Lucasi = junk?

[Beware_of_Dawg]

I believe they are all manufactured along with Predator and others by the largest factory in China, Taican

Yeah man.

You could start your own brand name of cues if you wanted to, order them from the OEM in Tailand, have them put any name you want og them... you could choose everything from the woods to the inlays, you name it. I dont think anyone know for sure exactly how many brand names of cues are turned out in that factory, but it's CONSIDERABLE.

 

[RD3P]

My local hall gave me a pretty sweet deal on mine so I didn't pay anywhere close to sticker for it, but ...

I wish I could remember the details, but I also heard that the company who makes (manufactures?) Lucasi also make another higher-end brand's cue... anyone know who it is? I took that to mean it was like buying a Sammik guitar - the same manufacturing house that builds Gibson, so essentially you're getting a Gibson, with a different name on the headstock.

you cant be serious....

Gibson guitars are made in Bozeman Montana and Nashville TN.

where do you get your info????? Sammik Guitars are cheap and great for beginners when properly setup(need lots of fretwork usually)....but they are lightyears behind a Gibson.

Epiphone is Gibsons budget aisian company....there guitars are not made at sammick factory either. 20 years ago some guitars were made at sammicks plant(the cheapest ones) Now epiphone has there own factory in china....Also Epiphone has the Elitist line made in Japan...but the Quality rivaled that of the American Gibsons so they quit producing them a few years back i believe...they may still produce a few elitist epi's

 

[Fastolfe]

20 years ago when I started playing carom, I wanted to buy my first cue. I asked my billiards teacher, who was a regional champion, what cue I should get. He answered "one that is straight with a tip at the end". And indeed he played with a $20 no-name thing and won titles with it.

Unless there's something fundamentally wrong with a cue, once/if you get used to it, it's just as good as any other cue as far as playability is concerned. I believe only very good players can improve their games with a very good cue. For the rest of us, of course you may want to get a great cue for its beauty, its finish, because it "feels right", because it gives you wet dreams, because you're a collector, or to show off. It may even help your game because you enjoy it and you feel good with it, but in the end it won't make the shot any better than a low-cost production cue.

So yeah, a Lucasi is fine.

 

[RD3P]

pool cues are the kind of thing that you spend good money for because:

you dont want to dislike anything about your cue. as long as nothing about your cue bothers you...then its good cue for you too shoot with.

a 400 dollar used schon or a $250 new joss or a $175 mcdermott is a better choice than Lucasi...IMO buy american, when buying american can be afforded.

Mcdermott even makes a "lucky" line of cues ,they are not produced in america....a friend got one with a leather wrap brand new for 65 dollars ,and the thing hits feels great....at least its made in china by an american company.

 

[1pRoscoe]

I've had a few Lucasi cues and have to say - for the money, they aren't bad at all. I think my favorite production cues are Joss and Schon, actually...

If I were to spend $150 on a new cue, it'd probably be a Lucasi.

As for this:

imo, over a few hundred bucks and you start paying for artwork rather than playability.

I think that is HIGHLY inaccurate....

hell - I paid for these:
$500
more than $500
A LOT more than $500

where's the artwork? I paid for playability, value, and attention to detail....

 

[KRJ]

I had heard something similar to that as well; after a certain price point, it's just the decoration, handmade insets, ivory, pearl, etc...

I really like my cue, although the other day I got to play with a Southwest and that has kinda spoiled me. I just can't talk myself into chalking up $1800 for a cue when I only play for fun.

I am thinking about trying a schon though, just to see. Although, before any of that, I'll probably look into getting a new shaft.

Yes, the inlays and what the inlays are made of do add considerable cost to cue, especially if using silver or ivory. But again, the custom cue makers are aging their wood, storing it properly, making numerous cuts and letting them dry again and again to ensure playability for not years, but decades. Thas is why a sneaky pete by a custom maker is still going to cost $300 to $500. They are going to better balanced, better type of finish, better joint, etc, etc.

Certainly, all cars have four wheels and an engine and after a certain price are you are just paying for the "options"... not quite. Do you think the custom cue makers are a little better at attention to detail than the $1.25 per hour assembly worker in a Chinese factory? Do you think that Chrysler puts the same quality leather in their vehicles as Lexus does? Or the same quality engine, or same quailty electrical switches or the same amount of noise insulation. Yeah, the Lexus costs a lot more but you are paying for quality. And which car is going to hold their value longer? Which car is going to last 200K miles plus !!

