rootdoctor
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Is there a significant difference in performance between a Josswest cue and a Tascarella cue?
Josswest or Tascarella?
- Thread starter rootdoctor
- Start date
The performance difference is in who's holding it. I've owned both and both were fine playing cues. Neither stood out as a clear favorite to me. I will advise to shop for a deal.
In my opinion (and you're gonna get 10 different ones) I'd buy a JW..... solely for the reason he's retired and his cues won't diminish any in value. Not saying Tascarellas will.... but they are still being made and I don't see them stopping anytime soon.
Good luck!
In my opinion (and you're gonna get 10 different ones) I'd buy a JW..... solely for the reason he's retired and his cues won't diminish any in value. Not saying Tascarellas will.... but they are still being made and I don't see them stopping anytime soon.
Good luck!
Tascarella, no question about it.
jack 195
Banned
That's almost a loaded question.
Joss with a sideway W, or straight up W?
Tascarella, Peter senior or Peter jr?
Do you want Old growth wood, Mature growth, or just well seasoned?
Ferrules and Tips can drastically change your play.
Everyone wants to find the perfect playing cue.
That's why there's so much buying, selling, trading.
Try to find a place where you can try the cue, at least get an idea of what you want.
Bacote will play differently than Maple, Ebony will again be different.
I hope you're a young man, because you've a lifetime experience ahead.
This question really deserves a lengthy conversation.
I own both with Tascarellas on order and I still have several Josswests from just about every vintage.
My player is a 58" sideways W Josswest, there doesn't seem to be any difference between the 72-80 sideways w and the 80-83 straight up JW, probably just the stamp.
Tascarella's are fantastic rock solid cues, I just sent him a Willie Hoppe professional to convert, however I will continue to use my Josswest as my daily player.
Also one of the most current Josswest's with the sleeved Ivory joint and the first radial pins were incredible playing cues.
I can do things with the cue ball using those cues that I can't do with other cues.
There are several reasons to go with Tascarella as well so it's about a toss-up, and the hit is different.
Tascarella seems a little beefier.
My advice is to get both
I own both with Tascarellas on order and I still have several Josswests from just about every vintage.
My player is a 58" sideways W Josswest, there doesn't seem to be any difference between the 72-80 sideways w and the 80-83 straight up JW, probably just the stamp.
Tascarella's are fantastic rock solid cues, I just sent him a Willie Hoppe professional to convert, however I will continue to use my Josswest as my daily player.
Also one of the most current Josswest's with the sleeved Ivory joint and the first radial pins were incredible playing cues.
I can do things with the cue ball using those cues that I can't do with other cues.
There are several reasons to go with Tascarella as well so it's about a toss-up, and the hit is different.
Tascarella seems a little beefier.
My advice is to get both
This will always be a matter of personal preference! You are talking about two of the finest cue makers we've ever seen. Both are on the first echelon of their trade. For some background consider this. In the 1970's and 80's JW cues were the preferred playing cues (and Szambotis) of many of the best players in the country. They were probably the most solidly built (along with Szambotis, Ginas and Tads) cues being made at that time. No matter how you feel personally about Billy Stroud, the man could turn out some beautiful looking and playing cues.
There's a reason they still have value as collectible cues today. I own three of them and loan them out to some of the best players in the world when they stop by my place. Pretty quickly they ask me what kind of cue it is. I tell them and they just keep on hitting balls. Actually I'm surprised that Stroud cues haven't gone higher in value, considering he isn't making any more. They may be the best investment today in collectible cues. His workmanship is first order!
As for Tascarella, I've also owned a few over the years. Maybe the best hitting cue I ever owned was a Tascarella (and a Balabushka). I had hocked it for a guy needing money ($1,500) and he had a year to redeem it. I didn't hear from him until there was one week left to go and he came to my poolroom and bought the cue back. DAMN! IMO some Tascarella's play great and some just don't hit quite the same. It is wood after all! They are all beautifully crafted cues and their value is not in question. Pete is a great guy and a straight shooter. You won't ever hear anyone coming on here and b-tching about him! But my advice remains the same, play with a cue before you buy it if you can. No two are ever the same.
In that respect Billy's cues are more consistent playing cues in my opinion. I never found one where I didn't like the feel and hit on it. By the way, both Billy and Pete were excellent pool players, so they know first hand how a good cue should feel.
There's a reason they still have value as collectible cues today. I own three of them and loan them out to some of the best players in the world when they stop by my place. Pretty quickly they ask me what kind of cue it is. I tell them and they just keep on hitting balls. Actually I'm surprised that Stroud cues haven't gone higher in value, considering he isn't making any more. They may be the best investment today in collectible cues. His workmanship is first order!
As for Tascarella, I've also owned a few over the years. Maybe the best hitting cue I ever owned was a Tascarella (and a Balabushka). I had hocked it for a guy needing money ($1,500) and he had a year to redeem it. I didn't hear from him until there was one week left to go and he came to my poolroom and bought the cue back. DAMN! IMO some Tascarella's play great and some just don't hit quite the same. It is wood after all! They are all beautifully crafted cues and their value is not in question. Pete is a great guy and a straight shooter. You won't ever hear anyone coming on here and b-tching about him! But my advice remains the same, play with a cue before you buy it if you can. No two are ever the same.
In that respect Billy's cues are more consistent playing cues in my opinion. I never found one where I didn't like the feel and hit on it. By the way, both Billy and Pete were excellent pool players, so they know first hand how a good cue should feel.
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If your collecting, maybe different answer, but, if your playing,
I would think about the Tascarella,
Just in case you need a slight repair, a shaft made, something, at least you can get
it done.
I am not suggesting one over the other. Just an opinion in the fact you can have the
cue maker fix you up if needed.
I would think about the Tascarella,
Just in case you need a slight repair, a shaft made, something, at least you can get
it done.
I am not suggesting one over the other. Just an opinion in the fact you can have the
cue maker fix you up if needed.
I never could figure out after all my years of playing how exactly you figure out performance difference between cues. Hit yes, value yes, looks yes ballance yes, performance in a cue, no.
All shaft. And it's 95% based on how you play, so if someone tells you what they like, that is the hit and deflection properties THEY like, not you.
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Truth is it is a matter of personal preference
some people swear by each one
next time they prefer the other one
I doubt a person alive even Billy or Tascarella could point to something to prove or explain it
However if Billy plays his against tascarell playing his
I will take Billy for the cash
He was one of the best back in the day
some people swear by each one
next time they prefer the other one
I doubt a person alive even Billy or Tascarella could point to something to prove or explain it
However if Billy plays his against tascarell playing his
I will take Billy for the cash
He was one of the best back in the day
They better not play any Straight Pool. Pete was a hundred ball runner!