Help finding my first real cue

M

MJC097

Registered
Hey guys, first I want to apologize since I am sure everyone here is sick of hearing a beginner asking about equipment questions and all but unfortantly this is one of those types of posts.

I am a pretty average young player (18 years old as of yesterday) and have a pool table down at my summer house which I play a lot during those 3 months. This year however, I am going off to college giving me easy access to a table for the next several months. Because of that, I am looking to start getting serious with learning to play the game. As of now I pretty solid with easy to medium shots and am decent with banks and ball placement.

Now, after playing a little bit in the past 2 months, I realized that the cues I have down at my house are horrendous to say the least. Therefore, I am first wondering what is a good house cue I can get so at least my friends can play with a decent cue too. My main question, however, is about what kind cue I should get for myself, one which ideally will not slow me down in my growth and also will assist me in my games once I learn how to efficively use it.

I have two pathways to go down. First is getting a $100 cue, one that stands to my mind from looking on the forum is the Viking VM38-40. My second choice is to go all out and get a nice ~$400 that ideally will last a lifetime. I was thinking about getting a predeter, possible z shaft or a 314 (depended on if if liked them at a store, I have heard mixed reviews for both). So my main question is which route should I go. Please recommend cues as well, as I am not really aware of whats good and whats not as of now. Thanks a lot for any help
 
MJC097 said:
..., I am first wondering what is a good house cue I can get so at least my friends can play with a decent cue too.
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Excalibur makes a nice house for $20. Best Billiards carries them.

Dufferins are good for I think about $25

I'm not answering the other question. I'll sit back and watch these guys try to talk you into getting a $1200 custom cue before this thread is done.
 
MJC097 said:
Hey guys, first I want to apologize since I am sure everyone here is sick of hearing a beginner asking about equipment questions and all but unfortantly this is one of those types of posts.

I am a pretty average young player (18 years old as of yesterday) and have a pool table down at my summer house which I play a lot during those 3 months. This year however, I am going off to college giving me easy access to a table for the next several months. Because of that, I am looking to start getting serious with learning to play the game. As of now I pretty solid with easy to medium shots and am decent with banks and ball placement.

Now, after playing a little bit in the past 2 months, I realized that the cues I have down at my house are horrendous to say the least. Therefore, I am first wondering what is a good house cue I can get so at least my friends can play with a decent cue too. My main question, however, is about what kind cue I should get for myself, one which ideally will not slow me down in my growth and also will assist me in my games once I learn how to efficively use it.

I have two pathways to go down. First is getting a $100 cue, one that stands to my mind from looking on the forum is the Viking VM38-40. My second choice is to go all out and get a nice ~$400 that ideally will last a lifetime. I was thinking about getting a predeter, possible z shaft or a 314 (depended on if if liked them at a store, I have heard mixed reviews for both). So my main question is which route should I go. Please recommend cues as well, as I am not really aware of whats good and whats not as of now. Thanks a lot for any help
Click to expand...


In my opinion, getting a Predator as a first cue is a leap. I've owned a Predator for over 5 years now and consider it to be a high-end product. Of course, people are going to tell you to get one and that you'll never look back but do you really want to spend that kind of money? If $400 is no big deal, go right ahead. You'll be perfectly happy.

If, on the otherhand, you're concerned about your finances, going with a Viking as a first cue is a safe and attractive choice. I would also consider Lucasi, Falcon (makers of most Predator butts), Mali, Meucci, McDermott, Joss & Cuetec.

All of the cues I've mentioned (and I'm sure there are more) have low-end cues that play just as well as their high-end models. The advantage to going with a cheaper cue is that it gives you a moment to figure out your preferences. You might prefer a certain wrap, weight and diameter. On the otherhand, you might find yourself bowling in six months. Either way, you've made a small investment that allows you some flexibility. If you get a Predator, you're pretty much stuck with it. Hey, I love mine but if I chose to sell it, I'd be hard pressed to get its worth.


Just my thoughts. Take it for what it's worth and enjoy yourself. Pool is really special at this stage.
 
Wally in Cincy said:
I'll sit back and watch these guys try to talk you into getting a $1200 custom cue before this thread is done.
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ROFLMAO,,,,,good one Wally !!!

don't forget the McDermott and Fury fans,,,they are circling now,,,can almost feel them,,,LOL

seriously MJC097,,,an Action or Players jump break probably would be a good choice, IMHO, both retail for under $100 bucks ($85, I think),,,lots of dealers will cut you a deal, I'm sure....

word of advice, FWIW, three things disappear (get stolen) in college, text books, pool cues, and umbrellas (I speak from personal experience !)

...............jflan :)
 
Wally in Cincy said:
Excalibur makes a nice house for $20. Best Billiards carries them.

Dufferins are good for I think about $25

I'm not answering the other question. I'll sit back and watch these guys try to talk you into getting a $1200 custom cue before this thread is done.
Click to expand...
I respect (and agree with) Wally's opinion on the house cues, and understand his response to the second question ;) FWIW, my approach would be to go with the Viking, a McDermott, or something similar now.

Play with it a while, shoot with as many other cues as you can, and when you've decided what weight, tip size, joint, balance, taper and flex you really want, you can either sell it or keep it for a break cue and go with an upgrade to your dream cue.

My first "real" cue was a McDermott I bought new for about $100 20+ years ago. I moved up to a sucession of Shons, but that old McDermott is still making balls for a buddy I sold it to 15 years ago.

