Budget Cue

P

puma122

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Hello All,

Apologies in advance if this is far from new...I also see much discussion on high end custom cues. Although I have always been a fan of spending far too much on nearly every big purchase, I am not going that route with the cue...

I am getting back into pool, and am sick of the hall cues. I would like to keep my price down. 150$ or so. I do not care much about the beauty of the cue. I lean towards a sneaky pete, as the money goes into the cue, not the ornamental components. I have heard good things about Viking, Schmelke, and Mcdermot at this price point.

A few questions:

Is it dramatically worth considering spending more, or is 150 a good price point for an entry level cue?

Stick with 13mm\standard shaft I assume?

Joints...I think I read somewhere Schmelke Joint #4 is the most easy option to upgrade the shaft on. Correct? (Why isn't it standard if so...)

Should I upgrade to the Le Pro tip?

What other Sneaky Pete cues should I consider? Peachuer cues were popular at a pool hall I used to play at, but there SP is 300...REALLY pushing my budget, and is it really that much better than the Schmelke?

Where is the best place to buy? (Billiardwarehouse seems solid...)


My leading contender is:

Schmelke R-040 Custom Sneaky Pete Pool Cue (http://www.billiardwarehouse.com/cues/schmelke/schmelke_r40-birdseye.htm) EDIT: Looks like going straight to Schmelke is the way to go for their cues...

Thanks in advance for any assistance
 
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It costs a little more than you are writing but on that I think the Joss Sneakey Pete is one of the best for the money production cue wise.

A Howard "Mace" is another that though not Sneakey serves many purposes
 
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Thanks

Thank you for the responses. Still considering my options. I found a billiard store near by, and went to hit some. McDermott cues were plentiful. I hit them and a few Vikings all in the same price range and favored the Vikings.

In order of pref:

F85 (185)
F87 (175$)
F96 (160)

I really should not look at price tags...I think it clouds my judgement.

Anyway, watching eBay, the for sale section, and Craigslist, but will probably end up back at the store, buying a Viking locally!

I cannot get out of my mind though...what if I spent another 50 or 100...

Those Viking models are older, anyone have experience with these, or should I just forget about it, and buy what feels the best? Stop bumping my price tag up, it is a slippery slope? (guessing that is the correct answer)
 
puma122 said:
Thank you for the responses. Still considering my options. I found a billiard store near by, and went to hit some. McDermott cues were plentiful. I hit them and a few Vikings all in the same price range and favored the Vikings.

In order of pref:

F85 (185)
F87 (175$)
F96 (160)

I really should not look at price tags...I think it clouds my judgement.

Anyway, watching eBay, the for sale section, and Craigslist, but will probably end up back at the store, buying a Viking locally!

I cannot get out of my mind though...what if I spent another 50 or 100...

Those Viking models are older, anyone have experience with these, or should I just forget about it, and buy what feels the best? Stop bumping my price tag up, it is a slippery slope? (guessing that is the correct answer)
Click to expand...

You answered your own question. Buy what feels good,go play and don't look back.
 
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