An Afternoon with a Master: Visiting Mike Gulyassy in Greenville, SC
Today I had the privilege of visiting one of the greats in the cue world—Mike Gulyassy, master cue maker, innovator, and longtime professional in Greenville, South Carolina. For over 40 years, Mike has been installing tips and building some of the most respected custom cues in the game, with a waitlist that can stretch up to six months or more.
Mike was incredibly generous with his time. He walked me through the cue-making process in detail—from raw wood blanks and phenolic materials to impregnated epoxy and clear coats. The craftsmanship and technical knowledge on display were nothing short of inspiring.
One of the highlights of the visit was watching Mike install one of my Endurance™ High Run Soft 14mm cue tips. I was honored to look over his shoulder as he worked. With the precision of a surgeon, he made a flawless angled cut with a single pass of the razor and completed the tip install in under three minutes.
He later commented that the Endurance™ High Run Soft 14mm cue tip “cut well”—a compliment I won’t soon forget.
Mike also gave me a tour of his custom-built clear coat room, designed specifically to achieve his signature glass-like finish. It’s the kind of shop setup that shows just how deeply he cares about every detail of his work. I was also impressed by his workhorse lathe, built in the 1940s. Mike shared that parts haven't been available for it since the 70s, and that he's had to have a few special made. Clearly it's worth it!
While I was there, I even met a couple of his customers and watched him artfully negotiate a cue sale, blending his technical skills with true customer care.
Beyond cue craftsmanship, Mike is an innovator and patent holder, with several industry-shaping creations to his name—including the Tomahawk shaft and the Sledgehammer jump/break cue. Despite his packed schedule and long cue backlog, Mike still makes time for local players, handling repairs and tip work so they can stay in the game.
Before I left, Mike took a few minutes to share some business advice—offering guidance, encouragement, and a few cautionary tales from his decades in the industry. His wisdom has me seriously considering picking up a lathe and starting with tip installs myself. Of course taking installation lessons from him, an opportunity well worth the cost.
Mike is a master of his game. A master of his craft. And a true professional.
Meeting him reminded me that we all start somewhere—and it’s builders like Mike who make this industry worth every second. I left his shop inspired, motivated, and more excited than ever about the journey ahead with Bill’s Billiards Supply.
🎯 Want to try the same tip Mike installed?
Experience it for yourself—shop the Endurance™ High Run Soft Cue Tip today. Built for feel, control, and lasting performance.
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