Bucking the Northeast tradition of piloted joints with polished stainless steel collars, Capone went to flat-faced wood-towood joints, immediately feeling that they were not only simpler but that they were the future for cue stick construction. He also started using the radial pin exclusively in his cues much earlier than most cuemakers. That joint combination has since become one of the most popular designs today. And although he currently does use silver and brass rings today, Capone stayed away from using metal in his cues in his early years thinking that by not using metal, his cues developed a unique look.
courtesy of Dick Abbott
When he graduated from Rutgers he never thought of going to work for anyone else. Instead Mike Capone evolved into a full-time cuemaker, making him the young-
est full-time professional cue builder ever to build his business from the ground up. He had built around fifty cues in 1994, and by 2000 the number increased to over one hundred per year as the wave for cue buying surged. The Asian market thrived, and Capone sold everything he made. Brad Simpson, the author of The Blue Book of Pool Cues, contacted Mike Capone
Consistent with his personality and philosophy in forward thinking, Mike challenged himself to build cues that were not considered traditional. in the early ‘90s. Brad put Mike’s bio into the initial publication in 1994, making Mike one of the few to be showcased in all editions of the book. From that point on Capone’s notoriety as a cuemaker spread globally to cue buyers and collectors. Although his cue construction and playability excelled, the cue-buying public, especially the new Japanese market, seemed to care more for the looks than the precision work he put into building them. The construction and construction effort did not seem to be as important as it may be today. “People use to look at three things when buying a cue,” Capone explained. “The wrap had to be flush with the cue, the cue had to be flush when screwed together, and the cue had to shine! If I did those three things, someone would buy it!”
Challenge of Acceptance
As a challenge and goal, Capone aspired to join the American Cuemakers Association (ACA), as the association included the elite group of well-known established cue craftsmen. Mike contacted cuemaker Jim Buss, who told Mike to show his cue to the members at Allen Hopkins’ Super Billiards Expo. At the 1996 Expo, Buss looked at one of his cues and immediately informed Mike that it would easily meet and
exceed the criteria the ACA required. The cue passed through the hands of the likes of Thomas Wayne, Rick Chudy, Mike Bender, and Dale Perry. The ACA accepted Capone into their fold, making him not only the youngest but also the first member who wasn’t an established cuemaker before the association formed in 1992. Since joining the ACA, Mike can be seen annually displaying cues and representing the association at the Super Billiards Expo, as well as the Derby City Classic and the U.S. Open. Today Mike Capone serves on the board of directors of the ACA. Fueled by challenges and goals, Capone’s determination and willingness to buck tradition has made him a model for others to emulate. He is a pioneer in the non-traditional six-point exotic wood forearm, flat-face look in the Northeast states, a look that has now become quite common. With the recent resurgence of the Asian market, especially in mainland China and Taiwan, Capone continues to build strong numbers every year. His respected tenure during the recent rapid growth in the number of new cuemakers, despite his relative youth, has earned Mike Capone’s place as part of the old guard of established and recognized cuemakers.
Freddie Agnir
A mechanical engineer by trade, Freddie Agnir from Treasure Island, FL, has been playing pool for over 30 years and has several league and amateur state titles to his credit in singles, partners, and team competition. He is a former New Hampshire State Amateur 8-ball champion.
32 InsidePOOL Magazine ◊ April 2013