Here's a question for you pool cue physicists. I have a relatively new McDermott GS Series cues (plain maple shaft, 3/8 x 10 joint) and like it fine. While many people seem to hold in very high regard the old McDermott D Series cues from the 70s-80s, I don't see any of the same love expressed for the GS Series even though the GS cues seem to have similar components and construction as the D Series. Any of you have a view as to why this is? Thanks.
McDermott Current GS vs. Old D Series
- Thread starter Logandgriff
- Start date
Just looked at them. Plain-jane cues that probably play great. No knock just fact. None of the style of the higher end D's tho. I think the higher end C-series cues are the best looking cues they made. I've had a few C's and D's and they all played great.
Yep you can't compare the higher-numbered inlaid fancy Ds to the current plain jane GSs. I'm wondering if anybody has a comparison of the GSs to the simple low-numbered Ds: D-1s and D-2s etc.
A pj is a pj in my book. They probably play almost the same. If you like it don't worry about it getiing/not getting love from others. Who cares as long as you like it??
Yep based on my memory of the Ds I've had or played with they seem to play about the same as the GS but it is hard to compare a distant memory with a current cue. I'm not looking for validation but wondering if there were different materials or construction in the old Ds. It would be fun to shoot with both one after the other but I don't have that ability without buying a D.
All the pj Mcd's i used to see were plain or be maple. Some had inlays in the sleeve but usually not. I don't think they've changed construction methods a whole lot. CNC has sped it up for sure but how its assembled is the same. If they play/feel good why does it matter? Look, the C's and D's have always been highly regarded, even the plain ones. A lot of it is nostalgia driven. I'm sure the newer GS line is every bit as well made. Someday somebody may pine for the days of old and their GS cue. Who knows.
One thing I’ve noticed is that the old C’s and D’s have a much bigger variety of exotic woods with good old points and veneers. Even the PJ (Merry Widow) D-2 that I have has a Walnut butt. Not that walnut is an exotic, but you just don’t see that nowadays with entry level McDermotts.
The big thing with many of the older cues from McDermott and Joss and such is that the wood used in the shafts was a higher grade with tighter and more rings, from older trees. It made for a sweet hitting, heavier shaft. I don't know if McD changed construction on the cues from older to newer, but I know I played with a lot of the older 80s and 90s cues and compared to the newer cues the shafts were better. I had an early 90s Joss and that thing had the best shaft I ever hit with on a stock Joss, it was sought after by many players I shot with once they tried it.