My personal experience with meucci has been really good. i own 6 meucci cues including a 1980's original, a cheap european edition, high pro 3, hof 2, rev 2 and david howard. i dont shoot with the david howard (due to collectability reasons) but the other cues i love. i have never had any issues with any of them. i also have several friends with meucci cues and have never heard any complaints from them. i really think meucci cues are rather special. in terms of shooting quality-i think the black dot shoots well. i have been playing with it more than the pre dot shaft lately and like it fine. i honestly could shoot with either shaft but like the black dot just a little better. i have shot with other cue brands but just like the "feel" of the meucci (which very well could be a mental thing). outside of the shooting quality of meucci cues, i love the look of meucci. i usually shoot with my cheap european edition and have the others on display. with meucci, it seems to be a love or hate thing, but i just think its hard to beat the look and feel combination of a meucci cue.