General Questions about my Equipment

rootbeer506

rootbeer506

N00B
I'm new here, I hope this isn't in the wrong section, but I figured it would get the most views here, and couldn't really find another subforum appropriate.

BTW, it took me forever to register on this forum. Those subjective questions are ridiculous. Even with the help of google it took me 6 different questions until I could finally answer the Allison Fisher question.

Anyway, I'm starting to get into pool seriously. I'm 19 and have played the last 5 years every once in a while at my friends house. I also have a table at my house, but we rarely used it because I didn't have very nice cues. Moved to college this year and they had a pool table in the lobby. The cues were house cues and were terrible quality. They were all warped.

I set out to get my own cue. I know a guy who is an excellent player and said he would sell me a cue. He kept forgetting to bring it so he let me borrow his "Joss" cue that he carried around. Awesome cue, shot some of my best games with that stick. Finally he brought it and I bought his "Players" cue for $40-50. After about 6 months I got frustrated and broke it. Was pissed and went out and bought another cue. I went to the local shop and picked up a "GW Collection" something or another. Nice stick, it has a quick release thing and I got them to throw in an extra tip end. I planned on getting them re-tipped and having a 'breaking tip' and a 'playing tip'. Got the whole setup for like 175, which I thought was a decent deal. I've been really happy with this stick so far, but here comes my questions.

Tips: The Joss stick had some layered tip on it. I really liked it and planned on switching to at some point. I played with the stock tips and played well and didn't mind the feel of it. I think it is considered a "hard tip" is there advantages of switching to a different tip. Which ones are recommended. (Both break tip and playing tip) My playing style is not soft, but it's not hard. I put spin on all shots in attempts to shot make. I find I have good control on short shots, but anything across the table I can't manage to get much spin.

Tip Scuffers: Per recommendation of the buddy who sold me the players cue I got a "Willards" shaping/scuffing tool. I think it works pretty well, but don't know exactly what I'm looking for. I saw the cuetec "bowtie" tool, is that any good. Any other good recommendations.

Chalk: The pool shop sells Masters chalk for 30 cents a block. This is how I originally found this forum. Is this good chalk? Does color matter? I was playing with this red/orange chalk and it seems as if the other colors stick better, but it could just be the color. I'm open to switching to any brand color there is.

Jump Cues: The league I joined allows jump cues. Problem is I know nothing about them. I'm pretty tall with long arms and can use my stick and get the cue ball to jump a little bit and spin around different balls. I'm thinking a good jump stick would be fun and good to have. Any recommendations, links, etc. I'd like to keep it easily under 100 because I'm not a professional by an means and this will only see limited use.

Anything I'm missing or should have? Are there any good discount online stores that I don't know about. I am skeptical of ordering from some spots I see because they look like they could be a little shady and sell cheap Chinese crap.
 
rootbeer506 said:
I went to the local shop and picked up a "GW Collection" something or another. Nice stick, it has a quick release thing and I got them to throw in an extra tip end. I planned on getting them re-tipped and having a 'breaking tip' and a 'playing tip'.
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Are you saying your cue has removable/exchangable tips?

Basically one of those "avoid like the plague" things if this is the case. Perhaps you are instead saying you got 2 shafts, which would be ok. With a cue like you have though no huge need to shift out shafts for breaking and shooting IMO, it would not be worth the hassle.

As for chalk masters chalk is great, most people play with the blue and there are alot of people who do think the blue holds a little better although tradition plays a huge role in blue being the common color as well.
 
Well I will answer part of it,the best tip in my opinion is triangle,older lucasi is a good jump cue and so is a frog ,you can usually find one used and cheap,and I used a player jump break cue with a phenolic tip that broke and jumped fabulous,so good I still use it and wont sell it,I got to run but you can find alot of educated answers and adxice here ,but listen to all not just one
 
I don't know what you mean by "GW something". I would suggest using both shafts to play with instead of using one to play with and one to break with. You can break with a house cue or buy a cheap, solid cue to break with. I have four shafts for my playing cue and use all four. I have a '70s Adam with a steel joint and a water buffalo tip to break with. I paid 30 dollars for the Adam. Masters chalk is considered the best by the most people. For playing, a an inexpensive hard tip like a Triangle.
Now for the more serious stuff. If you broke your first cue out of frustration, in my experience, cue busters don't break just one. If you get that out of whack, you need some instruction, anger management, or taking up something other than pool. I've known a few guys who broke cues and usually the problem isn't the game.
Good luck.
 
Celtic said:
Are you saying your cue has removable/exchangable tips?

