Looking for some help with choosing a pool cue in the UK

D

Darrenm

Registered
Hey folks. :thumbup:

I’ve been playing pool and snooker for a little while now. I started on snooker, which is a game that I love to watch and have done ever since I can remember. I now play a lot more pool, mostly straight pool and I enjoy playing pool a lot more than snooker now and my pool playing is coming along well. With my Birthday coming up I was looking at getting my own pool cue.

There’s a ton of information and opinions available about cues and choices, but sometimes I think I can have too many choices, haha. Also, I’m from the UK so there aren’t as many cues I can get a hold of over here without paying for expensive shipping and duty from the US, and a few places in the US don’t seem to offer international shipping either.

So, I was really taken by the looks of the McDermott Bocote (g224) cue which comes with their G-series shaft and a 13mm tip. It looks like a nice cue and I know a lot of people seem to rate the McDermott’s as good, well made American cues (although I’ve read that their replacement shafts can be a little off-centre). I also know of a place in the UK where I can buy this cue new for a comparable price to its cost in the US. My budget would be a max of £300/$370 so this seems pretty ideal. Unfortunately the seller I can get it from is an online retailer, like most places that sell pool cues in the UK, so I'm not really able to try before I buy. I've just got to make an informed decision for now.

My question is, is it worth me thinking about ordering a Schmelke, Action, Player or another cue from the US, and paying extra postage and duty. Or, do I just say, ‘Hey, it doesn’t really matter what I buy right now so long as it's a good cue and I like it’, and get the McDermott?

I guess the main thing is that I'm enjoying playing, haha.

Thanks guys. There’s so many choices now it’s mind boggling! :confused::smile:
 
the mcdermott is fine, but any $100-150 cue online should cost you less with postage to the uk

that opens up options like players and hxt and schmelke, plus you can get better tips installed at purchase also, all for less than the mcdermott

i'd go with a players from seyberts for $70, Zan tip $25, free case included and $40 shipping
 
Hi smashmouth, so would the general opinion be that a Players, HXT, or Schmelke would be a better overall cue than the G-series McDermott?

I imagine that getting a cue from a bonefide US pool shop would be advantageous for tip choice, etc.

There are more options when ordering from a US pool shop too, tips, shaft size altering, etc.

Would I want a different shaft size from 13mm? Or should I just stick with the 'stock' spec and just change the tip? 19oz, 13mm.
 
Hi Darren, UK retail prices are ridiculous for US pool cues. You may want to try

www.doubledavecues.com

Dave is based in Cologne, and his prices are certainly lower than you would expect in the UK. No import duty either for the time being ;)

There is also a forum similar to AZ called www.billard-aktuell.de you may find something on there at a reasonable price.

There is a decent looking McDermott on Ebay just now in Germany as well

http://www.ebay.de/itm/billard-queu...342248?hash=item4d54eda528:g:L8gAAOSwImRYf6Eq

I buy and sell cues, and know a few folks in the UK who wheel and deal. Just ping me a message if you have any questions.
 
By the way, if you were gonna spend 300 quid, then spend an extra 50 or so and get a Mezz EC7 or Mezz AXI-N
 
The Bear Bustamante line of cues are really good playing cues. The Mezz are even nicer but quite a bit higher in price. Their shafts are very highly rated.
 
Grantstew said:
Hi Darren, UK retail prices are ridiculous for US pool cues. You may want to try

www.doubledavecues.com

Dave is based in Cologne, and his prices are certainly lower than you would expect in the UK. No import duty either for the time being ;)

There is also a forum similar to AZ called www.billard-aktuell.de you may find something on there at a reasonable price.

There is a decent looking McDermott on Ebay just now in Germany as well

http://www.ebay.de/itm/billard-queu...342248?hash=item4d54eda528:g:L8gAAOSwImRYf6Eq

I buy and sell cues, and know a few folks in the UK who wheel and deal. Just ping me a message if you have any questions.
Click to expand...
Now I see where all the Cognoscentis go. Double D has nine new ones for sale.
What is 1599 euro in US $ ??
 
Grantstew said:
Hi Darren, UK retail prices are ridiculous for US pool cues. You may want to try

www.doubledavecues.com

Dave is based in Cologne, and his prices are certainly lower than you would expect in the UK. No import duty either for the time being ;)

There is also a forum similar to AZ called www.billard-aktuell.de you may find something on there at a reasonable price.

There is a decent looking McDermott on Ebay just now in Germany as well

http://www.ebay.de/itm/billard-queu...342248?hash=item4d54eda528:g:L8gAAOSwImRYf6Eq

I buy and sell cues, and know a few folks in the UK who wheel and deal. Just ping me a message if you have any questions.
Click to expand...

