Buying First Cue

[gregory]

I'm looking to buy a cue. I am thinking in the $200-$300 range. From what I've gathered, Joss or Lucasi would be good bets. Would you agree?

I'm wondering about the price differences between various models in the same series. For example, Joss AJ series: AJ-1 is $270; AJ-6 is $400; AJ-10 is $600.

Are the more expensive cues much better than the cheaper ones, or is the difference more a cosmetic one--the more expensive ones in the same series are fancier and prettier?

Also, the Joss are 13.25mm but can be retapered to 13mm. other cues seem to be 13mm 314 is 12.75, so is 13.25 wider than most?

thanks for your help.

 

[14.1player]

I've just got a new job and can afford to buy a cue. I am thinking in the $200-$300 range. From what I've gathered, Joss or Lucasi would be good bets. Would you agree?

I'm wondering about the price differences between various models in the same series. For example, Joss AJ series: AJ-1 is $270; AJ-6 is $400; AJ-10 is $600.

Are the more expensive cues much better than the cheaper ones, or is the difference more a cosmetic one--the more expensive ones in the same series are fancier and prettier?

Also, the Joss are 13.25mm but can be retapered to 13mm. other cues seem to be 13mm 314 is 12.75, so is 13.25 wider than most?

thanks for your help.

I would go for a custom sneaky pete, or one of these:
http://www.thecuedealer.com/cues/cues_auerbach.htm

 

[OldHasBeen]

Lucasi

I bought my Lucasi on eBay for $89 and love it. IMO it plays almost as well as my 44 year old Balabushka. IMHO it would make a great 1st & last cue.

TY & GL

 

[Snapshot9]

first cue ...

I think you would like the Lucasi better. The Joss will be
stiff, and you have to pay about $400 for one.

A good Sneaky Pete from a custom cue maker is an option.

One word of advice though, don't buy a pig in a poke for
your first cue. Stroke the cue in person to see if it
feels right for you, and hit a couple of balls if they will
permit it (some do, some don't).

 

[Snorks]

Put this in context... Newbie here...

I'm not sure why people wouldn't recommend buying a Predator. If over 50% of the pro's play with them and you can get a sneaky pete for around $300, why wouldn't you? Seems to me it is close to the industry standard and since it fits in your price range (or very close to it) I would personally look at one of those.

I'd ask, how many pool players with say 5 years of experience have not owned a Predator or played with one a lot? I would guess the majority of people would have at least used one to determine if they like it or not. So personally I'd start there and then branch out to other cues if I didn't like it.

 

[drivermaker]

Questions to ask yourself:

1. Do I want a 2 piece house cue (aka sneaky pete)

2. Do I want something that looks a little nicer

3. Why would a sneaky by any cuemaker at that price range be better than a Lucasi or Joss. (I have no friggin' idea)

4. Will a Lucasi or Joss play just as well as anything out there. (it will if you will)

5. Would either one of those cues hurt my game in any way, if so...how.

6. Which design turns me on the most

7. Should I listen to people that don't have either, or are only posting for the very first time

 

[gregory]

I'm not sure why people wouldn't recommend buying a Predator. If over 50% of the pro's play with them and you can get a sneaky pete for around $300, why wouldn't you? Seems to me it is close to the industry standard and since it fits in your price range (or very close to it) I would personally look at one of those.

i've thought about it, but $300 is the high end of my price range. probably could get pred SP for $325, so I could afford it, but would rather spend less than that for my first cue.

i've only been playing seriously for year and a half, and have just started getting the feel of deflection on long force-follow shots and think i should know how to do that, even if i do eventually wind up with 314/z-shaft. same with spin. i have a decent stroke, and at this point in my game i don't want to get a 314 that will let me do stuff with spin i can't do with a regular shaft. want to have to still develop that part of my game andnot rely on a 314 shaft.

and i figure i can always get a 314 shaft later for a couple hundred dollars.

 

[Egg McDogit]

If you want something that plays good and is cheap, my suggestion is to get a $20 butt and put a good shaft on it. You might want to consider the universal shaft or tiger x-shaft.

with spin. i have a decent stroke, and at this point in my game i don't want to get a 314 that will let me do stuff with spin i can't do with a regular shaft. want to have to still develop that part of my game andnot rely on a 314 shaft.

and i figure i can always get a 314 shaft later for a couple hundred dollars.