Unlike a custom cue, the Lucasi will go down in value as soon as you "drive it off the lot". Why is that? I'm going by the Blue Book of Pool Cues, 3rd Edition. Why do the custom makers go up, and keep going up. If you want the best bang for your buck, get what is going to last the longest, has the best materials, will go up NOT down in price and shoots like a dream. Your not gonna find any of these characteristics in China. The price goes down for Chinese made because like a trailer home, they only have a certain shelf life, thus once they hit the "wall" they become break cues, or sold to a buddy for a couple of bucks, or used as firewood.

 

[poolplayer2093]

Lucasi makes a great cue. I had a $125 Lucasi with a radial pin, was a great cue.

With cues, the price doesnt mean it plays better. After a certain point, its the player, not the cue.

a friend of mine had one of the 4 pointers with the radial pins. it played really well! the ss jointed ones are a little too front heavy for me but if i was on a budget and needed a good playing cue i'd pick up one of the radial pin lucasi's

 

[greyghost]

Unlike a custom cue, the Lucasi will go down in value as soon as you "drive it off the lot". Why is that? I'm going by the Blue Book of Pool Cues, 3rd Edition. Why do the custom makers go up, and keep going up. If you want the best bang for your buck, get what is going to last the longest, has the best materials, will go up NOT down in price and shoots like a dream. Your not gonna find any of these characteristics in China. The price goes down for Chinese made because like a trailer home, they only have a certain shelf life, thus once they hit the "wall" they become break cues, or sold to a buddy for a couple of bucks, or used as firewood.

The price goes down not because the cues fall apart, its because they are made by the thousands. Custom cues are usually unique. The custom makers that put out the best product and the least amount of cues are worth the most $$$. If the titlists were still all over every pool hall they wouldn't be worth a butt load they would be cheap. They maintain price b/c of collectibility not necessarily playability

 

[jdxprs]

I've had a few Lucasi cues and have to say - for the money, they aren't bad at all. I think my favorite production cues are Joss and Schon, actually...

If I were to spend $150 on a new cue, it'd probably be a Lucasi.

As for this:

I think that is HIGHLY inaccurate....

hell - I paid for these:
$500
more than $500
A LOT more than $500

where's the artwork? I paid for playability, value, and attention to detail....

and when a guy walks in with a mcdermott and kicks your ass, what did those high price sticks really get you? :grin:

 

[1pRoscoe]

and when a guy walks in with a mcdermott and kicks your ass, what did those high price sticks really get you? :grin:

It's happened before, will happen again.... I've also beaten a fair share of people shooting with $50 cues and $4000 cues....

It's just like a watch... A Seiko tells time just as well as a Rolex, but I prefer the latter...

You only live once, buy what you want..

-Ross
owns a few McDermotts as well...

 

[Fastolfe]

The price goes down for Chinese made because like a trailer home, they only have a certain shelf life, thus once they hit the "wall" they become break cues, or sold to a buddy for a couple of bucks, or used as firewood.

I think you got it backward. Chinese cues will last forever (as playing tools) if you take care of them. They don't "wear out" any faster than expensive cues. The trouble is, people who buy $100 cues usually treat them accordingly, and trash them in a very short time.

When you buy a $100 cue, you do risk of seeing the shaft warp after some time, or having the tip come off, a bad joint etc... But if you happen to get a "good" one, it'll play just fine and last forever if you care to let it. I myself play with a cheap 12 year old Meucci that hits great, still looks good and never let me down.

 

[mamono]

I have 3 Lucasi's, all three are almost 15 years old. All three are straight as an arrow! I notice maybe a little bit of ring lift or finish wear, but nothing completely unsightly or drastically wrong. All three are great hitting cues and play very well. There is nothing wrong with them as long as you take care of them! That holds true with everything in life! If you take care of your car, you're going to be able to drive it for many years!

 

[IntoTheRail]

stick a predator on the end of one and you've got something that will hit just about as good as anything.
tim

Cool thing about that is the Lucasi's are UniLoc and the predator shafts always seem to line up perfectly on a Lucasi butt. I bought a 314-2 shaft for 70 bucks off of a guy at the pool hall and then bough the Lucasi pictured below for $130, except mine had a uni loc. So for $200 I had a great player that I eventually sold for $250....not a bad deal.

I dont know if I would spend over $200 for a stock Lucasi but anything below that price I think is going to be the best bang for the buck, especially for a newer player wanting their first cue.

