First time buyer - McDermott & Viking

N

NervousNovice

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Newb Questions: McDermott & Viking

Hello.

This is my first time buying a cue. I have searched through the forum but people mostly talk about cues too expensive for newbies like me. I have budget in $160 USD price range, currently considering these two cues.

McDermott MG-07 Genesis Nighthawk Black
http://www.mcdermottcue.com/MG07_a.asp

Viking F98
http://www.vikingcue.com/pages/cues/f98.html


Please help me out with the following questions:

1. How do their feel differ (the two cues, and the brands in general)? Which one will you choose?

2. How durable is the Irish linen wrap? I afraid it falls apart after awhile.

3. I think McD use a softer triangle tip in contrast to Viking Le Pro. Does it affect performance? Or is it just personal preference?

4. I've heard of "soft hit" and "hard hit". Does it affect performance? Or is it just feel and personal preference again?

5. How does the size of tip affect performance? I'm thinking about 12.5 to 13mm.

6. Any other suggestions of cue choice in that price range?

7. I am in Toronto. Does anyone know any good cue stores in that area? Or where to go fix my cues when problem arises?

8. Is there anything else I should pay attention to when making my first purchase?


Thanks a lot. :)
 
Last edited:
I don't have any good comparative info, since I'm a newbie to cues as well, but I recently bought a Viking F-99. Now discontinued, it's essentially the same as the F-98. I'm very satisfied with it. Both companies have very good warranties, McD has the free maintenance plan as well. Probably can't go wrong with either one.
 
NervousNovice said:
Please help me out with the following questions:

1. How do their feel differ (the two cues, and the brands in general)? Which one will you choose? Mcdermott will have the more solid feel. They are known for better construction techniques (especially on all their cues, not just the upper end)
2. How durable is the Irish linen wrap? I afraid it falls apart after awhile. Dont get any nicks in it and you will be fine. In other words, keep is away from sharp objects. If you can keep from putting holes in your clothes, you can keep a linen wrap nick free.
3. I think McD use a softer triangle tip in contrast to Viking Le Pro. Does it affect performance? Or is it just personal preference? The tip is a huge percentage of performance when compared to some of the other attributes. The triangle tip is actually harder on a durometer, and will play a bit firmer. I personally prefer them over lepros.
4. I've heard of "soft hit" and "hard hit". Does it affect performance? Or is it just feel and personal preference again? Personal preference.
5. How does the size of tip affect performance? I'm thinking about 12.5 to 13mm. That little of a difference wont have a huge change.
6. Any other suggestions of cue choice in that price range? I would go with mcdermott. But again, you will need to try the 2 before you decide what feels better to you.
7. I am in Toronto. Does anyone know any good cue stores in that area? Or where to go fix my cues when problem arises?
8. Is there anything else I should pay attention to when making my first purchase? Dont pay full retail. :D And get a decent case to protect the purchase.
Thanks a lot. :)
Click to expand...
Hope this helps, someone familiar with toronto would have to answer 7 though. :) Good luck, and I think you will find you like the feel of the mcdermott better.
Chuck
 
Get a predator shaft on it and you wont have to worry about a cue for awhile...
 
Last edited:
I would agree with Chuck on all accounts, especially #8!
I have two vikings and have found them very good.

If your a first time cue buyer, I wouldn't jump right to a predator shaft for a while. But it would be something I would keep in mind for a future upgrade as your playing increases.

I think both companies offer good warrenty, but I havn't had cause to exercise either.

Good Luck and the #1 rule of cues, buy what you like, plays well and you can afford, because you can find something in any price range. My $70 Viking beginning cue never hit a shot that I could blame on it. :-)
 
well i had choice like ures but went with viking i dont like the bymper on the butt of mcder,plus my viking has a quick release . i also had a budget ,a tiger or other extra shafts will really help.another thing u might want do is either play with both cues and call the companies and see who treats u better ....
 
NervousNovice said:
Hello.

This is my first time buying a cue. I have searched through the forum but people mostly talk about cues too expensive for newbies like me. I have budget in $160 USD price range, currently considering these two cues.

McDermott MG-07 Genesis Nighthawk Black
http://www.mcdermottcue.com/MG07_a.asp

Viking F98
http://www.vikingcue.com/pages/cues/f98.html


Please help me out with the following questions:

1. How do their feel differ (the two cues, and the brands in general)? Which one will you choose?

2. How durable is the Irish linen wrap? I afraid it falls apart after awhile.

3. I think McD use a softer triangle tip in contrast to Viking Le Pro. Does it affect performance? Or is it just personal preference?

