I see McDermott Cue is selling something "NEW", it called the
Dr. Popper Jump Cue, anyone have one, or tried one. How well do they work for $125.00?
Dr. Popper Jump Cue, anyone have one, or tried one. How well do they work for $125.00?
Anyone using this newish Jump Cue
- Thread starter SouprFive
- Start date
Yes
I talked to a guy that had one, and he told me, you can get the ball up, but accuracy is a problem.
And, I might add, this is a common problem among jump cues. The real light ones, less than 8 oz, will get the ball up better, but fall short on accuracy.
And just the reverse for heavier ones, good on accuracy, but getting up on close balls is a problem. Although, IMO, a little heavier one is better for longer jump shots. When I had my first jump cue, an original 46" Frog, with brass ferrule, I made 6 out 7 jumps with it on a $100 a set match, and the other one I hit the object ball, but if the object ball was 5" or closer, I could not get over it. In all honesty, being 5'7" might have been a factor here.
Second, I bought a Scorpion jump cue, real light handle, cue weighed 8.5 oz, and I could get over balls, but not near as accurate as the Frog. I, now, have a J&J Break/jump cue, and after getting used to phenolic tip, I do pretty good with it, but still don't have the accuracy I had with the Frog.
When I tested the X-Jumper, I had the best of both worlds, lift and accuracy. I could put english of the jump shots without much trouble, and the tip would be comparable, to me, to a buffalo tip in feel.
I have tried many others, including Bunjee, Jacoby, Falcon, Lucasi, custom jump cues, and others.
I talked to a guy that had one, and he told me, you can get the ball up, but accuracy is a problem.
And, I might add, this is a common problem among jump cues. The real light ones, less than 8 oz, will get the ball up better, but fall short on accuracy.
And just the reverse for heavier ones, good on accuracy, but getting up on close balls is a problem. Although, IMO, a little heavier one is better for longer jump shots. When I had my first jump cue, an original 46" Frog, with brass ferrule, I made 6 out 7 jumps with it on a $100 a set match, and the other one I hit the object ball, but if the object ball was 5" or closer, I could not get over it. In all honesty, being 5'7" might have been a factor here.
Second, I bought a Scorpion jump cue, real light handle, cue weighed 8.5 oz, and I could get over balls, but not near as accurate as the Frog. I, now, have a J&J Break/jump cue, and after getting used to phenolic tip, I do pretty good with it, but still don't have the accuracy I had with the Frog.
When I tested the X-Jumper, I had the best of both worlds, lift and accuracy. I could put english of the jump shots without much trouble, and the tip would be comparable, to me, to a buffalo tip in feel.
I have tried many others, including Bunjee, Jacoby, Falcon, Lucasi, custom jump cues, and others.
I have tried several but I like the Lucasi the best.
Anthony
Anthony
SouprFive said:
Five-man,
I was fortunate to spend a couple of sessions helping some of the U.S. "Trickshot Team" prepare for the upcoming U.S. vs. Europe trickshot competition (to be televised by ESPN). The Dr. Popper jumpstick was there.
It is a very skinny (almost like a fishing rod) cue; with a very unusual phenolic tube tip. The most prominent feature of this cue is it's ability to jump over obstructions very close to the cue ball - it's FREAKISH.
We set an object ball 1 chalk cube away from the cue ball, and easily jumped it. We then took that same object ball, set it up on a chalk cube to increase the height of the obstruction, and STILL were able to jump over it. While these were some of the best trickshot players in the world; even I was able to do it (and I am just an average amateur player). In my opinion this cue definitely can change the nature of the game. I don't think such jumps are very possible with a standard cue or a standard jump cue.
SouprFive said:
I've never heard of a Jewish jump stick, but I guess it's possible. Maybe Joe Porper invented one. Oops my bad, it's Newish not Jewish.
I tried one of these a while back. I can jump a full ball from ~1mm, and from ~5mm with the CB frozen to the rail (!). This was achieved using a vertical stroke and an air bridge. Took all of five tries to learn.
Freakish indeed, but when not absolutely neccessary I would jump with something more accurate.
-s
Freakish indeed, but when not absolutely neccessary I would jump with something more accurate.
-s
Sounds Amazing!!Williebetmore said:
Anyone got some video of this cue in action?
Daniel
1stLady
Diamond 8 Billiards, NY
I shot in the 2007 Artistic Pool US Open this year... the guy who designed the Dr. Popper was there... and is also a pro trick shot artist... you've all seen him... not sure why his name isn't associated with it??? I'll have to ask... but the cue is a good one. What makes normal jump cues inaccurate is the shaft... most are maple shafts which have deflection... the way you solve that problem is to learn the deflection or use a purple heart shaft... way stiff. The Popper is a great cue... get one, you won't be disappointed.
1stLady
Diamond 8 Billiards, NY
Yeah, Mark Dimick is the creator of the Dr. Popper.... which he is normally the ref. at all the televised trick shot events... probably was at the US vs Europe gig, so therefore so was his cue. Like I said, totally worth the investment. Mark's a great guy too... he was wicked nice at the Open.
1stLady
Diamond 8 Billiards, NY
Yeah, 14mm is pretty stiff - I use that on my masse cue... but in the world of stiffness... still not so stiff - and it also totally depends on the tapper.. shorter the tapper.. the stiffer the shaft. I like the deflection for my masse shots. But you don't jump with a 14mm shaft - you masse with a 14mm shaft (and yes... you can jump/masse with 14mm). You jump with 12.5 to 13. But I'm pretty sure that really all depends on what you're used to. The Dr. Popper is a great JUMP cue. It's totally dedicated to jumping and in that regard it's great. I mean.. it's really great. I had no idea they were only going for 125... that's unreal. I don't know why people complain about the deflection... perhaps they really just aren't used to jumping? The shaft is thin so if you're used to 13mm they might not realize or care to admit that their aim is off... it could be the dart grip is throwing them off. And to be honest, I totally don't know what the shaft of the Dr. Popper is made of... I just know that when I jump with a purple heart shaft and miss... it's my fault... not the cue. If you hit center ball (from the point of being elevated) you aren't going to get much deflection anyway... so if the person is good enough to be jumping with english... they should be good enough to overcome any slight deflection... no? Anyway... these are my thoughts... and I can jump 6 balls in rotation out of a rack in 6.8 seconds.. so I only know what works for me!! 
The Dr Popper is a great jump cue for close jumps and getting the cue ball up and down real quick, so if the object ball was also close to the obstructing ball. The shaft is made of carbon fiber. It can take a little while getting used to the grip because the whole thing is so skinny.
In the end, I'd say it's a nice cue that does something few, if any, other cues can do. However, the frequency you're confronted with a shot where this would be the best option in a regular game is very low. And you can get it for much cheaper than $125. I got mine for $80.
In the end, I'd say it's a nice cue that does something few, if any, other cues can do. However, the frequency you're confronted with a shot where this would be the best option in a regular game is very low. And you can get it for much cheaper than $125. I got mine for $80.