---
title: "Four U.S. Custom Cuemakers Compared: Price, Deposits and Waits"
url: https://sports23.net/four-u-s-custom-cuemakers-compared-price-deposits-and-waits
published: 2026-10-26T04:44:53Z
updated: 2026-10-26T04:44:53Z
summary: "Compare Tascarella, Richard Black, Josey and Prather custom-cue ordering, including published prices, deposits, wait times and build options."
author: "Sports23 Desk"
categories: ["Analysis"]
tags: ["Josey Custom Cues", "Prather cues", "Richard Black Cues", "Tascarella Cues", "custom pool cues"]
lang: en
---

# Four U.S. Custom Cuemakers Compared: Price, Deposits and Waits

*Four respected U.S. cuemakers reveal very different paths from first inquiry to final build, with distinct pricing, deposits and customization systems.*

Ordering a custom pool cue from Tascarella, Richard Black, Josey or Prather involves four very different starting points. Tascarella publishes an approximate wait and deposit, Richard Black publishes a premium starting price and nonrefundable deposit, Josey gathers detailed build specifications through a form, and Prather posts an itemized base package and upgrades.

The numbers are not prices for equivalent cues. They describe different construction levels, order systems and business models, so buyers should compare the process before comparing the dollar amount.

## How do the four order paths compare?

![Comparison of ordering terms published by Tascarella, Richard Black, Josey and Prather](media:86ee673ed1c39fd9)

| Cuemaker | Published starting point | Deposit or wait | How customization begins |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tascarella | Price provided by estimate | 20% deposit; about 18 months | Email quote request with detailed build choices |
| Richard Black | Cues start at $2,000; many artistic builds exceed $5,000 | 25% nonrefundable deposit | Customer parameters or maker-led design within a budget |
| Josey | No single general base price on the order form | Not stated on the form | Structured form covering materials and playing specifications |
| Prather | Butt and shaft: $400 without veneer or $600 with veneer | Contact to order; prices subject to change | Posted menu of full-splice choices and priced upgrades |

The table shows why a simple lowest-to-highest ranking would be misleading. Prather's posted $400 and $600 figures describe a specific butt-and-shaft starting package. Richard Black's $2,000 figure describes the entry point for his custom cues. Tascarella and Josey route buyers toward a quote rather than publishing one universal price.

## What does Tascarella include in its standard base?

![Tascarella custom cues shown on the maker's official order page](media:226418de8b21532d)

[Tascarella Custom Cues](https://www.tascarellacustomcues.com/new-orders.html) says it is accepting new orders with an approximate 18-month wait. A 20% deposit secures an order after Pete or Theresa responds with questions and an estimated price.

Its standard short-splice cue is listed at 58 inches in equal halves unless the buyer requests otherwise. The published base includes two shafts, one-inch Juma ferrules, medium or hard LePro tips, a piloted stainless-steel compression joint, a 5/16 x 14 joint screw, four points with four veneers, an Irish linen wrap and a Delrin butt cap.

The quote request also allows choices for wood, veneers, wrap, inlays, ringwork, tip diameter and overall weight. For buyers, the main planning issue is time: an 18-month estimate makes design decisions and deposit terms important before entering the queue.

## Why is Richard Black positioned differently?

![Richard Black Venetian Dream functional-art cue from the official website](media:1247f7c971c95ef2)

[Richard Black Custom Cues](https://www.blackcues.com/) says Richard works alone and makes just under 20 cues per year. The site lists custom cues starting at $2,000 and says he specializes in designs above $5,000 that combine collector appeal with playing function.

Entering his schedule requires a 25% nonrefundable deposit. If a buyer must postpone, the site says the deposit can be applied to a future order. Customers may provide design parameters, or Richard can develop a cue within the preferred price range.

That makes this the clearest collector-oriented path in the comparison. The published price and production volume reflect a one-maker workshop and an emphasis on functional art, not a directly comparable version of Prather's posted base package.

## What information does Josey collect before quoting?

![A Josey Custom Cue displayed on the maker's official website](media:a5a997dafbe012fd)

The [Josey Custom Cues order form](https://joseycues.com/order/) asks buyers to provide as much build information as possible. Fields cover the cue category and number, base wood, joint and butt-cap type, wrap, weight, length, number and type of shafts, shaft diameter, ferrule and tip.

This approach makes the form a specification worksheet before it becomes a price comparison. Josey's page does not display one general base price for every configuration, so the completed request and follow-up discussion determine what can be quoted. It is well suited to buyers who already know their preferred playing dimensions but need the maker to translate those choices into a build.

## What does Prather price publicly?

![Prather Series cues shown on the company's official website](media:02bd7fed7aa2aa3d)

[Prather Custom Cue Parts](https://prathercue.com/pages/cues) publishes a menu for its handmade full-splice cue builds. The listed butt-and-shaft package is $400 without veneer and $600 with veneer. The page also shows a $350 Kielwood shaft, $100 Irish linen wrap, $200 stainless-steel joint collar and other separately priced additions.

Prather lists 3/8 x 11 or 5/16 x 14 joint pins, buyer-selected woods and veneer colors, a threaded T-34 ferrule and a choice of butt tapers. The company explicitly warns that prices are subject to change and asks customers to email or call for current pricing.

The public menu offers useful budget visibility, but the final total can rise as options are added. Buyers should request a current, itemized quote rather than calculating from an older page alone.

## Which ordering model fits which buyer?

Tascarella suits a buyer willing to plan around a published queue and deposit. Richard Black presents the most explicit high-end art-cue positioning and a limited annual output. Josey offers the most detailed online intake form, while Prather provides the clearest menu-style view of a base build and upgrades.

None of those differences proves that one cue will play better. Price, wait time and the number of selectable options describe the ordering experience, not an objective performance ranking. Before paying a deposit, a buyer should confirm the current quote, what is included, refund rules, estimated delivery, material substitutions and approval points for the final design.