New to the scene, looking for my first cue.

P

PhattyT

Registered
Hello AZbillards, I'm fairly new to the game and i've been reading on which cue's to purchase as a starter. I would like your opinion on these 3 cue's before i decide to purchase.

First is the Playerscuec955 with a moori 3 med tip ($80)

http://www.ozonebilliards.com/playerscuec955.html

Second is the Viking Cue - G02 - Green Stain with a moori 3 med tip (160)

http://www.ozonebilliards.com/vipocueg02gr.html

Or should i just get an ebay one to start with

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=390212734515&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

NEW McDermott ST7O Star Fever

Any input on these cue's would be very helpful and if you have other suggestions please share.

Thank you.
 
I'm probably in the minority here, and certainly not an instructor... My thoughts are to go somewhere and try a bunch out. Figure out what weight, tip size, and possibly taper you like first, THEN go cue shopping. Personally I'd go with a McDermott, but I'm biased as my first cue was a McDermott that I wish I still had to give to my wife now that she is playing.

Others here can give better info on what type of tip may be best for someone starting out, and advantages of different joint types. Oh, one other consideration, try ones both with and without a wrap. Again, I'm probably in the minority here but I prefer no wrap on my cues. Probably just what I'm used to, but when I shoot a cue with a wrap if feels odd.
 
That's some pretty good advice. Everyone is different, so what works for one person may not work for you. If you get a chance to try some out, look for something that feels good in your hands, isn't downright ugly, and is straight. You probably don't need to spend more than around $100 for a first cue. Use it, and find out what you like about it, and maybe even what you don't like.

Also, save enough in your budget to get a case. Cues that are protected when traveling are much less likely to get dinged up.

Brands like McDermott, Fury, Players, etc all have pretty nice cues for a reasonable price. When it's time to upgrade, have someone put a harder tip on your old cue, and you will have a decent break cue.

Steve
 
I like this guy - he skipped right past the 'Walmart' and the 'Budweiser':rolleyes:
check with some of your local poolrooms - they may have some 'previously loved' cues which they are trying to peddle that you can hit a few balls with to see if you like the feel. (Usually) can't do that with new cues - u chalk 'em , u own 'em . Many halls also offer 'rental' cues for a small fee , and trying several of these will help you decide what you like/don't like in a cue. All of your listed choices are acceptable within their limitations . Willee has a great thread up right now concerning the difference between a good cue and a great cue - and it's not the jewelry you put on them.
You kept mentioning the tip on those cues - moori medium. But you didn't mention where you do most of your playing. A bar box with an army blanket and a mudball has different requirements than a 9' tournament table with Simonis and a red circle. In the end ,though , cue choice is a highly personal matter , and while we can tell you the advantages/disadvantages of different cues , in the end it's like ice cream and underwear . Vanilla or Chocolate ? Boxers or briefs ?
commando ?!?
 
PhattyT...Few good instructors will recommend a cue, because the "feel" is so subjective to each person (I say good instructors, because poor ones will probably 'steer' you to a cue that they will make $$$ on, rather than something you're really wanting). If you want opinions on the ones you've chosen, ask your question in the main forum. The advice given by skeptic is very good, and the same as I would offer.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

PhattyT said:
Hello AZbillards, I'm fairly new to the game and i've been reading on which cue's to purchase as a starter. I would like your opinion on these 3 cue's before i decide to purchase.

First is the Playerscuec955 with a moori 3 med tip ($80)

http://www.ozonebilliards.com/playerscuec955.html

Second is the Viking Cue - G02 - Green Stain with a moori 3 med tip (160)

http://www.ozonebilliards.com/vipocueg02gr.html

Or should i just get an ebay one to start with

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=390212734515&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

NEW McDermott ST7O Star Fever

Any input on these cue's would be very helpful and if you have other suggestions please share.

Thank you.
Click to expand...
 