The Balabushka line of cues might now be made in China, but they might still be good quality cues.

http://www.doubledavecues.com/balabushka-gb-p-5153.html
 
Thanks for all your replies folks :)

I hadn't seen that sight before Grantstew, thanks for the heads up. He's definitely got some more interesting stock than nearly all the UK stores. The only thing really catching my eye though is the one that justinb386 mentioned. Those Mezz are pretty expensive, but people do seem to recommend them a lot. I can't help thinking that if I were going to spend that sort of money though I'd prefer a more traditional style cue -I really like the simpler decorative style I keep seeing on the old Rambow and Balabushka cues, inlays with the points and a nice linen wrap, I think that's more my ideal cue but I can't see many like that in my price range, other than a few of the higher end Schmelke cues.

Thanks garczar, another one suggesting possibly Mezz. Hmmm, I keep seeing that name pop up.

The Balabushka cues look lovely and that particular design is right up my street -exactly the style I like on a more elaborate cue and precisely what I was trying to describe above. I do worry though that these cues might be very pretty but not actually very good. It seems to be (from reading here mostly) that 8/10 folks think they're not that impressive. That is pretty much what my dream cue looks like at the moment though. Does anyone have any experience playing with one? Are there many companies making very good cues that look like that?

Another cue that caught my eye is the Jerico Bocote sneaky pete that billiardwarehouse.com is selling for $260. That looks like a very nice cue, and I must admit that the idea of being able to play with a custom cue that doesn't immediately look like a custom cue has an appeal to it -despite my strong favour of the Balabushka style, I'm very self conscious, haha.

Thanks again for all the help folks and please keep the suggestions and info coming :thumbup: :)
 
After having a bit of a think about it actually, I think I'd be much better off with a sneaky pete style for now. I think I'd probably be too self conscious if I had a visibly nice cue. Maybe I can get a nicer/prettier one once I can string a few racks together, haha ;)

I also think that if I went for an s/p I'd be more likely to keep it and use it very long term instead of just getting a nicer pretty cue down the line.

So, if a nice s/p can be bought from Schmelke for about $150-180 + $45 shipping to the UK, I guess the question is, do you folks suppose I'd be thankful for spending the extra on a Jerico or other custom sneaky down the line or would a Schmelke be a great buy?

Thanks again :)
 
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Poolhall60561 said:
Now I see where all the Cognoscentis go. Double D has nine new ones for sale.
What is 1599 euro in US $ ??
Click to expand...

It has been a while since I updated that part of the site and it's outdated, but if you'll notice there's a delivery time on all of them I do not actually stock any (I did have a used one until last week).

Regards, Dave
 
Darrenm said:
Thanks for all your replies folks :)

I hadn't seen that sight before Grantstew, thanks for the heads up. He's definitely got some more interesting stock than nearly all the UK stores. The only thing really catching my eye though is the one that justinb386 mentioned. Those Mezz are pretty expensive, but people do seem to recommend them a lot. I can't help thinking that if I were going to spend that sort of money though I'd prefer a more traditional style cue -I really like the simpler decorative style I keep seeing on the old Rambow and Balabushka cues, inlays with the points and a nice linen wrap, I think that's more my ideal cue but I can't see many like that in my price range, other than a few of the higher end Schmelke cues.

Thanks garczar, another one suggesting possibly Mezz. Hmmm, I keep seeing that name pop up.

The Balabushka cues look lovely and that particular design is right up my street -exactly the style I like on a more elaborate cue and precisely what I was trying to describe above. I do worry though that these cues might be very pretty but not actually very good. It seems to be (from reading here mostly) that 8/10 folks think they're not that impressive. That is pretty much what my dream cue looks like at the moment though. Does anyone have any experience playing with one? Are there many companies making very good cues that look like that?

Another cue that caught my eye is the Jerico Bocote sneaky pete that billiardwarehouse.com is selling for $260. That looks like a very nice cue, and I must admit that the idea of being able to play with a custom cue that doesn't immediately look like a custom cue has an appeal to it -despite my strong favour of the Balabushka style, I'm very self conscious, haha.

Thanks again for all the help folks and please keep the suggestions and info coming :thumbup: :)
Click to expand...

