Any McDermott Cue Players?

[Matt_24]

Somehow, after some trading, I ended up with this McDermott Cue of the Year cue. I think it’s a few years old at least but was only test hit (supposedly).

The workmanship is amazing. I don’t know if I like the design or not. There is a LOT going on.

I haven’t really hit with the i shaft but the taper feels good. Balance of the cue feels good. For fun, I’m going to make it my main player for a time and give it a real chance.

I’ve never had a cue this fancy as my full time player. It’s kind of ludicrous..but, what the heck, I’ll give it a go.

If you’re a McDermott player share your cue, and which shaft and pin you like. This has a quick release pin, and the i shaft.

 

[sbrownn]

played with big pin 3/8x10 McDermott cues for many years. I still play with the same pin (standard or modified) on my players today but I've moved up the food chain for more forward weighted cues. I have tried LD (CF and section / pie cut maple) shafts, always back to factory standard maple shafts with 12.5mm long pro taper for 35+ years. I am trying a light roasted kielwood with the same specs and I am liking it (one of my 7 playing shafts)...

 

[Matt_24]

played with big pin 3/8x10 McDermott cues for many years. I still play with the same pin (standard or modified) on my players today but I've moved up the food chain for more forward weighted cues. I have tried LD (CF and section / pie cut maple) shafts, always back to factory standard maple shafts with 12.5mm long pro taper for 35+ years. I am trying a light roasted kielwood with the same specs and I am liking it (one of my 7 playing shafts)...

I did play with a 3/8 x 10 D model years ago with a Predator 314 Shaft and really liked it.

 

[JasonATX]

I've got a CoM M72B from 2007 with an i2 and a Revo that get worked into the rotation from time to time.

 

[billiards_watch]

I don't know anyone that plays with one. My first recollection of McDermott was that cousin of mine that got me interested in pool. He spoke of always wanting to buy a McD and this was in the 90's.

Till this day I don't know anyone that plays with one -or- anyone having one at the pool hall I play at.

I do like me the rose cue by McD and contemplated purchasing one.

 

[muskyed]

I have 3 of them. Nice cues, seem to be finished really well and that Gcore shaft isn't bad, pretty smooth hitting.
Ended up liking my Schons, purchased after the McDermotts, more, as I prefer their ballance, but you can, with a cue lathe, easily modify a McDermotts weight ballance.

 

[sbrownn]

I have 3 of them. Nice cues, seem to be finished really well and that Gcore shaft isn't bad, pretty smooth hitting.
Ended up liking my Schons, purchased after the McDermotts, more, as I prefer their ballance, but you can, with a cue lathe, easily modify a McDermotts weight ballance.
View attachment 819822

are you suggesting tap threading a weight bolt channel farther into the butt instead of how it comes from the factory (weight bolt placement is right above the bumper)?

 

[muskyed]

are you suggesting tap threading a weight bolt channel farther into the butt instead of how it comes from the factory (weight bolt placement is right above the bumper)?

No, threading the shaft to accept a small threaded piece, and taking a like amount off the rear. Say you add about .3 oz to the shaft, and take .3 oz off the weight bolt, you will move the ballance apx 5/8" forward. It's a simple process to do.
Does it matter if it's your only cue, couldn't tell you, but it does change it at noticeable amount. Where it mattered to me was I have two other cues I like playing with and wanted the McDermott to ballance more like them.
To that I did with a minimal amount of work.

 

[sbrownn]

it's too bad they stopped making sharp points with the D series cues. I had a P704 with the darker stain and a leather wrap, which was a closeout series of the last of the D butts when they changed over. some people like their butt weighting, not me after playing with others. I would take / get one over a predator cue...

 

[Cornerman]

Sharing. NFS

C-9 - has someone’s name engraved. I got this cue from eBay on a whim. I tried to reach out to Andy Koziatek, if it’s the same guy. He was on a McDermott page. Never posted back.

HD3 The Eagle - most collectible of the Harley Davidson cues. Love this cue.

WC-5 Duck Hunting - McDermott called this black lab “Ol’ Sam.” My first dog, whom I had to lay to rest a couple years ago, was named Sam. So I think of him when I look at this cue.

Nitro Graffiti - Someone told me this cheap import with decals was designed by McDermott. Even if it’s not true, I believe it. This cue brought me out of the “I quit this game” doldrums. Goes to show that $40 will get you a cue that you can win tournaments with. I don’t intend to take the price sticker off.

 

[Saturated Fats]

The workmanship is amazing.

My everyday player is a McDermott that I bought new in the 90s. If I remember correctly, it cost about $325. The most amazing thing about it is that the finish looks brand new - AFTER ABOUT 30 YEARS!

 

[Chopdoc]

I occasionally play with several McDermott cues and have owned a D series since about 1991 which was my break cue for many years.

All of my McDermotts have been good cues.

I own and have played with:
D2
E-K1
C-17
HD-1
MR-2
B-3
More, still going through my cues and records. I know I don't own any after the E-K series.

The best playing have been my C-17 and E-K1. The EK-1 is piloted 5/16x14, the C-17 is 3/8x10.

What pin and joint face is best? I don't know. Depends on the cue. I do favor 5/16x14 piloted steel joint cues, but ivory jointed cues are also near the top for me. I think there are too many variables to settle on one best.

McDermott bragged for a very long time about their "wood to wood" 3/8x10 joint in their marketing. The earliest McDermotts had a 5/16x14 pin. They were not in any catalogs. I have many detailed pictures of and have talked extensively with the original owner of the second one ever made in 1975. It is very fancy, and emblematic of the time. It was a window cue, made with Viking parts, and had vinyl veneer points. I personally own the original case that it came in, but sadly not the cue.

So, I say play the cue and enjoy it. It's fancy? You will get attention. I am sure the workmanship and materials are excellent. McDermott is a great company with an extensive US heritage.

 

[WildWing]

I'd have to say the D series was the best. Here's mine.

 

[Chopdoc]

 

[Chopdoc]

 

[Chopdoc]

 

[alphadog]

 

[alphadog]

A old B and a old C with a couple of the McD cases which show the leather shrink problem.

Not the cue pictured but i think it's a C11 that I have played with since I bought it new in 82.
4 standard shafts , 1 g-core , a Defy , and a 31" I2 that i play all the time. Been rewrapped ( pressed Irish linen) 3 times.

 

[Chopdoc]

View attachment 819889

Nice!

I have several of those cases.

 

[GoldCrown]

Somehow, after some trading, I ended up with this McDermott Cue of the Year cue. I think it’s a few years old at least but was only test hit (supposedly).

The workmanship is amazing. I don’t know if I like the design or not. There is a LOT going on.

I haven’t really hit with the i shaft but the taper feels good. Balance of the cue feels good. For fun, I’m going to make it my main player for a time and give it a real chance.

I’ve never had a cue this fancy as my full time player. It’s kind of ludicrous..but, what the heck, I’ll give it a go.

If you’re a McDermott player share your cue, and which shaft and pin you like. This has a quick release pin, and the i shaft.

That is no sleeper...beautiful McD. Here's my one and only. Had a 31" shaft made for the fun of it. I never played with this cue. It was a birthday present. Sorry about the picture ....cue is from somewhere in the 2000's.