Buying a new cue - recommendations?

I would recommend looking at either a used Schon or a Andy Gilbert J/B...

Gilberts will hold their value, shoot great, and as Ken mentioned, are versatile enough to become an outstanding break cue next time you want to upgrade.

Schons are IMHO, the best production cue money can buy. Great quality, little depreciation...


Good Luck!
 
cue

I'd suggest you get a player cue made by a custom cuemaker--there are tons of them out there, and the quality just seems to be getting better and better. As some other posters have mentioned, a production cue is unlikely to retain its value. Somebody already suggested an Andy Gilbert jump/break, and I'd second that. I just got a used Gilbert J/B and I'm going to be getting a regular shaft made for it. Also, I saw a post recently by Martin (jazznpool); he's selling a new Ned Morris cue for $500 including shipping. I think Mark Bear has sneaky petes for $350. There are also a lot of good deals right here on AZB for used cues. Good luck.
 
J.D. Dolan said:
I'd suggest you get a player cue made by a custom cuemaker--there are tons of them out there, and the quality just seems to be getting better and better. As some other posters have mentioned, a production cue is unlikely to retain its value. Somebody already suggested an Andy Gilbert jump/break, and I'd second that. I just got a used Gilbert J/B and I'm going to be getting a regular shaft made for it. Also, I saw a post recently by Martin (jazznpool); he's selling a new Ned Morris cue for $500 including shipping. I think Mark Bear has sneaky petes for $350. There are also a lot of good deals right here on AZB for used cues. Good luck.
Click to expand...

andy's j/b's get my vote for the best cue under 500.
 
Blackball75 said:
Hi Guys - me again.

I'm considering buying a new cue. My price range is $200-$400.

My specs are:

- 58" long (this is about the right length for a 5ft 10" male?)
- 19 oz
- 13 mm shaft diameter
- maple shaft
- steel joint (is this the best type of joint?)
- Irish linnen or leather wrap
- stiff shaft (less "squirt")

If you can suggest other important cue factors, or important considerations when buying a cue, please post.

I've heard the best stories about Viking and Predator cues. Are there any you can recommend? What are the best-sellers in my price range?

Thanks! :)
Click to expand...

Get a Schon.
 
I just re-read your specs--the length seems fine.

But you say you want a stiff shaft (i.e., less squirt), but I think you mean a low-deflection shaft (which has nothing to do with stiffness--it has to do with low mass at the end of the cue). Predator, OB, Tiger--there are a lot of options out there for low-deflection shafts. But you could probably find a Predator sneaky pete with a linen wrap in your price range.
 
I have to agree used schon

I bought a used schon for 500 from out local owner, and I gave a bit more than your asking price because it was perfect without a single blemish on the butt, and it came with two shafts.


I agree though that you need to hit and play with cues, shafts, and tips before you jump on the boat of a particular brand but like I said. Schon's hit that nice blend of artistic quality, a great hitting stick, and they're pretty easy to find and alot of used ones are well within range.


My two cents.
 
I would add one thing to this list:

measureman said:
1-There is no magic cue.
2-All the production cues in that price range are going to play a little differently.
2-If there is a Billiards store near you go and try a few out and see what feels best to you.
3-If there is no store try to find some different cues in your local poolroom and ask to try them.
4-If 2&3 are not possible you can't go wrong with the usual suspects,Joss,Mcdermott,Viking,Lucasi,Adam,Helmstetter.
5-You also can find some pretty good sneaky pete's for that price but you will get no eye candy,just a plain looking cue.
6-Most players go thru multiple cues before they find that special one that fit's them just right.
Click to expand...

7-Consider your first cue a write-off.

This is because you will dent, ding, and impail this cue on all sorts of impediments before you learn how to hold, and move with a cue and not damage it. So after you get your first cue, in about 1-1.5 years it will have accumulated a bunch of dings and dents that your second cue will not. In addition, there is no real way for anyone to read textural words or listen to a lecturs on avoiding cue abuse and attain the kind of understanding about cue abuse that you will accumulate as your first cue accumulates its dings and dents.
 
joss or adams balabushka

been playing this noble game of pocket billiards on and off since early 90s and I am confident to recommend either a plain jane joss from 2002 or earlier and a used adams balabushka from 1995 or earlier.

For new in your price range, joss if still usa made. Joss has a real solid, firm hit like most stainless steel joint. Find a local billiard supply dealer who will let you try a few brands/models and buy the one that feels the best to you. Cue selection is like automobile selection--you end up with the one that appeals mostly to you based on your criteria and sometimes just gut feelings.

Good luck!
 
Many thanks, Guys.

Based on the advice here, elsewhere, and cue reviews on the net, I've decided to go for a Predator 314-2 cue: either an entire cue or just the shaft.

