Which cue maker would you buy from?

[ScottR]

I agree with everything you've said here except, "Unless you get a "wholesale" price from them, retail prices suck (as a seller) right now". That's not necessarily always the case. There are still some exceptions to be found. One that certainly comes to mind is Joel Hercek........

Sean

Sean, we agree. I just didn't state it very well, waiting until the second paragraph to exempt Joel and Dennis from the current retail market. I also realize that "wholesale" is not available to the regular Joe (like me!) and that's the point I was trying to make about losing value off of retail on many cues. Kind of like most new cars that take a hit as soon as you drive off the lot.

I also want to reiterate that I am NOT dismissing any cue makers. I only gave my thoughts on ones that I personally own or have dealt with.

 

[sonordude]

Keith Josey!

Keith Josey's value, cost, hit and design are the best for the buck in my opinion! you give him between $1,500 to $2,000 and you will recieve a cue worth twice that with little wait time. Keith is a great guy too and he loves to build cues.

 

[cubswin]

I am thinking of buying a new cue and I am wondering what everyones opinion would be on this.Keep in mind that I would prefer the cue to go up in value or at least not go down in value.I know the whim of this changes almost daily but I am still curious what you all think.I probably will wait to go to Valley Forge to see all the CM's there and then decide.I would also like to kepp it in the 2k or under range.

I really like my bob griffin cue. And I like dz cues.

Can't see going wrong with a scruggs, gilbert, hereck, etc etc...

the mad bob cue I'm playing with hits as well as any cue I've owned, better than most of them...

Collecting is one thing, finding good playing, well designed cues is another imho

 

[bobroberts]

??

Thanks guys,I guess I knew the answer before I asked.I was at the ICC show 2 weeks ago and met and talked with some of the best CMs in the country.I know that Searing, Hercek, SW,bluegrass are the hot cues right now.Next year that could change.The cue market is so subjective.I probably will make Valley Forge but for me its an awfully cold time of year to be up North.
Would you guys advise to go to a much higher dollar amount?

 

[cueaddicts]

....I also want to reiterate that I am NOT dismissing any cue makers. I only gave my thoughts on ones that I personally own or have dealt with.

Well said. Me, too....not knocking anyone's prices or work, but the market is what it is.

Ten years ago, it was what it was.....and 10 years from now......ahhhhhh, wouldn't we all love to look into the future and know ???

 

[cueaddicts]

Thanks guys,I guess I knew the answer before I asked.I was at the ICC show 2 weeks ago and met and talked with some of the best CMs in the country.I know that Searing, Hercek, SW,bluegrass are the hot cues right now.Next year that could change.The cue market is so subjective.I probably will make Valley Forge but for me its an awfully cold time of year to be up North.
Would you guys advise to go to a much higher dollar amount?

Bob,

If you decide to go to Valley Forge, please stop by our booth and see us. Would love to chat. It's supremely worth the trip if you are serious about pool and especially cues....it's the "cue mecca".

In short, I would not overspend but get something that your budget allows and in a price range you are comfortable with. Cues can sink their teeth into you and can become very addictive (hence our site name).

The most important advice I can offer you or anybody else.....you should buy what you like and if you are investment savy or concerned about that aspect of it, learn about what's been going on over time in the cue market from a reputable source. Someone well-respected that has been around a while and seen a lot. Not some newby pumping a handful of cues that might be hot right now.

Best of luck to you.

Sean
www.cueaddicts.com

 

[R.Paul]

Can anyone share your thought about Rick Howard cue(Mace cue)?

Thanks,

 

[billfishhead]

Barry Szamboti makes a very good hitting cue, and if you dont go overboard, the cue is worth every penny. Get what you can afford, but get the good stuff. After all 2k is 2k,,,,,,,,btw both my Szambotis are identical in hit

 

[billfishhead]

Rick Howard cues??????????????????,,,,,,,,,,,,,sure hes a local,,,,,,,,you want an opinion on his cues or on him?????????????,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,lol j k Rick

 

[cornerstone]

andy gilbert or mike stacy

I am thinking of buying a new cue and I am wondering what everyones opinion would be on this.Keep in mind that I would prefer the cue to go up in value or at least not go down in value.I know the whim of this changes almost daily but I am still curious what you all think.I probably will wait to go to Valley Forge to see all the CM's there and then decide.I would also like to kepp it in the 2k or under range.

andy gilbert mike stacy or call chris nitti and tell him you want to spend 2000.00 and you choose the verere color and his cues are great!or you can call richard black and design somthing in the bushka line and change it up a little and have a one of a kind,and they play superb!

 

[irish]

andy gilbert mike stacy or call chris nitti and tell him you want to spend 2000.00 and you choose the verere color and his cues are great!or you can call richard black and design somthing in the bushka line and change it up a little and have a one of a kind,and they play superb!

