Puck90a
Registered
I've used a classic series McDermott cue for several years. It has a standard 13mm maple shaft, 19oz, with Moori Medium tip. I think I paid about $160 for it.
I've played pool off and on for 10 years, but I've only gotten really serious about pool the past year and half or so when I started to play in APA. I consider myself an intermediate player. I'm a 5 in 8ball and 9ball. I'm a decent shot, can play basic shape, can apply english, draw, and follow, but I'm not really accurate with shape yet.
I decided to spring for a new cue. I decided I wanted to try an LD (low deflection) shaft, and I like McDermott's products, so I decided on an i2 with the standard Kamui Medium tip and the Dubliner butt - it came as a package deal along with a case, players break cue, and tip tools for $489 from Nielson's billiards. I also wanted to try it at 18oz to see how I liked a slightly lighter feel. This was my xmas present to myself.
I got it in, and I almost immediately hated it. I used an 18.5oz viking cue for a while that felt fine, but this thing felt VERY light. He had no bolt in the butt. It felt hollow and lifeless (I know this is adjustable - I added a 1oz bolt later to see how I liked it). The linen wrap had some kind of finish on it that made it very smooth. It had a dry slippery feeling to it. During practice strokes, the cue slid around in my hand. I tried using a damp towel to break up that finish a little, but it didn't help. The shaft was 12.75 which felt completely different than a 13mm to me. It had a big impact on the structure of my bridge hand. My bridge felt awkward, and it felt like I was trying to close in around a pencil and not a cue shaft. I was missing easy shots because of how different my stroke and bridge felt. The Kamui tip didn't give me nearly as much control as my Moori Medium does. Follow shots seemed to work better (thanks to LD maybe?) but other than that, I wasn't getting the same action. I just didn't feel any connection with the cue - the weight felt hollow and dead even with the 1oz bolt added, the shaft felt like a little pencil, and the tip was unremarkable. However, the cue was very nicely crafted and good looking. I tried using it for a little while and considered getting a Moori tip put on it and a wrap change, but I decided to sell it on ebay. I got $325 for it which was less than I wanted, but oh well.
I might not have been ready for this cue yet. I understand a small shaft diameter requires better stroke accuracy and can give more precise control in the right hands. I have a good stroke, but maybe not good enough. And I don't think I'm good enough with playing shape yet to really see the benefits of low deflection. But I can't see how anyone would want a grip that slippery (slip stroke maybe?). I don't know what McDermott was thinking with that wrap. It wasn't a wrap, it was crap. Maybe it would have gotten better over time, but my other McDermott felt fine when it was new and still does to this day.
Years ago I always liked the look of the McDermott Arizona. I thought since it is older, it might not have the same wrap the Dubliner had. I found one that Nielson was selling on ebay that was 35% off. It was $245 buy it now, with a G-Core 13mm shaft and Tiger Everest tip. I ordered it standard at 19oz.
Wow. I LOVE THIS CUE. The wrap feels normal. I can hold it lightly and still have grip like I can my other McDermott cue. I love having the 13mm shaft again. The G-core shaft seems a little more rigid. It makes a funny "thud" sound when I hit but I can get used to it. It still feels alive to me, and it seems less wobbly when it hits the cue off center. The Tiger Everest tip ain't too shabby either. The Tiger tip doesn't give me the extreme control the Moori did, but that might be better for my intermediate level. The Moori seemed more "sticky" and probably gave me more control than I'm ready for. I get a lot of control from the Tiger tip, but it has a more blunt feel when applying english - it feels a little more easy to tame. I also really like the balance of the cue. I felt right at home with it as soon as I picked it up.
And this cue is absolutely GORGEOUS. I like the look of it better than the Dubliner. The finish is SO deep and rich. Sometimes I just stare at it. The rings are a very nice touch too. It came with a few scratches that I effortlessly removed with Nu Finish car polish.
So I'm going to keep my pewter classic McDermott as a back up. I am noticing it has a very small black vertical line on the ferrule and I think it's a hairline crack. I'm thinking that could be a warranty repair, but I'm not sure where my proof of purchase is. I'm not too worried about it. It hasn't gotten worse in a long time, and if it does, it's repairable.
This wasn't a review really. These are my biased opinions and preferences. Maybe some of this information will be useful to amateur and intermediate players thinking about stepping up their cue. There are of course other brands, but I'm always partial to an American made product that a company is willing to stand behind. I was disappointed with the Dubliner and i2, but the Arizona and G-Core renewed my loyalty in McDermott.
