Why get a custom cue?

kittyzilla

kittyzilla

Registered
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.
 
Let me first say..........I too play with a McDermott, I own 3 McDermotts and a Diveney Jump/Break cue and I am VERY satisfied with my cues but someday I would love to have a custom cue that is one of kind and the only real reason I don't have a custom or two is due to the fact I'd probably have the same amount of $$$ invested in just one custom cue that I have currently invested in all of my McDermott/Diveney cues combined. Maybe someday when I get all my children grown up and on their own I can afford a nice custom cue, but for now, you'll see me whooping up on the guys with custom cues using my Mcdermott "Warden" or "Double Diamond". :D
 
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 :D . 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
 
kittyzilla said:
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.
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Kitty, if you are happy with your cue, and fits all the requirements you would need to play well why change!!!!:)

The advantage to a custom cue is having one built, that is specific to your needs, it may be the ballance, it may be the weight, it could be the type of wrap or lack there of, or it may just be the looks of the materials used.

I think the best thing that can be said though is don't fix it, if it isn't broke!!!!;)

Have a good day!!!!:)
 
custom cues are prettier.

here's what'll happen. there may or may not come a time that you will want to buy an expensive custom cue simply because you WANT to. the reasons vary for everyone but it'll probably be because you 1...have the cash, 2...you want something nicer looking, 3...there's some bit of status involved, 4...you may get tired of playing with your current cue. a cue is like a car....you either want a car to get you from point A to point B,,,or you want to get there in style.

some people say playing better with an expensive cue is a myth. that is up to you. the best cue for you might be a house cue sitting in your local poolroom or a 10k ginacue.
 
bruin70 said:
custom cues are prettier.

here's what'll happen. there may or may not come a time that you will want to buy an expensive custom cue simply because you WANT to. the reasons vary for everyone but it'll probably be because you 1...have the cash, 2...you want something nicer looking, 3...there's some bit of status involved, 4...you may get tired of playing with your current cue. a cue is like a car....you either want a car to get you from point A to point B,,,or you want to get there in style.

some people say playing better with an expensive cue is a myth. that is up to you. the best cue for you might be a house cue sitting in your local poolroom or a 10k ginacue.
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Between things like weight and materials, I think you made the most sense with the car analogy! I have seen many that I thought were very nice looking and some that were pretty ugly, so I think it's a personal preference thing. Thanks for replying!

What is a ginacue?
 
You say you like your McDermott, and it suits you. I feel the same about my customs. I won't go into all the stuff about the feel, hit, etc. I've owned a bunch of cues since I started playing in the early '70s. Most have been customs. I like having a cue made for me. I like "good" equipment, by that I mean what feels good to me. I've owned some production cues that people stood in line to borrow, if I would let them, because they were very good playing production cues. The same with the customs. One reason I've continued to play with custom cues over the years is economical. I've almost never sold a custom for what I paid for it, usually for much more than I paid for it. That never happened with production cues. Some I was lucky to get what I paid for it. The bottom line is, I like what I like. So do you. Due to financial problems, I only have one custom at the moment and if I had to could sell it with a single phone call to any one of at least a half dozen people, who would gladly give me much more than I paid for it. It now looks like I won't have to sell it, but it's good to know that I could, if I had to. I do love the way that cue plays, though. I also know I'll most always find something else I like as well or better. I always have.
Good luck and enjoy the forum.
 
You have a very solid playing cue already. If your goal is to have a good playing cue, you do not need a custom. Most of the cost of a custom is the decoration and the name of the maker, although you can get a nice playing custom at a reasonable price from some of the lesser known makers. Do you really think there is that much that can be done to the cue to make it play that much better? Don't get fooled into thinking you need that to play better. I have a regular players brand cue, a walmart cue, and a custom, and I can play smiilarly with all 3. They do each feel a little different, but I can make the cue ball do what I want with all 3. The statements above about getting the exact feel in a cue and certainly the look you want are true, but unless you do not like the feel of your current cue, or you have enough money to spend on something a little fancier, you probably do not need to switch. Watch the pro tournaments on tv. Most of their cues are not really fancy looking. Just well built cues designed to play well.
 
You can pretty much order whatever you want, assuming the design and choices make sense and you can find a cuemaker to make it.

There are so many quality cuemakers now, you can pretty much find one that suits your price range and playing style.

If you go with a local guy, he is always available for any needed repairs or maintenance. He can also get to know your playing style in person and many times can make recommendations to tailor the cue specifically for you.

Typically, they hold their value better than a production. Sometimes (albeit not the norm) they even go up in value over time.

Some builders work with the customer during the building process. It can give the customer a sense of involvment. It gives you a chance to be a part of creating something that may be unique.

