"Dean" Cue reviewed

S

stikapos

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Well, they say never trust anyone, but for some reason, when I talked to Dean (Deanoc), I trusted the guy right away. $300 for a sneaky pete without a wrap or finish ? Well, my curiosity got the better of me and I ordered one. Thanks to the usually sub-standard service of FedEx and a superior packing job by Dean, the cue came in yesterday.

Its a dead nuts sneaky pete with a black phenolic ring at the joint. The points are uneven. Nothing has finish on it. The shaft has wood threads, similar to a Dennis Dieckman. 4.9 oz. for the shaft. Definitely a forward balance. The butt fits my hand exactly, to the point where its not sloppy like a skinny cue, nor huge like an old Meucci. A lepro tip finishes it off. I havent figured out what the ferrule is made of yet. The shaft has a 12.5 ferrule and is a constant taper throughout the cue, including the butt.

A quick spray of pledge on the butt and I'm ready to hit balls. After making a run of 20 or so in a row in bar table straight pool, I'm starting to figure out this thing plays pretty doggone well. I just think of a shot and the cue does the work. Draws without thinking, controllably. Spin is no problem. Plenty and controllable. Deflection noticiable reduced. Hits sort of like an OB-1, but with better feel. Makes the cue ball get around the table effortlessly, but with control. Tony Schianella taught me about cue construction one Friday afternoon at his shop. The best cues, he said, make the vibration from hitting a ball go to the butt of the cue and rebound, allowing for maximum tip time on the ball and a return of energy to the ball. That's exactly what this feels like. Most ridiculous thing is, even my stroke feels much better. I've got a decent stroke, but its not God given or anything. This cue makes me feel closer to a better player.

Now, I've owned Mottey's and Joss West's, a ton of 80's production cues and hit with predators, OB-1's and a lot of other cues. I've been around the game long enough and hung out with cuemakers. I know cue construction. This "ugly stick" beats them all. At least for someone like me with little, if any natural talent.

Dean tells me that he'll be generating fancier cues with the same design. I'm sure someday, I'll be in the market. But for now, I've got what I've always wanted. A sow's ear cue that hits like a silk purse. Hits so good, I'm afraid to put a layered tip on it! I don't think I'll be selling it. Of course, if Timmy Scruggs starts making these, I might have to fly down to Bawtamoe to see him....

I don't know if any of you would like this cue or not. But one thing is for sure. To me, it hits pretty stinkin good. Now if Deano will only tell me how the heck he did it......:eek:

Regards,
tim
 
Sounds like a Chuck Starkey

stikapos said:
Well, they say never trust anyone, but for some reason, when I talked to Dean (Deanoc), I trusted the guy right away. $300 for a sneaky pete without a wrap or finish ? Well, my curiosity got the better of me and I ordered one. Thanks to the usually sub-standard service of FedEx and a superior packing job by Dean, the cue came in yesterday.

Its a dead nuts sneaky pete with a black phenolic ring at the joint. The points are uneven. Nothing has finish on it. The shaft has wood threads, similar to a Dennis Dieckman. 4.9 oz. for the shaft. Definitely a forward balance. The butt fits my hand exactly, to the point where its not sloppy like a skinny cue, nor huge like an old Meucci. A lepro tip finishes it off. I havent figured out what the ferrule is made of yet. The shaft has a 12.5 ferrule and is a constant taper throughout the cue, including the butt.

A quick spray of pledge on the butt and I'm ready to hit balls. After making a run of 20 or so in a row in bar table straight pool, I'm starting to figure out this thing plays pretty doggone well. I just think of a shot and the cue does the work. Draws without thinking, controllably. Spin is no problem. Plenty and controllable. Deflection noticiable reduced. Hits sort of like an OB-1, but with better feel. Makes the cue ball get around the table effortlessly, but with control. Tony Schianella taught me about cue construction one Friday afternoon at his shop. The best cues, he said, make the vibration from hitting a ball go to the butt of the cue and rebound, allowing for maximum tip time on the ball and a return of energy to the ball. That's exactly what this feels like. Most ridiculous thing is, even my stroke feels much better. I've got a decent stroke, but its not God given or anything. This cue makes me feel closer to a better player.

Now, I've owned Mottey's and Joss West's, a ton of 80's production cues and hit with predators, OB-1's and a lot of other cues. I've been around the game long enough and hung out with cuemakers. I know cue construction. This "ugly stick" beats them all. At least for someone like me with little, if any natural talent.

