3 Cues - Questions for {{YOU}}

My advice would be to buy a cheap cue which rolls straight until you get more experience and become a better player. Then you will be able to make a better decision about which cue to buy.
 
alstl said:
My advice would be to buy a cheap cue which rolls straight until you get more experience and become a better player. Then you will be able to make a better decision about which cue to buy.
Click to expand...

I'm not buying it.
I've been playing pool for 40 years, so I have a bit of experience.

They're all priced in the same range and they're all straight. - It's going to come down to hitting balls with them and I might hate all 3.

I'll know shortly.
 
Tried a Gulassy cue. Quite liked it. Had a fairly lively hit, decent balance. A competently made quality cue. It was much better IMO than a more expensive cue I was also trying at the time. I think Gulassy may be underrated.
 
I have a hunch you are going to like the CC of the three....let us all know which you liked the most & why.
 
John Disque said:
Thanks.

I think I'll know a lot more tonight as I have the rare opportunity of hitting balls with each cue.

I can tell, from the first hit, if I love it or hate it... I'm just not the most patient person in the world... and was curious about the experiences of others.

I'd give my left scrotum to PoolChump, to hit 5 balls with every cue on the market and would pay any price listed to buy the right one for me... (I'm very picky and know what I'm looking for - but that doesn't mean it's right for everyone and that's what makes this topic difficult).
Click to expand...

I never understand this line of reasoning. If you know what you are looking for, why haven't you got it already? You must have had it to know what you like?
 
In the last 15 years have had 7 Jerry Olivier cues....Bought 5 and won 2 in raffles in Vegas...I love the hit and the workmanship is good for the low prices he charges for his cues..
Of course this is just my opinion...
 
Pathetic Shark said:
I never understand this line of reasoning. If you know what you are looking for, why haven't you got it already? You must have had it to know what you like?
Click to expand...

Because - knowing what I want and finding what I want are two very different things.

I could put $300-$400 into the D-21 and have exactly what I want but I don't want to customize a collectable cue, which I'm sure many people would love just the way it is.

Many years ago - I won a very soft McDermott D-14 that I loved but was forced to throw-in because I got into financial trouble, so I've been after that same "hit" ever since.

Cues vary a lot (especially when you get into the high-end, custom market) and I would advise anyone to be very careful. (You will know when you find the right one). I would also advise anyone to stick with it (at all costs) when you find it.
 
John Disque said:
Everyone prefers different things in a pool-cue so these questions are subjective...

I'm about to "throw-in" a mint-condition 1984 McDermott D-21.

I'm looking for a super-soft hit, a balance point that's a little further-back from most cues, overall lighter weight than the average cue (17oz) a leather wrap and a shaft between 12.25mm & 12.50mm.
Looks are way less important to me than having confidence in the cue and finding the hit and feel I'm looking for...


I'm looking at a

1 - Mike Gulyassy (I know Mike has a good reputation for his break/jump cues but I haven't heard a lot about his playing cues).

2 - Carolina Custom.

3 - Jerry Olivier

Has anyone here ever played with any of these three cues? And - what do you think?
Click to expand...
I play with a Gulyassy and I will say that I am a fan. Reach out to Mike I'm sure he will build you what you want. I also will recommend the SPTX shaft of his as well. It has an 18" pro taper with no discernible rise in it. You can really let your stroke out even with a closed bridge. It's not whippy like you would imagine I assume this is due to his "shaft freeze" treatment. Cue is joint flat faced with the modified or custom 3/8-10 pin. I use pressed "milk dud" Elk Masters on mine (I would say these are about a medium hard). I would not call the hit soft, but it's definitely not firm I.E. Joss with a triangle tip firm. With a soft tip I'm sure it will play as soft as I you would want.
I owned a Jerry Olivier sneaky pete previously. It's been sold. I play with the Gulyassy.
 
Last edited:
NINEBALLART said:
In the last 15 years have had 7 Jerry Olivier cues....Bought 5 and won 2 in raffles in Vegas...I love the hit and the workmanship is good for the low prices he charges for his cues..
Of course this is just my opinion...
Click to expand...

