searing cues??

I have to laugh sometimes...


Threads like these pop up every 3-6 months (trust me, if you actually searched you would have the same answers).


Blah, blah, blah just not worth it. Yadda, yadda, yadda hyped up pool cue.


Unlike the commercial, not everything you read on the Internet is true. Especially from 95% of the replies to these threads. I swear, replies should only come from people who have played with them. Inspected them. Fondled them. Drooled over them. Only then will you understand why they demand the prices they do. Then again, maybe you will not. But at the very least, you have a certain amount of experience with them.

They are not for everyone. I used to be a player (not a very good one) but a player nonetheless. Now I am a psuedo-collector (also not a very good one). However, in my humblest opinion - Dennis is a master cuemaker. What I mean is that he does all facets of cuemaking as perfectly as humanly (loose term) possible. He absolutely strives for perfection. He never "settles" where others do.

Why people are so passionate over this topic is baffling to me. Especially the people who have never played with one or even held one. Are they expensive? HELL YES! Are they worth it? HELL YES, TO ME. They are plenty of other cues that have passed through my hands. Yet I seem to be drawn towards a Searing cue.

If the cue that "inspired" THIS thread was pointed, I would definitely put in a bid.


I play with my "plain" Searing as much as I can. I had a different point of view when I bought it. My opinion changed when I realized I own a tremendous playing cue and I "should" play with it as much as possible.



These are only MY opinions and maybe someday you can judge for yourself...
 
Insane

4k for any plain Jane is insanity...plain and simple. Even from an investor standpoint. Question is...how high can it go up? I think it's being sold on the top end, with little room for equity. I just can't see someone down the road paying 8k for it. But, I do see someone down the road paying 8k for a 4k Gina, tad, with some inlay...

I go cross-eyed at 2k on a PJ...but ultimately, I'm not the one buying it. To each their own. Out of principal, I'd never pay it.
 
ive never lost $$$ on a Ferrari or Patek(watch), but lost lots on pick-ups and Rolex's.


if you buy good stuff you most often get your $$ back or make $$$, buy a $1000 retail production cue you just lost $500.

my principals only allow me to make $$$, not blow it. Not that it always works out that way but thats the goal.:smile:
 
just to be honest.

Diamond69 said:
I was wondering the same thing. But I'm a player, not a collector. I want a cue that meets my play needs and I like the way it looks. Searing may be a great player, but a $4k cue is not going to make me play 4x better than my $1k (retail) cue that I purchased.
Click to expand...

Have you ever played with a high end 3k to 4k custom cue made just for you?

MMike
 
CMD said:
I have to laugh sometimes...


Threads like these pop up every 3-6 months (trust me, if you actually searched you would have the same answers).


Blah, blah, blah just not worth it. Yadda, yadda, yadda hyped up pool cue.


Unlike the commercial, not everything you read on the Internet is true. Especially from 95% of the replies to these threads. I swear, replies should only come from people who have played with them. Inspected them. Fondled them. Drooled over them. Only then will you understand why they demand the prices they do. Then again, maybe you will not. But at the very least, you have a certain amount of experience with them.

They are not for everyone. I used to be a player (not a very good one) but a player nonetheless. Now I am a psuedo-collector (also not a very good one). However, in my humblest opinion - Dennis is a master cuemaker. What I mean is that he does all facets of cuemaking as perfectly as humanly (loose term) possible. He absolutely strives for perfection. He never "settles" where others do.

Why people are so passionate over this topic is baffling to me. Especially the people who have never played with one or even held one. Are they expensive? HELL YES! Are they worth it? HELL YES, TO ME. They are plenty of other cues that have passed through my hands. Yet I seem to be drawn towards a Searing cue.

If the cue that "inspired" THIS thread was pointed, I would definitely put in a bid.


I play with my "plain" Searing as much as I can. I had a different point of view when I bought it. My opinion changed when I realized I own a tremendous playing cue and I "should" play with it as much as possible.



