Looking for a solid American cue

[Positively Ralf]

I won a maple shaft Pechauer cue a couple of years back and it's been my main player since. Everyone who plays with it is surprised to see how good it hits compared to the fiber carbon shafts they have been used to.

 

[Santin23]

I'd add Pechauer to that list as well.

I can’t tell you which to buy in those 3.. and honestly no one can. We aren’t you. They are all great quality and all have a unique hit. You got to go play with them and decide which one has a hit and feel to your liking. I’ve had all 3 and like them all but I would say the schon was favorite..but thats just me . You could decide other wise.

I can’t tell you which to buy in those 3.. and honestly no one can. We aren’t you. They are all great quality and all have a unique hit. You got to go play with them and decide which one has a hit and feel to your liking. I’ve had all 3 and like them all but I would say the schon was favorite..but thats just me . You could decide other wise.

Thanks for the feedback, buddy — really appreciate it. It’s kinda hard to try those cues around here; most pool halls I go to are full of Predator lovers or carbon-fiber guys, and that’s just not my thing. That’s why I’m asking for some opinions, I’m not really familiar with any of the brands i mentioned. Personally I have a Viking, which is good, but I’m a little bit disappointed with the inlays. Cheers

 

[Santin23]

All 3 are good IMO. I've owned numerous Schon and Jacoby over the years, haven't owned a Joss before myself. As a Wisconsin resident I like that Jacoby and Schon are both local and Jacoby in particular because they setup a little shop at a lot of big tournaments around here and provide on site cue work which is great, they really support the game here in Wisconsin.

I settled on a Jacoby for my current playing cue not just because of the above but also because they have good carbon shafts with a lot of options and well done quick release rear extensions, all of which are important to me these days. I went with a simple wrapless cue from their Heritage line and I pair that with 2 30" 12.3mm Black V4 shafts.

It was a good value too IMO, $950 with a Black V4 shaft.

Thanks for your reply pal, actually Jacoby is on the top of my wish list. Unfortunately
It’s kinda hard to try those cues around here, that’s what I’m looking for options. Nice setup btw, cheers

 

[slide13]

The Viking Carmeli cues look incredible for the money.

I won a maple shaft Pechauer cue a couple of years back and it's been my main player since. Everyone who plays with it is surprised to see how good it hits compared to the fiber carbon shafts they have been used to.

Two more really good options and both from Wisconsin as well! We have so many solid cue makers here.

The Carmeli Vikings are the most intriguing things I've seen from them in a long time, really nice designs! I keep hoping I'll find someone playing one locally so I can try one out. A number of people in my pool league are using Pechauer currently and they're solid cues!

 

[j2pac]

Thanks for the feedback, buddy — really appreciate it. It’s kinda hard to try those cues around here; most pool halls I go to are full of Predator lovers or carbon-fiber guys, and that’s just not my thing. That’s why I’m asking for some opinions, I’m not really familiar with any of the brands i mentioned. Personally I have a Viking, which is good, but I’m a little bit disappointed with the inlays. Cheers

You are very welcome. The only issue you might run into with Pechauer is their joint pin. I think it's somewhat (proprietary) incompatible with some common thread cue shafts. That being said, they are a quality product.
Good luck with your search.

 

[Santin23]

I own all three and multiples of one. All great, but for me it's Schon, but honestly my Jacoby is just as good. I have to say my Jacoby lightly, as my wife just switched from the Schon she was shooting, to using the Jacoby, and is shooting really good with it. We are using the same shafts on the Schon's and Jacoby though, and I have weighted and balanced the Jacoby cue and shaft to be really close to the Schon's to where the weight is with in 1/10 oz and balance to 1/4".
Honestly, not sure how much it really matters with a quality cue and shaft as long as it feels right to you. Schon's have really shot up in price to where I feel there are better options now.
If you don't own either a Schon or a Jacoby, I would suggest a Jacoby first as you can get their Ultra shaft with it vs the standard shaft on the Schon for about the same or less price than the Schon with standard shaft. The Jacoby cue I had, and my wife just took from me is there HB2. It is a fantastic cue for the money. Construction and finish as good as you are going to get. You could want no more in a cue to play pool with.
While I just have a fondness for my Schon's, I really like the Jacoby we have also, and am missing playing with it, but I am not worried as my wife keeps changing her mind on what cue is best for her and has went through 3 of my Schon's and now using my Jacoby, that when I bought it, she told me I didn't need another cue.
One good thing is every time she changes her mind on cues, I tell her that was the cue i was going to start playing with and use it as an excuse to buy another cue. They do have another variation now of the Jacoby HB2 that I was eyeing up and maybe now I can safely order one.
We have 3 McDermott's also, very nice cues, but for me I prefer the balance and hit of the Schon's and Jacoby, and the Ultra shafts on the Jacoby more. McDermotts are a great quality cue for the money though.
View attachment 862779

Thanks a lot for the detailed feedback, really appreciate it. What a coincidence, the Jacoby HB2 is actually the exact model I’ve been looking at, so your comments are really helpful.

By the way, do you know if the radial pin on Jacoby cues is compatible with other brands, I’ve read on Seyberts they said “radial modified”?

 

[Santin23]

Of the 3, I like Jacoby better. Their designs are more modern. Schon never did it for me, aesthetically. Plus they have a 5/16-14 "bastard" joint pin that is hit or miss to fit any other shafts.