 

[Standbykid]

They are a great production cue for the price. A lot of guys I know love 'em. I've hit with a few and thought they hit really well. They are definitely not "junk".

 

[3andstop]

Well, I've been playing about 50yrs also. I bought my son-in-law a Lucasi for Xmas a few yrs back.

Personally, I'd never EVER spend more than 200 or so bucks on a cue. I have no intention of being a collector. I don't need my cue to be conversation piece either.

I play with an old Meucci and I'm used to the hit an like it.

If you don't like the hit on ANY cue, just change the tip.

I personally did not care for the feel of my son-in-laws Lucasi as it came out of the box because it tapered fat too quick for me.

Nothing putting it on the end of a drill and taking some 200 sandpaper to won't fix just fine however. Just finish it up with some fine stuff and a dollar bill and let em have their 200 dollar shafts too!

 

[KRJ]

I have 3 Lucasi's, all three are almost 15 years old. All three are straight as an arrow! I notice maybe a little bit of ring lift or finish wear, but nothing completely unsightly or drastically wrong. All three are great hitting cues and play very well. There is nothing wrong with them as long as you take care of them! That holds true with everything in life! If you take care of your car, you're going to be able to drive it for many years!

And what are they worth today ?? What would have happened if you bought one really good cue and kept it in nice condition rather than buying three cheap cues. You could sell the good one now and buy another nice cue, or just keep it have have a good cue for ever. The Lucasi will bring you pennies on the dollar. This is about what is the better deal. If you have to chose between a $400 decorative Lucasi and a $400 custom cue sneaky pete, the better deal is the custom cue. I'm glad people like the cheap Chinese cues and they play "great". But great comparted to what? There is always going to be a difference on opinion.
Why does someone buy a Kia over a Camry, when Camry is far better built vehicle and has been rated one of most dependable vehicles around. Why, because the Kia is a few grand cheaper to buy. But what is the resale value of the Kia in a few years, what is the cost to maintain the Kia when warranty runs out, what is the cost of driving a cheap imitation that will last only half as long as competitor. When your Lucasi is 35 years, come talk to me about it's condition. Add up the cost of the three Lucasis' and think what you could have gotten instead. Put them on Ebay and see what the price is for them, almost Zilch value in a 15 year old Chinese made cue.

 

[KRJ]

Wtf

I think you got it backward. Chinese cues will last forever (as playing tools) if you take care of them. They don't "wear out" any faster than expensive cues. The trouble is, people who buy $100 cues usually treat them accordingly, and trash them in a very short time.

When you buy a $100 cue, you do risk of seeing the shaft warp after some time, or having the tip come off, a bad joint etc... But if you happen to get a "good" one, it'll play just fine and last forever if you care to let it. I myself play with a cheap 12 year old Meucci that hits great, still looks good and never let me down.

I got it backwards, Chinese cues will last forever?? Seriously, did you really just type those words without laughing. Yes, they do wear out faster. They don't use the same type of wood or age it properly or ensure make numerous cuts to ensure only the best of the best wood is being used. The shaft and butts will entually warp, and there will be the few that don't warp. And you said it best, BUT IF YOU HAPPEN TO GET A GOOD ONE,,, exactly what I have been saying here all along. Why gamble on some low made, over produced Chinese made cue when you can get the best cues in the USA that will go up or at least hold their value.

I never was comparing low cost production cues like your Meucci, but you add to my point, you picked an American cue manufacturer who properly used the right woods and other techniques to ensure longevity, again, this is what I have been saying all along. You bought the right cue in Meucci because of the quality, not price alone. I'm sure you could have gotten a Lucasi a few bucks cheaper, but resale value and quality mean something. I'm saying stay away from the Chinese stuff. Remember when the Chineses companies put all that illegal lead in toys sold to American children, and the poison in the dog food when sold to USA, and the poison in baby formula that was sold in China, and the "stinky drywall" that they sold to USA over the past few years, the list goes on and on.

I'm talking about cheap cues made in China, not inexpensive American cues. Again, does anyone want to trade their Lucasi for my Burton Spain or original Schuler?? Buy what you want but at least know what you are getting and why. I"m sure someone somewherre still has a Yugo that swears it's an awesome car.

The orginal poster was asking why Lucasi was considered "junk". I never said they were junk, just answering his question of why the opinion is out there. And in a nut shell, this is why they are considered throw aways.

