Price, Pierce, or Gilbert

E

edep12

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Hi. I'm new to this forum but from what I have seen there are lots of friendly and knowledgeable people who have given me lots of good information/advice and I was hoping people would offer me even more of their opinions on my next issue. I am researching the purchase of my very first custom built cue and I need your help.

I want the purchase to be from a respected cue builder and have done some looking around but woulfd like to know what some of you guys/gals think of a couple of the cue makers I was considering.

Let me give you at least a little info that may be useful to you in order to form an opinion:

1. I don't want to get terribly specific about my budget (I think that would be something I would want to reserve for once I decide who I am going to work with), but for the sake of being able to ballpark it to help me find the right person let's set $1500 as a ceiling.

2. I want an experienced and respected cue maker that the fine posters of this board would not necessarily all agree as the best choice (I have been around long enough to know that's a pipe dream :wink:), but the majority would agree was a solid choice.

3. I want someone who is accessible and easy to work with and builds a solid player.

4. While I want it to look good I want it to pocket balls too. Equal parts quality/playable/practical I guess is what I'm trying to say.

5. Would want 1 of the shafts to be a production "techie" (i.e. Predator 314-2/Z2, Mezz WX 900, etc.).

6. I don't need it to be crazy elaborate, but it will require at least a little finesse. Looking for a 4 pointer with veneer work on points and some "windows"/inlays on the butt sleeve, etc.

7. I want it in a reasonable amount of time. I am willing to wait 2-3 months for the cue to be built but I would go somewhere else (or find an "on hand" custom I like from a cue maker I respect) vs. sitting on a waiting list for 2 years. I don't care how good you are or what kind of deal I'm getting, I'm not waiting 2 years.

Lastly, if you look at the thread title I have 3 names listed for makers that I have seen and like (Jerry Price, Jim Pierce, or Andy Gilbert). What do you guys (and gals) think of their work and would you strongly prefer any one over another. Also, if there are others you would recommend (for a "yay" or "nay"), let'em fly.

Thanks in advamce guys, I really appreciate your help!
 
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edep12 said:
Hi. I'm new to this forum but from what I have seen there are lots of friendly and knowledgeable people who have given me lots of good information/advice and I was hoping people would offer me even more of their opinions on my next issue. I am researching the purchase of my very first custom built cue and I need your help.

I want the purchase to be from a respected cue builder and have done some looking around but woulfd like to know what some of you guys/gals think of a couple of the cue makers I was considering.

Let me give you at least a little info that may be useful to you in order to form an opinion:

1. I don't want to get terribly specific about my budget (I think that would be something I would want to reserve for once I decide who I am going to work with), but for the sake of being able to ballpark it to help me find the right person let's set $1500 as a ceiling.

2. I want an experienced and respected cue maker that the fine posters of this board would not necessarily all agree as the best choice (I have been around long enough to know that's a pipe dream :wink:), but the majority would agree was a solid choice.

3. I want someone who is accessible and easy to work with and builds a solid player.

4. While I want it to look good I want it to pocket balls too. Equal parts quality/playable/practical I guess is what I'm trying to say.

5. Would want 1 of the shafts to be a production "techie" (i.e. Predator 314-2/Z2, Mezz WX 900, etc.).

6. I don't need it to be crazy elaborate, but it will require at least a little finesse. Looking for a 4 pointer with veneer work on points and some "windows"/inlays on the butt sleeve, etc.

7. I want it in a reasonable amount of time. I am willing to wait 2-3 months for the cue to be built but I would go somewhere else (or find an "on hand" custom I like from a cue maker I respect) vs. sitting on a waiting list for 2 years. I don't care how good you are or what kind of deal I'm getting, I'm not waiting 2 years.

Lastly, if you look at the thread title I have 3 names listed for makers that I have seen and like (Jerry Price, Jim Pierce, or Andy Gilbert). What do you guys (and gals) think of their work and would you strongly prefer any one over another. Also, if there are others you would recommend (for a "yay" or "nay"), let'em fly.

Thanks in advamce guys, I really appreciate your help!
Click to expand...

Very few people are going to get up here and say negative things about a cue maker unless they are absolutely terrible.

As far as new ideas for you, the one I've been watching lately is Kent Davis out here in Southern California. He is really coming along with his newer cues. For one, his cues look really nice and he's not afraid to try different things. Two, every time I've talked with him, I've been impressed with his knowledge and his attitude. I think he's a nice guy. Three, he broke and ran 3 racks of 9 ball against me in the Swanee on a 4" table. I think he knows what a cue is supposed to do. Four, I don't think he is yet backed up to eternity. You can do a search on the forum for his cues.

Right now you should decide what shaft diameter you like. There is a big difference between the way a Predator Z and a 314 play. What I would do is order two standard 12.75 - 13 mm shafts from the cue maker for resale purposes, then have them fit an LD shaft of your choice to the cue.

Bear in mind, whatever you pay to the custom maker is likely to depreciate by at least 30% - 40% out the door, so make sure you get something you want to keep and use for awhile, to get your money's worth.
 
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I'm not really familiar with Jerry Price, but his web site says "I worked as an automotive machinist for 40 years, retiring in 1991..." Even if he started as a machinist at age 18, that would put him over 80 now. Is he still building cues?
 
TATE said:
Very few people are going to get up here and say negative things about a cue maker unless they are absolutely terrible.

As far as new ideas for you, the one I've been watching lately is Kent Davis out here in Southern California. He is really coming along with his newer cues. For one, his cues look really nice and he's not afraid to try different things. Two, every time I've talked with him, I've been impressed with his knowledge and his attitude. I think he's a nice guy. Three, he broke and ran 3 racks of 9 ball against me in the Swanee on a 4" table. I think he knows what a cue is supposed to do. Four, I don't think he is yet backed up to eternity. You can do a search on the forum for his cues.

Right now you should decide what shaft diameter you like. There is a big difference between the way a Predator Z and a 314 play. What I would do is order two standard 12.75 - 13 mm shafts from the cue maker for resale purposes, then have them fit an LD shaft of your choice to the cue.

Bear in mind, whatever you pay to the custom maker is likely to depreciate by at least 30% - 40% out the door, so make sure you get something you want to keep and use for awhile, to get your money's worth.
Click to expand...

Good call on the shafts. Thanks. Never looked at it that way.
 
edep12 said:
7. I want it in a reasonable amount of time. I am willing to wait 2-3 months for the cue to be built
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For a custom cue, this lead time is pretty aggressive.

Lastly, if you look at the thread title I have 3 names listed for makers that I have seen and like (Jerry Price, Jim Pierce, or Andy Gilbert).
Click to expand...

Andy Gilbert

Freddie <~~~ just because
 
i am only familiar with andy gilbert of the 3 names on your list
when i had my cue built by him he was very available and great to work with
i would recommend him without hesitation
2 others that i have had great experience with is paul dayton and chris nitti
they live near me in florida so i got to talk to them in person
both were great to work with
all 3 cuemakers ive mentioned make great playing and looking cues
and would not hesitate to get a cue from them again....:thumbup:
pm me if you have questions
 
Of the three you mention Gilbert is definitely the most well known and he has a great reputation that he deserves.
The only problem I would see is 2-3 months, this is a very short time to build a cue, espescially
one with points and veneers (or, not a sneaky pete). This will be true for all 3 builders though.

4-5 months would be pretty fast.

gr. Dave
 
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