What would you do? Custom 24 month wait or instant Gratification?

Shooter08

Shooter08

Runde Aficianado
Silver Member
If you could get a custom cue built to your specs for $3500 prepaid w/ a guaranteed delivery time of 24 months, would you take it over any 5k worth of completed cues listed on AZ now, for the same $3500. $3500 being the actual realistic Build cost from a current cue builder. Or for that matter you could extrapolate it, ie 7k for a SW w 2 shafts in 24 months vs 10k worth of listed prices in your hands tomorrow? WWYD?
 
To me it just depends on if and how much you want a specific design. If you find cues on the secondary market that match what you’re looking for then I’d go that route. But, if you want a very specific design and can’t find something it would be totally worth the wait get what you really want.
 
The only cue maker I ever dealt with that actually was on time was Jerry Rauenzahn. That isn’t a knock on other builders but my experience is you get it when you get it. Having said that they have ALWAYS been worth the wait!!
 
AK-Stick said:
The only cue maker I ever dealt with that actually was on time was Jerry Rauenzahn. That isn’t a knock on other builders but my experience is you get it when you get it. Having said that they have ALWAYS been worth the wait!!
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Same.
 
If you know EXACTLY what you want and you have a High End Builder? 2 Years IMO isn't unreasonable.

If you're simply wanting to purchase a cue with certain aesthetics, there's plenty of Cue Makers that can give you what you want.
And you can get what you want in less than a year. Maybe a month.

You can go on YouTube and see experienced Machinist can cut a piece of wood to a specific length and shape real quick.
I''d guess a Machinist, given the task, could make a cue in about a week or less.

Building a Cue is different than Making a Cue.
 
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I’ve sent my wood to Searing, Mike Bender, Schick, Kiekle, Southwest, John Bender, Dunkel, and some lesser known. Searing was longest but all were worth the wait. I unfortunately only have the Dunkel and Mike Bender. All were worth the wait but at my age now a 12 year wait I might not be around.
 
Ok, this is more of what I was hoping for, I’ll pass on the 7k custom in 24 months and take these now: assuming I can negotiate the difference.

GUS SZAMBOTI

Beautiful vintage Gus Szamboti from the early 1970's. The buttend of this cue was completely refinished by Tascarella Custom Cues in 2017; the cue is straight and in excellent condition; it has been well cared for with very light play since returning from their shop. BEM forearm with four...
forums.azbilliards.com

$2200 tbd

New Mike Bender Gaboon ebony merry widow--birdseye bocote handle!

Updated 070924
forums.azbilliards.com
 
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If you wait for a custom built you will be saving money and it’s brand new. I am in the same boat and got a quote around 4K but 18 month wait. I may not like it by then. During those 18 months you can pay as you go so lessening the amount of money you may spend if you buy outright ; minus the initial deposit. You get a monster cue where dealers will charge more for the basic. I was even thinking about ordering two.

At the same time it’s 18 months and that is a long ass time for me. If the cue maker told me 6-12 months then I’m all over it.

Also, when ordering a custom you have to factor who made it. If I don’t eventually like it then it’s pretty easy to liquidate.

I’m not worried since I’m not designing anything outrageous. I’m actually just picking shaft size and veneer colors. Their signature inlay and that’s about it.

Very easy. My custom cue process isn’t really a process or experience. I’m buying them because it’s cheaper than used.
 
Cody Cash is a fantastic builder and great guy too. He delivers pretty fast and communictes great.
 
maha said:
unless its a wall hanger or investment cue.

why buy a cue you cant try out to see if it hits like you want.
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Yep, You can send a lets say $1500 and vist two really big cue shows and I bet you'llfind what your looking for and you can get the feel of it before you buy it.
 
Unless I had cash to burn, no way on this earth I am waiting for an unknown entity. I was lucky enough to see one here on the forum, then travelled to Taiwan to test it out. Fell in love with it. Hit great. Big believer in try before you buy. But then also I won't ever have the disposable income to not think in that mindset.
 
You'd have to have some screws loose to wait years for a "guaranteed" delivery of a custom order, IMO. All the horror stories of "cuemaker time"! No way.

Buy what is in front of you if going custom cue maker. Or, buy production from joerackem.
 
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