Please Vote for the AZB 2011 Cue of the Year
- Thread starter Worminator
- Start date
Hi Scott,
You, Darrin and others that take the time and work effort to build and create beautiful full splice veneered cues with butterflies and other exacting geometries are making a statement to the industry. Like president Kenedy said "We don't aspire to have a man walk on the moon because it is easy, we do it because it is hard". You and Darrin are using a playbook that is very similar and I know there is a great mutual respect there.
I have watched Darrin build his jigs and has continued to revise them over many years and each time he does, the cues improve by the slightest factor, which over time makes a huge difference in the outcome and presentation.
Keep up the great work in your personal journey.
Rick G
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Vote..........
Jamie,
I just voted. Thanks for all your work putting this very worthwhile effort together.
Merry Christmas!
Will Prout
Jamie,
I just voted. Thanks for all your work putting this very worthwhile effort together.
Merry Christmas!
Will Prout
Although I agree with this is a better process in theory, I do not believe it would work for the AZB Cue of the Year Format. Most, if not all, of the cues listed in the poll had been posted on AZB before the contest. A large percentage of voters had already seen the cues.
Furthermore, there are very few cues in the poll for which one could not identify the maker. Back in 1993 cue design was more ambiguous. Makers were reinventing there style and the cue buying public was not as educated as they are today with all the websites available to browse and find information.
With all that said, thank you for creating the exquisite cue that was entered into this year's poll. The balance, execution, and overall flow of the cue is outstanding. It received my vote for AZB Cue of the Year.
Merry Christmas to you and your family as well Will! Looking forward to seeing you again next month at the Derby.
And Merry Christmas to all who have participated in this thread. I really enjoy seeing the cues that were entered and watching the voting unfold.
Thanks for the kind words. I wasn’t suggesting for a moment that the method of judging used at the Baltimore ACA show could possibly work on an Internet forum, especially since they are often rife with pseudonyms and multiple accounts. Fortunately I long ago quit caring even a little bit about popularity contests.
However, I did happen to notice that a cue I built is currently ranking in the fifth most popular position. If this poll is to be taken seriously, and God knows why any sensible person wouldn't take it seriously, then that means there are currently four cuemakers whose recent work is “ranked” above mine.
Now I'm just thinking out loud here, but if something were to happen to those four other guys... if, say, they were to - one by one - have horrible accidents or mysteriously disappear, then that would make me [ipso facto] the builder of the number one cue in 2011 – at least according to the AZB membership.
Then I'd just have to keep an eye on number six, which could be a bit of a challenge. This Darren Hill guy looks like the kind of cuemaker who would stop at nothing to move up a spot.
TW
This is kinda funny I just now voted. mine and Scotts work speaks for it self. I truly believe we are two guys that will be making tomorrows next generation of cues that will be remembered forever. there are cake decorators and there's guys like me and Scott that build great #**# from scratch. whats a cue cake decorator someone who buys cue blanks and just adds a few things , not my style. please don't get me wrong there are so many great new cue makers out there ''but''... D Hill
A man after my own heart. The only things I don't make from raw materials (anymore) are my joint bolts and my tips.
TW
"When you make something from nothing and sell it, that's art." [Frank Zappa]
This was a mistake on my part when entering the cues into the poll. I have apologized to Mr Koo for the mistake. It added the picture of the cue, and then failed to ad the description in the poll.
I thought we were voting for cues....not cue makers? 
And since we are doing it from pictures, even how it shoots is irrelevant. :wink:
Didn't Balabushka buy blanks BTW?
Personally, I wish I had more full splice cues. They are more better. Cue makers that scratch build full splice are more better at that....no doubt. :thumbup:
All the cue makers deserve a standing ovation. In this economy we are seeing them continue to enhance their craft, very commendable. Clearly some are more capable than others or use more difficult methods. That does not diminish the others.
Whether you whittled it with a knife, turned it on a lathe, programmed it on CNC, or inlaid a purchased blank........I respect and applaud all of you.
I voted for the one I voted for because I liked it. Nothing more. It's almost trivial. :wink:
Cue Makers :thumbup:
And since we are doing it from pictures, even how it shoots is irrelevant. :wink:
Didn't Balabushka buy blanks BTW?
Personally, I wish I had more full splice cues. They are more better. Cue makers that scratch build full splice are more better at that....no doubt. :thumbup:
All the cue makers deserve a standing ovation. In this economy we are seeing them continue to enhance their craft, very commendable. Clearly some are more capable than others or use more difficult methods. That does not diminish the others.
Whether you whittled it with a knife, turned it on a lathe, programmed it on CNC, or inlaid a purchased blank........I respect and applaud all of you.
I voted for the one I voted for because I liked it. Nothing more. It's almost trivial. :wink:
Cue Makers :thumbup:
I cast my vote for Kenny Koo's Hercek!
:thumbup:
Mr. Wayne,
If the cue makers above you do come to some accidental demise, do you think you may be able to do the same for the owner of your beautiful cue and somehow get said cue into my hands? But, nothing too serious, since if someone were to cut me, I do in fact bleed Black and Gold!!!! Maybe just Roofy him, grab the cue, and run like hell. I would try to take this task on myself, but if one were to fail, I would HATE to see what Troy would do the them.(Troy, if you were too read this, please feel free to practice any special moves on Flacco in your next meeting!)
That cue is seriously amazing. I am super happy the future hall of famer owns it. Go Stillers!!
Braden
My vote is in, but I must say it was not easy. It literally took me to the last days to make up my mind. I can honestly say each and every one of these cues are beautiful and a work of art in my eyes. I very much appreciate Jamie for his efforts and putting this thread together, I've enjoyed coming back every day to look at each of the cues over and over again. It's been a treat! :thumbup:
May everyone here have a blessed New & safe Year.
Best Regards,
Mo
May everyone here have a blessed New & safe Year.
Best Regards,
Mo