The truth about Mezz shafts

[Agent 99]

This has nothing to do with my main point which is that they are expensive

They are expensive, but perhaps not out of line. I have been playing a 314/2 now for a long time. I really dislike having to adjust to a new shaft, the shaft plays just fine, and mostly that is because I am so accustom to it.

However, after having experienced Mezz cues, I now own the best breaker I have ever had. Just tremendous attention to detail, and I mean Rock Solid.

So here is how I look at the money - 314/2's are at their cheapest ever now that the 314/3 has arrived. If I have to get use to a new Predator shaft I very well may be off to buying my first Mezz player .. so let's count money.

I can get a 314/2, give or take a few bucks, for right at $200.00 .. The new Mezz EX Pro is going to cost me about $350.00 and I like to have two shafts with me at all times.

So, Mezz will cost me $300 bucks more - that is a big difference, I can buy (3) 314/2's for $100.00 bucks less than I can buy (2) Mezz shafts for.

That is the difference to me ... I realize that I may be comparing apples to oranges to some, but to me this is the decision I would have to make.

It would be a no brainer decision for me if the 314/2's were no longer to be had - I would buy the new Mezz in a heart beat over the 314/3 because now we would be basically talking about the same amount of money.

As I consumer I understand how the pricing can be perceived differently than a marketing dude would see it after surveying the market.

Good rolls.

 

[JAMSGOLF]

I have a Tascarella cue that is...well...pretty "expensive" compared to other custom cues I've owned.

Is some of that "name"? Sure.

Is some of that marketing? Sure.

Is some of that craftsmanship? You bet.

Does it play more "solid" than other custom cues I've owned (and there's been plenty)? Again, you bet it does.

I have a Schon cue which is my back-up player (I actually have several though). It's more expensive than the Joss cues I've owned...and the McDermott's...and definitely more than the Lucasi's. It's not more expensive than my Mezz cue...which also happens to be my daily player. However, something as small as the rings not lining up on my Schon is an irritation to me...to me it detracts from what I feel is "attention to detail" in the construction. Something I don't see with Mezz cues.

Why is it my player? Because just like comparing my Tascarella to other custom cues I've owned, the Mezz cue is the most solid hitting production cue I've ever had my hands on...and it has the most attention to detail in the production of the cue...like my Tascarella.

So, yes...I will agree that Mezz shafts are more expensive than they probably "need" to be, but I'm "okay" with paying the price they are asking because for ME they are far superior in quality to that of any other production cue company...

 

[jb1911]

I have a Tascarella cue that is...well...pretty "expensive" compared to other custom cues I've owned.

Is some of that "name"? Sure.

Is some of that marketing? Sure.

Is some of that craftsmanship? You bet.

Does it play more "solid" than other custom cues I've owned (and there's been plenty)? Again, you bet it does.

I have a Schon cue which is my back-up player (I actually have several though). It's more expensive than the Joss cues I've owned...and the McDermott's...and definitely more than the Lucasi's. It's not more expensive than my Mezz cue...which also happens to be my daily player. However, something as small as the rings not lining up on my Schon is an irritation to me...to me it detracts from what I feel is "attention to detail" in the construction. Something I don't see with Mezz cues.

Why is it my player? Because just like comparing my Tascarella to other custom cues I've owned, the Mezz cue is the most solid hitting production cue I've ever had my hands on...and it has the most attention to detail in the production of the cue...like my Tascarella.

So, yes...I will agree that Mezz shafts are more expensive than they probably "need" to be, but I'm "okay" with paying the price they are asking because for ME they are far superior in quality to that of any other production cue company...

I feel the same way. I love my Mezz and think it's about as close as you can get to a custom cue and it cost $600. I feel more confident with it in my hands and that's priceless.