I think you understated the workmanship of Jerry's cues. The detail and the workmanship, and the obvious pride he takes in his cues is: 2nd to none. His cues are stunning without going overboard.

I don't know how he keeps his prices as reasonable as they are.
 
John Disque said:

Because - knowing what I want and finding what I want are two very different things.

I could put $300-$400 into the D-21 and have exactly what I want but I don't want to customize a collectable cue, which I'm sure many people would love just the way it is.

Many years ago - I won a very soft McDermott D-14 that I loved but was forced to throw-in because I got into financial trouble, so I've been after that same "hit" ever since.

Cues vary a lot (especially when you get into the high-end, custom market) and I would advise anyone to be very careful. (You will know when you find the right one). I would also advise anyone to stick with it (at all costs) when you find it.
Click to expand...

My first cue was a McDermott D-12 ... I bought it in a pool hall in Chicago for about $160. I really loved that cue, unfortunately it was stolen out of my car while a few years later.

If you like a softer hit, one thing I would recommend is a soft Ultraskin layered tip. They have one of the softest hits I've tried...although they do have a tendency to mushroom.

Good luck.
 
John Disque said:

The Carolina caught my eye first and it comes with 2 shafts.

I have not made my final decision and will keep you posted.
Click to expand...

Remember almost all cues have a "placebo" effect, so take your time choosing and good luck
Jason<----not always an @$$

Edit to add - I have played with a ton of cues but none of these. It seems like you have played enough to make up your own mind about cues and really not need the advice of others
 
Last edited:
JRusso said:
I play with a Gulyassy and I will say that I am a fan. Reach out to Mike I'm sure he will build you what you want. I also will recommend the SPTX shaft of his as well. It has an 18" pro taper with no discernible rise in it. You can really let your stroke out even with a closed bridge. It's not whippy like you would imagine I assume this is due to his "shaft freeze" treatment. Cue is joint flat faced with the modified or custom 3/8-10 pin. I use pressed "milk dud" Elk Masters on mine (I would say these are about a medium hard). I would not call the hit soft, but it's definitely not firm I.E. Joss with a triangle tip firm. With a soft tip I'm sure it will play as soft as I you would want.
I owned a Jerry Olivier sneaky pete previously. It's been sold. I play with the Gulyassy.
Click to expand...

Mike was one of my favorite players back in the day when he was grinding it out on the regional circuit. I have his contact information and will be contacting him to eventually dial me in on a custom cue just for me.

Thank you for your insight and words of wisdom. That fearless Corey Deuel stroke is what I'm looking to cut-loose.
 
BJTyler said:
My first cue was a McDermott D-12 ... I bought it in a pool hall in Chicago for about $160. I really loved that cue, unfortunately it was stolen out of my car while a few years later.

If you like a softer hit, one thing I would recommend is a soft Ultraskin layered tip. They have one of the softest hits I've tried...although they do have a tendency to mushroom.

Good luck.
Click to expand...

Thanks -- Many of the more-serious comments are not being taken lightly and I truly appreciate the insight and advise.

This time tomorrow I will let you know which one I chose and I will try to make it clear that just because it's right for me... doesn't make it right for everyone.

As someone here said - all three cues are exceptional.
 
BJTyler said:
My first cue was a McDermott D-12 ... I bought it in a pool hall in Chicago for about $160. I really loved that cue, unfortunately it was stolen out of my car while a few years later.

If you like a softer hit, one thing I would recommend is a soft Ultraskin layered tip. They have one of the softest hits I've tried...although they do have a tendency to mushroom.

Good luck.
Click to expand...

I bought the D-21 because I thought it would be very similar to the D-14 that I referenced. I was wrong and this is where people have to be careful.
 
John Disque said:
I'm not buying it.
I've been playing pool for 40 years, so I have a bit of experience.

They're all priced in the same range and they're all straight. - It's going to come down to hitting balls with them and I might hate all 3.

I'll know shortly.
Click to expand...

I didn't realize you had been playing so long. You already know this but I will remind you the tip makes a big difference. You could put a harder or softer tip on a cue and it would play differently.

For me the diameter of the butt, weight, taper of the shaft and balance point are big factors.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top