 

[3andstop]

And what are they worth today ?? What would have happened if you bought one really good cue and kept it in nice condition rather than buying three cheap cues. You could sell the good one now and buy another nice cue, or just keep it have have a good cue for ever. The Lucasi will bring you pennies on the dollar. This is about what is the better deal. If you have to chose between a $400 decorative Lucasi and a $400 custom cue sneaky pete, the better deal is the custom cue. I'm glad people like the cheap Chinese cues and they play "great". But great comparted to what? There is always going to be a difference on opinion.
Why does someone buy a Kia over a Camry, when Camry is far better built vehicle and has been rated one of most dependable vehicles around. Why, because the Kia is a few grand cheaper to buy. But what is the resale value of the Kia in a few years, what is the cost to maintain the Kia when warranty runs out, what is the cost of driving a cheap imitation that will last only half as long as competitor. When your Lucasi is 35 years, come talk to me about it's condition. Add up the cost of the three Lucasis' and think what you could have gotten instead. Put them on Ebay and see what the price is for them, almost Zilch value in a 15 year old Chinese made cue.

I never considered buying a cue to resell it for profit.

With this consideration in mind, I'd suggest silver. I think silver is a better bet than a cue stick for a return on your dollar. :wink:

edit ... so to elaborate, buy your 200 dollar cue and put the other1200 bucks in the silver.

 

[KRJ]

I never considered buying a cue to resell it for profit.

With this consideration in mind, I'd suggest silver. I think silver is a better bet than a cue stick for a return on your dollar. :wink:

edit ... so to elaborate, buy your 200 dollar cue and put the other1200 bucks in the silver.

Either do I. I still have my Spain cue. But why buy a cue that is going to only go down in value and not have the same quality, etc. Wouldn't it be nice when you decide to buy another cue and see that your current cue actually still has some value. Then you can trade up for only a few bucks more rather than starting from scratch. Plus, selling your cue will be a lot easier if it was a nice cue when you purchased it. Again, the guy wanted to know why Lucasi was considered junk, his question not mine. I"m answering his question as to why and have stated the reasons several several times. If my answers frighten you, maybe you should stop asking scary questions !! OK, I stole that last line from Pulp Fiction !!
But jeez, for $400 you could get a Jacoby, Viking, Muecci, Schuler, Schmeke, Dale Perry, not too mention a boat load of custom makers sneaky petes with the exact dimensions, weight, and shaft that you want.
And suppor some of the American companies making the best cues in the world, instead of China that has been producing nothing but crap products for many years now.

 

[Fastolfe]

[...]Why gamble on some low made, over produced Chinese made cue when you can get the best cues in the USA that will go up or at least hold their value. I never was comparing low cost production cues like your Meucci, but you add to my point, you picked an American cue manufacturer who properly used the right woods[...]

Why don't you lay off the mindless patriotic bullshit already. We know you hate China, you made yourself abundantly clear before.

I wasn't talking about super-cheap crap you find at Walmart, I was talking about *decent* cues made in China. Yes, there is the odd bad cue with cheaper ones, that's a risk you have to take with cues made in China, and with cheap cues made in the US as well.

An affordable decent cue will last as long as any super-expensive cue from any reputable one-cue-a-week maker if you care for it. It won't look as nice, the finish isn't as good, but the cue will last just as long. At some point you need to stop kidding yourself and realize cues are just decorated lumps of wood. Expensive cues are made of super-nice wood, and decent cues are made of decent wood. Decent wood doesn't warp if the cue was correctly made (apart from the ocasional dud). For what it's worth, I should mention that I work with expensive woods professionally. I am a gunsmith and I make stocks that range from 200 euros to 4000. Guess what? The only difference is looks and finish. The gun doesn't fire any better with the 4000 euro stock, and the 200 euro stock doesn't warp either because my woods are dried properly, despite the price.

Also, I have news for you: China can design and manufacture good products all by itself these days. It can make crap too, but it increasingly makes a lot of good stuff on its own. It doesn't need Uncle Sam anymore. Sorry it hurts, but that's the truth. In fact most of the good products you own and enjoy come from China. If you think you can buy all american these days, you're dreaming. Heck, US companies themselves don't want to manufacture in the US where its more expensive.

Oh, and Meucci gets its blanks from China (even complete cues in the case of their Medici line). As for my Meucci, I didn't buy it, I won it from a guy, and I kept it because it played good, not because it may or may not be made in the US. I don't care where good products are made, I just care if they're good, sorry.