Maximus ultimata

[kir1]

Maximus ultimata

a lot of people seem to buy Trevor White cues then ask almost double what they cost! supply and demand I guess

[trevs1]

Well, I do'nt know about TW prices, Neil. does He has also several brands? (Primium, ultimate ...??)
Because I'm sure Robin C ultimate cost more than 700 pounds. (If I remember correctly !!!!!!!!!!),,good question for Andrew.!!!
MW vcm (eg MW09) costs more than 1000 pounds.

No, I have a price for cues made with standard shaft, and another, which adds a small charge for a more select grade of shaft.

If we as makers made no distinction between some of the variations you see in shaft quality, we would be going around in circles trying to find shaft with five, seven or ten perfect arrow markings, with perfect straight side grain, which were not stiff, not springy, but medium stiff with a hint of spring, etc etc etc. Sadly the vast majority of people really have no idea of how demanding some customers are, or, how difficult it is to source timber of that quality regularly. We (the makers that actually do source and select their own timber) would need to choose through dozens and dozens of cubic metres of timber in order to get close to that. Unfortunately here in the UK, time costs far more than it does in other parts of the world, and these constraints mean time has to be paid for, hence the higher prices. Of course, that is only one of the reasons why prices are higher, but it's a valid one.

Don't be fooled into thinking that on that basis, it must mean all those cues with the higher prices are obviously cues which are totally UK made either. You would be wrong to think that. If we were all buying in part made cues from abroad and finishing / badging cues as some do, then it takes the pressure off a little. However, some of us prefer to actually make the cues we sell which hold our name, using timber we ourselves have chosen from merchants here in the UK, so it does get tricky.

The internet has been an absolute blessing for small makers such as myself, Robin cook and Dave Coutts etc. But, at the same time, it's a bit of a curse too.

I say this as many people who wish to buy quality cues can now freely read up what other people's views are, and from these views, what constitutes a great cue. This gives people a guide to what they feel they should be looking for, and so, this is what they request. A very large number will request cues with kinds of timber which has huge natural variation in colouring, grain pattern and figure, but, will demand it looks "just like this piece I've seen on the internet". They want us to use the most jet black ebony and a shaft which is utterly utterly perfect, with very specific arrow markings, with added requests such as... "the last arrow to be no more than three inches from the ferrule, etc etc". These sort of requests are not rare, they are common, and a good proportion will be from players who have not learned for themselves that they prefer a cue to be this way, but, will have gleaned / read that information from others on the web.

It's no picnic I'll tell you.

[Leo]

a lot of people seem to buy Trevor White cues then ask almost double what they cost! supply and demand I guess

lets be honest here trevors cues are admittedly the best out there so i dont think people double their prices due to supply and demand i think people know what they getting with the quality reputation etc etc hence they are prepared to pay more for it which sort of fit in what you are saying

[Ramon]

No, I have a price for cues made with standard shaft, and another, which adds a small charge for a more select grade of shaft.

If we as makers made no distinction between some of the variations you see in shaft quality, we would be going around in circles trying to find shaft with five, seven or ten perfect arrow markings, with perfect straight side grain, which were not stiff, not springy, but medium stiff with a hint of spring, etc etc etc. Sadly the vast majority of people really have no idea of how demanding some customers are, or, how difficult it is to source timber of that quality regularly. We (the makers that actually do source and select their own timber) would need to choose through dozens and dozens of cubic metres of timber in order to get close to that. Unfortunately here in the UK, time costs far more than it does in other parts of the world, and these constraints mean time has to be paid for, hence the higher prices. Of course, that is only one of the reasons why prices are higher, but it's a valid one.

Don't be fooled into thinking that on that basis, it must mean all those cues with the higher prices are obviously cues which are totally UK made either. You would be wrong to think that. If we were all buying in part made cues from abroad and finishing / badging cues as some do, then it takes the pressure off a little. However, some of us prefer to actually make the cues we sell which hold our name, using timber we ourselves have chosen from merchants here in the UK, so it does get tricky.

The internet has been an absolute blessing for small makers such as myself, Robin cook and Dave Coutts etc. But, at the same time, it's a bit of a curse too.

