Custom Cue Discussion

B

Bravo Shot

New member
I am new to the higher-end cue discussion. I have played all my life with a 1 piece Dufferin or Players. I just finished my own room with an Olhausen Madison. I would like to upgrade my cue, but it is not clear which is the best path. For the first purchase, I am thinking of $300-400 range.

I am looking at the G-Core McDermott line. I like to story of carbon fiber, but have had some negative feed back. I'd like to get peoples thoughts of what cues are better in this price range, and what makes them better or worse. Thanks.
 
first, welcome to azb. :thumbup:

which cue shoots and feels better is very subjective as your idea of nice may be very different than the next guys.

with that said, there have been numerous threads on here asking which production cue is best and consistently, the answer has been pretty even between schon and pechauer with mezz cues typically a ways back in 3rd.

I agree that any of these three brands will offer a lot of bang for the buck as far as production cues go. You won't outgrow any of them as far as holding back your skill.

Customs open up a whole spectrum of possibilities but keep in mind that you don't have to break the bank to get a great player. Points, inlays, ivory ferrules and such will add to costs as well as which cuemaker's cue you select.

there wouldn't be a great variety of true customs in your price range but definitely there are some good ones.

The absolute ideal thing to do, if poss, would be for you to attend an event like, for instance, super billiards expo in a couple ofweeks where you couldtry many brands before deciding.

GL

best,
brian kc
 
You can get a really nice playing cue in that price range. From my, albeit limited, experience I can highly recommend Jeff Olney or Pat Diveney. I have one of each and they are both very nice. That price range can get you a plain jane Olney or a Diveney sneaky pete. There have been some of both posted in the for sale forum recently.

Now...are the better than a G-Core McD? I don't know, how do you define better...I certainly prefer them by quite a wide margin. I've had limited experience with McD and it wasn't positive, but I hear they make a nice cue so maybe the two I experienced were anomalies. I much prefer cues from custom makers simply because I like the idea of a unique cue crafted by one person (or maybe couple/few people in the case of some makers) who is putting their name behind what they're putting out. I've never played a custom and a production side by side really. I think you can get a great playing production cue for $200 or maybe a little more, beyond that it's about finding a cue that makes you happy when it's in your hands...for me that is not likely to be a production cue.
 
I would buy a used Andy Gilbert jump break cue for that amount of money.

They are great players, and sell easily when you want to get something else.

Any production cue bought new is worth about 1/2 what you paid for it immediately, and can be a tougher sell later.

Dont say Ill never sell it, because in the end all cues get sold eventually. :rolleyes:

Best of rolls,

Ken
 
slide13 said:
You can get a really nice playing cue in that price range. From my, albeit limited, experience I can highly recommend Jeff Olney or Pat Diveney. I have one of each and they are both very nice. That price range can get you a plain jane Olney or a Diveney sneaky pete. There have been some of both posted in the for sale forum recently.

Now...are the better than a G-Core McD? I don't know, how do you define better...I certainly prefer them by quite a wide margin. I've had limited experience with McD and it wasn't positive, but I hear they make a nice cue so maybe the two I experienced were anomalies. I much prefer cues from custom makers simply because I like the idea of a unique cue crafted by one person (or maybe couple/few people in the case of some makers) who is putting their name behind what they're putting out. I've never played a custom and a production side by side really. I think you can get a great playing production cue for $200 or maybe a little more, beyond that it's about finding a cue that makes you happy when it's in your hands...for me that is not likely to be a production cue.
Click to expand...

these are 2 brilliant recommendations for true customs, not too fancy, *great players* can be in your price range.

best,
brian kc.
 
Icon of Sin said:
Get a Sneaky Pete from <insert custom maker's name here>...
Click to expand...

I would agree with this, if this suites you. If you're looking to get something that says (or shouts), "I'm a pool player and this is a cue stick" the McDermott, Viking, Player, or just about any other production company will have what you're looking for. It's really about what feel good to you, heavy or light, light wood or dark wood, shaft taper, etc...
Pick one you like, in that price range you'll find a bunch, then make it work for you. I doubt that this will be your last cue
 
Icon of Sin said:
Get a Sneaky Pete from <insert custom maker's name here>...
Click to expand...

I have a Steve Klapp true sneaky you can get for $350 shipped. Old growth shaft wood and an old growth Schmelke blank from the 1940s.

The best ingredients in a pool cue and resold for 75-80% of your cost later since it is a signed custom cue.
 
