I'm looking for a high end cue that low'ish defection any suggestion? right now i play with McDermott with an i2 and i3 shaft. my budget is 4k
in the $4k range you will certainly have a lot of options but I think you will find that most "high end" cues will come with standard maple shafts. Easy problem to overcome by, for instance getting whatever high end cue you like and then getting an LD shaft to ise with it if the standard maples aren't to your liking.
I have a number of cues that *could* fit the bill like the below heavily inlaid Tascarella for $3450 or if you didn't want to break the bank the Jensen Bushka tribute is a beauty for $1600.
Either of these with a Predator or Tiger or similar LD shaft or even perhaps the standard maple shafts might be just the thing.
As I said I have many other cues up and down the spectrum if interested, let me know.
GL
best,
brian kc