Who should make this cue?

R

Room101

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I want to have made a full splice bocote (or is that bacote?) sneaky pete style cue with bocote joint collars and some simple ring work. Also, I would like to have the cuemaker fit an OB-1 shaft with matching joint collar and ring.

What are your thoughts about who I should get to make this cue? Specifically, I want to be sure and get it from somebody who knows what they are doing when it comes to full splice butts and wood joint collars.

Thanks for your help!!!
 
Room101 said:
I want to have made a full splice bocote (or is that bacote?) sneaky pete style cue with bocote joint collars and some simple ring work. Also, I would like to have the cuemaker fit an OB-1 shaft with matching joint collar and ring.

What are your thoughts about who I should get to make this cue? Specifically, I want to be sure and get it from somebody who knows what they are doing when it comes to full splice butts and wood joint collars.

Thanks for your help!!!
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I would definitely consider Sheldon Lebow in Oregon. When I moved out there, it seemed every good player I ran into used his cues. After trying a bunch of them, and finding them consistently excellent, I came to appreciate why. I recall three separate outstanding players say to me almost the exact same words, "Best cue I've ever owned. I will never let it go." I should also add, I never met someone who owned a Lebow and changed to something else. You can find Lebow on this site as "Sheldon."
 
Mark Smith, he is a very nice guy and he makes fantastic cues.
 
Try Bryan Mordt (BCMCUE.COM). I think you'll like his work. His rings are nice and simple.
 
Room101...if I may share with you my thoughts.
You are in the cuemaker section asking who makes the best full splices.
You are asking if Hercek makes sneaky's or maybe he'd sell you a blank.
I told you in that thread that "ANY" cuemaker can make the simple cue you want. There are a lot of talented cuemakers on this site who'd be glad to make your cue. I don't speak for any of them, but I for one would be offended if you thought I was not capable of producing a quality Bacote blank. If you think I need a Hercek blank to make your style cue look wonderful & play jam up...you are very wrong. This is what I do for a living...I know where to get the highest quality blanks. I don't need to ask opinions of others who may or may not have the best answers.
If you brought me your own blank to use...I'd turn down the work. I've often refused work before with customers who "had their own wood". Most of these type people...can't run three balls...and then want to stand over your shoulder trying to help. LOL! I've made countless cues for players who actually play pool full time for a living...and my wood selection is fine for them. They don't have to bring me anything to "upgrade" my work. Your cue you desire is very simple and does not require a team from NASA to investigate your options.
I'm sure this post came across as a bit rude...for that I apologize. You must realize that your desired cue is not $10,000.00 it is whats considered a very low end style. Truth be told, you could pick up the Blue Book and you'd have about 6 inches of pages, all of cuemakers, who'd be fully capable of making your cue.
 
Varney Cues said:
I told you in that thread that "ANY" cuemaker can make the simple cue you want.
. . .
Your cue you desire is very simple and does not require a team from NASA to investigate your options.
. . .
You must realize that your desired cue is not $10,000.00 it is whats considered a very low end style.
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All due respect, sir, but I have heard very little about your work from anyone but yourself. On the other hand, I have been impressed by the level of knowledge you appear to demonstrate in some of your posts on these forums. I would like to consider sending you my business, but your attitude is not always so reassuring. If I wanted a cue made by someone who treats it as a simple job anybody can do, I would order a Players for $40. I'm am fully aware that Paul Mottey and Chris Nitti are not going to be fighting each other for a chance to make this cue for me, but I do want to have it made by somebody who will apply a little care and craftsmanship to make this the best playing cue it can be.

Varney Cues said:
You are asking if Hercek makes sneaky's or maybe he'd sell you a blank.
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Look, I never claimed to be an expert; I'm here trying to educate myself. I was 99% sure Hercek isn't in the business of selling blanks, but I asked anyway because I'm anal and I prefer to be 100% sure when possible, instead of assuming. I was also trying to redirect the focus of this thread back to more realistic suggestions.


Varney Cues said:
This is what I do for a living...I know where to get the highest quality blanks. I don't need to ask opinions of others who may or may not have the best answers.
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You didn't ask, I did. I don't make cues, and I don't have any idea how much quality differs between blanks from different sources nor who makes the best/worst blanks. That's why I asked. Furthermore, I am fully aware of your confidence in your own knowledge and ability and I am not denying that you may be right. However, I like to hear a diverse range of opinion before I decide who to believe. Is the source of your blanks a secret, or would you care to share your opinion on who offers the best ones?

Varney Cues said:
If you brought me your own blank to use...I'd turn down the work.
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Good to know. Do most cuemakers share this view? If so, knowing a little about the quality of blanks from various sources would help me choose a cuemaker. I wouldn't want to order it from someone using blanks that many people regard as substandard, and if some sources offer blanks that many believe to be of superior quality, I'd want to make sure my cuemaker is using those blanks.

Varney Cues said:
I've often refused work before with customers who "had their own wood". Most of these type people...can't run three balls...and then want to stand over your shoulder trying to help. LOL!
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Hey, that sounds like me allright. I'm still pretty new to this game and I admit the learning curve has been a little steep so far. Regardless, I love the game, and I am shopping for a cue that I will love playing with long after I have had the chance to acquire a few fine collectible cues. So what if I can't string racks together? My dollar is still worth a dollar, and I want the best hitting cue it can buy. If you don't want me standing over your shoulder and telling you how I want my cue made, maybe the CUSTOM cue business isn't the best line of work for you.