If you are going to spend $300-400, get a custom. Don't even look at production cues unless you absolutely want one. You can get some really nice customs for that kind of money.

You can have David Schmelke build you a decent full splice cue for less than $200 and it will play great. Search the Wanted/For Sale section and find something you like, then come back with "this is what I like and my price range is XXX".
 
Another option I've heard good things about is RAT cues. Ryan Theewen works out of Muellers and has his own line of cues. He does custom builds but they also stock a standard range of his cues at Muellers. I've never tried one but I've heard good things and there are some great options in your price range available to order immediately.
 
sneaky

Bravo Shot said:
I am new to the higher-end cue discussion. I have played all my life with a 1 piece Dufferin or Players. I just finished my own room with an Olhausen Madison. I would like to upgrade my cue, but it is not clear which is the best path. For the first purchase, I am thinking of $300-400 range.

I am looking at the G-Core McDermott line. I like to story of carbon fiber, but have had some negative feed back. I'd like to get peoples thoughts of what cues are better in this price range, and what makes them better or worse. Thanks.
Click to expand...

Best value, bang for your buck would be a entry level/possibly sneaky/ merry widow made by a good cue maker. Who? Do your homework. Do it here on AZ. Lots of choices. What you get with a sneaky from a good cuemaker is the same quality and playability of their $3000 cue. There is no majic cue so don't spend your life looking for it. It's a journey, enjoy!
 
Bravo Shot said:
I'd like to get peoples thoughts of what cues are better in this price range, and what makes them better or worse.
Click to expand...

Hi! I can totally relate to you and your situation. I've played pool off and on my entire life. I've never had my own table, in my 20's I hung out with a group of friends at a local pool hall. Good times!

Fast forward about 25 years and I now have my own table, in my house that I also own…I've come a long way. Last October, I bought a pool table because I've always wanted one. It's in my Man Cave next to my bar.

When I was hanging out at the pool hall, all of the top players had McDermott cues. I always wanted one but instead I used my "Camel Joe" cue I got from saving cigarette coupons. (I've since quit smoking) I've never even knew there were "custom" cues!

When I got my table, I bought a McDermott cue, the one I liked at my local Billiards Supply store. I had never even heard of all the other brands, I wanted a McDermott. I got the G 303 with the G Core shaft. I love it! I tried a lot of cues out and that's the one I kept comparing all the others to. It was cheaper than most of the other options so I was hesitant. But, after a while I pulled the trigger and I love my cue.

Ok, so here's my .02 cents… Asking which is "better" is very subjective, it's like asking which is better, a Ford or a Chevy? A Fender guitar or a Gibson guitar? Everyone is going to have their own opinion!

Just go try a bunch of cues and decide, don't be in a hurry… take your time and you'll find the cue you love!

I know nothing about custom cues, I have my McD and I love it. My table isn't a Diamond (I've never heard of them until I got on this website) and I just enjoy shooting pool. A lot. Since October, my game has improved tremendously! I play daily in my house, it's just too easy to play, it's right there!

Welcome to AZB, I'm new too… there is a lot of great info on here and a lot of opinions too! But the main thing is that we all love to shoot...
 
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^ What he said..

I also have played off and on my whole lie (I'm 54)...bought an Olhausen 8ft..Aramith super Pro...Simonis 860.....and up to 10-12 years ago .. all of the tournament tables were Olhausen. Now it has changed to Diamond.

I got an Olhuasen and bought 2 Peachauer cues (P08 & P10)...I live in Wisc and Pechauer are made here (also Mc Dermott, Viking, Schon, Jacoby)...wow never really thought about that.

What ever cue you get...you will love it..it will be yours.
 
Many thanks

Wow, great discourse. Can't thank everyone enough. I think I might actually grab my older kids and head down to the Expo in NJ in a few weeks. Only 4 hours away.

As you can see, I started the thread referring to custom cues and asked about a production cue... I've learned a lot in the last two days.

My next level of analysis will be to ask what attributes drive the decisions in custom cues. While trying to eliminate the subjectivity, presumably there are a series of features (sorry I write like this, I am a product manager by trade) that you need in combination that you would not get in production.

What are they? I get material, weight, tip... but I am new to others like balance point and taper. What are you asking to be customized?
 
In that price range, I would look for a Josey or a Frey sneaky. These are two of the best hitting cues I have owned.
 
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