Who do you think the best living cuemaker?

C

cgriffin5

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Personally I think Ernie Gutierrez is the best living cuemaker. IMO his designs are the most creative and he has been doing it for 40+ years and IMO his cues hit great. Honestly I dont know alot about cues. I started this thread because I would like to hear the opinions of the many knowledgeable people on this board (Jimbo, Joe Van Buren, etc). Thank you.


Connor
 
cgriffin5 said:
Personally I think Ernie Gutierrez is the best living cuemaker. IMO his designs are the most creative and he has been doing it for 40+ years and IMO his cues hit great. Honestly I dont know alot about cues. I started this thread because I would like to hear the opinions of the many knowledgeable people on this board (Jimbo, Joe Van Buren, etc). Thank you.


Connor
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I agree with you, I also place Ernie at the top, but right next to him I place Bill Schick, 1 and 1A if you will. I give Bill some extra credit for his use of Scrimshaw and engraving, work he does all himself and doesn't outsource like many others.
That's my overall I have other lists
Most creative
Thomas Wayne and Richard Black would top my list for originaly designs, but they aren't my favorite hitting cues.
There are many aspects to cues, some people place their importance in different areas.

Jim
 
IMHO best breathing makers are SEARING and SW SHOP in no particular order. Based on attention to detail and CONSISTENCY of play. The most intriguing designs have been spawned by the fertile minds of EG,SCHICK,MEUCCI,BLACK,SAMSARA. EG would be a clearcut #1 if he didn't plagiarize his own designs in his very redundant catalogue Q's. RB is the weakest of the custom makers (exclude the big M) in terms of design execution. There are MANY very talented makers who are capable of bogarting the top tier of cue building/ design at ANY time and there are many whose work I've not seen. SO.......who really knows??
 
My picks are. Play-Searing,Showman.Looks-Hercek,Schick.Pioneers-Stroud,DPK.Up and Coming-Showman,Haley.
 
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Assuming that this thread is looking for the best ALL-AROUND cuemaker (play, design, creativity) I would say Bill Schick. He's one of the few that can be put at the very top of the list for his creativity, his craftsmanship, his skill, and the play of his cues.

Others may be tops in certain categories but fall short in other areas. Southwests play better than most any other but, most of their cues are of a classic 3 hi, 3 low design.
Black makes a cue that many believe to be beautiful artwork. But most of the times, the play leaves a fair amount to be desired.

I like classic designs. Simple 4-point hoppe style cues. Maybe some inlays here and there. For that, I love Pete Tascarella. And my choice for design, playability, and sheer beauty would be Mottey and White. My only reason for putting Schick above them is that he does his own scrimshaw work.
 
I would put Ernie Gutierrez and Bill Schick up there for sure. I also love Tad cues. Some very unique and fancy designs by Tad Kohara, but I am very partial to his 8 pointer's and the many variations of his 8 pointers.
 
SW and Gilbert for playabitlity,uniqueness has to go to Schick and Wayne even though i think some of their designs are overdone.Searing is at the top also along with Ernie G.,Richard Black makes some classic style designed cues that are very nice but as for playability i have hit with better cues from lesser known and unknown cuemakers.
 
My favorite living cuemakers are Joel Hercek and Barry Szamboti. I like the cues they build, their traditional techniques, their knowledge, and their character as people. They have both been very helpful to me, yet I don't own any of their cues.

Chris
 
ironchef. said:
I would put Ernie Gutierrez and Bill Schick up there for sure. I also love Tad cues. Some very unique and fancy designs by Tad Kohara, but I am very partial to his 8 pointer's and the many variations of his 8 pointers.
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Tad's ivory cues that go for $25,000 - $50,000 plus must be the hardest cues to get these days. The order list is closed.

Chris
 
I Don't Think I Even Need To Type My Answer. I'll Give You A Hint His Initials Are P.t.
 
For innovations and creativity, Ernie.
But, if a genie granted me a wish, I'd want a Hercek and a Barry S cue.
 
No doubt about it.....

....in my mind, the best one out there to be had is a McDermott!!!

ha ha....I'm funny!!

Seriously....I gotta go with Mr. Searing. I've seen half a dozen up close, and had the pleasure of shooting with two.....and he's got my vote, hands down!

Not to detract AT ALL from anyone else out there, doing their thing...JMHO.

Rat
 
lord_shar said:
Bill Schick gets my vote. Check out his works on Dr. Wu's web site, especially the "Art of Medicine" and "Sailfish" cues.

http://www.wuscues.com/BSch/BSch.htm

I now see why Mr. Schick's cues have even shown up in the Smithsonian.
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There were a number of people chosen to make a cue for the Smithsonian (about 10 including Thomas Wayne, Ernie, Jim Buss, Samsara and R.Black) and some if not all the cues were made, but sadly enough the cues were never put out in a display, seems the Smithsonian people are running a scam and they just go to different groups and ask for things with the promise that they will host a special display and then they just toss the things in a closet on sub level 37 in the catacombs. I for one would have loved to see cues get some time on a national stage like that, but it just never happened, at least not yet, they'll prolly run that in 2075 when I'm long gone:-(

Jim
 
8-ball Rat said:
....
Seriously....I gotta go with Mr. Searing. I've seen half a dozen up close, and had the pleasure of shooting with two.....and he's got my vote, hands down!

Not to detract AT ALL from anyone else out there, doing their thing...JMHO.

Rat
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I'm amazed at the amount of people who would write down Dennis's name. First of all his cues lack any design traits in the way of originality, the major portion of his work has been basic 4 point cues, it's only been a few years since he's started doing inlays. I don't have a problem with that at all but it is a part of all around IMO. Also his body of work is just to small, I have to wonder about someone who claims to have seen more then a dozen examples of his work. I've lived in FL and shot in the same rooms as dennis and haven't seen all that many cues of his, and it's just because he hasn't made that many and what he has have been sent around the world. Now if we were talking about playability then I guess I can buy it, but I feel he's a bit below some of the other names mention when talking best all around. I don't mean this to be a put down it's just hard for a guy who has been at it for 12-15 years to compete with guy's who have 35-40 years in. I think he makes a great cue, but I'll wait another 15 years before I place him in the top of all time.

Jim
 
my short list...

and for different reasons

Ernie G (overall longevity, influence, and innovative design work)
Barry Szamboti (legacy, playability, always true to own style)
Joel Hercek (constuction principles, legacy, and execution)
Bill Schick (unique designs, master at multi-skills, true to his own style)

Sean
 
Funny how nobody answered Tony Sciannella of Black Boar... his work is flawless, designs original and intricate, and the cues hit so sweet...

Are people down on him for selling out to Lucky or just overlooking his talent?
 
BillYards said:
Funny how nobody answered Tony Sciannella of Black Boar... his work is flawless, designs original and intricate, and the cues hit so sweet...

Are people down on him for selling out to Lucky or just overlooking his talent?
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Just because they didn't mention him as the best doesn't mean anyone is "down on him."

When the question is 'top five' (which it has been several times in the past) Black Boar gets a fair amount of votes.

Fred
 
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