Dean tells me that he'll be generating fancier cues with the same design. I'm sure someday, I'll be in the market. But for now, I've got what I've always wanted. A sow's ear cue that hits like a silk purse. Hits so good, I'm afraid to put a layered tip on it! I don't think I'll be selling it. Of course, if Timmy Scruggs starts making these, I might have to fly down to Bawtamoe to see him....

I don't know if any of you would like this cue or not. But one thing is for sure. To me, it hits pretty stinkin good. Now if Deano will only tell me how the heck he did it......:eek:

Regards,
tim
Click to expand...

It sounds like a very similar description of the Starkey cue that Jay was touting the playability of on this same forum.

-don
 
Thecoats said:
It sounds like a very similar description of the Starkey cue that Jay was touting the playability of on this same forum.

-don
Click to expand...

apparently the wood pin comes out of the shaft and not the butt. if i didnt have a gilbert j/b on the way i'd probably try one
 
poolplayer2093 said:
apparently the wood pin comes out of the shaft and not the butt. if i didnt have a gilbert j/b on the way i'd probably try one
Click to expand...

Chuck sent me one of his cues to try a couple of years ago and it did a very good job of pointing and shooting balls in the pocket but I did not think it was very dynamic and it seemed like a very good cue for nine ball but I had difficulty executing the finer shots that are necessary for one pocket. It kind of reminded me of a Ray Schuler I tried several years ago, very, very stiff and very little deflection but you really had to put a lot of effort into getting a lot of action on the cue ball.

-don
 
Thecoats said:
Chuck sent me one of his cues to try a couple of years ago and it did a very good job of pointing and shooting balls in the pocket but I did not think it was very dynamic and it seemed like a very good cue for nine ball but I had difficulty executing the finer shots that are necessary for one pocket. It kind of reminded me of a Ray Schuler I tried several years ago, very, very stiff and very little deflection but you really had to put a lot of effort into getting a lot of action on the cue ball.

-don
Click to expand...

i tried one starkey and with the laminated shaft i didn't like it. i think with a solid shaft i would have liked it a lot more. i talked to dean and he says the cue he makes he uses for one pocket (a lot from the sounds of it) and says it preforms the more advanced shots well. and moves the cueball around easy
 
stikapos said:
Well, they say never trust anyone, but for some reason, when I talked to Dean (Deanoc), I trusted the guy right away. $300 for a sneaky pete without a wrap or finish ? Well, my curiosity got the better of me and I ordered one. Thanks to the usually sub-standard service of FedEx and a superior packing job by Dean, the cue came in yesterday.

Its a dead nuts sneaky pete with a black phenolic ring at the joint. The points are uneven. Nothing has finish on it. The shaft has wood threads, similar to a Dennis Dieckman. 4.9 oz. for the shaft. Definitely a forward balance. The butt fits my hand exactly, to the point where its not sloppy like a skinny cue, nor huge like an old Meucci. A lepro tip finishes it off. I havent figured out what the ferrule is made of yet. The shaft has a 12.5 ferrule and is a constant taper throughout the cue, including the butt.

A quick spray of pledge on the butt and I'm ready to hit balls. After making a run of 20 or so in a row in bar table straight pool, I'm starting to figure out this thing plays pretty doggone well. I just think of a shot and the cue does the work. Draws without thinking, controllably. Spin is no problem. Plenty and controllable. Deflection noticiable reduced. Hits sort of like an OB-1, but with better feel. Makes the cue ball get around the table effortlessly, but with control. Tony Schianella taught me about cue construction one Friday afternoon at his shop. The best cues, he said, make the vibration from hitting a ball go to the butt of the cue and rebound, allowing for maximum tip time on the ball and a return of energy to the ball. That's exactly what this feels like. Most ridiculous thing is, even my stroke feels much better. I've got a decent stroke, but its not God given or anything. This cue makes me feel closer to a better player.

Now, I've owned Mottey's and Joss West's, a ton of 80's production cues and hit with predators, OB-1's and a lot of other cues. I've been around the game long enough and hung out with cuemakers. I know cue construction. This "ugly stick" beats them all. At least for someone like me with little, if any natural talent.

