Would it be offensive...

T

TommyLee

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
...to ask a cue maker to change up his design a little? I'm looking at finally getting a custom cue and after quite a bit of research I've decided on a PFD Studios cue. I immediately fell in love with the 0401 titlist conversion but do you think it would be rude of me to ask if Ihe would make one without the flame shaped bezel at the tip of the points? I know that he's done some outstanding conversions and I've seen some great ones that he's done that really stand out. I want one just like he makes but just a bit more original but don't want to offend him by asking him to not be as creative as he might like with it
 
Tommy, I don't think so at all. After all, it is you that has a particular design in mind.

Those little spear heads are often put on the ends of points to even them up or make them look more even. I mean, if the points are out that much, nothing is going to make them look even. Within reason. There may be other reasons for doing it.

Personally, I dislike those little spear heads and wouldn't purchase a cue with them.

Everyone has different tastes. Myself, I love notched diamonds but dislike bar bells and a few other designs.

I don't see where a maker will take offence to your personal preferences in design when it's you that is paying most likely $1200 for a Titlist.

I love Titlists and plan on buying one or if I get lucky and am able to purchase a one piece for myself to convert.

It's nice to get one that the points are pretty even but if I get one and the points are drastically out, it won't bother me overly.
 
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It seems to me that a true custom, if you're ordering it and its' being made for you, seems to me that it would get made the way you order with no offense taken. As an artist, there are times I have been asked to do things a certain way, if it varied to much from what I knew or believed would be a good product I'd refer them to another artist, no offense taken, it was just something I wasn't comfortable with. By the same token though, I would hope you wouldn't be offended if he were to tell you that he does things a certain way and for whatever reason hes' not willing to be flexible. In the end you both may need to bend a little or seek a new cue maker
 
Great points Celo. I can fully understand what your mind set is on that.

You have your basic principles that you believe in and trust. You are able to bend a little but would prefer not to violate, if that's not too drastic a word, what you have faith in.

Lets say makers taper their butts and shafts a certain way. They believe that they have achieved a goal in performance and that most likely came with much trial and error, money, heartache. Some sweat and tears.

If a person wants to take a maker totally out of their comfort zone, then they will most likely refuse and may refer you else where.

Within reason, it's good to be flexible. I believe the design is totally up to the buyer
as long as it doesn't interfere with the performance of the cue that the maker has strived
to achieve.

Omitting spear heads shouldn't do that.
 
It shoud be the other way round. A custom cue maker should be happy, if a customer has own preferences (of cause within certain limits of taste and technology). The personal preferences are the main reason, why custom cue makers can make a living. Without these personal taste, all cues would look the same and most cues would be serial cues.

As far as I know Paul (we are just discussing a new cue), he is very decent and would not take any offense. He is a true professional and the main objective is that you like your cue best.

Regards from Sweden

Gerhard
 
TommyLee said:
...to ask a cue maker to change up his design a little? I'm looking at finally getting a custom cue and after quite a bit of research I've decided on a PFD Studios cue. I immediately fell in love with the 0401 titlist conversion but do you think it would be rude of me to ask if Ihe would make one without the flame shaped bezel at the tip of the points? I know that he's done some outstanding conversions and I've seen some great ones that he's done that really stand out. I want one just like he makes but just a bit more original but don't want to offend him by asking him to not be as creative as he might like with it
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There's absolutely nothing wrong with that. It's a custom cue and your entitled to what you want in terms of design. The only way you'd offend him is to ask him to sign another maker's name on it ;)
 
If you want a custom, then ask for it.

If you want an "off the shelf" cue, then don't ask and buy what he makes.


Is it rude to ask? No.

Does he have to do it? No.



Should you ask? IMHO yes, for sure, no doubt.



.
 
