Pro Players turned cuemakers

[ragbug74]

As far as I know.....

In the past, Corey endorsed the 5280 line of cues that were imports. He's been endorsing/selling the Woodpecker line of cues for the past 2+ years. They are designed by Corey and produced by Jacoby. Check out the beautiful purpleheart and ivory one he normally plays with.

Sigel does personally make a high-end line of customs as well as endorse a line of imports.

Varner's line of cues are all imports.

 

[catscradle]

Madison Bob?

I'm not sure where the line is drawn between a pro and somebody who has made some money hustling pool. I think Madison Bob falls in there somewhere and he makes a good cue.

BTW, since there was so much talk about Sigel I'll mention that I personally find his cues very unappealing. Way too busy for me, more like an import trying to dazzle you with glitz. JMHO.

 

[ScottR]

I would like to start a discussion about Pro Players that have turned to cuemaking. Mike Sigel and Nick Varner are the two most noteworthy in my mind. Any others? They must be recognized FIRST as a player, then as a cuemaker.

Let's hear from some posters that have their cues. What do you like about their cues? How do they play? Do you feel they were able to inject some playing expertise into their cuemaking craft?

From what I have seen or know, they are, indeed, proud of their cues, as reflected by the prices of them. Are they worth it or not? Or are they just assuming too much because of their player status?

Besides normal playing cues, do they make break cues or jump cues?

How good are their inlays?

Just a few that come to mind . . .

Bill Stroud and Dan Janes were road players.
I believe Dennis Searing played at a high level, but don't know if it was "pro".
Larry Nevel
Shawn Putnam has made some cues.

I think everyone knows the general opinions of Josswest, Joss and Searing cues.

edit: I REALLY need to read the whole thread before posting redundant information . . .

 

[Cornerman]

Chris,
I don't know how many balls George Balabushka could run but I do know he was a very slow player. Other players would go crazy waiting for him to shoot.

And to Gene a 100 ball run was only an average player.

Regards,
Hal

Yup. All true. LOL!!!

But in all seriousness, I think if Gene truly thought that George was an excellent player or even a very good player, he would have said so. But, he only said how slow and deliberate he played (and was proud of it) and that he loved the game. Sort of like saying someone has a great personality, I guess.

Fred <~~~ checking the notes

 

[Ken_4fun]

Andy Gilbert

All -

I lived in Springfield, Missouri for a number of years and Andy was pretty busy making cues. But occassionally Andy would play in tourneyments, locals, but with some freaking strong players and Andy held his own pretty well.

I think Andy plays less and less, but at one time he was a pretty good force to be reckened with.

Another interesting thing in Springfield, LOTS AND LOTS of people played with Gilbert cues, imagine that.

Ken

 

[uwate]

If you weigh the playing ability and the cue making ability together, I would give the nod to best in class to Dennis Searing. I have seen Dennis beat Buddy, Dennis Hatch, Corey Duel (fl tour event finals) and more. I dont have to tell you about how jamup he makes cues...

 

[cueman]

The list of true once or current ranked professional pool players turned cuemakers is small. Anne Mayes was once a ranked pro needs to be added. This thread has become mainly a thread of shortstops turned cuemakers for the last few pages. So I will have to add Danny Tibbitts, David Rowell (amateur US Open Champ), BJ Ussery (two time amateur player of the year), Dale Hoke and Kevin Wright.

 

[Timberly]

BJ Ussery

I've never heard BJ utter a word about making cues. This past wkend he was discussing that he would like to learn how to cover pool tables but he's never said anything about building or repairing cues...are you sure?

 

[vagabond]

The list of true once or current ranked professional pool players turned cuemakers is small. Anne Mayes was once a ranked pro needs to be added.

I heard very good things about Anne Mayes cues and cue shafts

 

[cgriffin5]

Skip Weston

 

[CrossSideLarry]

Pros turned cuemaker

From what I have seen or know, they are, indeed, proud of their cues, as reflected by the prices of them. Are they worth it or not? Or are they just assuming too much because of their player status?

Besides normal playing cues, do they make break cues or jump cues?

How good are their inlays?

Jack Madden was a top pro years back and now makes cues exclusively. I love my Madden cue and the inlay work is second to few cuemakers today including the most notable, i.e., Ernie Gutierrez / Gina Cue.

 

[stick8]

cuemaker

just wanted to follow up on my post of one of my favorite cuemakers, [MIKE GULASSY} just sold his sledgehammer to mcdermet. go MIKE

 

[woodyosborne]

BJ Ussery cuemaking?!

I've never heard BJ utter a word about making cues. This past wkend he was discussing that he would like to learn how to cover pool tables but he's never said anything about building or repairing cues...are you sure?

BJ did state he had make cues in the past when he was looking at some xrays of cues i have.

 

[cueman]

I've never heard BJ utter a word about making cues. This past wkend he was discussing that he would like to learn how to cover pool tables but he's never said anything about building or repairing cues...are you sure?

BJ actually just sold his cue building equipment, so I guess he is quiting.

 

[Hidy Ho]

I've "heard" both Bobby Hunter and Mike Siegal learned from Joe Gold.

Now, Bobby Hunter's design is not for everyone (CNC) but general opinion on playability of his cues are very positive (including myself). I'm surprised he's not as well known as a cuemaker .. but he does live in smaller city in west coast.

 

[classiccues]

I know Pete Tascarella played in the mid 80's version of the Tri-state tour when it was the tour before the Joss tour. He played very sporty, as well as Skip Weston in the same tour. Plus Skip has a very formidable straight pool game.

JV

 

[Voodoo Daddy]

I know Pete Tascarella played in the mid 80's version of the Tri-state tour when it was the tour before the Joss tour. He played very sporty, as well as Skip Weston in the same tour. Plus Skip has a very formidable straight pool game.

JV

Sigel, Babyface Mike and Bobby Hunter, all winners on the pro circuts come to mind as players turned cuemakers. As far as guys that make cues and still play jam up I would venture to say Searing is at the top of that heap. He NEVER puts time in on the table but still play pretty sporty. Pete Ohman of OMEN cues also at one time was a solid player as was/still is Rick Howard and Ted Harris...can ya tell I'm from Florida? HAHAHAHAHA

 

[jay helfert]

I've "heard" both Bobby Hunter and Mike Siegal learned from Joe Gold.

Now, Bobby Hunter's design is not for everyone (CNC) but general opinion on playability of his cues are very positive (including myself). I'm surprised he's not as well known as a cuemaker .. but he does live in smaller city in west coast.

Mike Sigel learned primarily from Danny Janes. He actually worked in his shop for a period of time, when he lived in Towson, MD.

Bob Hunter was also greatly influenced by Ernie and spent many hours in his shop, watching and learning. I own one of his cues with a leather wrap by Ernie.