Butt Designs - Comments Please

[unclevit]

A couple of them dont look too bad but the rest are just nasty looking.

During the IBSF World Championships in Thailand a couple of years ago there were three stands, Mastercue, O'Min and Zen Cues.

Any info on this make? He was a likeable fella but spoke with an strange Thai/Amercian accent and apparently was everyone's friend. Gave stuff away free or for half nothing , Polo Shirt, Tips, Cases.

Is the company still going and are the cues any good?

Deiseboy: I heard that he's still a freelance cuemaker, but I don't know him in person, and the brand is no longer in the local market. There are good freelance cuemakers, quite a number of them, here that serve private orders for collectors. His cue is good, from what I heard. Don't know further than this

[unclevit]

Different, but a bit too fancy for my liking.

Dan27: Yes, some says too fancy too here. I think works on splices will take a hell lot of time to make. And different. May order some for keep

[unclevit]

Could he do the reverse points on a one piece cue?

poolqjunkie : Interesting question. Will ask him this coming weekend. Since he is not as famous as Omin and Mastercue (on the marketing side) his price is quite low. (As popular advertisement words)... Too Low to Advertise

[unclevit]

Unclevit. Have you tried out Mr Jims cues. How do they rate with respect to omin and mastercue

sanman: I only talked to a few 'Jim' cue owners. They said 'Good quality'. But I think it's very much depend on personal specs and fits, especially on the balance. I don't think the 'craftmanship' quality on butt works can match O and M. I will 'try-and-buy' from what he has for sell, and if it's good, then go for custom 'reverse' splices

[thai_son22]

poolqjunkie : Interesting question. Will ask him this coming weekend. Since he is not as famous as Omin and Mastercue (on the marketing side) his price is quite low. (As popular advertisement words)... Too Low to Advertise

what kind of prices would he be charging if you dont mind me asking. lets say for a plain ebony, then 4 secondary splices of kingwood/thuya burr with maple veneers?

[unclevit]

Is the concept came from Trevor White?

brother4 : I have seen this 'reverse' splices since 1982 (if the year is correct) but not made by this guy. At that time it was only 4 vs 4 splices, on 50/50 cue. At present there are even different designs, that ones call 'Art' - Butt work with Mother-of-Pearl inlaid, Genuine Ivory scales inlaid, 14k gold thread inlaid, some with Jewels on, etc. I even saw one with 14k name badge !! But mostly for 'keep'.

[unclevit]

All that colour on the reverse splices is a little bit over the top for me, however I would definitely like to know how the hit of these cues compares with an O'min, which I have tried 3 of and liked 2 of them.

Also, what's the pricing delivered to UK? or in my case Canada?

Terry

Terry : Splice woods are giving 'headache' to me too. Wood colors are too confusing. Some says that his cues are good enough for tournament. Think he can't compare to Omin, but this is from my own thought. Heard that he is making some without badges and sent to Europe on regular basis, can't confirm. Trying to set a time to see him this weekend. Touched one 'reverse' splices recently. Looking and weighing good. Don't know if he sells direct to foreign countries, other than the freelance works for a named brand.

[unclevit]

what kind of prices would he be charging if you dont mind me asking. lets say for a plain ebony, then 4 secondary splices of kingwood/thuya burr with maple veneers?

thai_son22 : Send me a sample photo. Heard that he has less wood types comparing to Omin (but Ebony is basic to all makers here). Will see if I can meet him this weekend, to discuss on your project and mine, and get back. My friends said "You will be stunned to hear his price" - which I assume "Very Low". He's quite famous for 'out-of-bangkok' markets, especially those who needs only a 'quality' cue, and not a 'beauty' cue, for regular play, and don't expect to re-sell it once changed. unclevit at yahoo dot com

Just talked over the phone with the Daughter-in-Law. She said, for 4-splice ebony butt, plain looking, quality ash, handmade, cost will start from US$85- pick up. Production time is 5 days. She invited me to visit her factory sometimes this weekend. May do it on Saturday 5th. (Also hearing that many Omin's customers are moving to this maker for quite sometimes now, on the same quality but much lower price. And as well they are doing custom cues for local collectors too. Need to clarity on this once I get there)

[unclevit]

For those who wants to know the quality of this 'Jim' cues vs Omin.
1. They have the "SAME" balance/craftmanship/woods qualities.
2. (They said they can do 'reversed' splices on 1-pc cue. This raised up questions from many of us, that I will find out, and try to order one cue for my own collection, then update the news here in this forum. Tks.)
3. I am ordering a custom, 12-splices, 3/4 Ash cue, that will cost me about US$150pick up. No mini butt. (As I live in Thailand, they offer me a '7-day trial period' and only pay on the 8th day if I want to keep that custom cue with me). Their factory's badge looks ackward as most of their times they are supplying 'blank' badge cues to many well known brands. Hope my first cue is as good as many claimed.
4. Their email is cuesiam at hotmail dot com, in case you want to get in touch with them. Attn : Mrs. Boat. I am not sure if she is fluent in English, or not.
Hope this helps answering many of your questions

[totlxtc]

How on earth can you do a reverse splice on a 1 piece! If he can do revesed splicing on a one piece his names merlin!

[Krypton]

How on earth can you do a reverse splice on a 1 piece! If he can do revesed splicing on a one piece his names merlin!

roflmao

reversely splice one piece cue with nice ebony tip an leather badge.

[unclevit]

How on earth can you do a reverse splice on a 1 piece! If he can do revesed splicing on a one piece his names merlin!

Perhaps do the same thing like one normally does on the butt side. I don't know. Just a word from the maker's Mom that I talked to today. She said "very difficult" but can do. I will see that when I visit their factory next week. Anyhow, it will be a problem or those looking for this 'unusual' design, but for me nice 12 splices is what I am after

[Krypton]

pick up your cue, look at the splices, get your mind together and your geometry you hopefully once learned, and then...

hell me how the F it should ever be possible to splice reversely on a one piece cue.


then, gimme these drugs. must be awesome

[totlxtc]

In theory you can do it. You would have to insert a triangular "wedge" in as the splice and round it down. But it would be hard work for something that in theory is just asthetics. As Krypton says, you cannot do it the same way as a 3/4 cue or 2 piece, its nigh on impossible. Not unless you cut the 1 piece at the splice point and dowel join it, but that would be a bodge.

[trigger666]

How on earth can you do a reverse splice on a 1 piece! If he can do revesed splicing on a one piece his names merlin!

lol dan .... i was gonna say the same thing once again you beat me to it !!!