Retail1LO said:
Is it possible to use the following woods in a sneaky pete as the handle or forearm of the cue? If a full splice cue isn't possible...what about a merry widow?:
Amboyna burl
Sapelle
Bloodwood
Osage orange
Goncalo alves
Olivewood
Snakewood
Rosewood
Curley Maple
I've found recently that my taste in cues has simplified tremedously...and that my favorite cues showcase wood and maybe some ringwork. I'd actually like to get 8 sneaky's done for my home table...but don't know how to go about commissioning someone to make them.
First, would be to find a cuemaker who does their own full splices...that would be the first 'hurdle'. Next...the amboyna, snakewood, olivewood...maybe the osage orange.....would likely need to be cored to be used...not really suitable as a stable structural wood without coring. (Might be wrong on the osage orange).
The rosewood, maple, sapelle (which is a mahogany), bloodwood, and goncalo alves would be more suitable woods, without coring. I would venture to guess that the rosewood and goncalo alves would provide you with the best overall 'feel' and hit. I, personally, really like the way rosewood plays...and there are enough different varieties of it, that you should be able to find something within that family to make you happy. I know that Jerry Franklin reportedly favored goncalo alves as a playing wood for his cues....I, however, have had no experience with this wood, as far as playability goes.
While, a lot of people really dislike the way bacote looks...it is a fantastic playing wood!! I know it was not mentioned, but I thought I would throw it out there as a possible option. I am a rosewood fan...particularly Bois de Rose (Madagascar rosewood), but had recently acquired a bacote full splice cue, and cannot even believe just how well this wood actually plays! Terrific feedback, paired with BEM, provides a lively hit. Generally you will find that the fans of bacote tend to be those who have actually had the pleasure of playing with it...looks not withstanding. Definitely on my favs list.
On the easy to acquire side...I would recommend Keith Josey. he does his own finger-spliced full splices, and naturally weights his cues (no weight bolts). He can do a cue for you in Indian rosewood, ebony, bacote, cocobolo (a rosewood 'cousin'), and purpleheart. He does from very plain to a bit more fancy full splices, and his cues play very, very well...very solid players.
I would say that finding a cuemaker that does their own full splices may be your biggest challenge. I do know that both Murray Tucker and Josey Bautista do their own...but can be very difficult to acquire a cue from...mostly as it is more about the passion than the production for them...but you can always try.
Perhaps a thread asking cuemakers who do their own would help narrow the search. I, too, have gone to strictly full splice cues crafted by the maker as a critieria for my cues...with either a Radial or 3/8x11 SW-type pins. It's not an easy search. Best of luck!
Lisa
...they seem to be very nicely done. 
