Underdog Cue Makers

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smallfry419

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I just love looking around on the internet at custom cues. I was curious if

anyone knows of some not so big named custom cue makers that have nice

hits that are relatively new to the cue building. I'm also just curious what

new cue-makers people think may become collectibles in the future (Which I know is impossible to predict effectively)

Thanks,
Geoffrey
 
I wouldn't consider Mike Durbin completely unknown, just rather low key. He builds a limited number of cues per year. The workmanship is fantastic, prices very reasonable and Mike's cues play as good as anything you'll find out there.
 
You get what you pay for

Up and comer...means still learning !!!
There's value in buying a high end custom from someone who has already made all the mistakes. Learned how to not only get em to look great, but hold up great over the years.

Would you let an up and coming attorney try to save you from the electric chair?

I'll go with experience...I've seen some up and coming work, and it's downright filthy, some of it. And if they can't get the inlays right, what does the fit look like where structural parts meet? Gaps with a bunch of glue between? :eek:
 
Gary Johnson from Flippin, Arkansas.

He made a fantastic player for me. I'm going to have him whittle up a breaker for me this year.

Also Mark Smith from Russellville, Arkansas. Makes a nice cue.
 
With Mike Erwin passing away last October, 2012, RIP, and his son Scott who does have many years in pool cue building, but, the cues being marked right now as Erwin 2013 until October 2013 in honor of his father as current stock that has been started by Mike and finished by Scott will become a valued collector one day. Scott will start signing in November 2013 of his name on the cues. The early ones will also be signaficant. Great cues for the dollar.
 
Chris's Cues and Spitz

I play with a Chris Whitaker. He has made his own trail in the cue business. Butt is a little more narrow than others, butt and shaft are a hair longer than standard. Great balance cue and great hitting cue!

Jon Spitz builds a beautiful cue and won't let imperfections out of his shop. I personally think some imperfections add to the uniqueness of the cue and liked the one he wouldn't let leave his shop, but he refused to finish it. That says a lot about a cue maker!!
 
8onthebreak said:
Up and comer...means still learning !!!
There's value in buying a high end custom from someone who has already made all the mistakes. Learned how to not only get em to look great, but hold up great over the years.

Would you let an up and coming attorney try to save you from the electric chair?

I'll go with experience...I've seen some up and coming work, and it's downright filthy, some of it. And if they can't get the inlays right, what does the fit look like where structural parts meet? Gaps with a bunch of glue between? :eek:
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That's pretty mean spirited, and bashing the OP for asking the question.

There is, on occasion, a new or up and coming maker that is exceptional. That's true. He's asking about that.

Up and comers may have been at it for ten years or more. Yes they are still learning. But if any cue maker tells me he isn't still learning then he is lying. That goes all the way to the top.

Lawyer?
How about an up and coming surgeon? That's a better comparison than the lawyer one you made. I'll give you the inside scoop...sometimes the old fart still cutting people because he has a boat payment to make probably isn't as good as many of his younger colleagues. Experience isn't everything. Sometimes obsolescence masquerades as experience.

Lastly, since you definitely, by your own admission, would not want any early cue made by one of the great masters, if you ever inherit one or come by one I will take it off your hands. I wouldn't want you to have to tolerate handling something inferior like an early Gina, Bushka, Gus, or the like.





.
 
I have a guy most have never heard of. Bud Diehl out of Allentown pa. I have a cue designed by me and made by him. Only known locally but he makes very nice cues.
 
worktheknight said:
With Mike Erwin passing away last October, 2012, RIP, and his son Scott who does have many years in pool cue building, but, the cues being marked right now as Erwin 2013 until October 2013 in honor of his father as current stock that has been started by Mike and finished by Scott will become a valued collector one day. Scott will start signing in November 2013 of his name on the cues. The early ones will also be signaficant. Great cues for the dollar.
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Definitely! A friend of mine has a one off cue from Mike (unchalked). He decided to put it into collection rather than play with it. I told him he should get Scott to build a matching cue and add it to the collection. If he ever decided to sell, it would make a nice raffle/charity auction type set.
 
8onthebreak said:
Up and comer...means still learning !!!
There's value in buying a high end custom from someone who has already made all the mistakes. Learned how to not only get em to look great, but hold up great over the years.

Would you let an up and coming attorney try to save you from the electric chair?

I'll go with experience...I've seen some up and coming work, and it's downright filthy, some of it. And if they can't get the inlays right, what does the fit look like where structural parts meet? Gaps with a bunch of glue between? :eek:
Click to expand...

I think you make a good point and it's up to the consumer to really make a commitment. Some players aren't in it for an investment, while others just want to support someone new.

Here are a couple that I and others supported relatively early in their cue making career:

Layani Cues
Murray Tucker

Not a bad move, IMO.

To the original poster - I'll put Jon Spitz on the list of "underdog cue makers" but I suspect he's going to be off that list pretty quickly (if not already).

From my area, I'll also throw out the name Mike Yingling. He's got a fantastic attitude and he has gone through a lot with his development as a cue builder. And he's got a great name for cues!

Freddie <~~~ looking out for the little guy
 
Thank you guys for your input. I got a chance to look at a few of those

cue makers and yes they look like they make very nice cues. I'm going to

be busy looking through all those cues now.
 
Although he has been making cues for years, another underdog/under rated cue maker is Bryan Mordt of BCMCUES.com. Simple to complicated, they are proven to last and they look amazing. As for humble, Bryan is beyond humble and values every customer as if he were the only one.

But nowadays you have everyone and their brother pumping out "custom" cues, trying to make a name and they have no track record. This puts the guys who have been doing it for a while at a disadvantage as most will sacrifice quality of over price. I'm not saying every noob cue maker has a crappy cue, but all things considered, experience, curing process, etc., the odds are not in their favor. Sure, I'll spend $300 vs $800 for 4 point/veneer cue with ivory...and the chance you take from a new cue maker is will it still be great in 10 years? Will said cuemaker still be around in 10 years? Crap shoot at best!
 
I loved Underdog as a kid!

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