Hello and a question about Action cues

desertshark

desertshark

Racks on racks on racks
Silver Member
Hi. First post newbie here. Been playing pool since I could see the balls on the table. Played mostly for fun, but when times got tough I played for money then ran out of the want to play. I've been away from the table seriously for about 10 years.

The last cue I owned was an early 2000's J. Pechauer in 19 oz. I loved it however I have since parted with it.

Seeing as how I was asked by an old friend to play in some tourneys (I have no idea what this entails....), I had decided to drop a few bucks on a new cue.

I ended up with an Action RNG07 in a 19 oz.

I know this is probably the "Wal-Mart" of cues, but its sturdy, smooth and I can control ball fairly well (Given I haven't really played in 10 years...)

The construction is nice, solid and doesnt feel cheap. the wood grain is nice in the butt portion is nice. This is one with the linen wrap and not the leather in the grip area.

I got it new with a case for about $100 less than I expected to spend.

Does anybody use these cues and is there any feed back?

I want to see how well I fair in a tourney setting before I invest alot of money into a full rig.

Please go easy on me as I am new getting back into the sport!
Thanks
 
Did I miss the secret hand shake when I signed up here?
An introduction thread post somewhere?

I know I don't stink, I showered! Lol
 
Action cues are very "low end" "generic" cues that carry very little brand identity or brand reputation/prestige.


You will not find much in the way of substantial opinions on the matter of these cues I think.


At $100 less than expected I would assume the cue is nearly free. Many (most?) action cues are available under $100.

I believe the cue model you specified is available for around $70. If you got it for $100 less than expected then you were paid to take the cue?

I imagine the general membership is not sure how to respond in this case.



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Well it feels ok LOL

When I went to pick up a cue, I was prepared to pay $125-$300. With the case and chalk, I walked out at under $100. From what I remember, the J. Pechauer I had was better, but as I am just getting back into playing, I didn't want to dump a bunch of money into something I wouldn't use.

So I think I could maybe use it for a breaking cue sooner or later.

Since I started low, what would be a good newbie stick?
 
desertshark said:
Well it feels ok LOL

When I went to pick up a cue, I was prepared to pay $125-$300. With the case and chalk, I walked out at under $100. From what I remember, the J. Pechauer I had was better, but as I am just getting back into playing, I didn't want to dump a bunch of money into something I wouldn't use.

So I think I could maybe use it for a breaking cue sooner or later.

Since I started low, what would be a good newbie stick?
Click to expand...

For $150 you can get a good Joss, Meucci, Dale Perry, Viking, Lucasi, and McDermott. Just depends what you like.

The Action cue is okay for playing on small tables but will lack power steering, brakes, and overdrive on a big table.
 
Where can I find one? All the websites I found were higher and I can't seem to find a local place that sells them but I know Phoenix has to have a place.
 
****UPDATE****
I took out this cue tonight on a 9 foot table. I played some 8 and 9 ball and it held its own. I'm a little rusty on playing since its really been too long for me, but the cue did hold up. Stock, the tip can perform English well; follow thru or upper equator, come back or lower equator and side to side English was more than my playability at my present state of playing.

The shaft is a little wobbly so I think with a sturdier shaft, this cue could be a great sleeper. As in its an Action cue and nobody will expect much tho I think I can make it perform to my standards once my standards are improved.

I will go pick up another better cue and a breaking cue in the near future, but in the mean time, I am wanting to get into an APA league so I think this one with a lower deflection shaft will really keep my perception as a rookie and allow me to surprise my opponent with a crappy stick.

Not bad for a cheapy. Lol!
 
Good news.

There is no reason why the cue shouldn't be acceptable for getting started, and even beyond that.

People are usually going to watch your play more than your cue anyway, so they are probably thinking of your cue less than you think.

If you are running racks you will find them more curious about your equipment.

The most important thing is that you are happy with it and can play some pool and have fun.

Enjoy it. And please continue to post your experiences. :)


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Hey always nice to hear the experiences of somebody who kind of walks in from the cold. I was there about 2 years ago. I'm no great sage so take my 2-cents advice and think of me as probably overcharging.

First thing, don't worry too much about things as they lay now. The Action brand is as described (low end) but that still makes it 5x as good as house cues :wink:, plus you never have to scour the place for one with a decent tip on it since you always have your own. And the truth is, you have to make some pretty good strides before you are good enough that the cue is holding you back. So enjoy it and play alot. You haven't spent so much money on it that it's a loss.

I'm going to step into your business (you sort of asked for it), and suggest maybe you skip getting a low-deflection shaft for your Action cue. Unless you have connections I don't have, and LD shaft is going to be a couple of hundred. It goes back to my first thing - until you get pretty decent, and more specifically when you are making frequent use of left and right english and getting decent with it, then by far the biggest thing to work on is that connection between the floor and the cue (in other words, you).

So I am gently suggesting that when you are that far along, maybe you've outgrown the cue, and just get you a good quality cue with an LD shaft, all in one bite.

Or... since you mentioned getting a break cue in the near term, which means you're ready to spend money now.... perhaps get your current cue retipped with a hard tip ($12) and make it your break cue. Then spend that money on your next, and much higher quality, cue, now instead of later.

If you are wanting advice on brands and other considerations for such a scenario [and I feel I have overextended my welcome, which is why I ask], then reply to that effect. I'm happy to chime in with what my thoughts on that. And again, I'm just a guy like everybody else here.
 
OK, now that I actually took some care in reading all your posts on this thread, desertshark, I see you already answered most of my questions. And you wanted some input on upgrading cues, and where cues might be had at decent prices.