TommyLee said:
...to ask a cue maker to change up his design a little? I'm looking at finally getting a custom cue and after quite a bit of research I've decided on a PFD Studios cue. I immediately fell in love with the 0401 titlist conversion but do you think it would be rude of me to ask if Ihe would make one without the flame shaped bezel at the tip of the points? I know that he's done some outstanding conversions and I've seen some great ones that he's done that really stand out. I want one just like he makes but just a bit more original but don't want to offend him by asking him to not be as creative as he might like with it
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Not a problem at all.

Your asking Paul to make you a cue to your specs, you not asking him to take a cue he has already finished and change it. Nor are you asking him to make a copy of someone elses work. I have been to Paul shop many times and he always has drawings and sketches from customers hanging up around the shop for cues in production.
 
If you are having a cue made because of the reputation of the builder based on playability then ask him about the overall look you want and if it will work, not affect the playability of the cue. If you are looking for a cue that is all about artwork, then have him do exacly what you want.

When I ordered a Judd cue a few years ago, I was looking for playability. I asked Judd about this and that and he said no to a few things. I talked to him last week and he said he has changed a few things he does and can not make the cue with the ideas I had in the past.

If you are buying a cue for playablity, work within the restrictions that the cue maker who nows how to make a good playing cue. DON'T CHANGE THE RECIPE IF IT TASTES GOOD.
 
What's the worst that could happen? He drives over to your house and punches you in the throat? Stuffs the cue with cat dumpies?

Man up! You'll either heal or get used to the scent...and you will have the cue of your dreams.
 
Just say no to the spear points. In my opinion a Titlist conversion should have a pure, natural look. A Titlist look. :smile:
 
If he's making it for free, yes rude. If you are paying, don't dare think twice about letting him know how you want that cue. If he's one of those cue makers that make cues a certain way, BAIL.
 
I had a custom cue maker make me a cue solely on my idea of a design. As long as you are willing to pay for it (it did cost me more), I don't see an issue.
 
Celophanewrap said:
It seems to me that a true custom, if you're ordering it and its' being made for you, seems to me that it would get made the way you order with no offense taken. As an artist, there are times I have been asked to do things a certain way, if it varied to much from what I knew or believed would be a good product I'd refer them to another artist, no offense taken, it was just something I wasn't comfortable with. By the same token though, I would hope you wouldn't be offended if he were to tell you that he does things a certain way and for whatever reason hes' not willing to be flexible. In the end you both may need to bend a little or seek a new cue maker
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Totally agree with this statement....
 
Those little spear heads are the biggest Turn Off I ever seen . I think most are there to Hide a problem . Jim
 
Hi Tommy,

I had a look at the PFD cue are referring to and I agree that the spear tips are not what I would want on that particular cue. I like spear tips when they are sized properly on certain cues like my Kikel for example. On a titlist I don't think they look correct, a titlist is too traditional of a design to change up.

Here is a link to the cue in question: http://www.pfdcues.com/html/cues/0401.html
 
Thanks for all the replies, it's much appreciated. I didn't see it being a big deal but I figured it wouldn't hurt to check with guys who have been down that road before. From the minute I saw that cue I fell in love, and rj had a nice conversion at the meet in feb so that the direction I've been leaning. And yeah I'm totally in agreement that the titlist should remain traditional, but there's nothing wrong with a tasteful addition.
 
Paul Drexler has the ability and willingness to build a cue to your exact design and specs. You will have no problems... he is a pleasure to deal with.
 
Charlie Edwards said:
Paul Drexler has the ability and willingness to build a cue to your exact design and specs. You will have no problems... he is a pleasure to deal with.
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I appreciate all the kind words Charlie. You are correct, I would have NO problem with building a Titlist cue to the customers specifications, to me that is what "custom" cuemaking is all about.

AND, yes the spear points at the tips of the veneers on the cue in question were clearly there to "mask" the fact that the tips were not even and were actually missing a good bit of the veneers on at least one of the points - so my options were very limited in how best to proceed - clearly not my first choice - I would have much preferred to leave the points all sharp and "natural" at the end - but the visual appearance became a significant issue and the inlays were the solution for this particular blank. Paul / pfd Studios
 
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