4. I've heard of "soft hit" and "hard hit". Does it affect performance? Or is it just feel and personal preference again?

5. How does the size of tip affect performance? I'm thinking about 12.5 to 13mm.

6. Any other suggestions of cue choice in that price range?

7. I am in Toronto. Does anyone know any good cue stores in that area? Or where to go fix my cues when problem arises?

8. Is there anything else I should pay attention to when making my first purchase?


Thanks a lot. :)
Click to expand...

I happen to have both cues, but not the same model numbers.

To answer your questions in order:

1. This may be against what others say, but the McDermott (no wrap) feels better (smoother) to me with the Triangle tip than the LePro Viking did. I don't care for LePro tips so that's why I changed my Viking to a Sniper tip.

2. I will not buy another cue with Irish wrap. Although pretty durable, it picks up chalk stains and snags on my rough hands. My Viking wrap (the white part) now looks pink because of the red chalk I use a my friend's house. However, this is just my preference...you may like Irish wrap. The no-wrap McDermott feels smooth.

3. Explained in number 1. You can always change the tip for about $10.

4. Soft or hard hit is something you'll have to fiqure out on your own since it's all about preference.

5. I'd go with 13mm if your new to the game and play mostly center ball hits. But that's a preference thing too.

6. You can't go wrong with either cue. Both have good warranties. However, for just a tad bit more you can get an entry level custom cue (Jacoby, Jerico, Shurtz, or others) for about $180 to $250.

7. Can't help you there.

8. Viking or McD are good cues. You'll be happy with each one. I can play just as good with my $120 McDermott as any cue that I have. The triangle tip really surprised me on how good it felt as compared to the LePro. And by the way, McDermott will change the tip free (you have to pay shipping) if you want to try another tip. They will also clean the shaft free while they have it.

My suggestion: buy both.

JED
 
Nobody complains about either one, both cues are a good value.

Me, I have a Viking, and would consider buying another if that helps.
 
One more thing, the Viking has a very easy wgt bolt interchange system. The butt cap just screws off for easy access in case you want to change the wgt later on. I haven't try to change anything on the McD yet...it may be just as easy.
 
I've had both McDermotts and Vikings, they're both well constructed, have a good shafts and play well. I've never had issues with either or. Most of it is personal preference. Unless you're planning on shooting with only a shaft and no butt, an aftermarket shaft is way out of your budget :) and imho not necessary at all at the moment.

The one thing I will mention though is that I probably wouldn't buy an all black cue (again). I had an all black falcon with nice ring work about 8 yrs ago. I'm not sure if falcon's finish was just knick/chip prone but every lil ding was really visible because of the black on black. Cues with lighter stains/woods hide dings better... obviously your mileage may vary...

As for Toronto, I'm in TO as well. In terms of billiard stores, there are very few that carry decent cues. http://www.askacue.com that sells a lot on ebay has decent prices and is in Toronto. I believe they carry both brands, so you can probably go out there and take a look at them before you decide.

In terms of someone to work on your cue. I know of two, one in the scarborough area that I can't recommend (he took off .4mm diameter of the shaft putting on a moori! I was NOT happy) and another fellow that apparently does good work but that I haven't met yet.

Where are you shooting out of?
 
McDermott! :D

Their Lifetime Maintenance Plan is something to look into. Jayme Cernicka, the guy who you'd be in contact with in the case that you ever have to send in your cue, is top notch! McDermott is definitely a company that "aims to please" in my opinion...

My first cue was a McDermott MG03 (just like the MG07 you're contemplating, but with the brown stained maple and brown w/ white speck wrap). I still LOVE the way it plays in comparison to anything else I've ever had. Sometimes, I'm even tempted to sell everything I own and go back to it...lol :p

As far as shaft diameter, I'd say go with 13mm to start. I later had my shaft turned down to 12.75mm for the purpose of a little added 'action' on the shaft (as I played a lot on slower tables then) and simply because I liked the feel of a smaller shaft in my bridge. It was just more comfortable (I'm a pretty small guy lol). But I'm back to a 13 (13.25mm temporarily with my Nitti, in fact), and playing better and just as comfortably as ever.

Don't get me wrong -- Vikings are good cues! But I really do love the feel of a McDermott's wood-to-wood 3/8x10 joint with Triangle tip...

