How do you pick a new cue without hitting them?

Buy from a well-known cuemaker (well-known for quality, not just well-known) that has good resale. That way if you don't like it, you can always get your money back (and possibly more).

I suggest Andy Gilbert, Keith Josey, or Darren Hill to start. I've only personally owned one from Keith, but all three have stellar reputations. There are plenty more as well, but I can't think of them off the top of my head.
 
Buy a Kieth Josey, Sugartree, or an Andy Gilbert. I would buy unhit and sight unseen any three of these guys cues based on my own personal experience with the consistency of each one of these makers from one cue to another. Especially Josey. Every Josey I've ever hit with regardless of woods played pretty much the same.
dave
 
"i dont know" is the clear, and only answer to this question. the problem here is cue makers have started catering too much to collectors over the years. its business, so its not their fault, but it is becoming increasingly harder to buy a cue these days to actually play pool with.

i hate it, ive said this before, but i think there is a huge market out there for a "players" cuemaker.... one who soley caters to the players and doesnt say any of this you cant hit with it blah blah. little al is a good one... but i think there should be more cuemakers exploiting this market.
 
I may be wrong but Billiard Warehouse use to have a buy it and try it policy for a specific number of days. I also think that may be true with other reputable cue dealers. Always bset to call and find out the details. I really like leagues for this and have had the opportunity to try many cues during league nights.
 
Tough when you are not in an area where players have a variety of cues for you to see and try. What price range are you looking for? Ferrule size? Do you have a certain look in a cue that you want or do you know what type of hit you prefer? Hard tip or soft? Have you hit balls with many different makers cues? Many players hit balls with a number of cues and go with the one they seem to make the most balls with, or can make a certain shot the way they do with their current cue. Can you tell the difference between 2 cues in the way it feels when the cue contacts the cueball instead of if you made the ball or not as criteria?
I would be more than happy to send you something to test drive. Send me a note.

Bob Danielson
www.bdcuesandcomix.com
 
Missoula

There's a pretty good scene in Missoula, but no real pool hall. Hang out at the game room on campus and get to know some of the real players. Almost every one of them will let you try their playing cues and discuss the merits of various cues.
I'll PM you next time I head to Missoula. If you want to meet at the gameroom, I'll let you try a bunch of different cues. I have enough variety that it should help you figure what you like in regards to wrap, shaft, taper, etc. Then you can get online and be a more informed shopper.
I do recommend Billiard Warehouse. I've used the return policy and Greg is great to deal with. Smooth as silk.
If budget is a concern and you want to go with an LD shaft, you can't beat the price of a Predator sneaky pete right now.
Good luck!
Karl
 
I just bought 2 McDermott cues online recently and I haven't gotten a chance to play with either before hand, but wound up liking them anyway. I remember the 1st time I walked into a billiards shop a couple of years ago and asked what they recommended for a beginner's cue. I tried several, but loved the hit of a McDermott. Plus you can't beat their lifetime warranty behind their cues.
 
Add me to the Keith Josey fan list

I bought mine without playing with it first.
But another guy in the hall I play in has one.
We swapped cues for a while. Despite them
having been made three years apart, we
agreed that both hit the same. Stiff, yet
with great feel.
 
Add me as well to the Kieth Josie fan club. I never hit one and bought one on reputation. Met Kieth and Sherry at the Super Billiards Expo. We talked and I left the booth. Thought about it for an hour and went back and ordered my cue. I had Kieth then make about 6 changes to my order as I learned what I need in a cue. Went off without a hitch. I got it a week before Christmas in 2010.

I have about 14 other cues. Each with it's own virtues and vices. This Josie has all of the virtues and none of the vices in all the other cues I own. I swear if you tell Sherry exactly what you want Kieth will make it. I bought a deluxe sneaky. I got 2 shafts, one a standard and one a Timeless Timber shaft. The cue has very little deflection, A solid no-nonsense hit. A bit on the stiff side(stiffer with the Timeless shaft) side. It has brought my play to a new level. I cannot reccomend the Josies any more highly than that. Kieth will make it right no matter what. So you just can't loose with one of his cues. Cuemaker of the year, and not by accident.

If you want a production cue. Try a Pechauer. I have one and it is my back up cue. I bought one because I always wanted one. I have a JP4 that I had Pechauer substitute a curly maple grip for the linen. It is a great playing cue. Pechauer will make modifications to any of their cues. Different colours, weights , shaft diameters, tips and so on. I'd bet they would substitute woods too. And the prices were very reasonable. If production is what you need Pechauer will deliver.

I wish you well on you're search. I hope you find that perfect cue. Kieth Josie did for me.

Mark Shuman
 
I recently had a cue a built by paul sumrall I had no idea what thay played like,I only knew what specs I wonted,I had an idea on the design!
I went with paul based on his reputation on here.And by seeing his some of his work.
Anyway it worked out alright, cue is awesome! When deciding on a cue, whether its ordered from the cuemaker or off a dealer its all about reputation IMHO.
 
dedstroke38 said:
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.
Click to expand...

You can't possibly just buy a cue without using it, different weights, balance of cue and feel of cue are so important to the individual, sometimes the cheapest cue works and sometimes it doesn't, to play properly the cue has to feel as though it is part of you, so if it doesn't feel right, you have no chance of progressing your game.


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130539349665&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT
 
dedstroke38 said:
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.
Click to expand...

You might try an annual pilgrimage to SBE or the Derby. Take a couple of days vacation. A lot of various cues around these events. Not only could you find a good cue, you could also watch some great pool, meet new friends, match up (if that's your thing).

Just a thought

Steven
 
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