Dean tells me that he'll be generating fancier cues with the same design. I'm sure someday, I'll be in the market. But for now, I've got what I've always wanted. A sow's ear cue that hits like a silk purse. Hits so good, I'm afraid to put a layered tip on it! I don't think I'll be selling it. Of course, if Timmy Scruggs starts making these, I might have to fly down to Bawtamoe to see him....

I don't know if any of you would like this cue or not. But one thing is for sure. To me, it hits pretty stinkin good. Now if Deano will only tell me how the heck he did it......:eek:

Regards,
tim
Click to expand...

Hey Tim

Now that you have this magic wand post up some pictures for all to behold.

Thanks
 
Kevin, if I can get the wife to do that for me, I will certainly do so. Remember, though, this puppy isn't too much to look at.

And by the way, I'm really trying not to hype this thing, but if it makes folks think that there might be a better way and it gets better than this, I'm all for it!

I guess in some way, now I feel like the golfer who spends $500 on a titanium driver to improve his othewise horrible swing. My only solace is that if I ding the butt, as ugly as it is, I can finally care less.

Best,
tim
 
I wonder how this cue compares to

3 cushion/carom cues from Helmstetter and Ron Kilby at http://www.caromcues.com/ .

According to Ron's site, he makes cues with different tapered shafts so one can switch between carom, 3 cushion, and pocket billiards just by changing shafts. I believe he makes custom lengths as well. And he makes a solid 3 piece travel companion cue. The hit characteristics he describes sound similar to me in stiffness to your description. I borrowed the following quoted information from his website at http://www.caromcues.com/WhyKilbyCue.htm to describe the characteristics of the hit from the carom type joint. Plus see some actual cues... unlike this mystery cue people are describing but can't seem to load pictures of.

"Wood Joint:
Aside from the aspect that traditional carom cues have wood joints, a wood joint contributes significantly to the overall performance of the cue. Those among us who have played pool or billiards for many years embrace an old axiom that we all are looking for a two-piece cue that hits like that great old house cue we remember from our favorite pool hall. We treasured the way that cue felt when we hit the ball ? the particular way the vibrations traveled from the tip to our hand, though we probably didn't think of it in those terms, back then. "

Sound familiar?? Read the testimonials on Kilbys cues and you see the same comments but even more. "Playing with power steering" etc. etc.

Not Knocking Dean's new cues, but I honestly don't see that you can compare a carom/3 cushion jointed cue to a pocket billiards cue. What I see in the Dean cue is an attempt to offer a hybrid between a carom and pocket billiards cue. I think if you look, Ron Kilby is doing that already, but not wth sneaky petes. The overall description of carom cues and their stiff hit sounds just like what you describe.

So, how about someone comparing it to a quality carom/3 cushion cue and let us know just how much different the hit and balance is. I am really curious about this. If it is really the greatest cue option .ut there, then shout it out. But do the research to make sure it is truly something new and different. And please POST PICTURES.
 
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Great point. I've never hit with a carom cue, but I'm getting the idea. I will do what I can (technologically challenged and all) to get up pics. Again, purpose here is not to hype, but just to elaborate on another option. Its here with me at work today, waiting to get to a pool hall. As much as I like this stick, I'm still going to keep my Meucci's and my old Schon, putting a smart shaft, a predator or an american cowboy billiards shaft on my older cues. I, more than anyone else, realize that some folks were born with a stroke and I wasn't one of them. If you have a stroke, I'm convinced that you can do well with just about any cue. But I have to say that I'm very pleased with my latest purchase.

btw, another player put the multi-cue collection into focus for me. He was asking me about my Joss West and I asked him why he was looking to change from a gorgeous Southwest. Very simple he said. His wife complained less about him having multiple cues than multiple partners!

Best Regards,
tim
 
Good to hear of others who like the hit.

I am sure other people have tried something like ours,I am amazed how many people want pictures,they still would have no idea if the cue played right until they hit it.Strange as it may seem I get a lot of compliments on the look as well,but I wouldn't care what it looked like if I played good.

