What's Going On With Custom Cue Prices?

[cuenut]

I understand where your coming from. I also understand why you feel the way you do.

It doesn't change the fact that only 1 in a 100 twentysomething year old people have ever even "heard of".....much less "show interest" in the same cues we love.

I wish it wasn't so but, it is what it is.

Why do you think that ALL the cues are being passed around in the same group of buyer/seller? I know why. We old school folks are dying off.

Again, I understand what/why......you/Dean/myself/many other feel but it doesn't matter.

I think that was true even in the 80's when I was coming up. Only about 1 in 50 could identify a true custom, but I think that was mainly because there weren't 500 cuemakers in the US at that time. I love the fact that they are now available, but before Hightower and Unique came out with affordable lathes, there was almost no choice in cues, and those that were really good have become, in general IMO, the collectibles of today. One issue that has been brought up is that many who do collect don't pull cues out of their collections to educate the kids coming up. I try to do that as much as I can, and almost aways have a nice custom that I allow others to hit with. There is quite a bit of interest IMO, but the issue is younger kids coming up don't have the money yet to start collecting anything much less cues. People are stockpiling guns,not cues. Cue shows and regional tournaments where dealers show up with customs is about the only marketing done. You have to have real interest to start looking and joining a forum like this, even looking for cues on the internet. I think Facebook will change some of that. There are fan groups for almost all of the early cuemakers who were top tier back then. Most of those cues hold their value pretty well. They just may not increase exponentially like people would like. Almost nothing does these days.

 

[knifemakermike]

We can only hope so.

My brother collected all sorts of Fords that ranged from 1950's to 1970.

At one time his collection was worth a TON of money.

He had several R code, J code and Q code mustang's ... just to name a few that were #1 cars that went for ~$150 to $200k each.

He got each and every car back in the day when a collector could buy them for 10 to 20k and then held on to them..... had a bunch of chances to make a killing on them but believed that their value would always be stable and even climb.

Well, today, he is literally "stuck" with a warehouse full of cars that he can't even recoup his "storage cost" on.

NOBODY......EVER thought that a fox body mustang would be more sought after than a J code with a drag pack from factory but, guess what?,.... they are. You know why? I do. The buyer's today don't give a rat's a55 about anything before ~1985ish..... hell of a note ain't it? Oh sure, there are a "few" older folks that are still interested....lol....but, guess what? They want to low ball him as well and say "they just ain't bringing that anymore". You know what? Their correct. I am too... its coming.

Cues are headed that way. And yes, even the biggest names in cues will go down.

Again, I'm like you and many others on AZB.....it turns my stomach to know that young players in rooms have no clue as to what true beauty is when it comes to cues....lol...but will water at the mouth over a revo.....

Just wait, it's coming. People just think custom cues have fallen. Much harder times are coming for old cues....regardless of maker or price given back when.

Most of us are not talking about Szamboti or Balabushkas, we are talking about custom cues that aren't historical being artificially inflated.

No offense but a Balabushka while being a true collectible is not even close to a modern production let alone custom in quality. People aren't even posting about those. We were posting about just wanting to buy a custom to play with but there seems to be some artificially inflated price on most customs now.

 

[skins]

We can only hope so.

My brother collected all sorts of Fords that ranged from 1950's to 1970.

At one time his collection was worth a TON of money.

He had several R code, J code and Q code mustang's ... just to name a few that were #1 cars that went for ~$150 to $200k each.

He got each and every car back in the day when a collector could buy them for 10 to 20k and then held on to them..... had a bunch of chances to make a killing on them but believed that their value would always be stable and even climb.

Well, today, he is literally "stuck" with a warehouse full of cars that he can't even recoup his "storage cost" on.

NOBODY......EVER thought that a fox body mustang would be more sought after than a J code with a drag pack from factory but, guess what?,.... they are. You know why? I do. The buyer's today don't give a rat's a55 about anything before ~1985ish..... hell of a note ain't it? Oh sure, there are a "few" older folks that are still interested....lol....but, guess what? They want to low ball him as well and say "they just ain't bringing that anymore". You know what? Their correct. I am too... its coming.

Cues are headed that way. And yes, even the biggest names in cues will go down.