Here is a very nice Falcon cue that Double Dave is offering (in your price range).

http://www.doubledavecues.com/falcon-pointer-from-the-1990ties-shafts-p-5362.html

It is used, but it is one of the older ones that were originally made in Canada (very high quality cues). Falcon cues are now made in China, and not sure how great the hit or quality is these days, but the older ones from Canada hit super nice in my opinion. Very solid (stiff hit, kinda like the hit of a Schon, in my opinion). You said that you like the classic Bushka design (that is my favorite too), so I thought you might like that one. Only thing I do not like about it is the rounded points and inlays, but they are very high quality cues (from Canada). I read awhile back that the factory in Canada that made Falcon cues also made the original Predator cues (before Predator also moved to China), so that right there tells me how high the quality of the 90's Falcon cues were.

If you could spend a little more money, then here is a super nice Lucasi (that is very Bushka style I think, and it has the super sharp points and colored veneers, which I always loved in cues).

http://www.doubledavecues.com/lucasi-lze29-p-4545.html

They are very good quality cues (even though they are from China, I heard that they are made in a state of the art cue making facility, and from the same factory that makes Predator cues), and I think you would be happy with the hit. Here is another one (that is sneaky style, in the way that it is wrapless, with just points) that is within your budget.

http://www.doubledavecues.com/lucasi-lzsp1-p-4892.html

Those are very good quality cues I think. I tried out the new Lucasi Hybrid shaft for a short time, and really loved it.
 
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no cue will make you pay better or worse, there is even evidence to suggest that a warped cue with a bad tip still has minimal effect

people here get used to buying and trying and thus develop preferences hence all the varied suggestions

Peter Ebdon won the worlds with a mushroomed tip from hell, Stephen Hendry won titles for years with his years old beatup and warped firewood, Earl and Shane have won with cheap cuetecs

you can pay alot for small things and the laws of diminishing returns kick in right away with cues

the cues i mentioned come in sneaky styles and from there you have the whole world of aftermarket shafts
 
Darrenm said:
After having a bit of a think about it actually, I think I'd be much better off with a sneaky pete style for now. I think I'd probably be too self conscious if I had a visibly nice cue. Maybe I can get a nicer/prettier one once I can string a few racks together, haha ;)

I also think that if I went for an s/p I'd be more likely to keep it and use it very long term instead of just getting a nicer pretty cue down the line.

So, if a nice s/p can be bought from Schmelke for about $150-180 + $45 shipping to the UK, I guess the question is, do you folks suppose I'd be thankful for spending the extra on a Jerico or other custom sneaky down the line or would a Schmelke be a great buy?

Thanks again :)
Click to expand...

I do not know anything about these cues (Bear cues), but they are from Oliver Ortmann's pool cue shop in Germany (I am assuming, so I assume the shipping costs would be much cheaper to you).

http://www.ortmann-billiards.com/epages/15204264.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/15204264/Products/3329

Maybe someone here can chime in about the quality of the cues. It says on the site that they are "The playing cue of the World Champions Oliver Ortmann and Francisco Bustamante.". I do not know. Just an idea, and it is a sneaky within your price range, and from a pool cue store in Germany (I assume).

Also, you can't go wrong with a Joss (great quality American made cues).

http://www.ortmann-billiards.com/ep...llard"/Queues/Joss_Pool_Cues/Joss_Pool_Queues
 
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Wow, thanks for all the input folks, I really appreciate it :smile:

Thanks justinb386 for all the cues you posted links to, I appreciate it :thumbup:

I think I'm gonna go with a Schmelke sneaky. Their R052 redheart 4-prong model looks exactly like some of the house cues at my local club and people seem to be really happy with their Schmelkes, and I do like the idea of buying a USA cue as well.

At this point I think I'd like something better and more consistent than a house cue, but I'd also like it to be pretty under the radar too -I can always get a prettier cue when I'm feeling more confident about my playing. :embarrassed2:

Here is what I've spec'd on their site:

19 or 19.5oz (I guess I'd have to ask for 19.5 by email as it's not offered on their site)
12.75mm shaft diameter
Kamui S or Everest or Triangle tip
no wrap
hard maple shaft (I don't know what the other choices are and this seems good to me)
no butt cap
Juma 1" ferrule
58" length (if I made a case for this cue myself, presumably I'd be able to fit any other standard length cue in it?)
pro taper
5/16" 18tpi brass pin with brass insert (I assume this will give the 'invisible joint' effect)
no extra shafts


With the Kamui S that would be $180, with the Triangle tip it comes in at $153

What do you folks think? Sound like a nice cue?

Thanks again for all the help :thumbup:
 
Darrenm said:
Wow, thanks for all the input folks, I really appreciate it :smile:

Thanks justinb386 for all the cues you posted links to, I appreciate it :thumbup:

I think I'm gonna go with a Schmelke sneaky. Their R052 redheart 4-prong model looks exactly like some of the house cues at my local club and people seem to be really happy with their Schmelkes, and I do like the idea of buying a USA cue as well.

