I don't know how you do intros round here...

[BoSoxFanatic21]

So heres mine...

I'm a college student, been playing for 3ish years now. Primarily 9-ball, but I'll play anything you throw at me. Criminal justice major with a small gambling habit and a massive sports addiction. Thats all I got...along with a small question...

Looking at replacing my POS cue with something worthy of me taking the time to invest in and start playing in tournaments. Right now I am looking at Cutecs, Vipers, and heavily leaning towards a new Mcdermott. My price range is 200-400$ and I know a lot of it comes down to personal feel, but does anyone have a cue in this range they are in love with?

Thanks for the help and I cant wait to get to know some of yous!

 

[MattRDavis]

Looking at replacing my POS cue with something worthy of me taking the time to invest in and start playing in tournaments. Right now I am looking at Cutecs, Vipers, and heavily leaning towards a new Mcdermott. My price range is 200-400$ and I know a lot of it comes down to personal feel, but does anyone have a cue in this range they are in love with?

Talk to Kevin Varney (Varney Cues), Chuck Starkey (desi9260), Brent Hartman (BHQ), or J.W. Petree (Petree Cues) on this board. In that price range any one of them will build you a cue to your specs.

 

[mosconiac]

Without a doubt the BEST cue you can buy in that price range is a Predator sneaky pete. Forget about getting the playability of this cue from a Viper or Cuetec. You will find that a significant percentage of Pro's play with a predator shaft on their sponsors cue.

 

[BVal]

Without a doubt the BEST cue you can buy in that price range is a Predator sneaky pete. Forget about getting the playability of this cue from a Viper or Cuetec. You will find that a significant percentage of Pro's play with a predator shaft on their sponsors cue.

That is what I was going to say.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Pkg-Value-485-SPJLW-Predator-Sneaky-Pete-Cue_W0QQitemZ270042884428QQihZ017QQcategoryZ75202QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem

This is a great deal and in your price range. There are many others on eBay for less money even.

 

[nyjoe14.1]

Talk to Kevin Varney (Varney Cues), Chuck Starkey (desi9260), Brent Hartman (BHQ), or J.W. Petree (Petree Cues) on this board. In that price range any one of them will build you a cue to your specs.

I second this, I have played with several BHQ’s and they have all been exemplary. As a matter of fact I believe the last one I played w/ was in your price range too.

 

[LoGiC]

If you do go with the ones you listed, although the suggestions were awesome , I'll tell you to go with the McDermott for a production cue in your price range. All the ones I've used have been solid and that warranty McD offers is too nice to pass up.

Although any custom cue is far cooler than any production cue.

 

[trustyrusty]

So heres mine...

I'm a college student, been playing for 3ish years now. Primarily 9-ball, but I'll play anything you throw at me. Criminal justice major with a small gambling habit and a massive sports addiction. Thats all I got...along with a small question...

Looking at replacing my POS cue with something worthy of me taking the time to invest in and start playing in tournaments. Right now I am looking at Cutecs, Vipers, and heavily leaning towards a new Mcdermott. My price range is 200-400$ and I know a lot of it comes down to personal feel, but does anyone have a cue in this range they are in love with?

Thanks for the help and I cant wait to get to know some of yous!

I remember back in school how hard it was to scrape together cash...I played baseball in college, and getting a new bat ($$$) each year was a BIG deal. I had to save up Christmas money, birthday money, parttime job, etc. That being said - don't spend that much cash on a Viper, or Cuetec!!! Both can be had at a FRACTION of the lowest point in your price range. If you are willing to spend a bit over $200, you will find a much better cue than those. I'm not knocking Cuetec, like most on here will...I have a natural series Cuetec (99452) that I use as a break cue, but I found it on EBay for $50 shipped too. If you want to go a cheaper route you can find good deals on 'em if you are willing to LQQK for 'em. If you wanna try a nice playing cue for under your stated price range (<$200) you could give a Lucasi a try. I have a teammate that bought an L-ER from Joerackem (Nielsons Billiards) on Ebay, and it is a very nice hitting cue for the price ($120ish). As for your $200-$400 range, well there are so many options out there....but folks on here can give you good advice! Like I said, I've been in your situation financially, and I know it's tough to decide if one thing is worth $100 more than another. Good luck in your search for a cue, and once you find one....practice your a$$ off!

 

[rossaroni]

That being said - don't spend that much cash on a Viper, or Cuetec!!! Both can be had at a FRACTION of the lowest point in your price range. QUOTE]


I was thinking the same thing. I don't think Viper or Cuetec even make a cue that is $200. If they do, you can get something much better. If you really want one of these two, you can probably go to the local pawn shop, and pick out one you like. They should have a good selection of Vipers and Cuetecs, and they should be around $50 or less. I don't think you can go wrong with a McD or Joss. However, like others mentioned, a Predator sneaky or sneaky from a custom maker would be the best bet. A good thing to do maybe, is to go to the wanted/for sale selction here and make a post that you want a good cue within your budget. You should get a lot of good offers on some nice cues.

