I think that most people order a custom cue, they dictate almost the entire design to the cuemaker. In addition to the playing specs, they detail the woods, the inlays, type of joint, ring design, wrap, etc...
I think this is a great way to order a custom cue. You get exactly what you want, you are involved in the design process and the cue is unique to you. I would never criticize someone for taking this path.
Some cue makers are willing to be collaborative in this process and that leads to a better experience and design.
But for many cuemakers (and a few have told me this directly) is that sort of cue making can be sort of mundane and not the best utilization of the cuemakers skills.
Certainly some cuemakers like Tascarella only want to make a cue to your exact specs, and I found designing my Tasc was pretty difficult.
The other way to get a custom cue, and the one I think leads to the best result is to let the cue maker do the design for you.
If you think about it cue makers are also artists and they know far more about artistic cue design, what works well and what doesn't, how to achieve balance, how to make it more unique.
I have received a good number of cues over the years and have provided varying levels of guidance in terms of cue designs. I think the ones that have turned out the best are the ones where I provided the least direction to the cue maker.
Dan Janes made me a cue where my only direction (outside of specs) was to use cocobolo and an overall budget.
Mike Lambros made a terrific MW cue for me also with just cocobolo as the sole direction.
Richard Black made a lovely traditional cue where all I asked for was something similar in appearance to a Balabushka and an overall budget.
Jeff Olney made an awesome cue for me with literally no direction at all.
I provided just an inlay design to Alan Phelps (highly recommended by the way) and he made a really unique and interesting cue for me with some of the neatest rings outside a Barenbrugge I have ever seen.
My experience is that not only do you get a gorgeous cue but you also get more cue for your money. I think it is a more enjoyable exercise for the cue maker and without restraints they make something really special.
So my recommendation is that unless you have your mind set on something very specific try and give the cuemaker the least guidance possible and you will get a better more special cue
I have 2 cues in progress right now, both on the opposite ends of the spectrum
One is a Merry Widow form Josh Treadway. He chose the main wood, a super interesting piece of Arctic birch, and then I asked it to be paired with a Tulipwood handle. When he asked me what I would like in rings I spent a day designing my own ring pattern which is pretty neat IMO, but pretty complex, but Josh liked it and is making it, so that design is largely my own.
The second is from Paul Drexler and the only direction I gave him at all was "to use three woods with none of them being ebony or a really light wood like holly" That's it. Every other element of the design is up to him. I gave him a reasonably good sized budget and he seems to be pretty excited to do it.
Will be interesting to see which turns out better.
Just a thought I figured I would share to everyone hoping it has some value.
I think this is a great way to order a custom cue. You get exactly what you want, you are involved in the design process and the cue is unique to you. I would never criticize someone for taking this path.
Some cue makers are willing to be collaborative in this process and that leads to a better experience and design.
But for many cuemakers (and a few have told me this directly) is that sort of cue making can be sort of mundane and not the best utilization of the cuemakers skills.
Certainly some cuemakers like Tascarella only want to make a cue to your exact specs, and I found designing my Tasc was pretty difficult.
The other way to get a custom cue, and the one I think leads to the best result is to let the cue maker do the design for you.
If you think about it cue makers are also artists and they know far more about artistic cue design, what works well and what doesn't, how to achieve balance, how to make it more unique.
I have received a good number of cues over the years and have provided varying levels of guidance in terms of cue designs. I think the ones that have turned out the best are the ones where I provided the least direction to the cue maker.
Dan Janes made me a cue where my only direction (outside of specs) was to use cocobolo and an overall budget.
Mike Lambros made a terrific MW cue for me also with just cocobolo as the sole direction.
Richard Black made a lovely traditional cue where all I asked for was something similar in appearance to a Balabushka and an overall budget.
Jeff Olney made an awesome cue for me with literally no direction at all.
I provided just an inlay design to Alan Phelps (highly recommended by the way) and he made a really unique and interesting cue for me with some of the neatest rings outside a Barenbrugge I have ever seen.
My experience is that not only do you get a gorgeous cue but you also get more cue for your money. I think it is a more enjoyable exercise for the cue maker and without restraints they make something really special.
So my recommendation is that unless you have your mind set on something very specific try and give the cuemaker the least guidance possible and you will get a better more special cue
I have 2 cues in progress right now, both on the opposite ends of the spectrum
One is a Merry Widow form Josh Treadway. He chose the main wood, a super interesting piece of Arctic birch, and then I asked it to be paired with a Tulipwood handle. When he asked me what I would like in rings I spent a day designing my own ring pattern which is pretty neat IMO, but pretty complex, but Josh liked it and is making it, so that design is largely my own.
The second is from Paul Drexler and the only direction I gave him at all was "to use three woods with none of them being ebony or a really light wood like holly" That's it. Every other element of the design is up to him. I gave him a reasonably good sized budget and he seems to be pretty excited to do it.
Will be interesting to see which turns out better.
Just a thought I figured I would share to everyone hoping it has some value.