These are only MY opinions and maybe someday you can judge for yourself...
Click to expand...

I've seen your cue up close many times when it was in Dennis' shop. It's "plain" but man oh man, what a cue. If I didn't want to build my own cues someday, I would throw insane amounts of money at you to sell me that cue. Searing is at the top and that cue is one of the many examples of why.


Fatboy said:
ive never lost $$$ on a Ferrari or Patek(watch), but lost lots on pick-ups and Rolex's.


if you buy good stuff you most often get your $$ back or make $$$, buy a $1000 retail production cue you just lost $500.

my principals only allow me to make $$$, not blow it. Not that it always works out that way but thats the goal.:smile:
Click to expand...

Rolex isn't a decent investment?
 
There is no doubt Mr Searing is the most sought after top cuemaker but as long as specific costruction details are not out in the open (for eg. what is "better" than Gina cues..) the philosophical conversations will simply go on...
Petros
 
There is a guy in town that used to own a pool hall. he has a beautiful Searing.
Snooker is his game of choice and seldom brings the S out to play.

I'm waiting, I'm waiting.

The owner and myself are the only two around my parts that know the true value of one.
 
XPLAYHARDX said:
Can someone explain to me why searing cues draw the $$$ that they bring as I see a plain one on ebay going for almost $3500 with plenty of time remaining for more bidding. I have collected many cues over the years however I have never played a searing and workmanshipwise things seem to be clean however the price baffles me. this is not a knocking of the cues just looking for the reasoning behind the prices as at this point the plain cue is bringing more than a new southwest?? I look forward to a education in this line of cues.......
Click to expand...
hi XPLAYHARDX ,

well, i asked myself the same question, until last january , when i was lucky enough to travel to the USA (i'm french) , i met him in person (thanks again, Tom ;) ) , we spent a day together , and to see his workshop, speaking about his cue philosophy, his machines, tools, woods .... The level of technology in a so small workshop is truely incredible . Like the man himself.

If one day you can afford a trip to Florida, go, and meet him . You'll quickly understand. Zero deffects, pure beauty , playability . luxus has a price , fixed most of time by demand vs supply .
 
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kvinbrwr said:
Plus, in a way they are cheap. You can buy a great playing cue for say $700. When its time for a change maybe you end up selling it for $450, so it cost you $250 to own that cue.

The Searing you have to fork out more money initially, but if you ever do decide to sell it (like I do constantly with my lifetimes players), you make money.

So which cue is really more expensive?

Kevin
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This is one of the best reasons to buy a Searing cue besides the fact they play awesome and the workmanship is second to NONE!

James
 
mortuarymike-nv said:
Have you ever played with a high end 3k to 4k custom cue made just for you?

MMike
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I guess the question is what is high end? Expensive? Or a lot of inlays? I don't think Dennis would consider the cue on ebay high end. Nor is it made for the person who buys it. Is it made of quality materials and workmanship, certainly. And it certainly is expensive.

I have a Sailor cue that was custom made just for me 25 years ago. I love the cue. Now I have a custom made Chris Whitaker (not custom made for me, but a custom cue). I use the Chris' cue because of the weight, balance, feel, etc. It is the best player cue I've played with.

All my cues are pointed with inlays. So I wouldn't call them plain janes, but I wouldn't call them high end either. Just nicely made custom cues that work great for me.
 
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1. A no reserve auction tells the entire world exactly where a cue is in reality. I can't think of any other living cue maker whose plain jane would hit these prices on ebay.

2. Dennis' cues are player's cues to the core, through and through. Dennis might be able to spot almost every other cue maker a few balls in the playing department and like the cue makers who started out being great players the cues they make generally hit great. But Dennis, as good of a player as he already was, took another great player's advice and embarked on a journey to perfect the pool cue as an instrument. As such any decent player who hits with one of them immediately feels that connection to the ball that is so rare.

