$300 cue, what would you buy?

S

Shooter1

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Got back into league and playing more in general since retirement. Would like to find a $300 or less cue to carry in some of the, shall we say, "less than savory joints" as I'd rather not take my Schon to some places. I'd like to find something with a 5/16 x 14 pin so I could use my 314 shafts on it if I chose to. New or used, I don't care.

What would you be looking for to fit this bill?

Thanks
 
Buy a Schmelke sneaky and pocket the rest. Seriously, they make the best cue you can buy for the money. Call and ask for David.
 
Shooter1 said:
Got back into league and playing more in general since retirement. Would like to find a $300 or less cue to carry in some of the, shall we say, "less than savory joints" as I'd rather not take my Schon to some places. I'd like to find something with a 5/16 x 14 pin so I could use my 314 shafts on it if I chose to. New or used, I don't care.

What would you be looking for to fit this bill?

Thanks
Click to expand...

Joss has a good selection in this price range.
 
I would avoid all LD production cues unless you already play them, as I think they are very low quality and that LD is not as game improving as people think, and the quality of the Predator shafts is just terrible. Deflection is not the only complicating factor in aim. and low deflection actually makes some shots harder from my experience. And the ones I have played lack any feel. Plus deflection is predictable and you correct for it without even thinking with experience with the cue. My recommendations in no specifc order:

CueDirectly.com Dave makes an incrediblly high valued merry widow type cue that is truly customized. Attached is a picture of my custom in progress that was well below your budget. And he is great to work with.

Rick Howard Mace or Andy Gilbert JB cue, used. Replace the tip on either of these and they play EXCEPTIONALLY well and almost identical to true customs from these great cue makers

Dominiak Bill makes a really exceptional cue that can be had for $300 and he uses exceptional woods, the maple he cuts himself and provides to other cuemakers. Radially laminated core and shaft make for a very consistent playing cue. His workmanship is great and his cues have terrific feedback. Only slight issue is they tend to be a little more rear balanced.

Schmelke They offer a lot of customization options and make a very solid cue. Note that their joints tend to be a little over .840 which can be an issue if you give into the LD hype for an aftermarket shaft

I suspect you want to go the LD route, but any of the 4 above are far superior overall in my view.
 
If you are looking specifically for a 5/16 x 14 I'd get a low end Schon. There have been some high profile players who slapped a low deflection shaft on a Schon butt and got good results.
 
Bear Cues

Shooter1 said:
Got back into league and playing more in general since retirement. Would like to find a $300 or less cue to carry in some of the, shall we say, "less than savory joints" as I'd rather not take my Schon to some places. I'd like to find something with a 5/16 x 14 pin so I could use my 314 shafts on it if I chose to. New or used, I don't care.

What would you be looking for to fit this bill?

Thanks
Click to expand...

https://www.dynamic-billard.de/bill...lliard-cue-pool-bear-x-ble-01-uni-loc?c=21101
 
If I'm determined to spend $300 because it'll make me play better than a $100 cue, I'd get a J Pechauer sneaky. I don't believe in chit like that so I'd get a Schmelke sneaky. Right now & for 19 more days Schmelke's website has their Rosewood Sneaky ON SALE for $90. That is a helluva bargain. So,for about the next 2 weeks you can research,on this forum, Schmelke sneaky's !!!
 
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johnnysd said:
I would avoid all LD production cues unless you already play them, as I think they are very low quality and that LD is not as game improving as people think, and the quality of the Predator shafts is just terrible. Deflection is not the only complicating factor in aim. and low deflection actually makes some shots harder from my experience. And the ones I have played lack any feel. Plus deflection is predictable and you correct for it without even thinking with experience with the cue. My recommendations in no specifc order:

CueDirectly.com Dave makes an incrediblly high valued merry widow type cue that is truly customized. Attached is a picture of my custom in progress that was well below your budget. And he is great to work with.

Rick Howard Mace or Andy Gilbert JB cue, used. Replace the tip on either of these and they play EXCEPTIONALLY well and almost identical to true customs from these great cue makers



Dominiak Bill makes a really exceptional cue that can be had for $300 and he uses exceptional woods, the maple he cuts himself and provides to other cuemakers. Radially laminated core and shaft make for a very consistent playing cue. His workmanship is great and his cues have terrific feedback. Only slight issue is they tend to be a little more rear balanced.

Schmelke They offer a lot of customization options and make a very solid cue. Note that their joints tend to be a little over .840 which can be an issue if you give into the LD hype for an aftermarket shaft

I suspect you want to go the LD route, but any of the 4 above are far superior overall in my view.
Click to expand...

stay away from new technology....If it was me i would throw my TV's and computers and stick to the good old radio and newspaper...I mean if its not broke don't fix it
 
Schmelke's will fit with an aftermarket shaft, if you call and have them make the joint diameter .840. I can screw any aftermarket shaft on my Schmelke butts and they fit perfectly. Do yourself a favor and call Dave. They even sell aftermarket shafts with their cues. Great company with even better prices!
 
johnnysd said:
I would avoid all LD production cues unless you already play them, as I think they are very low quality and that LD is not as game improving as people think, and the quality of the Predator shafts is just terrible. Deflection is not the only complicating factor in aim. and low deflection actually makes some shots harder from my experience. And the ones I have played lack any feel. Plus deflection is predictable and you correct for it without even thinking with experience with the cue. My recommendations in no specifc order:

CueDirectly.com Dave makes an incrediblly high valued merry widow type cue that is truly customized. Attached is a picture of my custom in progress that was well below your budget. And he is great to work with.

Rick Howard Mace or Andy Gilbert JB cue, used. Replace the tip on either of these and they play EXCEPTIONALLY well and almost identical to true customs from these great cue makers

Dominiak Bill makes a really exceptional cue that can be had for $300 and he uses exceptional woods, the maple he cuts himself and provides to other cuemakers. Radially laminated core and shaft make for a very consistent playing cue. His workmanship is great and his cues have terrific feedback. Only slight issue is they tend to be a little more rear balanced.

Schmelke They offer a lot of customization options and make a very solid cue. Note that their joints tend to be a little over .840 which can be an issue if you give into the LD hype for an aftermarket shaft

I suspect you want to go the LD route, but any of the 4 above are far superior overall in my view.
Click to expand...

Hype or not on LD, some just like the feel of the hit.
 
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