I say this as many people who wish to buy quality cues can now freely read up what other people's views are, and from these views, what constitutes a great cue. This gives people a guide to what they feel they should be looking for, and so, this is what they request. A very large number will request cues with kinds of timber which has huge natural variation in colouring, grain pattern and figure, but, will demand it looks "just like this piece I've seen on the internet". They want us to use the most jet black ebony and a shaft which is utterly utterly perfect, with very specific arrow markings, with added requests such as... "the last arrow to be no more than three inches from the ferrule, etc etc". These sort of requests are not rare, they are common, and a good proportion will be from players who have not learned for themselves that they prefer a cue to be this way, but, will have gleaned / read that information from others on the web.

It's no picnic I'll tell you.

well, the problem of many players is they think more of how a cue looks like,then how it plays!!!!!!!!!!
If you buy a cue from a top uk cue maker (like Mike or yourself), you usually get both. I've said it 1000 times, if you want a perfect cue, you have to pay for it. Because believe me, I have respect for all thai cue makers. But in my opinion, there is no cue maker in the world, who can match the work of top uk cue makers. And that's a fact.
There are players who buy a cue from Mike or yourself, and what they expect is: equal making a 147. Some players need to understand the cue is only an extension of the arm. nothing more. that is why you should trust the cuemaker and do'nt mind about a few extra arrows. I asked Mike to make a cue for me.Only thing I asked was the spec of the cue. How the shaft looks like, I let Mike decide for me. Because if I can'nt trust the cue maker, then I go somewhere else to buy a cue.
anyway, at the end of the day, the most important thing is to enjoy your game. Does'nt matter if someone plays with 60 pounds cue , or .............. Because if I can'nt enjoy my game, I can'nt do it right. Snooker and frustration are two bad combinations.
Many thanks for your replay and info. I know you're busy and do'nt have time for this kind of things.
BTW, I've seen a few cues from you. Your work is perfect. Is an honor for all snooker players to do bussines with you.
Kind Regards,
Ramon

[sprogbasket]

Much better to get an off the shelf cue that you can pick up and try out before parting with the readies...all about feel and personal preference -custom made cues are very nice but a cue is no more than a tool and how it looks is neither here nor there.

Just because a cue is made to certain spec doesn't mean it will feel right or suit the purchaser...great for pose value though.

[sanman]

But in my opinion, there is no cue maker in the world, who can match the work of top uk cue makers. And that's a fact.

That is your opinion mate and and not a fact. Having played with many cues from both UK and Thai cue makers I cannot agree with you statement as fact. My own playing cue is a C* GBL and I never held a more perfect cue in my life and I have played with a least one cue from most top cue makers in UK and still have cues from them in my collection.

[Ramon]

That is your opinion mate and and not a fact. Having played with many cues from both UK and Thai cue makers I cannot agree with you statement as fact. My own playing cue is a C* GBL and I never held a more perfect cue in my life and I have played with a least one cue from most top cue makers in UK and still have cues from them in my collection.

my younger brother plays with MW cue. But the other one plays with maximus.
He has exactly the same opinion as you. and always disagree with me. In my opinion thai cues are great playing cues. But craftsmanshap does'nt even come close to the work of top UK cue makers. And that is for ME: a fact .. I must say, I saw a couple of GBL cues. Their finish is perfect.
To make a costum made cue is always a risk. What if he does'nt suit your game.??? that is why, Is a decision that everyone must make for themselves.What Most important is,,is your personal preference.
many thanks for your replay And your opinion!!!

[sanman]

I stress again. Its your opinion. Not a fact. Fact is indisputable. In your case it is something even your own brother has issues with.

[Ramon]

I stress again. Its your opinion. Not a fact. Fact is indisputable. In your case it is something even your own brother has issues with.

You're right about that one. Is my opinion. Does'nt have to be the right one for you. I have no problems if you do'nt agree with me.
btw, are you a cue collector? (If you do'nt mind me asking that!)

[sanman]

I have about 20 odd cues. 8 of them made by myself.