Trying to pic cuemaker for my next custom

Soulcoma

Soulcoma

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I have it narrowed down to pretty much 3 cuemaker.
Mike Stacey
Chris Nitti
Ariel Carmeli

I have a nice design that I want to have built and was wondering what would be the best vote between these makers.

I'm looking for a Player not so much a collector/reseller cue. I have heard nothing but good things about any of them but was curious as to what you all would recommend.

I currently have an Ariel Carmeli with a Stainless Unilock joint and a 314-2 Just sent in to have 2 carmeli shafts made and the ring on the 314 to match. along with a Lizard wrap installed.
I also have a Carolina with an Ivory Joint and ferrel. And not to crazy about it. I think most of it has to do with the shaft diameter being a little over 13mm. as I'm used to smaller. I'm also used to Predator Low Diflection shafts. I just sent this back to Carolina to have the Shafts slimmed down and a Z2 made to match. Hopefully this will help.

So with that background I will more than likely get a z2 made with the cue along with the 2 standard shafts.

My specs I usually stick with is a shaft around 12.5mm(unless a 314-2 or z2) Phenolic type joint seems to be the most comfortable for me. Lizard wrap.

With this info which maker would suit me best.

Also one question does forearm wood type effect the hit. As my Carmeli is BEM and my Carolina is Cocobolo. The joints are completely different though so the hits are way different. So I'm wonder if the wood selection has anything to do with the drastic difference in playability?

The New cue is going to be and Ebony Forearm with Amboyna and BEM Points. If that changes the decision of the maker for any reason. Also price will be a concern. as I'm not looking to drop another 2 grand. But, $1500 range I'm expecting up or down of course. Obviously the more down the better:) but, not nessessary.
Thanks,
Rob
 
Last edited:
Welp without further adoo. I ended up going with Micheal Webb.

He was the fastest in response to an email and actually took the time to make a phone call rather than a short to the point email. The Phone call gave me a very pleasing feeling that this guy is actually making the custom cue for me and not just running through the procedure of you want this ok fine it's this much.

I was extremely greatful for the phone call. He's extremely nice, very professional and very helpful with my design. He even sent me emails of pictures of cues while we were talking so that I got an understanding of exactly what he was going for. Which made it very easy to understand and see exactly what he was talking about.

Price was exactly where I was hoping to be. and I am extremely please with the transaction and I got the deposit going out tomorrow. Expected delivery date of January. Will be a great way to kick off my new year.

I'm excited now :)

Rob
 
Soulcoma said:
Welp without further adoo. I ended up going with Micheal Webb.

He was the fastest in response to an email and actually took the time to make a phone call rather than a short to the point email. The Phone call gave me a very pleasing feeling that this guy is actually making the custom cue for me

Rob
Click to expand...

That's so refreshing to hear...and from what I understand, he makes some solid cues that are very pleasing to the eye...
Congrats on your choice...I've been eyeing the Webb butterfly cue on Cornerstone for quite some time now LOL...
Gives "What are you waiting on, Christmas?!! a whole new meaning...;)
 
Cue Choice

MidLifeCrisis said:
That's so refreshing to hear...and from what I understand, he makes some solid cues that are very pleasing to the eye...
Congrats on your choice...I've been eyeing the Webb butterfly cue on Cornerstone for quite some time now LOL...
Gives "What are you waiting on, Christmas?!! a whole new meaning...;)
Click to expand...

I think you are mistaken on the Butterfly cue, That is made by Billy Webb not Mike Webb 2 Different Guys & Cue makers.

As far as the choice of cue maker is concerned, My personal Vote was for Ariel Carmeli. I have tried all 3 makers and Ariel is at the Top of my List.


Thanks..............Paul
 
Last edited:
Great Choice!

You made a great choice by choosing Mike Webb. His cues play phenomenal and he is a pleasure to deal with.
 
I agree Ariel makes a great cue. As I already have one. I thought about having him make this cue as well but a few reason I went with Mike Webb.

