Best Sneaky Pete?
- Thread starter jdelcue
- Start date
Jigger said:First with the disclaimer: Each of our opinions are limited by our own experiences. Hit, feel and playability are VERY subjective.
I rotate play between two TS's, Diveney and Josey. Owned a Bob Frey SP too - (my purchase with JP Nussbaum went perfectly). All have buttcapps and phenolic joint collars. The shaft tapers are close, the joint screws vary. IMO the 4 mentioned above play and feel VERY similar.
They all play great but if I had to rank the ones I'm familiar with it would be close:
1. Scruggs Bacote Hustler <<< maybe the best cue in the world...lol
2. Diveney butterfly cocobolo, a very close second place and classy, nice action in the shaft
3. Josey ebony, solid as a rock, stiff shaft, smidgen butt heavy imo
4. Frey cocobolo, could feel each of the seams in the points
Wouldn't hesitate to use any of them anytime but buy the TS Sneaky/Hustler if you can find one in reasonable condition with a good full-sized shaft. You can always have the butt refinished. Pat Diveney makes an excellent player and might be the very best value in cuedom. I believe Pat goes by butterflycues here on AZB.
Wish I could play up to my equipment
Ultra-helpful post. Thanks for all the additional info on the cues!
- Joaquin.
jdelcue@emory.e said:Heh...good ol' Dufferin, eh? Good to know
Thanks, Rasta.
Remember, that's dollar for dollar, and not pound for pound.
Pound for pound, all my other cues play a little better (or more).Kieth Josey also makes a nice playing sneaky, but since I've only played a rack or two with a Josey I couldn't fairly say how it compares to my Frey.
Good Rolls,
Rasta
My old Joss sneaky is one of the best playing sneaky design cues I have played with and I have had most of them at one time or another. I have never had a Diviney but I have played w/ a buddy's fancier cue and they do play well. My dad has an old Mottey sneaky that is out of this world but good luck finding one. I liked my Scruggs sneaky ok but out of your list the Josey plays better than any of them to me. I think Keith makes a great playing cue. I am not particularly crazy for most of his designs but for playability only they are very good.
Ktown D said:
Ditto the Joss and Mottey suggestions. I have a old Joss sneaky and everyone loves the feel of it. I love the looks, never comes out of the case for that reason. I also have a old ebony Mottey sneaky and simply love hitting with that. Not afraid to bring that to the table.
Also like older dufferins as well. Best bang for the buck I think.
ez
your list
In relation to your list, I have had or played with ALMOST every cue on there, so I thought I'd answer. Of the choices, well...of anything I've tried personally, I have 2 favorites. I got to try out a JOSEY (s/p) a little while ago and absolutely LOVED IT...His shaft taper was second to none, which for me, made it play great. Maybe someday I'll own one. My second choice? haha, you already know that one guys, so I'm not telling nah, nah, nah nah nah!! lol Its on the list though
In relation to your list, I have had or played with ALMOST every cue on there, so I thought I'd answer. Of the choices, well...of anything I've tried personally, I have 2 favorites. I got to try out a JOSEY (s/p) a little while ago and absolutely LOVED IT...His shaft taper was second to none, which for me, made it play great. Maybe someday I'll own one. My second choice? haha, you already know that one guys, so I'm not telling nah, nah, nah nah nah!! lol Its on the list though
Jerry Olivier
I've owned and hit with several Olivier sneaky petes. I think that they are very solid hitting cues for the price. Average around $300 new.
I've owned and hit with several Olivier sneaky petes. I think that they are very solid hitting cues for the price. Average around $300 new.
I voted for Scruggs from that list but there are so many other very good choices. Pete Ohman (omen cues) makes a great SP. I will likely get some eyebrows raised for saying it but Meucci sneaky petes (old ones..not anything new) always seemed to hit good to me. My favorite SP ever was a Meucci from circa 1985. Another cuemaker who makes a fantastic SP but has come controversy is Ted Harris. Mottey and Schick are both excellent choices but they are pricey. I've hit with a Searing SP and WOW it played outta this world. The guy who had it here in Miami was using it as his break cue.
best sneaky!!!
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Kid
Dynomite
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Kid
Dynomite
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best sneaky!!!
This is a tough one. I like to focus on construction of the sneaky more so than maker!
Scruggs and Frey are one and the same construction!
1#. Ivory Ferrulles
#2. 5/16 pin with inserts for shaft
#3. Collars but not always on joint
#4. typical sneaky design and butt heavy due to wood and bumper bolts!
#5. Best taper on butt bar none on the market!!!!!
Everyone else on list is different
I prefer
#1. Melamine ferrulles not available then saber t now 3/4 inch!!!
#2. Flat faced wood to wood
#3. 3/8 or radial pin
#4. collars a must strenghtens joint and gives a stiffer hit, even better a capone style flat flaced sleeved joint to make it even stronger and stiifer!
#5. non typical sneaky design. to prevent butt heavy feel add a lighter wood as a butt sleave typically maple, wenge & tulipwood are perfect!
#6. Compound taper or frey type butt taper
And presto change-o the best sneaky pete!!!
Kid
Dynomite
This is a tough one. I like to focus on construction of the sneaky more so than maker!
Scruggs and Frey are one and the same construction!
1#. Ivory Ferrulles
#2. 5/16 pin with inserts for shaft
#3. Collars but not always on joint
#4. typical sneaky design and butt heavy due to wood and bumper bolts!
#5. Best taper on butt bar none on the market!!!!!
Everyone else on list is different
I prefer
#1. Melamine ferrulles not available then saber t now 3/4 inch!!!
#2. Flat faced wood to wood
#3. 3/8 or radial pin
#4. collars a must strenghtens joint and gives a stiffer hit, even better a capone style flat flaced sleeved joint to make it even stronger and stiifer!
#5. non typical sneaky design. to prevent butt heavy feel add a lighter wood as a butt sleave typically maple, wenge & tulipwood are perfect!
#6. Compound taper or frey type butt taper
And presto change-o the best sneaky pete!!!
Kid
Dynomite
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uwate said:I voted for Scruggs from that list but there are so many other very good choices. Pete Ohman (omen cues) makes a great SP. I will likely get some eyebrows raised for saying it but Meucci sneaky petes (old ones..not anything new) always seemed to hit good to me. My favorite SP ever was a Meucci from circa 1985. Another cuemaker who makes a fantastic SP but has come controversy is
I hit with a ted harris sneaky! been trying to buy it for over a year and the guy won't sell!!!
It has all the qualities i love in a cue. It was a valley supreme conversion with a maple splice on the bottom like a snooker cue that took a lot of weight out of the ebony and when teddy cored it for the butt to accept a pin and turn on the lathe took even more weight out the back. He added a pop in rubber bumper and gave it a flat-faced wood to wood joint and a 3/8 pin and the thing played awesome! Slapped on melamine ferrulles and a Pro taper and I was in love. Better than any cue I hit with!!!!
Kid
Dynomite
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