Underappreciated Cue Makers Section

Bavafongoul

Bavafongoul

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I came up with the title since there isn’t any forum for just unrecognized cue makers. If there was, my concept for it would be to focus on new, upcoming cue makers that are taking orders, producing cues for at least over a year and their customers can post positive, or less than positive, reviews on the workmanship, cue maker demeanor, how the cue plays, would they ever do repeat business if they wanted another cue….that kind of stuff.

The intention is to discover and promote new cue makers that would be good for the cue maker and helpful to readers as well. I have always found threads illustrating someone’s pleasure over receiving their new cue to be the most enjoyable and also consequential.

Yeah, I know there are other forums but those aren’t frequented as often as the Main Forum which covers pool related subjects. Well, to my way of thinking, the more readers this thread gets will yield better results, i.e., replies and interest. That would be a good thing, IMO. So having this thread in the Main Forum makes it easier for readers to participate so that’s why I posted it in this forum

More viewers, easier to by reply…..hopefully with photo attachments…..provides input about cue makers otherwise not known very well, readers can express opinions or questions…..there are lots of reasons for posting this new thread in the Main Forum. Now the real question is whether there’s enough cue makers known more locally than nationally that deserve to be recognized for their excellence or affordability. Time will tell the outcome but here’s a chance to help educate others by actual illustrations of entrepreneurial cue making at its best.
 
Good move. I’ve been trying to order a custom cue from several cue makers (not even the top names), and it’s almost impossible to get on their waiting lists or the prices are crazy. I’d love to hear about some of the new talent out there.
 
Santin23 said:
Good move. I’ve been trying to order a custom cue from several cue makers (not even the top names), and it’s almost impossible to get on their waiting lists or the prices are crazy. I’d love to hear about some of the new talent out there.
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This is how I became introduced to Bob Owen in 2013. His cue making was principally known via his involvement working with Jack Shurtz that ultimately led to Bob buying Shurtz Cues. Along the way, Bob’s custom cue making became recognized for excellence and today he is one of the more prominent names building amazing custom cues.
Today Bob has become so understandably popular building custom cues he has a wait list like so many other builders.

I had Bob build two custom designs before the ivory ban took effect. Those cues would cost thousands more to make
today. Discovering a talented relatively new cue maker isn’t easy so let’s collectively try to identify and promote greater
awareness about these underappreciated cue makers. I think this would help ensure their future success which is good for these cue makers and all of this thread’s readers that are thinking about having a pool cue built. I hope this thread reveals the identities of cue makers most of us would not ever learn are building some really top notch pool cues.
 
Great story, thanks for sharing. I agree, finding talented cue makers early isn’t easy. Hopefully this thread helps bring some well-deserved attention to some of those builders.
 
Of the several threads I have seen you post in, you do always seem make an effort to be helpful and/or informative. Thank you from less than 1 year old forum member. You are noticed and I appreciate your efforts to get some lesser known craftsmen and players connected.
 
Well I'm a big fan of Mike Gulyassy and his custom cues , yes he is planning to move to the Philippines so id contact him soon you'll be glad you did ! The two cues I have are a main shooting cue and a sledgehammer break cue both have completely made me excited about playing pool again and has stirred my competitive spirit much to the dismay of many of the local players !

My second choice is Scott Erwin the cue of his that I have was a gift from a long time friend of mine who can no longer play pool because of medical issues with his shoulders . some may call this cue a closet queen but I do take it out to play a few racks of pool just because it's to nice not to use !

Which cue instills confidence in my game I'd say the MG cue just because I've figured out what it takes to develop the feeling that it's a extension of my hands and arms if that makes sense and it reads my mind ha ha !
 
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Thanks for helping give this thread some life or momentum. Anyone that’s gotten a cue ordered or made by a cue maker likely not known to most readers, I look forward to reading their future posts about their pleasure, or ambivalence, with their pool cue or the cue maker. The goal is to hopefully read only positive news and view examples of their cue workmanship. Personally, although the cues I have seemingly contradict this, I have a fondness for elegant Sneaky Pete & Titleist design pool cues. It doesn’t coincide with the cues I own but nonetheless it’s what I still admire and intend to have built sometime.
 
I picked up a Gold Rush cue (I believe I am the 2nd owner) made by Kevin McClain. A little heavier than my usual player (19.6oz), but one thing I noticed is the butt and shaft are as close to perfectly matched as any of the other butt/shaft that I own. To be fair most of my shafts I own are made separately from the butts. I haven’t seen him mentioned too often on AZB. Anyone else have a positive experience with cue maker and/or cue?
 
2 that come to mind for me are Bob Zide & John Nemec. Played with both and really enjoyed the feel of the cue as well as the keen workmanship of the cues.
 
The best cue makers respect the importance of balancing the weight of the shaft with the weight of the cue butt.
I’m not referring to the balance point of the cue but rather the weight ratio of the cue shaft with the overall weight.

Cues falling within that range overwhelmingly tend to be the cues pool players to prefer the most, in my experience.
You don’t need years of cue building experience to emulate that approach or long periods of trial and error either.
 
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