Basically one of those "avoid like the plague" things if this is the case. Perhaps you are instead saying you got 2 shafts, which would be ok. With a cue like you have though no huge need to shift out shafts for breaking and shooting IMO, it would not be worth the hassle.

As for chalk masters chalk is great, most people play with the blue and there are alot of people who do think the blue holds a little better although tradition plays a huge role in blue being the common color as well.
Click to expand...

Haha, yes, it's 2 shafts. I learned a long time ago screw in tips suck. (I thought it was REALLY cool at the time though lol)

I change them to break because it is a quick release shaft. So 2 revolutions and the playing shaft is out and the breaking shaft is in. I break pretty hard for most beginners, and my old tip had a mushroom effect going on it. I play golf and it's the same hip swing and I can generate some power.

Is the green chalk any good? The pool hall I played in had green chalk on the tables. Don't really want to go against what they already have. I don't care for the blue color because I think it's boring. But if it's going to give the best results I'm going to deal with it.
 
peteypooldude said:
Well I will answer part of it,the best tip in my opinion is triangle,older lucasi is a good jump cue and so is a frog ,you can usually find one used and cheap,and I used a player jump break cue with a phenolic tip that broke and jumped fabulous,so good I still use it and wont sell it,I got to run but you can find alot of educated answers and adxice here ,but listen to all not just one
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Do you have a link or a good online place to purchase from. I was looking at this one on eBay: http://cgi.ebay.com/Billiard-Jump-p...emQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item27af7c3ea2 Nothing special, but it's cheap and looks like it will do a good job. Maybe I should be looking at a jump/break cue instead of just a jump.
 
Equipment

First of all, welcome to the boards. I'm sure you will find plenty of helpful information. And plenty of BS too :)

I'd have to agree with Pushout that you need to drop the cue breaking habit quick. Especially if you eventually want a cue maker to make you something.

Sounds like you're off to a good start in learning about your gear. Most recreational players don't even have a clue as the what 'type' of tip they have on their cue. You'll probably find that you're going to have to try lots of different types before you settle on one. If you're hitting them up close but missing on longer shots it sounds like the deflection is getting you. You can probably do a search on deflection and get some great tips/education on compensating for that. Also, you may want to work on more center ball shots instead of using english on every shot.

OK, equipment. You'll probably get lots of helpful information in the 'Cue Review' section. There is even an entire sticky thread just on Tip Types.

Scuffers: I think most do the same thing just different designs. I'd recommend staying away from 'Tip~Pik' type tools. Especially if you're going to be using laminated tips.

Chalk: color doesn't make a difference. Use pink if blue is boring to you. Tan helps keep your shafts looking a little cleaner.

Jump cues: Learn to kick. If your tall and can reach, then learn to jump with your playing cue. SVB jumps with his playing cue and he seems to be doing ok. Most jump cues can jump a ball pretty easily. This is the least of your worries at this point. Learn to kick!

Anyway, hope this helps. Best of luck and stop breaking cues. :)
 
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Pushout said:
I don't know what you mean by "GW something". I would suggest using both shafts to play with instead of using one to play with and one to break with. You can break with a house cue or buy a cheap, solid cue to break with. I have four shafts for my playing cue and use all four. I have a '70s Adam with a steel joint and a water buffalo tip to break with. I paid 30 dollars for the Adam. Masters chalk is considered the best by the most people. For playing, a an inexpensive hard tip like a Triangle.
Now for the more serious stuff. If you broke your first cue out of frustration, in my experience, cue busters don't break just one. If you get that out of whack, you need some instruction, anger management, or taking up something other than pool. I've known a few guys who broke cues and usually the problem isn't the game.
Good luck.
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Sorry, I guess that's kinda broad. Like I said before my last tip messed up so I decided I wanted to make sure I had one tip that was nice. I may just buy a jump break stick though.

Why use an inexpensive hard tip? Is a hard one better than say a multi layered one or soft one? I don't really have a problem paying 20 bucks for a tip if it's going to make a difference.

As for the broken stick. I don't have an anger problem. It's really not as bad as it sounds. I abused it thinking it wouldn't break and it bit me in the ass when I had to buy a new one. This one hasn't been abused at all, so that's done and over. My main sport that I'm getting money to play is golf. So either way you look at it I've got something in my hand that generally people break in anger. I have never broken a golf club in frustration. (On a natural swing with something in my way, a few times, I'm very competitive and don't want to take a penalty)

Here's pictures of my cue:
P1040814-1.jpg

P1040815-1.jpg

P1040816-1.jpg
 
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cyrex said:
First of all, welcome to the boards. I'm sure you will find plenty of helpful information. And plenty of BS too :)

I'd have to agree with Pushout that you need to drop the cue breaking habit quick. Especially if you eventually want a cue maker to make you something.

