Overview of Production & Custom Cues

by Sarah Mausolf | reviewed by John Echevarria

Production Cues

Production cues are mass-produced in factories. A number of well-respected cue houses are based in the United States. Adventurous shoppers might browse the selection abroad in cue hotspots such as Asia.

Manufacturers often combine cutting-edge technology with time-tested techniques to ensure quality. For example, they age the wood to avoid warping. Prices hinge on the intricacy of the design on the butt end.

Custom Cues

Skilled cue makers, some of who reach the status of legend in the industry, generate custom cues. They oversee every step of the cues creation and bring a distinct character to the design. Buyers can play an interactive role in the cue’s production. They can dictate everything from the materials used to the weight to decorations.

Tailored to a player’s whims, custom cues are popular among professionals who hone their preferences over years of play. Custom cues usually feature two pieces that screw together at a joint. They generally sport a “pro-style” taper, which means the diameter is consistent from the tip to about 12 inches below, where the cue steadily widens toward the butt end.

Turnaround takes time; Some cue makers can complete a cue within a few months whereas others have a waiting list that can take years.

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Updated 5/2008