I recently acquired a Jazz custom cue from a friend that comes with a Predator 314 first generation shaft and a regular Jazz shaft. I was only going to buy the Predator shaft but he made me an offer I could not refuse. The total brand new value of the cue including the Predator shaft is a little over $500.
The butt has a curly maple forearm with 8 floating hi and low points made of ebony. The hande is black leather and the butt sleeve is made of ebony with ivory rectangles and floating maple veneers. The ringwork features extensive ivory work reminiscent of Meucci production cues. The butt diameter is a little oversized for some reason. The cue weighs 19.3 ounces with the Predator shaft and is standard in length. With the Jazz shaft, weight goes up to 19.4 and the length becomes 58 1/2 inches. The original shaft for some reason in a little longer.
Jazz cues and Tony Bautista
I have managed to collect some information about Jazz cues and Tony Bautista from a couple of friends. Tony Bautista is the main cue maker for Jazz cues. Jazz cues is a brand that is financed and marketed by a certain capitalist whose name I still have to find out. Tony Bautista I believe came from Edwin Reyes and went solo after he started making a name for himself. Tony Bautista is considered a top cue maker in the Philippines and he is probably the best in inlay work. In fact, I showed the cue to a couple of cue makers and they just marveled at the craftsmanship of my cue’s inlays. In fact, the work at the butt sleeve is almost perfect.
I might sell this cue in the near future. The cue plays great, this is the longest time I’ve had a Predator shaft and I’m still getting used to it. It also comes with a Moori tip and I have to say that that alone is a huge factor in how this cue plays. I’m more of a plain jane cue lover but I just needed to get this cue because of the good offer.
Here’s the related link at bilyar.NET.
