Best cue for under $350?

T

tonto21

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I am sure most of you are tired of answering questions such as this, but I would appreciate your input so I hopefully will not regret my purchase. After "some" research and browsing of the forums the brands I am considering is Joss, McDermott, Pechauer, and Poison (by Predator).

I know this seems pretty broad, but any and all input/suggestions would be appreciated. and by the way this is a cue for everyday play not as concerned with resale, just quality. (I believe I would prefer to purchase new rather than used, but all of that is still up in the air.)

Thanks,
Chase
 
Best cue for under $350

All the cue brands you mentioned below ARE quality cues and in your price range. Each brand has a "reputation". Joss and Schon have a (subjective) "hard hit" or "stiffer hit", Pechauer slightly less so, Poison even less and McDermott HAS a softer (or soft) hit. These "feels" are created by a combination of type of joint, thickness and taper of the shaft, stiffness of the ferrule material and lastly, the hardness of the tip. ALL these variables or combination of the variables YOU must sort out to "fit" your preference. Best advise, try out as many cues as you can. Find out what "feels" good to you and what "performs" best for you. GOOD LUCK !!!



tonto21 said:
I am sure most of you are tired of answering questions such as this, but I would appreciate your input so I hopefully will not regret my purchase. After "some" research and browsing of the forums the brands I am considering is Joss, McDermott, Pechauer, and Poison (by Predator).

I know this seems pretty broad, but any and all input/suggestions would be appreciated. and by the way this is a cue for everyday play not as concerned with resale, just quality. (I believe I would prefer to purchase new rather than used, but all of that is still up in the air.)

Thanks,
Chase
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tonto21 said:
I am sure most of you are tired of answering questions such as this, but I would appreciate your input so I hopefully will not regret my purchase. After "some" research and browsing of the forums the brands I am considering is Joss, McDermott, Pechauer, and Poison (by Predator).

I know this seems pretty broad, but any and all input/suggestions would be appreciated. and by the way this is a cue for everyday play not as concerned with resale, just quality. (I believe I would prefer to purchase new rather than used, but all of that is still up in the air.)

Thanks,
Chase
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Get a Jacoby, I'm selling mine for a few dollars more, but you can find one in about any style, wood, and joint you want. You'll get MORE as far as looks for the dollar, and I think the folks at Jacoby are 2nd to none in customer service and great with you after the sale as well!!!! Playability, of course, is subjective, but like I said, you like 3/8 x 10 wood to wood joint - they make em, 5/16 x 14 piloted stainless steel joint - they make em, radial pin - again, they make em. BANG FOR THE BUCK, quality, play GREAT, look GREAT, I could go on and on....give em a look!
 
I own 3 Pechauers and use one for my player cue. I can't say enough positive about them. I also own a McDermott and have played with Joss and Poison's. The only one I don't care for at all is the Poison's, but many others may find them good players for a production cue. I don't think you can go wrong with a Pechauer though, and their quality is top notch!
 
tonto21 said:
I am sure most of you are tired of answering questions such as this, but I would appreciate your input so I hopefully will not regret my purchase. After "some" research and browsing of the forums the brands I am considering is Joss, McDermott, Pechauer, and Poison (by Predator).

I know this seems pretty broad, but any and all input/suggestions would be appreciated. and by the way this is a cue for everyday play not as concerned with resale, just quality. (I believe I would prefer to purchase new rather than used, but all of that is still up in the air.)

Thanks,
Chase
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I'd drop the poison from the list...but that's just my taste. I won a poison in a drawing. Played with it a bit, then gave it to a friend. Trusty's Jacoby suggestion is a good one. Nice cue...
 
zy112 said:
I own 3 Pechauers and use one for my player cue. I can't say enough positive about them. I also own a McDermott and have played with Joss and Poison's. The only one I don't care for at all is the Poison's, but many others may find them good players for a production cue. I don't think you can go wrong with a Pechauer though, and their quality is top notch!
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That's some good advice right there
 
zy112 said:
I own 3 Pechauers and use one for my player cue. I can't say enough positive about them. I also own a McDermott and have played with Joss and Poison's. The only one I don't care for at all is the Poison's, but many others may find them good players for a production cue. I don't think you can go wrong with a Pechauer though, and their quality is top notch!
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2nd on my list for under $350 - the few Pechauers I tried ALL played well. :cool:

BTW, the ones I tried all had a full stainless joint (PS or SP??? series), not one was under $400 though.
 
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Your input and suggestions are really helping out. If any of you have had personal experience with the brands I mentioned it would be great to hear your opinions on them. Also, if there are other brands that really stand out as a great value feel free to mention them. I have played pool for a pretty good while now, but have never been very serious about it, just casual; so if there are brands or specs. I should avoid please mention those as well.
 
I realize you prefer new, but you can find a like-new Schon STL-1 for $300 (I got one off AZ a year ago).
 
To recommend a good setup for you I would want to know what you are playing with now and if that is the type of "hit" you like. And what type of tip and hardness (if necessary) are you using.

This would make it somewhat easier to suggest a cue that fits your price range and cue feel. There are several good suggestions already listed.

Gary
 
Step 1: Get in vehicle
Step 2: Drive to nearest major pool room
Step 3: Find local cue jockey
Step 4: Ask him what he has for sale
Step 5: Play a few racks with all cues
Step 6: Negotiate a price under $350
 
my advice to you seriously is save about 100$ more and get a low end custom and protect your investment intead of throwing 350$ in the trash can. say you buy the 300$ mcdermott. in 6 months you want to step up. if you get half your $$$ back consider yourself lucky. but if you spend 4-500$ and get a cue from a number of makers that will not only play better but hold its value.

im not trying to sell you a cue so take a maker like bryan mordt bcm cues. you can not and will not find a better cue for 400$ it will most likely play better then a production cue and if u keep it nice you will prob break even
 
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I agree with Dave S. Save a few more dollars and get something made to your specs. Especially if this is going to be your long term player for a while.
 
A good friend on mine has a (Rat Cue) made by Ryan Theewen. Man this cue has one of the best hits, an perfect fit an finish. All for 300 buck a rues. Case closed. www.poolndarts.com :cool:
 
Ky Boy asked a key question, which was what are you using now - ie. what traits in a cue are you looking for?

I don't believe anyone has asked - Are you looking for a low deflection shaft?


AZ's knowledgable posters here will recommend viable cues all day long, but "prescribing" a cue without some information on your "I want" list is not the best way to approach a purchase.
 
skip said:
A good friend on mine has a (Rat Cue) made by Ryan Theewen. Man this cue has one of the best hits, an perfect fit an finish. All for 300 buck a rues. Case closed. www.poolndarts.com :cool:
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From what I've seen and heard, this would be your best bet. By all accounts Ryan makes a great cue for a very reasonable price.
 
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