Cue Help

J

Jummy2BallRunou

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Hello...I have been reading these forums for awhile and they seem to be full of people who love pool and are very knowledgeable.

I am coming to you guys for help...I am desperate.

I play mainly APA pool at a 5/6 skill level and have been playing a borrowed Meucci HOF3 cue for some time now. I am ready to buy my own cue.

I have been shopping for like a month now and reading stuff online and am just getting more and more confused.

Can someone please give their opinion on what exact model/brand to go with? I am looking to spend like $400-600 and am thinking of going with Joss, Schon, Predator or even maybe another Meucci.

I know its so hard to say whats best and there really aren't any great places near me to try out cues so I am turning to this community to help.

Thanks a ton in advance for your opinions.

Jummy
 
There are SO many variables to picking a cue that I suggest you don't spend that much on your first cue. Much of the hit and feel of a cue is in the shaft, also in the joint type. So play around with a few cues (most players don't mind you hitting a few shots or a rack with their cues, I often hand over my $1,000 Ned Morris cue for someone to try). You said there are no places by you to try cues, most retail places are bad for that, best is to find some players in your regular room and ask around for what they have. Pretty much a guaranteed way of getting a few test hits is to just ask what cue they have and why they like it.

Once you find if you like how a steel or wood to wood or piloted or whatever joint hits, look for cues in that style.

If you play with a regular shaft, going to a low deflection shaft like a Predator will mess with your game if you use side-spin on shots, so be prepared for that. If you often miss those side-spin shots with a regular cue, a low deflection shaft may help you.

People here can give you suggestions based on overall quality (for example in general Schon cues are very solid) but not based on what you like since no-one aside from you really knows. When you play with a cue you like, you'll know it, it's the same type of feeling as running across a girl walking down the street that just stops you dead in your tracks.
 
I dont think you can really go wrong with any of your choices, but I would look for
an older meucci if thats what you decide on. Joss and Schon are really good cues in that
price range. And there's nothing wrong with McDermott. Schon would probably hold its resell value the best imo.
 
Schon is a good choice, and you won't lose that much if you decide to sell it.
I also like certain Predators cues, so of the cues you mentioned l would go with Schon, maybe Predator w/314 shaft.
Also, there are a number of terrific custom cues you could pick up in your price range.
 
It would help to know if you like the way the Meucci plays and how old it is. I haven't read anything lately, but there was a period fairly recently during which Meucci had some quality control issues. Their newer cues also come with a different shaft than you're used to if the HOF is an older model.
 
I agree...don't tune out custom cues as an option. You are getting into that price range...especially if a merry widow or sneaky style is okay with you. Check the classifieds here.

That said, Schon is generally recognized at the top of the production cues. Peaschaur, (sp?) McDermott, and Joss are also good.

It's really about what feels good to you.

Me? Love my Keith Josey for it's stiff hit with good feedback...meaning...doesn't hit like a Meucci.
 
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Jummy2BallRunou said:
ok so assuming I go with Schon, does anyone have a good model suggestion?
Click to expand...

As I understand it, one of the big things about Schön is a very consistent hit from cue to cue. Just pick a design you like. They're all going to hit the same more or less.

Disclaimer: I've never hit a Schön, much less multiple Schöns. I'm sure someone will point out if my assumption here is incorrect.
 
I've had many cues, and after all these years I've found that I can take just about any butt, that is a comfortable weight for me, add a Predator 314-2 shaft, and I see no difference in the way I play, or for that matter, how it feels. It is the shaft for me. If you're into aesthetics vs playability then go for the nice woods, and beautiful inlays, add the shaft of your choice and be happy, but if you just want something that plays just as good as the expensive ones, find a used quality butt, and add a custom shaft.
 
The OB cues might be an option.
I played with a Meucci org for a decade from 1980 to 90.
I now have a OB with classic shaft, and just love it.
Remember the meucci has a coating over wrap, so you might want a wrapless cue.
 
I suggest researching the "features" of cues you like best, rather than the brand. Picking the right cue is easy once you know what features you like. Such as:

Stiff hit or soft hit

Soft, medium or hard tip

Wrapped or wrapless (I made a big mistake on this one and assumed I should get an Irish linen wrapped cue on the theory that "with is better than without." Wrong answer for me. Turned out I get a much better grip on a wrapless cue).

Balance point forward or middle (at your preferred cue weight; adding or subtracting weight bolt will change the balance point of the cue).

I'm sure other AZers can list features I've missed.
 
The newer Meucci cues with the big pin seem pretty decent. The shaft is stiffer than what you are used to, though. Pechauer {pronounced peach-hour} is a good choice in your price range. Schon or Joss if you like them. As someone already said, look into a somewhat lower end custom by a variety of cue builders.
 
I'm not sure where you're located, but if you're in the Northeastern US, your best bet is to get out to the Super Billiards Expo next month in New Jersey. You can try out just about everything on the market there and see what feels best to you. Really, that's what it comes down to - what's the most comfortable. The best cue just feels right, and you can't figure that out by looking at them on a website.

If that's too far to go and you have no options to try them out, go cheaper to start with. I like McDermotts - big pin, wood to wood joint, and pretty consistent across the board. Your tastes are going to change as your game improves, and you'll want something else in a couple of years anyway.
 
I play with a JP (J Pechauer) (350.00).....I have played with a lot of cues the past 20 years and like this one the best....and as someone else mentioned above....I would stick with a regular shaft....a low deflection shaft is like learning the game all over again. Also, all JP cues are made 100% USA...they actually make every part of the cue in their own shop in Green Bay. That was a good selling point for me.
 
Schon Cue Play

All Schons made in 93 or later should play relatively similar. They have been using a proprietary laminated core in the butt since that time. A STL1 should have the same playing characteristics as a Schon Unique if they are the same weight and have the same shaft. I highly recommend the combination of a Schon Butt and Jacoby Hybrid Shaft if you are looking for a LD Cue. IMHO you cannot go wrong with this setup. In the past a good number of players with out cue sponsors played with Schon Butts and Predator shafts, at this time most feel the Jacoby Hybrid shaft is far superior to the Predator line in feel and playability. For full disclosure I am a Schon, Jacoby, Pechauer, Viking and Kamui authorized dealer. Just my opinion but if you try it I think you will agree. THx
 
cuesblues said:
Schon is a good choice, and you won't lose that much if you decide to sell it.
I also like certain Predators cues, so of the cues you mentioned l would go with Schon, maybe Predator w/314 shaft.
Also, there are a number of terrific custom cues you could pick up in your price range.
Click to expand...

Listen to Ted aka cuesblues.. Ted knows cues.
 
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