Anyone have any opinions on:

- Whether it is best to buy an entire cue, i.e. the shaft already has a matching butt
- Use the butt of my current cue (European 20 oz pool cue with nylon wrap and butt bolt)
- Does it really matter what butt you have, so long as the shaft is good?
- Concerning butt weight: how do different weights affect shot speed, accuracy, spin etc?

Cheers!
 
Last edited:
Blackball75 said:
Many thanks, Guys.

Based on the advice here, elsewhere, and cue reviews on the net, I've decided to go for a Predator 314-2 cue: either an entire cue or just the shaft.

Anyone have any opinions on:

- Whether it is best to buy an entire cue, i.e. the shaft already has a matching butt
- Use the butt of my current cue (European 19 oz pool cue with nylon wrap and butt bolt)
- Does it really matter what butt you have, so long as the shaft is good?

Cheers!
Click to expand...

A low deflection shaft will go with any cue, just get the right joint style/size, it's entirely up to you......if you like the butt of your current cue, keep it......yes, the butt is in the eye of the beholder, LOL.....it matters from a balance standpoint, the looks, feel...yep, it matters....

You might look at OB as well....obcues.com....their work is top notch....if you are in the DFW area, shoot me a pm and you can try out mine....
 
atthecat said:
Find a used Schon on eBay. Great production cue.
Click to expand...

This is good advice. You can pick up a good used Schon for a very reasonable price and you'll have a nice cue that's well made and will also play well......

James
 
You guys are awesome. Thanks to your advice (+ some excellent online reviews), I've gone ahead and ordered a new cue. And I've done it at a local retailer, which means I should (hopefully) get better after-sales service than mail-order.

Cue is: Predator Sport with 314-2 shaft, 19.5 oz, with soft Kamui Black tip.

Does anyone here on the forums have this exact cue, and if so, how do you like it? Thanks!
 
Last edited:
i am not trying to sell my wares.

forget all the old idea's about cuetec's old stuff.

before you buy something check out cuetec's new R360 models.

bare wood low deflection shaft is the biggest change in their product.

they cost 170-240.

i use one now while my old predator collects dust !

here is a link to the model shane van boening uses. the reason i tried one out.

http://www.azbmarketplace.com/products/Cuetec_Pool_Cue_R360_13_677-2665-135.html
 
Last edited:
Lots of great advice on this thread for the OP. I am sure it has been addressed, but I am just skimming through so I havnt read every post. If it were me, I would not buy a production cue. I am not knocking them at all. But if your gonna spend up to 400.00, why not get a custom cue built buy a lesser known cuemaker on here? I know Vasilios, B&D Custom Cues, Scott Gracio, Sliprock, Gilbert, JW Petree just to name a few could make you an exceptional player for about that amount. I know the Sneaky Pete that I got from Vasilios has a great hit and I believe (dont quote me on this) it is about 350-375.00. If you need some help, I am sure there are alot of people willing to help out. I am also willing to help you out as much as I can with what little knowledge I have.

If you need anything, dont hesitate to ask me on here or in a pm....

Shawn

Side Note: If your gonna get a production cue...you can buy a plain jane Joss on Ebay for 150.00. I bought 1 and gave it to a friend and it hits great!
 
Last edited:
@Oldzilla: thanks, but I've already paid for my cue. The transaction is completed.

@ftgokie: thanks, but I really need to have a local supplier/dealer/service centre, so custom cues are out. Besides I love the look of the Predator Sport. I'm even starting to like the idea of having a $500 cue purely for prestige reasons :)
 
Blackball75 said:
@Oldzilla: thanks, but I've already paid for my cue. The transaction is completed.

@ftgokie: thanks, but I really need to have a local supplier/dealer/service centre, so custom cues are out. Besides I love the look of the Predator Sport. I'm even starting to like the idea of having a $500 cue purely for prestige reasons :)
Click to expand...

Hey, as long as your happy with your cue....who cares what anyone says...Nothing wrong with what you went with...

Shawn
 
buy a BoJangles

a friend of mine has been making cues for 8 yrs. he named them after his dog, BOJANGLES,they play great and look great. every cue he make has its own personality. no cue is the same, each comes with a letter authortisity. the one on the right comes with an extention. each sell for $300 + shi pping.
the little dots you see on the bottom of the butt is a trademark dog paw.

stickman161
 

Attachments

  • 024.jpg
    024.jpg
    93.7 KB · Views: 155
  • 025.jpg
    025.jpg
    92 KB · Views: 151
  • 026.jpg
    026.jpg
    91.1 KB · Views: 148
  • 028.jpg
    028.jpg
    93.6 KB · Views: 148
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top