3. At the cuemaker's roundtable filmed by TAR in 2009 Bill Schick summed it up best when he able to get in a word against Thomas Wayne's nonstop blather about decoration. Bill said that in his opinion what the great cue makers like Balabushka and Szamboti understood were tight tolerances were the secret to making cues that not only played lights out but which also stood the test of time. In my opinion Dennis has taken tight tolerances to a new level.

IF he ever decides to start decorating his instruments more than he currently does then he won't only be a master cuemaker he will undoubtably take the crown of most creative as well. Of that I have no doubt. Only thing is that he will only get one $500,000 cue per year done :-)

The last thing is that Dennis is also quite humble and doesn't brag about his cues. It's enough that collectors and players brag about them.
 
kvinbrwr said:
I have a pitch for someone buying Colin's eBay cue as a player. I realize that 4.5K is a lot of money to invest in a cue to play with, but they do play great, its not like with some collectibles where all you are paying for is ivory and beauty.

Plus, in a way they are cheap. You can buy a great playing cue for say $700. When its time for a change maybe you end up selling it for $450, so it cost you $250 to own that cue.

The Searing you have to fork out more money initially, but if you ever do decide to sell it (like I do constantly with my lifetimes players), you make money.

So which cue is really more expensive?

Kevin
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I provided at least one similar post in the past. There are a couple of caveats. You shouldn't overpay. In these price ranges, that can be difficult to judge. Also, you need to keep the cue in excellent condition. Otherwise, you will pay a lot for refinishing prior to resale. But if you are smart about owning, you can have the privilege of playing with one of the greatest cues ever made and not have it cost you an arm and a leg over the long haul.

I recently hit a few balls with one of Dennis' cues and it completely lived up to the reputation. One of those experiences that defines perfection. If I had not already decided to downsize my collection, I would be bidding on the available cue.

CMD's cue may not have points, but there is nothing plain about it.
 
What I find noteworthy is that two of the (if not "the") highest demand cue makers of today, Barry and Dennis, were both career inspired by the build characteristics, precision workmanship and artistry of one man, Gus Szamboti.

Thanks

Kevin
 
ibuycues said:
I have been playing with Searings as my daily player since 2007, and am absolutely and totally satisfied with the cues in every way. First and foremost is the playability, unparalleled is a good word here. As others have said, the quality and accuracy in tolerances, fit and finish just cannot be improved upon. His shafts are monster players, outstanding in every way. Because Dennis is such a perfectionist, his output production is low. But perfect. And elegant. Hence, with high demand and low production, a higher price follows naturally.

At Shooters in Olathe I let anyone hit balls with my cue that asks, and am pleased to widen the base of understanding and awareness.

I am sure that when Stradivarius was making his violins there were others making fancier ones for a lot of money, but none played better. None.

Will Prout
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This post brought a tear to my eye. Its nice that someone gets what HE is

trying and DOING and only a few will dream of trying.

Theres no company where SEARING dares to tread!

Looking forward to visiting with you in atlanta.

John L. Showman
 
Diamond69 said:
I guess the question is what is high end? Expensive? Or a lot of inlays? I don't think Dennis would consider the cue on ebay high end. Nor is it made for the person who buys it. Is it made of quality materials and workmanship, certainly. And it certainly is expensive.

I have a Sailor cue that was custom made just for me 25 years ago. I love the cue. Now I have a custom made Chris Whitaker (not custom made for me, but a custom cue). I use the Chris' cue because of the weight, balance, feel, etc. It is the best player cue I've played with.

All my cues are pointed with inlays. So I wouldn't call them plain janes, but I wouldn't call them high end either. Just nicely made custom cues that work great for me.
Click to expand...

Hi Diamond 69

What is a high end cue?
I had a thread on that very question,
Still comes down to personal opinions...................


I have or had some nice cues, I like my main player,
If I had a table at home I would be more willing to play with a higher end cue.

Not everyone has a nice home with their own pool table,
There are some cues that are not pracical to take into a pool room or bar.
So I can understand why some people would never think about owning a high end cue.


I just wanted to know if you have ever owned a High end Cue made for you.


