I want some break cue opinions.

str8shot

str8shot

Crack Em' Hard
Silver Member
I am pondering between a Players HXTP1 a Mezz Dual Force or a customized BK3 by KJ converted to a J/B. My question is it worth the extra money ($350) over the Players to have the Mezz or the custom BK3. I have used the Mezz and the Players and like both, and both seem to jump and break well for me. The main reason I am looking at these is because i play APA and you have to jump with a full cue, I shoot in House tourneys that allow jump cues but I don't wanna carry a bunch of extra crap aka a separate jump cue. I have a Gilbert now and it works but i want to try something new, and before you ask if i sell the Gilbert it is already spoken for. Thanks all.
 
The Gilbert will be as good as anything else, you're not going up or down just sideways. Like trading in a Blue 2012 Camry for a Yellow 2012 Camry.

For APA league, might as well use a house cue, save yourself some money. Who needs a break cue for what is probably a crappily setup 7' table with 10 yr old nap cloth with a mis-matched set of balls?
 
I just bought a summit break cue and I love it. If has the Samsara hard tip donut can be used for APA and BCA. The price is right and it breaks awesome. I just sold my mezz PB1 and this is a great replacement.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I had a Gilbert J/b and I switched to a Poison VX 2.9 and like it much better for a stand alone jump break. Obviously a lot of people like Gilberts to play with also but as far as just a break and jump cue, I prefer the poison.
 
The Mezz is a great break cue, but quite expensive.
The BK3 is cheaper, but personally i hate it and break like crap with it.
I bought a custom break cue from Bob Flynn, that`s a custom full core purpleheart cue with spalted maple forearm/butt and with a purpleheart shaft.
That cost $350 and breaks really, really good.
The only downside is that you have to wait a few months to get one.
 
Billyard said:
I just bought a summit break cue and I love it. If has the Samsara hard tip donut can be used for APA and BCA. The price is right and it breaks awesome. I just sold my mezz PB1 and this is a great replacement.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

+1 for the summit. The ph shaft and samsara tip are a killer combo. I believe there are some for sale in the WFS section as well
 
Break Cues

Give the OB a shot. I have a McDermott Stinger, A TNT w/purpleheart. I had a Mezz PB1 and have hit with a Predator 3 and bar none, the OB is easier to control with the spread you get. I will have to say that my Mezz didnt have the Samsara like my TNT which might have helped but still like the feel of the OB. I just hate that OB ferrule.
 
A good game of pool is all about having the best edge. Predator jump and break cues will give you that edge no matter how long you have been playing, or what your style may be.
 
I had Ryan from RAT make me one.
Thing breaks and jumps better than any I have ever used.
 
str8shot said:
IThe main reason I am looking at these is because i play APA and you have to jump with a full cue
Click to expand...

Technically you have to jump with your playing cue, but occasionally players get away with using their break or break/jump cues.
 
whatever you do, I would avoid the BK3 j/b conversion... LD shafts DO NOT JUMP WORTH A CRAP!!!

there is a reason that the best hitting jump cues have "less than light" ferrules on them... whether they be phenolic, melamine, brass etc... you want a stiff shaft with forward balance!!!
just my $.02
 
nineballsafety8 said:
whatever you do, I would avoid the BK3 j/b conversion... LD shafts DO NOT JUMP WORTH A CRAP!!!

there is a reason that the best hitting jump cues have "less than light" ferrules on them... whether they be phenolic, melamine, brass etc... you want a stiff shaft with forward balance!!!
just my $.02
Click to expand...

That's also the reason Predator doesn't make a break/jump.

Spoons work well.
Forks work well.
Sporks get the job done, but with more effort.
 
str8shot said:
My question is it worth the extra money ($350) over the Players to have the Mezz or the custom BK3.
Click to expand...

No, I my opinion, the extra money buys very little in performance over the Players.

I own a Players J/B, a J&J J/B and a dedicated Jacoby jump cue. I've played with the Predator and many other break cues. After all the trial and errors while selecting a break cue, my most common used set up is the Players J/B handle with the J&J shaft on it. They both have a quick release joint. I have a milk dud from Pooldawg8 (A member here on AZB) installed on it for control. If i'm playing 10 ball or any game that requires power, I just use the Players with it's own shaft and phenolic tip.
 
with cues....break or otherwise, imo, when in doubt, ALWAYS start with the cheapest and work your way up
 
chevybob20 said:
No, I my opinion, the extra money buys very little in performance over the Players.

I own a Players J/B, a J&J J/B and a dedicated Jacoby jump cue. I've played with the Predator and many other break cues. After all the trial and errors while selecting a break cue, my most common used set up is the Players J/B handle with the J&J shaft on it. They both have a quick release joint. I have a milk dud from Pooldawg8 (A member here on AZB) installed on it for control. If i'm playing 10 ball or any game that requires power, I just use the Players with it's own shaft and phenolic tip.
Click to expand...

Let me make sure I'm getting this right. You are using the Players J/B with a playing shaft for your main stick? And change shafts for breaking? I'm asking because I have a friend that wants 2 do that.
 
Break with your playing cue. Buy a second shaft for your player. There are very few pool players that can actually hit the ball hard enough to damage their playing cue. If your cue is worth a few K, then get a break cue. I've always found my best breaking cue is my playing cue. I used a hard tip. Played, jumped and broke with the same cue. Tried break cues - never ended up sticking with any of them.
 
Break cues

Its really hard to advise anyone on pool equipment when you don't know how well they play, what game they are playing and if they really know how to break hard.
Plus the fact how much money someone wants to spend.

I just got done adjusting the weight on a customers cue, he wanted a 17 ounce cue with a white diamond break tip on a 13mm shaft, and he loves it.

I know other players that use cues that weight up to 27oz to break with.

I use my main player to break with I have a soft break and average dropping a ball 8 out of 10 breaks when I am on.

No matter, what one person likes another may not.
You might get allot of good advise but you are only going to pick one or try out a few cues that were recommended, so even then you still may not know what is the best for you.

I personally shoot with only custom cues, main reason is they don't seem to fall apart like allot of production cues.
I also repair cues and I get first hand look at what problems some cuemakers have.

My best suggestion is to ask around at your local pool hall and see if you cannot some different break cues.


I also think the size of the player should dictate how heavy of a cue one should use for a break cue, but I am sure it still comes down to personal preference .
 
If jumping in APA is a major priority for you, consider an Alex Brick J/B.
In addition to my Alex Brick, I have the Players HXTP, a Gilbert, Jerico Stinger, Lightning Bolt, and a Stealth J/B I believe to have been made by J&J.
Jumping full cue, the Brick, with a Samsara tip, is the best of the bunch. It would probably be scary with phenolic, G10, or a White Diamond.


infest said:
Let me make sure I'm getting this right. You are using the Players J/B with a playing shaft for your main stick? And change shafts for breaking? I'm asking because I have a friend that wants 2 do that.
Click to expand...

I do this with my Players HXTP.


Shawn Armstrong said:
Break with your playing cue. Buy a second shaft for your player. There are very few pool players that can actually hit the ball hard enough to damage their playing cue. If your cue is worth a few K, then get a break cue. I've always found my best breaking cue is my playing cue. I used a hard tip. Played, jumped and broke with the same cue. Tried break cues - never ended up sticking with any of them.
Click to expand...

This isn't a great option for people playing a soft tip.
 
I should also add, while your LO may allow you to switch to a full length break cue to jump, it still violates the APA rules concerning jump and masse shots. They must be attempted with "a regular playing cue." A jump/break cue, by design, is not a regular playing cue. One of the LO I play for allows the switch, one does not.

Just food for thought.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top