1st and foremost was the fact that he actually took the time to call me and make the entire process about me & my choices not his. He told me what I had and what I was looking for would work very well together. He made suddel suggestions if he felt what I wanted would be better another way. But he still left it upon me to say yes or no. Instead of trying to force what he wanted to do with it. I really like that.

1 reason I didn't choose Ariel Carmeli is Price. His cues are TOP Notch don't get me wrong but, his prices are getting up there as well. I don't think the price of this cue would have been rediculously different than many others due to the fact that it's pretty simple. But more nontheless.

Another reason is well I really didn't want to wait for 2 years to get it either. I know i know. His wait list isn't that long. and your 100% right. But, it still takes him that long. I been waiting for over 4 months just for shafts to be made. Granted he had issues with humidity and stuff and lost lots of stock and I'm sure this was a fluke. so I really am not holding this against him in the least. As he is a great guy and very nice. Also, I really like the fact that when he did have these issues he didn't use the material and went on to remake them as to meet his standards. I really appriciate that. As a lot of other makers would have tried to make them work and hoped that you didn't complain or if you did them remake them.

The personal touch, and professionalism Mr Webb gave me really goes along way. The transaction was only a couple days ago and I couldn't be happier. I have no doubt in my mind that this cue will be in my possesion for a very very long time.

I have met a few people that play with a Webb and was even able to try a few out. and they hit great and they feel very similiar to each other. that's a great feeling when cuemaker can make his cues all hit pretty much the same. Not many can do that. I also haven't heard one person on any forum or at any poolhall say 1 bad thing about Webb himself or his cues.

You also don't see them up for sale very often. That's Saying Alot.
 
I have my eye on a simple Design of Nitti I may pick it up to try out if I can get a good price. Nitti is another great guy and cuemaker and his cues are also Top Notch. These you also do not see for sale very often.
I really have no reason that I chose Mr Webb over Mr Nitti. I can't think of one. Which is another reason that I'm still considering picking up a Nitti. Not made to my design but something that is suddel and appealing. Then I will be able to play with all the makers I have considered and make my own comparison on which I like better. The only one i won't be able to have an opinion on is a Stacey as I have not seen one in person let alone try out. in time hopefully I can find a good feeler at a good price to try out.
 
Soulcoma said:
I have my eye on a simple Design of Nitti I may pick it up to try out if I can get a good price. Nitti is another great guy and cuemaker and his cues are also Top Notch. These you also do not see for sale very often.
I really have no reason that I chose Mr Webb over Mr Nitti. I can't think of one. Which is another reason that I'm still considering picking up a Nitti. Not made to my design but something that is suddel and appealing. Then I will be able to play with all the makers I have considered and make my own comparison on which I like better. The only one i won't be able to have an opinion on is a Stacey as I have not seen one in person let alone try out. in time hopefully I can find a good feeler at a good price to try out.
Click to expand...

i believe that nitti cues are a great investment he does everything by hand and his work is always flawless. ariels cues are alot of bang for the buck. call me 734693-3177 bill
 
Soulcoma said:
I have my eye on a simple Design of Nitti I may pick it up to try out if I can get a good price. Nitti is another great guy and cuemaker and his cues are also Top Notch. These you also do not see for sale very often.
I really have no reason that I chose Mr Webb over Mr Nitti. I can't think of one. Which is another reason that I'm still considering picking up a Nitti. Not made to my design but something that is suddel and appealing. Then I will be able to play with all the makers I have considered and make my own comparison on which I like better. The only one i won't be able to have an opinion on is a Stacey as I have not seen one in person let alone try out. in time hopefully I can find a good feeler at a good price to try out.
Click to expand...

For what it is worth, two guys in my straight pool league have picked up Nitti's within the last year and a half and they both love them. One of the guys is a 70 ball runner so he knows how to play a little, too. Very nice looking cues, too.
 
I would have voted Ariel Carmeli also. But it sounds like Webb is giving you very good service, and that goes a VERY LONG WAY in my book.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top