So... Do you think some cues have too much inlay?

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Cue Guru

Close, but no roll...
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Just another random question that crossed my mind.

It seems that in some cases everyone is trying to out-do one another with more and more exotic/different/innovative/complicated inlay work.

A beautiful piece of well-figured (or just exceptionally clean) wood is all but obscured by inlay.

Is this a good thing?

I appreciate the skill and craftsmanship that goes into good inlay work. I have done enough to fully appreciate it for sure.

However, sometimes, it seems that there is a bit 'too much' going on with a lot of cues these days (well, there have been overly adorned cues for ever, but it just struck me today).

So, what do you all think about this?
 
There is a somewhat similar thread running in another forum...so I will post there some of what I said there.

There's an old bikers' adage, "chrome won't get you home." The same can be said for cues, "flash ain't gonna make you cash."

Lisa
 
When I watch the play on the stream seems most use plain jane cues. I'm sure they are south west cues ect. They are there for one thing to win. :wink:
 
Even though this is a manufactured cue, it certainly is busy, and I do like it.

M29B250x150-16587.jpg


If anyone wants more information on the picture, just click here.
 
Well, as long a the inlay does not compromise the integrity of the cue mechanically, it generally does not have an impact on how a cue plays. I have to imagine that it does have some impact on the cue of course; inlay a bunch of pearl diamonds in a set of claves and they will not sound the same afterward, no matter how 'tight' and/or 'clean' the inlay is.

I was referring more to the aesthetic of the cue. Admittedly, I am a very traditional guy, and like reasonably simple inlay patterns. I DO like inlay, and feel a 'splash of flash' can be a nice detail on a fine cue. "Dead plain" can be a bit, well, dead and plain, but an exceptional piece of wood can make up for that too...

I just was wondering about the mega-complicated inlay work that is floating around.

I can also relate to the whole "I did it to see if I could actually pull it off" angle too. I have done some things in that category in my lifetime...
 
Hi @all Cue-A-Holics :)

thx got that there are so many custom-cuemakers around the world- and even so far more billiard-players with different minds and senses.
I personally also prefer old-school cue-designs which are clear. But there are also some cues with a lot of inlays which are eye-candy for me. it s all just about personal feeling- and how Mr. Helfert nailed it......i also never saw an inlay makin a cue play better ^^

Almost impossible to discuss about something like personal mind/sense for anything.

lg from overseas,

Ingo
 
(Although I had some subjects in art way back then, I can no longer recall the right terms to use for me to be able to explain my thoughts. I'm also assuming that the inlays will not affect the playability of the cue, although in reality they do in some ways)

IMO, it's not the amount of inlays put into cue, it's how it's being laid and the choices of colors, their texture, contrast, etc... When you see it, you know that something feels off..

The cue has to look balanced: you cannot have lots of designs on the butt sleeve then leave the forearm bare or the other way around. Same goes with plain janes, it doesn't look right/balanced if a segmented butt will have forearm, handle, and sleeve that are highly figured and of different kinds of wood (ex. forearm/butt sleeve are burls, then handle will be burl again).

Moreover, all materials have to BLEND well.


Like these are some examples of objects that don't look quite right artistically (and even functionally):
Poser.jpg

Ricer.jpg

DSCN3017.jpg
 
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Cues fall into two categories, player cues and art cues. Any competent cuemaker can make a very good playing level 1 or 2 cue, but then you have your Hercek, Manzino and and Black Boar level cues. You're probably not going to use the cues in a tournament but rather for collectability/ investment value.
 
inlays

As Jay said, the inlays don't make them play better. A few subtle accents on highly figured wood cues allows mother nature's style to shine through. And it's hard to beat mother nature. If you would like to see a few you are welcome to visit my website
http://www.triplecrosscues.com

Built for players who USE them not just look at them. Collector cues have grown to be too gaudy in my opinion with hundreds of inlays. The craftsmanship may be top notch but they just don't do anything for me. Rack 'em and crack 'em, let's play not talk.
Tom Gedris, Triple Cross Cues:cool:
 
sygfrid said:
Poser.jpg
Click to expand...


Where the #&!! did you get that picture of my car? That is CLEARLY a tip-top secret project! I will OWN the streets when it is done as you can clearly see by the reverse mounted hood tach...

I went with the POSER plate to throw everyone off... Think it will work?:thumbup:
 
ridewiththewind said:
There is a somewhat similar thread running in another forum...so I will post there some of what I said there.

There's an old bikers' adage, "chrome won't get you home." The same can be said for cues, "flash ain't gonna make you cash."

Lisa
Click to expand...

the other part to this adage is "chrome wont get you home" "but it will get you laid"
 
tattoo said:
the other part to this adage is "chrome wont get you home" "but it will get you laid"
Click to expand...

CNN: Cuemakers across the country have been unavailable across the continent today due to a marked increase in custom inlay work...
 
Plain Jane

I have a plain jane Jacoby. It's just cocobolo with a black linen wrap. When I was looking for a new cue this one caught my eye more than any other. I don't know why but I just love the look of the wood. I didn't want it broken up with inlays.
 
KSwiss10 said:
I have a plain jane Jacoby. It's just cocobolo with a black linen wrap. When I was looking for a new cue this one caught my eye more than any other. I don't know why but I just love the look of the wood. I didn't want it broken up with inlays.
Click to expand...

Nothing to apologize for there!

Cocobolo is my #2 choice right after Brazilian Rosewood. Great color vibrancy and variation, plus it plays fantastic. What more do you need?:thumbup:
 
Beauty is in the eye of the cue holder...

Inlays won't make you play better, but it allows you to miss in style.. :)

JV
 
It depends. some cues don't have that many inlays, but because of factors such as size, color scheme, and location, they have too many inlays. in other words, visual balance. Other cues ( Thomas Wayne's puzzle for Maurits in the first blue book) are very complex with hundreds or even thousands of inlays...Not too many. Every cue maker I've ever talked to is very, very proud with the playability....not an issue imo. I love beautiful woods as much as anybody..I'm glad they get used for cues, guitars etc. A fine cue is a combination of all factors, balance to the hands, eyes, solid methods. These come together to make a great game greater, or greatest. Thats all
 
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