Need some help with a cue purchase

[Stylez777]

Hi all new to the forums and was look for some opinions on my new pool cue purchase. The first cue I ever purchased was an Action cue that has warped a bit over the years i've had it. I am now looking to step up and buy something a bit better.
My price range is about $150-$300. I'm an average player, play once or twice a week on my local pool team. I take my games very seriously and I am always trying to improve my game in anyway I can by going to my local hall and shooting rack after rack.

A friend of mine recommended Mcdermott cues for their quality and the lifetime warranty. I was looking over a few cues on their website in the Competitor series and Tournament series trying to find a difference in the cues. Seems some are made with different woods and have different inlays and such but not sure how much this effects the performance of the cue. I was looking at comparing a Competitor Series vs Tournament series of cues. Is there really much difference in quality/construction/performance?

I also know when going up to a model $300 or more those come with the G-Core shafts. I was curious how much of a difference i'd notice between those shafts and the ones that come with the lesser expensive McDermott cues and how I'd notice a performance difference or if i even would. (remember I shoot with an Action cue right now)

Lastly I'd appreciate any advice ore suggestions of cues I could look at in the price range I am looking for that would compare or surpass in quality/performace. I don't have much knowledge when it comes to pool cues and i'd like to make a purchase that i'm going to be happy with and enjoy. Any help is def welcome! Thank you so much in advance to anyone who takes the time to reply.

 

[mamono]

When it comes to cues, there is a lot that is subjective. Best recommendation is to try to find a similar type of cue locally that you are interested in and hit a few racks with it. Some members here are willing to let people test hit their cues if they're local to the person interested, so might be helpful to list your general location.

I, personally, have only hit with a McDermott D-series cue which were only manufactured between 1984-1990.

Don't be completely set on only one type of cue manufacturer, but also consider other brands and customs. There are some custom player cues within the range that you are looking at in the $300 range, so you may want to consider those also. Try as many as you can get ahold of and settle on the one that feels right to you.

 

[skor]

What do you like in a cue?
Do you like a soft or hard hit?
Do you like a rear or front balance?

Most McDermott cues that I've played with had a soft hit to them and the balance is a bit to the rear (for me).
Maybe the G-Core shaft produces a stiffer hit but I never tried it.

I think that you should walk into a store and ask to hit a few balls with cues in your price range.

Besides McDermott I would also be looking into Viking and Lucasi and lower end Joss but mostly I would consider a lower end Pechauer.

 

[Stylez777]

Thanks for the reply guys. I'd love to walk into a store and test out a few as I really don't have much experience with cues at all and the difference in feel from one cue to the next. I live in NYC and the problem for me is I really don't know of any dealers in the area where I can go to an check out cues and test hit a bunch of them. Even though my Action cue was cheap in comparison to a lot of cues I did like how that felt and played.

 

[oldzilla]

wait a minute

the cuetec r360 probly on sale at pooldawg or ozone for 240 witha soft case. they have a real good shaft design now . it is bare wood now not the previous coated crap. svb and allison f are using them as they are sponsered by. but had to try one after i seen shane destroy frosty with it.and i think it hits sweet .i have put my predator away and i am thinking of selling it. just make sure you look for r360 thats R360. you can also see them at cuetec.com . they have a shaft diagrram too.

 

[ctyhntr]

Stylez777,

You're in luck, New York city is the home of Blatt Billiards at 809 Broadway, near 12th street. One of my new team mates walked out of Blatt satisfied with his first new cue and case for around $100 and tax.

Amsterdam Billiards is nearby and they have a glass counter showcasing cues, dvds, and other accessories. They have demo cues you can rent.

Blatt and Amsterdam like all brick and mortar establishment will never beat an online store on price. They do have knowledgeable staff, and old fashion customer service.
Victor Stein, editor of the first two editions of the pool cue blue book works at Blatt. I bought the Billiard Encylopedia from him, and he even signed it. Two weeks later, I bump into Victor at Allen Hopkin's Valley Forge Super Billiard Expo. After exchanging hellos, he promptly takes twenty bucks from his own wallet and gives it to me, then he tells that is to match the special show price for his book.

At the poolhall, if you're upfront, respectful, and ask politely I've found many people proud to let you check out their cue.

Good Luck

Thanks for the reply guys. I'd love to walk into a store and test out a few as I really don't have much experience with cues at all and the difference in feel from one cue to the next. I live in NYC and the problem for me is I really don't know of any dealers in the area where I can go to an check out cues and test hit a bunch of them. Even though my Action cue was cheap in comparison to a lot of cues I did like how that felt and played.

 

[Stylez777]

Stylez777,

You're in luck, New York city is the home of Blatt Billiards at 809 Broadway, near 12th street. One of my new team mates walked out of Blatt satisfied with his first new cue and case for around $100 and tax.

Amsterdam Billiards is nearby and they have a glass counter showcasing cues, dvds, and other accessories. They have demo cues you can rent.

Blatt and Amsterdam like all brick and mortar establishment will never beat an online store on price. They do have knowledgeable staff, and good customer service. Victor Stein, editor of the first two editions of the pool cue blue book works at Blatt.

Good Luck

I just found Blatt online and it does look like a pool mega store carrying a wide variety. I was actually going to call them up and see if they allow you to test hit some cue before I take the train ride from Queens to go there. Thanks for the heads up. The more I look into Pool Cues the more I am reminded how i drove myself crazy when buying my Bowling balls and Softball Bats! lol

 

[cornerstone]

Hi all new to the forums and was look for some opinions on my new pool cue purchase. The first cue I ever purchased was an Action cue that has warped a bit over the years i've had it. I am now looking to step up and buy something a bit better.
My price range is about $150-$300. I'm an average player, play once or twice a week on my local pool team. I take my games very seriously and I am always trying to improve my game in anyway I can by going to my local hall and shooting rack after rack.

A friend of mine recommended Mcdermott cues for their quality and the lifetime warranty. I was looking over a few cues on their website in the Competitor series and Tournament series trying to find a difference in the cues. Seems some are made with different woods and have different inlays and such but not sure how much this effects the performance of the cue. I was looking at comparing a Competitor Series vs Tournament series of cues. Is there really much difference in quality/construction/performance?

I also know when going up to a model $300 or more those come with the G-Core shafts. I was curious how much of a difference i'd notice between those shafts and the ones that come with the lesser expensive McDermott cues and how I'd notice a performance difference or if i even would. (remember I shoot with an Action cue right now)

Lastly I'd appreciate any advice ore suggestions of cues I could look at in the price range I am looking for that would compare or surpass in quality/performace. I don't have much knowledge when it comes to pool cues and i'd like to make a purchase that i'm going to be happy with and enjoy. Any help is def welcome! Thank you so much in advance to anyone who takes the time to reply.

call me i can help you iam a distributer 734-693-3177

 

[ctyhntr]

Since you're in Queens, you may want to check out Mr. Duc Lam, CueMaster98 on AZB. He buys and sell cues, and known for his stash of old stock Falcon OEM blanks (originally made for Predator).

I just found Blatt online and it does look like a pool mega store carrying a wide variety. I was actually going to call them up and see if they allow you to test hit some cue before I take the train ride from Queens to go there. Thanks for the heads up. The more I look into Pool Cues the more I am reminded how i drove myself crazy when buying my Bowling balls and Softball Bats! lol

 

[Stylez777]

Since you're in Queens, you may want to check out Mr. Duc Lam, CueMaster98 on AZB. He buys and sell cues, and known for his stash of old stock Falcon OEM blanks (originally made for Predator).

Thanks for the heads up I sent him a PM and will await his reply.