Ultimate maple cue ahaft?

[Master Blaster]

I think that is a really good question - and maybe you know the answer - its a nonsense by John Parris putting a ultimate badge on a maple cue and charging more for the same thing than the guy down the road.

Personally in terms of maple I prefer the overseas cues - like the Maximus range - just nice clear white maple really. Best modern maple cue I tried myself was made by Crispian Jones - don't know if it was an import but it was nice - lovely finish - maple not really my thing though. The best older maple cue I ever tried was a Riley Dufferin - I borrowed one night lovely cue and the most responsive maple cue I ever used and that was curly maple I think that's what it was - well it had sort of rings in it if you know what I mean?

It is not a nonsense putting 'Ultimate' on the badge. JP allows you to choose everything that's possible, so it really is the ultimate choice. Few cue makers offer this service or market it so well. Maybe the guy down the road can do the same cue but how would the public know that? Yes, his marketing and website are superb (and all these things cost), cue builder outstanding and he fronts the price up straight away; transparency. YOU get to talk to JP, you get to collect and check the cue, you get a product traditionally made in the UK by people who get wages here and pay tax here. This isn't free. You get something British you can be proud of show your mates. JP replies to emails and doesn't tell folk where to shove it. People like that sort of product and service because it's part of buying a luxury product. Some on TSF still don't understand this. They've been talking to the taxi driver who swears his Skoda is as good as a Jag.

Remind us again Byrom, what was the best cue that you've owned?

[The Doctor]

For me, I'd always go for a clean blemish free maple. The less blemishes the better for ascetics but that doesn't mean it will always suit everyone.
If a customer wants a maple cue that's not too stiff but I have a perfectly blemish free maple but it's very stiff, then that is obviously no good to customer.
There is a wide variety of what one person thinks is a perfect cue.
Me, I would say that playability is the no1 factor but I understand people want nice looking cues too.

[Byrom]

Yes MB I told you the ultimate I had was one of the best cues I had - I wont lie Parris do make some great cues as I and others have said a few times on this forum and he is a nice guy to deal with - I don't have the same love for him as you like - but who does - except maybe his wife

I have had a few though and some of them yeah brilliant and some well they where not so good - average really - but good thing is they sell and hold a price if you don't like them so nothing lost.

I don't think the same about his maple cues - for reasons I mentioned and they don't hold the price the same. They are good yeah but so are others - some better and far cheaper and this is particularly where I would put a number of other makers ahead of him but I not a maple expert or a cue expert - just my little opinion - which counts for nothing.

[Master Blaster]

Yes MB I told you the ultimate I had was one of the best cues I had - I wont lie Parris do make some great cues as I and others have said a few times on this forum and he is a nice guy to deal with - I don't have the same love for him as you like - but who does - except maybe his wife

I have had a few though and some of them yeah brilliant and some well they where not so good - average really - but good thing is they sell and hold a price if you don't like them so nothing lost.

I don't think the same about his maple cues - for reasons I mentioned and they don't hold the price the same. They are good yeah but so are others - some better and far cheaper and this is particularly where I would put a number of other makers ahead of him but I not a maple expert or a cue expert - just my little opinion - which counts for nothing.

I agree with you mate. Les didn't shift that Paragon too quick even though it was a stunner IMO. I agree with you on JP's mixed quality as well. Brooks was saying that his early JPU had some bear input, I doubt if the modern ones have much at all, except maybe a quality check. I don't rate his joints and I actually think they're some of the worst joints around, far too thick and clunky, destroys feel. I also don't rate the quality of the workmanship of the cues as highly as many a cue maker incl. TW, MW, CJ, RC, TP, O'min, Phoenix, MC, MC, Cue Craft, shall I go on?!

And a JPU isn't my favourite playing cue either. But out of those using kiln (99%), his shafts are good, some nice feel.

Damn, maybe I don't love JP?! In theory, it's Aurora all the way for maple. If Richard ever replies to messaging. If you're reading this Richard open the order book mate, I want a flippin bogwood maple from the lake bud, PRONTO! Scram!

[cueinhand]

I think the maple shaft in ultimate grade should be using quarter sawn or rift sawn lumber from the maple log.

[pottr]

The Ultimate cue I received from JP had a minor blemish on it...

The maple shafts I received from MW and TW were flawless. My MAC had one minor line on it, but Richy took the time to contact me and ask how I held the cue in relation to the flat so I wouldn't see it...

Glover grain was very prominent but zero blemishes