing will be referenced from snooker apart from the stroke.
I don't think the world needs another snooker versus pool thread , so I'll do my best to post results as we go.

Compliments on your work btw, Eric. I'd love to own one of your cues one day.


Back on topic... would anyone know a place in the uk where one could go and 'touch' different types of wood?

 

[poolplayer2093]

Haha Joey, i was thinking of putting "Joey - please reply" into my original post lol cause i knew you would give a straight opinion, none of the "its up to your personal preference" rants Olive wood, thats a new one, goes with my name tho please tell more! Also check out my topic on construction please! thanks, oliver

i thought olive wood had some stability problems?

 

[JoeyInCali]

i thought olive wood had some stability problems?

Yes, that's why a piece has to be really seasoned and looked at before making into a cue.

 

[BLACKHEARTCUES]

i am sure that is true, however the technique in pool hasnt evolved as far as it has in more precision demanding games such as snooker for instance. therefore a pool player gone maker would be aware of only so much. obviously it would be marginal changes one could do to a cue to increase its performance and it would be definitely subjective, but i can see a few little but basic things that could be done differently. as you say - things are getting better continuously, so why should that tendency stop now

You may not have wanted to be percieved as arrogant, but if you reread your post, you certanly come across as an arrogant snooker player. I have played snooker (52 years), longer than I have been playing pool. I have a feeling that I have been making pool & snooker cues, for longer than you have been alive. Snooker is a very demanding game, mainly due to the large size of the table & the smaller target (pockets), & the rounded pocket corners. The TECHNIQUE reqired for both pool & snooker doesn't very one ioda. You follow, draw & use side (english in America), when striking the cueball. What TECHNIQUE could you be talking about. If you "can see a few little basic things that could be done differently", to improve a poor cuemaker like me, please e-mail me through my web site. I can always use some tips from those who have an insight into cuemaking, that I have not heard of. THANKS...jer

 

[Olive]

You may not have wanted to be percieved as arrogant, but if you reread your post, you certanly come across as an arrogant snooker player. I have played snooker (52 years), longer than I have been playing pool. I have a feeling that I have been making pool & snooker cues, for longer than you have been alive. Snooker is a very demanding game, mainly due to the large size of the table & the smaller target (pockets), & the rounded pocket corners. The TECHNIQUE reqired for both pool & snooker doesn't very one ioda. You follow, draw & use side (english in America), when striking the cueball. What TECHNIQUE could you be talking about. If you "can see a few little basic things that could be done differently", to improve a poor cuemaker like me, please e-mail me through my web site. I can always use some tips from those who have an insight into cuemaking, that I have not heard of. THANKS...jer

im very sorry if i came across like that, now that i reread the lines u quoted i see that i did. i meant no disrespect to any fine craftsmen that read it. apologies.

It is true that side, follow through and use of side are the main elements in both of the games. However some players tend to do it with less effort and better results than others, so they must be doing something different, eh?

 

[BLACKHEARTCUES]

im very sorry if i came across like that, now that i reread the lines u quoted i see that i did. i meant no disrespect to any fine craftsmen that read it. apologies.

It is true that side, follow through and use of side are the main elements in both of the games. However some players tend to do it with less effort and better results than others, so they must be doing something different, eh?

I agree whole heartedly, but you made it sound like the ones doing something "different" & therefore better were snooker players , not pool players. Each aspect of the billiards, pool & snooker have their own masters. It is hard to compare which group is more skillful or better than another. If I had to pick one group of players that were the BEST I would pick someone like Efern Reyes, who in my personal opinion has mastered ALL of these games. He is truely the best in the world!...JER

 

[AK-Stick]

Woods

I have never built a cue so I can not venture an opinion on workability of the species of woods. I do have a strong feeling that woods that are utilized in musical instruments for their tone qualities seem to make good playing cues. In my opinion these woods give you a better feel,hit of the ball.

 

[masonh]

how about a solid Redwood Burl forearm with no core and a solid 18" solid Balsawood handle?

 

[ridewiththewind]

While I love the look of a maple nose with tons of curl in it, my playing preference is for a BEM nose, as I feel it provides a slightly crisper hit than that of curly maple.

I can tell you from experience that BEM into a Gabon ebony nose makes for a nice crisp playing cue, with great feedback. I also concur with Joey that bocote into a BEM nose makes for a great player as well, but not quite as crisp as say with ebony, or even rosewood. My favorite rosewood is still got to be the Bois de Rose into BEM...terrific feedback...but then again, rosewoods are known for their 'ringing, bell-like' tones, which is why there is heavy competition for the good stuff between cuemakers and luthiers.

I would like to say that I also like Tulipwood, which is a 'true' rosewood, BTW, because it has the 'bell-like' tones of the rosewoods, but all the density of the ebonies. I am seriously considering that my next cue will be a combination of the BdR and the Tulip.

Lisa