Why pay more for an ultimate maple cue

[NTwoO]

Is that so? How does it go in the cue making business? (the makers will respond, no doubt

My guess is that a maker orders wood from the supplier. The supplier preselects the wood. From all the wood, the maker grades it (is it graded with metrics such as mm/m straightness or by an experienced eye?). In this grading, a certain percentage is suitable for the most expensive, a certain percentage for the medium expensive customs and a certain percentage for the stock cues. The remainder gets discarded. If I look at the quality of the cues in the "post photos of your cue" thread, then it is impressive how straight the grain is of even the simpler specimens (Check out this shark) then it is difficult to see how this can be true.

[KeithinFrance]

Most, if not all, of the "smaller" makers will go and select the wood they want themselves, and won't buy it sight unseen from a supplier. It is their experience in selecting the best ash and maple available that ensures the quality of their goods and their reputation.

The only exceptions to that rule of thumb will be the big industrial makers like Peradon, Cue Craft, BCE etc. They buy huge quantities of wood, and then sort and grade it for their various qualities of cues, and will use the sub-standard stuff for rest sticks etc.

[poolqjunkie]

Perhaps with Ultimate you can ask for a white piece of maple with no cosmetic blemish whatsoever?
Also, ideally, I believe Ultimate is supposed to features the best splicing work, better finish and such from John Parris himself...

[cazmac1]

Perhaps with Ultimate you can ask for a white piece of maple with no cosmetic blemish whatsoever?
Also, ideally, I believe Ultimate is supposed to features the best splicing work, better finish and such from John Parris himself...

Keith is correct about the wood selection process, in fact when I was at H&O
Robert spoke to me about it and was telling me that when he was there John was there fliming with the BBC, a least I think he said it was for the bbc.

Pooljunkie, I have purchased an ash cue from TW and I can say without any doubt the shaft was as good as any out there and also the finish is superior to any other cue makers, until you’ve experienced it you won't believe it.
That’s why I ordered my new maple from Trevor as I know the quality of the wood selected will be first class and the finish the best in the business.