Graeme Dott's Parris Ultimate No.2050

[narl]

I do think though that considering Parris cues have been in business 30 or so years and are highly regarded that accurate splicing should be a given. I dunno how easy or hard it is to do, I'm assuming accurate measurement plays a large factor in getting the tops and bottoms level. Though maybe there's more to it than that.

Obviously though the more decorative the cue the harder it is to get everything absolutely level. I doubt the majority that buy Parris cues really care that much to be honest, its more a cue aficionado kind of thing.

[jrc750]

So have I too, and others in this list not named like a Mac cue I had last year and a Craftsman and mastercraft cue too. .....

Cues mentioned above probably cost around the £200 mark, it's a bit different to an Ultimate costing £700 plus, for that price there is no excuse for them being poorly spliced

[itsnoteasy]

I dont think you can get in trouble for liable if you are stating your personal opinion ,(could be wrong but please dont sue)
On a probably ridiculous point if splices are quite uneven would that not make a cue unbalanced? say of 4 splices 2 were 10 mill out on one side thats 20 mill of say ebony more on one side of the cue ?.(i am quite happy to get laughed at about this)

[poona]

How many cues does John actually make himself nowadays? Genuine question. This is the sole reason I don't buy JP any more. If I want a JP cue, I want it made by JP especially if I'm being charged 'JP' prices..

[biggus stickus]

I think if your paying a Thousand Pounds for an Ultimate cue (like I have just done) the customer deserves the splicing to be spot on. Obviously it will not effect the playing ability of the person or cue but for aesthetics and resale in my mind it should be spot on. If it isn't then sell it as something else at a reduced price because to me it is not "Ultimate" its not as perfect as it could be. I am also on a property forum and if a builder comes into one of my rental properties and does a shoddy job I will happily name him as well. Luckily this has not happened yet.

[sanman]

Yeah but its a lame line and tbh I don't honestly think you can judge JP's prices are any higher than most of the other premium cue makers like Mike, Coutts, Trevor etc.

The stupid thing is people have a choice today to go with whatever cue maker they feel.

?????????? Please consider carefully what you say

I just don't understand why everytime someone can find a pic of a Parris with the splices slightly out why there has to be a full on inquest and discussion with the same old members digging in the knife each time. Yet some people say I have a vested interest yet its those who make cues or sell them that seem to have the vested interest in slagging JP at every opportunity.

My Business model would be built on trust if and when I do sell cues mate. Money is not my objective unlike with JP. Remember he is the father of monsters like Fedia. Knowing fedia predatory nature he still supplies him with goodies to continue his predatory ways. JP does not take the cristcism here as feedback. As far as I can see all that matters to him is profitability which is fine just do it the tight way. Give customers what they want.

I praise all cue makers, never give out any criticism because if I had a problem it would be and should be between the customer and the seller.

I say this, if you buy a ferrari or other premium brand item I'm guessing that if it came with a problem you would go straight back to the manufacturer rather than moan about it on the Internet. So why when buying cues is this not done!

The reason is people love to moan and as JP isn't on here to defend himself he is the one who gets more criticism than anyone else.
Yes he refuses to come online here and defend his work. When members here complained to him his response was that he was being targeted by particular members. Actually he is not. he needs to look at what he is bringing out onto the market and his work has fallen. maybe if you a pro you might get better but as far as I can see he is no more top dog by a long way.

I doubt he's that bothered though anyway, he'll go down as the most successful cue maker in history, his cues have been used by more pros than any other by a long way which will also go down in history to win the most titles as well. Playability >>>>>>>>>> looks!
Why bother if you profiatble. Only way he will sort his work out is if he is no more profitable. Then again posing with professionals does have a lot of pulling power so rightfully or wrongfully he may be regarded ad the most succesful cuemaker in history but then again he is definately not the best. Again this is my opinion and I will stand by what I have said. You have yours and are entitled to it

This is my last word to you about JP.

[vmax4steve]

So have I too, and others in this list not named like a Mac cue I had last year and a Craftsman and mastercraft cue too. Did I moan, was it important, NO and it never should be if you buy the cue to play with. Plenty of people don't care about splices, its just a minority that do, sadly these people value looks over how the cue plays, they will never see it any other way.

I agree with you completely cueman. The best local amateur players have cues they have stuck with since they were very young and carry them around in scruffy looking cases and do the business on the table.
My own cue has what would be classed as an ultimate shaft, perfectly straight grained ash that gives a great hit and feel. After using it for nearly thirty years my game is honed to it and no other, but the ebony splices are nowhere near even and you can see the glue join on one of them.
When you buy an Ultimate you are buying a specially selected shaft that should provide you with a better playing experience, decoration should be the least of your worries if you are a serious player.
I am now making cues as a hobby, totally handmade as I don't have any machinery, and getting the shaft right is the main objective and takes an awfully long time. Last cue I sold, my third, took me three months to make and it went for £50, even £400 wouldn't have covered it's labour costs but then it's a hobby so there are none. But I do have costs of materials, lighting and postage to consider and I made a loss on that one due to post office charges doubling on April the first.
What I wish is to have my cues appreciated for improving their owners game rather than gain a name for myself for fancy splicing of decorative exotic woods. To do both would be great as my work would then appeal to everyone, but I am some way off of that at this time.

[hotpot]

I think one could put up with uneven splices on a top of the range cue if they were happy with it and going to keep it , however when buying blind and paying that kind of money you would expect the splices to be near enough level or its going to reflect on the resale value .

[narl]

This is my last word to you about JP.

When members here complained to him his response was that he was being targeted by particular members

Original Source: http://www.thesnookerforum.co.uk/boa...#ixzz2RDM4q86S
- TSF - TheSnookerForum.com

Umm no he didn't, I've went through all of his posts and not once was that said. He did say there have always been rumours about his cues with people throwing around the "imported blanks" BS but besides that nothing even remotely on the level you're talking about.

[cueman]

He's not worth arguing with, he's a jumped up nobody trying to get people interested in his cues by slaggin off JP and has the cheek to say I have a vested interest.
Everytime he mentions JP its always in a negative light says it all really.

[cally]

Lol.........

[ADR147]

What are you paying premium price for. If you buy a ferrari you are sure it is fast. Would you accept it with body panels not in line

from experience if you buy a ferrari you can be sure body panels are not in line!

[SouthPaw]

It's human nature to make mistakes from time to time, paying big money cue wise you should expect playability and near perfect craftsmanship imo, like has been said it will probably lose money if and when the seller moves it on, still wouldn't risk an ultimate custom order when there's so many other top cue makers producing arguably better looking/playing cues on a more consistent basis...

[DLO]

The Ultimate cues have specially selected shafts, which if I recall correctly from the JP site, is only about 1% of the wood stock.

So, I guess it is about the quality of the shaft then, the process of the production remain the same as the others right?

[narl]

So, I guess it is about the quality of the shaft then, the process of the production remain the same as the others right?

Yup, all about a nice looking shaft.