4 days to order one and no more.We will then produce very high quality cues starting at $1500 for full splice,and fully custom cues starting at $2500.
We will make only 25 to 30 cues pr year.Each cue will feature sharp points,with colored veneers,mitred points,and the inlays will be of ivory and be razor sharp.
Make no bones about it DEAN will not do the hands on work.I have already made arrangements with the finest American cuemakers,craftsmen,computer experts,and wood workers I could find in order to provide the most discrimating cue collectors and players with the best that money can buy.
These prototypes are not the same quality but are the best hitting cues I have played with.Naturally some players may not find the adjustment to something different as easy as it was for me.
Jan15 is the absolute last day to buy one of the $300 prototypes (no more cheap cues after Jan 15 and that is a guarantee)


CALL DEAN 214 477 7323
 
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PPLayer, that's my point. Opposite ends of the spectrum. Diversity. Sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you dont type of thing.

Oh, btw, this is very close to the carom stick listed in the link provided above.
 
stikapos said:
Well, they say never trust anyone, but for some reason, when I talked to Dean (Deanoc), I trusted the guy right away. $300 for a sneaky pete without a wrap or finish ? Well, my curiosity got the better of me and I ordered one. (edited)
Regards,
tim
Click to expand...

for what's it worth:
i talked to dean too and ordered the $300 special long ago. just based on our conversation and what he was doing and how it improved his 1-pocket game. shortly after dean had a southwest due, and with a brief description (he hadn't received it yet from mrs. franklin), but like tim said, i trusted him, and the fool that i am, i committed for that too (and dean was good with - if the weight was not around 19.0/19.5 or i just hated it, no obligation to finish the deal - he was straight up). needless to say, i got a beautiful southwest and both dean and i were happy. i went from an 8 year waiting list to a few hours!

this guy is straight in my opinion. i don't think he needs to sell a few $300 cues to eat or screw anybody. he is well known for high end cues. he himself loves 'his' better playing with this 'test' $300 cue and he wants others to try it and see if they feel the same.

i guess i am trying to say, if you want a show piece, this ain't it, not even close. but maybe it will be a better stick for you as it was for dean. to me it was worth the gamble. and to my limited knowledge, there is science behind what he is doing.

some may not like it. but for some, like me, it is worth it to try. all i can say is i hope i am as happy with this $300 'special' as i am with the very expensive southwest.

smokey
 
our_auctionguy said:
3 cushion/carom cues from Helmstetter and Ron Kilby at http://www.caromcues.com/ .

According to Ron's site, he makes cues with different tapered shafts so one can switch between carom, 3 cushion, and pocket billiards just by changing shafts. I believe he makes custom lengths as well. And he makes a solid 3 piece travel companion cue. The hit characteristics he describes sound similar to me in stiffness to your description. I borrowed the following quoted information from his website at http://www.caromcues.com/WhyKilbyCue.htm to describe the characteristics of the hit from the carom type joint. Plus see some actual cues... unlike this mystery cue people are describing but can't seem to load pictures of.

"Wood Joint:
Aside from the aspect that traditional carom cues have wood joints, a wood joint contributes significantly to the overall performance of the cue. Those among us who have played pool or billiards for many years embrace an old axiom that we all are looking for a two-piece cue that hits like that great old house cue we remember from our favorite pool hall. We treasured the way that cue felt when we hit the ball ? the particular way the vibrations traveled from the tip to our hand, though we probably didn't think of it in those terms, back then. "

Sound familiar?? Read the testimonials on Kilbys cues and you see the same comments but even more. "Playing with power steering" etc. etc.

Not Knocking Dean's new cues, but I honestly don't see that you can compare a carom/3 cushion jointed cue to a pocket billiards cue. What I see in the Dean cue is an attempt to offer a hybrid between a carom and pocket billiards cue. I think if you look, Ron Kilby is doing that already, but not wth sneaky petes. The overall description of carom cues and their stiff hit sounds just like what you describe.

So, how about someone comparing it to a quality carom/3 cushion cue and let us know just how much different the hit and balance is. I am really curious about this. If it is really the greatest cue option .ut there, then shout it out. But do the research to make sure it is truly something new and different. And please POST PICTURES.
Click to expand...

Longoni also have wooden joint thread on there cues: http://www.longonicues.com/images/spares/JOINT/GIUNTI-POOL.gif

Myself, I'm playing pool with a Carom 3 cushion cue. The feel is just much better than a regular poolcue. Would love to try the "Dean" cue.
 
ericdraven said:
where are the pics ???:confused: :confused: . somebody has got pics of this cue. just post em
Click to expand...

Lol, if there are pics. Maybe there isn't even a cue.
 
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