Considerations for changing sticks?

krupa

krupa

The Dream Operator
Silver Member
I currently play with a Player's cue I bought in August to celebrate my return to playing. This actually the first brand-new pool cue I have ever owned. My previous playing cue and current break cue is an old McDermott that I bought used back in 1994.

When I pick up the McDermott, I always enjoy the feel of it in my hand and I'm wondering if I should try playing with it again. Obviously it would play differently than the Players cue (it's heavier for one thing), and I expect to have to practice with it a lot to feel comfortable with it.

I'm hesitant to change sticks "just because." So when you change cues, what are your reasons? What should I be considering? Does it even matter? Is this a "grass is always greener..." situation?

Thanks
-matthew
 
krupa said:
I currently play with a Player's cue I bought in August to celebrate my return to playing. This actually the first brand-new pool cue I have ever owned. My previous playing cue and current break cue is an old McDermott that I bought used back in 1994.

When I pick up the McDermott, I always enjoy the feel of it in my hand and I'm wondering if I should try playing with it again. Obviously it would play differently than the Players cue (it's heavier for one thing), and I expect to have to practice with it a lot to feel comfortable with it.

I'm hesitant to change sticks "just because." So when you change cues, what are your reasons? What should I be considering? Does it even matter? Is this a "grass is always greener..." situation?

Thanks
-matthew
Click to expand...

Matt:

I'm thinking most instructors will tell you this, so here goes... until your fundamentals are locked-in (i.e. you're done with any "experimentation" phases), you should stick with one cue. Let your body, reflexes, and touch, get used to it.

Now, having said that, and if you're at the stage where your fundamentals are honed/locked-in, changing cues can sometimes inject "freshness" into your game. Sometimes, a simple thing like changing cues causes us to discover news things or help us to tap into a bit of extra "inspired" performance.

On top of that, changing cues also helps with one's "Wallabushka" skills -- i.e. the ability to pull a cue off the wall, quickly adjust, and play well with it.

But be forewarned -- do not use the "changing cues" thing to hide or cover up problems with fundamentals. This is roughly analogous to increasing the volume on the car stereo to hide suddenly-strange engine noises.

-Sean
 
Hi Matthew,

I don't think anyone really knows for sure how much credit for one's skill should be attributed to their cue. But I do believe that there are cues that enhance our particular styles of play and there are cues that hold us back.

I think it's an evolution in a player's game where at some point they begin to pay more attention to the specs of their equipment as they start to figure out what works for them and what doesn't.

You might consider going to an event where there are a lot of different cues for sale, like Alan Hopkins' Expo where you can hit with many different types. Something may just click with you, like you may realize that you feel more comfortable shooting with flat-faced or wood-to-wood jointed cues as opposed to stainless steel jointed cues.
 
I am fortunate to have a nice collection of custom cues. I shoot with all of them and sometimes I will stick with one for a few months. I can adjust pretty easily too all of them in a few minutes. They for the most part have similar tapers, squirt characteristics, weight and wraps.

There's probably something to be said for picking one cue and sticking with it. I did that for several years when I played almost every day. I believe you have to trust what you like and realize that your likes may change from day to day and month to month. If I get in a slump, I will often change cues. That's probably a band aid approach but in those few minutes i'm getting used to the new cue, my stroke seems to iron out it's problems.

If you think that you'll play better with one cue vs. another then you probably will. The mind is a powerful thing.

That said it's always a fun challenge to grab a house cue off the wall and see how many racks it takes until you get a break and run.

If your old McDermott is calling to you, maybe you should pick it up and answer the call. You may be pleasantly surprised.
 
krupa said:
I currently play with a Player's cue I bought in August to celebrate my return to playing. This actually the first brand-new pool cue I have ever owned. My previous playing cue and current break cue is an old McDermott that I bought used back in 1994.

When I pick up the McDermott, I always enjoy the feel of it in my hand and I'm wondering if I should try playing with it again. Obviously it would play differently than the Players cue (it's heavier for one thing), and I expect to have to practice with it a lot to feel comfortable with it.