HTH - Just my 2c. Good luck!
Walt in VA
 
Jack Flanagan said:
...<SNIP>...

word of advice, FWIW, three things disappear (get stolen) in college, text books, pool cues, and umbrellas (I speak from personal experience !)

...............jflan :)
Click to expand...

You forgot bicycles! At least, it's the most often-stolen college item in UC campuses here in CA.

Schons are among the best (if not the best) production cues currently available, though everyone has their own personal favorites. Erik Lee's site has some 4-pointers starting around your stated budget:

http://www.erikleecues.com/schonstl.htm
 
I think Dufferin makes an excellent house cue and so does Lucasi. As far as a production cue for yourself, I would avoid predator and my only reason for saying this is becuase once you play with a predator shaft, it'll take serious effort to adjust to playing without one should you decide to down the road a ways. And I would never suggest a custom cue to someone who is just getting into the game but I thin kif you're looking for a good hitting production cue, try Mezz. They play very well. Schon does too but they can be pricey. Those two would be my suggestion.
 
lord_shar said:
You forgot bicycles! At least, it's the most often-stolen college item in UC campuses here in CA.
Click to expand...

last time I was on campus at Alabama/Tuscaloosa, there were bikes that had been chained to trees so long that the frames and wheels had been swallowed up/engulfed into the bark of some trees...LOL
 
Alright, well I am going to go and test some cues out tomorrow at a local shop to see how these cues feel. Any basic ideas on what I should be looking for? Thanks again for the help
 
if it was me and I wanted to a nice cue for under 400 dollars I'd buy a Joss. Can get their low end models for around 200. Only other low end production cue I'd get would be a mcdermott. Think they both make a very nice cue, and the low end ones still play nicely.

Thats just my 2 cents.....
 
if i was you id get a $1200 custom cue













nah seriously......id get one






















ok ok im kidding..........if i was starting out again and giving myself this advice......id say get a really nice sneaky pete, wood to wood joint. Shoot with it until you get enough miles and experience on you that you :

1) know you are gonna stay with the game of pool
2) have played with enough different cues until you get a feel for what you like and can actually tell the differences in playablility and hit
3) have enough money to afford whatever you want (assuming you aint already rich)



then when you get to that point.....and youre inclined to, go ahead and shell out some money for a cue that floats your boat and turn the old sneaky into a break cue.....or hold onto the sneak, i still trot mine out occasionally, especially if im playing somewhere new.
To me theres nothing worse than buying lower dollar cues looking for what you like, in the end you have a closet full of them and you take a bath trying to sell them (at least you used to, maybe with ebay now you can recoup)

my .02
 
MJC097 said:
Alright, well I am going to go and test some cues out tomorrow at a local shop to see how these cues feel. Any basic ideas on what I should be looking for? Thanks again for the help
Click to expand...

Besides the hit-qualitities, just make sure it rolls straight on a non-cloth-covered surface. The shaft should be made of pale hard rock maple. Prongs/points on the rear aren't required, but they tend to help the cue resist warping a little better than non-inlaid cues.
 
You should get a $1200 custom cue from a top maker! Or if you would like I do have fury and mcdermotts you can have 2 of each for $1200!!! :D
 
One more question

I like the VM series from viking, but does the VM40 vary much for the VM31, or is it all cosmetic. Right now I can get a VM31 for about $165
 
word of advice, FWIW, three things disappear (get stolen) in college, text books, pool cues, and umbrellas (I speak from personal experience !)

...............jflan :)[/QUOTE]

WHO THE HELL STOLE YOUR UMBRELLA LMAO ;)

STEALING GRILFRIENDS MAYBE BUT TAKE A GUYS UMBRELLA WHATS THE WORLD COMING TO
 
k-carson said:
word of advice, FWIW, three things disappear (get stolen) in college, text books, pool cues, and umbrellas (I speak from personal experience !)

...............jflan :)
Click to expand...

WHO THE HELL STOLE YOUR UMBRELLA LMAO ;)

STEALING GRILFRIENDS MAYBE BUT TAKE A GUYS UMBRELLA WHATS THE WORLD COMING TO[/QUOTE]

when it rains in the south,,,umbrellas disappear !!!,,,especially on college campuses...need your umbrella to walk the pretty girls to their nex class,,,LOL
 
Pricing

MJC097 said:
One more question

I like the VM series from viking, but does the VM40 vary much for the VM31, or is it all cosmetic. Right now I can get a VM31 for about $165
Click to expand...

That's a good price for a VM31. The price is different because the VM31 has a couple sets of rings - the VM40 is plain. I believe it's American made.

You should also be able to get a McDermott in $165 range. American made, also. Site shows List Price - http://www.mcdermottcue.com/PAGES/05 Cues/Competitor/McDermott Competitor Series.htm

The advantage with McDermott is the Lifetime Warranty, including warpage.

Also, you should be able to get any of the Fury DL cues for just under $100. Chinese made ??

Lots of choices. 5280 and Players are nice.

How about a $1,200 custom? ;)
 
Cricket

My main question, however, is about what kind cue I should get for myself, one which ideally will not slow me down in my growth and also will assist me in my games once I learn how to efficively use it.

I assume that you plan to continue playing the sport even after you're through with college. If that's the case, --and this is just my opinion ---if I were you, I would check into Mike Johnson's low-end custom cues. He's the cuemaker for Jensen Custom Cues and has some real great hitting ones for around $400.00. From what I hear about the hit and quality, you'll probably never have to buy another one unless you want to upgrade to a more expensive one.
 
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