Anyone shoot with just one or two cues for many years?

john coloccia · 11:50 AM

Just curious about this. Here's my story. Back when I was a young teen...maybe 13 or so, my dad got me my first cue: A cheap piece of crap Cue Ball Kelly cue. I think we paid $50 or $75 for it, and that's probably overpriced. I've been using it as a practice cue on my new cue lathe.

About a year later, I was ready for a better cue. My dad got a McDermott D4 for himself, with a linen wrap, and I got a D19.

At some point, I picked up a Lucasi. At the time it was pretty cheap, and it was my bar cue. That's the only time I ever took it out.

Anyhow, I played with that D19 for almost 30 years. I just replaced it earlier this year, not because I didn't like it but simply because I wanted to retire it. It has sentimental value to me. To replace it, I bought a very odd McDermott from Kickin' Chicken. It's not really a production model, and has a strange (and confirmed) story behind it. Anyhow, it looks pretty similar to the D19, and really plays just like it. It's one of the last McD made with real half-spliced ebony points. That's my main cue, now.

So other than my first "starter" cue that got put way almost immediately, and the Lucasi that I used as my bar banger, I've basically played with one cue my entire life, which was retired and replaced with another cue which was as similar as I could possibly get.

Anyone else find a cue they like and just hang on to it forever, or do you like to flip every few months?

Masayoshi · 12-09-2016, 11:54 AM

I've been playing with my plain jane Tad for 8 years now. I think it's important to get "married" to your cue. It doesn't take 8 years, of course, but it is a pain to change, so I never bothered.

nine_ball6970 · 12-09-2016, 12:01 PM

I have played with the same Schon for 13 years. Been playing 15 years total. I doubt I will ever buy another playing cue. I like the way it looks and the way it hits.

PoolBum · 12-09-2016, 12:14 PM

I've played with my current Mottey for 10 years.

be1163 · 12-09-2016, 01:19 PM

Since having my Dishaw made in 2006, its been my only cue. Just recently I have been thinking about getting something different.

fastone371 · 12-09-2016, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by john coloccia

Just curious about this. Here's my story. Back when I was a young teen...maybe 13 or so, my dad got me my first cue: A cheap piece of crap Cue Ball Kelly cue. I think we paid $50 or $75 for it, and that's probably overpriced. I've been using it as a practice cue on my new cue lathe.

About a year later, I was ready for a better cue. My dad got a McDermott D4 for himself, with a linen wrap, and I got a D19.

At some point, I picked up a Lucasi. At the time it was pretty cheap, and it was my bar cue. That's the only time I ever took it out.

Anyhow, I played with that D19 for almost 30 years. I just replaced it earlier this year, not because I didn't like it but simply because I wanted to retire it. It has sentimental value to me. To replace it, I bought a very odd McDermott from Kickin' Chicken. It's not really a production model, and has a strange (and confirmed) story behind it. Anyhow, it looks pretty similar to the D19, and really plays just like it. It's one of the last McD made with real half-spliced ebony points. That's my main cue, now.

So other than my first "starter" cue that got put way almost immediately, and the Lucasi that I used as my bar banger, I've basically played with one cue my entire life, which was retired and replaced with another cue which was as similar as I could possibly get.

Anyone else find a cue they like and just hang on to it forever, or do you like to flip every few months?

Kinda funny that your main player is a D19. I like the old McDermotts and found a pretty beat up D19 for sale here. I had it refinished and a G-Core shaft made for it by McDermott and now t looks like new. It was not my intention for it to be an everyday player but it hits so nice I could not leave it sit. I also have a D11, no matter what shaft combinations I try it will not hit like my D19.

Icon of Sin · 12-09-2016, 01:28 PM

Just got a new cue as my main player. Last one I used for 6 years straight.

John Disque · 01:34 PM

I've been playing, and breaking-with, the same beat-up, Players SneakyPete, with an Elk Master tip, for more years than I care to count here.

I have purchased some of the most expensive cues on the market but they always get thrown-back-in and I return to this cue because I have confidence in it and it's like my right arm.

john coloccia · 12-09-2016, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fastone371

Kinda funny that your main player is a D19. I like the old McDermotts and found a pretty beat up D19 for sale here. I had it refinished and a G-Core shaft made for it by McDermott and now t looks like new. It was not my intention for it to be an everyday player but it hits so nice I could not leave it sit. I also have a D11, no matter what shaft combinations I try it will not hit like my D19.

The D4 doesn't hit like the D19 either. There's something special about those old D19s that make them a little unique. I always assumed it was just the fluke combination of McD construction and the maple/ebony wood.

ChicagoJoe · 12-09-2016, 02:24 PM

Played with my southwest for about 10 years now. I have another cue and will have others in the future. My southwest, however, is mine. It has become an extension of me when I play. I don't see a reason to ever part with it.

fastone371 · 12-11-2016, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by john coloccia

The D4 doesn't hit like the D19 either. There's something special about those old D19s that make them a little unique. I always assumed it was just the fluke combination of McD construction and the maple/ebony wood.

I was wondering if it had something to do with the Ebony/Maple combo too. Would like to try another but you don't see too many.

Tramp Steamer · 12-11-2016, 08:15 PM

Eleven years, for me.

Rackemep · 12-11-2016, 08:32 PM

When I was first starting out I went through a whole bunch of lower end starter cues...after a while of buying/selling/trading cues I got a used schon stl1. I played with that cue for a couple of years and then traded it along with $100 for a used stl7. Had that cue for a couple years as well then bought a stl15 new in 2007. In 2008 I ran into a guy that was selling some nice customs in Albany NY...I test hit a Greg Kucharski cue he had for sale and had to have it! I threw my stl15 in a case I had laying around and sold it! Gave the stl7 away to a friend...my search for the "right cue" was over! Been shooting with the GK ever since and it ain't going anywhere anytime soon...

Player · 12-11-2016, 09:26 PM

For most of my life and my main hustling days I never owned my own cue. Always played with house cues. Worst thing you could do if you wanted to win some money in the bars was walk in with a fancy cue and case.

About 7 years ago I got a table for my house and had to get some cues for it. Got a few one piece house cues and a few pretty decent two piece cues.

Maybe it's from using different cues so much and learning to get used to one pretty fast but really I play about as good (or bad) with one as the next. I've got 3 or 4 that I like better than the others but I don't really play that much better with them.

One day I'll play with one and the next day another. Not saying that's the best way just me.

dnbnt · 12-11-2016, 11:49 PM

I've had a McD D-3 for over 30 years from the factory. Played with it solely for close to 10 years. Guy at my bar at the time wanted to get rid of his D-18 due to frustration w/the Game. Gave him $125 for it on the spot. Another 10 goes by and there's a guy at a different club keeps asking me to sell the D-18. I didn't intend to sell it so kept telling him, ya, for a grand. Well he keeps dogging me about it so I find out he's putting a collection of all D series together and he offers a straight up trade for a 19 freshly refinished so that's my Shooter now!