I'm hesitant to change sticks "just because." So when you change cues, what are your reasons? What should I be considering? Does it even matter? Is this a "grass is always greener..." situation?

Thanks
-matthew
Click to expand...

I think you should try a Meucci red dot shaft or get a Tiger-X shaft for your Players cue. Not the Tiger Pro-X!!!!!!!!!!! One of these shafts will improve your game.
 
You might consider going to an event where there are a lot of different cues for sale, like Alan Hopkins' Expo where you can hit with many different types. Something may just click with you, like you may realize that you feel more comfortable shooting with flat-faced or wood-to-wood jointed cues as opposed to stainless steel jointed cues.
Click to expand...

Thanks, Fran. You may have already guessed that I did not try the Players before buying it. I liked the looks and it was a reasonable price (also had good online reviews). I will definitely testdrive different cues when I'm ready to change.

If you think that you'll play better with one cue vs. another then you probably will. The mind is a powerful thing.
Click to expand...

I actually don't think I'll play any better in the long run, it would just be different. That's probably why I've been hemming and hawing over the decision.

That said it's always a fun challenge to grab a house cue off the wall and see how many racks it takes until you get a break and run.
Click to expand...

It's funny you say that. I like to play a little before I leave for work and yesterday morning I grabbed a one-piece cue off the wall and broke my 14.1 high run. That's actually what made me finally post the question. I still don't think I would play better or worse (in the long run) with a different cue, I just don't know how to make the decision to try a different cue... if that makes sense.

I think you should try a Meucci red dot shaft or get a Tiger-X shaft for your Players cue. Not the Tiger Pro-X!!!!!!!!!!! One of these shafts will improve your game.
Click to expand...

I think the biggest problem with my game right now is the mushy stuff between my ears and I don't think a different shaft would help that. :)

I was curious to the cost of these shafts and found the Tiger X-Pro. I assume that is what you meant to say?

-matthew
 
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By far the most important aspect about cues is that one is going to play best with one's own, that is, one tends to adapt. All cues, for example, have what's usually being referred to as "deflection" (even if the term may be misapplied), despite advertisement to the contrary, none have "zero deflection". It's just one of a number of factors that with practice, we virtually incorporate. Having said that, low-deflection constructions may make it easier to adapt from e.g. used to new cloth and back (= traveling pros). What Sean mentions can be taken another way, by the way: I like practicing with different cues and different shafts because I otherwise get so used to practicing on the same material (the same table) that the change forces me to simplify where I'd otherwise be able to "feel" my way through problems that on unknown territory I shouldn't even try to solve…

What all this means is, no wonder your "old" cue feels familiar. That's what one's cue is supposed to feel like. It's why we carry our own.

Greetings from Switzerland, David.
_________________

„J'ai gâché vingt ans de mes plus belles années au billard. Si c'était à refaire, je recommencerais.“ – Roger Conti
 
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Matthew,

I sell cues, it's what I do. So I'm always looking for someone who wants a new one for what ever reason. But with that being said, these guys are giving you good advice. The single best way to get good at pool is to have your own cue, and play that cue. Once you are at the point where your game is solid, then look around at your options.
 
Great responses.

krupa said:
I currently play with a Player's cue I bought in August to celebrate my return to playing. This actually the first brand-new pool cue I have ever owned. My previous playing cue and current break cue is an old McDermott that I bought used back in 1994.

When I pick up the McDermott, I always enjoy the feel of it in my hand and I'm wondering if I should try playing with it again. Obviously it would play differently than the Players cue (it's heavier for one thing), and I expect to have to practice with it a lot to feel comfortable with it.

I'm hesitant to change sticks "just because." So when you change cues, what are your reasons? What should I be considering? Does it even matter? Is this a "grass is always greener..." situation?

Thanks
-matthew
Click to expand...

