First Cue Help $100-$200

Another sneaky that is hard to beat is the Meucci M1 unbranded. It looks just like a regular house cue. The only give away is the dot on the shaft but you can find these for around 275-300 and they play really nice.
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I'll be the next person to agree the players sneaky pete is a great buy. I have one in my bag alongside an old Meucci 97-7 and a Joss custom. when i first returned to the game a couple years ago I couldn't shoot with the Meucci to save my life. Bought the players off a friend for the larger diameter shaft and stiffer hit to get my stroke back. Then treated myself to the joss custom. the players is arguably the best "hitting" cue depending on personal preferences.
 
I'm a relative beginner, too, and here's what I can contribute based on my recent experience going through this. People will respond by advocating for the cue they won, the decision they made. It's not necessarily objective. Once you get up into $100+ dollars, you really can't go wrong, and they don't get any better if you spend $300, $500, $1,000, unless you go for low deflection shafts, and carbon fiber.

I chose Schmelke because I wanted a U.S. made sneaky Pete where I could specify many of the features, like joint type, tip, etc. I paid about $140. I imagine Players is just as good.

Once you get a cue, the most important thing is the tip. You might want to fool around with hard to soft, solid and layered, etc. This will require you learn to replace tips. You also need to be able to put the right shape on the tip, i.e., a round profile with something from a dime to nickle radius. You might also want to get a second shaft to fit a hard break tip, like phenolic or WhiteDiamond. Then you don't mush your playing tip from breaking. But, tip maintenance is key.

That's my 2¢.
 
I really appreciate all of the feedback and recommendations. Looking at tips, when I buy the cue should I upgrade right from the start? The Players comes with a Le Pro leather tip the Schmelke with an Elk Master Soft Tip.
 
I have a bob owen sneaky I’d let go of, make a good first cue. Pm me if interested.
 
Another question I have is about cue weight. I typically played with a 20oz cue back in the day. Now that am learning and researching, I am leaning towards a 19oz cue that my wife and I will share (for now) and use on 9ft table. Does this sound like a good weight to start with?
 
KPro1234 said:
Another question I have is about cue weight. I typically played with a 20oz cue back in the day. Now that am learning and researching, I am leaning towards a 19oz cue that my wife and I will share (for now) and use on 9ft table. Does this sound like a good weight to start with?
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Like you, I always preferred a 20oz cue. But, most seems to use a 19oz. So, I bought a 19oz. Well, I wanted heavier, will prob add/change a weight bolt.

Just bought a cheap Lucky cue, 20oz. Fits me much better, great cue for $60. I won’t buy another lighter cue. Trust your memory.


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How about a Viking A228; around $230.00 in a lot of places including Seybert's. I love mine.
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KPro1234 said:
I really appreciate all of the feedback and recommendations. Looking at tips, when I buy the cue should I upgrade right from the start? The Players comes with a Le Pro leather tip the Schmelke with an Elk Master Soft Tip.
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No, just learn to care for the tip. Also, you should be able to order the Schmelke with any of a large variety of tips. I got mine through Billiard Warehouse, who have the best prices, and best website for these. Here's a screen shot of the tip options:

Screen Shot 2021-01-22 at 7.14.52 PM.png


See:
R040 Cocobolo Sneaky Pete Pool Cue by Schmelke
 
I vote for players sneaky. If you want a custom (your own input) for a little more, go schmelke. For 375 you get to step into a Mezz EC7 plain jane with exotic woods.
 
KPro1234 said:
I really appreciate all of the feedback and recommendations. Looking at tips, when I buy the cue should I upgrade right from the start? The Players comes with a Le Pro leather tip the Schmelke with an Elk Master Soft Tip.
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Lepro triangle, if it's got those, your gold
 
After trying almost every "popular" expensive tip, I've gone back to LePro. Triangle is my second choice. I think Efren still uses Elkmasters but I found that they vary too much from one tip to the next and I never could judge the good from the bad until after they were on my cue.
 
I have a number of cues, my best are predator 314 circa 1998....but I generally play with a schmelke. Pool dawg has a schmelke for around 100. I have that one and it is a fine cue... Straight and well made. I have 3 Schmelke's and also a flat laminate shaft. Happy with them all.
 
Would be interested to know why no one recommends McDermott?

I have had my D19 since the ‘90s and it still plays as good as any other cue I’ve had.

Otherwise I agree with others recommending Players, Schmelke and Mezz


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Logandgriff said:
After trying almost every "popular" expensive tip, I've gone back to LePro. Triangle is my second choice. I think Efren still uses Elkmasters but I found that they vary too much from one tip to the next and I never could judge the good from the bad until after they were on my cue.
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Eferen uses (or used to use, not sure today) pressed Elkmasters. I think they are milk duds but I'm not entirely sure. With pressed tips and especially milkduds, they pretty much all end up super consistent. I only had 1 bad tip so far out of about 15 I've made. When soaked, it swelled up to where it was like 4X the diameter of the tip and become completely un-round and leaning. It pressed but the lean didn't go away so it went into the trash. Not a bad ratio of bad to good considering they are like 50 cents each.

Ratamon said:
Would be interested to know why no one recommends McDermott?

I have had my D19 since the ‘90s and it still plays as good as any other cue I’ve had.

Otherwise I agree with others recommending Players, Schmelke and Mezz


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I think it's due to the price. Once you get past the lucky brand, they jump up a little in price. I think McDermott makes great cues, or at least they did when I bought mine. It just balances perfectly for me and feels good.
 
Ratamon said:
Would be interested to know why no one recommends McDermott?

I have had my D19 since the ‘90s and it still plays as good as any other cue I’ve had.

Otherwise I agree with others recommending Players, Schmelke and Mezz


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Last time I checked, even with a discontinued model clearance sale, Mezz is still a considerably higher price point (by a multiple of 3 or 4) than the other two mentioned above.
 
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