Ordering a Custom Cue

brooklynjay · #1 (**permalink**) 02-17-2007, 07:02 AM

i was just wondering, as a customer, what kind of information should i have when ordering a custom cue? should i basically have the design and all the woods chosen or should i allow for the artistic abilities of the cuemaker to make that choice? which way do cuemakers prefer?

thanks

Skins · #2 (**permalink**) 02-17-2007, 08:08 AM

if you want to have everything they way you want then these will help the maker: design, woods and inlay materials, length, weight, butt diameter, wrap type or wrap-less, joint and pin type, shaft diameter and taper, ferrule material and tip type. there could be others but these should do.

RichR · #3 (**permalink**) 02-17-2007, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brooklynjay

i was just wondering, as a customer, what kind of information should i have when ordering a custom cue? should i basically have the design and all the woods chosen or should i allow for the artistic abilities of the cuemaker to make that choice? which way do cuemakers prefer?

I won't speak for the cuemakers, but I think you can provide as much or as little information as you feel comfortable with.

If you want a perfect rendition of your own ideas, provide as much detail as possible.
If you want a couple of design elements included, but aren't to picky about the rest, leave the rest up to the cue maker.
My preference is to take my ideas to the cue maker and discuss the design. The cue maker may have some ideas you never thought of or he may have some problems with your design.

barryc · #4 (**permalink**) 02-18-2007, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brooklynjay

i was just wondering, as a customer, what kind of information should i have when ordering a custom cue? should i basically have the design and all the woods chosen or should i allow for the artistic abilities of the cuemaker to make that choice? which way do cuemakers prefer?

thanks

The more information you can provide concerning weights and measurements of the cue you desire is a big help. Designs and decorations should always be discussed and approved by you, before hand.

But, at the same time, if you don't have any information about what you want, then the cuemaker should be able to help give you some guidence.

Barry

Robertno1pool · #5 (**permalink**) 03-08-2007, 07:51 PM

There are multiple trains of thought on this:

1) Go to the cue maker you like and say "I got $X,XXX.XX" to spend. What is the nicest cue you can make me for this price?

2) Try to find more of a cue they have already built for a bargain they are trying to get off their inventory.

3) Give them general instructions (woods, # of points, joint type, shaft taper type, weight, veneer colors).

4) Send them details down to the bare bone coupled with an AutoCAD drawing showing approximate dimensions and virtual rendering of cue.

5) Send them a photo and say: Do a color schrimsaw of my uncle BOB.

hadjcues · #6 (**permalink**) 03-17-2007, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brooklynjay

i was just wondering, as a customer, what kind of information should i have when ordering a custom cue? should i basically have the design and all the woods chosen or should i allow for the artistic abilities of the cuemaker to make that choice? which way do cuemakers prefer?

thanks

You could start by having a concept in mind... an idea of what wood you prefer, design you have in mind, specs like length, weight, balance point, taper etc... from there the cuemaker explains things to you as to wood choice, type of hit you want etc and all the subltleties involved in building a cue. This varies so from cuemaker to cuemaker.

mullyman · #7 (**permalink**) 03-30-2007, 03:45 AM

There are certain cuemakers out there that won't do what you want if they don't like it. There are others that will purposely override your design because they feel it's "their" cue not yours. Ask around about cuemakers before you finally decide on one. Oh, and there are others that don't honor their delivery times. Be wary of those. I'm not talking a few weeks late here, I'm talking a year or 2. My last Mottey wasn't delivered on time but Paul was straight up with me weeks in advance that he was having some personal things happening that were keeping him from finishing it on time. I'm totally cool with that. It's the ones that say "Yeah, it'll be ready" and then they keep putting you off. I had a cuemaker tell me one time that a customer came in, saw my cue and loved it, so he sold it to him. He probably reads this forum too so I won't publicly slay him. When all was said and done, after 2 years being late, he finally delivered the 3 cues I ordered after I said I'd be in the US and come get them. When they arrived none of them were the designs I ordered. Last time working with him and I discourage anyone that asks me about his cues. He is a major name too.
MULLY
PM me with the maker you're thinking of and I'll let you know if it's him or not

mullyman · #8 (**permalink**) 03-30-2007, 03:59 AM

Let me add that I was working in a pool room at the time of that order and one of the cues was a customer order and the other 2 were for resale in the place I was working. My money was not involved. So far the best people I've had the pleasure of dealing with are

Paul Mottey: Tops in my book. The guy makes a beautiful cue that hits like a dream. Great designs, helpful in the design process, and he's never late....without letting you know ahead of time. He's number one in my book.

Tim Scruggs: Easy to talk to. Nice as can be. Great designs. Great hit. Very helpful. I don't know how busy he is now but when I ordered from him a few years back I got my cue 3 months ahead of schedule. Hats off to Mr. Scruggs.

Gina: If Ernie doesn't like your color combination he won't make the cue. But, he makes a great cue and he stands behind it. I've yet to see an ugly Gina cue so one has to assume that he does that for a reason. Delivery times, at least for me so far, have been spot on exactly when he said they would be. Highly recommend Gina cues.

I really can't comment on anyone else because these are the 3 that I know best.
MULLY
Jury is still out on James White

I'm not supposed to get his cue until December/January though so we'll see.

So far though he has been great to work with. Very easy going and answers all your questions.

mullyman · #9 (**permalink**) 03-30-2007, 04:18 AM

Let me add, I know Jim White reads this forum so let me say publicly to Jim that I was kidding with the "Jury's still out" line. I ordered a cue from Jim in January and he was been wonderful through this whole process so far. I mail him way too much and he consistently answers my mails. If my cue is late it's because he's been on the computer answering my mails. <smile> I'm personally looking forward to working with Jim again after this one is finished. If he'll have me. haha!!
MULLY

would be nice if the edit feature of the forums wouldn't turn off in 10 minutes