Production/Custom Cue Prices

At what price point do you stop looking at production cues and only custom cues

  • $200

    Votes: 1 2.3%

  • $300

    Votes: 4 9.3%

  • $400

    Votes: 3 7.0%

  • $500

    Votes: 9 20.9%

  • $600

    Votes: 2 4.7%

  • $800

    Votes: 8 18.6%

  • $1000

    Votes: 4 9.3%

  • $2000+

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • I only look at production

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • I only look at custom

    Votes: 12 27.9%
  • Total voters
    43
  • Poll closed .
jhendri2

jhendri2

Rack'em Sausage
Silver Member
In response to Bruce's poll, I was curious as to what everyones limit were on production cues before they start looking at only custom cue makers.

The reason I ask, a friend of mine from Germany and I were chatting the other day and he said that "no name" cumakers would not sell over there. Only Gina, Southwest, Josswest, Szamboti, and Richard Black (I think that was the last one, because he has one). But people will by production cues instead of say Joel Hercek, Richard Harris, Andy Gilbert, Paul Mottey, etc. because these are not "name" cuemakers there. I mention Hercek, because that's one I asked spefically and he said there is no market for them there. I have nothing against any of these cuemakers, as a matter of fact I am on Joel's waiting list.

My firend runs a pool/dart shop in Wiesbaden, Germany in case anyone was curious.

I am of the impression that once the cue reaches about $500 I would rather start looking at custom cues.

This is just to satisfy my curiousity.

Jim
 
I think $250 is my limit... after that, you can get some really good plain jane/used custom cues.

Most I ever spent on a production cue was $284 for the Joss that I bought back in 1997, which I still have to this day. It is in storage and I will probably keep it for sentimental value....

I doubt I will ever buy a production cue again unless it is to resell.
 
1pRoscoe

What are some of the custom cue makers you recommend that offer cues at $250?

Thanks,
gh8st
 
Define

What do you all consider a True Custom Q?....... ;)
 
Whatever the price of a jazzed up sharp looking Schon or Schon LTD goes for.

I'd MUCH RATHER have that than some POS plain jane or the worst thing on the planet (an ugly sneaky pete) made in a garage.
 
gh8st said:
What are some of the custom cue makers you recommend that offer cues at $250?

Thanks,
gh8st
Click to expand...

You can find entry level custom cues for $300+ on ebay. Albeit they are no name cue makers or only regionally known, but deals can be had.
 
gh8st said:
What are some of the custom cue makers you recommend that offer cues at $250?

Thanks,
gh8st
Click to expand...

I'm in Cincinnati and two local cue makes that would offer entry level cues @ $250- $300 would be Sherm cues and RHN custom cues. Both listed in the Blue Book
 
jhendri2 said:
In response to Bruce's poll, I was curious as to what everyones limit were on production cues before they start looking at only custom cue makers.

The reason I ask, a friend of mine from Germany and I were chatting the other day and he said that "no name" cumakers would not sell over there. Only Gina, Southwest, Josswest, Szamboti, and Richard Black (I think that was the last one, because he has one). But people will by production cues instead of say Joel Hercek, Richard Harris, Andy Gilbert, Paul Mottey, etc. because these are not "name" cuemakers there. I mention Hercek, because that's one I asked spefically and he said there is no market for them there. I have nothing against any of these cuemakers, as a matter of fact I am on Joel's waiting list.

My firend runs a pool/dart shop in Wiesbaden, Germany in case anyone was curious.

I am of the impression that once the cue reaches about $500 I would rather start looking at custom cues.

This is just to satisfy my curiousity.

Jim
Click to expand...

People need to remember that sometimes a well made production cue (example: Schon or Joss) is ten times better than a so-called custom cue from someone who's been tinkering for a few years making cues. I've owned several custom cues that were C..R..A..P compared to a solid production cue. I won't mention names on here. It seems though that half of the cue buying market purchase cues more or less like an art collector versus how they really "play". I've toyed with the idea of spending $2000+ on a nice Schon that was one of a kind or made in low runs. To each their own though.
 
gh8st said:
What are some of the custom cue makers you recommend that offer cues at $250?

Thanks,
gh8st
Click to expand...

These so-called $250 custom cues are house cues sawed in half and made into sneaky petes. The cue maker installs a joint, maybe a butt cap and a new ferrule and make $200 for not an incredible amount of work. Ignorance is bliss I guess.
 
