This is a quick reply. I have had a Mezz AXI 606 with both their pro hybrid LD and the W700 shafts. I saw online that there was an exact design copy of a Carmeli on here for $3000 but it had real ivory.
The Mezz had a soft hit but in view of already having a Schon SP, and Jacoby custom (both using a Jacoby edge hybrid LD shaft), and adding a Pechauer pro P-11 from 2010 (and then buying the pechauer pro+ lite LD shaft, all three hit similar that I got on ebay (the older pechauer pros are sold on ebay for about 500$; the Mezz started to look plastic to me as compared with what appears to be more use of "woods" shafts and less plastics/urathane.
So I sold it. I can tell you to stay away from the more flashy or wild patterned Mezz cues, as they do not have as great a following.... also I can tell you the Mezz resale market is not as strong as Schon for sure. So if you plan to flip a mezz later you may lose money. I got lucky and sold mine for a profit but it was a 1000 cue w 2 shafts I bought used for $750 with a custom 200$ wrap so he took a hit.
Schon was the first cue investment I made and they hold value. As one with passion for the game you need to factor that in when comparing the cost. I have never lost money on a cue. And it is a buyer's market now, so there are some great deals if you know what you are doing. (I bought a 2 yr online subscription to the Blue book of cues for 9$/yr and it is good to have.)
The hit of my cues are dictated by the LD shafts that I shoot with.. except for my Scruggs which hits great with original shafts.
So you can find deals on LD shafts as well that come up used from time to time.
Most players on my league use Mcdermott cues w gcore shafts..as they are great entry level if you can buy at $230 w case.
IF you buy at that price you are good for any future sale. However, some of them look plastic, as do the Meucci's in my opinion (Don't hate... just saying that some cues use more plastics and foils, than top woods INHO)
If I could not get a Schon, for my 1st cue, I would get a pro series used Pechauer off E bay. There are some great looking Peach cues with great craftsmanship just sitting on ebay now, and worth making an offer on (the pro series is the preferred as compared to the JP series).
For a 1st cue, get a strong brand (I think that Scmelkes can look great and a value, but they do not have the resale that Schon, Mcdermott, Jacoby etc. I am not sure how much of your investment in your cue you will get back with Schmelke), buy right, and look at being able to selling it later, and move up to more expensive brands....
Feeling a little penis envy, are we? :grin-square: Get back to me after you've played with a Mezz...