Figure what weight house cue you prefer, then don't spend more than $100 on your first cue and put a good tip on it. The big thing about a first cue is to have the same stick every time you play, so you are not dealing with a different feel every time out. Kind of similar to having your own bowling ball instead of using a different house ball every time. And I would suggest getting one ASAP for that reason. As you progress in the game and your feel and tastes get more developed you will get a better idea of what you want. Then you will have lots of choices on how to spend much more money on a cue. :grin-square: And you'll still be able to sell your first stick to another beginner for $40-$50. Trust me, unless you are going to go out and buy a Ginacue right out of the gate, you don't want to invest a lot of money in your first stick.
 
Thank you very much everyone for sharing your knowledge with me. I tried my friends Player's cue and i really like the feel of it. His is a 17oz though but it seems a tad bit light, i tried the 18oz house and it seems to feel right to me. I believe his is a 13mm tip because he won the cue in a drawing.

Thanks a lot everyone for their input, suggestions, and recommendation for my first cue. I'll research a few more things about tips, tapers, joint protectors? before i pull the trigger.

Thanks!
 
PhattyT said:
Hello AZbillards, I'm fairly new to the game and i've been reading on which cue's to purchase as a starter. I would like your opinion on these 3 cue's before i decide to purchase.

First is the Playerscuec955 with a moori 3 med tip ($80)

http://www.ozonebilliards.com/playerscuec955.html

Second is the Viking Cue - G02 - Green Stain with a moori 3 med tip (160)

http://www.ozonebilliards.com/vipocueg02gr.html

Or should i just get an ebay one to start with

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=390212734515&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

NEW McDermott ST7O Star Fever

Any input on these cue's would be very helpful and if you have other suggestions please share.

Thank you.
Click to expand...

post something in the watnted sale forum. for 150 you can't do a whole lot but i think you can do a little better than what you've got picked out here
 
PhattyT said:
Hello AZbillards, I'm fairly new to the game and i've been reading on which cue's to purchase as a starter.
Click to expand...

What ever cue you decide to buy ... BUY AMERICAN!

That is not to say anything bad about offshore cues ... I just think an American made cue will hold its value better in the long run.
If you ever decide to trade up or sell the cue and American made cue will go a lot faster for a better price.

One cue you did not mention but merits consideration are the cues made by Pechauer ... excellent quality and flawless finish ... right in your price range for a used one.
http://pechauer.com/
 
Thanks again everyone as I'm now checking the wanted/forsale thread for cues. Also, WilleeCue, i took a look at the Pechauer you mention and i'm not sure if these guys are an authorized dealer of Pechauer. http://cgi.ebay.com/Pechauer-JP-USA-Green-Stain-Sale-30-off-/310131645993?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0

I checked the website and it seems like the JP signature is on the top part as oppose to the ebay one the sig is on the bottom part. I couldn't find an archieve on JP's website so i'm thinking the ebay one is an older model. They claim to be an authorized dealer for JP but i'm sending an email to JP to see if they are before i purchase. As for the price, does it seem like a good deal? 163 shipped?
 
I just wanted to remind you, as a previous poster already has, to save enough money in your budget for a case. Doesn't mean you have to spend a fortune on one either. What good is a cue without proper protection. Best of luck!
 
beginner experience

Find a store that has a table on which you can try numerous cues.

Most stores can not afford to stock many cues so if you go someplace like the Derby City classic you can spend days trying cues.

I have only been playing for 2 years.

I started out with a Universal Smart shaft (regular deflection) with a cheap butt, which I found after trying cues at a store.

After almost a year, I took Stan Shuffett's course, which was the most cost effective expenditure.

Recently, I went to Derby City & after spending days trying cues, I fell in love with a "Bacote Hustler" Jacoby. The transition from the "low deflection" cue to the Jacoby was not a problem. The Kamui soft tip was recommended to me.

Obviously inlays, jewels, etc are irrelevant to performance.

I'm sure that I will be long dead before my skills match the capacity of my current cue.

A couple weeks ago, I decided to experiment & play at the local bar with a house cue.

