Pechauer JP series vs. McDermott

[ddg45]

I'm a relative novice to the game. I retired and found out I love playing pool, and I now play 3-4 times per week for an hour or two each time. Just learning about pool cues, cue construction, etc. There's a billiards supply store nearby and I just had the chance to hit some different cues and for those in my situation I can say I now understand all the conversation about different feels. Both McDermott and Pechauer are American made, lifetime warranties and good reputations, and they could not feel more different. Pechauer has a firm, almost jarring feel while McDermott is cushioned by comparison. I went with a Pechauer JP series, but I may go back and buy a McDermott as well down the road. The Pechauer web site is so impressive and they appear to offer a little more bang for the buck, and as a smaller operation they seem to have a little more hands-on quality control. They're sooooo different, and hard to know which would actually work better for me after repeated long term use. Love this game!

Update: I now have both the Pechauer and a McDermott with the G-Core shaft, and I would go to war with either of them. I think perhaps the build quality and finish is superior on the Peach, but that said for some reason I like the feel of the McDermott a little better. Hard to say why, you guys know how that goes. A little softer hit, the texture of the linen wrap feels better in my hand... when I practice I use both and seem to keep reaching for the McDermott.

 

[philly]

I'm a relative novice to the game. I retired and found out I love playing pool, and I now play 3-4 times per week for an hour or two each time. Just learning about pool cues, cue construction, etc. There's a billiards supply store nearby and I just had the chance to hit some different cues and for those in my situation I can say I now understand all the conversation about different feels. Both McDermott and Pechauer are American made, lifetime warranties and good reputations, and they could not feel more different. Pechauer has a firm, almost jarring feel while McDermott is cushioned by comparison. I went with a Pechauer JP series, but I may go back and buy a McDermott as well down the road. The Pechauer web site is so impressive and they appear to offer a little more bang for the buck, and as a smaller operation they seem to have a little more hands-on quality control. They're sooooo different, and hard to know which would actually work better for me after repeated long term use. Love this game!

Try a Joss too. American made also. Joss is owned by Dan Janes and his family. Dan is in the cue makers hall of fame. His son was named cue maker of the year. They are a class act.

 

[ddg45]

I looked at Joss hard, but based on comments I've read here, and the similarities between Joss and Pechauer (stainless steel collars and joints), and the fact the Peach has a lifetime warranty where Joss does not, I went with Peach. I would probably buy a McDermott next because of the contrast from the Peach, whereas I got the feeling the Joss and Peach were pretty similar, and Peach seems to have more offerings in the lower price range. Just the thought process of a highly analytical newcomer to the game...

 

[philly]

I looked at Joss hard, but based on comments I've read here, and the similarities between Joss and Pechauer (stainless steel collars and joints), and the fact the Peach has a lifetime warranty where Joss does not, I went with Peach. I would probably buy a McDermott next because of the contrast from the Peach, whereas I got the feeling the Joss and Peach were pretty similar, and Peach seems to have more offerings in the lower price range. Just the thought process of a highly analytical newcomer to the game...

You'll fall in love with your Peachauer. We all fall in love with our players. For me it was Joss. I am waiting on a custom now from Dan Janes that we designed at the Expo. Good luck to you and play well.

 

[measureman]

There is a world class custom cue maker here in Colorado that says McDermott uses the cheapest wood they can find. He does a lot of repair work on all brands of cues. He knows.
Pechauer cuts their own wood from their own forest.
Who do you think has the better wood?
I had a pro series Pechauer for awhile. Great cue.
If someone had not offered me stupid money for it I probably would still be playing with it.

 

[Johnny Rosato]

I'm a relative novice to the game. I retired and found out I love playing pool, and I now play 3-4 times per week for an hour or two each time. Just learning about pool cues, cue construction, etc. There's a billiards supply store nearby and I just had the chance to hit some different cues and for those in my situation I can say I now understand all the conversation about different feels. Both McDermott and Pechauer are American made, lifetime warranties and good reputations, and they could not feel more different. Pechauer has a firm, almost jarring feel while McDermott is cushioned by comparison. I went with a Pechauer JP series, but I may go back and buy a McDermott as well down the road. The Pechauer web site is so impressive and they appear to offer a little more bang for the buck, and as a smaller operation they seem to have a little more hands-on quality control. They're sooooo different, and hard to know which would actually work better for me after repeated long term use. Love this game!

Both Pechauer & McD's are fine cues, especially my McD D-3. I lean more toward Pech in the last 10 or so years. Check out the Pechauer Pro Series 'Pro-H' or the 'PO2-G', neither have the steel joint. My butt, (2010), is one solid piece of beautiful curly maple with the bottom part wine stained. Standard maple shaft @ 12.75mm-Juma ferrule-LePro tip. This might be just the hit your looking for. Either of these cues list for $320 on Pechauer website. Good luck!