Thanks for the comments. Yes I like the Gina design as well and good luck with your cue. As to John Bender, this is the 41st cue he has made and the 1st one with the long points. He made one of the shafts out of a timeless timber blank (sunken maple) I havent even played the shaft yet but I love the appearence of it as it is more honey colored than the newer whiter maple shaft. The John Bender plays well and has a bit softer hit than the wrapless Fisher and the John Bender is going back over seas with me as my player.