I've played pool off and on for 10 years, but I've only gotten really serious about pool the past year and half or so when I started to play in APA. I consider myself an intermediate player. I'm a 5 in 8ball and 9ball. I'm a decent shot, can play basic shape, can apply english, draw, and follow, but I'm not really accurate with shape yet.
I decided to spring for a new cue. I decided I wanted to try an LD (low deflection) shaft, and I like McDermott's products, so I decided on an i2 with the standard Kamui Medium tip and the Dubliner butt - it came as a package deal along with a case, players break cue, and tip tools for $489 from Nielson's billiards. I also wanted to try it at 18oz to see how I liked a slightly lighter feel. This was my xmas present to myself.
I got it in, and I almost immediately hated it. I used an 18.5oz viking cue for a while that felt fine, but this thing felt VERY light. He had no bolt in the butt. It felt hollow and lifeless (I know this is adjustable - I added a 1oz bolt later to see how I liked it). The linen wrap had some kind of finish on it that made it very smooth. It had a dry slippery feeling to it. During practice strokes, the cue slid around in my hand. I tried using a damp towel to break up that finish a little, but it didn't help. The shaft was 12.75 which felt completely different than a 13mm to me. It had a big impact on the structure of my bridge hand. My bridge felt awkward, and it felt like I was trying to close in around a pencil and not a cue shaft. I was missing easy shots because of how different my stroke and bridge felt. The Kamui tip didn't give me nearly as much control as my Moori Medium does. Follow shots seemed to work better (thanks to LD maybe?) but other than that, I wasn't getting the same action. I just didn't feel any connection with the cue - the weight felt hollow and dead even with the 1oz bolt added, the shaft felt like a little pencil, and the tip was unremarkable. However, the cue was very nicely crafted and good looking. I tried using it for a little while and considered getting a Moori tip put on it and a wrap change, but I decided to sell it on ebay. I got $325 for it which was less than I wanted, but oh well.
I might not have been ready for this cue yet. I understand a small shaft diameter requires better stroke accuracy and can give more precise control in the right hands. I have a good stroke, but maybe not good enough. And I don't think I'm good enough with playing shape yet to really see the benefits of low deflection. But I can't see how anyone would want a grip that slippery (slip stroke maybe?). I don't know what McDermott was thinking with that wrap. It wasn't a wrap, it was crap. Maybe it would have gotten better over time, but my other McDermott felt fine when it was new and still does to this day.
Years ago I always liked the look of the McDermott Arizona. I thought since it is older, it might not have the same wrap the Dubliner had. I found one that Nielson was selling on ebay that was 35% off. It was $245 buy it now, with a G-Core 13mm shaft and Tiger Everest tip. I ordered it standard at 19oz.
Wow. I LOVE THIS CUE. The wrap feels normal. I can hold it lightly and still have grip like I can my other McDermott cue. I love having the 13mm shaft again. The G-core shaft seems a little more rigid. It makes a funny "thud" sound when I hit but I can get used to it. It still feels alive to me, and it seems less wobbly when it hits the cue off center. The Tiger Everest tip ain't too shabby either. The Tiger tip doesn't give me the extreme control the Moori did, but that might be better for my intermediate level. The Moori seemed more "sticky" and probably gave me more control than I'm ready for. I get a lot of control from the Tiger tip, but it has a more blunt feel when applying english - it feels a little more easy to tame. I also really like the balance of the cue. I felt right at home with it as soon as I picked it up.
And this cue is absolutely GORGEOUS. I like the look of it better than the Dubliner. The finish is SO deep and rich. Sometimes I just stare at it. The rings are a very nice touch too. It came with a few scratches that I effortlessly removed with Nu Finish car polish.
So I'm going to keep my pewter classic McDermott as a back up. I am noticing it has a very small black vertical line on the ferrule and I think it's a hairline crack. I'm thinking that could be a warranty repair, but I'm not sure where my proof of purchase is. I'm not too worried about it. It hasn't gotten worse in a long time, and if it does, it's repairable.
This wasn't a review really. These are my biased opinions and preferences. Maybe some of this information will be useful to amateur and intermediate players thinking about stepping up their cue. There are of course other brands, but I'm always partial to an American made product that a company is willing to stand behind. I was disappointed with the Dubliner and i2, but the Arizona and G-Core renewed my loyalty in McDermott.
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. I never imagined I would dislike the cue so much. I've shot with Lucasis, Lucasi Hybrids, Predators, Vikings, all kinds of house cues, Custom cues, cheap Viper cues, and none of them left me feeling like a fish out of water like this.