That’s mu concerns with the schons as well, even though I like one simple 4-points with ebony, thanks buddy

 

[SeniorTom]

Any of the top names will provide a great cue. I have 3 Pechauer and really like the finish and pro quick joint.

 

[jeephawk]

Only posting this for the benefit of those who may look in out of curiosity and be thinking of a different price point. I have Schmelkes in my rack (a couple custom) and a wonderful cue that Pat Diveney crafted for me a few years ago. Two different classes of expense, and less than you are looking, but solid American craftsmanship.

 

[muskyed]

Two more really good options and both from Wisconsin as well! We have so many solid cue makers here.

The Carmeli Vikings are the most intriguing things I've seen from them in a long time, really nice designs! I keep hoping I'll find someone playing one locally so I can try one out. A number of people in my pool league are using Pechauer currently and they're solid cues!

I would buy one if a no wrap

 

[SSDiver2112]

You are very welcome. The only issue you might run into with Pechauer is their joint pin. I think it's somewhat (proprietary) incompatible with some common thread cue shafts. That being said, they are a quality product.
Good luck with your search.

It is just a modified 5/16-14. Any 5/16-14 shaft can be quickly modified to fit. Their shafts are great so no big reason to worry about it, but if it does, I've heard they can be contacted to use a different pin.

 

[Black-Balled]

Thanks for your reply pal, actually Jacoby is on the top of my wish list. Unfortunately
It’s kinda hard to try those cues around here, that’s what I’m looking for options. Nice setup btw, cheers

The folks over at Jacoby are great.

They might be able to arrange a test drive for ya...just takes a phone call to figure it out!

 

[muskyed]

Thanks a lot for the detailed feedback, really appreciate it. What a coincidence, the Jacoby HB2 is actually the exact model I’ve been looking at, so your comments are really helpful.

By the way, do you know if the radial pin on Jacoby cues is compatible with other brands, I’ve read on Seyberts they said “radial modified”?

Rhino shafts fit perfectly. I did add a 13gr weight over the pin to get the balance I wanted, also have an 8 gr weight that I use on another cue. I don't use the weight with their Ultra shafts. I play with the Ultra shafts, but I bought a Rhino shaft for a backup. I's a really nice shaft. When my wife stole my Jacoby from me, she wanted the Rhino shaft on like she uses on her Schon, but wanted it to feel the same, so I slipped a weight over the pin. Simple, simple, sadly she loves it now so I don't think I am getting it back, or I should say I won't get it back till I buy another cue, and then she will like that one, ha ha.
As to why she likes the carbon shaft, because she doesn't have to wear a glove, a.nd it's nice and slippery. The Rhino plays very similar to the Ultra shaft.
Edit, they also make a great carbon quick release extension, pricy, but fantastic.

 

[muskyed]

The folks over at Jacoby are great.

They might be able to arrange a test drive for ya...just takes a phone call to figure it out!

They are only an hour from me and support pool heavily, they also support youth pool a lot, plus also have a booth and repair services at all bigger Wis tmts. They are great people.

 

[j2pac]

It is just a modified 5/16-14. Any 5/16-14 shaft can be quickly modified to fit. Their shafts are great so no big reason to worry about it, but if it does, I've heard they can be contacted to use a different pin.

 

[Santin23]

Rhino shafts fit perfectly. I did add a 13gr weight over the pin to get the balance I wanted, also have an 8 gr weight that I use on another cue. I don't use the weight with their Ultra shafts. I play with the Ultra shafts, but I bought a Rhino shaft for a backup. I's a really nice shaft. When my wife stole my Jacoby from me, she wanted the Rhino shaft on like she uses on her Schon, but wanted it to feel the same, so I slipped a weight over the pin. Simple, simple, sadly she loves it now so I don't think I am getting it back, or I should say I won't get it back till I buy another cue, and then she will like that one, ha ha.
As to why she likes the carbon shaft, because she doesn't have to wear a glove, a.nd it's nice and slippery. The Rhino plays very similar to the Ultra shaft.
Edit, they also make a great carbon quick release extension, pricy, but fantastic.
View attachment 862832View attachment 862833View attachment 862834

Sweet, thanks again. These pictures are very helpful, I think I have a winner

 

[maha]

nothing matters with any cue as long as it gives you the hit you like.

it can be a ten dollar thrift store cue even.

no cue maker can have the same hit with each of his cues. so it is cue dependent only.

but after playing for awhile with any cue close to what you like you will adapt to it and be fine.

this is for playing cues. if you want looks than that is a different story.

 

[Paul_#_]

The Viking Carmeli cues look incredible for the money.

I prefer Viking's more-expensive Anthony "Two Feathers" Squadroni's

 

[CocoboloCowboy]

McDermott

Ditto.

 

[trob]

Thanks for the feedback, buddy — really appreciate it. It’s kinda hard to try those cues around here; most pool halls I go to are full of Predator lovers or carbon-fiber guys, and that’s just not my thing. That’s why I’m asking for some opinions, I’m not really familiar with any of the brands i mentioned. Personally I have a Viking, which is good, but I’m a little bit disappointed with the inlays. Cheers

All I can tell you is they all have a very stiff hit. Which is what I always liked to play with. Your correct.. the days of the custom cues seem gone. All you see is predator and cuetec