Sounds like you're off to a good start in learning about your gear. Most recreational players don't even have a clue as the what 'type' of tip they have on their cue. You'll probably find that you're going to have to try lots of different types before you settle on one. If you're hitting them up close but missing on longer shots it sounds like the deflection is getting you. You can probably do a search on deflection and get some great tips/education on compensating for that. Also, you may want to work on more center ball shots instead of using english on every shot.

OK, equipment. You'll probably get lots of helpful information in the 'Cue Review' section. There is even an entire sticky thread just on Tip Types.

Scuffers: I think most do the same thing just different designs. I'd recommend staying away from 'Tip~Pik' type tools. Especially if you're going to be using laminated tips.

Chalk: color doesn't make a difference. Use pink if blue is boring to you. Tan helps keep your shafts looking a little cleaner.

Jump cues: Learn to kick. If your tall and can reach, then learn to jump with your playing cue. SVB jumps with his playing cue and he seems to be doing ok. Most jump cues can jump a ball pretty easily. This is the least of your worries at this point. Learn to kick!

Anyway, hope this helps. Best of luck and stop breaking cues. :)
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Thanks for the info, I'm going to go check that out.

I don't know what the term "kick" is. I tried to google it real quick, but I couldn't make understanding of it. I CAN jump with my playing cue, but I can't get it up as fast as I want. I need a little over a foot in order to clear the ball I'm trying to jump. I have also learned to spin it around the ball which is working pretty well for me. Most bank shots are not a problem for me. I have got to the point where I am surprised if I miss them and don't take too long to line them up. It's all feeling.

I consider myself a beginner as far a terms of getting into higher competition, but realistically I am pretty good. I can't find anyone here at school that can consistently beat me. Not saying a whole lot, buttt you get the point.

I came here looking for info on equipment because I can see this sport is like golf and very technical with different options. Meaning an easy way to take it to the next level is to get some equipment that fits you so you can get comfortable with it.

Edit: There were not stickies in the "Cue Review" section. A quick search didn't turn up anything either.
 
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Designed by Speed Pool World Record Holder Dave "The Ginger Wizard" Pearson

WRE85 - WRE98 are the same quality as the Lucasi Line of Cues

Click on a cue for a more detailed view and description

Manufactured by Cue and Case - Makers of Players and Lucasi Cues
Above from the billiard Warehouse site.
This is what a GW cue is. The one he has is pretty nice and probably made the same as a Lucasi. He did say it was a quick release joint. Uni lock.
 
TheBook said:
With all of that stuff you didn't mention a case to carry it in. You will need a case.

There are a lot of decent cases that are fairly reasonable. Do a search on this forum or just start a thread that you want a case. You will get a lot of offers.
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It came with a case. I didn't mention it because I don't really care at this point in time. It has room for 2 sticks. All my chalk, my scuffer, and some other stuff. It also came with a cue ball and a DVD on "How to play better pool".

As my game evolves and I get more and nicer cues I will get a nicer case.

Funny thing is. The guy I know who is a state champion pool player and well known around the city does not own a bag that I know of. (I don't know him too well) but he had 3 sticks behind the seat of his truck. Has his scuffer on his keychain and chalk in his cupholder. Also won the state title with the simplest 2 piece stick there is. Not all that important, but nice to have.
 
I would agree that a different cue for breaking would be better than having a shaft to play/break. You can eventually pick up a nice jumb/break cue that will do both effectively. I had a $70 dollar Players j/b that was decent for the money. I was just playing with a friends McDermott Stinger the other night and thought it blew up racks pretty nice. However, I now have a dedicated break cue and a seperate jump cue. But a jump/break is a good, economical route.

For tips, this will be something that feels right to you. My advise is just try as many as you can. Currently, I'm using a wizard medium but will go back to a hard tip next. I do think the wizard is pretty decent though.

The willards scuffer is good IMO, thats what I use.

I use Masters chalk. I use tan though. I like it bc my shaft, ferrule, and hand stay pretty clean. Anything Masters though works for me.

As far as billiards stores, I love Seyberts. A lot of it has to do with they are in driving distance depending where I am at on business and they are good people. I have made many online purchases through them as well with 0 problems.

