I have a question mostly as a cue junkie consumer, but I also have a very small amount of cue building knowledge. I am in the starting phase of building 2 or 3 cues with a guy who has built around 100 cues over the course many years. I know there is a lot that can and must be learned through trial and error, but I am looking for opinions on a specific subject.
I know that the forearm wood will affect the hit of the cue, but will the wood used for point material and used for the butt sleeve really affect the hit of the cue at all? Even take that question a step further, if the cue is wrapless will the wood used for the handle have an affect on how the cue hits, plays, or feels?
I am asking these questions both in terms of the ways that I may build a couple cues, but also because of a design that I would like to have built for me by a more established cue maker. I haven't finalized my decision yet, but I am thinking about an ebony forearm with points of Thuya Burl or Amboyna Burl, and I know these woods are not good enough to use in a forearm, but if they are used for points will it affect the hit? Also if you did a wrap handle using a wood like this, would it affect the play? What about an Ebony handle, would stiffer wood affect the play (weight issues aside)?
I am sure I will get a number of different opinions, but I would really love to hear what everyone thinks on this topic. Thanks in advance for all opinions on this subject. I have played with everything from SouthWest, Bender, and Capone and I am really crazy about a solid and stiff hitting cue and I would rather sacrifice a little beauty if I gain a little better hit, but I am not sure that it will make a difference.
I know that the forearm wood will affect the hit of the cue, but will the wood used for point material and used for the butt sleeve really affect the hit of the cue at all? Even take that question a step further, if the cue is wrapless will the wood used for the handle have an affect on how the cue hits, plays, or feels?
I am asking these questions both in terms of the ways that I may build a couple cues, but also because of a design that I would like to have built for me by a more established cue maker. I haven't finalized my decision yet, but I am thinking about an ebony forearm with points of Thuya Burl or Amboyna Burl, and I know these woods are not good enough to use in a forearm, but if they are used for points will it affect the hit? Also if you did a wrap handle using a wood like this, would it affect the play? What about an Ebony handle, would stiffer wood affect the play (weight issues aside)?
I am sure I will get a number of different opinions, but I would really love to hear what everyone thinks on this topic. Thanks in advance for all opinions on this subject. I have played with everything from SouthWest, Bender, and Capone and I am really crazy about a solid and stiff hitting cue and I would rather sacrifice a little beauty if I gain a little better hit, but I am not sure that it will make a difference.