Definition: Best hiting cue

S

socalplayer

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I've been reading ads for cue sales for some time now and I find that many describe the hit of their cue as: "Hits a ton" - "Hits great" - "Best hitting cue I ever played" and so on.
I've also read that if you want the best hit in a cue you have to go with a custom cue as none of the so-called production cues can deliver a quality hit.
My question is, can anyone here define what you think a good hit is? Or what qualities you believe make for a good hit? Do you believe a custom is the only way to a quality hit and why?
I've been doing this for many years and I know for myself what I like in a cue. But what about the rest of you? Just asking to be enlightened.
 
Its not just a question of knowing what you like, its also about being able to describe it. Hit is like the sense of taste, desirable to all but a little hard to describe. I know for myself, I always was attracted to cues that had what I felt was a "lighter" feel which turned out to be actually much more about balance than it was about weight.

The thing about the hit is a little strange. I'm wondering if its the best hit that moves the ball around the most? Surely in the old days, cues were heavier presumably as it was harder to move the ball on the old cloth. Now with the new cloth is the big movement hit the most desirable or is there a precision hit that is preferable? Besides, don't the bigger hitting cues throw of more deflection or can that be 2 separate issues?

Kevin
 
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I want a very solid feel with no vibration at contact. I want a very slight dulled single wave of energy coming back up the cue on contact. I want that return energy from the hit to be instantaneous and then gone. That is a solid hit to me.

I also want an instantaneous and very low pitch slight sound of the cue tip contacting the cueball, I hate "clink" types of sound that can come from loose joints or other construction defects that can cause unwanted sounds at contact.
 
Great feedback after cueball contact, great cueball action and low deflection.
Meaning it makes running out easier.
 
socalplayer said:
I've been reading ads for cue sales for some time now and I find that many describe the hit of their cue as: "Hits a ton" - "Hits great" - "Best hitting cue I ever played" and so on.
I've also read that if you want the best hit in a cue you have to go with a custom cue as none of the so-called production cues can deliver a quality hit.
My question is, can anyone here define what you think a good hit is? Or what qualities you believe make for a good hit? Do you believe a custom is the only way to a quality hit and why?
I've been doing this for many years and I know for myself what I like in a cue. But what about the rest of you? Just asking to be enlightened.
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You bring up some good points of discussion.What 1 person thinks is a good hitting cue might be junk to someone else, as the cues hit is often as subject as tip choice, joint type or ferrule type or wood types used. Assuming here that the construction is sound, that too is also subjective.
However, the best part of a custom cue verses a production cue is, balance, decoration,and length.These things you get the say on. With a production cue, you just have to pick through to find what you like.

I believe that there are alot of production cues that hit every bit as good as custom cues.I have no doubt about that. But the production cue may not be the ideal length or balace or weight for you.
For this reason alone, I don't thhink it is a good idea to buy a used custom cue.As that cue was made for that person alone,unless you like that same balance point, length, and weight of the cue.
 
The definition of "best hitting cue" is the one you're currently trying to sell. :D
 
socalplayer said:
I've been reading ads for cue sales for some time now and I find that many describe the hit of their cue as: "Hits a ton" - "Hits great" - "Best hitting cue I ever played" and so on.
I've also read that if you want the best hit in a cue you have to go with a custom cue as none of the so-called production cues can deliver a quality hit.
My question is, can anyone here define what you think a good hit is? Or what qualities you believe make for a good hit? Do you believe a custom is the only way to a quality hit and why?
I've been doing this for many years and I know for myself what I like in a cue. But what about the rest of you? Just asking to be enlightened.
Click to expand...

These forsale listings with the best hitting cue, monster hitter, hits a ton are nothing but hype designed to catch the attention of the unaware. All of the above statements are either an opinion or a false statement used to add flavor to a cue forsale listing.

The elusive best hitting cue can only be found on an individual basis. No one can explain what the best hitting cue is simple because it is a personal preference. Some folks like a forwardly weighted cue and some like the weight in the rear. Some like a a neutral balance point and again some like it forward or to the rear of that position. Some like a standard shaft 29" long - 13 mm at the tip with a pro-taper and some like a larger of smaller diameter with a straight or extended taper. But, what is best for you can only be found by trying different cues with the above differences. Once you find what you like there then you must find a tip that suits your needs, and this again is all experimentation. Don't fall for this same crap where tips are concerned, because there is also no best tip only an opinion that is based upon some ones preference.

Custom cues verse production cues? In my opinion you should start out with production cues to find what you like in terms of the things listed above. The major difference between a custom cue and a production cue are the custom modifications you can have built into the cue for your needs, and with production there is only a standard that all are basically built to. Such as, length 57-58 inches, shaft 12.75 to 13 mm with a pro-taper, and a adjustable weight bolt assemble. Then if pool becomes addictive for you and you feel like it is going to become part of life consider a custom cue that can be built to the standards that you require, and then and only then will you find the best hitting cue that also hits a ton even in the snow or on Raine days!!!!!:D

Oh and by the way avoid those selling tactics like the plague because either person selling the item really has no clue or they are trying to take advantage of your inexperience!!!!:thumbup:

JIMO
 
Like looking for the Perfect Wave if you are a Surfer,
tubebank_wideweb__430x286,0.jpg
 
grindz said:
"Definition:Best hitting cue"



MINE!! :D


td
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This is exactly right. The "best hitting cue" is whatever you're most familiar with. And if you change cues and get familiar with something else, that will be the best. And so on. It can be a custom cue or a production cue, cost $5,000 or $50.

