Best cue available today

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NoShow33

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I was wondering how cues get a following and or a reputation as being the best?

In the 60's, 70's & 80's Balabushka, Gus Szamboti, Rambow & Martin were recognized as being the best. There were not that many cuemakers back then, yet Balabushka & Gus Szamboti still carry that distinction as being one of the Best if not the best to this day.

Pros such as Rodney Morris & Kim Davenport still play with a Szamboti.

Now on this forum all the talk is about Skip Weston, Gilbert, Paul Fanelli, Jack Madden, Webb, Murray Tucker, etc. Is this because the common working man can afford them? Are they that good or is it that they are available?

What about Ginacue, Cognoscenti, Tascarella, Barry Szamboti, Southwest, Black Boar, Paul Mottey, Tad, etc. These cuemakers have been around for a while, Ginacue since the 60's. Are they not talked about due to the long wait time if you want one of their cues. Is the cost of their cues another contributing factor? Some are not even taking orders at this time.

I know it is all selective and personal to each individual as to what is the best feeling cue. We are all different. I guess there may be even a bad Balabushka or Gus Szamboti out there. If there is I'll take it. :)

What I would like to know is if everyone had a choice of any of the cuemakers what cue would they pick for playability? I am talking just a solid hit, good feel with stiff shaft. Inlays are not important for playability. I know Southwest had that distinction in the mid 80's and early 90's.

What cue would it be today?

Thanks
 
NoShow33 said:
What I would like to know is if everyone had a choice of any of the cuemakers what cue would they pick for playability? I am talking just a solid hit, good feel with stiff shaft. Inlays are not important for playability. I know Southwest had that distinction in the mid 80's and early 90's.

What cue would it be today?
Click to expand...

meucci. end of discussion.
 
NoShow33 said:
What I would like to know is if everyone had a choice of any of the cuemakers what cue would they pick for playability? I am talking just a solid hit, good feel with stiff shaft. Inlays are not important for playability. I know Southwest had that distinction in the mid 80's and early 90's.

What cue would it be today?

Thanks
Click to expand...
In my recent travels and research into the various cuemakers today, I've come to an astounding conclusion... there are a ton of good cuemakers today such that, IMO, there isn't the one or five cuemakers that are above any. There are some crappy cuemakers out there for sure, but anymore, any decent cuemaker is making a very good cue. That's the nature of the knowledge and shorter learning curve, plus the advancement of equipment and materials.

So, my list would be extremely long. But, I'll just sort of toss one together.

Schuler
Lambros

Fred
 
From what I hear, money issues aside, I would go with either Barry Szamboti or Joel Hercek. Can't go wrong with collectibility either.

My $.02

Koop
 
I think you should qualify that ...

I think you should qualify that with price ranges. The average man can not
afford a 5-6k cue. Even most serious players stay within the 1-2k range for
their playing cue. I would like to see the following ranges for the best cue:

$100 or less
$100 to $300
$300 to $600
$600 to $900
$900 to $1200
$1200-$1600
$1600 to $2000
$2000 to $2500
$2500 to $3500
$3500 to $6000
over $6000

Everyone has a budget, and can not afford like a Gina cue or such.
Really anone that spends over $2,000 for a cue has too much money.
 
Snapshot9 said:
Everyone has a budget, and can not afford like a Gina cue or such.
Really anone that spends over $2,000 for a cue has too much money.
Click to expand...


What's the big deal...some hookers charge that much (or more) just for one night. I know a number of guys that have blown more than that in a private room of a dance club for "entertainment" and champagne over the course of an evening. Everything is relative along with our priorities in life. If you want something badly enough, it'll alway be moved to the top of the priority list.
 
A very good cue for the money would be a Coker, IMO. You can get a lot for you cue and you get 2 shafts with even their plain jane with rings? Gotta' have rings man. From there though, jeez I have to say:

-Lambros (best feeling cue...period!)
-Black Boar (if you can get one... :p, it'd definitely be worth it to play with, especially the older cues.)
-Barry Szamboit (have I hit with one...no. But who cares, its a Boti!!! :D)
 
The One You Get Used To.

I have played some of my best pool with my Balabushka, a house cue off the wall at Family Billiards (Cincinnati, OH) and now my Lucasi.
The cue you get used to is the one that has your confidence.
With a good, well-shaped tip (I recommend the Rhino foreskin tip)
- ANY CUE CAN BE THE BEST "FOR YOU".

TY & GL
 
Nova Custom by Nubs Wagner.
you dont hear much about Nova Cues and Nubs nowadays, he got out of the business for a while, but i think he is back in business. now, i have not hit with a TON of cues, but the Nova Cue i always say is the best playing cue i have ever played with. something about it, just has that feel.

i'd rate it slightly over the Jacoby Cue that i have, and tomorrow i am buying my first Chad Carter Custom Cue. Chad is from Owensboro, KY, and as long as that bridge over the Ohio River doesnt come tumbling down going and coming, i am looking forward to playing with it most of saturday night. i would go and get it tonight, but have a date with a charming, attractive, sexy woman so i can't pass that up.

DCP
 
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drivermaker said:
What's the big deal...some hookers charge that much (or more) just for one night. I know a number of guys that have blown more than that in a private room of a dance club for "entertainment" and champagne over the course of an evening. Everything is relative along with our priorities in life. If you want something badly enough, it'll alway be moved to the top of the priority list.
Click to expand...

What's the big deal...some hookers charge that much (or more) just for one night. I know a number of guys that have blown more than that

Man, you said a mouthfull there!!!!!!
Purdman :D

Only from the Purd!!!!! ;)
 
Last edited:
Donald A. Purdy said:
What's the big deal...some hookers charge that much (or more) just for one night. I know a number of guys that have blown more than that

Man, you said a mouthfull there!!!!!!
Purdman :D

Only from the Purd!!!!! ;)
Click to expand...
I know a guy (NO, it's not me - ;) ) who wishes he had back all the money blown in the pursuit of "love". :p
 
Snapshot9 said:
I think you should qualify that with price ranges. The average man can not afford a 5-6k cue. Even most serious players stay within the 1-2k range for their playing cue. I would like to see the following ranges for the best cue:

$100 or less
$100 to $300
$300 to $600
$600 to $900
$900 to $1200
$1200-$1600
$1600 to $2000
$2000 to $2500
$2500 to $3500
$3500 to $6000
over $6000

Everyone has a budget, and can not afford like a Gina cue or such.
Really anone that spends over $2,000 for a cue has too much money.
Click to expand...


Good Post.... ;)
 
NoShow33 said:
What I would like to know is if everyone had a choice of any of the cuemakers what cue would they pick for playability? I am talking just a solid hit, good feel with stiff shaft. Inlays are not important for playability. I know Southwest had that distinction in the mid 80's and early 90's.

What cue would it be today?

Thanks
Click to expand...

Cognoscenti
 
OldHasBeen said:
With a good, well-shaped tip (I recommend the Rhino foreskin tip)
Click to expand...
I'm sorry, but you got to be kidding ! Foreskin tip ? :confused: More spin with more feromones ? :p
 
I'll throw in for the local guy Mike johnson of Jensen cue in Baton Rouge.
Frankly I think it has a lot to do with what the customer really wants. If the customer wants specific woods done a certain way then that could change the way a particular cuemakers cue hits. If you just go to the cuemaker and say make me a cue that hits good then you'll probably be satisfied with what most of the better known cuemakers supply.

Terry
 
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