I bought a RAT cue with a McDermott i3 shaft from Ryan about 4 months ago and I LOVE it. All said and done it was right around 500.
Pics here: http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=307033
My friend has been shooting with an OB cue for a while and I own an OB2 shaft that I've played with extensively. They both shoot very well.
BUT,
I have been shooting with a RAT for 4 months now and I LOVE it. I would highly suggest them. I ordered one with a McDermott i3 shaft and I don't...
I agree with what a lot of other people have said on here. For the break I look at the cue ball last, which is different than any other shot I take. I was taught by a masters level BCA instructor and his advice was to always look at CB last on the break and then look at the OB last for every...
Stinger makes an Excellent break/Jump cue, I've had mine for a year and a half and love it. He custom builds them and they are a bit on the pricy side for a break, or he sold the rights to Mcdermott to make the cues and they sell them at a really affordable price. Here is the link
His site...
Ryan Theewen, RAT cues, makes a great cue, I have had his for about a month now and I love it. I got an i3 on it and that is probably my favorite shaft.
I bought a cue from one of our fellow AZBilliards forum members RATCUES about a month ago. Let me say, I am super happy with it. Not only is it beautiful, it has a solid hit and nice feel. The red palm and curly maple compliment each other perfectly. I have had a lot of compliments already...
I've tried the tadpole, scorpion, lucasi, predator, and the outlaw. I ended getting the outlaw, not only did I like the feel of it the price was very low. I also like the simplistic look of it.
Whatever you do remember that if you stick with the same size than all equipment you buy (cues, shafts, protectors) will be interchangeable, which means less money spending for you.
Most major retailers can re-pin a cue for a small fee. Also, most custom cue makers can use a pin that you...
I have shot with the Z2, OB2, Lou Stone Custom, Mcdermott i3, and the G-core extensively. Personally I LOVE the i3 by Mcdermott. It is slightly cheaper than the z2 and it shoots so well.
I teach billiards at the university in my town, which has 9 footers, and then play an 8-ball league at the bars in town. I have found that the only issue I run into is cue ball speed. Therefore, the advice I can give you is to slow down your shots. Do a couple table drills on the 7 footer...