LF a new cue....need some advice.....

formidableone14

formidableone14

Changing the stars
Silver Member
So Im in the market for a new cue, NEW, so pls no offers on used ones from members although I do appreciate it. Right now I have three main focus brands and they would be Schon, Lucasi and Joss. I currently am playing with a retired Mcdermott cue (M7-QR1) and have used it for the past 10 years, however I would like to change it up a bit even though I like the Mcdermotts playability. I would just like to actually "retire" it and move forward to something new and more than likely better :D So any info, insight, advice or whatever you want to call it would be greatly appreciated. I live in Dallas and have access to the names Ive listed to shoot around with and see what feels best, so ultimately that is what will decide.
 
I doubt if it'll play any better than what you have, but Schon is probably making the best looking production cues.
 
formidableone14 said:
however I would like to change it up a bit even though I like the Mcdermotts playability. I would just like to actually "retire" it and move forward to something new and more than likely better :D
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Once you reach a certain quality point in cue construction you are unlikely to find "better".

Buy what you like but don't think any cue is going to make you better.
If you want a new cue why not just have a custom cue, (from a highly regarded cue maker), made to your specs and design?
Just my opinion.
 
formidableone14 said:
So Im in the market for a new cue, NEW, so pls no offers on used ones from members although I do appreciate it. Right now I have three main focus brands and they would be Schon, Lucasi and Joss. I currently am playing with a retired Mcdermott cue (M7-QR1) and have used it for the past 10 years, however I would like to change it up a bit even though I like the Mcdermotts playability. I would just like to actually "retire" it and move forward to something new and more than likely better :D So any info, insight, advice or whatever you want to call it would be greatly appreciated. I live in Dallas and have access to the names Ive listed to shoot around with and see what feels best, so ultimately that is what will decide.
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If you're used to and like your McDermott and your hell bent on one of those three brands, I would suggest the Schon as their hit is a good transition from the McDermott even though they are steel collared and piloted shafts.

I'm a fan of Joss cues and recommend them often but I think the feel of their cues are too different of a philosophy from your McDermott and are more reflective of the steel joint cue family.

In case you were looking for something a little more custom or made by a one-man shop rather than a medium or mass producer, might I suggest Jerry Olivier in the Houston area? Not only is he from your state (albeit a very large state) but his cues would tend to be again in the same philosophy of feel as your McDermott.

Freddie <~~~ thinks Schon and Olivier play in the same sandbox
 
Cornerman said:
If you're used to and like your McDermott and your hell bent on one of those three brands, I would suggest the Schon as their hit is a good transition from the McDermott even though they are steel collared and piloted shafts.

I'm a fan of Joss cues and recommend them often but I think the feel of their cues are too different of a philosophy from your McDermott and are more reflective of the steel joint cue family.

In case you were looking for something a little more custom or made by a one-man shop rather than a medium or mass producer, might I suggest Jerry Olivier in the Houston area? Not only is he from your state (albeit a very large state) but his cues would tend to be again in the same philosophy of feel as your McDermott.

Freddie <~~~ thinks Schon and Olivier play in the same sandbox
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I guess I should of mentioned as well, my Mcdermott has some SERIOUS issues with it right now which is the main reason for moving on. My butt cap has about 13 cracks and one of which is very large, my joint is loose so everytime I put the shaft on it has about a 1-2mm rotation in it that shouldnt be there. All in all its just falling apart and costs for refurbing it are too high imo at this time, I would prefer to spend it else where on a newer cue that I would take better care of, l was young when I got that cue and had no respect for it sadly.........Im not even gonna get started on the shaft lol.
 
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formidableone14 said:
I guess I should of mentioned as well, my Mcdermott has some SERIOUS issues with it right now which is the main reason for moving on. My butt cap has about 13 cracks and one of which is very large, my joint is loose so everytime I put the shaft on it has about a 1-2mm rotation in it that shouldnt be there. All in all its just falling apart and costs for refurbing it are too high imo at this time, I would prefer to spend it else where on a newer cue that I would take better care of, l was young when I got that cue and had no respect for it sadly.........Im not even gonna get started on the shaft lol.
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Send it back to McDermott for repairs. Sounds like warranty issues.

No one is better than McDermott for warranties. :smile:



For which cue you should get...it just depends on your game and which game you play. Try out other people's cues and to the feel of what you like.

I like Meucci but I see that is not one of your choices. LOL....
 
poolguy4u said:
I like Meucci but I see that is not one of your choices. LOL....
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I actually just returned a Meucci HP-3 (beautiful cue) back to Pooldawg due to MAJOR imperfections in the inlays, bubbles EVERYWHERE in the glue and the hit just didnt feel good, a lot of vibration. I even asked Pooldawg if there was a possibility of it being fake....the logo was smeared and not clean. Believe it or not the CS rep actually told me that there has been a decline in their craftsmanship and at that point I opted to just have my money refunded. Just overall very disappointed bc I played with my friends a long time ago and remember it being a nice cue. Obviously I do not intend to pay 400 for a cue that looks and hits like a wal-mart cue. Since Pooldawg has an amazing return policy I was able to return it.

