***PLEASE NOTE: Since I wrote this guide I have purchased two more Audrick cues.  I simply could not resist.  I have also updated #13 Playing Value found below, and #3 The Shaft, and added a category #15 Bonuses and perks.  Look for updates to this guide soon after I have had a chance to evaluate the two additional cues I have purchased.***

***UPDATE:  I have added information on the two additional Audrick cues, see below the areas with the UPDATE #2 additions.  If I have not updated a section at all that means what I wrote there applies to the additional cues.***

There is a lot of talk in reviews here and elsewhere about what is and isn't a custom cue etc.  Semantics aside, there are many considerations when buying a pool cue if you are serious at all about it.  Many of the "custom" cues out there are not at all made for any individual, even the "best" cuemakers have sold many cues that were not ordered by any specific customer and commanded very serious prices.  Are they "custom"?  I won't address that.  I want to discuss a cuemakers product in comparison with what else is available and what my experience has been with this product and what the readers considerations might be when thinking to buy a cue.

I have been playing and repairing cues for over twenty years, I am not a cuemaker.  I am not a collector (though I have a "few" cues that are considered very collectible).  I am not a cue dealer.  I am a player and an aficionado of cues.  I have played a bit here and there with all the major brands from various eras and have played with or at least put my eyes and hands on many of the current and past top "custom" cuemakers' products including Josswest, Mottey, Joss (Danny Janes still makes some real custom cues folks, by his own hands, but very few, and his son makes some too), Szamboti (both of them), and a number of others.  Many play like a dream, including my primary shooting cue, an early 70's Joss which I have used for twenty years.....superb.  Each person's dream hit is a little different though.

What about Audrick cues?  I won't get into the politics of American vs other makers.  I was curious about these cues and I know many of you are after reading message board discussions. 

What do you get for your money?

1)  Yes, you get a "legitimate" cue.  The descriptions are accurate on the auctions.  The cue is perfectly straight. Decently packed (a hard tube would be better).  Promptly shipped.

2)  These cues are indeed not "production" cues in the sense that they are not made in a large factory on CNC machines, that is obvious from a good look at the product.

3)  The Shaft. The business end, the shaft, that is "B Grade" shaft wood in my estimation, but you can actually see that in the auction photos, so no surprise there.  Frankly, unless you spend several times the money of the typical going rate of these cues at this time that is what you will get elsewhere from the major producers.  I cannot say anything about how the wood was prepared etc but I can say that the final fit and finish of the shaft is an A+.  I would have a shaft made for my best cue by any person who could fit and finish a shaft to this level.  Really.  But I want an A Grade shaft...and so should you if you can afford it.  How this shaft hold up will tell a great deal about how well the wood was prepared.  I will find that out as time passes.  An excellent option in my opinion would be to add one of the popular laminated shafts, whichever flavor you prefer.  Problem solved...maybe... I have not tried one on this cue.  The taper?  I like it....long pro taper.  The tip?  I don't like it.  But everybody has tips they don't like.  Change it if you like.

UPDATE:  I will stress at this point that the shaft wood grade is very acceptable for this price range cue.  In addition, I have had a chance to further evaluate the cue and find that the joint pin is not perfectly concentric.  What does this mean?  Off the shelf shafts are not going to fit, they must be fitted by a cuemaker or cue repair shop.  So?  Well, this makes me reflect on one of the options Audrick offers, extra shafts.  The price is currently rock bottom low for a shaft when you buy an Audrick and the shipping is included with the cue for the extra shaft.  A stellar value in my view.  If you buy one, jump on the extra shaft option.  The extra shaft will come with a joint protector to match those that come with the cue.  Bonus.

UPDATE #2:  The additional cue shafts compare with the one I already revired with two exceptions.  First, I tried a Moori tip upgrade....what a difference.  This made an already solid hit rock hard and accurate...very precise.  Second, one of the shafts had a small area near the tip that was not quite polished perfectly.  This was easily fixed but disappointing.

4)  The joint.  A couple of joint styles are available.  Ivory joints are available.  I can only comment on the stainless joint.  The fit is superb, A+.  It is polished, but honestly not quite to the highest level.  It is subtle but true.  This is not uncommon in cues in this price range (under $200), but you wouldn't see it on something coming out of the Joss shop for instance.  B+ on the joint steel polish finish. 