You've gotten some great answers already. I try different cues for two reasons. I like to compare how different cues play (I'm still hoping for the opportunity to hit a few balls with an actual Balabushka or Rambow). I'll also change cues sometimes when I'm in a slump. Back in 1980, I'd been playing with a Viking cue for 7 years and doing OK, then fell into a bad patch. But I had recently purchased a used MEUCCI ORIGINAL LH-2 (to re-sell because it was pretty), and decided to give it a try. I chalked it for the first time, broke and ran six racks of 9-ball. I never went back to the Viking (a nice cue), and played the Meucci for 7 years (until my first "retirement" from the game). My point is, even if you like the cue you've been playing with, trying other sticks may show you that a different weight, taper or whatever may allow you to play even better!

Donny L
PBIA/ACS Instructor
 
My thought is it doesn't make much sense to upgrade from a Players cue to a McDermott. Regardless of your level of play, get a custom cue that fits you well and one that has a quality shaft. If you can't afford a custom cue-- might as well stick w/ the Players and get an aftermarket shaft for it.

I've always come from the school of thought to get great equipment right from the beginning so you get used to good equipment. It all comes down to your budget and what you can afford. Get the BEST cue you can afford to buy (but don't spend more than $800, based on where you are as a player).

So, don't go from a Players to a McDermott. Go from a Players to a custom cue if you can afford it. If not -- upgrade the shaft and save the $.
 
SpiderWebComm said:
My thought is it doesn't make much sense to upgrade from a Players cue to a McDermott. Regardless of your level of play, get a custom cue that fits you well and one that has a quality shaft. If you can't afford a custom cue-- might as well stick w/ the Players and get an aftermarket shaft for it.

I've always come from the school of thought to get great equipment right from the beginning so you get used to good equipment. It all comes down to your budget and what you can afford. Get the BEST cue you can afford to buy (but don't spend more than $800, based on where you are as a player).

So, don't go from a Players to a McDermott. Go from a Players to a custom cue if you can afford it. If not -- upgrade the shaft and save the $.
Click to expand...

What exactly makes a custom cue so much better than a high-end production cue?
 
I really appreciate everyone's responses. To sum up:

I am not going to change sticks in the forseeable future.
I have sought professional help and it is definitely worth the money.
I even got a pool lesson (from Fran) last month and it is also definitely worth the money. :) I wish I could get lessons more frequently.
I would consider trying a new shaft but I don't really understand what would be different about it. It seems to me that the shaft is really what does the work. If you have a good shaft, does the butt even matter?

-matthew
 
krupa said:
I really appreciate everyone's responses. To sum up:

I am not going to change sticks in the forseeable future.
I have sought professional help and it is definitely worth the money.
I even got a pool lesson (from Fran) last month and it is also definitely worth the money. :) I wish I could get lessons more frequently.
I would consider trying a new shaft but I don't really understand what would be different about it. It seems to me that the shaft is really what does the work. If you have a good shaft, does the butt even matter?

-matthew
Click to expand...

Perhaps not so surprisingly, from a philosophical perspective, everything about a cue matters.

But it's true that some aspects are perhaps more important than others. To start a possible list of the top of my head, in order, the most important would be the tip, the overall straightness of the cue, weight and balance, the shaft, the ferrule material, the joint, the butt etc. & etc. So yes, the butt will make a difference, even if it's not at the very top of the list. But in the end, everything does.

A custom cue maker will/should choose superior materials, listen to your needs, pay more attention to balancing a cue well etc. A custom cue isn't per se better - there are, as with everything, great custom cue makers out there, and not so great ones.

What I recommend doing is to ask good players whether you could hit a few balls with their cue, take notes on weight, balance, tip diameter, shaft taper etc. & etc., as well as listen to them what they like about it and don't. Do this for as long as you have patience, that is, don't jump to conclusions. Others aren't able to tell you what you like! See it as a learning process. Plus it's fun!

Greetings from Switzerland, David.
_________________

„J'ai gâché vingt ans de mes plus belles années au billard. Si c'était à refaire, je recommencerais.“ – Roger Conti
 
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Try a tip change before you do any thing major. You might be surprised at the difference it will make.
 
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