How do you pick a new cue without hitting them?

dedstroke38

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
How do you go about picking a new cue when you are in a not to densely populated area. It's extremely hard to find many different cues to hit and try out so getting a new cue for me is a total buy and hope.
 
Been there, done that.

I picked one that I liked the look of and met my budget, hoped, and came out satisfied.

Good luck!
 
Seems tough.. I wish there was some chart of all production cues and some of the more popular customs and compared and contrasted some of the characteristics.
 
I buy cues that I like the look of and hope that I like the way it feels. It has been fairly hit and miss. I like trying different cues and I have been lucky to usually sell them within a couple hundred of what I've paid either positive or negative.

After trying different ones you start to get a feel for what cue makers you like and how their construction generally feels.

The answer is you guess and hope, and if it doesn't work out hope again that you can sell it.
 
Not much here in Montana is there! I bought a cue off of this site from Greg Sirca with just a picture and the description. Got lucky because I like it, but then I am a terrible player. I am having a break cue built by Brent Hartman (bhq cues) based on his reputation and how he spent time with me. You might want to drive to Spokane. There is probably a lot more to try there.
 
You pick out a good well known brand, and don't buy something cheap, and buy from a trusted source, that will offer a full refund and return, if you are not happy.
 
You don't. Not if you are buying a cue to play with at least.

My advice is never buy a playing cue from someone who won't let you at least hit a few balls with it first.
 
It is tuff

Until you understand what kind of a shaft you like, good luck. Through the years, I have learned that I like a firm hitting cue, so when I am buying a cue I test the shaft flexibility by holding the butt with one hand and tapping gently midway, and see how the end of the shaft responds. I am able to tell a lot from this how the cue will hit. I then proceed to hit some balls. If buying online, if it is a cue maker I know nothing about, I will ask the seller how it hits to him on a scale of flexible to stiff. Just a little trick that helps me. Good luck.
 
Ask around. The taper that a cuemaker uses effects how the cue plays and feels more than any thing (given they use the same tip). For production cues, the extremes would be Meucci and Joss, most flexible to stiffest respectively. Schuler is also quite stiff, but not quite a production cue. Using those two as comparisons, you should be able to get an idea as to what you're getting/looking for. After the tip and taper, there are too many things to list that effect how the cue 'hits'.
 
How do you go about picking a new cue when you are in a not to densely populated area. It's extremely hard to find many different cues to hit and try out so getting a new cue for me is a total buy and hope.

On the surface, my suggestion would be to hang out at the local poolhall for the day, and talk to people about thier cues. But it sounds like that's an option you may not have.

Just out of curiosity, are you looking for a new cue because you don't have one now, or do you currently have a cue and want to 'try something different' ?
And if you do have a cue at the moment, what kind of cue is it ? What do you like and don't like about the cue you have now ?

What I will say is that the hit, feel and everything else involved with selecting a cue are subjective. What feels right to me may not feel right for you, and vice-versa.
But the more information you can provide regarding what you currently play with may solicit more defined answers to your question. The more details the better. Knowing what you currently shoot with could help narrow down the field as far as acquiring a new cue.

As you've seen in this thread already, many members here will be glad to try and help you out.
 
Look for specs that meets your criterion. Shaft diameter, butt diameter, type of wrap, the design, type of tip, etcetc. After you figure that out, come on the forums and look for reviews of the specific brand or cue to determine if people like it and how they hit. Very subjective but it will give you some more information without trying the cue out.
 
Buy this cue from me, play it for 3 days, and if you don't like it, return it for a refund:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290579673951

I guarantee everything I sell, so if its a used cue (like this one is) , I welcome the 3 day evaluation period to include some play testing.

There's a cue builder here, Chuck Starkey, who makes the same "play with it" guarantee, which is pretty strong considering what he is sending out is generally brand new.

Other than that, buy a cue used at a fair price, play with it some and if you don't like it, sell it for what you paid for it and move on to the next.

Thanks

Kevin
 
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Me too, I am not buying any cue, they dont let me play with. They can always just sand the tip back down clean. If they dont have demo cues, they lost me as a customer.

Would you buy a car, without a test drive.

Would you buy a women, or marry one, without a really long test drive, of course not.

But there are some, out in nowheresville, like in Big Bear Montana, pop 71, so you are stuck with mail order. So your best bet, is play it safe and go with the big brands you cant get into trouble on.
 
How do you go about picking a new cue when you are in a not to densely populated area. It's extremely hard to find many different cues to hit and try out so getting a new cue for me is a total buy and hope.


Well, the consensus answer "I don't buy any cue I can't get to play with" doesn't help you one bit because that is not your question and that is not your situation. Don't go by anything anyone says when it comes to things like "hit and feel" because that is a personal preference and requires you actually hitting with the cue. So, that eliminates about 97% of the answers you'll get :grin::grin::grin:

First, know your measurements like weight, balance, shaft type, joint type, ferrule type, tip, wrap, and butt thickness. These are all quantifiable things.

Second, cull opinions about the integrity of the cuemaker, his reliability etc etc.

Lastly, if you just started playing,,,,wait. You're in no hurry. And set a limit on spending.
 
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If you have the funds and the time, wait untill a major tourny and make the trip. Vendors will be there and allow you to sample their wares prior to making a decision. Vegas or Derby city come to mind, but I'm sure there are members here that can steer you to the tourny with the widest selection of vendors.....Dan
 
How do you go about picking a new cue when you are in a not to densely populated area. It's extremely hard to find many different cues to hit and try out so getting a new cue for me is a total buy and hope.

Even in a densely populated area, it's kinda hard. Most folks are pretty mindful of their cues. It's almost like letting a stranger take your car for a quick spin around the block.

This is another pool industry practice that leaves a ton of money on the table.
 
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