Fix up Players Cue or buy a new one?

T

todd2000

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
So about a year ago I gave my friend my old 18oz Players Cue when I got my Fury. It is about 8 years old at this point. The shaft is a little warped, and some of the finish is coming off, and making a rough spot. He plays with my cue sometimes and says he likes the weight better mine is a 21oz. I was going to get him a new shaft, and a weight bolt for Christmas, and he also needs a new case. All that together is over $50 which is a bit more then I was trying to spend, but oh well.. :) My question is is there a new cue that would be better or as good as a players for $50 or less?

I hate to sound cheap, but he is a beginner, and I just want to get him a shaft that isn't warped and a heaver cue, and cant afford to spend a ton of money as I have other people to get things for... lol
 
EightballJunkie said:
Seems silly to buy just a shaft and weight bolt for $50 when there are several new Players cues in that price range.

How warped is the old shaft? If it's still playable, perhaps you could put a extra-hard tip on it and keep it around as a break cue.
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Yeah I know, but I kinda like the idea of keeping my old cue going, instead of getting a new one.... Also mine has a wrap the 3 players cues under $50 do not. I don't think he would care though, just comparing.

So do you think Players would be the best bet for under $50 if I did want to get him a new cue? How are Rage Cues, they have some nice looking cues under $50.

As for the shaft, it's not too warped, but that combined with the finish coming off was enough to replace it. If I didn't do that might just get some sand paper and try to smooth it out.
 
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For $50 you can just get him a new cue. McDermott makes a line called Lucky that has cues starting at $39 and for the price in my opinion are the best bang for your buck. I have one and still play with it almost everyday cuz I like the way it plays so much. They offer a 3 yr warranty on that line but a lifetime on they're regular line and they have cues starting at $49 with a case and some accessories. If the cue was a higher end cue I'd say keep it but with it being a lower end cue you might as well replace it. The Lucky cues are really a good deal.
 
If he needs a case , he still needs a case out of that $50.

So a shaft and a weight bolt is not unreasonable for the amount of money left but then you still have the poor finish left to look at.

And of course , putting any amount of money into such an inexpensive cue is probably not going to net anything in the long run unless he really loves that cue.

I guess..... if your budget is $50 for a gift I would probably just let him deal with the cue himself ( I mean you've already given him that to start with) and get him something else. Get him the case because no matter what he can use that and will need one regardless.
 
ChazL said:
Players cues have a lifetime guarantee which covers warpage. (You do supposedly need the original sales receipt.)

More info on the warranty appears here.
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Yeah but the Warranty is a new thing this cue is 8 years old..

EightballJunkie said:
IMHO, at that price point, one would be hard-pressed to find any significant difference in quality. Players, Action, Rage, Viper and even McD's Lucky cues are factory produced to very similar quality control standards. The differences are basically visual.
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Thats kinda what I figured, thanks...
 
RRfireblade said:
If he needs a case , he still needs a case out of that $50.

So a shaft and a weight bolt is not unreasonable for the amount of money left but then you still have the poor finish left to look at.

And of course , putting any amount of money into such an inexpensive cue is probably not going to net anything in the long run unless he really loves that cue.

I guess..... if your budget is $50 for a gift I would probably just let him deal with the cue himself ( I mean you've already given him that to start with) and get him something else. Get him the case because no matter what he can use that and will need one regardless.
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I was including a case in that $50 just a cheap soft case for now... As for the poor finish that is on the shaft, so If i were to get a new one it would be fine.
 
Todd:

I think the best question to ask yourself, is "how much sentimental value do you put on your old Players cue -- even when it's now in the hands of someone else -- that the cost of the weight bolt, shaft, and case, is worth it?"

If the answer is that you still have sentimental feelings for the cue, and you have a "proud" feeling watching him play with it, then I'd say go for the repairs of the existing cue.

However, if you don't care about the old Players cue at all, then go for the cost of a new cue. Like many have said, most of the economy brands (e.g. Action, McDermott's "Lucky" and "Star" brands of cues, Stroker, etc.) are all made (machined) to essentially the same standards, which are actually quite good. Some vendors will even throw in free shipping (e.g. Ozone Billiards), or a free case (e.g. billiards.com), as bonuses.

Hope this is helpful,
-Sean
 
Thats pretty generous of you Todd.
I looked at some of the McDermott Lucky line. They are actually not bad for the price. And warranty as well.

I can understand if you have a sentimental attachment for your old cue and would like to see it being used. Maybe he can get a weight bolt for it later on and use it for a break cue.

I just put a tip on for a guy that bought a McDermott Star cue. I was pretty impressed with the quality of that one too. It had pearlescent inlays in the points and a pearlescent butt sleeve.

Merry Christmas.
 
Blue Hog ridr said:
I can understand if you have a sentimental attachment for your old cue and would like to see it being used. Maybe he can get a weight bolt for it later on and use it for a break cue.

Merry Christmas.
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Yeah, thats kinda what it is, I just like the idea of my first cue getting a second life. I gave it to him because I wanted him to have it. The Butt is still like new, so with a shaft and weight bolt it will basically be a like new cue.
 
Check your PM's and get back to me.

Taking the case out of the equation, I'd say if he likes the way the Player's cue plays, freshen it up. The McD cues play good, but different to me. The big pin vs. the 5/16-18 pin w/shaft insert makes a different hit... not better or worse, just different. Keep him with what he knows. I got a shaft on Ebay a couple years ago for less than $30 that wasn't bad at all, and the weight bolts are pretty cheap on the bay, too.

Good luck!
 
DallasHopps said:
Check your PM's and get back to me.

Taking the case out of the equation, I'd say if he likes the way the Player's cue plays, freshen it up. The McD cues play good, but different to me. The big pin vs. the 5/16-18 pin w/shaft insert makes a different hit... not better or worse, just different. Keep him with what he knows. I got a shaft on Ebay a couple years ago for less than $30 that wasn't bad at all, and the weight bolts are pretty cheap on the bay, too.

Good luck!
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Thanks for the offer! Thats partially my thinking too, he's been using this cue for a while now, and I'de like to see it being used.
 
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