Quality of affordable cues...
- Thread starter Matt_24
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8intheside
Well-known member
I know it’s an extreme example, but Efren dominated pool for years with a 10 dollar due. My point being I think people put too much emphasis on “high dollar“cues. I’ve seen People run racks with bar cues!
I have a rhino cue I paid under 200 for and it sucks.
Rusty in Montana
Well-known member
Back in the day when I used the Dufferin sneaky pete cue with a pvc pipe cue case , I loved beating people who sheared down their nose at me until I beat them or put them out of the tournament .
I need to bring it back out of retirement for old times sake !
I need to bring it back out of retirement for old times sake !
Would you take $100.00 for it?
Biloxi Boy
Man With A Golden Arm
WARNING: too long, only marginally on topic, so much more than I anticipated saying when I began, but I am hoping someone finds something here.
I spent over half my pool life playing off the wall, with all that entails. My first two cues were terrible -- purchased because they were "there" and cheap. Owning my own quality cues has been an incredibly enjoyable experience, but I still ain't won a big tournament.
To me, a cue is either acceptable or unacceptable, and this evaluation is totally subjective based on how the cue feels in my hands -- major factors are, probably, weight, balance point, shaft size, shaft taper, and wrap. I do not know what "hit" is. Tip differences interest me, but are not determinative so long as they are properly formed and take and hold chalk like I want -- I have over the years settled on Tiger Snipers.
Now, once a cue is acceptable, I shoot about the same with all of them -- not two or three balls better or worse. For years I thought there might be a cue, or a component, that would improve my game, but if there is one, I never found it.
In the end, I am my game -- my own Indian. The cue, as long as I find it acceptable, makes no real difference except one -- whether or not I enjoy my game. For me winning or losing is not the ultimate measure. I have walked away after losing feeling great and felt terrible winning. Go figure -- there is so much more to pool than the final ball count.
I hope this adds something. I think we sometimes over-analyze and complicate our game. There are subtleties, I'm just not sure they make a real difference.
I spent over half my pool life playing off the wall, with all that entails. My first two cues were terrible -- purchased because they were "there" and cheap. Owning my own quality cues has been an incredibly enjoyable experience, but I still ain't won a big tournament.
To me, a cue is either acceptable or unacceptable, and this evaluation is totally subjective based on how the cue feels in my hands -- major factors are, probably, weight, balance point, shaft size, shaft taper, and wrap. I do not know what "hit" is. Tip differences interest me, but are not determinative so long as they are properly formed and take and hold chalk like I want -- I have over the years settled on Tiger Snipers.
Now, once a cue is acceptable, I shoot about the same with all of them -- not two or three balls better or worse. For years I thought there might be a cue, or a component, that would improve my game, but if there is one, I never found it.
In the end, I am my game -- my own Indian. The cue, as long as I find it acceptable, makes no real difference except one -- whether or not I enjoy my game. For me winning or losing is not the ultimate measure. I have walked away after losing feeling great and felt terrible winning. Go figure -- there is so much more to pool than the final ball count.
I hope this adds something. I think we sometimes over-analyze and complicate our game. There are subtleties, I'm just not sure they make a real difference.
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If I were looking to get my first pool cue, I’d order a Schmelke SP in an attractive wood and add a Kielwood shaft.
I have a Schmelke SP and it plays surprisingly much better than I though it would or could. I’d order a 18 ozs cue
butt weight but ask to add a 1/4 oz. weight bolt. The Kielwood shaft would be 12.75 mm, flat faced and 30” length
to help ensure the Kielwood shaft weighed 4ozs. If it’s lighter than that, the shaft weight would be really close. I’d
order a Juma ferrule and the tip would be a Kamui Black Clear soft. The setup should cost less than $450 shipped.
I have a Schmelke SP and it plays surprisingly much better than I though it would or could. I’d order a 18 ozs cue
butt weight but ask to add a 1/4 oz. weight bolt. The Kielwood shaft would be 12.75 mm, flat faced and 30” length
to help ensure the Kielwood shaft weighed 4ozs. If it’s lighter than that, the shaft weight would be really close. I’d
order a Juma ferrule and the tip would be a Kamui Black Clear soft. The setup should cost less than $450 shipped.
I'd take $70...no shaft?!Would you take $100.00 for it?
George the Greek
Well-known member
I haven't retired my 35 year old Dufferin Sneaky yet. I had it turned down to 11.5 mm and a black ring put in the joint so somebody doesn't pick it up thinking it's a house cue. I only use it for breaking but if I put a decent tip on it the cue plays/feels fantastic. It's still straight as a die and I just had a new ferrule/tip put on it.
I always tell people who are new to the game in the apa that a Lucasi or players are great. Good warranty. stiff hitting which is better for a new player imo and your not investing a ton of money in case you stop playing in A couple years
bought my son for christmas a mcdermott lucky brand cue some years ago off the internet.. garbage. Walmart quality cue with mcdermotts name.
bought my son for christmas a mcdermott lucky brand cue some years ago off the internet.. garbage. Walmart quality cue with mcdermotts name.
xX-Wizard-Xx
Well-known member
Expensive cues are way over rated ..... Paying 4k + for a cue is nutty
I did the same thing and it plays really well.I have an older Cuetec butt, that I have paired with an Avid shaft. I have probably $225.00 in the whole setup, and it plays just fine.
I paid 4k for a cue and sold it for 6k lol that’s not nutty.
It’s an unnecessary luxury . I’ll bet you do it in other things in your life. We all buy a fancier car than what’s needed. Nicer clothes than you need. A bigger house than you need. We all buy stuff we don’t necessarily need but if you can afford it and it makes you happy f%$% it!
can’t take it with you
Ah yes, I was wondering if Dufferin was ever going to be mentioned.
Dufferin is my choice for affordable quality. At $60 made of
Canadian maple. Definitely My choice for a travel cue. With the Stealth factor as a bonus. My $60 Dufferin has paid for itself many times over. 