Again, I'm like you and many others on AZB.....it turns my stomach to know that young players in rooms have no clue as to what true beauty is when it comes to cues....lol...but will water at the mouth over a revo.....

Just wait, it's coming. People just think custom cues have fallen. Much harder times are coming for old cues....regardless of maker or price given back when.

My brother is in the business of restoring muscle cars and has more work than he can handle. There is NO shortage of work. The $ money is out there FOR SPECIFIC CARS THAT ARE IN HIGH DEMAND.... It's the same for specific cues. Does that mean that the cars or cues will bring what they did back when? Well that all depends on the car/cue....

I'll tell ya what, all those cars that your brother has that were worth 150 to 200k each and even the ones that could have been but are not restored, (Shelby's, Boss, Mach's, all drag pack cars, etc..), let him know I'd be glad to talk to him about what he's "stuck" with...Just send me his info.

 

[skins]

................

No offense but a Balabushka while being a true collectible is not even close to a modern production let alone custom in quality........

..................

Sorry, no offense, but you dont know what you're talking about. Most makers that have come after George or Gus, could only WISH they were as meticulous AND could execute as well or even close to them regardless of "modern production"... I think you should stick to knives...

Edit:... I really didnt mean for that to sound as rude as it may have...True as it may be...lol

 

[Buster8001]

I think it's information, or "education" of the masses.

How did my generation (those born in the late 70s/early 80s) know of custom cues? Easy, The Color of Money, and it's mention of GB. I was also lucky, in that my father knew of and owned some early custom cues. There hasn't been another The Color of Money, period. There's no reason to "Google" custom cues; or GB, for that matter, this day in age. As my generation, and those before me, fade out; so doe custom cues. The newer generations of players only want Predators. The only want Revo shafts. Meucci has done a great job of staying relevant, as well.

My young league-mates love to get me started, talking cues and custom builders. However, they have no clue of the names I mention. Then, it always goes back to, "you paid how much for that cue?!?"

We are a dying breed; this is a dying art.

Edit: Those going should take note of the ages of those walking around the SBE, this weekend. I guarantee you, the majority, other than players in the youth divisions, will be my generation or older.

Josh

 

[Nostroke]

I think it's information, or "education" of the masses.

How did my generation (those born in the late 70s/early 80s) know of custom cues? Easy, The Color of Money, and it's mention of GB. I was also lucky, in that my father knew of and owned some early custom cues. There hasn't been another The Color of Money, period. There's no reason to "Google" custom cues; or GB, for that matter, this day in age. As my generation, and those before me, fade out; so doe custom cues. The newer generations of players only want Predators. The only want Revo shafts. Meucci has done a great job of staying relevant, as well.

My young league-mates love to get me started, talking cues and custom builders. However, they have no clue of the names I mention. Then, it always goes back to, "you paid how much for that cue?!?"

We are a dying breed; this is a dying art.

Edit: Those going should take note of the ages of those walking around the SBE, this weekend. I guarantee you, the majority, other than players in the youth divisions, will be my generation or older.

Josh

From what i have heard Millenials are just not interested in ANY 'collectibles' In any case it is usually the things no one collects comtemporaneously that go up in value as they are 'rare' Check out American Pickers sometime. Also check out the resale price on any 'collectible' the Franklin Mint ever produced or Hubbell figures as well.

 

[skip100]

From what i have heard Millenials are just not interested in ANY 'collectibles' In any case it is usually the things no one collects comtemporaneously that go up in value as they are 'rare' Check out American Pickers sometime. Also check out the resale price on any 'collectible' the Franklin Mint ever produced or Hubbell figures as well.

Tell that to the car rats who post on Jalopnik and show up to Cars & Coffee every Saturday morning.

Millennials - the largest generational group in America - like stuff too. We just tend to focus on stuff we can afford and about which there is easily attained information.

There is going to need to be a grassroots education campaign by the current owners of custom and fancy cues in order to educate the next generation and get them turned on to the hobby. That means taking cues to the pool hall and letting people under the age of 40 hit with them, for free.

I've never seen a Szamboti cue in person, let alone played a game with one, so why would I spend thousands of dollars to buy one?