 

[I Got Lucky]

Expensive? Meh. When I decided I wanted a Mezz cue I did not compare Mezz prices with other production cues. What would be the point? When I decided I wanted a Mercedes Benz I didn't compare the price with another brand car because I already knew what brand I wanted and decided I would be happy with the price to value ratio of the car. I could buy another brand and save money and get a good car at a good value but I wanted a certain brand known for their attention to detail and resale value.

Now if you don't like the way a Mezz hits, you wouldn't buy it even if it was half the price of an OB. ANyone shopping for a Mezz or an OB is most likely a serious buyer who will play many many games of pool. There is a good chance the stick will stay with him for years so why worry about $40 to change the joint or that the ENTIRE cue costs $600.

There are guys who wont use Blue Diamond or Magic chalk because they are >$3 a cube. I play every day and my Blue Diamond cube lasted almost a year before I swapped it out for a cube of Magic chalk. In theory you need 1 cue and 1 piece of chalk and you can play without spending any more money on equipment. So is it really expensive for a Mezz shaft at $200 or $300? If so, DO NOT take up golf.

Find the brand cue you want and buy what you can afford. Enjoy the pride you have and the confidence that comes with it.

 

[Cezar Morales]

Expensive? Meh. When I decided I wanted a Mezz cue I did not compare Mezz prices with other production cues. What would be the point? When I decided I wanted a Mercedes Benz I didn't compare the price with another brand car because I already knew what brand I wanted and decided I would be happy with the price to value ratio of the car. I could buy another brand and save money and get a good car at a good value but I wanted a certain brand known for their attention to detail and resale value.

Now if you don't like the way a Mezz hits, you wouldn't buy it even if it was half the price of an OB. ANyone shopping for a Mezz or an OB is most likely a serious buyer who will play many many games of pool. There is a good chance the stick will stay with him for years so why worry about $40 to change the joint or that the ENTIRE cue costs $600.

There are guys who wont use Blue Diamond or Magic chalk because they are >$3 a cube. I play every day and my Blue Diamond cube lasted almost a year before I swapped it out for a cube of Magic chalk. In theory you need 1 cue and 1 piece of chalk and you can play without spending any more money on equipment. So is it really expensive for a Mezz shaft at $200 or $300? If so, DO NOT take up golf.

Find the brand cue you want and buy what you can afford. Enjoy the pride you have and the confidence that comes with it.

Didnt know what to say for any mezz haters out there until you came along and put together what i had on mine mind for a long time .

What this man just said !

Mezz plays awesome !!

 

[Double-Dave]

I dont think Mezz`s main focus is the performance shaft aftermarket.
OB and Tiger and to a certain extent Predator all cater to that market, therefore it`s only natural that they will be more flexible with what joint type the customers need.

Correct. This is one of the main reasons (along with quality control) that they do not sell partials.

To mu knowledge, Mezz makes stuff in batches, so they tool up at a certain time for a spesific product run. That means they are less flexible and that lead time can be long, depending on when you order.
I might be wrong, but I guess Double-Dave can chime in on this.

They do produce in batches and when sold out it can be quite a while before a new batch
is ready. The lead times have been getting longer of the last year or two.

They were also set back by the tsunami (remember that certain portions of Japan had no power
for quite a while and for quite a while after that had power only certain hours each day).

They have stopped (for now) offering custom upgrades to Mezz cues to catch back up.
If you want custom specs then you have to buy an Exceed.

gr. Dave

 

[Double-Dave]

If you don't mind Please post the phone number to the Mezz factory so I can get the first hand knowledge from them...
We can put a end to this and I would be more then happy to share the answers I get from them.
I asked you earlier Have you been to the Mezz cue factory, .....................

You didn't answer the question ???????

A phone call will clear all this up.

How did the phone call go?

gr. Dave

 

[JAMSGOLF]

Did you ever watch a commercial over and over and over and over and over again...and that commercial caused you to go out and buy whatever they were advertising despite your best efforts to keep yourself from buying it because you knew that's exactly what they were tyring to get you to do? (Biggest run-on sentence from me in awhile!) The more you saw the same thing over and over, your resistance became futile!!!