At this point I think I'd like something better and more consistent than a house cue, but I'd also like it to be pretty under the radar too -I can always get a prettier cue when I'm feeling more confident about my playing. :embarrassed2:

Here is what I've spec'd on their site:

19 or 19.5oz (I guess I'd have to ask for 19.5 by email as it's not offered on their site)
12.75mm shaft diameter
Kamui S or Everest or Triangle tip
no wrap
hard maple shaft (I don't know what the other choices are and this seems good to me)
no butt cap
Juma 1" ferrule
58" length (if I made a case for this cue myself, presumably I'd be able to fit any other standard length cue in it?)
pro taper
5/16" 18tpi brass pin with brass insert (I assume this will give the 'invisible joint' effect)
no extra shafts


With the Kamui S that would be $180, with the Triangle tip it comes in at $153

What do you folks think? Sound like a nice cue?

Thanks again for all the help :thumbup:
Click to expand...
Hey, i just got one and i'd recommend getting the extended pro taper UNLESS you like a stiff cue. I got the pro and its good but i'm getting another shaft with the extended taper. Great cues for the money. Also, get the Kamui.
 
Darrenm said:
Wow, thanks for all the input folks, I really appreciate it :smile:

Thanks justinb386 for all the cues you posted links to, I appreciate it :thumbup:

I think I'm gonna go with a Schmelke sneaky. Their R052 redheart 4-prong model looks exactly like some of the house cues at my local club and people seem to be really happy with their Schmelkes, and I do like the idea of buying a USA cue as well.

At this point I think I'd like something better and more consistent than a house cue, but I'd also like it to be pretty under the radar too -I can always get a prettier cue when I'm feeling more confident about my playing. :embarrassed2:

Here is what I've spec'd on their site:

19 or 19.5oz (I guess I'd have to ask for 19.5 by email as it's not offered on their site)
12.75mm shaft diameter
Kamui S or Everest or Triangle tip
no wrap
hard maple shaft (I don't know what the other choices are and this seems good to me)
no butt cap
Juma 1" ferrule
58" length (if I made a case for this cue myself, presumably I'd be able to fit any other standard length cue in it?)
pro taper
5/16" 18tpi brass pin with brass insert (I assume this will give the 'invisible joint' effect)
no extra shafts


With the Kamui S that would be $180, with the Triangle tip it comes in at $153

What do you folks think? Sound like a nice cue?

Thanks again for all the help :thumbup:
Click to expand...

I can't find the R052 model on their site, but if it were me, and I were to buy one of their sneaky cues (and had a $300 budget), I would get this one, and with a few custom options added.

http://schmelkecue.com/billiard-cues/cc140-custom-schmelke-full-splice-bocote.html

I would get the Joint #4 option (3/8x10 wood to wood), and I would get the "Extended Pro Taper" option (which is $20 extra).

I would not like their standard taper (10-12 inches is a very short taper, and I think that players with mostly an open handed bridge would be comfortable with that short of a taper).

I like a super long 16 inch taper (Meucci style for example).

Well, I hope you will be happy with what ever you chose.

I used to not be a fan of Schmelke cues, but after seeing how nice of a cue that they can make, and all of the custom options that they offer, I am now a fan (just not sure if I would like the hit of their cues yet, but they sure are nice looking).

My dream cue is a Diveney sneaky pete.

http://www.diveneycue.com/pool-cues/brand-new-sneaky-pete-2/

I will get one someday, if I can ever save up enough money for one.
 
Thanks for the heads-up garczar, looks like justinb386 shares your opinion. Sounds right to me, so I'll go with that. And thanks about the tip choice too. It seems like a good opportunity to try a high-class tip that's been fitted professionally, not many places in the UK seem to offer that for pool cues. I do my own tips with my snooker cue but a brass snooker ferrule seems less susceptible to accidental damage/un-flattening when removing the old one or trimming the sides of the new tip than a pool cue tip.

justinb386, here is the link for the redheart cue I was looking at

http://schmelkecue.com/billiard-cues/schmelke-cues/r052-redheart-4-prong.html

They don't seem to offer joint No.4 on this cue, unless it's one of the other named options. I guess there must be a 3/8" 10tpi option in wood to wood, it's just called something else? Unless I'd have to ask for it special?

There's a Diveney on ebay at the mo, but it's got a replacement shaft...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pat-Diveney-Sneaky-Pete-Custom-Cue-/122376269327?hash=item1c7e31ae0f:g:38wAAOSwopRYgAhN

There's a Scruggs as well -way outta my league though...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/122375948056?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Thanks again everyone :thumbup:
 
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