Hope this helps, welcome to the boards, and keep the questions coming its how we all learn!
 
zy112 said:
I would agree that a different cue for breaking would be better than having a shaft to play/break. You can eventually pick up a nice jumb/break cue that will do both effectively. I had a $70 dollar Players j/b that was decent for the money. I was just playing with a friends McDermott Stinger the other night and thought it blew up racks pretty nice. However, I now have a dedicated break cue and a seperate jump cue. But a jump/break is a good, economical route.

For tips, this will be something that feels right to you. My advise is just try as many as you can. Currently, I'm using a wizard medium but will go back to a hard tip next. I do think the wizard is pretty decent though.

The willards scuffer is good IMO, thats what I use.

I use Masters chalk. I use tan though. I like it bc my shaft, ferrule, and hand stay pretty clean. Anything Masters though works for me.

As far as billiards stores, I love Seyberts. A lot of it has to do with they are in driving distance depending where I am at on business and they are good people. I have made many online purchases through them as well with 0 problems.

Hope this helps, welcome to the boards, and keep the questions coming its how we all learn!
Click to expand...

I appreciate it man. The pool shop around here doesn't have much. So I'll probably just end up trying to find something on eBay. I was just planning on getting a jump cue, but a break jump may be the better route. I don't know how much I'll jump anyway. I should be replacing wedges right now. . . . . . buttt I really want more pool stuff lol.

I guess tips are all preference. I'll probably just wait till I wear these down a little more then replace em. Maybe run one shaft with a soft tip and one with a hard. Do a little compare and contrast. Then work from there.

I'm thinking about some tan. Also thought about green or another color though. Who knows. Maybe I'll just get a variety. Switch it up every so often.

I'll have to check out Seyberts, never heard of them. How are their prices?
 
rootbeer506 said:
I'm thinking about some tan. Also thought about green or another color though. Who knows. Maybe I'll just get a variety. Switch it up every so often.
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Keep in mind that where you play they may not appreciate chalk other than green or blue if they have green or blue cloth. This is more important than keeping your shafts clean. I've actually seen people come in a pool room with RED chalk, intending to use it on green cloth. Clean your shafts regularly and you won't have to worry about chalk getting in the pores in the shafts. I played in a place for 25 years that, if you continued to play with different colored chalk, you'd get banned permanently.
 
The blue diamond chalk is very good. Is it worth the money, debatable, bit it is good.

Seyberts has great prices IMO, and I believe they garauntee at least a price match on their cues. For J/B's, I like the McDermott Stinger and the Poisons too. I have friends that use both and they like them a lot.

Also, I would try hard and medium tips before I used a soft, just my opinion though
 
Pushout said:
Keep in mind that where you play they may not appreciate chalk other than green or blue if they have green or blue cloth. This is more important than keeping your shafts clean. I've actually seen people come in a pool room with RED chalk, intending to use it on green cloth. Clean your shafts regularly and you won't have to worry about chalk getting in the pores in the shafts. I played in a place for 25 years that, if you continued to play with different colored chalk, you'd get banned permanently.
Click to expand...

Very true, and I should have mentioned this. So I will say now, yes I prefer tan, but always have a piece of blue or green on reserve if its not what you regularly use.
 
rootbeer506 said:
Alright I went to http://www.seyberts.com/catalog/Billiard_Chalk-43-1.html

I'm looking at the chalk. This blue diamond and NIR chalk. Anyone used it, and is it worth the money? I'm almost tempted to try it for kicks and giggles.
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Welcome to AZB. I use Blue Diamond chalk (used to only use Master chalk) and i have to say it is great stuff. Holds on the tip much better than Masters in my observation and plays very well.

Also be sure to check out the For Sale section of the forums....lots of great deals and i actually feel much more comfortable buying things here than on Ebay. Good luck and be careful....the Pool Bug is just as deadly as the Golf Bug! :wink:
 
tips

that is a good looking cue . i like the feel of the leather wrap , had a
mcder.with leather. back to your question about tips , as for a break cue
find a good solid cue with stainless steel joint with thicker shaft dia.
13 1/4 - 13 1/2 may have to look around but they are out there .
will most likely need to retip with hard tip i like the sumo. has a hard break.
as for playing cue don't change shafts back and forth , won't be long
will be replaceing joint pin and insert. about the tips i like a morri layerd
plays good. if you want to go with non layerd go with a triangle they are
good. i have three cues with morri tips, one joss two jacobys .
one joss & dp and a few no name cues with triangle tips
i like the feel and play of the joss with the triangle has a good solid
medium hit . not much but hope this will help john107:anderson sc
 
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