What would you do? Custom 24 month wait or instant Gratification?
- Thread starter Shooter08
- Start date
This is what prevented me from going custom when I was in the market a few years ago. Spend thousands (and in this case wait years) on something that may end up playing like a mop handle.
No thanks.
xX-Wizard-Xx
Well-known member
I would just buy a decent production cue and save the extra money for something else. I feel like custom cues are over rated
Good thinking...I had about 6 years of playing with my Josey before some disappointing eye surgery results had me quit playing. Just too upsetting to accept the decline in my game to continue. I'm 80 now. Truth is, sooner or later, father time beats everyone.
skiergd011013
Well-known member
I'd wait a few weeks for a cue, not years.
Willowbrook Wolfy
Going pro
I know a lot of people like to test out a cue first. Just testing it out for 20 minutes. Isn’t gonna tell you if you like it or not. Unless it’s set up exactly the same as the cue that you’re using right now. Because the one you’re using right now is the one that you’re adjusted to and feel like it hits the best.
Take this example. I’ve always shot with Vikings. And I hold them kind of low. They all have about the same type hit. Some hit a little softer. Some hit a little harder, but they all play about the same, and that’s what I’m adjusted to. Then if I use a house cue it’s around the same as a McDermott star or lucky or a stealth or a viper or a Valhalla those all feel the same to me! None of them hit bad, it’s just a solid hit, but it’s not the hit I’m looking for. Thats kind of how the Joss I owned hit also.
If I use a regular McDermott it hits different too. I don’t like the shafts on them. But I haven’t played much with them. I could probably adjust if I took the time because of the short underneath here.
Well, when I got my O1 It didn’t hit the same. I didn’t like how it hit at first. I thought maybe I wasted my money. It seemed a little stiff. Maybe it was the tip since I tried the one Bob recommended. I changed the tip to a Lepro which is what I’m used to and realized that it wasn’t the tip. Although I do like the Lepro on there better. it’s balanced a lot different than any of the production cues I’ve always used. So actually, I have to move my shooting hand up when I play with it. That took a little while to get used to. Now that I figured out the sweet spot on it I feel like it’s my best hitting cue. It doesn’t hit stiff at all. And it actually keeps my elbow in a better spot to shoot straighter. I love that thing now. Sometimes you don’t know right off the bat if you like a cue or not. You might have an idea, but if you’re used to one certain type of cue you might honestly prefer a different type once you use it for a while.
There was another guy named Tom used to come to the hall 20 years ago. He loved his cue. I tried it out and I didn’t know why he liked it. It was really front heavy. But maybe that would’ve been the case for that one too. if I would’ve used it for a while and adjusted to it maybe it would’ve felt a lot better and I would’ve preferred that type cue. He had mentioned that it helps him keep his stroke straighter, and I didn’t even know what he was talking about until 20 years later when I got my custom. Not that the O1 is front heavy. It’s just that the set up keeps the stick in a different position throughout my stroke.
So all I’m saying is maybe it’s not always the cue. Some Cues are gonna fit you right off the bat. But like me maybe there’s a problem with your stroke a little bit that you don’t even realize or There’s something you’re doing in your stroke that can actually be improved because you’ve actually adjusted to the cue you’re playing with rather than the best way.
Just a little food for thought. And you could never go wrong ordering a custom. if you keep it traditional from a recognized builder, you could always sell it for what you paid for it if you end up, not like it in the end.
Take this example. I’ve always shot with Vikings. And I hold them kind of low. They all have about the same type hit. Some hit a little softer. Some hit a little harder, but they all play about the same, and that’s what I’m adjusted to. Then if I use a house cue it’s around the same as a McDermott star or lucky or a stealth or a viper or a Valhalla those all feel the same to me! None of them hit bad, it’s just a solid hit, but it’s not the hit I’m looking for. Thats kind of how the Joss I owned hit also.
If I use a regular McDermott it hits different too. I don’t like the shafts on them. But I haven’t played much with them. I could probably adjust if I took the time because of the short underneath here.
Well, when I got my O1 It didn’t hit the same. I didn’t like how it hit at first. I thought maybe I wasted my money. It seemed a little stiff. Maybe it was the tip since I tried the one Bob recommended. I changed the tip to a Lepro which is what I’m used to and realized that it wasn’t the tip. Although I do like the Lepro on there better. it’s balanced a lot different than any of the production cues I’ve always used. So actually, I have to move my shooting hand up when I play with it. That took a little while to get used to. Now that I figured out the sweet spot on it I feel like it’s my best hitting cue. It doesn’t hit stiff at all. And it actually keeps my elbow in a better spot to shoot straighter. I love that thing now. Sometimes you don’t know right off the bat if you like a cue or not. You might have an idea, but if you’re used to one certain type of cue you might honestly prefer a different type once you use it for a while.
There was another guy named Tom used to come to the hall 20 years ago. He loved his cue. I tried it out and I didn’t know why he liked it. It was really front heavy. But maybe that would’ve been the case for that one too. if I would’ve used it for a while and adjusted to it maybe it would’ve felt a lot better and I would’ve preferred that type cue. He had mentioned that it helps him keep his stroke straighter, and I didn’t even know what he was talking about until 20 years later when I got my custom. Not that the O1 is front heavy. It’s just that the set up keeps the stick in a different position throughout my stroke.