Varney Cues said:
I've made countless cues for players who actually play pool full time for a living...and my wood selection is fine for them. They don't have to bring me anything to "upgrade" my work.
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Yeah, yeah, you've mentioned how much Allison loves your work many times. Problem is, I haven't noticed her on these forums saying so herself. I'm not suggesting that you are lying, only that I don't automatically believe everything everybody tells me. Besides, what does she know anyway? I gave her the seven out last night and beat her 11-2.



I intend to get the best cue my limited budget will allow. I am an anal shopper, some might even say obsessive compulsive. I can assure you that this approach has worked VERY well for me in the past. Finally, I might add that one reason I ask so many questions is because I am very curious and would like to learn as much as possible about cues. That way, when I have the money to start collecting, I'll know exactly what I'm looking for.
 
I have to agree here, a lot of "custom" cue makers produce cues that is of poor quality. Just because it is a custom doesnt mean it is of superior quality. I have ordered cues from cue makers that have been reasonably well known and been disappointed when i got the cue. And too look around and be critical is the buyers right, if we step on someone's toes so be it, there are many more that we can buy from. If you have a limited budget you want to know if you put your money at the right place, and not just with anybody that makes a cue.
 
Room101..
First of all, I've never said "Allison loves my work" much less "many times" as you say I've said. Produce a quote from me. If you think I'm a liar...feel free to ask Allie who does her work. As far as saying "what does Allison know anyway? I gave her the 7 out last night and beat her 11-2." With that statement you've proven to everyone here...you are nothing but a liar, idiot, and forum troll.
I'm through wasting time with you. You just keep saving your money for your full splice. Maybe indeed Hercek will sell you one and then you can take it to Dennis Searing and have him make it for you while you give him advice about all your construction techniques you learned about here. He'll need help balancing the OB-1 to your precious splice....Whahahahahahahaha!!!! You have the same chance of that happening as you do ever having me build you a cue...ZERO!!!
 
Room101-
I understand your concerns about the full splice and that you want the best product for the right price. However, I have to agree with VarneyCues on this one...your cue in question is a simple cue that about 99% of the cue makers could make, from a full splice blank. Not many cue makers make their full splice blanks from scratch. Those that do are going to charge more for the final product, but that doesn't make it a better made cue. The cue makers that purchase the blank (including myself) and build a solid, good looking cue can afford to lower the final price. They don't have as much time or wasted wood involved in the process. Again, the price doesn't make it a lesser quality cue. There's not a lot involved in building your cue once the full splice is in hand. You want a little ring work, DONE; you want to match it up to an OB-1 shaft, DONE! The cue you're asking about should range you $275-$500 with an OB-1 shaft, maybe a little more if you want a standard maple shaft also.

I recently built a cocabola/curly maple sneaky pete with 2 standard maple shafts for $300. Here is a link to my cues... http://www.zimsrack.com/ZCC.html I am interested in building this cue for you and I do have a very reputable source for full splice blanks. But again, like VarneyCues stated, most (including myself) wont build something for someone with their supplied wood. 1) not sure what condition it's in 2) not sure how old it is.

If interested in haveing a Sneaky Z built by me, ZCC (Zimmerman Custom Cues), contact me via email, PM, or telephone. (email/PM's are easiest)

My hats off to VarneyCues for saying it like it is! I don't think he's being an *ss, just stating facts. Each person has their own interpretation!

Best of luck Room101!
Zim
 
Room101- Just another note about different cues

Each cue maker has his/her own style of cue they build, but generally have very similar construction techniques. A cue maker likes what he/she likes to play with and what works well for him/her and that is what they become known for. If each cue maker built a cue like all the other cue makers, what fun would that be. Especially to a collector or a serious player, no variety, no variations in style, same hit and feel. What if you wanted a specific feel and play style, but no one could build one, because they all build the same cue? Just something to think about when you are ready to start collecting cues.

Ask yourself this... am I collecting for quality, playability, construction, looks, or just to play with and consider an investment? There are many, many cue makers that you and I have never even heard of that meet all of the above criteria, give them a chance to prove it!

Zim
 
I have a Bocote cue made by Mike Johnson of Jensen Cues. Bocote is Mike's wood of choice. He is the reason that I had him make the cue out of it. You may want to talk to him about making you one.

His cues are great playing and under valued.

Mike Johnson
225.924.4517
 
Why not support your local cuemakers from Texas??? I understand there a cuemaker in Longview,TX. can be found at Fast Freddy. I believe his first Mike! Then there Blud.
 
TheBook said:
I have a Bocote cue made by Mike Johnson of Jensen Cues. Bocote is Mike's wood of choice. He is the reason that I had him make the cue out of it. You may want to talk to him about making you one.

His cues are great playing and under valued.

Mike Johnson
225.924.4517
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that's three cuemakers i know now who love bocote. your qmaker, ed young, and joey gold. they say it's a very sharp hit.
 
But as a response to Mr. Varney, after seeing how you react and talk to potential customers I don’t believe I would order a cue from you. And I know you probably won’t care and you might even give me a smart response but I think you would attract more customers if you were a little more subtle.
 
I may not agree with everything you had to say about Mr. Varney. I don't know him at all. However, I do know MANY cuemakers...and NONE of them want a customer peering over their shoulder, watching to see that 'they don't make a mistake'! A lot of cuemakers won't even allow you into their shop, let alone to 'hang out'. I've had the good fortune of spending many hours watching Joe Gold, in every facet of constructing the fantastic cues he makes. I've also had the chance to watch several other cuemakers, as they worked, including my own (Samsara). I don't think Mr. Varney is way out of line, stating things the way he did. Perhaps he could use a little more discretion in the WAY he puts some things...but the points are mostly valid, imo.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
 
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