Also the cue is def not covered under MFG this damage was caused by neglect and I wouldnt feel right saying otherwise, Ive talked with them and Im looking at around 400 bucks for a full repair to 100%
 
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Getting input from other people can be good. They can tell you about good and bad experiences. But, you really need to hit with a cue to determine what YOU like. Many people hit with Predator or OB. Some people don't like these. It is a matter of what you personally like. They all make something you will like to look at.
Good luck in your search.
If you can wait until April and can get to the Super Billiards Expo you will find every cue you can image to try.
 
You mentioned Lucasi. I have one and I really like it. I just sold a McFadden custom cue and kept the Lucasi.:eek:
When I bought my Lucasi I tried out a Viking-McDermott and a Joss.
Settled on the Lucasi because it just felt right. But feel and hit are very personal.
 
A. I believe you are making a mistake avoiding a used cue. You can get a better used cue for the same money you will pay for a new Schon or Joss.

B. If you are going to change cues why not switch from a production to an inexpensive custom?

C. Whatever you buy, try to play with it first.

Therefore my advice would be if for some reason you want to retire your McDermott seek out a used custom and hit some balls with it before you buy it.
 
alstl said:
A. I believe you are making a mistake avoiding a used cue. You can get a better used cue for the same money you will pay for a new Schon or Joss.

B. If you are going to change cues why not switch from a production to an inexpensive custom?

C. Whatever you buy, try to play with it first.

Therefore my advice would be if for some reason you want to retire your McDermott seek out a used custom and hit some balls with it before you buy it.
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How would I go about trying out a custom before I buy? Maybe a dumb question but never considered buying one so i dont know how that would work lol
 
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Buying a custom...boy, that opens it's own can of worms. There are many posts here on that topic. Some horror stories, others of happy customers.

I can say I'm a happy customer of Keith Josey, and I have NEVER read anything but praise on this board for his customer relations.

I would describe the hit of his cues as stiff with great feedback. Another thing I liked is that his cues play consistantly...one of his cues feels like another.

I swapped cues with another Josey owner in my favorite hall...when we traded back to our own cues later we both commented it was the same in hit and feel, despite our cues having been made 4 years apart and having different designs.

http://www.joseycues.com/

Thinking about it, there is another personal advantage to having bought my Josey. Although there is nothing wrong with those who collect cues, my thing is to have a great playing cue. With this Josey, my search for the "magic cue" has ended. I know that I now have a cue that plays about as good as it gets, so my time and money can now be spent on table time instead of searching for the perfect cue.
 
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Cue research

The hit of a cue resides to a
very large extent in the shaft and
its material and construction.
Changing components of the shaft
changes the hit of the cue. What
seems to be most important in the
butt is how it fits your hand. Diameter,
balance point, and the wrap. Looks
might be important to you also, most
people wont play with an ugly cue.

I've found a well built butt is the foundation.
The feel of the hit can be adjusted by shaft
alteration or a completely different shaft.

Good Luck
 
Jodacus said:
The hit of a cue resides to a
very large extent in the shaft and
its material and construction. k
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Absolutely 100% disagree. Maybe you meant something else like performance or squirt characteristics.

Freddie <~~~ might as well say the game is all mental
 
I agree with the numerous suggestion to buy custom.

If you go with a credible cue maker you will not have a problem. Two that I know personally that have high quality entry level priced cues are Chris Nitti and Paul Dayton.

I believe you would be hard pressed to get a negative comment about either.

Chris 407.380.6121

Paul 772.489.0577

Good luck

Joel
 
Avoid mail order cues. Buy one you can try in the shop. Most custom cues are prefab and may be made from cheap imports or parts. Some shops will give you table time to make up the difference in price.
 
formidableone14 said:
So Im in the market for a new cue, NEW, so pls no offers on used ones from members although I do appreciate it. Right now I have three main focus brands and they would be Schon, Lucasi and Joss. I currently am playing with a retired Mcdermott cue (M7-QR1) and have used it for the past 10 years, however I would like to change it up a bit even though I like the Mcdermotts playability. I would just like to actually "retire" it and move forward to something new and more than likely better :D So any info, insight, advice or whatever you want to call it would be greatly appreciated. I live in Dallas and have access to the names Ive listed to shoot around with and see what feels best, so ultimately that is what will decide.
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Fred's suggestion of Olivier is excellent and it does give you a mildly custom name. I would add Pechauer to your list to try.

There is a distinct difference between Schon, Olivier and Pechauer. Line them up and try all three if you can - you will get a good idea as to the balance, feedback, sound, and your personal liking for feel.
 
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custom cues

xplor said:
Avoid mail order cues. Buy one you can try in the shop. Most custom cues are prefab and may be made from cheap imports or parts. Some shops will give you table time to make up the difference in price.
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You dont mind giving us a list of all the cue makers that use cheap non usa made parts in there cues . So us novice pool players/ and collectors know which custom cue makers we should stay away from.

MMike
 
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