 

[Addicted2CuesRU]

i've thought about it, but $300 is the high end of my price range. probably could get pred SP for $325, so I could afford it, but would rather spend less than that for my first cue.

i've only been playing seriously for year and a half, and have just started getting the feel of deflection on long force-follow shots and think i should know how to do that, even if i do eventually wind up with 314/z-shaft. same with spin. i have a decent stroke, and at this point in my game i don't want to get a 314 that will let me do stuff with spin i can't do with a regular shaft. want to have to still develop that part of my game andnot rely on a 314 shaft.

and i figure i can always get a 314 shaft later for a couple hundred dollars.

Shop E-bay, you could get a production cue for about 40% off if you buy a used cue through e-bay... I know you want your first cue pristine probably, but if you dont mind it being "worked in" a little you can get a good deal sometimes...

http://search.ebay.com/search/searc...=compare&copagenum=1&coentrypage=search&fgtp=

 

[davidhop]

I've just got a new job and can afford to buy a cue. I am thinking in the $200-$300 range. From what I've gathered, Joss or Lucasi would be good bets. Would you agree?

I'm wondering about the price differences between various models in the same series. For example, Joss AJ series: AJ-1 is $270; AJ-6 is $400; AJ-10 is $600.

Are the more expensive cues much better than the cheaper ones, or is the difference more a cosmetic one--the more expensive ones in the same series are fancier and prettier?

Also, the Joss are 13.25mm but can be retapered to 13mm. other cues seem to be 13mm 314 is 12.75, so is 13.25 wider than most?

thanks for your help.

When I first started out I bought a Huebler. It is a very good cue at a fraction of the cost of some of the other brands out there. If you can find a dealer, you should be able to get a pretty nice Huebler for about $200-$275. I also like the low end Joss cues for the money, but my overall advice would be PREDATOR. I had a 314 shaft for my Huebler and for an my old Joss, but when I bought a full predator, my game really picked up. Regardless of what you may have heard, there is a difference in a full predator vs. just a shaft.
Either of the sticks that I have mentioned should serve you well over a long period of time.

 

[Addicted2CuesRU]

Lucasi

Here is a Lucasi Package on ebay... You cant really go wrong with one for a starter cue... they are attractive, they hit pretty good and you can buy a 314 shaft for one later like you said... This package includes a case too so how can you go wrong... (no it is not my auction)

http://cgi.ebay.com/L-E40-Lucasi-Cu...180006459QQcategoryZ21212QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[runscott]

I've just got a new job and can afford to buy a cue. I am thinking in the $200-$300 range. From what I've gathered, Joss or Lucasi would be good bets. Would you agree?

I'm wondering about the price differences between various models in the same series. For example, Joss AJ series: AJ-1 is $270; AJ-6 is $400; AJ-10 is $600.

Are the more expensive cues much better than the cheaper ones, or is the difference more a cosmetic one--the more expensive ones in the same series are fancier and prettier?

Also, the Joss are 13.25mm but can be retapered to 13mm. other cues seem to be 13mm 314 is 12.75, so is 13.25 wider than most?

thanks for your help.

I started with a Lucasi (on ebay now ), then added a 314 shaft, then moved to a custom cue. I would not start with a 314 shaft unless you can find someone to let you hit with one first, but I would start with a cue that is nice enough that you wouldn't mind upgrading it by later adding a 314 - perhaps a McDermott or Viking (model differences within a manufacturer are purely cosmetic). Knowing what I know now, if I had to start over, my first cue would be a Predator 314 sneaky pete with the Irish linen wrap.

Hopefully the above makes sense, but it's all personal taste and preference.

 

[Celtic]

I've just got a new job and can afford to buy a cue. I am thinking in the $200-$300 range. From what I've gathered, Joss or Lucasi would be good bets. Would you agree?

I'm wondering about the price differences between various models in the same series. For example, Joss AJ series: AJ-1 is $270; AJ-6 is $400; AJ-10 is $600.

Are the more expensive cues much better than the cheaper ones, or is the difference more a cosmetic one--the more expensive ones in the same series are fancier and prettier?

Also, the Joss are 13.25mm but can be retapered to 13mm. other cues seem to be 13mm 314 is 12.75, so is 13.25 wider than most?

thanks for your help.

Difference between the AJ-1 and others are purely cosmetic. You can also get all those models for alot cheaper then the prices you quoted if you buy online, are those prices from a local dealer?