So on what to look for, cues are a matter of taste. I am a total Viking bigot. Love them. I have 4 now.... I like my Lucasi 509 too. Like my Cuetec too, although many folks don't care for graphite shafts. But like the other guy said, a number of good quality brands, add Meucci, Joss, and McDermott to the list. In fact, McDermott seems to be the one I see most in my APA league. Some people like Player cues. I don't fancy them.

But I do know a buying strategy that works for me. YMMV (your mileage may vary). If you can physically inspect a number of cues and brands at a local billiards shop, go window shopping. Try to settle on a brand that suits you. I know you can't just go play on their brand new tables, but just feel them, balance them.

Decide on one brand. Forget model numbers, unless you very much fancy a particular specialty or model. Shop the brand. Then........

Here's my big secret. Go to eBay. Look for that brand. I fancy USED cues. Yes, I do. They sell lots of new ones too on eBay (good prices, too). But if you shop used, you can get a good quality one at a steal. Don't buy the first one you see.

Further advice - only buy from sellers with 200+ score, and at least 99.5% feedback. Only buy if they give you some detail in their description, that they say it's in great shape and minimal-to-no nicks etc, and that they specifically mention that it rolls straight. Also, if they show several pics. They are selling thousands of cues on eBay. If anything about the listing seems off, just skip it. There are others. If people bid one up too much, skip it. Next week there are another 1,000 listings.

I'm not saying you can't get bitten, but with this advice your odds are very good. My three favorite cues (I have 8, yes, I a habitual offender...) I got all used, all on eBay, for $110, $70, and $60. No reason, unless you are going after a Meucci (they are pricey, even on eBay), that you should pay more than that.

If you want one with an HD shaft, well actually those don't ever seem to be sold on used cues. But you can get you a good cue cheap, and spring for a new 314 or Z2 shaft separately.
 
Hey Paul. Thanks for info and I believe since I posted last, I have more input to foul things up! Lol

I played with the Action for hours. I dinged the shaft once on the pool table and its just far enough that it annoys the crap out of me on longer stretch shots. I'm a short guy so I use the whole shaft when I have to. I took it out the other night and played some nicely felted quarter tables and held my own, though I am trying to get back to where I was when I was younger in ability.

I've played since the 80's hustling drunk guys for video game money when it wasn't frowned up for my mom to take me to a bar. I think I started around 7 which gives me close to 28 years experience. I played in pool halls after turning 21 and made a few beers off some guys, a few bucks and a lot of acquaintances along the way. I gave up playing alot at my personal height of playing. I loved my Pechauer and really regret giving it up now.

So I looked on jjcues and found a spark break shaft that will fit for $30. Has a magic phenolic hard tip and a shortened ferrule and its a piloted joint that will fit my Action cue. I have also been scouring Craigslist and found a guy that has a complete Falcon cue and a Joss butt for fairly cheap. I might go take a look and pick them up. If there are in good shape.

This cue will be converted to a break cue. I'm not in love with it and to be honest I am growing out of the feel. At first it felt good but long range lags. It is a step up from a house cue, but not by much.

I figure if I like the Falcon, I can use it until I have to shake the shaft. The Joss has the oval inlays that I'm not fond of so I may pass on that one.

I am keeping my eyes open, found 2 places locally that carry high end cues tho only been to one and the guy working there takes my vote as the kinda guy I wouldn't have an issue giving money to.

I still need to get my APA membership before the season starts and keep playing until then. I'm gonna need a solid play cue before I start because to be honest, you're only as good as you feel and if I am annoyed by the cue I have, I'm going to have issues carrying my own in a league.
 
Believe it or not you can play great pool without an APA membership and I dare say the greatest players never belonged to any leagues at all. It's up to you.

As for the Spark Break Shaft I have been looking at picking one up for myself since t will fit my current break cue. Let me know if you try one out. I'm curious.

If you pick up the JOSS butt cheap and want to pass it on I might be interested. Let me know what the deal is. I'm serious. PM me pics and/or a link to the sale if you like.


Keep us posted. Cool stuff. :)



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I'll definitely keep you posted. I'm ordering the spark break tomorrow.

I have a sledge hammer break with any most cues and haven't really used a break cue before. I've actually bought a few house cues from breaking too hard but I'm sure they weren't up to par when I used them lol.

As far as the APA thing, its mandatory for the league. The guy I'm getting into it with is a member and he has a team that fell a few short this season. I'm more of a 9 ball guy but cut my teeth on 8 ball. I'll stick with APA 8 ball. We'll see about 9 ball later.
 
No cue is to cheap

I know two not good but great players, one of them i have personaly gone on the road with $500 a game he puts my $1100 schon down and ask me to go to the truck and get his players sneaky pete and i have watch him play one pocket with some of the best "cliff joyner" he was getting 9 to 7 but it was joyner come on. And the other one beat archer several times coming through town back in the late 80s early 90s archer just got to good for anyone to beat him. The whole point is that guy plays still today with a sear roebuck cue looks just like the sportscraft from walmart but his isnt straight the tip lifts about 3/4 in when you roll it. Lol
 
Sawyer said:
...that guy plays still today with a sear roebuck cue looks just like the sportscraft from walmart but his isnt straight the tip lifts about 3/4 in when you roll it. Lol
Click to expand...

LOL, Sawyer, I know couple of dudes who I am convinced would outshoot me in pool using the butt of a baseball bat.

For the 70% of us good enough to play decent pool, I think features, quality, weight, balance, flavor and hardness of tip, all that stuff, can matter a great deal. There's about 5% who have evolved past all that, just so darned good that they can work with anything.
 
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