On any cue, custom or production, there's a host of differences. Wood type, joint-type, ferrule material, tip choices, wrap/wrap-less, shaft options, shaft taper. How do you navigate all these options and what do they mean? Some of these options come down to holding the cue, some impact performance. So long as the butt has good construction, the materials don't matter a great deal. The most important aspect is that the cue weight is appropriate for the player, and the joint between the shaft and the butt creates a tight hold. Higher-end cues tend to have a piloted joint to increase the lock b/w butt and shaft.