The work put into custom cues, the quality control, the workmanship, by in large, is far better than production cues. Dollar for dollar, they offer a great value to the customer, and again, price ranges can vary greatly.

When you buy a custom cue from a cuemaker and are a happy customer, and play with said cue, you have made someone very happy. :) Most custom cuemakers want to build the best cue they possibly can, and make customers happy who shoot with their cues. They sure don't do it for the money.

Kelly
 
What is the maximum amount of money that you want to put into a cue that can get warped, broken, scratched, lost or stolen?:D

How many years can you wait for a replacement to be made?:D

I suggest that avoid the question entirely and be rid of all the peer pressure. Switch to snooker. Buy one cue, keep it forever:D
 
Kelly_Guy said:
You can pretty much order whatever you want, assuming the design and choices make sense and you can find a cuemaker to make it.

There are so many quality cuemakers now, you can pretty much find one that suits your price range and playing style.

If you go with a local guy, he is always available for any needed repairs or maintenance. He can also get to know your playing style in person and many times can make recommendations to tailor the cue specifically for you.

Typically, they hold their value better than a production. Sometimes (albeit not the norm) they even go up in value over time.

Some builders work with the customer during the building process. It can give the customer a sense of involvment. It gives you a chance to be a part of creating something that may be unique.

The work put into custom cues, the quality control, the workmanship, by in large, is far better than production cues. Dollar for dollar, they offer a great value to the customer, and again, price ranges can vary greatly.

When you buy a custom cue from a cuemaker and are a happy customer, and play with said cue, you have made someone very happy. :) Most custom cuemakers want to build the best cue they possibly can, and make customers happy who shoot with their cues. They sure don't do it for the money.

Kelly
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Great answer!! I really like the thought of helping build something along the way. I don't know any cuemakers but I'm sure they are always around! That is something to think about.

I'm pretty sure I can ask my husband about it, but he doesn't know I'm getting into pool a bit more. I'm also going to start taking lessons.:)

Thank you! That sounds like motivation to look into it.
 
Varney Cues said:
"Why get a custom cue?"

Because custom cuemakers have bills too.:D
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I'm sure there are many people that have bills, but honestly, you have to earn my business. I don't care who you are.
 
kittyzilla said:
I'm sure there are many people that have bills, but honestly, you have to earn my business. I don't care who you are.
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My remark was in jest. But seriously...many smaller makers such as myself may indeed have to "earn" your business, but there are many more that you should consider yourself lucky if you even get on their list...or even get a cue after a long multi year wait. Quality speaks for itself.;)
 
Varney Cues said:
My remark was in jest. But seriously...many smaller makers such as myself may indeed have to "earn" your business, but there are many more that you should consider yourself lucky if you even get on their list...or even get a cue after a long multi year wait. Quality speaks for itself.;)
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Do tell!! My first Southwest took four months and cost $260.00. Today, around $1500-$2000 and the wait is ten years! Many of the smaller cue makers are less expensive, faster, and don't have a wait list.
 
Pushout said:
Do tell!! My first Southwest took four months and cost $260.00. Today, around $1500-$2000 and the wait is ten years! Many of the smaller cue makers are less expensive, faster, and don't have a wait list.
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....and play every bit as well.:)
 
kittyzilla said:
Between things like weight and materials, I think you made the most sense with the car analogy! I have seen many that I thought were very nice looking and some that were pretty ugly, so I think it's a personal preference thing. Thanks for replying!

What is a ginacue?
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A ginacue is the name a cuemaker gave his cues - Ginacue. Gina is for his daughter. The cuemaker is Ernie Gutierrez, builds cues out of California, has been building them since sometime in the '60's, he is a Hall of Fame cuemaker in the American Cuemakers Association, his cues are highly - very highly collectible ($$$$), and they are nice looking.
 
Jack Madden said:
A ginacue is the name a cuemaker gave his cues - Ginacue. Gina is for his daughter. The cuemaker is Ernie Gutierrez, builds cues out of California, has been building them since sometime in the '60's, he is a Hall of Fame cuemaker in the American Cuemakers Association, his cues are highly - very highly collectible ($$$$), and they are nice looking.
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Not to mention, they play pretty good, too.
 
I think the key word is obviously "custom". Production cues are not necessarily bad cues, but for the most part, you take what that particular company gives you. No dialog as to what your stroke or playing preferences are. 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. However, if you prefer a 30"-30" split, piloted joint cue with a 12.75mm layered tip on a parabolic tapered shaft, well.......Many "custom" cuemakers would be happy to do that for you. As many have said, we shouldn't look down at those who choose a production cue, just as those who choose custom cues should not be viewed as elitist snobs. (unless of course your name is iowa_player) -just kidding Larry!:D :D :D
 
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