Cues like Players?

Zphix

Zphix

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Hey gents, I'll try my best to explain what I exactly want so you guys can give me an informed opinion.

I have a players HXT 30, Pure X shaft, and a Kamui Black Soft tip. I haven't shot with nearly enough cues to notice any differences from cue to cue. My cue feels the same as an old Predator that I've shot with a couple times which has generally been the same as the McDermotts that my school offers to members, etc. I'm sure there is a difference but I don't really notice anything.

Anyway, I do know that I love my cue and what I can do with it. All I'm asking is that if there are any cues that would be considered like higher end Pure X cues, low deflection, good CB spin, etc. My goal before this year ends is to buy a new med-high end cue with a price range max of $500.

I've speculated about a Predator Sneaky Pete design but I'm not sure myself. If there are any higher end cues similar to a Pure X then I'd love to know. Also, I find 6 point (or more point) cues to be beautiful, and I prefer Irish Linen wrap to leather or wrapless if that helps. I know that the cue butt end is not extremely vital to the playability of the cue itself so I guess I'm more or less looking for a shaft.

What's your guys' opinions on what I should get? BTW! I am not near a big pro shop where I can test out many cues. All I'm looking for are opinions.
 
Zphix said:
Anyway, I do know that I love my cue and what I can do with it. .
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If that is the case, then you don't need another cue. That is the ONLY thing that I want in a cue. Diamonds may be a girl's best friend, or a pool table, but I don't need any diamonds or fancy ornamentation in my cue.

If you do decide to get another one, make sure you keep this one then. You'll NEVER regret having to say "you let the one get away".

Aloha.
 
HawaiianEye said:
If that is the case, then you don't need another cue. That is the ONLY thing that I want in a cue. Diamonds may be a girl's best friend, or a pool table, but I don't need any diamonds or fancy ornamentation in my cue.

If you do decide to get another one, make sure you keep this one then. You'll NEVER regret having to say "you let the one get away".

Aloha.
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Ohhh I'm definitely keeping this cue.

My concern, or rather.... what intrigues me is not knowing, the mystery of wondering if a better cue is out there for me. Sure I like my cue now but is that only because it's my first cue and it's the one I've come to learn to shoot with?

Basically, I don't want ignorance to hold me back.

I appreciate the speedy response and feedback buddy! ALOHA! =)
 
If it ain't broke, don't fix it. A Players HXT series cue is going to do the same things any higher priced low-deflection cue is going to do...except that you'll have to spend time getting used to a new cue.

Next time you're in Chicago you can try my OB121 with OB2 shaft. It's a lot like your HXT, but wrapless.
 
^^^ I agree with him.

For instance. A old co worker of mine who I'm fixing to start playing money 9 ball league with has a $600 cue. While I was shooting with a older graphics series players. Not the low deflection shaft.

I drilled him 10 to 4

However another players cue I just got rid of played worse than the other I could instantly pick up the other one and start making shots I would miss. Both had same tips. There was just somethig a little off about the one shaft.

So that being said

If u like the cue the brand doesn't matter nor does the cost. I just picked up my custom cues today so I'm like a kid in a candy store. Can't wait to go play.
 
I'd say buy an OB 120/121 and get an OB-1 and an OB classic. Or whatever shaft combo you might like. They have four to choose from. Once you find the shaft you want, sell off the rest and get the butt you like. If I were wanting to upgrade from players and stay LD, this is what I would do.

Ben
 
I had a months-long period of adjusting when I joined this forum and learned that my Meucci cue was apparently trash. Oddly enough, it was straight, looked good to me, and I played well with it. It's only fault was the name on it. There's a hefty price for vanity and ignorance, and I paid dearly for the honor of shooting with custom cues. I even owned a SouthWest cue for around 18 hours... I hit a couple racks of balls with it, the earth didn't move any differently, and I thankfully was able to sell it to someone else looking for the prestige and superior playability that I didn't find.

Buy something if you like the looks of it, or if you have to, but never believe that the cue you're using is limiting your game. If you start to believe that, give it to a significantly better player and let them show you what it can do.
 
Zphix said:
My concern, or rather.... what intrigues me is not knowing, the mystery of wondering if a better cue is out there for me.
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That is why everybody is buying and selling cues on here. Look at them! Production cues, custom cues, guaranteed "BEST HIT EVER" cues, and everything else you could find at a flea market or a good circus. There is NO "better" cue if you don't miss with the one you have. Everybody is looking for the one that doesn't MISS.

You said it does everything you wanted and you love it!

I still have the first "professional" cue I ever ordered...before that I shot with a $3 cue. I wish I still had the $3 cue too.

http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=273273&highlight=a.e.schmidt+1973
 
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Zphix said:
Ohhh I'm definitely keeping this cue.

My concern, or rather.... what intrigues me is not knowing, the mystery of wondering if a better cue is out there for me. Sure I like my cue now but is that only because it's my first cue and it's the one I've come to learn to shoot with?

Basically, I don't want ignorance to hold me back.

I appreciate the speedy response and feedback buddy! ALOHA! =)
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You like your cue but you are looking for a cue that is like yours but pricier.