 

[trustyrusty]

That being said - don't spend that much cash on a Viper, or Cuetec!!! Both can be had at a FRACTION of the lowest point in your price range. QUOTE]


I was thinking the same thing. I don't think Viper or Cuetec even make a cue that is $200. If they do, you can get something much better. If you really want one of these two, you can probably go to the local pawn shop, and pick out one you like. They should have a good selection of Vipers and Cuetecs, and they should be around $50 or less. I don't think you can go wrong with a McD or Joss. However, like others mentioned, a Predator sneaky or sneaky from a custom maker would be the best bet. A good thing to do maybe, is to go to the wanted/for sale selction here and make a post that you want a good cue within your budget. You should get a lot of good offers on some nice cues.

Another good point...With all of the (no offense) CUE HO's on here, you could pick up a REALLY nice cue for a pretty good price. And just to clarify, by saying "cue ho's" I meant those on here that seem to try quite a few on a frequent basis.

I also didn't mention my playing cue...it's a Joss P-29 (was made for GOBILLIARDS.com, but I didn't buy it there). The retail price was some ungodly amount, but I got it for about 2 bills...I like it so far. I happened to buy it in a poolhall new, and got a good price. That GOBILLIARDS place has an EBay store that has a Joss P-30, and a P-23 with a 314 shaft on Ebay right now. Look around!

 

[Jeffrey Gale]

Give Pat Diveney's cues a look, you can get a nice butterfly splice cue from him for around $350, and in my opinion they are one of the better hitting cues out there. Pat's on this forum and his forum name is Butterfly cues, PM him and see what he's got for you or look at his cues on www.indyq.com

 

[poolpro]

I remember back in school how hard it was to scrape together cash...I played baseball in college, and getting a new bat ($$$) each year was a BIG deal. I had to save up Christmas money, birthday money, parttime job, etc. That being said - don't spend that much cash on a Viper, or Cuetec!!! Both can be had at a FRACTION of the lowest point in your price range. If you are willing to spend a bit over $200, you will find a much better cue than those. I'm not knocking Cuetec, like most on here will...I have a natural series Cuetec (99452) that I use as a break cue, but I found it on EBay for $50 shipped too. If you want to go a cheaper route you can find good deals on 'em if you are willing to LQQK for 'em. If you wanna try a nice playing cue for under your stated price range (<$200) you could give a Lucasi a try. I have a teammate that bought an L-ER from Joerackem (Nielsons Billiards) on Ebay, and it is a very nice hitting cue for the price ($120ish). As for your $200-$400 range, well there are so many options out there....but folks on here can give you good advice! Like I said, I've been in your situation financially, and I know it's tough to decide if one thing is worth $100 more than another. Good luck in your search for a cue, and once you find one....practice your a$$ off!

I totally agree. I was definitely going to suggest Lucasi! They are great cues for the money, and just plain great cues. I have bought from Nielsons billiards also, and have had great experience with them. I would not get a cuetech( just my opinion). I play with a predator and love it! I have owned over 40 different cues and have played with many more. I personally think that McDermotts and Meucci's are overrated and overpriced ( though I like some of the older ones a bit). I think that Lucasi cues are actually better and cheaper. I have seen some great deals on ebay for lucasi's. I have see deals for a nice brand new lucasi with a dufferin sneaky pete and a case for around $200. You can;t go wrong there. I bought my girlfriend a very nice brand new Lucasi for around $200. Then a bit later I got her a predator shaft to match it for another $170. Now she has a great looking, and playing cue with two shafts with less than $400! If money is an issue, that is not a bad way to go. You can buy the cue, then upgrade to a predator shaft later, if you want to. They make a predator that matches the ringwork and everything ( it has a uni-loc joint, as most new lucasi's do). Anyways, just my opinion.

 

[SILVER__WOMBAT]

So heres mine...

I'm a college student, been playing for 3ish years now. Primarily 9-ball, but I'll play anything you throw at me. Criminal justice major with a small gambling habit and a massive sports addiction. Thats all I got...along with a small question...

Looking at replacing my POS cue with something worthy of me taking the time to invest in and start playing in tournaments. Right now I am looking at Cutecs, Vipers, and heavily leaning towards a new Mcdermott. My price range is 200-400$ and I know a lot of it comes down to personal feel, but does anyone have a cue in this range they are in love with?

Thanks for the help and I cant wait to get to know some of yous!

i love my new mcdermott mg01 i got it from this guy for $135 cause i didnt need the case http://stores.ebay.com/Slots-n-More-Gifts-and-Billiards_W0QQssPageNameZstrkQ3amefsQ3amesstQQtZkm