What Youngsters Want Old Masters Cues?

The market place is a pretty good indicator of how cues are doing. There are lots of big name cues that are not sold and years ago they would be sold immediately. There are Balas, szams, sw and various cues not sold.

It has become stagnant. The only thing exciting about cues right now are the new technology/shafts that are out or coming out.

I browse the For Sale section only looking for BE cues or Revos. It seems like these are harder to find than the big names.
 
Like classic cars, the big names will always bring big money.

More garden-variety beautiful, historic cues have little appeal at high prices but a new set of buyers should come around when they get to the $1000-$3000 range. Sub $1000 even better.

I sort of agree and disagree.

While popular classic cars command a high price but will the new generation spend that amount of money on it when they can acquire a newer better performing sports car?

I love classic corvettes but for the price I can get a Porsche 911. To each its own I guess. Spend what you like but I’m making my opinion based on what I see on the For Sale section and what people shoot with at the pool rooms.

Cues stored in a safe are not accounted for.
 
Watching this thread with great interest. It's almost like a moderator is handling the discussion, as I did with the historic cue thread. And this is an honest one. What would or do the youngsters want, and more importantly, use...

Plenty of sub-alternatives though. Does the youngster actually have to pay for the George or Gus? At their stage in life, they probably can't afford it, especially if married with children.

On the other hand, if it were available at whatever cost they paid for their last cue, but had to use it, would the youngsters use the classic cue? Guess a sub / sub category would be, do they have to play it as it is, or can they put a low deflection shaft on it? Maybe a different response. And, they are not allowed to sell the cue for a huge profit. They have to keep using that cue. See how that would swing opinions. Interesting, I would think.

At any rate, have to admit, I'm 63. I don't think I count, but think there are some variables here... :-)

All the best,
H

All valid things to consider. I'm hoping to hear from more millennials about those
 
I sort of agree and disagree.

While popular classic cars command a high price but will the new generation spend that amount of money on it when they can acquire a newer better performing sports car?

I love classic corvettes but for the price I can get a Porsche 911. To each its own I guess. Spend what you like but I’m making my opinion based on what I see on the For Sale section and what people shoot with at the pool rooms.

Cues stored in a safe are not accounted for.

When I was young I was exposed to many who knew about those cues and from those and dealing with the construction of cues is how I developed my desires. It had little to do with playing with them but more to be one of the few that had one. So it trully is to each their own..Thanks for your input:smile:
 
When I was young I was exposed to many who knew about those cues and from those and dealing with the construction of cues is how I developed my desires. It had little to do with playing with them but more to be one of the few that had one. So it trully is to each their own..Thanks for your input:smile:

Thank you.

I must clarify while my taste have changed to synthetic material cues/shafts but I still feel high dollar cues has its place in the industry. These cues are made by talented artists and they are part of history. Modern high dollar cues are beautiful.

Like a watch...I live Pateks but righ now I’m on that Seiko and Casio phase. I hope you guys understand. :grin:
 
Thank you.

I must clarify while my taste have changed to synthetic material cues/shafts but I still feel high dollar cues has its place in the industry. These cues are made by talented artists and they are part of history. Modern high dollar cues are beautiful.

Like a watch...I live Pateks but righ now I’m on that Seiko and Casio phase. I hope you guys understand. :grin:

I walked into an upscale jewelry store last week and had the batteries replaced in two old, cheap Timex watches. The guy looked at me like I was a homeless pool player. He was close. :grin-square:
 
I missed the point

its hard getting old and realizing that the things that
you identified are no longer current

like the 57 chevy,no one wants one

perhaps the value of the old cues has a lot to do
with nostalgia

the new makers can and do make cues that play just as good

if you put South West in that group then they play better


I can see where a new player might never want one of the old cues
and I don't blame them

Today is my 75th birthday and I see that I don't fit in the category

Best wishes

All due respect "play better" is completely subjective. I think Southwest cues play worse than a $75 Mali, and my Tascarella which obviously has much much in common with the hit of a Balabushka could almost not be any better from a hit standpoint. It is exceptional.

People just need to find the hit they are comfortable with. No cue in the world actually makes you play better.

Happy Birthday though.
 
I would like one just to play and see how it shoots for a day and then I will sell it and buy a more cheaper modern cue. Nobody cares about old cues for unless they inherited them. Especially when there are so many great cues to be had such as Predator Revos, BE cues and Mezz.

New generation of players don’t care for the pretentiousness of a fancy cue. Cue collecting will soon go away as the old school makers pass on. For example I know of Scruggs cue and there are young players who never heard of him.

As collectors horde these cues there will be fewer and fewer demand for these cues. Never heard of it and don’t want it.

Pretty much don't agree with a word of that. You would be amazed at the number of people that play cues like the Revo and BeCue that were very very excited to play with my Tascarella and many liked it as much or more than their modern cues. Also, at the BCA Championships there were a TON of older, fancier cues being played but players of all ages, as were there tons of crap Predator cues.
 
I missed the point

its hard getting old and realizing that the things that
you identified are no longer current

like the 57 chevy,no one wants one

perhaps the value of the old cues has a lot to do
with nostalgia

the new makers can and do make cues that play just as good

if you put South West in that group then they play better


I can see where a new player might never want one of the old cues
and I don't blame them

Today is my 75th birthday and I see that I don't fit in the category

Best wishes

Happy birthday Dean.