UPDATE #2:  I have tried the flat faced joint.  That is the one that had the Moori tip.  Superb.  Rock solid snap.  Very impressive hit, pro quality. 

5) The butt overall.  Well...it does show signs of being "hand made" that you will simply not see in higher grade one off cues.  More on that later. The clear finish is superb with the exception of where it extends around the bottom to meet the bumper.  It stops short of the bumper and is a little rough down there.  Not a ripple or ridge of any kind can be felt over the meeting with the joint, buttcap, wrap, or over any of the inlays.  It is beautiful.  I have to say that with modern materials that kind of result is a lot easier to get than it was in say the seventies. 

UPDATE #2:  The clear finish on both additional cues is of slightly lower quality application than the first I tried.  It is subtle but true.  There are some very fine imperfections.  Other than that they are consistent with the first review.

6) The wrap.  Pressed linen.  Some like them "double pressed" some like them a little more textured.  This is double pressed...with success...but it is not as smooth as some.  If you require it that smooth, you can do it yourself or have it done, but this example falls slightly short of that.  It is subtle, but true.  Not atypical, and within normal for any good cue.

7)  The inlays.  This is where I have to mention the evidence of "hand work".  Are they perfect?  No.  But they are beautiful.  I don't see gaps, but there are some slight deviations in the lines that make them less than perfect.  The points and corners are razor sharp.  All the inlays line up properly and are even.  I see no machining or cutting marks on the inlays.

UPDATE #2:  Wifes comment:  Oh my God....that's gorgious.  My wife, by the way, is an artist.

8)  The forearm.  Nice wood.  I see no machining or cutting marks on it.  I have no idea of the internal construction of the joint with the handle. 

9)  The butt sleeve.  Nice wood.  I see no cutting or machining marks on it.

10) The buttcap and bumper.  I already mentioned that the finish stops short of extending to the bumper.  I don't like that.  The bumper is a push in type.  I pulled it out.  What did I see?  An unfinished cue.  There was saw dust under there.  Any cuemaker, I don't care how lowly, should not leave such debris behind.  There is also a small air gap between the butt wood and the butt cap that can be seen in a couple places.  Poor work.  Does this demonstrate anything about any other joints inside the cue?  I certainly hope not, but no way to tell.  I blew out the sawdust, and plan to complete the glue work by injecting glue into the tiny space.  Would that glue gap be a problem with the function of the cue?  Highly unlikely.  Would that glue gap be a problem for durability?  If you smack the cue on something hard enough, certainly...but you would certainly damage it anyway if you hit it that hard on something.  Still, that is not acceptable...though easily made right.

11)  Warranty.  You can return the cue and eat the shipping...which is very high...so forget it.  If you want warranty buy a McDermott.  But you will have the same cue as everybody else...to me, even the most limited McDermotts made from "old blanks found in the factory" are not McDermotts.  McDermott is gone as a cuemaker, they are a manufacturer now.  Meucci?  Well, more expensive than McDermott, and you get nothing more for your additional money unless you happen to like the cue better.  Anyway, if you want an Audrick, I wouldn't be thinking about warranties and such.  I have a feeling, if you are seriously considering one of these cues, your mind is elsewhere anyway.

12)  Artistic value.  Art is in the eye of the beholder.  It is a nice example of cue art to me.

UPDATE #2:  On a personal note, myself, my wife and several other people have been very impressed with the artistry of these cues.  Two of those additional people are avide pool shooters that use Joss and Meucci.  One of those people is a professional gemologist with wide experience in the arts.  She was very impressed.

13)  Playing value.  How does it hit?  It is solid.  It does not feel "hollow".  It hits as it "should".  No buzz, no funny vibrations.  No surprises.  It hits like a "typical" cue with this joint type but from a more expensive line.  The hit outstrips the price in my book.  Different people like a different hit, and descriptions of a single cue's hit will vary from person to person so I am being careful here.  It will vary by tip type as well.  Then of course one can upgrade to a laminated shaft in the aftermarket....another change...and that would affect a lot more than the hit.  Would tis cue be "worth" such an upgrade?  I sure think so.  I really do.  Surely as worth it as any of the production cues from Viking, Meucci, or McDermott.  To be honest, there are a heck of a lot of players out there that cannot (yet) play up to the capabilities of such a cue.  That's the truth.  They may or may not get there, but they surely never will if they don't get a cue of certain capabilities.  Can this thing play up to the level of my old Joss?  Good question.  With me...no...no way.  Possibly with a great deal of practice and a better shaft it could, but remember I have used that Joss for twenty years.  Could it for somebody else?  With the right tip, and the right shaft....I think it could for the right person, sure.  But that's the way it is with cues.  Audrick will adjust the weight for you when you buy the cue and they also offer tip options...consider that.