Matt_24 said:
These so-called $250 custom cues are house cues sawed in half and made into sneaky petes. The cue maker installs a joint, maybe a butt cap and a new ferrule and make $200 for not an incredible amount of work. Ignorance is bliss I guess.
Click to expand...

That may be the case with some of them, but I can tell you that Bob Griffiin (Madison Bob) makes a great cue that can be bought in the 250 to 300 range. I agree that there are some very good production cues out there and those are what I had always played until I tried one of Bobs cues. I didnt change just because it was "custom", I changed because I like the way his cues play. Like you have said, the way the cue plays should be the desiding factor.
 
That was going to be the second part of my question. Are you confident that you are getting the same type of craftmanship in a $250 custom cue vs the $1000 cue from the same maker? Difference in cost only being materials?
 
gh8st said:
Are you confident that you are getting the same type of craftmanship in a $250 custom cue vs the $1000 cue from the same maker? Difference in cost only being materials?
Click to expand...


How can you even THINK or SAY such a thing??!! When a man goes down to Staples or Office Depot and has them print up 1000 business cards for the whole world to see that says "CUSTOM Cuemaker"...you bet your sweet bippy his heart and soul goes into it. It's a "Labor of Love"....not about the money. As much goes into a $175 dollar cue as a $2,000 (if they can even come close to commanding that).

Sure makes a lot of business dollar sense to me.
 
gh8st said:
That was going to be the second part of my question. Are you confident that you are getting the same type of craftmanship in a $250 custom cue vs the $1000 cue from the same maker? Difference in cost only being materials?
Click to expand...

With the cuemaker I buy from, YES. I own one of his hustlers and a high end cue, and both have a very similar hit and are of high quality. The price difference is in matterials and in time to do the inlays.

Edit - after reading my post It sounded like he was the only cuemaker that was like that. Not what I was trying to say. DM put it a good way, most of the cuemakers out there do it because they love it and have a great amount of pride in every cue they send out the door.
 
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I bought my first one-of-a-kind personally designed custom cue almost two years ago. At the time I was considering buying a Predator 2 for about $800. I'm glad I didn't as I'm extremely pleased with my custom. The breakpoint for me at the time between production and custom was about $1000.

I've got another custom cue design in work. I don't see myself going back to a production cue for my player.
 
woody_968 said:
With the cuemaker I buy from, YES. I own one of his hustlers and a high end cue, and both have a very similar hit and are of high quality. The price difference is in matterials and in time to do the inlays.

Edit - after reading my post It sounded like he was the only cuemaker that was like that. Not what I was trying to say. DM put it a good way, most of the cuemakers out there do it because they love it and have a great amount of pride in every cue they send out the door.
Click to expand...
Yeah. But, I think DM was being sarcastic. I could be wrong . . . . :rolleyes:
 
ScottR said:
Yeah. But, I think DM was being sarcastic. I could be wrong . . . . :rolleyes:
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DM,,,,, sarcastic?,,,,,, I find this hard to believe :D :D :D

I know he likes production cues, and probably said the statement with a sarcastic tone in his font, but it actually is true even if he doesnt believe it :p
 
ScottR said:
Yeah. But, I think DM was being sarcastic. I could be wrong . . . . :rolleyes:
Click to expand...


HUH?? WHA.....You guys are ALWAYS thinking the worst of what's behind my intentions when I post. (btw...I'm taking the 5th) :D
 
returning to the original question...

In germany it is indeed like this, you can rather sell any used and beaten production joss or for $ 500 (in this case way overpriced) than a let's say perfect condition Nova 4 pointer with some inlay work for $ 500 (somewhat underpriced...)

There are only some highend names that will sell easily, as Richard Black, Gina, Josswest, SW and very funny you will sell any "Oliver Ortmann" cue (yes we all know that these are Pechauers) as long as it is in acceptable condition

this: http://www.azbilliards.com/vbulletin/upload/showthread.php?t=15035&highlight=guffey

was considered a shitty cue here in germany, as it had "NO NAME" on it
although most of the "knowledge force" did wonder about the good hit and playability......

My Verl Horn/ Nova Hybrid is considered a bad cue, as it is only a Nova ???

My ivory jointed Nova is considered the Superstar cue by the same "knowledge force" because it has an ivory joint and very,very important has "Nova Custom" engraved in the Butt

that's the way (most) Germans think about cues....sad but true :)
 
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