It's a meaningless phrase, and it's not worth your (or anybody's) time wondering about it.

pj
chgo
 
The best hitting cue is something like the best driving truck. Depends on what you are looking for.

I have been teling guys for years that my Dodge "soccer mom" Van is a 1/2 ton truck with comfort and an enclosed bed. Yeah, yeah, yeah I hear from drivers who love their Chevy 1/4 ton. Now a real truck is my Chevy 3/4 ton with a 350 diesel. Depends on what you are doing doesn't it?
 
Celtic said:
I want a very solid feel with no vibration at contact. I want a very slight dulled single wave of energy coming back up the cue on contact. I want that return energy from the hit to be instantaneous and then gone. That is a solid hit to me.

I also want an instantaneous and very low pitch slight sound of the cue tip contacting the cueball, I hate "clink" types of sound that can come from loose joints or other construction defects that can cause unwanted sounds at contact.
Click to expand...

Thats a great description, exactly what I look for also. Hate that clink sound.
 
More on the subject

I agree with every response that has been generated by my original post. Even the comical answers are oddly as valid as the more technical ones.
I particularly like the answer "JCOMMIE" gave (the cue I'm currently trying to sell") A lot of truth in that statement LOL.
The feel of a cue's hit is to individually subjective to ever define as best or even worse as long as it is well constructed.
It seems you could have any number of the top players in the world try out the same exact cue and come away with any number of opinions as to its hit.
I currently use a Schon with a Z-2 and Moori medium tip and of course it hits "TONS" and is the greatest hitting cue ever made LOL.
Thanks for the replies and keep them coming.
 
I've gone through a few cues, nowhere near as many of the folks here. I've never had a cue that didn't hit well. Most of the time it comes down to changing the tip. Some have hit alot better than others, but no slouches. As far as I am conserned, the best hitting cues are the ones I keep. I'm down to two, a Runde and a Runde Schon. My all time favorite was an old Willie hoppe pro that I sold. I shouldn't have sold it, but I did. With a good tip and a good stroke, I can do the same with my current cues. I do believe, at least for me, a straight grained maple nosed cue with a stainless joint is te way to go, but that is me. Some people love Fords, I'm a Chevy guy, even though I drive a Volvo wagon. I'm not gonna put my 14 month old in the front of my 48 Chevy, but the wagon is perfect.
 
socalplayer said:
I've been reading ads for cue sales for some time now and I find that many describe the hit of their cue as: "Hits a ton" - "Hits great" - "Best hitting cue I ever played" and so on.
I've also read that if you want the best hit in a cue you have to go with a custom cue as none of the so-called production cues can deliver a quality hit.
My question is, can anyone here define what you think a good hit is? Or what qualities you believe make for a good hit? Do you believe a custom is the only way to a quality hit and why?
I've been doing this for many years and I know for myself what I like in a cue. But what about the rest of you? Just asking to be enlightened.
Click to expand...


To me it means feedback to my hands, fairly stiff hit, well balanced so that it doesn't feel as heavy as it is, easily moves the rock around, and consistent hit.

the best hitting cue I've owned was like a extension of my arm, just felt right when I picked it up. The current owner evidently feels the same way, since he won't sell it back.
 
Patrick Johnson said:
This is exactly right. The "best hitting cue" is whatever you're most familiar with. And if you change cues and get familiar with something else, that will be the best. And so on. It can be a custom cue or a production cue, cost $5,000 or $50.

It's a meaningless phrase, and it's not worth your (or anybody's) time wondering about it.

pj
chgo
Click to expand...

Exactly. If you like it, leave it at that.
 
FYI, I have some definitions of "hit," "feel," and "play" here:


Personally, if the CB goes where I'm aiming, I don't care about the "hit" or "feel" of the cue. Although, it is nice to hear and feel what you are used to hearing and feeling (i.e., people don't like change).

Regards,
Dave
 
"Mine" too

I agree with the "mine" concept. Otherwise, why play with it. Although I think my 'mine" is best for me, I will sometimes try someone elses "mine" for comparison. Usually only when 'mine" is misbehaving will I do this. Often this means it is time for me to put another pressed Elkmaster on to restore order and regain the "mine" works-for-me mindset.

For me it's about feel- hard to explain-might differ day to day-tip dried out?-too humid today?

If you're lucky-the best hitting cue is yours and/because you like it. But then again we can successfully adjust to a new girfriend with a different feel and be just as happy or more so. Go figure.

3railkick

fishing in Bishop was tough/Owens river ran high and fast
 
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