People do still want 57 Chevys. Trust me on that.

And a big difference is that the ones who want them now have the money to pay for them.

Yup, it's a lot about nostalgia.
.
 
I am definitely not in the age group being asked. But my protégé is, the guy I taught to play.

He definitely does want a cue or cues from that masters. He has said so. He wants one because he has had the opportunity to try one or two. And he has seen inside my closet. He has developed an appreciation for cues.

He plays with a Joss that I gave him.

Most, but not all, of my cues are willed to him.

Has he tried a Revo? Yes, he has. It's not about that.

IMHO it's the same as antique guns, antique cars, etc. The appreciation come with experience, maturity, and age for most.

.
 
The market place is a pretty good indicator of how cues are doing.
What about outside the market place? It's not uncommon for high dollar masters cues to be exchanged in private sales. The same with what are cosidered "recent" masters cues as well
There are lots of big name cues that are not sold and years ago they would be sold immediately. There are Balas, szams, sw and various cues not sold. It has become stagnant.
If that's what you see, I'm blind to that (at least if we're talking about the makers I'm talking about), maybe those sellers have priced those cues that way. Testing the market not really wanting to sell but would if they could gain a windfall. Can you tell me where all those unsold Szamboti's and Balabushka's and South West's are?

The only thing exciting about cues right now are the new technology/shafts that are out or coming out.
That might be, for you and that's what this discussion is about and appreciate your input, but would that mean someone else who is excited about todays technology wouldn't want a masters cue?

I browse the For Sale section only looking for BE cues or Revos. It seems like these are harder to find than the big names.
What is your experience with old masters cues? Why do you think people your age WOULD want a masters cue? Is it purely nostalgia?
 
Like classic cars, the big names will always bring big money........

That sure has been the case......For certain cues like the most desirable classic and exotic cars there are only a certain number produced. I think that in and of itself has played a big part in keeping the prices and desirability of both up.

Between Gus and George there are only about 2400 cues potentially available. Thats it. There are millions of pool players though. For the same reasons Gus and George have long been considered the big block muscle cars of the cue world.
 
Pretty much don't agree with a word of that. You would be amazed at the number of people that play cues like the Revo and BeCue that were very very excited to play with my Tascarella and many liked it as much or more than their modern cues. Also, at the BCA Championships there were a TON of older, fancier cues being played but players of all ages, as were there tons of crap Predator cues.

That's interesting to hear. There is a lot of bad information floating around regarding the playability of custom vs production tech cues and I think thats where some of this divide of desirability to own emanates from. I think just plain economics and justification play a big part as well. There are great playing production cues as well customs. Neither is guaranteed to perform better than the other just like no watch, low end or ultra high, guarantee keeping better time. Some justify their reasoning using similar comparisons. What does play a part is whether one understands the differences beyond JUST plain function. From there I'd always thought it being a more economic descision than any other. I can't afford a Bugatti and in my world they're not even considered because my economic situation, but that doesnt make me say anything negative about them or not desire to own one. Maybe those things need to be considered for many who are both younger and older.
 
I'm well past the age specified in this thread to answer the question being asked but do have a couple of observations I'd like to share

I'm as fussy as can be and must say that the hit on some Balabushkas and szams are as good as any cues ever made. Admittedly time has not been kind to some of them and therefore those can certainly play lousy by comparison or maybe some didn't play great from new this too is possible

I'm reminded of a great quote from JV at Classic cues where he said "the thoroughbreds will always run, the nags not so much". Over the years I have found this to be very true.

I think we all know that for a few hundred bucks you can have a cue that will definitely not hold your game back one bit so spending past that is somewhat a luxury.

With all of that said thinking about young violin virtuosos, would they reject the opportunity to have and play a Stradivarius? :wink:

best,
brian kc
 
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Pretty much don't agree with a word of that. You would be amazed at the number of people that play cues like the Revo and BeCue that were very very excited to play with my Tascarella and many liked it as much or more than their modern cues. Also, at the BCA Championships there were a TON of older, fancier cues being played but players of all ages, as were there tons of crap Predator cues.
............................
 
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My Gus was the last of his cues that I have seen being used for playing pool in a pool hall and I sold mine more than 5 years ago. How would the next generations have enough experience with the master cuemakers’ cues to set their sights on owning them? Currently in our local pool hall, the mystique is around black carbon fiber shafts and lowest possible deflection.
 
My Gus was the last of his cues that I have seen being used for playing pool in a pool hall and I sold mine more than 5 years ago. How would the next generations have enough experience with the master cuemakers’ cues to set their sights on owning them? Currently in our local pool hall, the mystique is around black carbon fiber shafts and lowest possible deflection.

I think experience can be had without physical interaction by living vicariously so to speak through those that have. Especially with the internet, anyone can research just about anything and with enough information formulate a fairly accurate educated opinion. What they choose to do with that knowledge is one of the things my question was trying to address. Thanks for your thought:)
 
I am 39, and it doesn't do much for me. I suppose if I won the lottery I might buy some more cues. I enjoy going to the ICC shows, but I could never afford the cost of one of those cues and then the cost of the divorce lawyer I would have to hire right after I bought it.

kollegedave
 
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