Why get a custom cue?

[RBLilly]

Simple!

Simply put "Because you want to!"

I know I got my custom because I wanted a cue that no other individual would have.

I also wanted a cue that would reflect my personal style.

I also liked the work of a local custom cue maker, and I wanted to give him my business.

I also wanted a cue that was fitted perfectly for my OB-1 shafts.

I couldn't really get that with my McDermott cues, but I still like the way my McDermott cues play.

However, they don't hold a candle to my custom cue! My custom is better balanced, and has a better quality over all to it.

My custom is perfect for me!

Think about having a custom suit or a custom pair of boots. You can get what you want, and it will fit you better than a production suit or production boots. Anytime you have something custom made for you it will probably be a better fit for you.

A lot of people like the way my custom cue plays, but I guarantee they wouldn't have the same style made. They may like different inlays, or no inlays, etc. So you get a work of art that suits your own personal needs.

 

[tigerallenyim]

Well Kitty, I'll take a crack at this. Your McDermott is a great cue, no question. Even greater now that they are guaranteed for life, even for maintainance and against warpage. But most of the posters here have found the cuemaker that they really like, and the type of hit that they like, and the balance point, and the type of ferrule and joint etc. It can be difficult to get everything that you prefer from one manufacturer, and all in one cue ! Pool players get fussy after a few years. Then again, some of us are collectors. Maybe we just collect what we like, or maybe we try to gather up some cues that will increase in value in a few years. Sometimes you get it right, and sometimes you lose. It's fun either way.

Players also frequently want a cue that they can really be proud of. One that other players respect and admire. I've even made a study of when gamblers sell their cues. The answer is, when they go broke . If you're around that type of thing, the trick is when to ask about their cue. At that point, you might get barked at, or you might hear, "It's for sale" too.

Hope that you enjoy the forum...Tom

Agreed. Right now, i have a McD as well and plays well, but i am certain for my next cue, it will have to be a custom. The reason for this was i had someone modify my Lucasi to make it a breaking cue. It made a tremendous difference in play, feel, and results. I'm getting more demanding from my cues, so i am certainly thinking that McD will only go so far as to what i need.

As far as advantages? Well, i think that is all relative. If i or others had custom cues specifically geared for better performance for the individual, then naturually the individual may yield better results.

Solutions?
Other than buying a custom cue? Modify one instead. I've had mine done, was relatively inexpensive, and performed well.

IMHO

Tiger

 

[Shawn Armstrong]

The vast majority of McDermott cues are thick taper, 13mm, Triangle tip and flat faced 3/8-10 joints in 19 oz. If that is what you desire, then wonderful, and who cares what anybody else thinks.

Thick taper?? They're just a touch stiffer than a Meucci. They play about the same as a Viking - long tapers - 14". They will install any tip you want, weight the cue to any weight you want, install linen or leather wrap. And, they'll turn the shaft down to any diameter you want.

They make their own designs, similar to custom cuemakers. Most custom houses have their own style - don't go looking for Southwest to make you a 4 point spliced cue like a Bushka or Szam. It won't happen. Don't go to Joe Gold and ask him to build you a 60" cue, 30/30 split with stainless steel joint, because it won't happen, either. For the most part, the most flexible custom makers are the small shops and the "up and comers", because they enjoy the challenge of making what the customer wants. To make a blanket statement like the above, though, regarding McDermott is a little presumptuous that production cues are what they are, take them or leave them. I've actually had "custom" cues made by McDermott, in terms of extra lengths, longer wrap sections, etc.. They do mostly everything than any maker will do.

 

[catscradle]

"Why get a custom cue?"

Because custom cuemakers have bills too.

An honest man.

 

[td873]

As I had posted (post #1!) some time ago as my introduction, I have a McDermott plain cue. I like it, and it suits me well. I have also seen that I am one of the very few that have a McDermott, so I am curious - what is the advantage of a custom cue over that of what I use?

My league captain said not to worry about it, I would just like to find out what the general consensus is on this subject. In seeing all of your signatures, it appears to be a lot of names rather than name brands.

1) Cue making is a difficult, expensive, and thankless job that has very limited prospects of getting rich. The customers (us) can be very demanding and unappreciative. In fact, most cuemakers do it for the love of the endeavor and not for the money. When you get your cue, it is something that you can be proud to own. This, by itself can improve your attitude towards pool, thus causing you to play more, thus leading to improved play.

2) As with most things, you get what you pay for. Most custom cue makers do not skimp on materials when building a cue. They would rather make something right, than make something cheap. And each and every cue is quality checked before it leaves their shop. On the other hand, production cue makers may use lower cost alternatives which may (or may not) reduce the integrity of the cue. Each cue goes in a little bag, and the customer is usually the first one to figure out if it's messed up.

3) ALL custom cue makers are ultimately proud of their work. Their work is their advertising. If they make bad products, they could go under. They will stand behind their product 100%.

4) The cue is a piece of you. You can participate as much or as little as you want. The feeling of having something totally unique is pretty cool.

5) Production cues are targeted at the most common denominator. If you have peculiar requirements (e.g., 64.25" cue, 26 oz, masse cue, 16mm shafts, etc) you will need someone that has the ability to build it.

All in all, it boils down to what you like, what you need, and what you can afford. Custom cues can be expensive BUT they are very rewarding to own.

-td