It really doesn't take that many people to make a collector market. But the cue market does appear to lack a critical mass of educated and motivated people who are willing to take the reins for the next generation.

 

[knifemakermike]

Sorry, no offense, but you dont know what you're talking about. Most makers that have come after George or Gus, could only WISH they were as meticulous AND could execute as well or even close to them regardless of "modern production"... I think you should stick to knives...

Edit:... I really didnt mean for that to sound as rude as it may have...True as it may be...lol

And you should stick to reality if you think modern makers can't make a better cue. The equipment an automation, not to mention the understanding of material science is not comparable.

I don't see the top pro's running around shooting with a george or gus. Actually, I don't see anyone shooting with those cues. BTW, I've had the pleasure of trying them.

I don't get why you are coming in this thread and stirring up crap that wasn't even talked about. Not one person mentioned those cues, we are talking about the majority of custom cues and why their prices remain high while they aren't selling in the market place. NO ONE Mentioned those types of cues besides you and the pyramid schemer.

PS, I've seen a lot of gus & george's cues in the classifieds getting reposted over and over again, no one's buying them.

 

[Pushout]

From what i have heard Millenials are just not interested in ANY 'collectibles' In any case it is usually the things no one collects comtemporaneously that go up in value as they are 'rare' Check out American Pickers sometime. Also check out the resale price on any 'collectible' the Franklin Mint ever produced or Hubbell figures as well.

This is very, VERY true! Go to any major book store and look at the Antiques/Collectibles section. Very few new books on any thing. One of the few newer books I've seen recently was for Magic the Gathering collectible card game cards. I remember in the mid '90s when they were one of the hottest collectibles in the country going only on gaming magazine prices. I collect Christmas memorabilia. There have been almost no new books published on that category since 2004. Almost nothing in general antiques. pottery, furniture, silver, etc. The market is down from what it was even 10 years ago.

 

[Johnny Rosato]

I have 4 cues left that I'll not sell. These are my pick of the litter from about 50 I've owned, (25 at one time). Not gonna sell or buy any more. Only one would be considered "custom", my keepers are:
Mid-80's McDermott D-1
Mid-90's McDermott E-B5 (SS joint)
2001 Rick Howard, 4pt/4v, Ebony/BEM, Iv joint/hoppe, Iv & W. micarta ferrules
2010 Pechauer Pro-H

 

[billiardthought]

From what i have heard Millenials are just not interested in ANY 'collectibles' In any case it is usually the things no one collects comtemporaneously that go up in value as they are 'rare' Check out American Pickers sometime. Also check out the resale price on any 'collectible' the Franklin Mint ever produced or Hubbell figures as well.

I don't collect anything and I'm 29. I am prone to collecting, but I can't derive pleasure from a collection when I have an MBA to pay for. Also, my wife and I are evaluating when we want to have a kid. Yes, I mean that whole heartedly. We are evaluating it like property or a large purchase. Luckily I have good health insurance, but I think prices now in education, healthcare, and housing are so much different than what they used to be that my generation has had to really change how we go about our daily lives. A room full of "collections" is not going to help me at this moment.

 

[LC3]

I remember somebody at an SBE get-together several years ago (back when it was at the Valley Forge Convention Center) coming up from the expo in shock at how much the big-name custom cue builders had raised their prices. I went down and saw the prices for myself, and that was the end of custom cues for me unless the prices were to come back down. The few times I've peeked in since then, those prices seem to have held. These days, I don't even consider custom cues. When I feel like browsing cues to see if there's anything new I like, I go straight to a select few production builders.

 

[skins]

And you should stick to reality if you think modern makers can't make a better cue. The equipment an automation, not to mention the understanding of material science is not comparable.

I don't see the top pro's running around shooting with a george or gus. Actually, I don't see anyone shooting with those cues. BTW, I've had the pleasure of trying them.

I don't get why you are coming in this thread and stirring up crap that wasn't even talked about. Not one person mentioned those cues, we are talking about the majority of custom cues and why their prices remain high while they aren't selling in the market place. NO ONE Mentioned those types of cues besides you and the pyramid schemer.

PS, I've seen a lot of gus & george's cues in the classifieds getting reposted over and over again, no one's buying them.

