Carlton31698
05-19-2003, 01:36 PM
Advice on buying a Custom Cue.
There has been a lot of questions about custom cues floating around lately. I thought I would share how I picked mine, in hopes of helping any one else thinking about a custom cue.
I have been lucky enough to have the chance to play with cues from a lot of the major cue manufactures; Meucci, McDermott, Joss, Schon, Viking, Mail, Cuetec, It’s George, Huebler, Josswest, and Schmelke. As well as a fair number of custom cues; Espiritu, More, Gilbert, Hunter Classic, Nova, Bludworth, Ewrin(sp), and Ezell. Having played with these cues over the years I had a good idea of what I liked and what I didn’t like in a cue.
I met the Cue Maker that I ended up using about 8 or 9 years ago at a pool tournament Lets call him Joe. I played with one of his cue and talked with him during the tournament, he was a real nice guy that made a nice cue, but I was playing with An Andy Gilbert and a Joss at the time so I wasn’t in the market for a cue at the time. Well about three years ago the same cue maker was doing cue repairs at my poolroom during our annual tournament. I went 2 and out in the tournament so I spent the rest of the day talking with him about cues and how they were made. I learned a lot about cues, and I was very impressed with his work. A few weeks after the tournament I picked up two old McDermotts a D 12 and a D16 for fifty bucks each, so I sent both cues to Joe to have new shafts and be refinished. When I got the cues back I could not have been happier. They looked great, and the new shafts, with Joe’s taper, played just like I liked. Four months later Joe came back for I next tournament, during the tournament we talked about the cue I wanted, I spent the next month on the phone and at Joe’s shop nailing down what I wanted in a cue we used my experiences with the cues I listed above to decide how I wanted my cue to play. While I was in his shop Joe took the time to explain and show how cues are made. After the time in his shop I have a real understanding what makes cues play different ways. While Joe was making my cue he kept me informed of his progress the whole time. I went to his shop, which is two and a half hour drive from my house, to watch him build my cue. If you ever get the chance to watch a cue being built take it. Most people will be amazed at the amount of work that goes in to a custom cue. After I got my cues, I ended up getting a jump/break cue as well, back they were exactly what I wanted, perfect. Thanks to my Cue maker Joe Ezel. Joeezell@southernbilliards.com
Now for the advice part.
1 Play with as many different cues as you can so you will know what you like.
2 Talk with the cue maker ask questions, have them explain anything about the construction of cues that you don’t understand.
3 Play with one of there cues If they wont let you try out one of there cues go to another cue maker!
4 Visit their shop if you can.
5 Really plan what you want custom cues cost a lot your cue should look and play like you want, if you take the time to plan your cue it’s hard to be disappointed.
6 Listen to advice from your cue maker, He knows more than you do about building cues.
7 Keep informed on your cues progress as it is being made, Custom cues can take months to years to make.
If you questions let me know Carlton Rhodes /ccboard/images/graemlins/grin.gif
There has been a lot of questions about custom cues floating around lately. I thought I would share how I picked mine, in hopes of helping any one else thinking about a custom cue.
I have been lucky enough to have the chance to play with cues from a lot of the major cue manufactures; Meucci, McDermott, Joss, Schon, Viking, Mail, Cuetec, It’s George, Huebler, Josswest, and Schmelke. As well as a fair number of custom cues; Espiritu, More, Gilbert, Hunter Classic, Nova, Bludworth, Ewrin(sp), and Ezell. Having played with these cues over the years I had a good idea of what I liked and what I didn’t like in a cue.
I met the Cue Maker that I ended up using about 8 or 9 years ago at a pool tournament Lets call him Joe. I played with one of his cue and talked with him during the tournament, he was a real nice guy that made a nice cue, but I was playing with An Andy Gilbert and a Joss at the time so I wasn’t in the market for a cue at the time. Well about three years ago the same cue maker was doing cue repairs at my poolroom during our annual tournament. I went 2 and out in the tournament so I spent the rest of the day talking with him about cues and how they were made. I learned a lot about cues, and I was very impressed with his work. A few weeks after the tournament I picked up two old McDermotts a D 12 and a D16 for fifty bucks each, so I sent both cues to Joe to have new shafts and be refinished. When I got the cues back I could not have been happier. They looked great, and the new shafts, with Joe’s taper, played just like I liked. Four months later Joe came back for I next tournament, during the tournament we talked about the cue I wanted, I spent the next month on the phone and at Joe’s shop nailing down what I wanted in a cue we used my experiences with the cues I listed above to decide how I wanted my cue to play. While I was in his shop Joe took the time to explain and show how cues are made. After the time in his shop I have a real understanding what makes cues play different ways. While Joe was making my cue he kept me informed of his progress the whole time. I went to his shop, which is two and a half hour drive from my house, to watch him build my cue. If you ever get the chance to watch a cue being built take it. Most people will be amazed at the amount of work that goes in to a custom cue. After I got my cues, I ended up getting a jump/break cue as well, back they were exactly what I wanted, perfect. Thanks to my Cue maker Joe Ezel. Joeezell@southernbilliards.com
Now for the advice part.
1 Play with as many different cues as you can so you will know what you like.
2 Talk with the cue maker ask questions, have them explain anything about the construction of cues that you don’t understand.
3 Play with one of there cues If they wont let you try out one of there cues go to another cue maker!
4 Visit their shop if you can.
5 Really plan what you want custom cues cost a lot your cue should look and play like you want, if you take the time to plan your cue it’s hard to be disappointed.
6 Listen to advice from your cue maker, He knows more than you do about building cues.
7 Keep informed on your cues progress as it is being made, Custom cues can take months to years to make.
If you questions let me know Carlton Rhodes /ccboard/images/graemlins/grin.gif