The term 'custom cue' invokes much controversy as to the exact definition. Some believe (as this author does) that the term defines itself with old world craftsmanship working with ones bare hands and a a few tools. Today, the reality of that is much different. Where does a custom cue end and a production cue begin? We will try to offer our interpretation and apply simple logic where you can make your own decision. We believe that cue makers fall into a few categories. The first category we would like to explore is the low end production cue manufacturer who produce their cues in China or Taiwan. Labor is obviously cheap and the craftsmanship suffers as such. They produce cue after cue with little changes and offer a low to moderate priced product. They most certainly serve a purpose as they supply many of the entry level cue sticks of today. Warping, fading and poor quality components are synonymous with these cues. But again, they do serve a purpose. The second and third categories are the high-volume cue makers of the world who in many cases refer to themselves as 'custom cue makers' and the low production custom cue makers (these are the true custom cue makers of the world) who typically make onezy, twozy and up to five or ten per week. High volume cue makers are producing one cue after another similar to the Chinese or Taiwanese but are paying an American labor force to operate their machinery which therefore in most cases does create a better quality instrument. However, in some cases, they are using the same inferior components as the aforementioned but are forced to charge more because of the American labor factor. Some even go so far as to justify their higher or lower costs of cues (depending which angle they want to use) by saying that they produce all their own components. The fact is that most substantial cue makers do produce most, if not all their own components or buy from similiar sources or at least have access to those sources. Also, the high volume cue makers have higher costs of operation, rent or mortgage, electric, many employees, etc. The low volume custom cue maker has much lower costs of operation and labor; many work out or their homes and have very little costs of operation. In fact their only cost is the materials they actually use. The disadvantage of many high volume cue makers is lack of quality control. Charlie may start the cue making process but Jim, Tom and Harry may complete it. Also, many cues are made as a cookie cutter image of the previous one. They set-up their equipment to run a specific model and crank out a hundred or a thousand in the same time that it takes a low volume cue maker to make just one. There is nothing custom about that. Also, the low volume custom cue maker does not need large volumes of wood so they can be a lot more selective and choose only the very best where the high volume cue maker needs large quantities of wood and therefore may settle or accept wood that would otherwise be rejected by the low volume cue maker. The low volume cue maker can accept the very cream of the crop and not just the run of the mill as is needed by the high volume cue maker. Another advantage of the low volume cue maker is that typically there is one person responsible for all the structural integrity and dimensions. Tests can be run until exactly the correct dimensions are achieved. Their time is their own unlike the high volume cue maker who has employees and where time is money and where they have the pressures of deadlines and production expectations. The benefit of having one person build a cue is that one person is responsible for each and every cue manufactured. They know each and every step of the process and have honed their skills to operate like a finely tuned machine or perhaps even a computer. The low volume custom cue maker has built his reputation on consistent quality, playability and craftsmanship which many high volume cue makers lose in the quantity of production. However, there are of couse many high volume cue makers who do product a true quality instrument and provide a very consistent product. Perhaps the largest disadvantage of buying a cue from a high volume cue maker is that hundreds of other people own the exact same cue as you do so resale obviously suffers as does individualism. Additionally, if you are looking for a cue that has consistency in play and a higher perceived value as a collectible, then the obvious choice is to go to the low volume custom cue maker. Ask them to design a cue to your own specific liking within their construction process. Many will oblige you provided that it does not compromise the structural integrity of the cue. A large falacy is buying the 'limited edition' cues from the high volume cue maker. This is where the high volume cue maker designs a cue and manufacturers the same quantity as other cues but adds a numbering system to their butt cap along with their name. For example: 1 of 500, etc. All you have here is a numbered high volume production cue. The days of whittling cues by hand is long gone. A high volume cue maker is one who produces cues for the mass market; has a catalog and makes hundreds of the same cues. These cues are all alike and perhaps the only difference is the weight, which is achieved by adding or removing a different size 'weight bolt' to the butt of the cue. These cues are always butt heavy no matter what you do. Low volume custom cue makers adjust the weight of the cue to the individual by using different woods and components throughout the cue -- this is a true custom cue that the high volume cue maker can never achieve. This is one of the facts that makes each and every cue an individual work of art. Lastly is resale value and the low volume cue maker wins hands down here. Buy any high volume production cue at retail and then try to recover 50% of your investment -- good luck! However, buy a cue from a true low volume custom cue maker and there you'll have real value. In many cases, when you purchase these cues, you can make an instant profit due to demand for that specific cue maker. We have seen many of these cues resold for hundreds of dollars of profit. On the other hand and in many instances the cue is worth at least 80% of the price paid. That stability in price can almost never be achieved from the high volume cue maker. Even if you purchase a high volume cue at 40 or 50% off of retail, others know of these deep discounts and resale again suffers. In conclusion, all cue makers serve a purpose and the choice you make will obviously be the best choice for you whether based on appearance, style, construction, playability, etc. American cue makers, weather high volume, low volume or custom are acknowledged as the best in the world. Good luck with your purchase and our best to each and every one of you with your decision. |
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