UPDATE #2:  Three additional people have tried these cues.  My wife (just a banger), a long time decent pool player who uses a Joss, and a long time very good pool player who uses a Meucci.  The guy who plays with the Joss was very impressed and wishes to purchase the cue.  The Meucci player, very good player, took the first shot, looked up and smiled saying "I like that."  Both of them tried the flat faced jointed cue with the moori tip.  My personal estimation is that this cue hits as solid as any of the best cues I have ever hit with and is definitely a most capable cue.  It fooled me, I thought it would hit softer than the steel joint...but it didn't...but then it had the Moori tip.  My wife?  She wants the cue for herself....and it in fact immediately improved her game.  She usually uses my McDermott D2.

UPDATE:  I have spent more time on the table with the cue.  I have to stress my above evaluation of the hit outstripping the price.  This cue plays very well.  It is this factor that has led me to purchase two more Audrick cues, another with a piloted steel joint and one with a phenolic flat faced joint.  I will update further when I have a go with them.

14)  Investment value.  No idea.  Funny things happen.  You never know.  But if that is your real aim, look at one of the known appreciating names in cues.  Buy this cue because you simply want a good cue for your money and you don't want one that somebody else has.  My Fellini case for my Joss is worth more than anything Audrick has ever sold as far as I know, even loaded joint to butt with ivory.  Heck, even my It's George case is probably worth more...and appreciating.

15)  Bonuses and perks.  First, the case.  No cue of this caliber should ever be stored, carried, or shipped in anything less than a good hard case.  The case thrown in with the sale does not even contain a sleeve for the shaft.  Forget the case.  The joint protectors.  Yes, joint protectors are included, and you will get an extra one if you order an extra shaft.  They are beautifully done, match the cue woods, and are very functional.  Note that they do not have threaded inserts in them, the wood is simply threaded, which is fine I think.

Am I an expert?  I don't know.  I put myself through undergrad with my Joss a long time ago.  I would say I know something about the sport and the equipment.  I have an Audrick cue to add to the current cues that I have.  Why?  Because I was curious. 

Philippine cues are controversial for reasons that I won't go into here.  There is at least one very prominent "American cuemaker" making cues there though.  If this sort of thing is a problem for you then do not buy one by all means.

Unknowns:  Internal construction type and quality.  The quality of the preparations of the woods in light of potential future warping, swelling, cracking...etc...  no idea.  Time will tell.  These things very much depend on how you care for a cue as well, never forget that.  If you abuse it moisture/humidity/temperature wise it will disappoint you....no matter who made it.  A properly prepared cue will under proper care withstand much better than one that is not so prepared, and a poorly prepared one will fail sooner than the next...in fact it will most assuredly fail no matter what you do.  There are claims that some of these cues have warped...I don't doubt them.  What the odds are...I don't know...

If you buy an Audrick will you be wasting your money?  If you are looking for such a "custom cue" in this price range....NO, I don't think so.  Some of the more prominent makers are in fact coming down in price...I have even seen some of there work on Ebay.  This may or may not be in response to these cues and their kind.  They are not yet down to this price range and some simply cannot spend more than a certain amount. 

UPDATE #2:  I am even more solidly convinced that these cues are a great value.  You get a seriously good playing cue for a seriously good price.

Now then, about the "custom" built cue issue.  Audrick will actually make you a cue to your specifications.  I asked.  Will it be as good as one made by one of the greats?  I don't know...I highly doubt it.  But, the price might be a lot better...I don't know, I didn't get a quote.  Then of course, any "adjustments" will be out of the question....take it to your local cuemaker rather than ship it back and forth.  Personally, I would love to give it a shot...just to see...I am the curious type I guess.  But I don't have the money to dispose of in that way right now.  This one cue was enough satisfaction for my curiosity for the moment.

With these things in mind, go on looking for your cue.  If you have any thoughts on this guide, please let them be known.