It was a fast friendship and Ron even invited Chris to come visit his shop in Arkansas, which Chris was quick to oblige. Although attending solely as a spectator, it was there he met future Hall of Fame cue maker Ron Haley. ![]() In 1993, he attended the first Allen Hopkins Super Billiard’s Expo which also marked the beginning of the American Cue Maker’s Association (ACA). He began by purchasing cue components from Prather that he could put together on his own. It wasn’t until 1992 that he developed the curiosity to build a cue. Chris continued to play pool recreationally over the next couple of decades while working in auto repair. He’ll also laughingly tell you the realization he had that the same lathe he spent so many years turning armatures and alternators in his prior career, would be the exact same lathe he’d later use as a cue maker. He even credits his many years of spraying finish on cars for his talent and eye for perfectionism when it comes to finishing cues. While this led to an initial career in auto mechanics, it developed several skills that would later easily translate to building cues. Contributing to his future career path, his senior year of high school he pursued vocational training in automotive repair. Chris continued to play with that cue until he became a cue maker himself. People thought he was crazy for spending $250 on a cue at that time but the one he purchased was from none other than legendary cue maker Bill Stroud (Josswest Cues). He hung onto that cue until 1974, which is when he purchased his first “big” cue. At age 15 he purchased his first cue, a Viking R60 that cost $60 back in 1971. He remembers a growing interest when he was about 12 years old and although he was playing in a bowling league, he would sneak downstairs and check out the venue’s Gold Crowns. Although he recalls playing pool as soon as he was eye level with the table, it was a gradual progression that led him to his career in cue building. In this month’s “Meet the Cue Maker” we put the spot light on Chris Nitti of Nitti Cues.Ĭhris Nitti, 65, lives in Orlando, Florida with his wife Theresa and dog Heidi. ![]() These cues may gleam with elegance, but don’t be fooled, they are loaded to the max with playability. Like Theodore Roosevelt once said, “Speak softly but carry a big stick”.
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