Best cue for under 500 bucks. (Sneaky)

PlynSets said:
Well my b-day is around the corner and I think I'm going to buy myself a new sneaky pete.

I was curious to get some opinions on here as to what Sneaky you'd buy for 500 or under.. Or if not a sneaky what other cue would you buy for 500 or under? (Plain jane custom?)

And now for something completely different...

Jerry Powers has built a second generation Stinger that is meant to be an IPT-legal break cue. The result is a cue that performs pretty damned well. It's being marketed as the A1 for All-In-One.

The downside is that the sound of the very hard hit can turn people off. But, I think most people would forgive the sound considering how solid they hit and how "flexible" they are being able to break and jump with it as well.

They're priced under $500, and are offered at a 30-day trial.

Fred
 
skins said:
for that money. no question. Keith Josey! :)

I wouldn't say don't listen to skins because Josey's do play nicely. But I will say that his answer for any cue question is "Josey!!!"

I have to agree with unknown. I would go with Eric Crisp (Sugartree Custom Cues). He uses some extremely exotic woods that make for beautiful plain jane cues.

Aside from Eric, one of the best cues I ever owned was a Judd JT-1. They run about $600-$700 new but in a dead market, you could get a used one for $400-$500.
 
Definitely Sugartree - I have had one on order since June. Here is a few pics. Not all these are under 500, but the SP and the plane jane should be

jerry2.jpg

cocsneak2.jpg

admin1.jpg

admin.jpg
 
Any one of these 3 is great:
Tim Scruggs
Pat Diviney butterfly SP
Keith Josey - pretty fancy, however
I paid $300 for used Scruggs
$350 for new Diviney with 2 shafts
$400 for new Josey with jp's ( I've seen it cheaper
since)
All 3 are great hitting cues and Josey & Diviney
are pretty snazzy looking.


PlynSets said:
Well my b-day is around the corner and I think I'm going to buy myself a new sneaky pete.

I was curious to get some opinions on here as to what Sneaky you'd buy for 500 or under.. Or if not a sneaky what other cue would you buy for 500 or under? (Plain jane custom?)

I currently play with a Schon, but it's always been a little heavy for me. So I figured I'd try something new for awhile. A friend of mine is getting a plain jane Morris right now fo 550 and I wouldn't be opposed to that, but living under the same roof, and having the exact same decorated "custom" cue might smack of being... "gay" for lack of a better word. So I'm kinda hesitant to go down that route.

DJ
 
digitalcrack said:
frey, sugartree, scruggs, varney all good choices.. But it really depends on what kind of hit you want.

Had a Frey SP, was disappointed that I could feel all the points, WTH ! Played nice tho.

Would add Pat Diveney SP's to this list. Pat's an AZB Member. Very similar play/hit/balance as my Scruggs un-SP. Really nice butterfly points (if you like) and pretty wood selection - $350 price range is a heckuva value.:)

JW Petree makes some good looking SP's. Would like to try one. A good AZBer.
 
Last edited:
I had no idea there was that many quality cues out there for that cheap?

I love that purple heart plain jane above.. I used to have one just like it (different joint collars) that Dave Whitsell made for me years ago.

I might buy another cue here after my b-day as well so I'll definatley keep this thread handy.

DJ
 
I cannot wait to get my hands on my Sugartree custom - even if I do have to wait two years for him to clear his order book!

You wouldn't have to wait that long for a Sneaky though and the ones he's published on Easy Pool Tutor look sweeeet.
 
mouse said:
How about Gilbert? they are right at 400 plus they are 3 piece cues and play great. Mike Stacy i have heard builds a good cue but haven,t played with any. Bob Frey is a great choice for a Schon style hit. Phillip makes awesome sneakys for around 400 and same style as your Schon just not alot out there. Jacoby makes a good cue but hits more like a Meucci in my opinion. Personally i play with my Gibert 3 piece but have a 6 point cue thats sits in a case. For the money i dont think you beat a gilbert. Sorry this is long but trying to help if you need more info feel free to email at 1mouse@charter.net

Robert

"Jacoby cues hit like a meucci." WOW!!! Jacoby is a hard stiff hit. Meucci is a soft hit with a loose hitting shaft or a shaft with a good amout of flex. Not my opinion but fact.
 
bigpocket said:
"Jacoby cues hit like a meucci." WOW!!! Jacoby is a hard stiff hit. Meucci is a soft hit with a loose hitting shaft or a shaft with a good amout of flex. Not my opinion but fact.

I have to agree , BP. My Jacoby has a much
stiffer hit than my Meucci Original. Maybe
some Jacobys are different or possibly the
type of tip comes into account???
 
PlynSets said:
Well I did some searching on the board earlier today and read a bunch of posts from fellow AZ'ers...

I picked up the phone and talked to JP today and bought

http://www.cuesnthings.com/cues/sneakypete/i/1.jpg

That cue at 18 oz's and a 12.75 mm shaft. :)

I'll let you guys know how it turns out in a week or two!

If I don't like it then I suppose I can sell it here locally and try another one. I must admit (not sure why) the name "sugartree" is intriging me quite a bit. :)

DJ <--- hopes my g/f isn't buying me a pool cue for my b-day

Well a week or two might've been a little overly optimistic on JP's part.. :D

In any event my cue is now in JP of cuesnthings hands and he'll be shipping that out tomorrow for Friday! :) I'm not sure if I'll be in town when it arrives or not, if not I'll let you guys know how it turns out on monday! I'm more excited about getting this cue then any other cue I've ever bought (or had built).

As far as the buying experience with cues n things. Well things didn't go exactly like they were suppose too, but at the end of the day JP is a stand up guy, and seems to be a straight shooter. I'd not think twice about ordering another cue from him, and will probably be ordering another sneaky shortly after I recieve mine. :)

DJ
 
Great Picks !

hondo said:
Any one of these 3 is great:
Tim Scruggs
Pat Diviney butterfly SP
Keith Josey - pretty fancy, however
I paid $300 for used Scruggs
$350 for new Diviney with 2 shafts
$400 for new Josey with jp's ( I've seen it cheaper
since)
All 3 are great hitting cues and Josey & Diviney
are pretty snazzy looking.

Happy Birthday PlynSets! Ya can't beat a new weapon for your birthday... :)

Any reviews/comments re Judd Fullers fancy hustlers?

Have always heard high praise for the quality and hit. Never had a chance to play with one.
 
Last edited:
Birthday was back on Oct 1st.. So I missed the mark a little bit on my cue. ;) Either way though it's like having another b-day now that it's finally arriving! :D

DJ
 
Pat Diveney makes a killer butterfly cue for $350 and up. In my opinion you cant get a better playing sneaky for the price.
 
Back
Top