Help with reading database data

[NeuroLancer]

Im trying to pull some information out of the database. I've never done this before and i'm a bit unsure of what I need to do.

I am getting the output presented as 'Array', here is the code im using:

PHP Code:

if ($vbulletin->userinfo[userid] != 0)
{
$custom_name = $db->query_first("
SELECT customname FROM " . TABLE_PREFIX . "custom_user
WHERE user_id = $post[userid]
LIMIT 1
");
} 


And like i said when i put $custom_name on the postbit template it shows up as 'Array'

when I use

PHP Code:

$db->query_read 


(insted of query_first) I get 'resource id # 33' ... probably because I dont know how to turn it into what I want lol...

Any help would be appreciated.