Under valued cues

[JesPiddlin]

Here are a few factors to figure into the "why?" of a cuemaker's prices.

Is the cuemaker selling competitively in the local market? If so, he has to keep his rates close enough to any other cuemakers in the nearby areas, so he has at least a chance of competing with them. Many players will buy cheaper cues, just because they can. If he is lucky enough to be in an area where players will pay whatever price is necessary for a high quality cue, he can keep his rates higher. That's not always the case, though.

Then, there is the urgency factor. If the cuemaker REQUIRES sales of his cues to survive from day to day, his prices will drop to whatever level they have to, to sell his cues. Necessity will make a lot of changes in the way someone wishes to do things and the way he is forced to do them.

There is also the cuemaker who sells almost totally online. He might have a great product, but for some reason, he is not able to get it out to the local public, so he is restricted to online sales. If he is not yet well-known, his prices will have to be lower to encourage buyers to try them. If his sales are required to help him survive financially, his prices have to encourage more sales, so they drop to whatever price the buyers will pay.

If a cuemaker does not require the sales of his cues to help him survive financially, he can set the prices and wait for the buyers who will pay them. He doesn't have to sell x amount of cues in x time to keep his home or feed his family, so he is free to do as he wishes or needs to do.

I did not cover all the possible reasons for price ranges, but this gives a basic idea of some of the issues cuemakers might face in pricing a cue.

If you find a super cuemaker that sells his cues for a lot less than they are truly worth, there is going to be a very good reason for the lower prices. There are just too many factors involved in pricing a cue.

[Manwon]

I think another cue maker who's cue are under valued are Billy Webb's cue. Billy made cues in Washington state for a number of years, at one point he was was making cue under the Finish Line Logo. Billy also made cues with the Spider Webb logo, and now his cues are signed and dated with his signature Billy Webb. His cues are also marked on the end of the pin WEBB. Bills cues are six point cues normally with 3 long and 3 short, however, some of his six point cues have Butterfly splices for the short points.

Bills veneer work and points are as good as anyones in the business, they are thin and so tight they will hold water. In 2006 Bill developed a technique for over lapping Butterfly points starting at the points and pointing toward the cues butt. Bills cues all come with two 13mm shafts, and Bill uses Ivory ferrules, Joints and Butt caps on many of his cues.

Here are some photo's of some of Bills cues that have come through my hands.

Pink Ivory use first.jpg

Pink Ivory butt use.jpg

cocobolo forearm.jpg

Cocobolo butt used.jpg

[fonzy]

Originally Posted by tpdtom

I do want to mention that I recently took delivery on a cocobolo sneaky with a cocobolo joint from Bob. I think, and my friends all agree, that this cue is beautiful to look at but very butt heavy, no doubt from the $35 Smelke blank used. The Ivorex III (?) ferrule attracts and holds chalk just like a McDermott as well. I spent almost $550 on this cue and needless to say I'm very disappointed. My old Meucci sneaky and every Scruggs sneaky I ever hit with were light years better. The balance is so off (far back) on this cue that I just flat can't play with it. It's hard for me to believe that this man built sneakies for Timmy. Just my .02 cents...Tom

I have to completely disagree with this review Frey's cues. I just purchased a Frey ebony sneaky pete, and it plays awesome! I have been using predators, and I'm now a convert. The quality of wood of the Frey cue is spectacular, the hit just feels like heaven. Its just a great playing cue. As far as balance goes, I've yet to own a cue I like the balance of more. My Jacoby and Predator 5K3 are little front heavy(steel joints.) I have a predator sneaky pete and its way butt heavy. You'd think with an ebony sneaky pete, it be very butt heavy... however, as I said... I like the balance.

A Frey cue with a sniper tip for $400 bucks is about the best cue deal I can imagine. I will probably buy another at some point, just because I enjoy this cue so much I want another to just sit on as a back up. It is just an awesome playing cue. Can't say anything bad about it at all. I prefer it to both my Predators, and my Jacoby.

[Masterclass]

I suppose Jerry Rauenzahn falls into this category and Class of cue makers. I think his works and the value of his cues are very similar to Jensen. However he seems to be getting a lot of exposure and following of late.

Perhaps also Ariel Cameli?

[Lou3]

Bob Dzuricky makes exemplary cues, and his prices are still reasonable.

[Headhunter]

ummmm... Mike Lambros, Bill Dominiak, Wayne Gunn, Nubbs Wagner ( if he ever comes back out officially), Tom Coker?
Steve Klein and Jerry Powers, although they fall short of the time limit.

[RichR]

Originally Posted by Headhunter

ummmm... Mike Lambros, Bill Dominiak, Wayne Gunn, Nubbs Wagner ( if he ever comes back out officially), Tom Coker?
Steve Klein and Jerry Powers, although they fall short of the time limit.

I'm not sure how you can include Mike Lambros in a thread about under valued cues. Lambros demands top dollar for his cues and he gets it.

If you think Lambros cues are under valued, I have one I will sell you for a fair price.