Although my game had improved enough that I did fairly well with the house cue, the biggest problems I found were with the tip, adapting my speed to the drop in weight from 21 oz to 18, & the lack of stiffness in the house cue.

Break cue- I thought that high tech phenolic & G10 tips would give me an advantage. I eventually learned that a leather tip (Samsui hard was recommended) was nearly as hard & the added control made the leather far superior to the high tech tips. Chalking was also much easier.

Table- Getting a table was also cost effective.I picked up an antique Brunswick Madison, which needed refinishing. By sacrificing aesthetics, I managed to get a high quality 8' table (limited space in my basement) for $700 set up with new cloth.

I occasionally go to pool halls & work out on 9' tables with tight pro cut pockets & even snooker tables, which makes my 8' table seem small & the pockets seem like basketball hoops.

Leaving my basement to enter into combat at the bar or pool hall is an essential contribution to the "mental game."

The major contradiction is endeavoring to master the myriad of skills involved in the game- stop, follow, draw, English, speed, patterns, position, safety play, banking & still enjoy the game.

Overcoming the notion that drills are boring is also essential.

The fact that progress is not linear or continuous can also be frustrating.

Excuse the rant.
 
So, basically, some others have had good answers. I would say at first, 80% of the value of having a cue is having your own cue. Keep the shaft clean with minimal use of abrasives and the tip perfectly shaped. Last keep dents out of the shaft 100%. you can learn to do yourself.

To improve on this, next I would try to decide wrap or no wrap. I have played with linen and wrapless. I strongly prefer wrapless, but that is my opinion, not yours. I think I would like leather alot. So, I suggest you feel both while shooting a few shots. Basically, linen makes it easy for your grip hand to slide to the right spot, leather seems a bit stickier, and wrapless is the stickiest, unless your hand sweats.

So, at this point, in your price range, a sneakiest Pete or similar sounds good to me. Don't be afraid of the $50 - $100 price point either. I had a $50 Players in 1994 which played good and I forget what happened to it.

Next, if you could make a rough guess of more conical or more pro taper, it would help, but I would say at first any taper is fine.

Diameter....well, I strongly prefer 13. I think most production cues are 13, but many cues are sold from 12-13. You can have a cue turned down or retapered, if you later decide you made a mistake. To get bigger, you need a new shaft.

Tips....moori m is fine, but I would try triumph, triangle and elkmasters first. Elkmasters is low cost, but still a highly respected tip. Laminates are arguably better, but I don't think anyone could really prove it.

Frankly, when considering this choice, please consider the opinion that having your own same cue everytime is more valuable than what it is and what it cost. 2nd, get some tip & shaft maintain stuff. Read about shaft maintain first. Lots of bad things for sale for working on your shaft. Get a good enough case. For me, it has to be hard outer, soft inner. Sterling makes a good low cost case. Get 1x2 because you will want 2 shafts likely at some point.

Ask people to show you what they have at your price in the Wanted area. You might find a great deal and a good cheap case.

Ideally, it wouldbe best to try a few weights and pick one, but I'm not sure it matters much. 19 oz is about average, I would guess. I like 19 or 20, but I started with an 18 and liked it alot then
 
PhattyT said:
Hello AZbillards, I'm fairly new to the game....Any input on these cue's would be very helpful and if you have other suggestions please share.
Click to expand...

I vote the opposite of everyone else: If you think you love the game, and love the idea of playing well, then go out and buy something quite nice. Spend $500 or so (You can get perfectly fine plan-Jane cues from Mezz, Jacoby, etc., in that range). Then try to LIVE UP TO THE CUE.

At the worst, if you're careful not to ding it, you can probably sell it for around what you paid for it.

Here's a nice Mezz cue at MSR of $445, that you can actually get for about $375: http://mezzcues.us/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2&products_id=25

Here's a Jacoby for $450: http://www.jacobycustomcues.com/cuesdetail.php?ID=367
 
if you are looking for a Jacoby i got one im looking to sell for $325 shipped
 

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