I had or have owned a few High end custom cues.
But have never ordered in a HIgh end custom cue made for me.
Sounds like we both need to order a High end cue From Mr Searing to properly answer the question on if his cues are worth it or not.

Everything I have heard he makes one of the best cues in the world.

MMike
 
mortuarymike-nv said:
Hi Diamond 69

What is a high end cue?
I had a thread on that very question,
Still comes down to personal opinions...................


I have or had some nice cues, I like my main player,
If I had a table at home I would be more willing to play with a higher end cue.

Not everyone has a nice home with their own pool table,
There are some cues that are not pracical to take into a pool room or bar.
So I can understand why some people would never think about owning a high end cue.


I just wanted to know if you have ever owned a High end Cue made for you.


I had or have owned a few High end custom cues.
But have never ordered in a HIgh end custom cue made for me.
Sounds like we both need to order a High end cue From Mr Searing to properly answer the question on if his cues are worth it or not.

Everything I have heard he makes one of the best cues in the world.

MMike
Click to expand...

MMike,
So in your previous thread, what was the consensus on what defined a high end cue? I don't know that I'd ever be able to afford a Searing, so I guess I won't be able to answer the question. But I am certain it will not make me play 4x better than I do with my current cue. But again, I'm a player, not a collector. I've never looked at the Cue blue book, but I'm guessing my Sailor's are worth more than what I paid for them 20+ years ago. But would have no clue what either of them are worth.
 
So I am curious what the wait time is on a Searing cue order, and how much a plain jane Searing would cost (if a person were to wait as long as it took get receive a cue order directly from Searing)? I am also curious if Richard Harris cues (Blue Grass Cues) are right up there with the quality of Searing cues? I imagine they might be, since his waiting list got so long that he had to stop taking orders. I know a cue maker named Mike Durbin that is also a perfectionist. I wonder if his cues will someday be in the same league as Blue Grass and Searing cues. I am not sure how long his waiting list is, but his cues keep getting more valuable every year. I think he is still doing cue making part time (because he is a farmer). His cues play amazing to me (best playing cues that I ever had the opportunity to play with), but I guess that maybe his cues are not even in the same league as the above mentioned cue makers (but maybe they should be). By the way, the highest end cue I ever owned (or played with) was a Scruggs, and even though Scruggs is now retired (and his cues are now at an all time high value), I assume that one of his plain jane cues would still not sell for more then $1500.
 
Great drinking game thread.

For every time I read the word "perfect" "perfection" "perfectionist"

I am on my 3rd beer since I found this thread. Oh well, it's Saturday.

:D
 
XPLAYHARDX said:
Can someone explain to me why searing cues draw the $$$ that they bring as I see a plain one on ebay going for almost $3500 with plenty of time remaining for more bidding. I have collected many cues over the years however I have never played a searing and workmanshipwise things seem to be clean however the price baffles me. this is not a knocking of the cues just looking for the reasoning behind the prices as at this point the plain cue is bringing more than a new southwest?? I look forward to a education in this line of cues.......
Click to expand...

Yeah I've ran into this kind of thing with other limited supply items.... like Ohhhhh, I dunno.... a certain One-Pocket Book. The thing you have to keep in mind is that this is perfectly fine and that the higher the price goes on these things, the better. This is good for everyone. Though, not everyone will be able to afford one or anything even close to it.... this is the natural order of things.

Raise demand, price goes up because supply stays the same. Raise Supply and quality suffers, but price drops. What would you rather have? I mean its not like its a book or anything you could just print off copies of it to make it available to people.

I can understand that an artisan can only put forth work they are happy with. I can support that line of thinking. It's actually a good thing (without my painfully obvious snarkiness) that artists like Dennis Searing or some other equally talented master have such impossibly high standards which sadly limits the number of available examples or their exquisite expressions.

So your feeling of exclusion is actually praise to these artists. I feel pretty crappy about it too. I would love to have at least a Searing Shaft for my McDermott.

77772055_o.jpg


Regards,

Lesh
 
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