Read that and let us know if that makes sense LOL.

If you are wanting to try a different cue, why not try one that a friend has or something, or a cheaper model of a different brand that would play different not same as yours.

It's like asking Wolfgang to make you a $50 burger that tastes like a Big Mac because you like Big Macs instead of just spending the $5 on one.

Plus if you can't tell the difference in hit and aiming points between the Players a Predator and a McDermott you won't be able to tell the difference between most cues in any case.

I suggest you try different tips instead, they often make as much difference in feel as changing shafts.
 
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hang-the-9 said:
I suggest you try different tips instead, they often make as much difference in feel as changing shafts.
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Some people will give you a "tip" and other people will give you the "shaft"...I'll give you a tip. And it is what he just said. Other than weight (as long as it's solid), the butt has way less to do with the way cue plays than the shaft and tip does.

That doesn't mean that balance point and diameter and all that other fancy stuff doesn't have something to do with it...it just is way less important, IMHO. The way a cue "feels" to "YOU" when you hit it is what counts. If you can make balls that you are aiming at and get position to where you "intend" to go with CONFIDENCE, then that is the ONLY cue you need.
 
An expensive cue wont make you a better player. I would stick with the cue and put the 500 into either some lessons or the bank.
 
I have two cues now: One expensive custom cues and one cue I picked up for less than 50 dollars on Ebay. The custom cue sits in the closet. The 40 dollar cue has so much more playability that it is ridiculous. The butt of that cue is so solid and the balance is perfect for me. So price is not necessarily indicative of how well the cue will play for you. You have a nice player, so I'd hang on to that and spend the money elsewhere.

If you want to change how your cue plays, a new tip will do a lot more than you think.
 
I think you should buy a new cue. Counter to most other advice you're getting, I say go for it.

There is nothing wrong with your cue, except the fact that you want a new one, and that is fine. As long as you're not under the mistaken impression a nicer cue is going to instantly up your game then I think it's a fine thing to do.

A Players cue is a solid playing cue, no doubt about that. But you've got the itch for something else already and that is understandable. As well playing as a Players is it's still a basic entry-level cue. Nothing wrong with liking and wanting nice things as long as you buy them with the right thinking and not under the mistaken idea that it will somehow make you better.

I think the money you're talking about spending is perfect to get into a solid cue that you can be happy with for many years...and that is where the added benefit of a new cue will come from. Finding something you will stick with long term, get familiar with, and really learn to play. You've already started straying from the Players so if you try to stick with it you're most likely just putting off the inevitable. People who can live happily with a Players cue long term wouldn't have ever started a thread like this...so that likely just isn't you (and that's okay, it isn't me either).

Find a cue you like and feel you can be happy with long term, invest in it, and then stick with it. That is my advice. That is what I'm in the process of doing going with a Schon butt with an LD shaft. I like the quality of the cue, the playability aspects, and the fact that I feel I can comfortably use this for a long time to come and get really familiar with it.

The cues I like are cues that I find more timeless in design. The Predator cues and such are very "of the moment" to me and don't hold a lot of appeal. But give me a nice Schon, Joss, or simple custom plain Jane cue with a standard pin and you have a nice base...add an LD shaft if that is your thing and you're set. If you love the players shaft you can get aftermarket HXT shafts in a number of pin configurations to put on the butt of your choice, I've considered trying one of those as a backup shaft for my Schon actually.
 
slide13 said:
I think you should buy a new cue. Counter to most other advice you're getting, I say go for it.

There is nothing wrong with your cue, except the fact that you want a new one, and that is fine. As long as you're not under the mistaken impression a nicer cue is going to instantly up your game then I think it's a fine thing to do.

A Players cue is a solid playing cue, no doubt about that. But you've got the itch for something else already and that is understandable. As well playing as a Players is it's still a basic entry-level cue. Nothing wrong with liking and wanting nice things as long as you buy them with the right thinking and not under the mistaken idea that it will somehow make you better.

I think the money you're talking about spending is perfect to get into a solid cue that you can be happy with for many years...and that is where the added benefit of a new cue will come from. Finding something you will stick with long term, get familiar with, and really learn to play. You've already started straying from the Players so if you try to stick with it you're most likely just putting off the inevitable. People who can live happily with a Players cue long term wouldn't have ever started a thread like this...so that likely just isn't you (and that's okay, it isn't me either).

Find a cue you like and feel you can be happy with long term, invest in it, and then stick with it.
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This is spot on. Couldnt have said it better.
 
A tale of two cues. I like sneaky petes. I have an expensive custom sneaky with beautiful wood and very sharp even points, two shafts, one with ivory.

I also have a McDermott M-11B. Rather plain maple with a nice butt, looks like Koa but I'm not sure. Sharp but not quite even points. As sneaky's go it sure is.

The custom sits in my rack waiting for friends without cues to borrow it. The McDermott stays in it's case, hidden, until I play with it. No one uses my M-11.

Just say'in. I'm willing to admit buying the custom, as well as some high end production, cues was a mistake. The money would have been better spent on lessons from Randy or Scott.
 
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