(P.S. - I absolutely hate LePro. Lol. Not only do I not like the tip in general, but they are much more inconsistent from tip to tip (i.e. - when it comes time to change your tip because it has worn down) than Triangles or any other harder tips are.)

And if for whatever reason you do decide to go with Viking, I'd say to take a glance at the customization options available....such as changing the joint to a 3/8x10? Lol :p

OH! And if you do decide to go with McDermott, go ahead and try to find someone (i.e. - Seybert's Billiard Supply: www.seyberts.com) who will allow more customization on the MG07...like weight changes ( although you should probably go with the standard 19oz if you're still learning the game -- not that we all aren't...some more than others :p ), maybe a solid black linen wrap instead of the standard black w/ white speck wrap? Little things like that... (they used to do some of that stuff for free and it would just take a bit longer to ship, but I'm not sure if that's the case anymore?)


Good Luck!
- Joaquin.
 
Thanks for everyone comments. It takes some time for me to digest.

hejests said:
As for Toronto, I'm in TO as well. In terms of billiard stores, there are very few that carry decent cues. http://www.askacue.com that sells a lot on ebay has decent prices and is in Toronto. I believe they carry both brands, so you can probably go out there and take a look at them before you decide.

Where are you shooting out of?
Click to expand...

Definitely will go there to take a look. Currently I just play at my campus residence.

jed1894 said:
5. I'd go with 13mm if your new to the game and play mostly center ball hits. But that's a preference thing too.
Click to expand...

jdelcue@emory.e said:
As far as shaft diameter, I'd say go with 13mm to start. I later had my shaft turned down to 12.75mm for the purpose of a little added 'action' on the shaft (as I played a lot on slower tables then) and simply because I liked the feel of a smaller shaft in my bridge. It was just more comfortable (I'm a pretty small guy lol). But I'm back to a 13 (13.25mm temporarily with my Nitti, in fact), and playing better and just as comfortably as ever.
Click to expand...

Spinning a cue ball is fun and I guess I do it way more often than necessary.
Does it mean a larger 13mm tip is harder to apply spin to the cue ball and is better served for hitting center balls?
Does a larger tip provide more surface area of contact for better grip when doing spin?
What is the difference, say, technically, if any, between a large tip (13mm) versus a smaller tip (12mm, say)?
 
IMO a 3/8-10 SS wood to wood joint is a much better hit compared to a Viking quick release or even a 5/16-18 SS flat faced joint :rolleyes:

If your just learning I would stay away from a smaller diameter (12.5 mm) tip....a 13 mm tip IMHO at first will help you to develop an accurate and consistent stroke ;)

SPIN if your not in stroke means you will not be accurate which is NOT HELPFUL :eek: :D

The good news is -- both companies make quality products :)

Good luck with your purchase :cool:
 
I find the McD's a little back heavy for my liking. I also think they are a little thicker in the back (slightly). Overall the McD's joint does provide a little more feedback.

Both are good products and have good reps. Just a note Falcon cue is based in GTA if that matters to you. This is a journey. I can't even remember what my first cue looked like.

Nick
 
Get the McDermott you won't be disappointed. The company make a great hitting cue and has excellent customer service.
The Viking is a nice cue, but I like the feel of the McDermott better, and a friend who has a Viking had a bad customer service experience with them.
You can get the Mcdermott with a hard case shipped for around $150.00US. I got the MG05 with case for $144 from Billiards911.com last year. i think they're about $151 now.

McCue Banger McCue
 
Nick B said:
I find the McD's a little back heavy for my liking. I also think they are a little thicker in the back (slightly). Overall the McD's joint does provide a little more feedback.

Both are good products and have good reps. Just a note Falcon cue is based in GTA if that matters to you. This is a journey. I can't even remember what my first cue looked like.

Nick
Click to expand...
Falcon may be based in the GTA... but they've moved production to china recently...
 
I have found that cuestore.ca has the best Canadian prices on the net and it saves you the hidden customs cost when shipping across the border.

Personally I have a Viking they are good cues and if you want a 3/8 10 joint they will chane it for you for minimal cost.

If you can't find someoneto do your cue repairs in Toronto, Billiards plus in Windsor does my repairs and does a good job (519) 739-1822 or billiardsplusonline.com

Bern
 
cue

I've hit with both cues and if I were you I wouldn't go with a Mcdermott or a Viking. I would go with a Joss or a Schon. You can buy a joss sneaky pete for your price range and you wouldn't be disappointed. I've had many custom made cues before and the joss and schon are just amazing production cues.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top