So all I’m saying is maybe it’s not always the cue. Some Cues are gonna fit you right off the bat. But like me maybe there’s a problem with your stroke a little bit that you don’t even realize or There’s something you’re doing in your stroke that can actually be improved because you’ve actually adjusted to the cue you’re playing with rather than the best way.
Just a little food for thought. And you could never go wrong ordering a custom. if you keep it traditional from a recognized builder, you could always sell it for what you paid for it if you end up, not like it in the end.
I’m assuming O1 is a Bob Owen, have pics? I‘m just about to order a custom cue and am waiting to hear back from a couple people but Bob is for sure next in order based on everything I’ve seen and heard about his cues. I haven’t been able to find what I want already completed. Thx, Shooter08
good post. but in many cases you adjust to new equipment and soon feel it is the best. that is a natural reaction.
and some change when playing badly and think the new stuff was the answer.
and we all have to agree in many spots technology makes for better equipment and may improve results.
and some change when playing badly and think the new stuff was the answer.
and we all have to agree in many spots technology makes for better equipment and may improve results.
Willowbrook Wolfy
Going pro
Yes I’ll post a few later. Don’t have any pics with the jps. He does solid work and was right on time. Plus he will make the cue however you ask him to. You can draw up the design and he will transfer it to a cad drawing(I think) to verify you like the design. The one I’m in the process of ordering now is blue mahoe with a curly maple handle. I had to source the mahoe because he doesn’t have any. But he is putting wolf heads on the butt for me.
And give fast responses to emails. And doesn’t mind if you give him a call.
Here’s my “I’ll take now picks“ for 10k, over waiting for 24 months for a hypothetical cue from any builder. This is based on the $7000 cue being delivered on time, remember this is “hypothetical“.
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Prepaid any goes. One of whatever variables will play out. Cue maker gets sick, shop gets damaged. Things beyond their control can happen.... or they suddenly have financial issues.
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I have 4 playing cues.
1 bought in a Billiards store.
1 bought online from Billiards Warehouse
2 bought in person.
No way I'm sending anyone money to make a cue and wait years for it and hope I dont get stiffed.
1 bought in a Billiards store.
1 bought online from Billiards Warehouse
2 bought in person.
No way I'm sending anyone money to make a cue and wait years for it and hope I dont get stiffed.
I know.
“There are a couple cue builders I would pay with 0 concern. Honestly, I think they would have contingency plans for absolute worst circumstances possible.”
Defer the terms.. pay in 3 years
I want to reach out to Sly... Would like to thank him. He did me a great service. After dealing with him I am cured from ever buying a custom cue especially from a single person shop. Sly if you are reading this thanks again... It has been great not dealing with some cockroach pricks like yourself.
I can attest that if you deal with a reputable, very trustworthy cue maker, you have zero worries unless there was a natural disaster or the cue maker unexpectedly died. If you order a cue from Bob Owen, you will receive a truly great pool cue from a masterful cue maker that does hands on work, speaks directly with you, provides very timely updates and progress photos once your cue build commences, capable of designing anything you have in mind and is just a terrific person to deal with……….you are missing out by not ordering a cue from Mr. Bob Owen. The two custom builds he made for me were the best pool cue acquisitions and experiences in my life. He made it interesting and lots of fun.
Shooter08……just call Bob.…just chat with him about what you have in mind……then tell him I promised he’d come
through and build you a cue that felt better and just as exciting as anything any cue maker could build as your design.
Shooter08……just call Bob.…just chat with him about what you have in mind……then tell him I promised he’d come
through and build you a cue that felt better and just as exciting as anything any cue maker could build as your design.
snookered_again
Well-known member
It might be something you worked for and want and maybe get some emotional benefit from. maybe it instills some confidence, sure, that can help..
I can say the best players I play with can beat me hands down even with the most horrible cue. I'm happy to play them, it means I am likely to learn as I'm being challenged a lot, so for that I am thankful..
Then again you dont run out and buy a Rollex watch so your watch is more accurate than everyone else in the room.. It's probably a thing of beauty , its prestige, like nice jewelry and then, and who's to say what to spend ?
I can say the best players I play with can beat me hands down even with the most horrible cue. I'm happy to play them, it means I am likely to learn as I'm being challenged a lot, so for that I am thankful..
Then again you dont run out and buy a Rollex watch so your watch is more accurate than everyone else in the room.. It's probably a thing of beauty , its prestige, like nice jewelry and then, and who's to say what to spend ?
smiling_Hans
Well-known member
My friend put it in perspective for me.
Think of all the things you can do when I told him what I was quoted for my build:
-new living room and dining room sets. We’re talking high end furniture. sofa and seat.
-complete audio sound system
-home bar
-new bathroom
-I’m almost completely debt free. Twhther then get the cue I have the ability to finally eliminate all debt.
My love for the game and this place has skewed my perception and cost of a cue. It’s essentially a wooden stick for thousands.
Think of all the things you can do when I told him what I was quoted for my build:
-new living room and dining room sets. We’re talking high end furniture. sofa and seat.
-complete audio sound system
-home bar
-new bathroom
-I’m almost completely debt free. Twhther then get the cue I have the ability to finally eliminate all debt.
My love for the game and this place has skewed my perception and cost of a cue. It’s essentially a wooden stick for thousands.