I just got rid of my Wes Hunter cue that I had used for about 5 years, and although I'm very happy with the cue I have now, the Hunter played as well as or better than anything I've ever played with. I took my hunter back and forth with me from hot and humid Japan, to dry Colorado, to the Philippines, to Korea, and more.....................and never had a problem with either of the shafts. He not only makes a nice cue, but until recently, not many people knew that he has some of the best shaft wood around.
In my opinion, the only reason his cues aren't at the top of somebodys list for "best cuemaker" is because most of his designs tend to be far from what most consider the 'traditional' look.
His cues are one of the better buys out there for the money as far as I'm concerned.
Although I agree, he is a little slow to respond with email, anytime I've ever spoken to him on the phone, he was very polite and professional. Probably just busy 'cause at the time, not only was he building cues and running his own place, he was also very involved in the Hunters Classic Tour.
dave