Well...that's what all you sons-of-guns did to me with this thread!!!

I'll let you know how the "expensive" WX900 plays when it arrives next week!

(Have to put the blame somewhere! )

 

[mortuarymike-nv]

Phone call

How did the phone call go?

gr. Dave

Have not called yet....

 

[Mikey Town]

Expensive? Meh. When I decided I wanted a Mezz cue I did not compare Mezz prices with other production cues. What would be the point? When I decided I wanted a Mercedes Benz I didn't compare the price with another brand car because I already knew what brand I wanted and decided I would be happy with the price to value ratio of the car. I could buy another brand and save money and get a good car at a good value but I wanted a certain brand known for their attention to detail and resale value.

Now if you don't like the way a Mezz hits, you wouldn't buy it even if it was half the price of an OB. ANyone shopping for a Mezz or an OB is most likely a serious buyer who will play many many games of pool. There is a good chance the stick will stay with him for years so why worry about $40 to change the joint or that the ENTIRE cue costs $600.

There are guys who wont use Blue Diamond or Magic chalk because they are >$3 a cube. I play every day and my Blue Diamond cube lasted almost a year before I swapped it out for a cube of Magic chalk. In theory you need 1 cue and 1 piece of chalk and you can play without spending any more money on equipment. So is it really expensive for a Mezz shaft at $200 or $300? If so, DO NOT take up golf.

Find the brand cue you want and buy what you can afford. Enjoy the pride you have and the confidence that comes with it.

That is the single best statement in this whole thread. Just because something costs more than the other products on the market doesn't necessarily make it "expensive." The definition of "expensive" is subjective, and depends on a person's budget, priorities and (in this case) how much they feel they will be getting out of a particular shaft.

Also, if it's too expensive, do not take up cycling or photography, in addition to staying away from golf.

 

[Kim Bye]

Correct. This is one of the main reasons (along with quality control) that they do not sell partials.



They do produce in batches and when sold out it can be quite a while before a new batch
is ready. The lead times have been getting longer of the last year or two.

They were also set back by the tsunami (remember that certain portions of Japan had no power
for quite a while and for quite a while after that had power only certain hours each day).

They have stopped (for now) offering custom upgrades to Mezz cues to catch back up.
If you want custom specs then you have to buy an Exceed.

gr. Dave

Thanks for the insight.
Of all production cues Mezz seems to hold the highest standard and the greatest consistency.
Mezz products don't feel mushy and flex like crazy as a few other well known brands do, so if your into that mushy, flex alot feel, Mezz might not be for you.

 

[Double-Dave]

Have not called yet....

How about now? Surely after a week you have found the time to
do what you said you would and give Mezz a call right?

gr. Dave

 

[Baxter]

Just a head's up:

If you order a Mezz shaft in 3/8x10, be aware that it will not fit a modified (flat bottom) 3/8x10 pin! They bore their shafts for a very tight fit, and the minor diameter of a standard 3/8x10 pin is smaller than the minor diameter of the modified pin. OB, Tiger, Predator etc all bore their shafts to a larger diameter, and will fit both pins. Mezz does not. It's an easy fix by any competent cue maker or repairman, but take that into account when you order the shaft.

http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=402248

 

[Cezar Morales]

Just a head's up:

If you order a Mezz shaft in 3/8x10, be aware that it will not fit a modified (flat bottom) 3/8x10 pin! They bore their shafts for a very tight fit, and the minor diameter of a standard 3/8x10 pin is smaller than the minor diameter of the modified pin. OB, Tiger, Predator etc all bore their shafts to a larger diameter, and will fit both pins. Mezz does not. It's an easy fix by any competent cue maker or repairman, but take that into account when you order the shaft.

http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=402248

Anyone knows the joint diameter of mezz shaft ?