The SS joint on the Joss will take some of the feel away from the cue. In almost all cases you dont want a Stainless Steel joint, they look good and are strong but they remove alot of the feel.

13.25 is a tree trunk, that is a huge tip size. I am from Canada though, and we dont tend to use anything 13mm or over, standard tip size for 9-ball is 12.5 I would guess for us here, my cue itself is 12.25. After shooting with a cue like that for a while a 13mm+ tip feels terrible and clunky. 13mm is standard for the US from what I have seen, so 13.25 is even higher then the standard down there.

The mention of a Predator cue can be considered if you are a new player as it is a very good cue to start with as they play quite different, reducing deflection and lessening the learning curve when using siding.

http://www.billiardwarehouse.com/cues/predator/predator_spwu.htm

That there is the cue I would go for in your situation (although I would rather buy it in person then online as I could then check to make sure it is straight). If you are in a big city there should be a shop with lots of cues for sale including some Predator. The reason for that particular cue if the fact that it has no Stainless Steel joint and I have found predators usually hit alot better without the SS joint that most of them have. It is also cheaper then the SS models which is an added bonus for a better hitting cue.

 

[hemicudas]

You got it.

I bought my Lucasi on eBay for $89 and love it. IMO it plays almost as well as my 44 year old Balabushka. IMHO it would make a great 1st & last cue.

TY & GL

I couldn't agree more, Tom. I own the Lucasi, L2007 in the picture below. With two shafts it sells for less than $300. When I ran with Bill Stack I played with his Balabushka often and I agree, the Lucasi plays as solid as it did. Best buy for the $$$.

 

[puckdaddy]

go for the Joss

Joss is a great entry level cue. Dont sweat the 13.25 because between that and 13 you can barely tell a difference. FYI with the thicker shaft its easier to pocket balls, because the skinnier the shaft the more you have to pinpoint your aim. Also, Im not certain but I dont think Lucasi are made in the USA where Joss are. One more thing if you dont like it Joss will have a better resale value. Hope I helped

 

[girlwon1]

The two best cheaper cues I ever picked up and liked alot was a 200 dollar Lucasi (first I had ever seen in 97), and a 20 dollar Dufferin sneaky. I bought both on the spot, even though I had my regular playing cue, because I liked them so much. I tried Predator, and only the shaft mind you, but liked better what my shafts could do in comparison. I donated it to Joe Blackburn last time I was in Vegas.

 

[csf914]

I think your best bet would be lucasi. I started out with one, I have owned 3 and still own one, I suggest a new tip after purchase as the standard tip isnt the greatest ever, a nice triangle should make the cue play a bit better IMO. A mid range lucasi and a case should no problem in your price range. FWIW.

 

[Celtic]

FYI with the thicker shaft its easier to pocket balls, because the skinnier the shaft the more you have to pinpoint your aim.

I dont agree with that at all. The thicker shaft will be easier to avoid unwanted english due to the tip size but there is no way that it will affect the pocketing of balls in a positive way. The smaller shaft is more accurate for potting, try playing snooker with a 13mm tip compared to a 11mm tip with the small balls, you will quickly figure this out.

 

[TATE]

I've just got a new job and can afford to buy a cue. I am thinking in the $200-$300 range. From what I've gathered, Joss or Lucasi would be good bets. Would you agree?

What you have to do is go hit with a few different types of cues and see what you like. The name brand production cues are so good now that it is hard to go wrong. In my opinion, these cues perform just fine compared to even the better customs.

Here are my first value choices, for the money and quality, with excellent customer back up support and service if something goes wrong or needs fixing:

McDermott
Viking
Pechauer
Joss



Chris

 

[drivermaker]

The SS joint on the Joss will take some of the feel away from the cue. In almost all cases you dont want a Stainless Steel joint, they look good and are strong but they remove alot of the feel.

13.25 is a tree trunk, that is a huge tip size.

And I have to disagree with this Celtic. I don't even know where you come up with this stuff about not wanting a SS joint. I have cues with every joint out there and the SS joint has as much feel as anything. You'll have a greater change in feel moreso from the TIP. Put an elkmaster on and then a moori or hercules hard and you'll feel some major difference, I don't care what joint it is.

I'd be willing to bet you couldn't even tell the difference between a 13 mm and 13.25. If it was a log and detrimental to the game, don't you think Dan Janes would have figured that out by now and done something about it?