I got a Cutom R. Black for just under 1600.00. I designed the cue, 4 point with inlays and windows in the butt section. It plays wonderful and looks just as nice!

Richard Black is a great cue maker to deal with, Always a professional!

Good luck with your new cue!!!

 

[Ken_4fun]

Tend to agree with some minor additions...

Unless you already have a specific custom design you want, in my opinion there are VERY few cues out there that will not at least immediately take a hit in value, although some much less significant than others. I would strongly consider buying a cue from a reputable custom cue dealer. You will normally not have to pay the full new retail, and don't have any waiting period.

As far as the Skip Weston cues I have seen/owned, they are virtually flawless, as are Mike Bender's. Other customs I would consider that, I would certainly think will at the least hold their value are:

1) Southwest - everyone wants one and they have a long wait. Very easy to flip and get at least your money back. Virtually no design variation without significant cost.
2) Mottey/White - less wait time
3) Bender - 2 year wait, great cue, but not tons of different designs unless you really start to fork over the $$$
4) Barry Szamboti - What can I say. Great execution, good hitting, but you will walk away with a very thin wallet, even for a relatively plain cue. Long wait
5) Tascarella - Same as Barry, but not quite as high on the price. Long wait.
6) Hercek - long wait, great cue, classic designs

The above are good choices.

Mine would be Bill Schick, Gina, Szamboti, higher end Tad.

Good Luck
Ken

 

[Cornerman]

I am thinking of buying a new cue and I am wondering what everyones opinion would be on this.Keep in mind that I would prefer the cue to go up in value or at least not go down in value.

Andy Gilbert.



Fred

 

[justabrake]

Going to Valley Forge is the best idea. Several of the guys mentioned will be there. If you find something there you like.....no waiting - leave with your cue. Also there are lots of used cues there. It can be a sensory overload. Remember to breath once in a while. In adition to the guys listed in the above posts I'd add Tim Scruggs to your list. His great hitting high quality cues always seem to hold value.

pawnmon> said it all, I found a couple of used cues that were very nice for the money (SW's) and one Black, but for a new cue I would have to go with a Tim Scruggs , I thought he had the best cues of all of the cuemakers that were there he had different joints and you were welcome to test hit them as well.

Steven

 

[cueaddicts]

pawnmon> said it all, I found a couple of used cues that were very nice for the money (SW's) and one Black, but for a new cue I would have to go with a Tim Scruggs , I thought he had the best cues of all of the cuemakers that were there he had different joints and you were welcome to test hit them as well.

Steven

....be prepared to pay though....his basic 4-pt cue is now $1900.

 

[Hunter]

I can't help but wonder if retirement, health, age, etc. of the cuemaker doesn't figure in. I heard that, for instance, Bill Stroud announced his retirement recently, which will obviously limit the availability to his existing cues. Supply and demand...

 

[paulybatz]

Stroud

Have to say his older stuff is much nicer / the non-CNC than the new stuff.
They hit great!! Im a big Mike Stacey / Andy Gilbert / BCM Cue / Kenny Murrell all hit well, are well crafted, all tremendously nice people and are still able to be bought by the average person.

I can't help but wonder if retirement, health, age, etc. of the cuemaker doesn't figure in. I heard that, for instance, Bill Stroud announced his retirement recently, which will obviously limit the availability to his existing cues. Supply and demand...

 

[DJKeys]

Ned

I am thinking of buying a new cue and I am wondering what everyones opinion would be on this.Keep in mind that I would prefer the cue to go up in value or at least not go down in value.I know the whim of this changes almost daily but I am still curious what you all think.I probably will wait to go to Valley Forge to see all the CM's there and then decide.I would also like to kepp it in the 2k or under range.

Nobody has mentioned Ned Morris. He is a great guy to deal with, makes a superbly crafted cue that hit beautifully, and his cues are still very reasonable priced. You can definitely get something nice for under 2K and in less than six months.

 

[Murray Tucker]

andy gilbert mike stacy or call chris nitti and tell him you want to spend 2000.00 and you choose the verere color and his cues are great!or you can call richard black and design somthing in the bushka line and change it up a little and have a one of a kind,and they play superb!

Chris was at my shop yesterday. Great guy and his work is very clean. Did not hit any balls with his cues but hit is kind of subjective.

 

[jazznpool]

Although I also like the work of several other cuemakers I agree with you here. In fact, I'm going to be posting pix of several new Ned Morris cues within the next week or so. Most will be very nice and simple lower end cues. A few are higer-end, unique and loaded with inlays.

Martin

Nobody has mentioned Ned Morris. He is a great guy to deal with, makes a superbly crafted cue that hit beautifully, and his cues are still very reasonable priced. You can definitely get something nice for under 2K and in less than six months.