I would like to fit either a wx700 or hybrid pro 2 on a bluegrass with 3/8/11 pin .
i checked with Richard Harris and he told me the joint size needs to be .880 or bigger in order for him to drill n tap.

Also which joint shaft should i buy that will make it favourable for my situation ?
I'm thinking mezz 3/8/10 since its the closest ?

Mezz does united , wavvy, 5/16/14 and radial but these seems way off right ?

 

[Baxter]

Anyone knows the joint diameter of mezz shaft ?

I would like to fit either a wx700 or hybrid pro 2 on a bluegrass with 3/8/11 pin .
i checked with Richard Harris and he told me the joint size needs to be .880 or bigger in order for him to drill n tap.

Also which joint shaft should i buy that will make it favourable for my situation ?
I'm thinking mezz 3/8/10 since its the closest ?

Mezz does united , wavvy, 5/16/14 and radial but these seems way off right ?

I just checked my WX900 with my digital calipers, and it's coming in at .840. It seems weird to me that he would need a larger diameter to drill and tap a shaft. The shaft I have matches up nearly perfectly with the finished joint diameter of my Bobby Hunter. I wouldn't think that a cuemaker of his caliber would have equipment that was that limited.

If you need to buy a Mezz shaft, and have it drilled and tapped, you're better off buying one of their joints like the wavy joint. You have to pay extra for radial or 3/8x10.

 

[Cezar Morales]

If he's going to drill and tap it anyways, get the wavy joint. You have to pay extra for the radial or 3/8x10.

But doesnt the wavvy or united joint have completely different threads from a 3-8-11 whereas the 3-8-10 only has an extra thread ?

So when tapping to get a new thread, will it screw tightly ?

 

[Baxter]

But doesnt the wavvy or united joint have completely different threads from a 3-8-11 whereas the 3-8-10 only has an extra thread ?

So when tapping to get a new thread, will it screw tightly ?

If it's going to be tapped anyways, he can plug it and tap it to whatever thread needed. And from what I understand, the wavy joint is pretty close to 3/8x10, but the point is really pretty mute anyways.

 

[Double-Dave]

Why on earth would he need .880 to drill and tap? Makes no sense to me.

Anyway, regarding the flat bottom pin, I have actually not tried that myself on a Mezz shaft
but it may very well be true. As mentioned it is a very easy fix requiring nothing more then
drilling out the hole just a little wider (a couple hundreths of an inch) no tapping required.

If you are going to drill and plug a shaft anyway I would suggest taking the Mezz Standard
joint shafts since these are the cheapest ones.

gr. Dave

p.s. mortuarymike-nv did you make the call yet?

 

[Cezar Morales]

If it's going to be tapped anyways, he can plug it and tap it to whatever thread needed. And from what I understand, the wavy joint is pretty close to 3/8x10, but the point is really pretty mute anyways.

Okay and thanks.

Does anyone knows the joint diameter of mezz shaft ?
Just wondering if it will e flush with my bluegrass butt as bluegrass joint seems bigger than mezz joint.

 

[Cezar Morales]

Why on earth would he need .880 to drill and tap? Makes no sense to me.

Anyway, regarding the flat bottom pin, I have actually not tries that myself on a Mezz shaft
but it may very well be true. As mentioned it is a very easy fix requiring nothong more then
drilling out the hole just a little wider (a couple hundreths of an inch) no tapping required.

If you are going to drill and plug a shaft anyway I would suggest taking the Mezz Standard
joint shafts since these are the cheapest ones.

gr. Dave

p.s. mortuarymike-nv did you make the call yet?

The joint size needs to be .880 or bigger to drill & tap, mount rings & center properly. If it comes with a tip, it will have to be taken off.

*

When drilling & tapping into wood, there is always a chance something will go wrong.

*

As you can tell I don't like to mess with other manufactured products.


This is what Richard Harris replied me after i asked him

Can anyone interpret what he meant ?

Thanks