RIP John Davis

I would like to add that I think your cues are beautiful and elegant. I think some cue makers try to squeeze too many inlays into their designs suggesting that more inlays and/or more complicated designs equals higher value. It's just my personal opinion, but I prefer more simple, but elegant and precise designs with complimentary wood/materials combinations. I think you do that better than anyone out there.[/quote]

Boy I could give a twenty minute speech on this topic. Lucky for all or you I cant type very well. (not even as well as Jimbo)

The syndrome you speak of I call "ten pounds of shit in a five pound bag". Many Cue maker still have the "counting inlays" mind set. "This cue has 108 inlays so it MUST be worth more than that cue, it only has 62 inlays". Not my way of thinking at all. True artistic simplicity is magic. When an artist is able to make a few perfectly timed stokes with a brush and have people stand back and say "wow, there is somthing about that I really like" That's magic!

"More inlays means more value" is one mind set, here is another. "One-of-a-kind".

I am constantly in the position of people wanting me to build them "something different". Something "one of a find". "Can't you just add some extra inlays here or there- that will make it different"? "Yes, that would make it different. It will also make it suck"- is usally what I'm thinking. I always want to say (but never do) "I'm glad you like my work. I have a few one-of-a-kind cues you might like". "I promise I will never make them again". All for the same reason. THEY ARE UGLY AS HELL!!

(Looks like you've got me on a rampage.)

As you can tell I'm not very big on the "One-of-a-kind" concept. In my opinion too many collectors seem to think just because there is only one of something that means it has value. How much money do you think it would cost if you went to BMW and said "I would like a one-of-a-kind BMW". "You dont have to change anything on the inside, I would just like a different body style."

I do have to admit, those of you (Jimbo I'm talking to you) who have one of Thomas masterpieces from years back have a one-of-a-kind treasure. However this one-of-a-kind concept was the over arching force that has almost put him out of business. He came to Valley Forge, the BCA Trade show and The Gallery of American Cue Art every year with ALL NEW DESIGNS. So his work is spread all over the country in private cue collections, cue cases and closets- and 99% of the billiard public will never see his creations. Not all of those cues were works of art but many were. He found you just cant keep going to the "creative well". Many of those designs should have been reproduced because they were great. He could not keep pumping out disigns on "a one-design, one-poolcue, one-sale basis". It's just too much work to come up with a "unique" design that really works. It put him out of the game. In my opinion Richard Black is the most prolific cue designer and has fought this chalenge better than anybody. Hats off to Richard.

My having this position and choosing to repeat my design (usually less than 10) causes some collectors to view my work as less worthy than other cuemakers "one-of-a-kind" creation. Oh well. You can't please everyone.

My point is this: Just stacking on a bunch of inlays does not make a cue valuable or artistic. Fancy cue making is a unique American art form. When a cuemaker creates a design that really sings- that's art, thats magic, that has value. More stuff is just more stuff.

That my story and i'm sticking to it.

Jerry

Well said. Tip of the hat.
Roger

There's another cuemaker who posts occasionally here who uses a Sharpie Magic Marker to draw his rings - it really keeps the cost down, you know what I mean?

Have you ever tried this technique? Even though I'm not a cuemaker, the idea of a Sharpie just didn't cross my mind.

Yours truly,
The Woim<----Loves Jerry McWhorter's work!

... just not quite enough to spell his name correctly. (I'll give you a hint. Look how he spells it)

Roger - was confused himself earlier, but paid attention.

Hi Jerry,
Do you still build "players cues"? Also I was wondering what your favorite pool game is? Also I must add that your cues are a cut above the rest in design and execution. Thanks for taking the time answering our questions.

Jerry, I have to say that the most beautiful work of art on your site is the pic of Mrs Jan McWorter... Halli Berry is ok but...[/quote]

What a nice thing to say. Thank you Very much. That's Gods handy work.

Jerry

I'm sure it's an interesting story, not unlike the many Ellis Island stories where names were changed. My grandparents came from Italy. Their last name begins with a "J." There's no J in the Italian alphabet. As I mentioned, I too was confused by the spelling. Before I replied to the Woim, I went to the Blue Book to make sure that YOU were spelling it correctly

Roger - really did check the Blue Book.

Thank you, I like west also.

_________________
I am in a very very small group of people that can buy any cue they want that can make that statement.
Congrats,
Nick Serdula