Your comment proves my case... You made a claim that is blatantly false which is what I addressed. Any cue maker worth their weight in salt knows your "claim" is not true.

It's those like you that have little to no knowledge of building cues that spread falsehoods directing poeple away from the truth ultimately playing into exactly what the OP was asking about.

PS, Show me all the Gus's and George's that no one is buying...

 

[Runner]

My $.02.. the only people who collect are older people with money, and
that goes for cues, cars, vintage guitars, watches.

Watch the Barrett-Jackson auctions.. old guys with $$$ vying for that
prized Shelby Cobra... same with custom cues and cases.. if it's
desirable, it'll sell. The customs that don't sell?... either over-priced
or a funky design nobody cares for.

Today's generation really doesn't care about collecting or having a
custom cue, or pool for that matter. They will just NOT devote the
time to learn. Too many distractions, social media, etc.

Again, $.02

 

[skins]

My $.02.. the only people who collect are older people with money, and
that goes for cues, cars, vintage guitars, watches.

Watch the Barrett-Jackson auctions.. old guys with $$$ vying for that
prized Shelby Cobra... same with custom cues and cases.. if it's
desirable, it'll sell. The customs that don't sell?... either over-priced
or a funky design nobody cares for.

Today's generation really doesn't care about collecting or having a
custom cue, or pool for that matter. They will just NOT devote the
time to learn. Too many distractions, social media, etc.

Again, $.02

For the most part I agree... Excellence always brings the interest and ultimately the $ even if is from "old guys". They still know what they're looking at and many can recognize or have experienced the quality, superb design and in most cases limited supply/availability. Thats why they buy.

As for the customs that don't sell, I tend to agree generally.

 

[misterpoole]

Wait time

I haven't put myself on an established cuemakers list in over a decade but back then it was over a year wait and going up. If that is still the case doesn't that mean there is still strong demand? Dont care about southwest cues. That market makes no sense to me.

 

[nine_ball6970]

And you should stick to reality if you think modern makers can't make a better cue. The equipment an automation, not to mention the understanding of material science is not comparable.

I don't see the top pro's running around shooting with a george or gus. Actually, I don't see anyone shooting with those cues. BTW, I've had the pleasure of trying them.

I don't get why you are coming in this thread and stirring up crap that wasn't even talked about. Not one person mentioned those cues, we are talking about the majority of custom cues and why their prices remain high while they aren't selling in the market place. NO ONE Mentioned those types of cues besides you and the pyramid schemer.

PS, I've seen a lot of gus & george's cues in the classifieds getting reposted over and over again, no one's buying them.

Rodney Morris played with a Szamboti for a long time. Most of the Taiwanese players play with either Southwest or TAD.

Back in the day most pros played with Balabushka or Gus. Now those cues are in private collections. They were nowhere near as expensive then as they are now.

The reality is most pros do not want to spend that kind of money on a cue considering they can beat 99% of the pool playing population with a cue off the wall. They won't be sponsored by the elite makers.

I can name 5 or 6 younger players in my pool room who have pretty nice collections. Some have quite a few from a particular maker. Others have a wide variety of cues. The common denominators are players who have the expendable income to buy nice cues and an appreciation for the craftsmanship.

Older players tend to have more money to spend on cues. I think it will continue to stay true as the younger generation gets older.

 

[skip100]

I don't collect anything and I'm 29. I am prone to collecting, but I can't derive pleasure from a collection when I have an MBA to pay for. Also, my wife and I are evaluating when we want to have a kid. Yes, I mean that whole heartedly. We are evaluating it like property or a large purchase. Luckily I have good health insurance, but I think prices now in education, healthcare, and housing are so much different than what they used to be that my generation has had to really change how we go about our daily lives. A room full of "collections" is not going to help me at this moment.

Telling that all following posters ignore this well reasoned explanation of why 20 and 30 somethings have priorities other than spending thousands of dollars on cues that are rarely if ever seen in public.

 

[Runner]

Old guy......


Young guy.....

 

[billiardthought]

Old guy......


Young guy.....

Are you suggesting you do not own an iphone/android phone? And how much more expensive is that rolex than the iphone? 10... 15.... maybe 20 times more expensive? How is that even a comparison?